Lucy A. McLaren

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Trigger warnings:

S*xual assault, violence, descriptions of injuries, mild gore, religious oppression, sexism, racism, and homophobia.

Blurb:

Evelyn Folksman has partnered with the enemy.

Desperate to save her friends, she has reluctantly agreed to travel with former Commune Commander, Jonah Sulemon, to his home islands where he has promised a weapon that will allow them to take down the Commune once and for all. To succeed, both Evelyn and Jonah must face the trauma of their pasts and learn to trust one another.

Meanwhile, Raif Huntsman is searching for his sister, Rose, who holds incredible and dangerous powers. Alongside rebel Hector Haralambous, he travels to Nook Town, where they hope to find Rose, and to stop her powers being abused by those who kidnapped her … but where they will encounter a regime just as oppressive—and perhaps even as deadly—as the Commune’s.

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Tabula Smaragdina: The Destiny Thief by Natalia Wawrzyńczak (Fantasy)

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Trigger warnings:

Fight scenes.

Blurb:

Laura doesn’t believe in magic. All she cares about is a college scholarship and making her deceased father’s dreams come true.

It all changes when mistaken for the long foretold warrior, she is kidnapped to Pravia, a parallel magical world inhabited by creatures that she knows only from mythology. Laura wants nothing more than to go back home, but the only way to do that is to defeat the evil queen that seized the throne by trickery.

Laura is soon embroiled in the local intrigues and deceptions of three political factions. She can’t avoid the enormous expectations that the creatures of Pravia impose on her. The only friend she has is a vampire, Bastien. As a member of the opposite faction, he is despised by all the other creatures. In the land where even spies have spies, Laura has to choose who to trust.

War is in the air, and the prophecy is clear about a great battle… But can you win a battle not being the chosen one?

Trigger warnings: Fight scenes.

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Bloodstone (Book 1 The Curse of Time Series) by M.J. Mallon (YA Fantasy)

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Blurb:

I didn’t think my life could get weirder, but I was wrong…

Fifteen-year-old Amelina Scott lives in Cambridge with her dysfunctional family, a mysterious black cat, and an unusual girl who is imprisoned within the mirrors located in her house.

When an unexpected message arrives inviting her to visit the Crystal Cottage, she sets off on a forbidden path where she encounters Ryder: a charismatic, perplexing stranger.

With the help of a magical paint set and some crystal wizard stones, can Amelina discover the truth about her family?

A unique, imaginative mystery full of magic-wielding and dark elements, Bloodstone is a riveting adventure for anyone interested in fantasy, mythology or the world of the paranormal.

INSPIRED BY: The World Famous Corpus Christi Chronophage Clock, in Cambridge, UK, created by Dr. John C Taylor, OBE, and artist Anya Gallaccio’s Crystal Grotto, in Juniper Artland, Scotland.

‘A smartly plotted YA fantasy adventure with a strong cast of characters.

A RED RIBBON WINNER and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards.

Trigger warnings:

This book contains mention of self-harm, mental health issues and alludes to the potential dangers of sexual attraction, which may trigger younger/sensitive readers.

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The Locket: Magician’s Prophecy by Rachel L. Tilley (Fantasy)

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Blurb:

Kidnapped and taken across the border, Carra and her sister are sold at auction.

Servant to a noble house, she’ll take any opportunity to leave, but where can she go? Pellagea is run by mages, but without magic of her own, she can’t gain admittance to their sought-after academy.

When a mysterious stranger appears, Carra seizes the chance to escape. Together they traverse unknown lands – forests, sinister claustrophobic tunnels, and a desert – searching for a locket under the justification of a vague prophecy.

Attaining the locket will not be easy. A mysterious tower holds a number of trials she must overcome. Challenged to take control of her fate, it’s only by understanding her flaws and thinking on her feet that Carra can unlock her true potential.

Trigger warnings:

None.

***

The Book of Legend by Tracey Mayhem (Fantasy)

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Blurb:

What happens when you discover the life you know isn’t the life you are destined to lead?

Life has never been easy for sixteen year old Cai Freeman; being a foster kid of new-age parents has made him an easy target for bullies and he longs to escape.

During a chance trip to Stonehenge, he makes a shocking discovery… one that takes him to a world of legend; a world he never even knew existed. There, his true identity is revealed and it isn’t long before he is forced to make a life-changing decision.

But, as Cai soon finds out, every choice has a price, and this one puts him in grave danger as he comes face-to-face with his destiny and an evil that comes from within his own family…

Trigger warnings:

Death of parents, bullying.

