Welcome to the FIFTH Epic Sale of Beloved SFF. There are over SIXTY fantastic recommended books on sale for just $0.99 each from Aug 23rd-27th 2024, each with a brief recommendation so you know why it's awesome! And if you look closely you might spot a freebie here or there as well as many additional books the authors decided to offer up for a discounted price as well!
"It's a cozy adventure fantasy with strong focus on found family and friendship. The worldbuilding and characters are incredibly well-written for such a short novella."
"This teen roadtrip fantasy takes place in an alternate Earth, specifically an alternate United States, where witches have been in power for centuries and the world revolves around magic. The worldbuilding is so fresh and fun, with almost a hint of parody at times, and the ensemble of characters are loveable. It also lightly tackles issues of society and identity, especially body image and education."
Miss Percy's Pocket Guide to the Care and Feeding of British Dragons by Quenby Olson
Miss Percy Guide Book 1
"Did you know Lucy Maud Montgomery and Terry Pratchett collaborated on a book about dragons? You know now."
~ Bjørn Larssen
"Aside from having a wonderful (and long) title, the book is an easy read with a phenomenally written middle aged MC. The prose is witty, the parenthetical asides funny, and the entire book is a cozy read that was just what I wanted. Unless you hate cozy reads, this is one I don't think you can go wrong with. "
~ Calvin Park
"It's a delightful tale about a woman in her forties finally taking charge of her own story and going on the adventures she's always dreamed of and we need more stories like it in the world."
~ Virginia McClain
"An absolute delight from one of the greatest minds in SFF since Terry Pratchett ."
~ C. M. Caplan
"The regency fantasy you didn't know you needed!"
~ G. M. Nair
""A charming, warm, delightful story with absolutely superb writing and characterisation."
Dark humor combine with brutally stark character portrayal.
~ Angela Boord
Imagine you are a son or daughter of gods: self-involved, uncaring, selfish gods who either ignore you completely or use you for their own ends. Now read Children--if you dare.
~Marian L Thorpe
Children turns familiar myths on their head, defying expectations whilst staying true to their source. If you enjoy Nordic mythology and prefer your fantasy on the grimdark side, Larssen’s distinctive voice is likely to appeal to you.
A masterful piece of character-driven fantasy in a gritty Victorian-inspired setting.
~ Angela Boord
Legacy of the Brightwash has one of the most well realized characters I've read in a long time. It's dark as hell and deeply, wonderfully and horrifically human all at the same time.
~ C.M. Caplan
I love this one because the writing is gorgeous, there's an intriguing murder mystery, and it is Gaslamp/Victorian Grimdark, so yeah that's awesome, right!? Also some of the best characterization and deeply personal interactions you will find in a fantasy book.
~ Nick Borelli of Out of This World SFF
"Grimdark gaslamp with romance! A dark story showing both the best and worst of humanity with incredible characters that step out of the pages."
~Tru Skies
"Characters you love from the first page facing wonderfully real dilemmas in a gritty, fascinating world. Plus stunning, evocative writing and all the emotional trauma."
~ CM Debell
No Heart for a Thief by James Lloyd Dulin
Malitu Book 1
Recommendation:
"Avatar: The Last Airbender meets The Kingkiller Chronicle made for a great combination!"
~ Joseph John Lee
"A remarkable book of deeply woven cultures and identities clashing for survival, with an impressive magic system and a great dual-narrative"
Magical Girl! Except it's more Madoka and less Sailor Moon. A very, VERY dark fantasy that deals with concepts such as identity, agency, and independence.
~ Dax Murray
Seeds of War by João F. Silva
The Smokesmiths Book 1
Recommendation:
"Memorable characters, fantastic magic, great use of the "Gods Meddling in Mortal Affairs" trope. One of my favorite reads of 2023!"
~ Joseph John Lee
"A very enjoyable gritty fantasy with an inventive magic system."
~ Mitriel Faywood
Stars and Soil
by Dax Murray
Recommendation:
amazingly defined queer representation with a thoughtful and nuanced depiction of trauma
"The Assassin of Grins and Secrets is beautifully written and intricate. Like an assassin biding her time to strike, the book takes its time, not revealing its full hand until the final act."
~ Christopher Warman
"Dark assassin fantasy with a fantastic lead character in a Moroccan-inspired setting. The author is also a poet and it shows in the beautiful prose."
