Publisher: Orbit
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 02/07/2011
ISBN-13: 9780316044981
ISBN-10: 0316044989

Military Fantasy. This gritty stand-alone novel, set in the same world as the author's First Law trilogy, pits the King of the Union against the Black Dow, a warlord and self-proclaimed "Protector of the North." Both seek control of the hill that's home to a group of standing stones known as The Heroes, and over the course of a bloody three-day battle, both sides will use magic and military might to try to ensure victory. If you'd like a more thorough introduction to this fully realized, action-packed world, start with The Blade Itself.

Publisher: Subterranean
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 01/31/2011
ISBN-13: 9781596063532
ISBN-10: 159606353X

Fantasy. Better known for his science fiction (he's the author of the Hugo Award-winning The Windup Girl), Paulo Bacigalupi makes his fantasy debut with The Alchemist. The bramble-choked city of Khaim is home to impoverished alchemist Jeoz, who seeks a way to put a stop to the vines that threaten to engulf the city. Jeoz applies his considerable intellectual gifts to inventing a device that will destroy the vines, but as it turns out, his creation has more sinister applications. For another tale of Khaim, you may want to check out The Executioness by Tobias Bucknell, a companion volume to the The Alchemist.

Publisher: Orbit
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 01/25/2011
ISBN-13: 9780316093576
ISBN-10: 0316093572

Epic Fantasy. With his realm threatened, Summoner-King Martris "Tris" Drayke seeks the aid of The Sworn (a nomadic warrior tribe that guards an ancient power known as the Dread) while dealing with cultists, the werewolf-like vyrkin, and the vampiric vayash moru. The Sworn is the 1st volume of the Fallen Kings cycle and is set in the same world as the author's Chronicles of the Necromancer series. The story begins shortly after the events of Dark Lady's Chosen, but if you're a newcomer, you'll probably want to start at the very beginning with The Summoner.

Publisher: Del Rey Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 03/22/2011
ISBN-13: 9780345508751
ISBN-10: 0345508750

Epic Fantasy. This sequel to Oath of Fealty reunites characters from that book as Mikeli of Tsaia embarks on a struggle to hold on to the throne of his troubled domain and the half-elven Kieri Phelan, now King of Lyonya, attempts to bring peace to his kingdom despite resistance from his grandmother (and co-regent), the Lady. Meanwhile, one of their mutual enemies is planning an invasion. Kings of the North is the 2nd volume of the Paladin's Legacy trilogy and is set in the same world as author Elizabeth Moon's Legend of Paksenarrion series, which begins with Sheepfarmer's Daughter.

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Publisher: Broadway Paperbacks
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 03/01/2011
ISBN-13: 9780307589972
ISBN-10: 0307589978

Fairy Tale Fantasy. In this retelling of Hans Christian Anderson's "The Little Mermaid," mermaid princess Lenia rescues a drowning man who turns out to be a prince. Instantly smitten, Lenia makes a bargain with sea witch Sybil: her voice in exchange for a pair of legs. But Lenia has competition in the form of Princess Margrethe, a rival sovereign's daughter. Margrethe must marry the prince to stop a war between their kingdoms, while Lenia must do the same in order to stay alive and gain a mortal soul. Like Carolyn Turgeon's previous book, Godmother: A Secret Cinderella Story, this one, which alternates between Lenia's and Margrethe's perspectives, fleshes out female characters from well-known fairy tales.

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Publisher: Roc
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 12/01/2003
ISBN-13: 9780451459527
ISBN-10: 0451459520

Urban Fantasy. Joanne Baldwin is a young, supernaturally gifted woman--as a Weather Warden she can tame the weather (and who wouldn't want that power?). In Ill Wind, the 1st book in Rachel Caine's popular urban fantasy series, Joanne finds herself sporting a Demon Mark and on the run from the World Council after murder accusations rain down on her. Her only hope? Lewis, a powerful Warden also on the run from the council--but first she's got to find him. This "romantic escapist romp" (Booklist) will especially please readers who want to get away from bad weather in their own lives.

Publisher: Orbit
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 08/10/2009
ISBN-13: 9780316029209
ISBN-10: 0316029203

Fantasy. Asher of Restharven, a mage who can control the weather, may not be able to do so for much longer. With his homeland of Lur in danger, Asher's only hope is his son Rafel, whose powers--not to mention stubbornness--may surpass his own. Unfortunately, when Rafel was a baby, Asher put a blocking spell on the infant's magic in order to protect him. If you enjoy this opening installment of the Fisherman's Children series, be sure to read The Reluctant Mage. And to read about Asher's earlier life, check out the Kingmaker, Kingbreaker duology, which is comprised of The Innocent Mage and The Awakened Mage.

Publisher: MIRA
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/01/2009
ISBN-13: 9780778325642
ISBN-10: 0778325644

Romantic Fantasy. Glassmaker and apprentice magician Opal Cowan possesses a rare talent for channeling magic into glass, although the magicians of the Stormdancer clan (including the attractive, brooding Kade) tend to think of her as a one-trick pony. However, when someone sabotages the Stormdancers' glass orbs that control the weather, it's up to Opal to use her unique magic to help them. If you enjoy this blend of magic, mystery, and romance, you'll be glad to know that Opal's adventures continue in Sea Glass and Spy Glass. All three novels are a spin-off of Maria V. Snyder's Study trilogy, which starts with Poison Study.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Orbit
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/01/2008
ISBN-13: 9780316068062
ISBN-10: 0316068063

Epic Fantasy. A world abandoned by its own gods may not be worth fighting over, but that doesn't stop two feuding clans, or Bloods--the Haigs and the Black Roads--from waging war. As the Bloods clash, everyone else--the forest-dwelling Kyrinin, the Huanin (humans), and the magically gifted Kyrinin-Huanin hybrids, the Na'Kyrim--gets caught up in a conflict that could lead to complete annihilation. Fans of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice saga, with its mix of warfare and politics in a world rapidly succumbing to environmental catastrophe, may enjoy Winterbirth, which is the 1st book in the Godless World trilogy.