Best Small Press Science Fiction and Fantasy
Discover the best small press science fiction and fantasy books! Explore curated lists of top fantasy and sci-fi reads from independent publishers for unique, captivating stories.
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Prophecy of Swords
by Margaret H. Bonham
Lachlan, a great warrior who sought to unify his people, is killed by his trusted friend Allarun. Fearing that Lachlan may return and avenge his death, Allarun sets out to destroy the very people Lachlan tried to unite. Two men have the power to stop him, Romarin, the last of a line of kings, and Shadowhelm, a half-blood mercenary.
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Ard Magister
by Laura J. Underwood
"Rhoyd Smytheson had no idea what a terrible place the world could be when he ran away from home. Nearly killed by bandits, Rhoyd is rescued by the Keltoran mercenary, Conor Mac Manahan, and his healer wife Eithne. The bandits are under the control of the bloodmage Socorro Nathrach who wants to steal Rhoyd's essence. But when Socorro sends the bandits to fetch Rhoyd, Eithne is kidnapped instead, and Rhoyd and Connor must join magic and might to save her. Rhoyd learns that his destiny lies in the hands of a dead ancestor whose spirit is determined to create the ARD MAGISTER ... But in order to live up to that destiny, Rhoyd must face the worst enemy he has known ... his own father."--Cover
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Chains of Freedom
by Selina Rosen
"The world went to hell in a hand basket and was taken over by an evil empire known as the Reliance. The Reliance turned the Earth into a planet of agricultural slaves and went off in search of better, more mineral and resource-rich planets where they ran into a bipedal, humanoid race known as Argys--who were doing the same thing. They instantly decided not to share the universe and went to war. Needless to say, neither the Reliance nor their alien enemy care one bit about the general population of either species. When political prisoner David Grant ran from the forced labor camp where he'd been imprisoned, his only thought was of escape. However, fate turns its hand and as he runs blindly through the forest he literally runs into the one person who can help him in his fight against the all-powerful Reliance. RJ is the rebel Elite who's been raiding supply trains and sabotaging Reliance facilities so successfully that even the work units know her name. With David's innocent enthusiasm and desire for justice and RJ's knowledge of weapons and warfare, they begin to chip away at the Reliance armor"--Yard Dog Press website.
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Vampires of the Scarlet Order
by David Lee Summers
Vampires of the Scarlet Order is an action-adventure novel about an elite cadre of vampire mercenaries who have worked throughout history as pinpoint assassins. Under the command of Desmond, Lord Draco, the Scarlet Order was involved in wars with the Ottoman Empire, The French Revolution and even the conquest of the Americas. Now, at the dawn of the 21st century, vampires are too expensive, too untrustworthy, and frankly, too pass? for governments to employ any longer. Nanotechnology can be employed to engineer more reliable super soldiers. What's a vampire got to do for job security?
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Windrusher
by Victor DiGenti
Windrusher is an adventure/fantasy seen through the eyes of a cat. A dream convinces Windrusher that he must locate his human family who moved from Connecticut to Florida. Windrusher teams with Lil' One, and later Scowl Down, a bitter old female, becomes the third traveler. After many miles, they find shelter in a warehouse where they meet Bolt, a psychotic cat. Lil' One and Windrusher are later picked up and taken to Ohio. Windrusher resumes his journey alone. Eventually, he reaches Belleview, Florida, and is swept up by a tornado that devastates Belleview. His rescue is videotaped by a news crew. Kimmy, the young girl who once owned Windrusher, sees the TV report, and calls a cab. In the climactic scene, Kimmy, Windrusher and Bolt converge. Windrusher escapes and plunges onto the highway.
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All the Marbles
by Dusty Rainbolt
Chandra was having a bad day anyway, but then that cat... "Starts with a galactic Ma Bell and the equivalent of the Wichita Lineman on the run from thugs demanding an object Chandra's never even heard of, then throw in space pirates who steal party supplies, a cat who's even more a law unto himself than most felines, and oddball planets where the inhabitants have deified Fifties TV sitcom characters or the drunks in the gutter at night are lawyers in court by day. It all adds to make All the Marbles a highly entertaining ride." - Lee Killough, author of Wilding Nights "If you've missed Douglas Adams, you'll laugh with relief when you read All the Marbles." - Selina Rosen, author of Queen of Denial and Recycled "Rainbolt taps into the heart of science fiction; all that can be imagined is possible. All the Marbles is fast-paced, outrageous, and of a cosmic scale. Rainbolt will take you on a trip far from home, a trip well worth taking." - Gary Moreau, author of Almost Human "Crossing screwball comedy with space opera, Dusty Rainbolt's All The Marbles is a fast, funny take on far-future shenanigans and some eternal verities, like corporate monopolies and human idiocy. Readers will love this wild space chase after a mysteriously valuable object through galaxies far, far away with spunky heroine Chandra Solomon, a large cast of oddballs along for the ride, and Ivan the topdog cat." - Carole Nelson Douglas, author of Cat in a Neon Nightmare