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The Call of the Valkyries by Tracey Mayhew (Fantasy)

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Blurb:

A god powerless against his fate. A girl determined to make her own destiny. A prophecy that binds them together…

Freydis dreams of being a shield-maiden but her parents have other ideas. When she learns of her their plan to marry her off to a local fisherman’s son, Freydis’ need to break free from her life intensifies.

With Olaf the Red’s arrival, she sees her chance of escape and, with the help of her friends, begins to put her plan into motion. Leaving her home, and family, behind, Freydis embarks on the most dangerous adventure of her life.

But life on the whale road is nothing like Freydis expected and she’s soon asking herself: how will she survive her first raid if she can’t even survive her first voyage?

With forces beyond her control, or understanding, conspiring against her, how long will she be able to resist the call of the Valkyries?

Trigger warnings:

Violence, death.

***

Of Kings and Shadows by Dusti Nalley (Fantasy)

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Blurb:

Eldin, an undead assassin, is having visions he doesnt understand. When he accidentally takes on a young woman as an apprentice, she pushes him to follow the visions and find out what they mean. They lead him down a path of love, heartbreak, and power.

Trigger warnings:

R*pe inferred, no graphic scenes or descriptions though.

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Plea to a Frozen God by C.M. Skiera (Fantasy)

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Blurb:

Prince Ligo’s had a rough engagement. Betrothed to an outsider to fix a kingdom whose patron god has abandoned the family line, tossed in a seizure to the icy sea while hunting for his betrothal feast, and waking up just in time for his fiancée’s family to seize the volcano-menaced kingdom. Oh yes, Prince Ligo’s seen better days, for sure.

But when the beguiling Mystic Riggan joins him on a quest to find his mother at a sanctum to their bloodline’s god, and the tender duo is joined by another loyal soldier in pursuit of answers to what truly ails his realm, Ligo discovers more ancient mysteries at his journey’s end. He also finds the beginnings of a home, and family like none he’s ever known.

Trigger warnings:

Violence, death, physical abuse.

***

The Shadow Deception by Kate Machon (Fantasy)

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Blurb:

Pixies play pranks. That’s what we do.

Except my latest trick got me banished to the human realm, with that grumpy angel Gabe as my guardian. While Gabe is determined to stop me from putting a wing out of line, I discover he has more secrets than a toad’s got warts, including a mysterious trinket crafted by my long-lost dad.

When I’m kidnapped by an army of imps, their scary human leader tells me that the trinket holds more power than I can imagine.

What’s more, he’ll tell me what happened to my dad… If I get it for him.

Making stink bombs stinky enough used to be my biggest worry. Now, it’s who to trust more. The guardian angel who never answers my questions or the imp leader who scares the pixie dust off me?

Rich with sass and secrets, The Shadow Deception is a fast-paced, action-packed adventure story that will keep you on the edge of your toadstool.

Trigger warnings:

None.

***

Imaginari by Kristina W. Kelly (Sci-fi and Fantasy Poetry)

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Blurb:

Step into lyrics of science, science fiction, and fantasy where robots fight for their autonomy, fairies wage war against goblins, and humanity reaches for what awaits them in the stars.

Paired with original color photography, this collection of poetry holds a glimpse of the human experience disguised in fairytales and stardust. You will encounter themes that resonate with our reality, such as motherhood, growth, feminism, hope, and nature. Whether you are a fan of epic sagas, whimsical tales, or lyrical reflections, you will find something to spark the imagination in this collection. Prepare to be enchanted by an invitation to dreams of the fantastical.

Trigger warnings:

None.

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Edward’s Cat Trilogy by Maria P. Frino (YA Fantasy)

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Blurb:

Maria P Frino’s young adult trilogy, Edward’s Cat, started as a writing prompt from one of her writers’ groups. Book One – Edward’s Cat. A Magical Tale of Edward, his Twin and a Cat., is in the Top 50 for children’s books on Amazon AU. Book two – Edward’s Cat. The Rise of the Kittens. And a Dog., was published in 2023. Book three – Edward’s Cat. Three Cats, a Magical Legacy. And a Dog., was published 24 May 2024.

A wonderful trilogy, Edward’s Cat will enthral and captivate readers as the young protagonists fight to rid their school and lives of the awful bullies. There are schoolyard bullies, shapeshifting, friendships, geeks, a magical society, and amazing feats of bravery.

This series is suitable for readers 13 to 18+ and everyone who enjoys coming-of-age stories with a touch of magic.

