Every week, the Castalia House Blog spotlights some of the many new releases in independent, pulp, and web novel-influenced science fiction and fantasy.

Any Given Doomsday (Gladius Leagues #1) – Michael LaVoice

Humanity’s last hope is… a combat sports champion?

In the wake of humanity’s great expansion across the stars, war was a thing of the past, and its armies and navies were disbanded. Disputes were settled by the ancient practice of trial by combat in the Gladius Leagues, where elite athletes clad in advanced powered armor fought in front of millions. Their motto was, “We fight so others don’t have to.”

Nick “Warhorse” Landry, star Field Commander of the Foundry Warhawks, was content to live by that code—until everything changed. His home planet fell under a terrifying alien invasion while he was light years away. But when the invasion reaches his current system, humanity has a defense.

Unfortunately, that defense is Warhorse and his team of prima donna athletes. They’re stars of the arena, but they’re woefully unprepared for real war. With the guidance of the last surviving general from the Expansion Wars, these sports heroes are thrust into a battle for survival, and they’ll have to learn fast, or humanity faces total extinction.

Will Warhorse and his crew rise to the occasion—or fall in the final battle for humanity’s future?

Here Be Dragons (The Starship In The Stone #2) – M. R Forbes

Thomas never expected to find Excalibur stuck beneath a Welsh lake. He never asked to be a hero. And he certainly never imagined standing between a tyrant and the fate of a galaxy.

Destiny doesn’t wait for permission.

From the mystical world of Avalyeth, Thomas’ journey will lead him and his growing crew into the heart of enemy territory, the halls of ancient dragons, and the path of knights who remember a time when hope still burned bright. Hunted by the Draconite and haunted by the past, they’ll need to risk everything to outmaneuver and overcome those who would see them destroyed.

As new alliances form and old rivalries re-ignite, Thomas must prove he’s more than just the captain of a legendary starship—he must become the leader others believe him to be.

Even if he still isn’t sure he believes it himself.

Endings (Sleeping Gods #3) – Ralph Kern 

Trapped aboard the crippled starship Erebus, spiraling toward the crushing grip of a black hole, Inspector Layton Trent and his team face oblivion. Their only hope? A desperate alliance with the ship’s renegade crew. Bitter enemies must work together, or they’ll vanish into the abyss.

But survival comes at a price. When Erebus finally breaks free, they emerge 20,000 years in the future to a desolate galaxy.

Entire civilizations are extinct.

Humanity is gone.

An overwhelming, enigmatic force has swept across the stars, consuming entire worlds to fuel its relentless expansion. The last remnants of intelligent life have fled toward the galactic core, desperate to escape annihilation. With no way back and an unstoppable enemy hunting them, Layton and his crew have only one choice, to follow the survivors into the unknown.

What begins as a desperate flight soon becomes something far greater.

From the ruins of a dying galaxy to the final flickers of existence itself, Layton and his crew will push beyond the boundaries of time and space, searching for answers – about the force that hunts them, the fate of those who came before, and the ultimate mystery of what lies beyond the end of everything. Read More

Every week, the Castalia House Blog spotlights some of the many new releases in independent, pulp, and web novel-influenced science fiction and fantasy.

The Feasting of Vengeance (The Four Horsemen Universe: The Phoenix Initiative #16) – Rob Howell

The hunt for Kukuluki continues.

In a galaxy where treachery and double-dealing is the normal way of conducting business, Kukuluki is in a league of his own. And if you get on his bad side, like the Queen Elizabeth’s Own Foresters have, he’ll use those skills to make sure you regret it.

The time has come for vengeance. The Foresters and their allies are arming themselves to rid the galaxy of his evil.

But first, they have to find him. Then avoid all the traps he’s surely set in their path. And then defeat all the mercs one of the richest beings in the galaxy can afford.

Both sides know the stakes. The time has come to end this once and for all. It’s time to be tenacious and versatile.

