New this week
The latest additions to The Library's collection
If you have a complete or in-progress work you’d like added to The Library or an indie-published book to include in the Buy Indie section, follow this guide, and we’ll help spread the word.
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In the stacks
Literary
Tranith Argan | Nick Richards | Literary, Fantasy/High Fantasy (N) (I) (F)
A 6-book series of high fantasy (elves, dragons) meant for those who still have hope in this world, for this is a hopeful tale that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Speculative
The Pawn (Book One in the Queendom Series) | H J Bogue | New Adult Fantasy Romance (N) (C) (F)
Knowledge finds those who are meant to see. I am the most powerful mage in Fyriane. Sent to take over the Kingdom of Arlom. For two years, I have bided my time. Waiting for the moment to strike. To complete the first move, ordered by my sister Slaviya, the Queen of Salistya. My former Queen. I don’t trust her motives. Nor do I trust the other royals. They’re all out for themselves. Playing their bureaucratic games. Or so I thought… Until the royal forum changed everything. With fresh faces brings more questions than answers. And a looming assassination deadline rapidly approaching. I will find the answers to my questions. One way or another. Throw in a tumultuous love life, I’m having a hard time working out who I can trust. And who is out to betray me. I had no interest in playing games. I didn’t want to partake in this royal life I have now been thrown into. But I am here now. And I refuse to cower. My name is Valare. And I refuse to be a political pawn.
D-Zero Meson Oscillation | Evelyn K. Brunswick | Parallel Worlds, Romance, Mystery (NA) (I) (F)
A girl called Katrina wanders into the British Embassy in Paris claiming she is from a parallel world and in possession of some classified secrets. Tom, a young MI5 liaison officer, is assigned to look after her and find out what she’s really up to by the somewhat nefarious chief MI6 resident. Naturally, there’s more to her than first appears, and Tom finds her backstory really quite enticing. This is a self-contained, version 1, of the origin story for a longer serial about Katrina (forthcoming – see website for more details). Replete with ironic pop culture references, this story is for any speculative fiction fan who likes things a little postmodern (especially fan fiction), fun, and intriguing. The link takes you to the author’s intro, from where you can simply click through each part in turn. The story has been divided into ten parts, six so far (as of 14/02/24), to be completed mid-March. And then there will be more. You can also catch up with Katrina via her online journal, also available on the website (separate section), which will likewise be an ongoing serialisation, based on version 3 of the origin story, which is a little more serious.
A Grail for Eidothea (first book in The Môrdreigiau Chronicles) | Leanne Shawler | Speculative (N) (I) (F)
At the close of the Napoleonic Wars, Eidothea Pendyr takes on an Arthurian quest to find the sea dragons' grail in order to prevent the world’s ecological collapse.
Young Readers
Guardian of the North (Descendants of Robin Hood, #1) | Maggie K. West | Young Readers (N) (C) (F → P) Author Note: Comes with a chapter-by-chapter playlist so readers can listen along as they read!
Eight hundred years ago, the Sorcerer Guy of Gisborne laid a trap for Robin Hood. But the curse backfired, releasing a burst of pure magic energy. Now, Robin Hood’s descendants carry this magic, manifesting in the form of elemental powers. Jack is the last Wind Rangerian standing. On the night his power Manifests, his home court, Fort Calmier, is attacked by the rival Ealdra. Realizing the rogue Sheriff has come to claim the last Wind, Jack flees. The Ealdra have found something, a secret weapon they need the four Winds to claim. With his Master murdered and a traitor among his trusted friends, Jack is on the run, fleeing Hunters, sorcerers, and a mysterious girl of the shadows while he struggles to control the roiling North Wind inside him. How far is he willing to go to protect his nation?
Curse of the Arrow (Descendants of Robin Hood, #2) | Maggie K. West | Young Readers (N) (C) (F → P) Author Note: Comes with a chapter-by-chapter playlist so readers can listen along as they read!
The Sorcerer Gisborne has claimed his throne. The safe house of Lake Cloudia is in danger as the Golden Arrow, the only remaining source of pure magic, has resurfaced. Nations across the world spring into a frantic search to recover it before the Ealdra can use it to rekindle the power of the long-dormant Gold King and end their feud with the Áccyn forever. Dark secrets surface when Connor Avidor, a strange agent, arrives from the hidden third descendants nation of Narruncen to call Jack to join the search. Meanwhile, the Gold King and Gisborne repeatedly urge Jack away from the Narrunceni. They warn of a powerful warrior of legend, a sorcerer to rival Guy of Gisborne, who will sweep in a wave of violence across the world. Jack is forced to confront his great-grandfather's past while struggling with the weight of loss, the volatile power he is only beginning to control, and the growing uncertainty of who he can trust. In a race across continents, how far will he run?
