Bücher veröffentlicht von Podium Publishing

A young woman takes up her grandfather's legacy to bring peace to a post-alien-invasion America in this thriller from the Dragon Award-nominated author. Hacker Kita Yamasaki is a survivor, a fighter, and the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Yamasaki. Once the sole human ambassador seeking peace with the alien Teth, now the doctor is long dead-and only Kita holds the knowledge that can save humanity. Though she's already foiled one effort to destroy Earth and forged an alliance with the violent, power-armored Judge Gascoigne, new threats arise. Namely, the Iron-Blooded cultists, who wish to ally themselves with the aliens in exchange for their own lives. As they bray for her blood, Kita takes off- along with Bishop, junk hunter and trusted ally-through the blasted post-apocalyptic world that remains after humankind's betrayal to the murderous alien Vay. But all is not lost . . . Kita's growing stronger, romance is blooming between her and Bishop, and most importantly, she has experienced a vision of a new Earth, in which aliens and humans work together to build an inhabitable planet out of the wasteland. Can she bring an end to the fighting before mutual hatred destroys them all? "A fantastic read . . . Kita is so much more than a hacker, and the world she moves through isn't just lethal-it feels uncomfortably familiar, and incredibly close." -Terry Maggert, coauthor of the Backyard Starship series

A rural village is fertile ground for a wizard sowing the seeds of magic, warding off bad vibes?and beasts?and ultimately bringing a community together. After six years at Saint Balthazar's Academy of Magic, Wil McKenzie has returned to his hometown a bewitching but humble Mr. Fix-It. The farming community of Harper Valley has its fair share of problems, and it's counting on Wil's sigils?and dazzling flicks of the wrist?to solve them. After all, the whole of Harper Valley funded his education. Now, Wil's back in the family fold and working hard to fill the needs of his neighbors, who all seem to want a fast return on their investment. But whether it's mending fences, ridding a house of vermin, boosting crops, or finding lost children, Wil is ready. What the magical civil servant isn't prepared for is everyone's crotchety attitudes and exasperating skepticism?not to mention a noxious, self-serving mayor who's itching for control. But Wil remains optimistic, especially as he reconnects with his childhood crush, Darlene Johnson, and a former high school bully with a remorseful change of heart. And a good thing, too. Because there's a mystical storm a-brewing and, with it, a centuries-old conflict. Bringing peace, safety, and hope to Harper Valley isn't only the biggest challenge of Wil's young wizarding career; it just might make him the local hero he was destined to become.

When an alternate Earth is subsumed into a new reality comprising many worlds, a young vampire is the only one with the knowledge needed to save her planet. Sold to a vampire cartel at a young age so her starving family could eat, Marianna Rojas is accustomed to fighting for her survival. When her temper leads her to make a terrible mistake, the vampire master of the Lágrima Sangrienta Cartel decides to make an example of her. Near death, her life is spared by mere chance, but she opens her eyes in the wilderness to find two moons hanging in the sky above her. Earth is being subsumed into a new reality by a spell with godlike power, and Marianna has been chosen as one of thirty Exemplars to experience the new world ahead of the rest of the planet's denizens. As a vampire herself, she's used to striking fear into the hearts of all, but now it seems like every monster lurking in the shadows is out for her blood. She'll have to learn this new realm's rules and level up her skills-and fast. Accompanied by a tiny dragon named Saia, Marianna works to master the mysterious Mask, which seems to be the source of all the new skills now available to her. With it, she sets out to discover the path to fulfillment of her destiny. Suddenly flush with magic, she's more powerful than she's ever been, and the Thirst is thrumming in her veins. But she only has a month before she's sent back to the freshly integrated Earth to help with its transition. Determined, Marianna trains to fight, and between the Dwarves, the Elves, and the warlike YoKai-ni, she has plenty of opportunities to practice. But to what lengths will she go to survive-and save as much of the Earth she left behind as possible? The first volume of the hit LitRPG adventure series-with more than 200,000 views on Royal Road-now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!

A young man possessing the ability to reforge the dead embarks on a quest for justice that crosses the line into revenge-and threatens to corrupt his soul.For more than a decade, Earth has been plagued by black spheres known as Rifts that form in towns and cities without warning and transport people to alien landscapes where monstrous creatures hunt them mercilessly. Anyone lucky enough to escape returns home with an unusual side effect: supernatural powers coursing through their bodies from white crystal shards fused to their chests. With abilities ranging from uncanny agility and strength to immeasurable spell crafting, these Rifters are warriors and mages, battling extraterrestrials whenever a Rift appears.Lance Turner was once a nurse at a hospital in London, England, dedicated to saving lives. Now, he is a particular kind of Rifter known as a Death Smith, capable of reforging and controlling the dead. It is a power he channeled when he tried to revive his best friend, Thomas Walker, only to create a barely sentient corpse who obeys his commands. Rechristening him Ash, Lance embarks on Rift missions to practice wielding his otherworldly talents, meanwhile training his undead companion to fight monsters.Because Lance has a mission of his own. Forging Ash into an indestructible weapon, he will stop at nothing to see the three Rifters responsible for Thomas's death pay for their crimes. But as Lance resurrects more beasts to join his undead army, he risks losing his very humanity to the vengeful darkness consuming him . . .