Oath of the Survivor – James Meyer

Stranded on an alien world. Surrounded by enemies. He must learn to fight… or die.

When the apocalypse strikes the world Kyle Mayhew calls home, he is thrust into a struggle for survival.

Alongside his Central Health Autonomous Diagnostic Drone (C.H.A.D.D.), he will have to overcome mutated creatures, ruthless marauders, and his grandfather’s legacy to carve out a new home.

He might even find that he belongs…

Stormvoice (The Celestial Path #2) – D. K. Holmberg

Where celestial power shapes destiny, Roran Los has become a voidheart. Can Roran find an even greater purpose?

As he struggles to control his unique gift, Roran finds himself thrust into a dangerous journey beyond his isolated basin.

Pursued by powerful forces and accompanied by unlikely allies, Roran must navigate treacherous landscapes and uncover ancient secrets. With the threat of the Astralin looming, Roran’s growing abilities may be the key to igniting long-dormant relics and reshaping the balance of power.

But as Roran delves deeper into his voidheart nature, he faces a crucial choice: will he use his power to protect those he loves, or will he become the very threat he seeks to overcome?

The Complete Mongoose and Meerkat – a Kickstarter campaign from Cirsova

He’s a brash young bravo, eager to prove his worth with a blade. She’s a mysterious rogue with a head for history and razor cunning. Together, they are the Mongoose and Meerkat!

Whether they’re looting haunted dungeons, fighting demons and necromancers, or just settling labor disputes, this swashbuckling duo is ready for anything! Mangos would love nothing more than to earn a name for himself and keep himself comfortably in coin. Kat, however, has more far-reaching plans for her wealth.

The City State of Alness has fallen to a band of mercenaries and brigands who have ravaged the north lands. Amidst the rumors that an Alnessi royal may have survived, the Mongoose and Meerkat must navigate all manner of intrigue and betrayal to win the fame and fortune necessary to restore the once-mighty city.

Originally serialized in 18 installments from 2017 through 2023 in Cirsova Magazine, Jim Breyfogle’s Mongoose and Meerkat became one of the iconic Sword & Sorcery teams of the Pulp Revolution. Now, you can have all of their adventures in a single gorgeous volume!

Every week, the Castalia House Blog spotlights some of the many new releases in independent, pulp, and web novel-influenced science fiction and fantasy.

Echoes of Extinction (The Voidwalker Chronicles #1) – Sean Robins

One man must lead the charge in the name of humanity.

Major Ethan Irons thought surviving Earth’s near-extinction event was the pinnacle of disaster, but when the remnants of humanity are catapulted into a galactic conflict beyond their wildest nightmares, he’s plunged into an unimaginable odyssey.

Armed with nothing but his wits, a sardonic AI companion, and unlikely alliances with enigmatic alien species, he must navigate the treacherous waters of intergalactic politics and warfare.

Can Ethan and his ragtag band of survivors rekindle the flame of hope for humanity?

Fight. Level. Survive. – Xrmaze

Stuck in a new world. Surrounded by monsters. It’s time to Fight, Level, and Survive.

When Mason wakes up naked and alone in a whole new world, everything changes. Lying there with blades of blue grass stabbing him in his ass, he has no idea just how chaotic his life is about to become.

His new world is crammed full of monsters, magic, and worse. But first things first. He’s arrived buck-naked in a strange land—should he pick a weapon or clothes first?

That’s just step one. After that, it’ll take his wits, charm, a ton of luck, and a heavy dose of sarcasm to ensure his survival as he levels up and learns to thrive.

Galactic Titan III – Miles Rozak

Sometimes you don’t get what you par for… when bending spacetime pays for itself.

Like most people, Captain Gage thought time was linear. One thing after the next. Well, that’s how it felt.

Until spacetime nearby turned into a loop.

His Commonwealth? Sold out by bribery and corruption. His task force? Disbanded… now lost or dead. If history’s fixed, what options are left?

