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Do you know that Amazon has a listing of the top-selling and free sci-fi and fantasy books? The listing modifications consistently — authors set their books to free briefly to advertise their work, and, in fact, books transfer up and down within the rankings. Learn on to search out your enjoyable free learn for this weekend! And seize the books shortly as a result of they don’t all the time keep free for lengthy.
This week’s listing is totally completely different from these of the earlier weeks. So in the event you’re a fan of free books, there are going to be new issues to learn on a regular basis. If you wish to get this listing in your inbox each Friday afternoon, subscribe to the MetaStellar weekly e-newsletter.
There are lots of books to undergo, so this week I’m being helped out by a few different members of our MetaStellar neighborhood. Should you’d like to hitch me in doing these critiques — and taping our common Friday movies — electronic mail me at [email protected].
10. Fomorian Brigade by James David Victor
That is the primary of seven books within the Gene Troopers army sci fi sequence. The opposite books are $0.99 to $3.99 every, and the seventh e book is at the moment accessible for pre-order and might be popping out February 28, 2023. All the sequence is in Kindle Limitless. James David Victor has been on this listing earlier than. We reviewed his e book Mercury Blade again in June of 2022.
From Maria Korolov:
Carl is a vet, affected by the after-effects of his time within the service. To be extra actual, he was an experimental troopers, injected with medication and genetic therapies that induced rage and seizures, but additionally resulted in elevated fight consciousness and efficiency. That made the troopers good on the battlefield, however not so good in civilian life.
Carl, initially from Previous Earth, has managed to keep away from the rehab packages the place the opposite vets had been despatched. The opposite vets by no means got here again, so he’d moderately take his probabilities on the skin. So long as no person on New Persephone notices who he’s, he ought to be okay.
The, within the subsequent chapter, we get a flashback. Carl is seeing his first motion, combating an alien race for possession of an Earth-like planet. For some cause, the battle requires infantry on the bottom.
Then we’re again within the current day, on New Persephone. The native police chief is aware of who Carl is, and is blackmailing him. He desires Carl to do odd jobs for him, in return for the chief’s silence — and a provide of the drugs he wants. Now the chief desires him to trace down a creature with alien mutations earlier than the information of its presence goes public and the dock has to close down and miss its quota.
For a second, Carl considers calling within the breach himself. That might save extra folks than if he went in alone to struggle it. But when he takes the job, the drugs he’d get can be sufficient to final him two or three months. Sufficient time to get to a different system, and begin over.
I like this e book very a lot. It jogs my memory a bit in type of David Drake’s Hammers Slammers sequence, which I cherished. I’ll in all probability end it this weekend.
Get the Kindle book free from Amazon right here.
9. Misplaced Souls by W.J. Could
That is the fist of six books within the Mending Magic dystopian sequence. The opposite books are $3.99 every, and the sequence will not be in Kindle Limitless. W.J. Could is a daily on these lists. We first reviewed The Kerrigan Children field set again in April of 2021, then, in June, we reviewed Omega Queen, a field set of the primary three books e book within the ten-book Omega Queen Collection. And, in November, we reviewed Mending Magic, a field set of the primary three books within the six-book Mending Magic Collection. In December, we reviewed The Chronicles of Kerrigan Field Set, which is the primary six of twelve books in The Chronicles of Kerrigan. The entire different three field units are nonetheless free.
From Romel Madray:
It is a younger grownup novel set in Southern California, and follows the story of James as he comes of age as a magic consumer and finds love. James is almost 18 years previous, comes from a rich neighborhood, the son of some of the highly effective males in America. He’s engaging, standard, a star quarterback, attends a $40,000-a-year personal highschool, and has by no means had a job, as his dad and mom suppose it will be unseemly.
In school, James’ pencil catches hearth whereas in his hand. Gabriella, whom he had a crush on when he was youthful, covers for him by saying he had a lighter in his hand and it went off unintentionally. They get paired as much as do a e book report about Gatsby. We additionally study that this can be a world the place a genetic anomaly has precipitated some kids to be born with magical talents. James’ father runs an organization that polices these kids with white vans and takes them away, just like a secret police.
The following day, James goes to Gabriella’s home to do the e book report. They eat pizza at her home, which is extra relaxed than his father’s home. He invitations her to the seaside, however she declines. After they end the e book report, he simply leaves.