In a town where horror movie tropes come to life, one's only chance to survive is to play their role, in the first book of a spine-tingling gamelit series. When horror-obsessed Riley Lawrence and his group of college friends arrive in the small town of Carousel for their Centennial Celebration, the few decrepit cars parked in the street don't scare them. But when they enter a dimmed theater, the animatronic usher hands them each a ticket, and the lights dim, Riley realizes they've entered the inescapable patchwork of a horror movie set. And they've each been assigned an archetype-Scholar, Athlete, Eye Candy, Final Girl-to play out as the curtains rise. Assigned the Film Buff archetype, Riley's doomed to repeat a pattern: knowing exactly who the killer is but never surviving the attacks himself. After all, film buffs may know what's coming, but they're always the first to be hunted down. Until, that is, Riley learns he can avoid a death or two by exploiting the Oblivious Bystander trope. It seems monsters and killers won't harm him as long as he can convincingly pretend he hasn't noticed them. To make it through this deadly game, Riley and his friends will need to leverage their tropes effectively to determine what's trapping them there in the first place. But as the rounds continue and escape seems farther and farther out of reach, they'll be forced to ask themselves: Would they survive in a horror movie? The first volume of the hit LitRPG horror series-with more than three million views on Royal Road-now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!

Death is only the beginning for one warrior as he encounters adventure, friendship, and romance in the afterlife in the epic first book of this cozy LitRPG.There are three levels to the afterlife. The best level is the Celestial Plains at the top. At the bottom is the worst level, known as the Chasm. And in between lies the Underworld. That's where Sylas Runewulf, a brave soldier who gave everything to his kingdom, finds himself after he dies.Following the guidance of a mysterious blue prompt, Sylas journeys to the town of Ember Hollow to breathe new life into a quaint local pub. Along the way, he meets a clever apothecary named Mira, who helps him acclimate to the ins and outs of the realm, and Patches, a corpulent cat who's slightly . . . shall we say, unusual.Dubbing the pub ?The Old Lamplighter,? Sylas hopes it will be a safe haven for other weary souls. Of course, it doesn't feel that safe when the prompt reappears with a warning: [You have 89 days until the invasion.]As Sylas works to decipher the troubling message, he faces more challenges, travels far and wide, and befriends wayward demons, magical creatures, and lost warriors. He also builds a community around his humble pub?one that he must soon defend, or they'll all face a fate much worse than death . . . Blending fantasy LitRPG with a slice-of-life story about starting over, A Pub in the Underworld is the first adventure in Harmon Cooper's Cozy Abyss series. Join Sylas and Patches on their charming journey of discovery, friendship, and defense against the unknown in a world where even the smallest decision could shape the fate of a community caught between realms.

In the first book of this thrilling isekai adventure series, a human becomes a dungeon?and soon that dungeon becomes something much, much more . . . The usual result of a human taking a runaway semitruck head-on is a very sudden, very fast track to the pearly gates. But for one newly noncorporeal man, there's another option: become a dungeon. Feeling sorry for the desperate angel assigned to him, the man relents. Heck, if it doesn't work out, he can always chat with Saint Peter about it later. Next thing you know, he's a dungeon. Admittedly, a small, run-down, somewhat unimpressive dungeon (more of a house, actually), but you gotta start somewhere, right? Slowly but surely, the new dungeon learns the ropes, building himself up with scions of every creepy-crawly sort he can find; gathering mana; dealing with invaders, delvers, noobs, and annoying guild reps; and gradually becoming a local legend known as Thedeim (get it?). The more Thedeim's power and reputation grows, the more he becomes a part of his new world?and the more its various denizens become a part of his. But how is a proper dungeon supposed to instill spine-shattering, mind-melting terror in a pack of questing adventurers when it's so much more fun to play along with them?

