Book picks similar to
Ward of the Philosopher: Shader Origins by Derek Prior


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Ash: The Days of Ash and Fury, Act One: Includes Omens of Fury, Tremors of Fury, and Spawn of Fury


Sean Hinn - 2018
    "Uplifting four-color fantasy" ... "A MUST read for all fantasy lovers!"..."Impossible to put down!"... "Heartwarming and heartbreaking" ... "Fantastic in every way!" ... "Vibrant, exciting, memorable, and unpredictable!"Magic is everywhere.Its presence saturates the idyllic forests of Thornwood, where the elves' innate power allows them to commune with the land. It flows south, to the Grove, where enchanted waters bubble forth to provide healing and succor to those in need. To the east, ancient fragments still persist in the dark, deep gnomish tunnels of G'naath. In the very throat of the Maw, the dwarven halls of Belgorne grow more magnificent with every passing generation, for the blood of Silverstone kings lives on. The great Tower of Kehrlia stands as a beacon in the kingdom of Mor, tempting prospective Incantors into years of grueling trials under its ambitious master, Sartean D'Avers.The ordinary magics of Tahr, however, cannot stand against what is to come.At the muzzle of the Maw, the mighty volcano Fang stirs, smoke and ash belching from its mouth for the first time in millennia. Random fires ignite across Tahr with no apparent cause. Beneath it all, darker powers roil and rage as those long-forgotten plot their violent exodus from the eternal prison of Fury. As the very land of Tahr begins to quake and crumble, the Master of Kehrlia makes his play at the throne, putting into motion a scheme that would enslave humanity.Witness the fall of kingdoms through the eyes of Tahr's would-be heroes: Lucan Thorne: a roguish young tavern hustler. Aria Evanti: a demure elven princess. Firstson J'arn Silverstone: stoic heir to the dwarven Sovereign. Shyla Greykin: the wide-eyed, irreverent gnome girl who dared venture Outside.Drawn together by forces unseen, these extraordinary individuals find themselves swept into an epic quest that will ask a question old as time: how far into the abyss can one venture before redemption is forever out of reach?So begin The Days of Ash and Fury.

Unleashed Fury


Laura R. Cole - 2011
    Overthrown in a bloody revolt and the knowledge of the forbidden arts lost in the book burnings of the ensuing chaos, Gelendan has risen above its gruesome history. Now, hundreds of years later, its dark past forgotten, Layna is a simple maid. But as mysterious events begin to unfold, she comes to realize that nothing is ever as simple as it seems.She finds herself caught up in a whirlwind of deception, romance, espionage, and secret societies that soon has her life spiraling wildly out of control. Whilst fleeing the fury of her mistress - whose rage is fueled by Layna's budding relationship with the woman's former consort - and attempting to evade detection by the priests who want to control her new-found magical talent, Layna's problems are further compounded when she discovers a strange marking on her neck. A mark that is growing darker by the day. Who or what has marked her, and for what purpose she doesn't know. But it soon becomes apparent that whatever it is, it's after her......and it's gaining.(109,272 words)

Fuel to the Fire


David Staniforth - 2012
    With sunlight, an abundance of food and people that trust, this world is everything her home is not. She could be happy, she could disclose the love she feels for Ronyn (the dragon trainer’s son), but when Hesperus (the Keeper-of-Knowledge) discovers her, she may have to return to a world of misery where even suicide is no escape and where the most frightening monster is not the dragons or the razor-hounds, but the tyrannical ruler, Saurian. IndiePENdents seal of approval: http://indiependents.org/

Waiting Game


J.L. Ficks - 2011
    Thirsting for a challenge, Shade accepts a job to slay an ultra powerful crimelord that could brand him an enemy of his own criminal underworld. A tale of pride and confidence, Shade chooses to take his mark head on. This time he waits for his enemy to come to him. How many waves of monstrous foes can Shade gamble before the sheer numbers prove too much? How long can one lone assassin last until he falls victim to his own deadly waiting game?

The Slayer Rune


John Snow - 2013
    It's a story of love and hate and Viking action, infused with Norse mythology. Does Sigurd’s love for Yljali lead to his dark deeds, or do other powers force him to act?The stage is set in the Scandinavian Viking Age in 967 AD. Young Sigurd is in love with Ylajali, a mysterious foreign thrall girl. Helgi Blackbeard, the king's captain of arm, discovers her beauty and wants to marry her. Blackbeard is a powerful man, a friend of the king, but he is not the only one to lust for the girl. Harald Chieftain, Sigurd's father, has sworn an oath never to touch Yljali.Sigurd has friends. Grim teaches him the use of runes, and Gisli owns the best sword at Vik. When Sigurd decides to act, he sparks a chain of event he is unable to control. In the book you’ll meet Odd the Squinter, Big Bork and his brother Bork Berserk, Skarphedin the Second-Sighted, Hakon, Hild, Sigrunn Silkyhair, and the Witch from Spedale. They are all unique characters who play pivotal roles in the plot. Will Sigurd get Yljali?The Slayer Rune is the first book in The Viking Series.