The e book is well-written from a technical standpoint however fails to seize the reader’s consideration. The setting is clearly described, and the characters are anchored of their setting, however the pacing of the story is sluggish, and it appears too predictable. The themes and motifs of a dystopian world or teenage points within the e book aren’t explored in depth and appear unimportant to the characters. The protagonist’s personal view appears moderately unfeeling, which makes it tough to attach with him.
Total, the e book doesn’t spark sufficient curiosity in me as a brand new reader of the paranormal romance style. This e book is comparable in tone and plot to different books throughout the style however followers of the style readers in search of their repair of paranormal romance may get pleasure from it.
From Maria Korolov:
Sadly, I’m not a fan of younger grownup books, nor of dystopian books, nor of romance. So I’m not the goal reader right here.
James is a wealthy highschool child with a dad who doesn’t pay a lot consideration to him. He’s a jock who performs a number of sports activities and is standard with the ladies. Oh, and he sometimes does bizarre issues like teleport himself from place to put or set a pencil on hearth.
The e book is extraordinarily readable and James is a pleasant man regardless of being a wealthy spoiled jock, however it’s not for me.
From Amira Loutfi:
The blurb makes this e book sound tremendous thrilling. Jamie has a cheerful teenage life, when all of the sudden he discovers he has a mysterious energy. This ruins every thing and he finds himself working from his circle of relatives and defending a lady he barely is aware of.
So I learn W J. Could a couple of instances, and I by no means actually appreciated her work. She’s clearly very talked-about, although. Her different sequence have lots of of critiques and excessive scores.
James is ready to work magic, even with out realizing it. The primary time he did one thing magical, he was solely 5 years previous, taking part in along with his father in a park, when he all of the sudden appeared on prime of a marble statue. The daddy is weeping and saying time and again “you climbed up there!” As if he’s afraid that somebody will discover out his son can teleport.
James grows as much as be a parochial-minded highschool child who prejudges his classmates right into a handful of classes and assumes that readers will understand him as a “teenage god” as a result of he’s athletic and blond. I’m not into this. His father is performing unusual one morning. He lets James experience in his fancy automobile and drops him off at college. He doesn’t often let James even contact any of his vehicles. He then tells his son a candy nothing earlier than driving off. Then James realizes his father is performing bizarre as a result of he feels responsible a few lengthy journey he’s about to go on.
In school, his magic lights one thing on hearth. It’s extremely uninteresting to me, however in the event you like highschool dramas with weak plotlines, you’ll in all probability love this.
Get the Kindle book free from Amazon right here.
8. Kissed by Magic by Erica Ridley
That is the primary of three books within the Should Love Magic paranormal romantic comedy sequence. The opposite books are $6.99 and $3.99 every, however your complete sequence is in Kindle Limitless.
From Maria Korolov:
I used to be offered on the from the primary paragraph. Lance is a swashbuckling bounty hunter and soldier for rent who lives above the 24-hour Pawn & Potion, a dingy hovel of in poor health reputation tucked between two steel-and-glass skyscrapers.
It’s been 5 a long time since magic returned to the world and the shop’s fluorescent “open” signal is powered by an enchantment. It’s 3 a.m. the week earlier than Christmas and Lance is wanting ahead to hitting the sack and sleeping proper into the brand new 12 months when he sees a poster by the door. A needed lifeless or alive poster, along with his face on it.
Appears a competitor is upset as a result of Lance discovered some diamonds first, and value him 100 thousand drachma. Now he desires both Lance’s head, or the cash. Lance already spent it on. On a pirate ship. On layaway. Non-refundable. He nonetheless wants 175 thousand extra to pay the ship off.
And he’s received an concept for the place to get it. The legendary Golden Bloom of Everlasting Youth might deliver him hundreds of thousands. Billions, even. However it’s hidden on the Fortress Cavanaugh and no person’s ever made it again from the fortress alive.
I like the narrative type of the story. It’s enjoyable and light-weight hearted. I like the banter between Lance and his landlord, the proprietor of the pawn store.
And I like the world-building. Magic is blended with trendy know-how in enjoyable methods. For instance, spellbooks have been made out of date by digital readers, and the pawn store can’t even give them away totally free now.
This e book is now on the prime of my studying listing. Forward of that area mercenary one.
Get the Kindle book free from Amazon right here.
