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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Below Us – Nathan Hystaad

Forget the stars, the real threat is below us.

After a rough break up, Wyatt moves to New York City, eager to prove himself while working on Wall Street. When he’s asked to visit his ex-girlfriend’s father, a billionaire tycoon, his fate is sealed.

The revolutionary company, Nu-En, launches a radical innovation, an energy that will allow every person on the planet access to power. Only it doesn’t perform as anticipated.

Harnessing the ocean has consequences, and highly dangerous creatures emerge from the depths. Soon, the Earth is fracturing, and the world will never be the same.

Wyatt teams with Luna, a clever journalist, to escape the treacherous city with the ultimate prize: a robot capable of saving the world.

Their journey won’t be easy, but they meet others along the way that share the same determination.

Time is running out, and nothing can prepare them for what’s coming…

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The Bizarchives #5 – edited by Dave Martel

On the abysmal fringes of sanity itself lies a repository of tales from realms untold. The Bizarchives: Weird Tales of Monsters, Magic and Machines holds secrets of far flung galaxies, haunted dimensions, and fantastical heroes.

Inspired by the works of HP Lovecraft and Robert E Howard, this compilation of short stories takes the listener through all things strange and exhilarating. With 15 stories written by lifelong enthusiasts of the sci-fi, fantasy, and horror genres, The Bizarchives is an unapologetic homage to the golden era of pulp fiction. If you love Conan, Cthulhu, and everything in-between, you won’t want to miss this.

The Bizarchives RETURNS!

With another odd array of weird tales from Jim Bonner, A. Cuthbertson, C.P. Webster and many more! A dozen yarns of fantasy, science fiction and supernatural horror as well as comic strips, weird poetry and MUCH MORE. A fresh collection of pulp strangeness for you reading pleasure.

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Blood Shaper – WillPowah

What his enemies don’t know will bleed them dry…

Kay’s life takes an unexpected turn when he is transported to a mysterious world brimming with unfamiliar Skills, Classes, and a System. As he struggles to comprehend his new reality, he discovers a unique Class that’s never been seen before—a powerful new form of blood magic that allows him to shape and manipulate the life force coursing through his veins.

But the powers that be view Kay as a threat to their authority and dominance and are more than happy to eliminate him to maintain the status quo. Outnumbered and underpowered, if Kay has any hope of survival, he’ll need to level up his Skills, harness the power of his unique Class, and decipher the ever-shifting schemes of his enemies—all while keeping his true potential under wraps.

With a host of deadly new abilities at his disposal, Kay’s going to show them that they should have left him bloody well alone!

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A Fistful of Mechs – Jake Bible

Just a man, the Wasteland, and his Battle Mech.

The Bloody Conflict is long over.The lands are now controlled by despots, crooked cattle barons, energy hoarders, and anyone with enough might to keep the local folks under control.

For Clay MacAulay, none of that matters. He roams the land in a war machine from a time gone by. He wants nothing to do with small desert towns or brutal dictators. He only has his sights set on a new life.

Unfortunately for Clay, too many ruthless people want the war machine he pilots. The battle mech that shouldn’t exist anymore.

But they will have to pry Clay’s cold, dead body out of that pilot’s seat to get it.

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Nightstalkers: The Extinction Event – Jasper T. Scott

They come out to hunt us at night…

Adam and Kimberly Hall are enjoying a quiet suburban life with their daughter, Crystal, and their dog, Bowser, when an emergency message flashes up on their phones—meteor impact imminent, seek immediate shelter.

Minutes later, the shock wave rages through South Austin like a hurricane, and they’re left to pick up the pieces. But as dusk begins to fall and horrific creatures come crawling out of the impact craters, they realize that they’re under attack, and the attackers are not from Earth.

After the initial encounters turn deadly for his neighbors, Adam realizes that they can’t stay in the city. He has an old Army buddy with a ranch in Texas Hill Country. They have to get there before it’s too late.

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The Song of Stone (Blade and Bone #5) – D. K. Holmberg

The Alainsith claim the memories of the past are stored in the Song. Others use the Song for power.

Finn and Morgan have reached the capital only to find it abandoned. People have evacuated, but Finn needs to know if the king is among them.

Honaaz and Lily prepare for an attack, though they may already be too late. The Alainsith are moving, and the defenses are woefully outnumbered. If they can’t hold them back, Reyand—and all they care about—will be overwhelmed.

When Kanar learns the truth about his sword, the Blackheart must become something more. He must become a true Blade Bearer.

Jal wants to help him, but he must understand why the song has changed before he can, as it may be the key to saving them all.

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Kamen America #8 – a Kickstarter campaign from Timothy Lim and Mark Pellegrini

“Charlotte ‘Carly’ Vanders was a fashion designer whose fateful encounter with a cosmic collision transformed her into a supercharged henshin heroine! Shedding her corporate overlords and driven by good ol’ American grit and determination, she is the patriotic paladin known as KAMEN AMERICA!”

Kamen America, Volume 8 finds a fractured Kamen Corps having to reconvene in Nevada to stop a destructive plan from the Zenerengers and a mob of Dark Suit hooligans! That’s easier said that done, however, as they’ll have to coordinate their efforts while facing an onslaught from a team of Otomotons who have their own set of tricks!

It’s an all-out battle royale as the two henshin-hero groups fight for this piece of ground! Who will emerge victorious and what repercussions will this have on our heroine and her world?

This Kickstarter will remain open until 2 August, 2023.

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The Mighty Sons of Hercules – a Kickstarter campaign from Cirsova

Long ago, in ages past… there were men who travelled the world, seeking adventure. Fighting injustice, defending the weak and the helpless, looking to right wrongs wherever they are found: these were the Mighty Sons of Hercules!

Cirsova Publishing invites you to join eight of the Mighty Sons of Hercules on their daring adventures! You’ll be amazed by their impressive feats of superhuman strength. You’ll be dazzled by the exotic and dangerous beauties who would seek their downfall. You’ll cheer as they save the innocent from peril and mete out justice to dastardly villains.

Wherever righteousness must have a champion, there you will find the Mighty Sons of Hercules! Whenever there is need and no mortal man can suffice, a Mighty Son of Hercules shall appear!

This Kickstarter will remain open until 31 July, 2023.