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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Lords of Dragon Keep (Dark Undermaster Saga #1) – C. T. Phillips

“Give me the incredibly short summary of what the hell is going on, please. The kind you could fit into a movie trailer.“

“You’re trapped in a video game world based on a hack dark fantasy author’s rip-off of better books.”

“Uh huh. Maybe you could be a bit more detailed.”

Aragorn “Aaron” Bartkowski was a programmer working at Epic DungeoneeringTM, the world’s largest fantasy video game company. Much to his surprise, he was selected to pick up the latest manuscript from reclusive author Larry C.C. Weis. Weis had been working on his newest book for over a decade and the good folk at Aaron’s company had dibs on adapting it. Unfortunately, Weis was also a wizard and sent Aaron to the world that inspired his books.

Aaron proceeded to find himself in a Slavic mythology themed world where he’s believed to be Weis’ main character, Garland of Nowhere. Equipped with the powers of a RPG protagonist, Aaron must accumulate experience and equipment while navigating a setting that seems worse off than Game of Thrones and Dark Souls put together.

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Never Again (Blood and Armor #1) – Bill Fawcett

The best steel is forged by the hottest fires and under the greatest pressures. So too, have the Kurdish Peshmerga been shaped by thousands of years of warfare and oppression.

Now, for the first time in history, they have their own nation, and it’s a chance to live, grow, and develop as a unified people.

But they are surrounded by hostile dictatorships intent on the destruction of their young republic. Outnumbered and outgunned as armored columns swarm their borders, the Kurdish Republic’s only hope lies in a canceled DARPA project—an experimental, powered combat suit—and the business tycoon who refuses to allow the nascent nation to go under.

The only question is, will they be enough?

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The Rebel’s Gate (The Queen’s Blade #7) – D. K. Holmberg

Fabrications come to the city; not all are pleased. The Queen’s Blade saga continues.

Protests mar Zaren’s return from Ardem. When the demonstrations grow violent, he suspects an outside influence driving the protests.

That’s not the only danger in the city. Other magic begins to spread, and in ways that Zaren struggles to track.

When power moves beneath the city, what he discovers ties the city to an ancient gate long thought destroyed.

Zaren must understand the key—or the city might be overrun by a danger even the Queen’s Blade can’t stop.

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365 Infantry: The Ride for 2025 – a Kickstarter campaign by Jacob Calta

In the city of Haven, the only law that counts is the law of A.C.E.S., the all-powerful sentient computer network running her city into the ground. In the Wastelands, the only law is that of leather, lead, and chrome.

Fighting against the electric tyranny of a neon goddess are the many hounds enlisted in the 365th Infantry, a resistance force armed with hot rods, chopped bikes, and a belief in the American Dream. With allies across the desert and inside the city, these brave wolves face an all-day, everyday fight to rid the once-shining utopia and the desert’s sprawling settlements of its decadent, decaying overlord…

This Kickstarter campaign will close on September 4, 2024.

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The Hidden Emperor: An Ayla Rin Sci-Fi Graphic Novel – a Kickstarter campaign by Jon Del Arroz

Ayla Rin, Agent Of The Terran Imperium, returns to face a new sinister plot against the Imperium!

Something is amiss with the Emperor of Mankind. Ayla Rin discovers he’s been replaced by a clone who’s intentionally sabotaging the Imperium on behalf of the evil Scorpio Alliance! 

But worse, the Scorpio Alliance knows she knows. And that means blackmail. Ayla is forced to find a secret superweapon that could unleash devastation on the Imperium.

This Kickstarter campaign will close on September 16, 2024.

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Honeymoon from Hell – a Kickstarter campaign by Declan Finn

One is a heartless, blood-thirsty monster. The other is a vampire.

The Dragon Award nominated Love at First Bite series had everything Urban Fantasy could want.

• Epic battles with vampires, werewolves, and high explosives.
• Supernatural conspiracies
• Vatican ninjas
• Throwing Stars of David
• Vampire assassins
• SpecOps Minions and werewolves
• Garroting vampires with rosaries
• Weaponized sacramentals
• Vampires who go to confession
• And true love.

And now, it’s getting a sequel: Honeymoon from Hell. This is what happens after “happily ever after.”

Now with even MORE action.

This Kickstarter campaign will close on September 30, 2024.

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Lord of Fate: An Arkwright Cycle Dark Fantasy Novel – a Kickstarter campaign by Brian Niemeier

A holy warrior plagued by doubt … 

A cloistered mystic yoked with rulership … 

A fated prophet seeking the powers of life and death … 

Besieged by a ruthless prince and a cruel legion, the free port of Dailij seems doomed.

Trapped in the embattled city and lionized by its desperate people, imperial envoy Zebrin finds his faith tested by their newly elevated queen. Spies and traitors seek to topple the walls from within. The quest for the Burned Book stands on the brink of failure.

To survive, Zebrin must discover his place in the prophecies reshaping the world. But when solving an ancient riddle of tragic love means choosing between his honor and his soul, will Zebrin find strength enough to save the fallen savior? Or will evils not of the world reign over it?

The choice lies with the Lord of Fate.

This Kickstarter campaign will close on September 26, 2024.

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The Venus Spectacular – a Kickstarter campaign by Rawle Nyanzi

Natsuru Machida, the Chief Witch of Venus, went to visit Akane Isesaki, an old friend she hadn’t seen in a decade. She had been overjoyed to receive a letter, so she went out right away, hoping to catch up.

But nothing prepared Machida for what she would find upon arrival.

A dock expanded well beyond its original purpose. A cavalry armed with arrows that blow apart everything in their path. The burnt skull of an infant, presented with pride by the very friend Machida went to see.

Isesaki had embraced child sacrifice, and she left Machida with one warning: if you try to stop us, you will face destruction. Childhood friend or no, Machida could never let grave evil go unpunished.

But how does one fight a war without an army?

This Kickstarter campaign will close on September 6, 2024.