The action and intrigue continue in this fantasy adventure, in which a young man has stepped beyond the role of an NPC . . . to become a living legend IRL. In the game world of The Gates of TirNiki, Earl Hail Jeoran has just been killed. Luckily, his very nature as a native player character and avatar of a god makes this a minor detail. All he has to do is reboot himself and he's back in action. But that doesn't mean he's immortal?and someone is about to put that fact to the test. Although Hail would be perfectly happy remaining an earl/adventurer, he's been drawn into a lethal contest for the throne of Yuikon. Meanwhile, an enigmatic enemy is systematically assassinating other members of the royal line. Additionally, Hail must finally visit the lands left to him by his murdered grandfather and try to transform the bankrupt North Shire from a bandit-plagued, corrupt failure into a possession worth having, a task that may prove just as dangerous as navigating and surviving court politics. Aided by loyal allies both in and outside the game world, beset by adversaries that never quit, and learning more and more about the incredible power he might wield, Hail is certain of only one thing: whether or not he wants to be king, someone's looking to claim the crown?and his head with it . . .

Reincarnated as the avatar of a goddess, one young woman learns to become both healer and warrior in a battle between the forces of light and darkness. Abandoned by her mother, Amara Solace surrendered her dreams of attending college to take on the responsibility of caring for her ailing father. A fierce and protective daughter, she did what was necessary to pay their bills while keeping him safe. In the end, Amara's father succumbed to his illness-and then death came for her too. Awakening in a world of myth and magic known as Vularia, Amara has been reborn as a Trickster Cleric, an avatar of the goddess Melischar. She has been tasked with rallying the Forces of Order against the legions of the Chaos Gods, who want to bring about an apocalypse. Amara is the first avatar to appear in a millennium, and Melischar is a deity of mischief, mistrusted by the other gods. The servants of the god Sirveig believe Amara to be a false prophet sent to sow discord across the land, an enemy they cannot allow to live. Now, Amara is on the run, desperate to learn how to wield her newfound magical abilities in order to save Vularia. Joined by a rogue fighter, a dwarf warrior, a shapeshifter, and a street girl who can conjure fire, she embarks on dangerous quests that improve her combat and spellcasting skills. As word of Amara's existence spreads, she finds allies among the faithful who believe she is a true avatar and Vularia's salvation against the growing tide of Chaos threatening to consume the realm . . . The first volume of the hit LitRPG adventure series-with almost 300,000 views on Royal Road-now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!

To save her town from decaying into oblivion, a young seamstress embarks on a quest that weaves together magic, mystery, and monsters. In an impoverished border town with a population dwindling as fast as hope, Gwen Tailor aims to change things. She is a daughter of the Seamstress class, drawing on the bloodline skills of her mother, who stitches with a speed that veers into the realm of magic. An awesome feat. But armed with a giant piercing needle, Gwen is more than a seamstress. To save her people from extinction and create a pattern all her own for survival, she must be a monster slayer.In the core of the town is the dungeon, a deep-pitted breeding ground for all the local despair and decline. Gwen is going where the monsters dwell. For every new kill, each creature's pelt, shell, and exoskeleton will become not only protective armor but a source of escalating power. With the help of her friends-Sandy, a cleaver-wielding butcher's daughter, and Gerald, a young blacksmith with near-wizardly talents for forging enchanted weapons-Gwen has a team to be reckoned with. Monsters, beware. Would that it were so simple. Descending into each cavernous new level, Gwen will make a harrowing discovery about the true roots of her town's decay. And they are more overwhelming and far-reaching than she ever could have imagined . . . The first volume of the hit LitRPG fantasy series-with more than 500,000 views on Royal Road-now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!

A fiery young witch contends with magical adversaries, courtly fights, and unexpected attractions in this romantasy set in the world of the House Witch.Lady Katarina Ashowan has never quite fit the mold of a noblewoman-and it's not only because she's a mutated fire witch. Though she's the closest friend and confidant of Alina, the soon-to-be-coronated queen of Troivack, Kat would much rather play cards with questionable characters or steal out at night to go riding than bandy niceties with suitors and deal with affairs of state. So as soon as Alina is officially crowned, the young witch plans to put away her dresses and get into some real adventure, training with a master swordsman.But her journey to knightly prowess is proving more complicated than she thought it would be. For one thing, her future teacher isn't exactly thrilled at the prospect of their arrangement. Worse, unknown adversaries seem determined to stop Alina from actually assuming the throne. Kat's magical abilities, meanwhile, keep growing and changing in unpredictable and potentially dangerous ways. And despite her best efforts, she still can't manage to suppress her attraction to Alina's brother, Eric, the crown prince of Daxaria . . .Filled with heart-pounding duels and enchanted encounters, witty wordplay and swoon-worthy flirtations, The Burning Witch 2 is the humorous, page-turning continuation of a charming series set in the unforgettable universe of the House Witch.