"This is a military fantasy with a wonderful sense of scope and vision. There's dark magic, gritty characters, and high stakes with multiple twists and turns as a massive conflict is unveiled."
"I loved this book. Rich environmental themes and stunning writing marry well to create a captivating plot, but it's the characters that really blow me away. This is a story that breathes on and off the page."
"A beautifully written tragedy of two people being chased from their homes due to their transformations into monsters. Body horror to make you cringe!"
The Oasis Trials by Heidi Catherine and Tamar Sloan
The Thaw Chronicles Book 1
Recommendation:
"Perfect for fans of all things YA dystopian. Set on a floating garbage patch in a world ravaged by climate change, the characters must face trials set by a leader who might not be telling the full truth. This series scratches that Hunger Games itch!"
“An absolute, underrated masterpiece. A journey from poverty to mystery and power, and from being a slightly dumb prince to being a slightly dumb prince, but older. My favourite read of 2023."
This one is a classic cultivation fantasy, where we follow a young protagonist as he was taken from his village and ends up joining a sect of cultivators. Wong does an excellent job of making the genre accessible for westerners. Again, the characters are what truly shine in this one, though the setting is also excellent.
"Bonds of Chaos shakes off the influences of its preceding two books, and comes into its own. Spearheaded by incredible character work, this book concludes the Threadlight trilogy in a very satisfying way."
"Burn Red Skies has one of the most incredible takes on dragons I've ever seen. Besides that (and airships) it has an incredibly compelling cast of characters that come from a very diverse array of backgrounds. It's great to see them all come together in the end."
~ Christopher Warman
"Rosero’s writing has a distinctive style that’s all her own and she should be on everyone’s radar in the world of fantasy literature."
No one actually recommended this, but after asking so many other awesome authors to put their books up for sale I figured I'd offer my epic fantasy standalone up as well.
A Blades of the Goddess Series Companion Anthology
Recommendation:
"{Blades of the Goddess} Super fun urban fantasy with sci-fi twist that examines what it means to be the Chosen One and the harsh burdens it can come with, especially when you do NOT want it! Great for lovers of Heroic Tropes!"
"You know it’s a good book when you can't put it down because you need to know how it ends and it stays with you long after you’ve finished. With its epic scope, unique world-building, thought-provoking themes and masterclass ending, I thoroughly recommend this series to fantasy fans."
Daughter of the Sun: A Mothmar Novel by Amanda Auler
The Mothmar Trilogy Book 1
Recommendation:
"The story is not what it seems, and once you finish, you will immediately want to turn around and read it again!"
~ Angela Boord
Isaree of the Wild Isles
by Noor Al-Shanti
Recommendation:
No one actually recommended this, but as I'm running the sale and asking a bunch of others to put their books on sale, I thought I might as well throw mine in as well. This one's a slightly dark, somewhat cozy, single-POV epic fantasy adventure.
"Shadows of Ivory by TL Greylock is an awesome adventure fantasy that's basically Indiana Jones with a conscience meets Lord of the Rings with a dash of Assassin's Apprentice."
Sarah Lin's The Brightest Shadow is an absolute blast- it's existentialist epic fantasy mixed with a heavy dose of wuxia. It's filled with fascinating cultures, fast paced fights, and highly memorable characters.
No one actually recommended this, but after asking so many other awesome authors to put their books up for sale I figured I'd offer up my latest epic fantasy book as well.
“Eudekia is an empress; her emotions are not to be shown, and can get her killed. Druise is a soldier; his emotions are not to be shown, and can get him killed. They couldn’t differ more. A master storyteller on top of her game, writing in two voices so distinctive you’d never guess one author could do that."
Wonderful character-driven story with excellent world building.
~ Quenby Olson
A fascinating world with deep characters, split across two timelines that complement and enrich each other in great ways that keep you hooked on the story the entire way through.
~ Travis M. Riddle
This is a fantastic sweeping epic romantic fantasy with lush world-building and engaging characters. If you like big epics, deep characters, and a world you can really get immersed in, this is right up your alley.
~ Carol A. Park
A fantastic romantic fantasy with incredible world building and utterly compelling characters.