One thing about cycles – they’re made to be broken.

So that’s what Gage is going to do next. Read More

Every week, the Castalia House Blog spotlights some of the many new releases in independent, pulp, and web novel-influenced science fiction and fantasy.

Crown of Beasts (The Beastcaller Chronicles #2) – Dan Michaelson and D. K. Holmberg

Leo Stormrider barely survived his first encounter with the Unbeasts. Now, as the apprentice to Lord Darkthorn, he faces an even greater challenge—the Tournament of Apprentices, where the most promising students compete for glory and advancement.

But dark forces conspire against him. The Supreme Realm Lord seems determined to prevent Leo from winning, fearing he could become the next Kong—a legendary Beastcaller whose madness nearly destroyed the realm. With only his Familiar Shadowshine and a few allies at his side, Leo must navigate deadly challenges, ruthless competitors, and a maze of political intrigue.

As ancient powers clash and conspiracies unfold, Leo finds himself caught between mastering his abilities and resisting the Call of the Beast—a primal force that threatens to consume him.

In a tournament where victory could mean the difference between elevation and extinction, Leo must prove that not all Beastcallers are destined to fall to darkness. But with enemies both in front of and behind him, even reaching the finals may be beyond his grasp.

Emberstone Farm – L. Meili

A cozy, slice-of-life, isekai fantasy about farming, crafting, low stakes adventure, and a journey to be the best.

Join the quest to become the greatest farmer of all time!

Violet, an orphan from Earth, was just about to apply to a college when she was transported into the world of her favorite game, Adventure Incarnate.

Thankfully, Adventure Incarnate is a cozy farming adventure RPG, and she has an awesome cheat—her inventory is full of raw materials that she can use to level up and craft legendary items.

Join Violet in her lighthearted quest to become the greatest farmer of all time in this quiet living, slice-of-life LitRPG about farming, low stakes adventure, crafting, a hint of romance, and so much more.

Rogue Commander (Oldest Starfighter #2) – Jamie McFarlane

Gordy Harmen thought he had seen it all. Recruited from Earth by the alien Obsidian Union to fight in their war against the ruthless Kadrak, he rose to lead Starfighter Command. But leadership in the stars isn’t just about dogfights and strategy—it’s also about politics, and Gordy’s no politician. After a clash with the manipulative Admiral Shezelkep, who prioritizes bureaucracy over battlefield success, Gordy finds himself stripped of command and locked away in the brig for punching the Admiral square in the face.

For most, it would be a career-ending disgrace. For Gordy, it’s just a pit stop.

When a mysterious energy anomaly devastates the Talonis System and scouts sent to investigate vanish without a trace, the Obsidian Union comes calling once again. Gordy seizes the opportunity, on one condition: he runs the mission his way, without bureaucratic interference. What he finds in Talonis is worse than anyone could have imagined—a deadly Kadrak plot tied to the destruction of a vital scientific outpost, threatening the fragile balance of power in the galaxy.

As war looms on the horizon, Gordy must assemble an unconventional strike force and leverage every ounce of his cunning, skill, and defiance to save Talonis from falling to the enemy. With the weight of countless lives on his shoulders, Gordy’s return to command will test his mettle—and his loyalty to a galaxy that seems intent on undermining him.

Rebel Galaxy: Contact – J. N. Chaney and Jasper T. Scott

The first manned expedition beyond our solar system leads to a deadly encounter…

Lieutenant Dane Clark, second-in-command of Trailblazer One, is flying with over 300 colonists on a historic voyage to Proxima Centauri b, humanity’s first step toward establishing a new home among the stars. But their arrival reveals a chilling mystery—a strange signal is pulsing from the planet’s surface, luring them in.

When a crew descends to investigate, what they uncover is beyond comprehension—and beyond escape. Isolated over four light-years from Earth, the crew must decide whether to establish a colony on this alien world or turn around and run back to Earth. Read More