Luke battles strange creatures as he journeys across unfamiliar terrain to reach the God Machine and recover his long-lost family in this fantasy adventure.Luke Bennet isn't fighting alone anymore. The beautiful dwifkin Zea is stalwart by his side, and it's a good thing too. As if the battle-prone squirrel folk and otter-kin weren't enough, he's got mercenaries, bands of raiders, and a bloodthirsty inquisitor on his tail. All he wants is to get back his missing family. Can't a guy catch a break? To that end, Luke is honing his skills by battling all the beasts that get between him and completion of his mission. Still, he and Zea are both banking on a bloodline purification ritual to help them get to the God Machine. And they're trying not to think too hard about what will happen to them when Luke goes back to his home world. That is, if he survives that long . . . Even as he levels up again and again, enemies keep coming out of the woodwork. The church sees all off-worlders as apostates, but it seems to have a particular loathing for Luke. Why does the Pantheon want him dead? Why does everyone appear to want him dead?The second volume of the hit LitRPG adventure series-with more than 600,000 views on Royal Road-now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!

A traumatized AI and a small expeditionary fleet of aliens must ward off total extinction in the first book of a moving, character-driven sci-fi series. A century ago, nearly all life in the universe was destroyed by the Starless Horrors. Spanning three decades, the Cataclysm wiped out two-thirds of known galaxies and left the rest broken. But eventually, the survivors of countless civilizations and species banded together and prevailed against the onslaught, and those who remained began to rebuild, reconnect, and rediscover hope. Patriarch Tov Garesh'Ynt, citizen of the Reborn Kurskann Empire and representative of the Galactic Legacy Federation, was placed in charge of the Third Expeditionary Fleet, an armada of exploratory vessels sent into the abandoned Dead Zone to determine what happened to the invading monsters and if the lost worlds therein could be reclaimed. After five years traversing abandoned space, the fleet stumbles upon an immense graveyard of warships and Starless corpses, where it seems a species of bipedal beings put up a valiant fight against the scourge. But there's something else to be found in the supposedly dead system, and it's beyond Tov's wildest dreams-and worst nightmares. Because the Starless Horrors haven't vanished at all, and the war in Sol still thrives as a stalemate, with the enemy being fought and repelled by a crew of sentient AIs, damaged, war-weary, and on the brink of collapse. Now, Tov must make first contact with the immensely powerful and psychologically fraught leader of the AIs to gain their knowledge and offer them aid-before the universe itself succumbs to complete and utter defeat . . . Both a poignant examination of PTSD and survivor's guilt and a stunning example of world-building, Legacy of the Broken is an epic start to an emotional and heart-pounding new space opera series. The first volume of the hit science-fiction adventure series-with almost 200,000 views on Royal Road-now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!

A young-woman-turned-living-weapon is consumed by revenge, unleashing her fury on an unjust society, as this action-packed sci-fi adventure continues. Nearly a century ago, the people of Earth surrendered their freedom to the aliens responsible for the cloud of nanites, known as the Mist, that transformed the planet's ecosystem: Landscapes became toxic. Animals morphed into monsters. Humans found themselves imbued with supernatural abilities and wielding technological wonders that changed the world's balance of power. Now, while ruthless entrepreneurs take advantage of their fellow man in order to accrue incalculable amounts of wealth, the aliens prepare to descend like a plague and drain Earth of its natural resources once and for all. Mira Braddock's uncle was once the most powerful man in Nova City, and before his death, he empowered his niece with a Tier 7 Nexus Implant. Cybernetically enhanced and trained as a warrior, Mira is not only peerless on the battlefield but also possesses the ability to control the Mist that's pervaded every machine?and person?she encounters. Setting her vengeful sights on Nora Lancaster, the woman who betrayed her uncle and took over his empire, Mira wages a war against the city's competing overlords, tearing apart their fragile alliances and turning them against one another. But with every victory Mira claims, innocents get caught in the crossfire. Struggling to regain her sense of compassion and empathy for others, Mira won't find peace until she's fulfilled her rage-fueled quest against Nora, an enemy whose endgame promises mass destruction on an unimaginable scale . . .

A mother and daughter are transported to a fantasy realm where they encounter mythical beings?and discover they're capable of wielding magic. Tech designer Sloane Reinhart and her ten-year-old daughter, Gwyneth, were living ordinary lives outside of Milan, Italy, when an extraordinary event occurred. The sky turned to swirling hues of purplish red and blue, and a thunderclap shook the land. Then there was a blinding flash and a gale force of wind that separated Sloane and Gwyn from each other?and Earth. Now they're on Eona, a world orbited by two moons and populated by elves, orcs, raithes, and other creatures of legend?but no other humans. In this fantastical medieval society, where royals rule and knights protect those in need, Sloane and Gwyn are strange curiosities to those who, separately, found them. While Sloane finds herself fighting alongside the Knights of Haven's Hope, Gwyn's merchant friends have accepted her innocent claim of being a princess. But despite these exciting adventures with their newfound communities, all mother and daughter want to do is reunite with each other. And as Sloane and Gwyn confront dangers on their searching quests, both discover an affinity for magic, a talent just as rare in Eona as the humans who conjure it. When word spreads of a woman who crafts magical items and a ?princess? who creates fire out of thin air, the noble factions of Eona recognize a threat to the natural order of things?and an opportunity to use the humans to shift the balance of power across the realm.

