Today I am celebrating my 200th blog post! *throws
confetti* *inhales confetti* *coughs up confetti* Maybe I should imagine
throwing something else…
Anyway, I’d like to thank my readers once again for your
support, and because my blogiversary giveaway got way more attention than I’d
expected, I’m here to share another giveaway with you! International entries
welcome.*
This time, however, I’d like to feature some indie authors,
specifically the Phoenix Fiction Writers. They’re a group of speculative
fiction authors who write short stories to novels that cover fairy tale
retellings to original works. Though I haven’t read all of their stories yet
(slow down, guys!), I have enjoyed the ones I’ve read so far.
The following books are organized by authors’ last names.
*Print entries only available in the US. International entries are welcome for e-books only. Some books may have restrictions for certain countries. If the book of your choice is not available in your country, you may have to select a substitute.
Beast in the Machine by E. B. Dawson
A sci-fi retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
There are only two reasons people move to Ilford: to
study at the renowned scientific research center, or to escape society. Dr. Richter
intends to further his research. But his daughter Isabelle finds there is a
strange enmity between the scientists and the villagers, and it has something
to do with the reclusive man who hired her, Dr. Sebastian
Prince.
I haven’t actually read this one yet, but what a stunning
cover! I’m a huge fan of sci-fi, so that’s a plus.
“Sounds of Deceit” by Hannah Heath
One sorcerer. Four assassins. Uncover the stories of the
warriors who will one day band together to kill the most powerful being in
their world.
Death and destruction. Those are the consequences of
being a magician under Elgar's rule. Ailith once thought that she could be the
exception, but now she sees that her skillset only brings about pain, even upon
those she intends to protect. Convinced that there is only one solution, Ailith
buries herself in obscurity and turns her back on the warrior life.
It is a simple decision at first, but one that grows more
and more complicated as Elgar, a tyrannical sorcerer, continues his reign of
death and injustice. When Ailith is offered an opportunity to fight against
Elgar once again, she must decide: Will she continue to live in fear of her
powers? Or will she embrace them, no matter the consequences?
Heath’s latest short story in her Terebinth Tree Chronicles.
For those new to the series and to her work, her other stories are also
available as potential prizes: “Skies of Dripping Gold” (stand alone, see short story review), “Colors of Fear” (Terebinth Tree, #1), and “Flames
of Courage” (Terebinth Tree, #2).
Two Lives Three Choices by K. L. + Pierce
When two new students arrive at Krysta’s school, she
quickly discovers she must: choose her friends. Seeing one of the new students
sitting alone, Krysta must decide whether she’s willing to risk a friendship
she already has for someone she hardly knows. That choice causes Krysta to have
visions, revealing that the new arrivals are more than they seem. Choose her
side. The new students, Alec and Dion, are more than rivals. They are bitter
enemies involved in the war that Krysta is suddenly thrust in the middle of.
Unable to run, she must now choose where her loyalties lie. Choose whether
she’s willing to die for those she loves. Because when a friend is in danger,
Krysta knows she can save them. But saving her friend’s life could cost Krysta
her own. Those three choices will define the life Krysta leads… and the one
that she leaves behind.
More sci-fi! Aside from her short story, I haven’t read much
of Pierce’s work yet, but I’m curious to see how her full-length novel plays
out.
The Beast of Talesend by Kyle Robert Shultz
(Signed copy!)
Fairy tales aren’t real. Private detective Nick Beasley
knows that. This is 1922 E.A. (Ever After), an age of big cities, automobiles,
and airships. Nobody in the Afterlands believes in magic and monsters anymore.
Especially not Nick, who’s made a name for himself in the city of Talesend by
debunking fraudulent “magical” phenomena.
But when a misadventure with alleged enchantress Lady
Cordelia Beaumont goes awry, leaving Nick with claws, a tail, and quite a lot
of fur, he begins to rethink his stance on magic.
There’s only one way for Nick to regain his humanity. He
and Cordelia will have to retrieve a powerful magical artifact from a ruthless
crime lord—who happens to be Cordelia’s father. Otherwise, Nick won’t be the
only monster roaming through Talesend.
The fate of the Afterlands lies in the hands of a
renegade enchantress and an extremely hairy detective. What could possibly go
wrong?
Typically, I’m not a huge fan of fairy tale retellings
because I find them uber predictable, but there are a few stellar ones for
which I’m willing to make exceptions. The Beast of Talesend is one of
them (see book review). I started the series last year, and I’m eagerly
awaiting book 4.
Child of the Kaites by Beth Wangler
Desert fantasy retelling of the story of Moses, with
magic swords, homicidal storms, and griffins.
The kaites are spiritual beings who can dwell in rocks,
plants, and water.
They saved baby Rai from the watery death faced by her
people. They raised her in the blessed region. They told her she would be the
Leader of a Revolt.
She was going to free her people from slavery.
At least, that's what Rai used to believe. Then she
grew up.
Living as an exile under an assumed identity, Rai can't
lead a conversation, let alone a slave revolt. Her role in life is to be an
historian. She will lead her people by reminding them of who they are, nothing
more.
Yet the Izyphorn empire's evils continue. Her people are
still enslaved. Babies are dying every day.
Someone needs to do something.
Reunions with childhood friends and encounters with an
enigmatic stranger force Rai to reexamine what her purpose is. Is she called to
be a humble historian or a mighty warrior...
Or are those the same thing?
Did somebody say griffins? I have yet to read this one, but it
sounds incredible. I have read a couple of Wangler’s short stories, and I enjoy
her writing style!
Antiheroes: A Phoenix Fiction Writer’s Anthology
Seven science fiction and fantasy stories about
antiheroes:
- A man determined to get justice for his family, no matter the cost
- A gynoid with two conflicting programming directives
- A teenage boy determined to protect the people who have become his friends
- A monster slayer who is not everything she appears to be
- A young cyborg who makes an unthinkable choice in hopes of a better future
- A mischievous shopkeeper trying to stay one step ahead of trouble
- A blood hunter who discovers a lie that will change the course of her life
This collection turned out to be a delightful read. A
collection of sci-fi and fantasy short stories by each of the Phoenix Fiction
Writers.
Let’s chat! Which Phoenix Fiction book are you most
interested in reading? Have you read any of them before? What’s your take on
fairy tale retellings? Do you prefer sci-fi or fantasy? How about both?
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