Book picks similar to
Deceived by Water by D.K. Holmberg


fantasy
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Rising of a Mage


J.M. Fosberg - 2012
    He looked up at Anwar and smiled. "That is the name I will be known by in the magical world," Anwar said. Gabrielle nodded, sat down and began leafing through the book written by his former apprentice. When farm boy Anwar discovers he has the ability to use magic he goes to the local wizards guild for help. As apprentice to Master Gabrielle, he soon surpasses his teacher's skills and knowledge and becomes a formidable member of the City Guard. While studying the magic arts, he meets Mariah, apprenticed in the art of healing. Anwar discovers that the girl he has fallen in love with will fight by his side with sword, knife and bow. When their city is attacked by a horde of marauding goblins, Anwar becomes a local hero. After the senseless slaughter of his family, Anwar vows to hunt the evil in the world and protect those who cannot protect themselves. Anwar, Mariah and his best friend Jabaal take off in search of knowledge and adventure. It doesn't take long for them to find it.

Axe of the Dwarven King


James Galloway
    A story of Tarrin's peaceful life among his friends and relatives and the beginning of a new mystery which will lead him on the path of a new adventure of epic proportions.Never published but it can be found online, absolutely for free, on the author's website (http://forums.sennadar.com). Or download from http://www.weavespinner.net/worlds_of...

Fatemarked Origins: Volume III


David Estes
    Martin's A Game of Thrones and Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings, The Fatemarked Epic promises immaculate world building, an ancient prophecy, a mysterious source of magic, a diverse cast of characters, war, political intrigue, and romance.Four Fatemarked short stories capturing the origins of some of the most secretive and loved characters in the epic fantasy series, bringing the world of David Estes' creation to life in a whole new way. A deadly eastern tradition revealed, the tale of the War of Roses, a brewing rebellion in Phanes, and the truth behind a fatemarked knight's shadowy past. Includes the origin stories of Gareth Ironclad, Verner Gäric (grandson of Heinrich Gäric, who first discovered the Four Kingdoms), the leader of the Black Tears, Sonika Vaid, and Sir Dietrich, the swordmarked.

The River Mists Of Talry


Terry Mancour - 2013
    . . and use them as leverage against Master Minalan the Spellmonger.Tyndal is out of his element - just barely a mage, he's far more adept with a pitchfork than a wand. But then the gods never asked his opinion, and he sets to his task with the determination of a mountain-born lad. And the attractive daughter of a local innkeeper persists in distracting him from his charge, an attention that Tyndal desires even as he recognizes the danger of such an entanglement.What's a young apprentice mage to do . . . especially when the worst of his fears are realized, and the checkered cloaks of the Censorate warmagi appear on the docks of Talry. Then Tyndal's only hope to save his master's bride and his family - not to mention his own life - is to trust in the River Mists of Talry!

Sanctuary Tales


Robert J. Crane - 2014
    Those who live in this world are faced with two choices: live an ordinary life or become an adventurer and seek the extraordinary. The guild of Sanctuary is replete with an amazing cast of adventurers, wanderers and rogues. In their pasts linger secrets that define them and shape the course of their lives. For every one of them has a tale, each with something different to show - and even in the most honorable guild of Sanctuary, not everyone is exactly what they seem to be.

Ash and Steel


T.L. Branson
    Despite his best efforts using an incredible power, she is no longer among the living.When a rival kingdom seeks to take advantage of this delicate time in Drygo’s life, he is thrust into a battle for the future of his kingdom.Can he save his people where he could not save his queen?Fans of R.A. Salvatore, Brandon Sanderson, and Patrick Rothfuss, will love this epic sword and sorcery adventure.Ash and Steel is a short story introducing the world of Soul Stones, an upcoming epic fantasy series. It can be read as a standalone or as part of the series.

Keeper of the Eye


Mark Shane - 2016
    Then she learns she's fighting for the wrong side. Fleeing for her life, she seeks out Max, the one wizard who can help save her people. Michael is a simple carpenter. While other eighteen-year-olds seek adventure, he loves his quiet life. Then nightstalkers attack and everything turns to chaos. With the world on the brink of Armageddon, a mystical gem known as the Eye calls on Michael to wield its great magic, but its power is useless if he can’t learn to embrace the magic within himself. Thrown into a war of wizards and warlocks, demons and dragons, Michael and Falon follow Max on a daring mission to save the world. Racing headlong toward the fight of their life, Michael must wield powers he barely understands while Falon must embrace skills she abhors and Max must become the wizard he failed to be in the past.