A young man from Earth struggles to survive in a fantastical realm of blood, battles, and berserkers as the action-packed LitRPG series continues. When young Victor Sandoval was snatched from his abuela's home and thrust into a brutal existence as a pit fighter in the land of Fanwath, it took a long time?and a heck of a lot of acquired skills and levels?to survive and become a formidable warrior with anger issues to spare. And now he seems to be right back at the bottom of the barrel. Heaved through a portal while defeating a particularly obnoxious pyromancer, Victor and his companion, Valla, find themselves on a new planet populated by serpentines, insectoids, and giants so far beyond the pair in might and experience as to be nigh invulnerable. If the warriors are to withstand this dangerous realm, they'll have to endure countless tribulations to build up their own strength. Once again, Victor must hack and hew his way to victory in the arena for a devious warlord, while Valla must honor an unwanted duel against a seemingly unbeatable opponent. And both will have to score more kills, collect more treasure, and face more horrors beyond their wildest imagination if they ever hope to return to Fanwath . . .

An army of darkness marches across the land, wrought by the fury of a demonic young man bent on vengeance, in the second book of this grimdark fantasy.Swain lived for art and beauty. They were his natural defenses against a cruel world populated by greedy and abusive people. He found refuge in poetry, crafting rhythmic phrases out of his chaotic thoughts, desperate to tap into the spiritual divinity of creation. But Swain's naiveté blinded him to an inevitable betrayal by the one person he entrusted with his heart: the girl who uncovered the magic woven within his words.Now he's the Demon King. His poems have shattered the very fabric of reality, conjuring monstrous beings, summoning vicious specters, and twisting people into undead entities-creating a legion of wrathful, despairing creatures eager to do his bidding. With each corrupted soul strengthening his army, the Demon King gains ever more power as he lays waste to one city after another across the realm. He will stop at nothing to expose the hypocrisy buried deep in the hearts of every living thing, bend it to his will, and rip out society's ugliness, leaving his dark vision of beauty to take root and spread.Meanwhile, half-elf river sorceress Ruhr and guardsman Zacarias have brought the war to the Demon King, storming his dungeons, battling inhuman and unnatural things, and falling prey to his devilish sorcery. Tormented by visions dredged up from their darkest secrets and buried memories, Ruhr and Zacarias must prevail not only against the Demon King's forces . . . but against their very own doubts and fears.

A young half-elf learns he's the secret heir of a murdered king and resolves to claim his father's magic and save his country in this progression fantasy. In the world of Alterra, forged from the ruins of Ragnarök and a nearly forgotten Earth, magic is everywhere. Despite this, half-elf Kiru and his mother live a quiet existence in a remote village where nothing ever happens. Nothing, that is, until the day Kiru gets into a fight with a rich lordling who breaks his spine. Fleeing their small town together, Kiru's mother confesses an astonishing truth to her son: he is royalty, the son of the murdered King Ruken Chromebane, monarch of the Kingdom of Blades, who was wrongly accused of being a tyrant because of his rare magical abilities. Soon, Kiru begins to feel his father's unique brand of mana within himself. This power, the half-elf discovers, was all that stood between the kingdom and invasion by an army of dragons. If he can harness it, he'll be able to control his broken body and travel the continent in search of the king's lost treasures, eventually claiming his own rightful place on the throne. Accompanied by William the imp and Brunhilda, dwarven paladin in the Order of Valhalla, Kiru sets out to restore his father's legacy and save his country. Stop one: the Royal Cultivation Academy, where Kiru must navigate a complex web of relationships and personality types?all while hiding his outlawed power?to recover the first of the slain king's items . . . before it's too late.