Trigger warnings:

School bullies, teen relationships.

***

Blood of the Chosen by A. J. Leciejewska (Dark Fantasy)

Buying links:

Download for free (various vendors).

Blurb:

He had to grow up fast. Life in Blue Fortress with a cruel stepfather wasn’t ideal, but he had a choice to make; run away or stand up to the abuse and protect his mother. Truthfully, it wasn’t a choice. That night, Marcus went too far, forcing him to fight for his life. Fear and anger unleashed powers he’d never known he had.

Ray got his revenge.

But in this grim world, his act would never go unpunished and if he wants to avoid the executioner’s sword, he must run.

A hostile kingdom offers him refuge, but Ray fears being misled by his enemies’ kindness. Life offers him hope to build a future, but when this new home comes under threat of war, he must choose again. Escape and leave the kingdom to its fate or wager his life to protect it.

Blood of the Chosen is the first book in the epic Cronan’s Kiss adult high fantasy series, perfect for fans of heroic protagonists steeped in dark worlds rich with lore and magic.

Trigger warnings:

Adult themes, violence, open-door intimacy, torture.

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The Star She Becomes by C. Warner-Thompson (Fantasy)

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Blurb:

It’s been four years since the dark came for Abbii, moving as shadows in the night. She does all she can to stay awake, her best friend Jake keeping her close to the light, but when he is taken from her, everything falls into darkness.

Abbii struggles to keep going, being pulled into a war between the elements that no one knew even existed. She is a part of it now, a hidden magic inside of her calling to her senses. A figure appears, stretching out his hand to guide her, but who is he?

She thinks that he is part of her imagination at first, someone she created to save herself in Jake’s absence, but then she meets him, being drawn into his bright hazel eyes. His name is Nate, but he isn’t Jake. Will she learn to trust Nate, before the Darkness comes for her too?

Trigger warnings:

Anxiety, OCD, loss, grief.

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The Mirage That Remains by C. Warner-Thompson (Fantasy)

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Blurb:

Since discovering the magical powers in her grasp, Abbii has fought against members of the Forgotten—those pulled into Darkness willingly—and her friends have fallen into darkness. Something inside of her has changed. Abbii has a choice- to stay by her friends’ sides and fight to protect their home, or leave the realm she knows and search for those that she has lost.

She has to choose between searching for Jake in the Dark, or returning to Nate’s side to keep the Light burning brightly.

Trigger warnings:

Anxiety, OCD, loss, grief.

***

Relentless Blades by Russell Carroll (Fantasy)

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Blurb:

Cross the wrong men and meet their blades!

In a rugged frontier town, two broken men wander aimlessly–Grimlock, a tormented soul despised by the townspeople he protects, searches for a brother he may never find, while Vigilanton, a disgraced knight bound by shame, serves a vicious crime lord.

The Vragoths’ arrival–brutal conquerors seeking an ancient scepter to shift the balance of power–thrusts these disillusioned men into a deadly game they never asked to play. Redemption is the prize, but only if they can overcome spilled blood, betrayal, and their own inner demons.

Neither sought to be allies, let alone heroes, but vengeance forces them into a fate they cannot escape. Old grudges and past failures threaten to tear their fragile alliance apart. In this battle, there are no second chances. Victory means survival. Defeat means death. And time is running out.

Trigger warnings:

None.

***

Ashbound Oaths by Russell Carroll (Fantasy)

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Blurb:

Bards sing of glory and gold—but never the price paid in blood.

The Scepter of Cymathu lies shattered. Its destruction reverberated across the world, reshaping both the victors and the vanquished. As ancient wyrms rise, the countdown to annihilation begins. But salvation lies with a disparate band of misfits. Grimlock, a Totem Warrior driven by rage, risks being consumed by the very beast that secured his triumph.

Vigilanton, an exiled knight bound by a blood-debt, gambles everything to escape a crime lord’s grasp. Mystic Alyndra heeds the call of the Daylyns—conduits of the Goddess of Magic—and slips into an unnatural sleep. Her only hope lies with Everleigh, once devout, now reeling from revelations that shatter everything she believed.

They thought their war was over, their victory earned, but the true battle lies within. If they cannot conquer their inner demons, the growing wyrms will reduce the world to ash and ruin.

Trigger warnings:

None.

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The Dragon of Dread Deep by C.D. McKenna (Grimdark Pirate Epic Fantasy)

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Blurb:

Some of the greatest heroes were once the villain.