That Dragon was in No Way My Fault: An Adult Urban Fantasy


M.H. Bonham - 2019
    His partner and mentor takes him to the Denver Zoo, thinking that it'll be a good training opportunity. Instead, they discover a deranged sorcerer has let loose a dragon from the Supernatural portion of a new exhibit called, "The Magical Zoo." With a crazied sorcerer and a pissed-off dragon on the loose, Ironspell must use his knowledge and his magic to stop both. Otherwise, Denver is in for some serious trouble. What's more, sorcerer has taken hostages and threatens to feed them to the werewolves in the Lycanthrope House. The problem is Ironspell isn't exactly a wizard -- he learns his spells by reading magazines like Popular Wizardry. Can Denver and the Denver Zoo survive Ironspell's attempts to save the day?

Ghost Omens


Jonathan Moeller - 2013
    When rumors spread that a dead Emperor has returned from the grave, Caina Amalas of the Ghosts and Claudia Aberon must work together to defeat the threat.

The Island


Alison Croggon - 2017
    Maerad of Pellinor, pregnant with her first baby, is haunted by a mysterious island that everybody says doesn't exist. And then she finds the child...NOTE: This story is available to subscribers of the author's newsletter which can be found on the author's website or at the official url above.

The Murder Blossom: An Ink Mage SideQuest


Victor Gischler - 2019
     Beware the poison of the Murder Blossom! When a desperate wizard sends Templeton Kane on an important quest, he's obliged to team up with a formidable woman named Lill. Not only is Lill an imposing physical specimen -- as are many in her tribe from the Glacial Wastes -- but she's also an Ink Mage, a woman whose magical tattoos give her extraordinary abilities. As they chase an ancient artifact, moving from danger to danger, they discover that legends are not always what they're cracked up to be. Occasional strong language, brief adult situations, and gritty sword-stabbing action. The Murder Blossom is a 25,000 word NOVELLA. A word about SideQuests: Ink Mage SideQuests are meant to be shorter works set in the world of Ink Mage. Think of them as "in between meal snacks" while waiting for the books in the main series. While the SideQuests are meant to stand on their own, characters and situations might (or might not) appear in the main novels.

Stealing the Egg


LeRoy Clary - 2015
    He is warned by night whispers to flee from his tiny mountain village of Dun Mare. The stolen egg of a dragon will pay his way, if he manages to live long enough to sell it. However there are forces against him far beyond his understanding. All he believes he knows about his life and home is false, but the egg of the black dragon is the key. Many believe black dragons do not exist or have gone extinct. Gareth finds himself alone in a strange world of tempest seas, flying dragons, and powerful foes vying for the mental powers he may possess, and for control of the egg. Telepathic teachers a secret sisterhood, and the king's armies willing to kill for a black dragon are only the beginning of Gareth's story. The second book of the series is expected to be published by October of 2015.

Arcanist Fables


Shami Stovall - 2021
    New arcanists. The rise of the Second Ascension.Volke Savan has proven himself time and time again, but now the others of the Frith Guild want their opportunity. Illia wants to recover a lost runestone, Master Zelfree hopes to learn the magics of the Mother of Shapeshifters, and Adelgis surprises himself with the new depths of his dreamweaving abilities.But while the Frith Guild prepares for the coming war, the Second Ascension has grand plans for the world. When two more god-creatures are born, dastardly arcanists try their hands at braving the godly lairs. With the Dread Pirate Calisto as a ferry, men like Theasin Venrover will have to outsmart puzzles and traps that put the world serpent’s to shame.Witness stories from the viewpoints of friend and foe alike, all while the world races to find and bond with the remaining god-creatures.

Dragon Fire


Phaedra Weldon - 2014
    Clothing, muscle, bone remain untouched. When the number of these bodies increases in the city of New Orleans, Lt. Crwys Holliard suspects the murderer isn't part of the Material Plane, but from a Plane he believed was destroyed centuries ago. He and his partner, Lt. Levi Tulose, vow to put a stop to the murders and send the creature back to the plane from whence it escaped. But will Crwys succeed when he finds himself pitted against a Dijin, a Witch, and his own infamous past?

Little Girl Lost


Tristan J. Tarwater - 2012
    When she finds herself at the mercy of the vicious sausage maker, the elderly Madame Greswin, she discovers secrets from the woman's past and the consequences leave Tavera fighting for her life."Little Girl Lost" is a short story and prequel to "Thieves at Heart", the first novel in the series "The Valley of Ten Crescents".