The Starseed Universe, omnibus


Ashley McLeo - 2018
    Celtic mythology like you've never seen before. And a battle to save us all. Magically bound and separated from birth, sisters Lily, Evelyn, and Sara are reunited in the rolling hills of Ireland to save Earth as we know it. Their opponents? The fata—otherworldly magical beings whose abilities far surpass any supernatural on earth.  That is until the sisters can master their magic. With their magic restored, the sisters must fulfill an ancient prophecy lost during the fire of the Library of Alexandria. If they don’t all of humanity will be enslaved. The sisters’ varied pasts create friction but they work to find common ground, master their magic, trust their estranged birth family, and fight together.  Even after Lily’s adoptive family survives a tragedy, and heiress Evelyn undergoes a trial of her own, it seems as though they are strong. That nothing worse can happen.  But when one rises the other falls, and occult academic Sara is forced to face her demons. With help from their family, new love interests, and unexpected links from souls long lost, the sisters push the limits of magic and bring together a culture of supernaturals—a supernatural army—like the world has never seen. The Starseed Universe Novellas Accompanying novellas Rogue Fae and Siren Falling follow the adventures of fan-favorite secondary characters Gwenn, Rena, Emily, and Selma as they discover their powers, find each other, and learn who they really are. The Starseed Universe Boxset  Full of action, romance, mythology, engaging characters you want to know, and sisterhood, The Starseed Universe is sure to keep you up all night!

Tip of the Dagger


Kate Avery Ellison - 2017
    But sometimes, even the most loyal have second thoughts. Author's note: This is a novella set between the events of A GIFT OF POISON (Book #1 of the Kingmakers' War series) and A BED OF BLADES (Book #2 of the Kingmakers' War series).

The Wolves of Solomon


R.L. Blackhurst - 2010
    When he discovers the truth of their nature, he vows to destroy the Order and have the Knights burned to the last.When hundreds of Templars are arrested in France and Catherine is taken by De Floyran, Galeren resolves to rescue her and save as many of his brethren as he can. Alone, he journeys to France and into the heart of danger to face his enemy and risk everything to save his race from destruction.

Hearts of Iron


Scott James Magner - 2013
    The three men, who have been trained by their father in the art of war since childhood, spend the sweltering afternoons practicing swordplay, trading barbs, and thinking of how many men they would need to take the prince’s poorly fortified castle for themselves. But when a mysterious agent asks the prince for the brothers’ services in obtaining a gilded chest, eldest brother William recognizes an opportunity to strengthen the Hauteville legacy. When he assembles a crew of skilled mercenaries, loyalties are tested and truths revealed. Among the group, there is a traitor, a spy, and the carrier of a long-held secret. The trust William places in each of his men will decide the future for himself and his family.

Dwarves of Elvenshore


Clark Graham - 2012
    He saves them from getting killed and rescues a Dwarf Prince. For these actions he is adopted by the Dwarves and helps them in their wars and battles to save the kingdom.Set in Elvenshore, A mystical place settled long ago by the Elves and later abandoned by them. This story tells the tale of battles with new and old foes as the Dwarves try and retake their kingdoms from the evil things that roam the forest and mountains of Elvenshore.

The Tailor


Leigh Bardugo - 2013
    New scene from Shadow and Bone told from Genya's point of view.

Dead Girl's Guide to Style


Rose Pressey Betancourt - 2014
    As a personal stylist to the undead, she's on a mission to help every vampire in Savannah, Georgia find their signature style. (Fashion tip: red hides blood stains.)Max Dupree is her latest client, but Hadley soon discovers finding the perfect suit for Max is the least of their problems. Max's life isn't the same since his recent resurrection from the grave. Life is completely different from how he knew it back in 1894.But Max isn't the only one with problems. Things have changed for all vampires in Savannah since his return. If Hadley doesn't figure out why bad things are happening, finding fabulous accessories will be moot. It could mean permanent death for every vampire in town.

The Barrow


Mark Smylie - 2014
    Set in the world of the Eisner-nominated Artesia comic books.To find the Sword, unearth the Barrow. To unearth the Barrow, follow the Map.When a small crew of scoundrels, would-be heroes, deviants, and ruffians discover a map that they believe will lead them to a fabled sword buried in the barrow of a long-dead wizard, they think they've struck it rich. But their hopes are dashed when the map turns out to be cursed and then is destroyed in a magical ritual. The loss of the map leaves them dreaming of what might have been, until they rediscover the map in a most unusual and unexpected place.Stjepan Black-Heart, suspected murderer and renegade royal cartographer; Erim, a young woman masquerading as a man; Gilgwyr, brothel owner extraordinaire; Leigh, an exiled magus under an ignominious cloud; Godewyn Red-Hand, mercenary and troublemaker; Arduin Orwain, scion of a noble family brought low by scandal; and Arduin's sister Annwyn, the beautiful cause of that scandal: together they form a cross-section of the Middle Kingdoms of the Known World, brought together by accident and dark design, on a quest that will either get them all in the history books, or get them all killed.

Sceldrant's Comet (The Rostical Guild, #1)


Michael Rogers - 2013
    Our heroes, a seven year old Sacred Dancer, a swordsman that despises titles, a warrior with the ability to control the land, a blind archer and the classic white mage try to find a way back to Earth after being transported by a mysterious power. Yet, something doesn't want them to.They encounter foes that wield unimaginable power, battle elemental Guardians and even compete in a race where people die, this fun fantasy filled adventure isn't exactly what they thought it would be!Will our newly formed heroes find a way home? Will they be the best guild? Will they survive in the harsh lands of Rostical? Read to find out!

Legends. Volume 1


Robert Silverberg - 1998
    The first volume in an exciting series of original fantasy short novels, as the genre's favorite writers spin new tales in their most beloved series.The famous and fantastic worlds conjured up by the world's most celebrated authors are now revisited, as the best of the best tell all-new, original tales set in their wildly popular series with Legends -- the greatest collection of original fantasy short novels ever published This essential anthology will be the most talked-about fantasy book of the season, and fans everywhere will want to experience it to the fullest on HarperAudio.In this first audio volume, Stephen King presents an untold story set during Roland the Gunslinger's epic, worlds-spanning quest for the mysterious Dark Tower...while Robert Silverberg returns to the world of Majipoor and Lord Valentine's astonishing life.