7. Magnificence and the Vampire by Demelza Brown
That is the primary of three books within the Magnificence and the Vampire paranormal romance sequence. The opposite books are $3.99 every, and the sequence will not be in Kindle Limitless. The third e book is at the moment accessible for pre-order and might be popping out June 15, 2023. The writer additionally writes below the identify E.M. Brown and appears to haven’t any relation to Demelza Carlton, who additionally writes fantasy retellings of sophistication fairy tales and has some similar-looking covers.
From Maria Korolov:
I might have sworn I’ve learn this e book earlier than, or, no less than, this writer. However perhaps I’ve received her confused with the opposite Demelza, the wildly prolific and standard Demelza Carlton.
The opposite Demelza writes, amongst different issues, retellings of basic fairy tales.
Which is what this e book is. Form of.
We begin out with Daliyah waking up in a carriage jostling alongside a tough and brambled forest highway. She’s a maid, and the opposite maid, and their mistress, are within the carriage together with her. She was woken up by the ominous howling of wolves. Ominous, as a result of this explicit forest is meant to be cursed.
They’re working late, and the highway by means of the forest saves them a couple of days of journey.
Then their carriage is attacked by wolves, hurting one of many horses, and so they make for the stone fortress within the heart of the forest. Its the closest potential refuge, and their horse wants medical care.
Then we change to the standpoint of the fortress’s proprietor, an earl with a yearning for human flesh. Flesh that may fulfill each his starvation — and his loins.
The curse has given him power and youth, but additionally fangs that present up at inopportune moments. He affords to let the guests spend the night time. Daliya’s mistress can have a visitor room, and the 2 maids can keep within the servants’ quarters. Although the earl has only one servant.
When the earl has settled his visitor into her room, he has a second along with his servant the place they focus on whether or not the girl could possibly be the one who breaks his curse. She is stunningly lovely, probably essentially the most lovely girl in all of England. Or past. Simply in case the girl is the one, the servant means that the Earl eat the driving force first.
Apparently, the method of feeding entails having intercourse, and whereas he’s not against having intercourse with the driving force, he’d moderately have a girl.
Then we change to Addison’s standpoint. Addison is the earl’s servant — and his half-brother. The earl had saved his life when he was seven, and has been each a brother and like a father to him ever since.
There are hints that this e book goes to have lots of express intercourse in it. And sudden romance. Effectively, not too sudden. The romance is constructed proper into the style.
And this can be very readable. Very, very, readable.
I’m not a fan of this explicit style, but when I used to be caught in a mattress and breakfast with nothing to learn however this e book, it wouldn’t be a hardship.
Get the Kindle book free from Amazon right here.
6. Grounded by Sarah Hauled
That is the primary of six books within the Paranormal Penny Mysteries cozy thriller sequence. The opposite books are $0.99 to $3.99 every, and the sequence will not be in Kindle Limitless. That is the second time this e book has been on this listing — we beforehand reviewed it in July of 2022.
From Maria Korolov:
Penny, 18, lives in a van, works in a espresso store, and is able to give up her job and depart city at a second’s discover as a result of her psychic talents hold messing up her life. She will see indicators that somebody is about to die, and the nearer she is to folks, the more durable it’s to disregard the indicators.
I like Penny rather a lot and instantly received caught up within the story — I learn 18 chapters over lunch, or half the e book. I’m positively ending it.
It’s a comfy thriller, so it strikes slowly. I imply, it’s half-way by means of the e book and no person has died but. However there was a homicide try — or was it? It might have been an accident.
The world constructing is nice. I just like the characters and the city, and I like Penny’s cat.
I don’t often like books with younger protagonists, however Penny is universably relatable. She’s additionally excellent at making espresso and serving to out with different elements of the enterprise on the espresso store the place she works, so I like that about her — in addition to the truth that she’s attempting exhausting to avoid wasting her boss’s life.
The remainder of the books value cash and aren’t in Kindle Limitless. However they make me comfortable, so I can positively see myself shelling out the dough for the remainder of the sequence. I’ve already purchased the second e book. With the entire world falling aside round us, it’s good to have the ability to take just a little psychological break, get some respiration room away from all of the dangerous information, and simply learn one thing good.
Get the Kindle book free from Amazon right here.
5. Flare by Jonathan Maas
It is a standalone books of philosophical horror. Often its $5.99 however in the present day it’s free. It is usually in Kindle Limitless. Jonathan Maas has been on this listing earlier than; we reviewed his e book Klareana: The Human Youngster again in August of 2022, and his sci-fi novella, Challenge Quetzalcoatl, again in March, 2022.
