Eleven new fantasy realms rise from the misty winter mountains this month, with series additions from Patrick W. Carr (The Staff and the Sword), Jeff Wheeler (Whispers from Mirrowen), Anne Elisabeth Stengl (Tales of Goldstone Wood), Dennis L. McKiernan (Mithgar), Erin Hunter (Survivors), and Steve McHugh (Hellequin Chronicles).
Fiction Affliction details releases in science fiction, fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and “genre-benders.” Keep track of them all here.
Note: All title summaries are taken and/or summarized from copy provided by the publisher.
WEEK ONE
A Draw of Kings (The Staff and the Sword #3)—Patrick W. Carr (February 4, Bethany House)
Their journey to Merakh should have made Errol and his companions heroes of the realm. Instead, much is changed on their return. In the wake of the king’s death, Duke Weir is ruling the country, and his intentions are to marry Adora to bring an heir. With Errol and the others imprisoned and the identity of the rightful heir to the throne still hidden in secrecy, Illustra is on the verge of civil war, and at growing risk from the armies of Merakh and Morgol. A dangerous mission to free Errol succeeds, but the dangers facing the kingdom are mounting with every passing moment. The barrier has fallen, ferals are swarming toward the land, and their enemies draw near. Will the revelation of Illustra’s next true king come in time or will all be lost?
Dryad-Born (Whispers from Mirrowen #2)—Jeff Wheeler (February 4, 47North)
The orphan Phae has kept her innate ability secret since she was young. Not only does she possess the dangerous fireblood, but she can also steal the memories of anyone who looks into her eyes. Phae has no idea that her combination of powers is extraordinary. She is the unwitting key to discovering the secret origin of the plagues, and she is also now a target. The ruthless Arch-Rike of Kenatos has sent his most menacing servant, the Quiet Kishion, to destroy her. As Phae struggles to wield her powers and escape her pursuers, a team of allies has already been dispatched on a quest to end the plagues. The determined allies must square off against the Arch-Rike, who is ever steadfast in his aim to kill Phae, and let the plagues rage on.
Shadow Hand (Tales of Goldstone Wood #6)—Anne Elisabeth Stengl (February 4, Bethany House)
By her father’s wish, Lady Daylily is betrothed to the Prince of Southlands. Not the prince she loves, handsome and dispossessed Lionheart, but his cousin, the awkward and foolish Prince Foxbrush. Unable to bear the future she sees as her wedding day dawns, Daylily flees into the dangerous Wilderlands, her only desire to vanish from living memory. But Foxbrush, determined to rescue his betrothed, pursues Daylily into a new world of magic and peril, a world where vicious Faerie beasts hold sway, a world invaded by a lethal fey parasite. A world that is hauntingly familiar.
Stolen Crown: A Novel of Mithgar (Mithgar Series #17)—Dennis L. McKiernan (February 4, Roc)
A bitter dispute over how the High King had been selected simmers in the dark halls of the royal family whose line had not been chosen. Finally one of their sons, Arkov of Garia, seized the throne through treachery and by force of arms. In his haste to see the king and queen slain, Arkov failed to confirm the death of the young prince, Reyer, who was spirited away to safety. On a distant island ruled by elves, where he was raised and trained by a trusted Captain of the slain High King, Reyer has now come of age. He has learned of his lineage, and those loyal to the bloodline of the true High King have rallied to his side. Reyer will gather an army and lead them against the Usurper, to gain back the crown and kingdom stolen from him and to restore Mithgar to its rightful rule.
WEEK TWO
Arcadia Falls (Arkadien #3)—Kai Meyer (February 11, Balzer + Bray)
Young Adult. Mafia clan leader Rosa Alcantara’s life is falling apart: everyone she loves is dead and everything she’s ever known about her family is a lie. Rosa and her boyfriend, rival leader Alessandro Carnevare, refuse to give up on their love for each other. Rosa and Alessandro begin to unravel the secret behind the conspiracy to keep them apart: an ancient prophecy that predicted the destruction of all Arcadia. As the clock ticks down to their destruction, it’s a race against time for the young lovers as they evade murderers, track down clues, and avoid a showdown with the man who wants them dead. The pair must find out the truth behind Arcadia once and for all, but will it be the key to unlocking their freedom and future together, or the final step in bringing them to their knees?
