Indie and Self published books I have read so far this year.
Exile: The Caein Legacy: Book 1
By: AJ Calvin
Genre: Fantasy
Age Range: 13+(YA) and Adult
Synopsis
Andrew grew up in the royal palace of Novania, the eldest son of the queen. He went on to achieve fame and glory as a renowned soldier, and was eventually named commander of the king’s army. The kingdom believed he would be named heir to the throne, but he has long known he is ineligible. The king is not his father.
The truth of Andrew’s lineage is only partially known to the king; the identity of his father is a mystery that even Andrew is unaware of. He knows only that his father was a dragon-mage, and the dragons have fled to another world. Andrew is a skin-changer, but the laws of Novania forbid his very existence. If the king were to learn the truth of what he is, he would face execution.
The laws are equally hostile to humans born with the Mark of the Magi and the ability to wield magic. Andrew’s younger half-brother, Alexander, bears the Mark. The pair keep one another’s secrets into adulthood… Until the king dies unexpectedly and Colin ascends the throne.
When Alexander’s Mark is revealed for all to see, Andrew is faced with a choice: To watch his brother be killed, or reveal his true nature in an effort to save him from the headsman’s axe.
Review
This book draws you into the world immediately through first person POV. The main character, Andrew, goes through so much to protect the ones he loves. He forgets his own needs at times.
I was drawn to the book when reading in the synopsis that Andrew was a skin-changer. The dragon on the cover also had a small part of the reason I purchased the book.
World building was done with great care and without pages upon pages of description which can drag some stories down.
Colin is a well-written antagonist. I was rooting for someone to get rid of him. It will be interesting to see if he is still the villain as the series continues.
The main cast of characters are unique. Most times I could skim over dialogue tags because each character has their own voice.
A few plot twists I was not expecting. One made me put the book down for a couple of days. It was so sad I needed to regain my composure. Andrew definitely deserves some rest. If the story allows it, is another situation entirely.
Marrying Bluebeard
By: E.P. Stavs
Genre: Dark Gothic Romance
Age Range: Adult
Synopsis
Adelaide Brindamour is dreading the thought of a husband. That he’ll neither understand nor appreciate her ability to communicate with ghosts goes without saying. When a mysterious, blue-bearded gentleman appears at Madame Gossard’s summer house party, however, the thought of matrimony becomes a bit more tempting. But when a whirlwind love affair turns into a daring elopement, Adelaide may find herself in for a bit more mystery—and murder—than she was prepared for.
Review
Romance is not a genre that I normally read. The premise hooked me in, and I was willing to give it a try. Before reading, I didn’t realize some of the premise came from a fairytale/folklore. This didn’t ruin my reading experience, as I was already hooked by the time Whisper, the ghost cat, had been introduced.
Some parts of this book had me questioning Adelaide’s decisions and sanity. It helped keep my interest as I wanted to know more about her husband, Bertrand. I didn’t want to put it down until I had questions answered.
It felt weird to have a dual POV start halfway through the book, but it did work with how the story was told. The ending was not what I expected, but I won’t go into details. It’s important to read the story in its entirety.
As stated, I don’t normally seek out Romance titles, but I would recommend this book to others. If you like ghosts and vampires, I also suggest this book.
Platinum Tinted Darkness (The Legacy of Boulom Book 1)
By: Timothy Wolff.
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Age Range: Adult
Synopsis
The Kingdom of Boulom has been lost. The realms have already seen what happens when the Gods and their Harbingers are left unchecked. Destruction. Chaos. Death. The Gods cannot be trusted. No one knows that better than David Williams, the leader of the Guardians tasked to protect the realm from the gods and their powerful Harbingers ever since the fall of Boulom. Six Guardians take their pledge to leave the squabbles of kingdoms behind and live only to stop the Harbingers and protect the realm from the gods. Serenna Morgan, a famed Crystal Mage and Guardian, struggles with the Guardian Pact when the Kingdom of Terrangus invades her home. She’s supposed to stay out of it. But she can’t. When she breaks her Oath and joins in the skirmish, she earns the favor of the God of Death when the conflict escalates to an all-out war. And he makes her an offer, one that’ll make sure she’ll never fail in her goals again. To become his Harbinger. To partake in the ecstasy of destruction.
Review
This dark-apocalyptic fantasy has several POVs. The style of writing reminds me of LitRPGs. It took me some time to get used to the writing style. It was my first time reading something like this. So at times, it made it a slow read. Once the story got going, I needed to keep reading.
The world was thought out and the main cast of characters was diverse. My personal favorites were David and the Lizardfolk called the Zephum.
There were some twists to the story. One twist I was not expecting and gave me a gentle reminder of don’t get attached to anyone.
The magic system in the world has balance to it. The mages might be strong, but they can’t sling high-energy spells all day without consequences.
I’m curious to see where the story goes in book two. If you like LitRPGs or fantasy worlds with more than just humans, I recommend this book.
The Reborn Prince (Mages in the Mundane Book 1)
By: Julianne Munich.
Genre: Fantasy
Sub Genre: Romance, Historial
Age Range: Adult
Synopsis
Luc, a poor but vain young man in 1775 Paris, is confused by his dreams of gilded ballrooms and unknown people in lace and jewels. What’s more, everything before the past two years is a hazy fog in his mind. His only link is Aunt Mathilde, who gives him few answers.
What he doesn’t know is that ‘Aunt Mathilde’ is in fact his mother—and a Sorceress. She keeps him captive under her magical veil, desperate to both protect him and punish him for the evil deeds of his royal past.
When disease leaves Luc scarred and weakened, he feels his life is over. He pushes away his humble friends, including Emilie, a young housemaid.
Emilie, scarred from smallpox, is resigned to life as a spinster. Yet, she sees beauty and joy in life and understands Luc’s despair beneath his bitter, beastly attitude.
Unless Luc can embrace his inner strength, care about others, and love unselfishly, he risks destroying himself once more.
Review
This series is set in a world where mages live and work among the mundane human world. If a mage doesn’t live by mage society rules, they are outcasted and seen as traitors to some.
The book throws you into the world immediately and right at a time when Mathilde has a hard decision to make. Mages are not allowed to use their abilities in front of the Mundane, but to save her son, she’d do anything.
Her son, once a royal prince, Luc, is a stubborn, nasty man. As the story progresses, he learns some hard truths.
This story delves into multiple POVs. The main three are Mathilde, Luc, and Emilie.
My favorite character is Marcel. He daylights as a coach driver, but his main occupation is a mage agent who works for mage Law Enforcement. He is a mage whose main power is Ice magic. He can kill with it, but he rather not use his abilities if it can be helped. As the story progresses into book two, I foresee his main job butting heads with his moral compass.
I’m excited to read more of this series and see what happens to the cast of characters
Jade McStar Fantasy/Sci-Fi Writer 