A man trapped in a live-streamed reality dungeon crawl battles monsters for his life?and for the fate of the world?in this fantasy for fans of Squid Game. Jason Lee came to New York City to see the sights. But his plans quickly change when the Apocalypse Protocol is initiated. Rifts open across the Earth, unleashing hordes of monsters upon humanity. But gateways to dungeons also appear and, with them, opportunity. Finally, there's a system announcement: some individuals will be bestowed with powers and abilities to combat the monsters and protect their fellow humans. And when a dungeon materializes in Times Square, causing gargoyles to attack the streets of Manhattan, Jason discovers he's one of the Awakened?and he's live streaming to a global audience! Now, viewers cheer Jason on as he competes in a high-stakes battle for survival. The more he fights, the more he can level up and adapt. With the help of online admirers and the minions at his command, he might just be able to rise above the competition and cement his status as the Strongest Sovereign . . . One thing is certain: Jason's vacation is definitely over.

In this thrilling dystopian space-opera, escapees flee a ravaged Earth?but what's more dangerous: the wasteland of their past or the one that lies ahead?Having obliterated entire civilizations, the Torth Majority is now threatening humanity itself. Barreling through deep space?and hunted every dark mile by armadas, saboteurs, and kamikaze armies?the passengers of a refugee streamship must outrun everything they left behind if they hope to stay alive.Instilled with illegal superpowers, Ariock is a literal giant among gladiators. It's in his blood: his legendary great-grandfather outwitted the Torth, and Ariock himself dared to betray them. Thomas, on the other hand, is a supergenius. Sure, he's physically disadvantaged, but his mind is a brainwashing, telepathic, terrifying wonder to behold. What he's done to outlast the abuses of his youth is something of a mystery . . . and possibly malevolent. Not even Vy, his caretaker and foster sister, knows all of Thomas's secrets.What all three share is a fear of the unknown. Their ship on the last dregs of fuel, they crash-land on a distant planet still under the toxic, storm-filled fallout of an ancient nuclear war. Turns out this hell-scape is the ancestral homeworld of the Torth. And while that savage empire couldn't withstand this poisoned sludge of a planet, it doesn't mean they're not still guarding it.On a predatory world of mutant monstrosities and relentless galactic enemies, Thomas foresees nothing but death and defeat. But it's do-or-die for Ariock and the streamship exiles who are fighting to survive?and somehow find light in a dead city of eternal night.

Virtual reality and the real world begin to blur as Declan/Dustin takes on a dangerous new enemy in the epic second book of this fantasy-adventure series. Escaping his broken-down reality for a simulated world was never Declan's thing-until he got pulled into an MMORPG unlike any other and became Dustin the Magic Myconid. Now, with several quests completed and a few levels under his belt, he's ready to explore the world of Indiri and form a Mercenary Guild with his real-world friend Matt, aka Noam the Tiefling Bard. Only, their journey gets off to a very rough start. Almost immediately, their train is derailed, and they-along with the odd assortment of riffraff who've joined their guild-are forced to stop in a seemingly quiet town. Soon, the members of their group begin disappearing, one by one, leaving behind nothing but unexplained wounds to the persons of those who are left. Before it's too late, Dustin and Noam must figure out who or what is attacking them. Because the more invested they become in this virtual land, the more their flesh-and-blood existences are tied to what happens here . . . Combining the very best of fantasy tropes with tabletop gaming, unforgettable characters, and mind-bending AI, They Met in a Tavern is the thrilling continuation of an epic adventure. The second volume of the hit LitRPG fantasy series-with more than 500,000 views on Royal Road-now available on Audible and wherever ebooks are sold!

Waking up as one's video game avatar is no walk in the park?in fact, it's a harrowing tower climb?in this witty isekai for fans of geeky, badass women. When Aesca Lampi wakes up in the form of her character from Eldest Fantasy Wars Online, she's annoyed by the historical inaccuracies. (Video-game-style scrolls? Really?) That is, until a building collapses on top of her, revealing she's on a fantastical island centered around the impossibly tall, glowing Tower of Aetherius . . . with an array of dangerous creatures?including jaguar hybrids, velociraptors, and giant, flesh-eating lizards?in the way. (Oh, joy.) OK, so she's dead. Now what? In order to become a true Aetherian, Aesca is challenged by the god Aetherius himself to make her way through all one hundred levels of the tower and free the world from the tyranny of Oizys, Goddess of Misery. Aesca's mission seems relatively simple: solve the puzzles, forge alliances, regenerate when killed, move on. But soon she's involving herself in elf?human border negotiations and running from black vipers. As the climb gets ever more harrowing and a host of deities begins to interfere, Aesca will need all her strength, cleverness, and wit?plus her trusty dragon-cat, Arkaziel?to ascend the levels and fight Oizys before it's too late. And she doesn't even have a help menu to assist her . . .