The Broken Path (Survivors #4)—Erin Hunter (February 11, HarperCollins)
Lucky and Alpha have finally reached an uneasy peace, but tensions are still high,and Alpha has made it clear that there are some dogs he will never fully accept. As the newly united Pack sets off in search of a home far away from the Fierce Dog camp, they discover that no territory is truly safe. When they encounter another group of dogs who survived the Big Growl, Lucky hopes that they can work together as allies,but this new Pack may be their most dangerous enemy yet.
This Place is Death (A Curse Keepers Secret)—Denise Grover Swank (February 11, 47North)
Ananias Dare and his expectant wife are among the pioneers who have come to brave an uncharted frontier. But conditions are harsh, and hostile natives have already spilled English blood. Only the peaceful Croatan Indians welcome the settlers. But when friend and guide Manteo has a haunting encounter deep in the woods, Ananias fears the colony faces a threat much darker than mortal enemies. As a brutal winter and an Indian massacre loom, Manteo and Ananias, and the dreadful secret they share, may be the settlers’ only hope of survival. But for the salvation they desperately seek, there will be hell to pay. (Digital)
WEEK THREE
Demon Wars: First Heroes: The Highwayman and The Ancient—R.A. Salvatore (February 18, Tor)
Omnibus. In The Highwayman, Salvatore takes his readers back to his signature world of Corona many years before the Demon Wars, introducing a new hero. The roads are unsafe to travel; goblins and bloodthirsty Powries search out human prey. Two religions struggle fiercely for control. Only the Highwayman travels freely, his sword casting aside both Powries and soldiers. The people need a savior, but is the Highwayman on a mission of mercy, or vengeance? In The Ancient, Bransen Garibond is tricked into journeying across the Gulf of Corona to the wild lands of Vanguard, where he is pressed into service in a desperate war. If Branson fails, all who live on the lake will perish, and all of northern Honce will fall under the shadow of the merciless and vengeful Samhaists.
With Silent Screams (Hellequin Chronicles #3)—Steve McHugh (February 18, 47North)
His name is Nathan Garrett, but he’s also known as Hellequin. And murdering one of his friends and trying to blow him up is a good way to get this centuries-old sorcerer’s full attention. An old friend’s dead body, a cryptic note, and an explosion that almost costs him his own life propel Nate headfirst into a mystery involving a new threat from an old foe. Now he must piece together the connections between a grisly series of tattooed murder victims, an imprisoned madman, a mysterious alchemist, and a deranged plot to usurp the throne of the hidden realm of Shadow Falls, rival to the power of Avalon. Can Nate avert the coming slaughter, or will he become the latest to fall in this clandestine war?
Moth and Spark: A Novel—Anne Leonard (February 20, Viking)
Prince Corin has been chosen to free the dragons from their bondage to the Empire, but dragons aren’t big on directions. They have given him some of their power, but none of their knowledge. Tam, sensible daughter of a well-respected doctor, had no idea before she arrived in the capital that she is a Seer, gifted with visions. When the two run into each other in the library, sparks fly and Corin impulsively asks Tam to dinner. Never mind that the prince isn’t allowed to marry a commoner: war is coming to Caithen. Torn between Corin’s quest to free the dragons and his duty to his country, the lovers must both figure out how to master their powers in order to save Caithen. With a little help from a village of secret wizards and a rogue dragonrider, they just might pull it off.
WEEK FOUR
Blades of the Old Empire (Majat Code #1)—Anna Kashina (February 25, Angry Robot)
Kara is a mercenary, a Diamond warrior, the best of the best, part of the Majat Guild. When her tenure to Prince Kythar comes to an end, he wishes to retain her services, but bust accompany her back to her Guild to negotiate her continued protection. When they arrive they discover that the prince’s sworn enemy, the Kaddim, have already paid the Guild to engage her services—to capture and hand over the prince (who she has grown very fond of). A warrior brought up to respect both duty and honour, what happens when her sworn duty proves dishonourable?
Suzanne Johnson is the author of the Sentinels of New Orleans urban fantasy series. You can find Suzanne on Facebook and on her speculative fiction blog, Preternatura.
