A sinister wizard. A mysterious teacher. A kingdom on the brink of collapse. In the ancient kingdom of Havenglade, a brutal enemy is ravaging the countryside making his way closer to Gradur Castle. An aging king seeks protection from a council of loyal wizards. A peasant girl finds herself at the center of it all after bonding with a magical crystal and absorbing its magical essence. After losing her parents, Laurena was given the chance of a lifetime to study wizardry under the mysterious and renowned teacher Unai.Can she learn to harness the powers inside her before it's too late?
You Can Build A World For many authors, there's nothing that slows down their writing process more than world-building. Whether it's deciding on what types of fantastic beasts to include in their stories or how to name characters and locations convincingly H.C. Harrington, Amazon Best-Selling Author of the Daughter of Havenglade Series, explains step-by-step how to create deep and engrossing worlds while saving time. World-Building For Writers breaks down hundreds of examples of effective world-building from novels, films, and television to demystify the process, make it enjoyable, and help readers unleash the inner voice they never knew they had for creating worlds. Prepare to enter the realm of your own imagination.
For five hundred years the Gods have united the Three Nations in harmony. Now that balance has been shattered, and chaos threatens. A town burns and flames light the night sky. Hunted and alone, seventeen year old Eric flees through the wreckage. The mob grows closer, baying for the blood of their tormentor. Guilt weighs on his soul, but he cannot stop, cannot turn back. If he stops, they die. For two years he has carried this curse, bringing death and destruction wherever he goes. But now there is another searching for him – one who offers salvation. His name is Alastair, and he knows the true nature of the curse. Magic. An original epic fantasy novel with dragons, gods and magic, packed with action, adventure, swords and sorcery, by New York Times Bestselling Author Aaron Hodges.
The legacy of Mari and Alain blazes ahead in this brand-new sequel to The Pillars of Reality series. The Great Guilds had conspired for centuries to keep Dematr unchanged. The Mechanics Guild kept secret the technolgy for steam locomotion, rifles, and far-talkers, leaving most people to live in a world of oil lamps, crossbows, and horse cavalry, while the Mages treated all others as if they were nothing — until Master Mechanic Mari, dragon slayer and pirate queen, and Master of Mages Alain raised the army of the new day to free their world. Kira of Pacta Servanda, the daughter of the two greatest heroes of her world, was six years old the day she stood on a battlement in Dorcastle, kept safe from the nearby crowds by bodyguards as she stared up at a statue of her mother. As the morning sun cast the shadow of Mari’s statue over Kira, she realized that she would spend the rest of her life in that shade. Then the world of Dematr learned that a new kind of ship had left the far-distant world of Urth. The ship would take just 10 years to cover the immense distances between stars. Of all the colony worlds, the ship was coming to Dematr. But for what purpose? Kira was 16 when the ship from Urth arrived, and she discovered that her world still needed heroes.