Are you publishing a book, comic, or story/poetry collection on Substack that you’d like to add to The Library? Send it our way!
Buy Indie
Literary
Of Pisco and Peru | Randy Duke | Literary, comedic/gonzo travelogue (N)
OF PISCO AND PERU is a 'Fear and Loathing in Lima' meets 'Heart of Darkness' gonzo travelogue. On the advice of his booze-addled life coach, ne'er-do-well Doug ghosts his job and heads to Peru, where he meets Auntie M, a singing tour guide who's everything he's not. As the odd couple traverses the beaches, Andes, and byways, Doug's South American dream lurches into a New World nightmare, and that's when things take a turn towards the insane.
Speculative
Honey And Salt | David Perlmutter | Speculative (NA)
The story is narrated by Olivia Thrift, a.k.a. the Manitoba-based pre-teen super-heroine Captain Fantastic. After filling us in about her background, she then proceeds to speak about her first meeting with the members of the Canadian Consortium of Super-heroines, all of whom are her age or slightly older and based in different parts of Canada. She is particularly thrilled to meet her idol Gerda Munsinger, a.k.a. Muscle Girl, also a Manitoban by residence, and even more so when Gerda befriends her. However, the joyousness of the occasion is marred when Captain Fantastic's arch-enemy, Gridiron Girl, arrives and tricks Captain Fantastic into literally fighting a losing battle with her. In doing so, Olivia loses the personal confidence required to sustain her heroic persona and becomes meek and helpless, saved only from death by the timely intervention of Muscle Girl. It is discovered that a villainous race of men known as the Merch are responsible for this, as well as the kidnapping of the members of the Consortium en masse when Gerda and Olivia are otherwise engaged. As a consequence, Muscle Girl is forced to call the aid of her colleagues in the International League of Girls with Guns- The Brat, an alien only resembling a toddler; Power Bunny, a truly animated rabbit; Cerberus, the all-mighty Princess of Puppies; and Candy Girl, the Titan of Teens- to help her and a temporarily powerless Olivia set things right. Yet, it will not be an easy task. And before it is over, they may all succumb to multiple kinds of weakness that will destroy them permanently....
Let's Be Buddies | David Perlmutter | Speculative (NA)
Major Hamilton Pomeranian, once a highly decorated Star Soldier, has been discharged for a recently gained injury. Now forced into a non-military life, she is uncertain about what to do until reconnecting with Jefferson Ball, an old army buddy, and agreeing to assist her at her "job"- not realizing exactly what that will involve until it is too late...
Nothing About Us Without Us | David Perlmutter | Speculative (NA)
Animated cartoon characters. Many are beloved, yes. But many more are simply ignored, filed away, and destroyed when they are no longer needed. Until now. This is their story.
Orthicon | David Perlmutter | Speculative (NA)
The United States government discovers, to its horror, that the creatures featured in animated cartoons are not fabrications but real beings. Fearing the social and political consequences of the discovery being made public, they proceed to exile them off Earth to another planet. However, things do not go according to plan...
The Singular Adventures of Jefferson Ball | David Perlmutter | Speculative (NA)
There never was a heroine like Jefferson Ball. And, thankfully, there may never be. She is, simply, the most powerful humanized female dog in a universe full of them. Faster, stronger, more attractive to boys. Unbeatable as a lover. Unfortunately, her brains are not up to this quality but don’t tell her that. About the only one who can is Major Hamilton Pomeranian, the diminutive ex-soldier who is Jeff’s best friend and conscience. When she gets too big for her limited clothing, Hamilton tells her what for. And it’s usually only after that point that they are able to escape from whatever convoluted situation they find themselves in. This collection will have readers both laughing and awestruck at the events that happen. And, hopefully, you will be one of them.
Split Decision | David Perlmutter | Speculative (NA)
Jefferson Ball, the mightiest female dog in a universe full of them. Jody Ryder, the mightiest female robot dog in said universe. When they clash, everyone will hear it....
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From the Archive
Featuring a different, randomly selected book every week
Fulgurites | Adrian P Conway | Contemporary (S) (I) (F)→($)
Stories free for a week following publication before moving to paid archive
Gritty, soulful, literary fiction firmly in the spiritual realist school.
Thank you for accepting my books for listing.
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