2015 has been a banner year for me creatively, professionally, and personally. So in the spirit of the winter holidays, I thought it a good time to “give back” and share my success with others. And, more importantly, highlight some of the best books that I read this year. The Twelve Days of Indie-Mas will feature twelve independently published books/series that spoke to me this year, and ones that I think should be added to your holiday gift list. These are listed in no particular order of greatness, because I loved them all.

On the ninth day of Indie-Mas, my author gave to me…

A soul-eating demon named Meda
A body-switching princess named Alyrra
A library apprentice named Vhalla
A marshall named Thierry
A mori named Sara
Mages named Tarik and Hayli
A necronite named Jesse
A landskapë-crosser named Freja

and…

A Shinree named Ian

A dance into the not-YA fantasy genre, this indie book is a lot darker and more adult than the others on the list. Also, it’s one of the very few with a male protagonist, which I realized halfway to reading that I read mostly female protags. That doesn’t mean this book is any less amazeballs.

Why I loved it

Magic, in this series, is an addiction. When Ian uses it, he kills other people, but it’s a seductive draw. That conflict is the emotional undercurrent of the series, which pits people and countries against one another in a really, really fun book.

Who would I gift this to?

Fans of adult epic fantasies who aren’t afraid of a little bit of a darker story.

About the Book

Ian Troy is one of the Shinree, a fallen people with an inherent addiction to magic. Scorned and reviled for the deadly side of their spells, the Shinree are bred as slaves. Their magic is suppressed by drugs and used only as it serves the purposes of the other races.

Descended from a long line of soldiers, Ian is conscripted into the Rellan army. He’s made to fight in their longstanding conflict against the ruthless Langorian invaders. The downfall of Rella imminent, Ian goes against orders and turns to the Crown of Stones, an ancient Shinree relic of untold power. Ignorant of its true purpose, Ian uses the crown to end the war, and pays a terrible price.

A decade later, still tortured by the aftermath of that day, Ian lives as a bounty hunter in self-imposed exile. Having renounced his magical heritage, he curbs his obsession with a steady stream of wine and regret. He struggles to put it all behind him, until a fateful encounter with a pretty assassin brings Ian’s past crashing into the present. Targeted by a rogue Shinree, and a ruthless old enemy, Ian is forced to use magic again. His deadly addiction is rekindled and his life of isolation is brought to a swift end.

With the land he gave up everything to protect once more in jeopardy, and his people’s future at stake, Ian becomes embroiled in a violent race for control of the Crown of Stones. To save the realms and those he cares for, Ian must embrace the thing he fears most: his own power.

Magic-Price is the first installment in The Crown of Stones trilogy.

Buy it. Buy it now.

Amazon

Or add it on Goodreads

And join me on Twitter for a giveaway at 6pm EST!