Her tears grant wishes. Her next tear will end her life. She didn’t ask to be the Wishtress. Myrthe was born with the ability to turn her tears into wishes. But when a granted wish goes wrong, she is cursed: the next tear she sheds will kill her. She must travel to the Well to break the curse before it can claim her life—and before the king’s militairen find her. To survive the journey, Myrthe must harden her heart to keep herself from crying even a single tear. He can stop time with a snap of his fingers. Bastiaan’s powerful—and rare—Talent came in handy when he kidnapped the old king. Now the new king has a job for him: find the Wishtress and deliver her to the schloss. But Bastiaan needs a wish of his own. He gains Myrthe’s trust by promising to take her to the Well, but once he gets what he needs, he’ll turn her in. As long as his growing feelings for the girl with a stone heart don’t compromise him. Their quest can end only one way: with her death. Everyone seems to need a wish—the king, Myrthe’s cousin, the boy she thinks she loves. And they’re ready to bully, beg, and betray her for it. No one knows that to grant even one wish, Myrthe would pay with her life. And if she tells them about the curse . . . they’ll just kill her anyway. “A beautiful tale about self-worth, second chances, and mysterious enchantment.” —Kathryn Purdie, #1 New York Times bestselling author Exciting and clean YA fantasy Stand-alone novel Book length: approximately 125,000 words Includes discussion questions for book clubs
When artists and designers explore or create a fictional setting, the milieu must be completely fleshed out, explained, and designed. In this book, comic and gaming art veteran Mark A. Nelson explores and demonstrates his methods for fashioning visually stunning, believable environments for fantasy creatures and characters. Scores of images and step-by-step examples illustrate how variation and experimentation lead to fresh, original designs for otherworldly beings, their environments, and their stories. Nelson discusses how to find ideas and borrow from history to add the strength of realism to a fantasy world. In describing the best ways to establish a habitat, he offers specifics about climate, terrain, flora, and wildlife. He shares insights into founding societies in terms of their means of survival, manner of warfare, spiritual practices, style of dress, and levels of technology. All visual creatives who work with imaginative material — illustrators, comic artists, and writers — will take a lively interest in this source of inspiration and practical knowledge. "In sixteen breezy-yet-surprisingly-concise chapters he covers everything from visual problem solving to spirituality to warfare to transportation, not with the idea of giving the reader lessons to copy by rote but rather as prompts to develop their own original concepts. If I were suggesting three books every budding artist should have at their fingertips they would be Figure Drawing for All It's Worth by Andrew Loomis, Imaginative Realism: How to Paint What Doesn't Exist by James Gurney, and, most definitely, Mark's Fantasy World-Building." — Muddy Colors
Nothing Is As It SeemsAfter defeating the mysterious wizard, Lesmarglor, and saving Gradur Castle, Laurena had hoped for a better future. One where she could learn the secrets of her magical crystal and live in peace.But after a failed mission, paranoia spreads through the castle and alliances begin to shatter. Mysterious assassins threaten the Crown Prince, and images of black dragons surface in impossible places. Rumors of a dangerous cult hint that the recent problems are only the beginning of an ancient, unthinkable evil.With time running out, Laurena must decide whether to accept the perfect escape or to save the kingdom... and herself... again.Killing Lesmarglor may have only been the beginning.
Worldbuilding is the ultimate act of creation for speculative fiction writers, but how exactly do you worldbuild? You ask 'what if' and use each answer as a springboard to more questions and answers about your fictional world. In The A-Zs of Worldbuilding, that 'what if' process is broken down into 26 themed chapters, covering topics ranging from architecture to zoology. Each chapter includes a corresponding set of guided exercises to help you find the 'what if' questions relevant to your story's world. Fair warning, though: worldbuilding is addictive. Once you get started, you might never put your pen down again.
'" Thirty years after the Demon Wars, peace has returned to the land of Lodoss--but darkness looms. After defending his village against a horde of goblins, a headstrong young warrior named Parn sets out on a quest to restore his father''s honor and save the realm. Joining Parn are Deedlit the high elf, Slayn the wizard, Etoh, a fledgling priest, Ghim, a grizzled dwarven warrior, and Woodchuck, a wily thief. Along their journey, Parn and his companions discover an evil witch who, for eons, has been manipulating events from the shadows. Can this ragtag party of heroes defeat the all-powerful Grey Witch and prevent Lodoss and its kingdoms from descending into total chaos and destruction? "'