From Alex Korolov:
This e book ought to attraction to followers of post-apocalyptic survival tales.
I learn the primary few chapters, through which you get launched to 2 completely different foremost characters, and in addition discover out what’s occurred to the world.
The solar has all of the sudden gone into an prolonged photo voltaic flare. Because of this anybody who’s exterior dies immediately, and anybody who stares at its direct mild for even a second is completely blinded. It’s attainable, nevertheless, to be exterior at night time, so long as shelter is discovered earlier than dawn.
Zeke is a traveler who’s simply attempting to outlive. Within the first chapter he holes up in some previous man’s home and stops the previous man from doing one thing he would remorse.
Subsequent we meet Ash.
Ash is a younger man who wakes up in his sister’s home after being in a coma attributable to a automobile accident. He attracts again the curtains on the window for only a second, and he will get a couple of nasty burns from the solar due to it. Ash discover his sister in one other a part of the home caring for her boyfriend, who’s grievously injured. His sister’s lover was hit by the solar’s mild and he’s principally a melted human that she’s attempting to maintain alive. He’s lined in third diploma burns and he’s blind.
I just like the premise of this e book and I plan to maintain studying. The concept that the solar’s mild might all of the sudden flip lethal is terrifying, and I’d wish to see how the characters on this e book survive on this loopy new world the place one misstep means they get cooked to a crisp. The primary two chapters had been principally simply arrange, however it was sufficient to get me hooked.
Get the Kindle book free from Amazon right here.
4. The Dragon Rogues by D.Ok. Holmberg
That is the primary three books in The Dragon Rogues epic fantasy sequence. The opposite books are $4.99 every, however your complete sequence is in Kindle Limitless. D.Ok. Holmberg is a daily on this listing. Earlier this month we reviewed The Dragon Misfits, final December we reviewed The Infinite Struggle sequence and his Elemental Academy sequence. Final November, we reviewed The Teralin Sword, a field set of the primary three of six books in The Teralin Sword epic fantasy sequence. Final September, we reviewed his The Misplaced Prophecy field set. We reviewed The Cloud Warrior Saga field set again in July, and, later that very same month, Path of the Flame, the primary of 5 books in The Dragon Thief coming of age fantasy sequence. Could of 2022, we reviewed Unbonded, the primary of 5 books within the First of the Blades epic fantasy sequence. Lastly, in April, 2022, we reviewed The Risen Shard, the primary of eight books in The Chain Breaker epic fantasy sequence.
From Maria Korolov:
I’ve learn different books by the identical writer, and appreciated them, and I do like epic fantasy. So I’m already primed to love this e book.
We begin out with Jonathan, a thief who simply took a dangerous job, a job that provided a possibility to earn more money than he made previously ten jobs mixed.
He and his crew must sneak previous a sequence of defenses earlier than they’ll attain a hidden vault. With all of the enchantments he and his crew had, it will be hours earlier than anybody realized that they’d ever been there.
Given the chance, he saved his workforce small this time. Simply three folks. A lookout on a close-by rooftop, an skilled older thief, and Jonathan himself. They use magic to cover themselves from observers, and magic to get into the warehouse constructing. They make their approach by means of the warehouse at the hours of darkness — they’ve memorized the way in which, right down to the variety of steps they should take between turns. They make it to the vault door, and their magic talismans get them inside. There, they discover stacks of gold, and, on a desk within the heart, the crystal they’d been employed to steal.
Then, every thing goes incorrect.
After all it does.
The tone of the story is critical, however the protagonist is intelligent and thorough and I like his relationships with the folks round him. He appears to be a superb man, selection of career apart. I believe I’ll get pleasure from this sequence, particularly contemplating that the entire thing is in Kindle Limitless.
Get the Kindle book free from Amazon right here.
3. Marilia, the Warlord by Morgan Cole
That is the primary of three books within the Chrysathamere fantasy sequence. The opposite books are $2.99 and $4.71 every, and the sequence will not be in Kindle Limitless.
From Terrence Smith:
The saga, which pitches itself as akin to Sport of Thrones, follows two siblings, Marilia and Annuweth, as they go from finest mates to the worst enemies. Marilia, the Warlord introduces readers to their lives as kids working in the identical brothel as their mom, who acts as a Painted Woman, a prostitute.
One in all her solely mates in that brothel is a daily buyer, a gentleman by the identify of One-Eye, named so for apparent causes, who is likely one of the solely prospects on the Brothel who sees her as an individual, moderately than merely youngster labor.