~ Krystle Matar
A stunning and sprawling nonlinear narrative that manages to make first person feel epic, viscerally compelling, and personal in a cocktail I haven't seen since Robin Hobb.
~ C.M. Caplan
“I originally rated it 4*. Then couldn’t stop thinking about the book for months and had to change my rating to 5*. Unforgettable, visceral, romantic, painful, beautiful. Buy the sequel, Fool’s Promise, while you’re at it. Thank me later."
An excellent little bite of a novella, with the same world as Fortune's Fool but in a short bite for people who are curious about her world but can't commit to a big chonky novel!
"This cosmic horror novella perfectly mimics its period style. A short, gut-wrenching epistolary that effortlessly showcases Cross's talent. If you love horror (particularly period horror) and eldritch beings, you should definitely check this one out!"
A gamelit romantic comedy, was absolutely delightful from start to end. Zack Moore is trapped in a dating sim that forces him to clean up his life and date women in order to earn gaming time. But as Zack is about to learn, true love can't be reduced to an algorithm. This is not just an addictive story with characters who'll win your heart despite all their flaws, it also pulls no punches when confronting the protagonist with the consequences of his actions. I ADORED the epic character arc in this book as Zack goes from zero to hero.
"When the Emperor goes on a clandestine food tour with undercover rebels, her body guard is forced to follow and hilarity ensues. Casual fun with final fantasy vibes."
"My favourite book in last year's SPFBO – AND the contest's winner. Queer, cosy fantasy to laugh at and think about."
~ Bjørn Larssen
"Regency faerie tale queen Olivia Atwater takes a leap into the contemporary with this charming tale of little temptations. But instead of faeries, you'll find gender-bending angels with penchants for gambling and chocolate. There's a bit of a Good Omens dynamic at work but with more personal rather than global stakes, and just when you think it's all going to be cocoa and karaoke a more dangerous threat steps into the scene. But don't worry. This is, after all, an Atwater tale, so we can guarantee it will all end up working out splendidly."
Stake Sauce Arc 1: The Secret Ingredient Is Love. No, Really
by RoAnna Sylver
Recommendation:
"A pink punk vampire teams up with a disabled ex-firefighter to fight the force of evil roaming in Portland OR. And it's all very queer and neurodivergent."
"Karen McCompostine's The Handwarmers of Immortality is as unique a tale as Karen herself, that is to say something you have never read before, nor will you ever again. The prose and witty humor are not to be underestimated in this more than parody of Highlander infused with romance."
~ Maxime Jaz
"Man, that book was... something else."
~ Kerstin Espinosa Rosero
The Temptation of Dragons by Chrys Cymri
Penny White Book 1
Recommendation:
Delightful. Vicar White attends to ho-hum church duties while on the side she ministers to creatures in a parallel world that she can access only through Morey, a smart-mouth Gryphon who's also a fundamentalist Christian. White is a liberal.
~ Gloria Piper
Literary High Fantasy
The Necessity of Rain
by Sarah Chorn
Recommendation:
"Because nobody can write and evoke emotions the way Sarah Chorn does."
~ The Shaggy Shepherd
"Beautifully written characters, breathtakingly original world, and utterly heartbreaking."
"Super ambitious debut novel that mixes both Fantasy and Sci-Fi and gave me vibes of both Indiana Jones and The Mummy!"
~ Sadir S. Samir
"It’s an exciting, imaginative, and well-written debut that feels different to the kinds of story I’ve read before.”
~ Mark Lawrence
“A book spanning so many genres—science fiction, high and low fantasies, comedy, romance—could easily have become an unfocused mess. But Faywood pulls it off brilliantly, making A Gamble of Gods a joy to read. So, grab yourself a big vat of popcorn to munch on as you enjoy this blockbuster debut.”
~John Mauro, Grimdark Magazine
“Combining rich prose, solid characterization, a cool plot alongside comedy, romance and found family tropes, this debut just won me over.”
~Fantasy Book Critic
Romantic Fantasy
Saints and Monsters
by Ellen McGinty
Recommendation:
"Such a beautiful slow burn romance with political intrigue and dragons!"
~ Amanda Auler
Science Fiction
A Sorrow Named Joy
by Sarah Chorn
Recommendation:
"A beautiful, bittersweet novella that packs so much feeling into a little book."
Military Science Fiction with great world-building and characterization, I loved the exploration of the creepy power on the planet (& I still remember it years after reading!)