A pirate. A heist. A destiny he never wanted . . . And the birth of a Dragon Rider.

Cassian is a thief—one of the best. As a loyal member of the White Horn pirates and a Queens’ Bidder, he knows that only one law matters in the Vore waters: obey the Red Queens or die. But when whispers of rebellion spread among the worshippers of the Red Goddess, Cassian’s world erupts into chaos, and survival becomes his only goal. Damn the rest.

But a mad king’s heist offers the impossible—a dragon egg for the chance at freedom. Cassian and his crew set sail on a mission that will change their destinies forever. A daring plan through the unforgivable Grave of Seas brings trouble. Before Cassian can escape, he’s bonded to a dragon who sees him as the one thing he’s always denied: a hero.

Now, with an empire rising, a war on the horizon, and a past that won’t let go, Cassian must make a choice—stay the rogue he’s always been or become the legend he never wanted to be.

In the world of The Vorelian Saga, pirates and dragons collide in a dark, high-stakes tale of survival, betrayal, and redemption. The sea is no place for the restless . . . but it’s the perfect place for a legend to be born.

Trigger warnings:

Violence, cursing.

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Forgotten Memories by Cecilia Agetun (Fantasy)

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Blurb:

Being a demon isn’t easy, especially when you’ve grown up learning the importance of love and friendship.

When Jax gets summoned by his best friend and asked to protect his only child, Cassie, who’s been hidden away in the human world, he agrees.

He thought it would be simple – protect the girl while she learns the truth about herself and the abilities she holds. What he hasn’t counted on is the shock that runs through him when they touch, immersing him in feelings and memories he can’t place.

As he tries to figure out the nature of the bond that connects them, he realises that something else is at play – a magic that could be working for or against them. Will he be able to honour his promise and keep Cassie safe?

Trigger warnings:

Bullying.

***

Spirits Entwined by Theresa Biehle (Fantasy)

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Blurb:

A light-hearted, fun, fantasy adventure. Perfect for young adults or those young at heart! An epic fantasy series with a slight sci-fi twist. Reads like a combination between Avatar: The Last Air Bender and Lord of the Rings.

If you love journeys filled with magic, danger, and intergalactic travels, you’ll be enchanted with Spirit’s Entwined! It’ll take you on the adventure of a lifetime with young friends Kylie and Mory as they discover an astonishing secret about Kylie’s past, which catapults them into a thrilling future. Growing up in a world where magic is weakened, Kylie never thought there was anything special about her, until her home is attacked by forces beyond reckoning. Now, she has a long road ahead to understand who and what she is. Let’s go with her and keep her safe, because the fate of the entire universe hangs in the balance.

Trigger warnings:

Fantasy violence.

***

Lady Warrior, Mage of Man by Sherrie A. Bakelar (Fantasy)

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Blurb:

D’Mique’s dreams were bigger than the walled village where she grew up. Driven to seek adventure, she shunned expectations for what a young woman ought to do and instead forged a different path that led her out beyond the forest she had always known. Joining the military and dreaming of command, she instead finds herself assigned to a diplomatic post where a rowdy tea party is the most action she will likely see. But D’Mique and her fellow tea partiers soon learn that a gifted seer has named them most likely to save the world.

Trigger warnings:

Some sword and sorcery violence.

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The Fox, the Jaguar, and the Mysterious Island by Timothy Robare (Fantasy)

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Blurb:

The fox and the jaguar are at war. Enemies arise and unlikely allies form. The only way to stop the profound enemy is to adventure to the mysterious island.

Trigger warnings:

S*xual assault, violence.

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The Wind at Oak Hollow by Melissa Widmaier (Fantasy)

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Blurbs:

Families can be complicated, especially when the fate of the kingdom rests on yours.

Marl Ganwin is more than just a mischief-maker. He’s a pain in the ass–the Wind spirit’s favorite youth. The Village of Na-ir tolerates his antics, giving him free rein to ramble and rumble. But things take an unexpected turn when Wind forces him to accept an unfathomable fate.

Can Marl’s family and the entire village survive the implosion of his gifts? Or will his choices send their peaceful world order into a whirlwind?

What will he lose when he accepts his power?

Trigger warnings:

Abuse, depression, murder, alcoholism, anxiety, bullying, drug use, PTSD.

