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

---

Able Bodied Soldier #2 – J. N. Chaney and Jason Anspach

Titus Briggs’s second chance has become a first-rate, alien-crushing, rebel-stomping success.

The MOCOM units are turning the tide of the war, and the Moonlight Rebellion is on the ropes. But if these treasonous humans, who worship alien invaders as gods, are to be finally defeated, it means cutting off the supply of weapons and equipment from their Thephari overlords… … if Briggs and his team can find out how they are doing it.

All the autonomous bomb drones, rail guns, pulse rifles, or even MOCOMs in the galaxy can’t make a difference while the Thephari’s advanced technology–and supply routes–remain a mystery.

So when an opportunity presents itself for Briggs to find out a way to hurt the Scaleys and disrupt their control over the rebels, he must take it. Even if it means putting himself alone, compromised, vulnerable and constantly facing the prospect of sudden death.

Without MOCOMs. Without friends, support, or communication…

Titus Briggs will find a way to cripple the Thephari’s plans for a second invasion of Earth… or he’ll die trying.

---

The Apothecary Diaries #13 – Natsu Hyuuga

In the East is a land ruled by an emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her—until she was kidnapped and sold into service there.

Though she looks ordinary, Maomao has a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine. That’s her secret, until she encounters a resident of the palace at least as perceptive as she is: the head eunuch, Jinshi. He sees through Maomao’s façade and makes her a lady-in-waiting to none other than the Emperor’s favorite consort… so she can taste the lady’s food for poison!

An Exile’s Lament (The Last Eternal #8) – Jacob Peppers

Death comes to Celes.

It marches with an army of thousands, an army that comes not to conquer but to destroy. Not to save but to kill.

Monsters roam the shadowy alleyways of the city searching for those they might devour, and corrupt guardsmen wield their blades against those they are meant to protect.

The wanderer has found new allies, ruthless criminals, a famous swordmaster, and a wizard of great power, yet even they may not be enough to face what comes.

Assassin is dead but another, perhaps even greater threat has taken her place. An enemy who kills not with a sharpened blade but with a smile, with a whisper.

Against such weapons, even the loyalty of those closest to the wanderer will be tested. Against such weapons, even the great may fall.

Death comes to Celes…

The only question…is whose?

---

Past Life Hero #2 – Blaise Corvin

Max’s life has gotten complicated, strange, but also undeniably exciting after he joined the Quartet system.

Reclaiming some Blade Sorcerer power from his past life, and also training in a new style of magic, bonding with and utilizing spirits, has led to some very interesting synergies. He’d even managed to make some unlikely friends.

However, overshadowing everything is the very real fact that while students in the Quartet train, their home worlds suffer. This includes Max. Earth is still in danger, still desperately needing its Challengers to return.

Unfortunately, the more Max has learned about the Quartet system, the more rot he has discovered. And certain individuals in his Quartet already scheme against him.

But Max is playing a different game than everyone else. He will also learn a few very dangerous secrets. Also, an unprecedented opportunity to return to Earth for a quick visit may yield some interesting opportunities as well.

But with new opportunities comes new dangers, new enemies. Maintaining his freedom while following the rules will become even more difficult, and the Quartet is still the best place for Max to continue growing in power.

…Right?

---

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

Their mission was to colonize the stars. Now, they are humanity’s last hope for freedom.

Captain Gideon Wallace is the commander of Trailblazer Eight, an interstellar colony ship carrying six hundred souls to a distant star. Their first stop along the way is the thriving human settlement on Aurora, also known as Proxima Centauri b.

IRIS, the ship’s robot caretaker, awakens the crew early with a chilling message from the president of the United Star Systems: “Earth has fallen to an extraterrestrial invasion.”

Wallace’s orders are to stay as far away from Earth as possible, and to pick a new destination so that they can’t be followed.

The survival of the human race depends on them.

But when Wallace discovers the true nature of the enemy’s plans, he realizes that running is no longer an option. They have no choice but to fight back.

---

Stormsworn (The Forsworn Oath #3) – David Estes

Do not fear the shadows, but what lives inside them.

A thousand years have passed since the last Blood Tide, when the goddess Narcissi Herself fought to defend humankind from certain extermination by an ancient enemy. But when She failed during the final battle, She was forced to retreat into the safety of Lostwood’s shadows, never to appear again. Legend has it She planted Herself in the earth, allowing the forest to grow around Her. Unbeknownst to the rest of the world, the goddess is now defended by her army of Sightless, Guardians, and Protectors. Collectively, they call themselves the Forsworn.

The legendary adventure continues…

---

Shall Not Pass (Ember War: Terran Expeditionary Corps #3) – Richard Fox

An ancient artifact means the difference between victory and defeat against the Inheritors.

When the Terra Nova alliance learns where a critical relic is hidden on an alien world, Ely Hale leads the fight to recover the artifact before the Inheritors can seize it. The Qa’Resh artifact holds the key to unlocking the Inheritor’s full, terrible strength. Ely, and the Armor fighting beside him, must capture or destroy the artifact to keep it out of enemy hands.

While the Lotan aliens that possess the artifact lack the strength to stand against the Inheritors, they’re unwilling to part with it quickly and easily. The fires of battle await Ely and his Armor as the war against the Inheritors enters a more lethal and perilous chapter.

On Terra Nova, something evil stirs in the shadows…