"A fast moving, engaging tale in what promises to be an epic fantasy romance series," Kirkus Reviews. The first time Chancery’s twin sister tried to kill her was on their ninth birthday. In the intervening years, nothing improved. In fact, Judica stabbed her hand with a fork just this morning so she could take the last pancake. Then Judica threw it to her dog. But Chancery has a secret. She’s been watching their people’s finest warrior for years while she was supposed to be studying. He’s gorgeous, powerful, and a genius in all military applications—flawless in every way. Chancery thinks he may like her, too. But he’s supposed to marry her evil twin, because their mother chose Judica as her heir, the future empress of one-sixth of the earth. Chancery, sick of all the drama, decides to run away from court to live among the humans, but the day before she’s supposed to leave, she’s helping her prepare for a ball. She tries on her mother’s royal ring and the staridium stone reacts to her. She inadvertently fulfills an ancient prophecy of the woman who will unite the six families and save the entire world. There’s no way her mother’s going to let her leave now, and things just became much more complicated. ★★★★ AWARDS!! ★★★★ SOVAS 2020 Finalist in Fantasy-Best Voiceover (Audiobook) Whitney Award 2020 Finalist in Fantasy Publisher's Weekly BookLife Prize 2020, Quarter Finalist CRITIC REVIEWS: What are people saying about Displaced? Publisher's Weekly BookLife Prize gave it a 9.25/10: Displaced, the first novel in Baker's Birthright Saga, boasts a fleet, often inspired story of matriarchal superheroes on a Hawaiian island. The story's heart is the conflict between royal teen twins Chancery, the kind-hearted protagonist, and Judica, her cruel sister and the heir to the throne. Baker's story pulses with exciting incident, and even though this is the first book in a series the climax is consequential and exciting, even as it entices readers with the promise of more. Baker's writing is swift but potent. She invests each scene with the heart of her protagonist, so it's always clear what's most important in each moment. The large cast is clearly described and differentiated, and scenes of action and romance both prove exciting. Chancery's perspective is likably wry for a royal narrator. The dialogue varies from flirty teen banter to regal proclamations, but always is crisply crafted. Baker brings fresh energy and invention to even familiar elements like the inevitable royal succession crisis. Her Evians' powers and customs fascinate, and Displaced never misses an opportunity to jolt readers with a surprise. Chancery is a strong and appealing protagonist, split between two worlds and ultimately dragged into battle against her own twin. Both sisters are vividly drawn, as are their paramours, guards, relations, and friends. A letter from Chancery's mother, after that queen's death, is a moving highlight of the story, and Chancery's exciting choices power the narrative from start to epic climax. Kirkus: The notoriously stingy Kirkus called Displaced, "a fast moving, engaging tale in what promises to be an epic fantasy romance series." Check out their full review here: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/bridget-e-baker/battle-song/ And best of all, READERS: "This book drew me in from the first page. Bridget is a fantastic writer, and the story is intense and beautifully written right out the gate. The authenticity of the characters, coupled with the well thought out and complete character storylines made me feel as if I was in the thick of the story with Chancery and Judica. I couldn’t put it down. I read this book in my spare time over the course of 48 hours. It was absolutely irresistible. I quickly purchased the rest of the books in The Birthright Series, and am anxiously awaiting the sixth installment. After finishing this series, I actually read through all of Bridget’s work, and each and every time, I was blown away by the care and attention to detail that she put into the story. I am in awe of the way that she can manage the entire universe so beautifully. I haven’t been this excited waiting for a new book to be released since I was a kid waiting for Harry Potter, or Twilight to come out."★★★★★ "It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten addicted to reading a book, but Bridget is a very compelling author!" ★★★★★ "She’s phenomenal at laying hints, and she leaves no thread unfinished. What you get is a complete, clean story, everything answered beautifully. Her timing and pacing is incredible as well!" ★★★★★ "If you love romance, if you don’t mind starting a book and never wanting to put it down, and you want a stong female character who is written by a woman with insight into what that really looks like, this is it. Read it. Enjoy it." ★★★★★ Keywords: fantasy, urban fantasy, urban fantasy romance, royal fantasy, fantasy romance, royal romance, epic fantasy romance, clean ya fantasy, contemporary fantasy, ya contemporary fantasy, ya fantasy romance, teen fantasy romance, teen fantasy, teen urban fantasy, game of thrones, series starter, first in series, complete series, urban fantasy series, binge a fantasy series, books for teens, best books for teenagers, best book for my kid, clean fantasy, ya game of thrones, for fans of Victoria Aveyard, for fans of Tahereh Mafi, for fans of Sarah J. 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