***

The Stolen Heir and the Exiled Prince by Hope McPherson (Fantasy)

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Blurb:

All Alaine Turner wants is to find the family who gave her up as a baby—and the day she passes her driving test, she leaves her adoptive family to seek out her blood relatives. On the way, she collides with a strange man, who transfers a piece of magic into her. Suddenly, she’s no longer in her small town in Washington State, but on another world called Coran, in a city that despises Gifted people. The magic running through her veins saves her from the hangman’s noose, but not from the vengeful hands of the crown prince.

Prince Mikael has returned home to Caledonia from a temporary exile in the north, determined to become the prince his people will fear and respect. Vowing to spend the rest of his days bringing the Gifted to justice, he finds himself conflicted when he discovers that his sister is one of them. To make matters worse, a young woman he sent to the gallows reveals a level of power he’s never seen before. Torn between his father’s approval and protecting his sister, Mikael must make a choice that will decide his future—and the lives of Caledonia’s Gifted—even if it means enduring exile and anguish once again.

Magic will bring Alaine and Mikael together, but can they put their drastic differences aside to help one another in a world that wants to tear them apart?

Trigger warnings:

No Spice, some violence, torture, some foul language.

***

Broken Earth by Hope McPherson (Fantasy)

Buying links:

Download for free (Amazon).

Blurb:

In the peaceful village of Karver, Galen and Alyce have built a beautiful life and welcome their twins, Markus and Adelaide, into the world. But when their daughter’s magical Gifts awaken, a rift opens within the family. Jealousy and favoritism tear them apart, and any hope of reuniting the family back together is lost when the newly crowned Queen Rosalin sends her knights to imprison and enslave the Gifted of Frostlight.

Separated from their parents, Adelaide and Markus each make an impossible decision: to serve the crown that oppresses their people, and to start a rebellion to free the Gifted despite knowing that any resistance could mean death. Both paths come at a price they are willing to pay to protect their parents, but as the cost of their choices mounts, Adelaide and Markus must decide if they can save their family—and their people—without losing themselves.

Trigger warnings:

Some violence, death.

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Sci-Fi Books

AVA by Lydia L. Baker (Book 1 in The Broken World Series) (Dystopian Sci-Fi)

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Trigger warnings:

Death of a child, violence.

Blurb:

First, MTech came for the city and we allowed it. They put up the Barrier and we stayed quiet, silenced by the fear of what was beyond. Our elderly were next and still we didn’t cry out; then they came for the women, removed their fertility and stole our future, so I hid. I became Alec and I turned my back on my true self, Ava.

Ava can’t live as Alec any longer, the lie is killing her, destroying all that she is.
The world beyond MTech’s Barrier calls to her and she can’t ignore it. She has to know what, if anything, survived the terrible day that tore her family apart fourteen years ago.

But what if the Outside is far more dangerous than anything Ava has ever faced on the Inside?

***

ANNA by Lydia L. Baker (Book 2 in The Broken World Series) (Dystopian Sci-Fi)

Buying links:

Buy here for 99p / 99c (Amazon).

Trigger warnings:

Death of a child, violence, mention of miscarriage.

Blurb:

Anna watched her twin sister, Ava, turn into the very same alien creature that stole her daughter and destroyed humanity—her sister has become an invader, a Ghost.

As the Barrier comes down and humanity fights to destroy the alien plague, Anna is left with an impossible choice: kill the thing her sister has become or find a way to save her, knowing the risk that the creature would pose to her and those closest to her.

With tensions rising between the world inside the barrier and the one on the outside, can humanity find a way to co-exist, or will they simply destroy each other?

***

The Huxian Fox by Nikki Brooke (Sci-fi)

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Blurb:

Two girls team up—despite their differences—on an Indiana Jones style treasure hunt across space, following clues left by an ancient race.

Captain Fan Sung has blown it this time. Not only was she caught stealing from a drug lord, she was also caught kissing his young wife. She needs to get to her ship, the Huxian Fox, and get off the planet—fast.

Princess Eshan’ya is running from The Quain. They have attacked the palace and if they find her, they’ll kill her. There’s no hiding on this planet, especially not when the royal guards are also looking for her. Her best chance is to sneak aboard the Huxian Fox.

As the ship enters space, Fan thinks she’s made a clean getaway. But she’s not impressed when she finds her stowaway—even if she is beautiful. She’s even less impressed when the Huxian Fox is attacked by the Quain and the Royal Fleet.

The Quain are intent on taking over the galaxy, but Eshan’ya plans on stopping them—if only she can convince Fan Sung to help her.

Trigger warnings:

Medium level violence, violence against children, drug addiction, s*xual assault (not on page).

***

A Stellar Spy by Maya Darjani (Fantasy)

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