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

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Alan Buys the Universe – Marc Mulero

Somewhere faraway, the universe is in peril. But on Earth, Alan is minding his own business after a boring double-shift at the pawn shop… until he’s assaulted by a screaming archer who turns out to be a good shot.

Alan awakes in Strangey Town, a zany nightmarish jungle of ideas run by a horrid deity.

Things get even stranger when a clairvoyant frog confirms Alan has an affinity for magic, and that his powers are far from ordinary. He can convene with gods, bargain for souls, and tap into every known magic the universe has to offer. It’s unheard of!

But with great promise, comes grave danger. Realms hellbent on seizing control of the universe seek to seize Alan’s potential, willing to declare war to gain it.

Through magic, blade’s edge, or a bargain, Alan will prevail. He’s finally found a place not only where he belongs, but where he can thrive.

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House of Owls (The Milesian Accords #6) – Jon R. Osborne

With the Challenge in the past, Liam now must cope with the fallout from his battle with a proto-goddess while he and Pixel prepare for their approaching wedding. Meanwhile, Erin struggles with a normal life and the fear of settling down in rural Illinois.

The Moon Council freed Pixel and her sisters from the House of Owls and their betrothal pacts in exchange for Pixel undertaking the mission to infiltrate the mundane world and recruit the new First Druid to challenge the Milesian Accords. When Matron of Owls reclaims the freed flower-brides, her Unseelie thugs not only capture Pixel but kidnap Liam and Erin’s children in the bargain.

Now the First Druid and the Champion of the Accords must join forces and muster their allies to rescue their children. With Liam tottering on the brink of madness, can they overcome their differences to brave the dangers of Glas-Cymru and the machinations of the House of Owls and save everyone they love?

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New Empires (The Conglomerate #3) – William s. Frisbee, Jr.

It’s war!

The Conglomerate is shattered and burning, Topa Suresh is missing, and the Jupiter Alliance and Caliphate are both on the move!

But when Luke takes the battle to the enemy, he finds himself pitted against a foe that has been planning the destruction of the Conglomerate for hundreds of thousands of years. Most of humanity has already been enslaved by them, and hope is all but lost.

Can Luke build the alliances required to stop the ancient enemy, or will the Conglomerate finally fall to the invaders?

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Original Spin – Steven Savile

Meet Katie “K.T.” Todd: Manhattan’s most cutthroat PR maven, spin doctor extraordinaire, and newly appointed… servant of Satan? After a freak accident involving a falling object and her perfectly styled hair, K.T. finds herself unexpectedly dead and drafted into Hell’s most ambitious rebranding campaign yet: making the Antichrist palatable for prime time.

There’s just one problem: Satan’s chosen vessel is a perpetually cheerful game show host whose idea of evil is suggesting trust falls and group hugs. As K.T. attempts to transform this smiling simpleton into a credible harbinger of doom, she discovers that Hell’s corporate ladder is built on treachery, backstabbing, and really uncomfortable chairs—in other words, just like Manhattan.

But K.T. has plans of her own. Armed with her killer instincts, stiletto heels, and a newly acquired demonic pregnancy (don’t ask), she’s ready to orchestrate the ultimate hostile takeover. Because if anyone knows how to sell the apocalypse to the masses, it’s a woman who once convinced the world that BP’s oil spill was actually a creative marine art installation.

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Reality Break (Galaxy Bridge #7) – Daniel Gibbs and Steve Rzasa

An explosive clash of old meets new.

Colonel Mateo Larra returns to command Joint Base Sagittarius Arch—and just in time. Increased intergalactic cargo runs require more patrols to meet demand and ensure trade continues unhindered. But priorities shift when the CSV Tallahassee limps into port with news more alarming than a convoy’s destruction.

Their stealth technology is useless against a highly advanced enemy.

The once insular Mifreen nation has taken to the stars after acquiring FTL drives, which offers the League ambassador an opening to procure antimatter reactors at last. With the loss of technological superiority, Colonel Larra has one choice—call upon the only commander and crew who’ve faced this enemy.

Lieutenant General David Cohen and the CSV Lion of Judah roar back into action.

And not a moment too soon. The Mifreens have occupied newly colonized worlds to force captives into the Netsim matrix—no matter the human cost. Now the CSV Lion of Judah and her crew must confront their old enemy where it will hurt the most.

Before Sextans B is fed to the machine.

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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!