"One of my top reads of 2023. Replacement follows the story of Jane, a forgotten clone in a factory-like facility where most of the others are part of larger "batches" who have been cloned/designed to take on specific roles in society. Jane is yearning and searching for "batchmates" and for answers. She wants to know who "sponsored" her to be cloned in the first place and why. To connect with her identity. This was a great, well-written read that had mystery and explored the ethical issues that arise from cloning in an entertaining way. "
This dystopian near-future science fiction tale offers a thought-provoking exploration of family and what it means and some great character development for a diverse set of characters.
"YA Science Fiction to be enjoyed by adults too. A believable not too far distant scenario with very current moral dilemmas played out by relatable characters. And a robo dog..."
"an urban sci-fantasy detective procedural that grabbed me at once with its gritty setting, well-written characters, and fascinating parallel species of telepathic humans, the nocturnum. Strauss's prose skillfully draws you into the world of the titular night city and kept me guessing at every twist and turn of the plot along with the characters.
Sapience: A Collection of Science Fiction Short Stories
by Alexis Lantgen
Recommendation:
Sapience is a fascinating collection of sci-fi short stories. It features a variety of stories that range from gritty and thought-provoking to futuristic fairy tales. Among my favorite stories is Chrysalis, the tale of a woman stranded in a broken vehicle on Europa's surface. It has such an unexpected, almost poetic ending, and that ending then weaves itself into the stories that follow. I also really loved The Last Bird and Swan, two related stories about mechanical birds that manage to be both tragic and uplifting.
Saints and Curses: A Collection of Fantasy Short Stories
by Alexis Lantgen
Recommendation:
This book is a strong follow up to Sapience, Alexis Lantgen's first short story collection. I'm a particular fan of The Lost Cat, a unique vampire story, and Braids, an interesting tale of feminine power and magic. I'd also love to see more stories about Nikolas, a creative, demon-hunting take on St. Nicholas. Alexis balances light & darkness well in this charming, thought-provoking collection.
"This book is a lot of fun. The magic is big, the humor is funny, the gods are devious and awful, there's a touch of unapologetic romance among characters it's easy to root for, all of it in an excellent gaslamp fantasy setting."
~ Angela Boord
"A darkly weird and highly original steampunk thriller set in a world of autocratic deities, divided loyalties and twisty politics."
~ Jacquelyn Benson
"This is an exciting, characterful genre-bending story with some of the most inventive world-building I've encountered in a long time."
~ Phil Williams
"The Thirteenth Hour is a very good book. This is an absolute triumph – worldbuilding, plot, characters. My favourite book of 2022."
~ Bjørn Larssen
Sword and Sorcery
Petition by Delilah Waan
Resonance Crystal Legacy Book 1
Recommendation:
"Both original and familiar; a beautiful story about family sacrifice, told in a narrative voice that feels effortless and familiar while highlighting a fascinating magic system and fantastic worldbuilding."
~ Krystle Matar
"Fast-paced and exciting, yet in places deeply emotional."
"It's a feel-good paranormal buddy cop mystery with non-stop action and great characters. It has all the wonder and mystery you want to find in urban fantasy, with none of the cynicism."
"One of the best books I read in 2023. Sea and Soul is about an Empath, Dylan, who lives in a world much like the modern world, but once in which Selkies, Elves, Witches, etc, are living amongst people openly and are part of the society. But Dylan's Empath powers make him a prime target for people who may want to control him. A thoroughly enjoyable page-turner with great world-building and a dash of romance."
~ Noor Al-Shanti
Wishhobbler by Francis O'Dowd
Porkskreach Rapscallions
Recommendation:
"Whimsical, darkly funny urban fantasy/fairy tale with a heartfelt anti-bullying message. One of those extremely weird and slightly sinister classic children's stories like you would find from Lemony Snicket or Roald Dahl. It truly belongs among the ranks of the best dark children's fiction."
Found a great book you loved? Give us a shout-out on social media and let your friends and followers know. Use the hashtag #BelovedSFFBooks and any of the following images:
- - - - - - - -
- -
- -
- -
- -
Huge thanks to Delilah Waan for these awesome images!
Want to discover more amazing SFF books? Check out the following:
- - - - - - - -
- -
- -
- -
- -
