Your Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Bargains for September 16, 2025

A contemporary fantasy! A large sailing balloon appears at 11 year old Ben’s window one evening, offering him the escape he was dreaming of. A foster child facing the loss of his best friends, Ben suddenly finds himself on a magical quest he never wanted, to rescue people he didn’t know, and discover a world he didn’t know existed. He thought it was just a magical balloon. He thought it would remove all his problems, but the magic was deeper than that and had plans of its own. Perfect for fans of Chronicles of Narnia.
“Heartfelt and engaging fantasy!”
“An adventure story filled with hope!”

The ship was empty. The madness came after. When the crew of the Star’s End boards a drifting vessel, they uncover more than salvage. Whispers spread, paranoia rises, and something unseen hunts them in the dark. Perfect for fans of Alien and Dead Silence.

Category: Science Fiction – Dystopian

After a sudden EMP attack cripples the country, Austin Merryman is separated from his 14-year-old daughter. With no power, no phones, and no help coming, he sets out across a lawless landscape to find her—armed with only his wits, his will, and a few survival skills.

Along the way, he teams up with Amanda, a tough stranger with her own painful past. Together, they form an unlikely bond—fighting harsh terrain, dwindling resources, and the constant threat of desperate people willing to kill for a can of food.

But survival is only the beginning.

As they push deeper into the ruins of America, they uncover signs of something darker behind the blackout—something that could keep the world in chaos forever. To protect his daughter and his new-found family, Austin will have to face enemies far more dangerous than he ever imagined.

Category: Science Fiction – Post-Apocalyptic

Born beneath a rare blue moon, Ajeya bears a sigil no scholar can name. To the Emperor of Ataxata, her father, the mark is a curse—an omen that threatens his throne. To her mother, it is destiny, a sign of the prophesied child foretold by an ancient oracle: the one who will rise against the Dark Lord and save the subject kingdoms from eternal night.

Hunted by assassins, beasts, and a fearful world, Ajeya flees north with her mother to the forgotten clans—a people of old magic and buried scars. There, in exile, she grows in strength and shadow, her fate entwined with a young warrior bound to her in ways neither yet understands.

But safety cannot last. As war drums thunder and darkness spreads, Ajeya must uncover the truth of her mark, awaken the ancient power within, and stand as the light that will forge Durundal into legend.

Category: Fantasy – Sword & Sorcery

Elves don’t exist. They don’t jump out of portals in the middle of the motor vehicle office looking like the god of thunder and claiming that I’m the chosen one to save the elven world. But that’s exactly what happened. Aaran is a pointy-eared magic-wielding elf, and he’s hard to say no to.

Category: Fantasy – Sword & Sorcery

NOT ALL TALES ARE WRITTEN IN VERSE.
SOME ARE WHISPERED IN THE DARKNESS BETWEEN PRAYERS.

Whisked away to an ancient temple hidden beyond the edge of the known world, fifteen-year-old Raman is thrust into a realm of mystic warriors, primordial forces, and memories long buried in myth.

As old enemies awaken and the End War draws near, Raman must confront his legacy, wrestle with the darkness within, and survive a world where myth remembers and memory fights back.

Category: Fantasy – Coming of Age

Hungary, 1468.

At Kuszkol, the old-timers say, shadows walk and men go mad. But sixty years after the remote mountain fortress was first abandoned, it is attracting soldiers once again.

The bishop’s messenger András carries a letter for the new commander. On his party’s northward journey, he downplays the old tales. Yet he cannot explain why the castle’s beacon should burn the night before their arrival. Nor why, once they arrive, the garrison is missing. Nor can he explain the mysterious charcoal figures they find etched on the walls.

By the time they settle down for their first night at Kuszkol, András faces an even more pressing question—why is he speaking in his dead wife’s voice?

Category: Fantasy – Historical

Cosmic, apocalyptic, supernatural. They reside in boxes – squares, on the land, and the arid world around them scarcely resembles the Earth they once knew. But she does. She remembers it, even if she doesn’t want to. And her mind reminisces, ponders, and manifests uncomfortable visions. What is happening to her? Why are the hours moving slowly, more horrific each passing moment?

Is it horror? Science fiction? Literary fiction? Like the protagonist, not quite contained, even if more comfortable to be so. A story of nightmares. A story of the spirit. A story of love, and all the aching melancholy surrounding it.

Category: Science Fiction – Dystopian