Fantasy literature has been in existence since historical times, and fantasy books make up a unique genre. They typically employ magic and different supernatural phenomena such as creatures to develop their plot, settings, or theme. Fantasy books will also feature mystical beings such as elves, trolls, gods, dragons, and dwarves.
The genre draws its main inspiration from real-world folklore and myths and will normally be rooted in oral traditions.
The Provenance (Astar’s Blade), by Joe Lyon
His lifelong, Almon has been aware that the Plum-Kilmer family was frequented by a ghost. For many decades, the ghost has continually cursed his family except for him. Almon thinking that the family curse is over, believes that he is probably off the hook. However, the moment the ghost shows up, it leads to his sanity’s strain.
Not being ready, he is taken to the mountains by his growing madness, where the ghosts are waiting to lead him towards his doom or save him. The book highlights the ancestry of gods, demons, and ghosts who brought about a defective world. This is a story of tabooed knowledge or the perceived forces that are designed to keep away from mortals. They are aware of being under observation and are also very powerful to curse audacious observers.
The author ‘s first book in the series is a strong start of the Astars’s Blade universe, with unique and unforgettable characters and plot.
Waking Magic, by Martha Carr, Michael Anderle
For those that like fantasy accompanied by some humor, this book is for you. You will not help being pulled along. The setup is in Austin, where a detective, Leira Berens, a homicide Detective, is going after bad guys and solving crimes. She is very good at her job. Can she solve a murder, rescue her mother, and also stop the ongoing apocalypse? She discovers that there are other worlds around her, sets out on a magical journey, and finds out that her mother is not crazy. Fortunately, she has a foul-mouthed troll on her side.
When the light elf dies, the king breaks an old treaty and seeks her help to find the murderer. The elf’s death is only the start, and tracking down the killer is not only about justice. It is about saving the world too. A lot of twists arise as time is limited too. She is also trying to hide the troll, which can grow to be gigantic. Everything is a real rollercoaster.
The Unbroken, by C. L. Clark
The Unbroken is what modern fantasy should look like. The story is powerfully and thoughtfully written. The book is a political fantasy, a real work of art from the tale of rebellion, espionage, and military might in a crumbling desert empire. This is the first novel in C.L. Clark’s Magic of the Lost trilogy.
The story is about Touraine. A soldier caught up in between two different worlds. Touraine was stolen as a child and later raised to fight for the empire. Her only loyalty is to her Balladairan Empire conscripts. Now, her company has been sent to put an end to a rebellion in her homeland. Her blood ties may be stronger than she may have thought.
Meanwhile, Luca is a backstabber and desperate enough to be ordered into treason. She sways those that rebel into peace and is focused on getting her uncle off her throne. Touraine and Luca will fight over the nation’s price through massacres and assassinations. Some things are, however, not for sale.
For the lovers of epic military fantasy, this one is a must-read. It is compelling and persuasive. It reveals all the ugly, hurtful, and deep personal complexities of an empire revolution.
The Blacktongue Thief, by Christopher Buehlman
The Blacktongue Thief details an adventure filled with unmatched fantasy. The setup features a society with goblin wars, ravens for battle, and assassins that can use tattoos to kill. The story is undeniably a page-turner. Kinch Na Hannack has been educated as a thief and now owes the Takers Guild for his fortune, which is not limited to but includes knife-fighting, lie-weaving, lock-picking, wall-scaling, and also magic. Because of his debt, he lies in wait with a plan to rob the next traveler by the old forest road.
During one occurrence, he is awaiting an unusual target, Galva. She is a knight, a handmaiden of the goddess of death, and also survived the goblin wars. She is in search of her missing queen.
He is unsuccessful in his plan and manages to escape but now finds his fate entrapped with that of Galva. They face similar enemies and other unusual threats on their journey, like goblins and krakens. Honor is one thing they cannot afford.
The Blacktongue Thief is a total delight from its start to finish and is filled with crazy magic.
Mentored in Fire, by K.F. Breene
In this book, Breene has creatively created a world that is dominated by natural and intriguing characters. You will be drawn into every moment. Reagan has spent all her life hiding and laying low so as not to get herself trapped in the Underworld. Surprisingly enough, that is where she finds herself having been rescued from the elves’ dungeon. She is in the Underworld together with her father, who is also full of mischievous magic.
While there, she is now finding out more about her magic and is now forming a bond with her father. Is Lucifer just deceiving her into getting what he wants? She doubts herself since things do not really seem as they appear. Is Cahal capable of saving her? On the other hand, Darius has also been making up a plan to rescue her in case the need arises.
Darius, Penny, and Emery try sneaking into the Underworld to get Reagan. Will they get to her on time, or will Lucifer have already manipulated her? Things do not go according to plan.
Mentored in fire is intelligent, fiery, humorous, and intensely touching. This series just keeps getting better.
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Originally published at https://joelbooks.com on August 14, 2021.
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