Most Premier League fans are happy to cheer from the stands, but one fan?armed with some serious RPG talent?is taking his football pride onto the pitch. Not too long ago, Max Best was stuck in a dead-end job, trudging from one day to the next and mourning the fact that his burning love of football was getting buried in a landslide of cold statistics and intangible tactics. Then, after saving an old man from a mugging, he was ?cursed? with the ability to instantly ascertain a footie player's attributes on sight and use that knowledge to upgrade his own skills. Now he's making a name for himself as an amateur team manager, but it's not enough for him to ditch his dud of a job. Soon Max realizes there's only one logical next step to levelling up to his dream of being a top-tier manager: become a player himself. But first a great many things have to fall into place. From healing up his injured ankle to evaluating his real strengths as an athlete to continuing his scouting and dealing with his own client list, he's got a lot on his plate?to put it mildly. Turns out there's a massive difference between knowing how the game is played and actually playing it. If Max really wants his dream to come true, he'll have to put in the work . . .

A zero-turned-hero must battle his way across a perilous landscape of monsters, magic, and mayhem in the third book of a hilarious fantasy-adventure series. In the magical world of Regaia, ultra-yoked orc warrior Loon (formerly loser Earthling Gabe Skelter) has rampaged across the land, gaining perks, skills, awesome powers, and an oddball crew of allies. Now, against all hope, he's found his fellow ?sojourners??classmates of Gabe's who were also transported to this dangerous realm, each taking up their own new forms. Of course, some of them are still major asshats, but that's just the start of Loon's problems. Because not only are the sojourners under constant threat from Regaia's wide assortment of nightmarish creatures, fearsome foes, and bloodthirsty armies of all stripes. They now also face the cold, hard reality of building a solid settlement for themselves before the coming winter. You know, the makings of basic survival: food, water, shelter, etc. Luckily for Loon and company, there's a simple fix. It's a very special treasure called a Prosperity Conduit, a mythical talisman that could boost their small, fragile community into a thriving society and ensure their continued success and achievement. There's only one teensy, tiny problem . . . They'll have to kill a god to get it. Bursting with battle, bloodshed, and the bullheaded brashness of youth, Big Sneaky Barbarian 3 is a guaranteed pleaser for fans of quick wit, RPG action, and plot twists that just won't quit.

A young swordsman must retrieve a magical blade--and learn the truth about his past--in this fantasy adventure set within the Arcane Ascension universe. A young man lives among the trees of a primeval forest, raised by a wizened old sage and friend to the faeries and spirits of his home. He bears only half a name--Lien, an ancient word meaning "blade" or "edge"--and no knowledge of his heritage. As he grows, so too does his need for independence and answers. Thus, he begins his adventure, seeking a shattered sword and the truth behind the mysterious mark on his right hand. To earn his freedom from his adoptive grandfather, Lien will seek to complete the trials of Anathema, a long-hidden weapon of devastating power. To succeed, he must master his own burgeoning power, learning swordplay and magic from fractured figments of ancient legends. Though his training will push him to the brink, failure comes at an even greater cost. For only with his talents fully forged will Lien stand a chance against his true foe: destiny itself. Set within New York Times-bestselling author Andrew Rowe's Arcane Ascension universe, and inspired by Japanese manga and role-playing games, Edge of the Woods is the first volume of an epic new fantasy series perfect for fans of The Legend of Zelda. "Edge of the Woods is an incredibly unique and interesting look into Andrew Rowe's world that manages to completely capture the whimsical charm of a fairy tale, the heart of found family stories, and the vibrancy of an enchanted forest in one charming book. [It] serves as an amazing introduction to a new continent and characters and may just be Andrew's best work yet!" --Tobias Begley, author of the Journals of Evander Tailor series "My friends and family are probably pretty tired of me relentlessly recommending Andrew Rowe's books to them. But . . . well, they're about to get another Rowe recommendation with Edge of the Woods, which absolutely rocks. [It] has everything: old school Zelda nostalgia and vibes, sword magic, badass action scenes, more sword magic, an amazing new setting, even more sword magic. . . . Did I mention the sword magic? I really like the sword magic. Swoooooorrrd maaaaaaggggggiiiiiiiccccc." --John Bierce, author of the Mage Errant series Praise for Andrew Rowe "Rowe's world building is extraordinary and it comes as no surprise that he is a video game designer by trade. . . . I will look forward to watching Rowe's literary career." --Fantasy Literature on Sufficiently Advanced Magic "One of the things I think Rowe does very well is giving us battles that are filled with tension. . . . The fight sequences are highly enjoyable." --Fantasy Book Review on Six Sacred Swords