The prelude instantly presents readers with what’s to come back, of how Marilia would command a military within the face of an excellent risk to the dominion. It offers a peek into the concern and doubt that she offers with, and the way she turns to her deceased father for steerage.
Readers be warned, although: the primary scene of the story reveals Marilia’s mom having intercourse, so that’s awkward, to say the least.
Total, this story has me intrigued by the setting, and curious to see how the 2 siblings find yourself rising aside.
Get the Kindle book free from Amazon right here.
2. Destiny of Dragons by Bella Andrews
That is the primary of what is going to be The Guardians paranormal sequence. The second e book is due out subsequent October. It’s the writer’s first full-length novel, although she’s had quick tales printed earlier than.
From Maria Korolov:
Sienna is a witch, gathering herbs within the woods when a lady comes working up, yelling for assist. Her canine’s been poisoned. Sienna tells the lady to pound some charcoal into water and pour it down the canine’s throat. She’ll be there as quickly as she will be able to discover some laurel leaves to counteract the poison.
She finds the herbs she wants, however there’s no time to take the footpath all the way in which again into city. She makes use of her magic to assist her get throughout a ravine, then sends the household out of the room so she will be able to work on the sick canine in personal.
However the lady who’d come for Sienna? She is aware of that Sienna isn’t simply utilizing herbs to heal the canine, however has actual magic. And he or she desires Sienna to show her. Oh, and he or she’s received an app on her cellphone.
The e book’s tone is just a little on the intense aspect, moody, and southern Gothic. Just a little too critical for my style.
I do like Sienna, and I’m having fun with her interactions with {the teenager} who desires to be her pupil. However given the truth that I’ve received numerous different books on my studying listing, and that the remainder of the sequence isn’t out but, I’m in all probability going to offer it a move.
Get the Kindle book free from Amazon right here.
1. Whispers within the Water by Sarah Chislon
This novella is a prequel to the two-book Blood of the Fae fantasy sequence. The primary e book of the sequence is $4.99, and the second is $5.99 and is at the moment accessible for pre-order and might be popping out October 25, 2023.
From Maria Korolov:
Jessa is attempting to invent a salve that can assist her sister eliminate a scar on her arm, so she’s going by means of her notebooks stuffed with sketches and notes on varied herbs. She’s additionally hoping to publish her herbalism information, and is ready for a letter from the writer. In the meantime, her aunt is placing collectively a visitor listing for an upcoming feast. The butler brings the publish, however the letter she’s hoping for isn’t there.
Her aunt does get a letter, although, and the information is dangerous. No less than, is appears to trigger discomfort to the aunt, who claims that she had a headache, declines Jessa’s supply of a therapeutic tea, and leaves, distracted.
Jessa’s mom had died 14 years prior, and her aunt had raised Jessa and her two sisters like they had been her personal kids.
The story jogs my memory a little bit of Bridgerton in its setting and magnificence, besides with magic and fae in it.
It’s slow-paced however in a pleasing, soothing sort of approach. The setting is fantastic, and I like Jessa very a lot. When she’s not attempting to treatment her sister’s scar, she’s saving an injured cat, or attempting to determine the best way to assist her aunt with no matter is bothering her. She’s succesful, and caring. Additionally, she’s not a fan of dinner events. I believe I might get pleasure from spending time together with her, even when the second e book gained’t be out till subsequent fall.
Get the Kindle book free from Amazon right here.
See all of the Free Friday posts right here. Do you could have different free books for us to take a look at? Remark beneath or electronic mail me at [email protected].
Have you ever learn any of those books? Are you planning to? Tell us within the feedback!
And watch Maria, Terrence and Romel focus on all ten books within the video beneath:
Romel Madray is a software program developer, social media marketer and begin up consigliere. He’s additionally an skilled enterprise guide and accountant, and in addition writes and illustrates kids’s books. Try his web site at Romel Madray Artwork or go to his YouTube channel.
MetaStellar critiques editor Amira Loutfi is an writer and internet designer. She is on a mission to craft glorious fantasy fiction that’s impressed by late antiquity Arabia. You may be a part of her month-to-month e-newsletter the place she shares insider information, wips, and tons of cool stuff.
Terrence J. Smith has contributed his writing to nonprofits and each print and digital publications. He enjoys all issues know-how, however remembers to meditate and admire the skin world.