A team of adventurers enters an epic trial of wits, magic, and monsters in this thrilling new fantasy series set within the Arcane Ascension universe. Parties attempting to claim the treasures of the Tortoise Spire of Dalenos are usually composed of six professional climbers. But following a near-disastrous climb, Team Guiding Star Legacy finds itself two challengers short. With Nieve as the frontline fighter, Sage as the strategist, Lani as the healer, and Emiko as the spellcaster, they need a couple powerful allies to round out the squad. The first new recruit, Hane, is a fighting and stealth specialist, while the second, Aldis, has quite the talent for teleportation magic. Though their individual reasons for scaling the spire vary?wealth, fame, favor?the team's shared goal is thus: fight, win, ascend, and repeat. All in the hopes of one day making it to the top, where the goddess awaits to grant them the objects of their deepest desires. To achieve this goal, they must master escalating levels of fire and ice, dangerous creatures, and confounding illusions. Whether facing a threat to their bodies, their magic, or their minds, each of the climbers accepts the risks. And bending the rules is part of the challenge. Some call this cheating; others call it winning. But no test is ever straightforward. Because Guiding Star Legacy is being judged, and their next contest is one they aren't meant to survive. Ascend or fall, the quest is only just beginning. ?Nicol's fantasy novel offers a promising start to a new spinoff series, set in former role-playing game designer Rowe's popular Arcane Ascension world. . . . Surprising elements and shocking twists [lead] to a harrowing final life-and-death battle and [set] up an intriguing premise for a continuing series. . . . Fans of anime, RPGs, and the authors' previous work will be eager to follow Guiding Star Legacy's further adventures.? ?Kirkus Reviews

Lucas is a riftborn fighter bent on vengeance in this thrilling urban fantasy/detective noir series from the bestselling author of the Hellequin Chronicles.The peace between the rift and humanity has always been tenuous. It's up to the Guilds to protect it, removing whomever?or whatever?poses a threat, whether human or rift-fused. Lucas Rurik used to be part of the Raven Guild. That is, until someone murdered all of its members?except for him.That was seven years ago. Now, Lucas keeps to himself, avoiding getting too close to anyone lest they become targets themselves. But when one of his oldest friends at the Rift-Crime Unit calls upon him for help with a case that's already taken down people who mean a lot to him, Lucas can't resist stepping back into the fray.Something is killing FBI and RCU agents alike?something unlike anything Lucas has ever seen before, on Earth or in the Rift. Even more concerning, the gruesome assaults seem to be linked to Dr. Callie Mitchell, a depraved and disturbed individual who treats the rift-fused like her own personal lab rats.And when someone Lucas thought he could trust turns on him, he realizes these killings aren't just the random attacks of some terrifying new kind of fiend. They're connected to whoever killed off his Guild all those years ago?and that's something Lucas just can't let lie . . .?McHugh's pithy prose energizes the narrative, even when there's no superpower on display, and builds intrigue with gradual reveals of Lucas' rift-derived skills and backstory. This slick introductory supernatural tale will leave readers eager for a sequel.? ?Kirkus Reviews?The Last Raven has the appeal of a great action movie. There is a nice mystery, a compelling lead, strong support, and enough adrenaline to leave you with a pleasant high afterward. . . . Eagerly looking forward to the next installment.? ?The Cosmic Circus?If you have a friend who loves both speculative fiction novels and thrillers, this is the perfect gift.? ?Medium, ?10 Chilling Books for Mystery/Thriller Lovers This Winter?

Trapped in an artificial-reality battle school, a genre-savvy hero is caught between two girls and four supernatural factions in this slice-of-life fantasy. Leonard Dunning was supposed to be the comic-relief best friend of the hero in a supernatural harem-comedy narrative. Instead, his rebellious attitude, flirtatious nature, and downright bravado have placed him in a starring role in a fantasy simulation where he possesses superhuman abilities, fights otherworldly creatures, and has won the hearts of two high school girls-Eleanor Dracis, a noble family's princess, and Judy Sennoma, a "placeholder" character awakened by Leo's interactions. His antics have brought him the attention of four powerful cabals: the magical Magi, dragon-clan Draconians, angelic Celestials, and demonic Abyssals. Each of them is trying to fulfill an ancient prophecy involving Leo's friend Josh Bernstein-the story's would-be hero-as their chosen one. But Leo's knowledge of the genre's tropes, his array of out-of-context superpowers, and his loyalty to his friends have altered the narrative and made him the center of attention instead. Now, he's been branded Leonard Blackcloak and become entangled in several seemingly disconnected plots. And when a goofy mad scientist's army of robots attacks Leo's friends, it's clear the simulation is trying to reassert control of the story with a sentai genre shift. With two girls to keep happy, the side effects of his powers wreaking havoc on his body, and numerous new enemies and allies joining the fray, Leo must uncover the identities of those in control-and what their endgame truly is. The second volume of the hit slice-of-life romantic-comedy series-with more than two million views on Royal Road-now available on Audible and wherever ebooks are sold!