Risingshadow: July 2025 Edition

Publisher: Roundfire Books Publishing date: June 2025. About T.R. Thompson Tom is an Australian speculative fiction writer. He lives in Belgrave on the outskirts of Melbourne with his wife and two young sons. When not writing or reading he spends too much time gaming and taking long meandering walks through the forest that always seem to end up at a tavern. Click here to visit his official website. About The River Blade For Cass, it's a place to escape the dull grind of her lonely ... [read more]

Science Fiction

He came back for some easy wins. Midgard came back with a sucker punch. Joe the Ritualist has finally found a true community in Vanaheim at the Tower of Ritualists. To his delight, he’s greeted by Masters of his craft, a Grandmaster on the brink of ascension, and a method to fix his most glaring flaws. Barely entering the tower before being sent away once more, Joe is given a quest by the soon-to-be Sage: leave Vanaheim for another world, learn to fight as a combat ritualist, improve his ... [read more]

FantasyLitRPG

Speculative fiction includes fantasy, science fiction, horror, and many related subgenres. It remains one of the most popular and growing categories in publishing. However, some genres and subgenres are much more popular than others. For new authors, knowing what kinds of books readers are buying in 2025 can help focus your writing and marketing efforts. This article looks at bestselling books and trends in speculative fiction today to help new writers understand which genres are reaching ... [read more]

(The Completionist Chronicles #12)

He came back for some easy wins. Midgard came back with a sucker punch. Joe the Ritualist has finally found a true community in Vanaheim at the Tower of Ritualists. To his delight, he’s greeted by Masters of his craft, a Grandmaster on the brink of ascension, and a method to fix his most glaring flaws. Barely entering the tower before being sent away once more, Joe is given a quest by the soon-to-be Sage: leave Vanaheim for another world, learn to fight as a combat ritualist, improve his ... [read more]

FantasyLitRPG

(Beasts of the Briar #1)

What happens when the studious Prince of Autumn falls for the wild Prince of Summer? Prince of the Arena is a prequel novella that takes place many years before the events of Bonded by Thorns. It is best enjoyed after reading Bonded by Thorns. Farron, the Prince of Autumn, wants nothing less than to be tangled up with Dayton, the Prince of Summer. Dayton is reckless, wild, and probably hasn’t opened a book once in his life. Meanwhile, Farron likes to think everything through—including how ... [read more]

FantasyRomanceFaeNovellaReverse Harem

(Chrysalis #7)

As the Colony continues to develop and thrive, there's too much to do! Territory to seize, nests to build, Champions to train! Anthony will have his mandibles full trying to teach his new protege Brilliant while trying to keep a war from breaking out with the ka'armodo. However, when the Mother Tree comes looking for his help against a particular breed of monster, there is no way he can refuse. After all, no ant can resist a fight against their ancient nemesis... the Termite! Book 7 of the hit monster-evolution LitRPG series with nearly 30 Million views on Royal Road. Grab yourcopy today! [read more]

FantasyLitRPGHumor

(The Elf Queen #4)

The fourth and final book in J.M. Kearl's bestselling The Elf Queen romantasy series! Valeen, the goddess of night, fears no one and is never commanded by anyone. Layala Lightbringer has embraced her goddess side, Valeen, but she has the fight of her life against the Council of the Gods before she can reclaim her throne and immortality. No longer is she the confused, lost elf afraid of her power. She is a primordial goddess and wife to the god of mischief and magic, Hel. She, Hel, and Thane ... [read more]

FantasyRomantasy

(Brutes of Bristlebrook #3)

Outclassed. Outplayed. Outmatched. After our humiliating defeat at Cyanide, Alastair left us shamed and shattered. We lost. But with our resources at a desperate low, new players making dangerous moves, and my brutes on the offense, I know I need to change the game. The last time I tried my hand, I made mistakes that nearly cost us everything—but I’m not the same hesitant little pawn I once was, and I’m not hiding behind my fear anymore. This time, it’s my board. The Sinners and the ... [read more]

RomanceDystopiaPost-ApocalypticReverse Harem

(Unbound #11)

Stars Fall. Moons Rise. A Cardinal Beast Approaches. Felix and his allies have failed. The Hierophant has taken four Unbound, seized the Chthonic Star, and stands ready to unlock the unbreakable prison of the gods. But the battle isn’t over—not while the Fiend still draws breath. The Hierophant is beyond reach of mere mortals, but Felix is more than a man; he is the Blue-Eyed Fiend, the Inheritor, and an Emperor tempered by war. He’s rescued Territories from the brink, and now it’s time ... [read more]

FantasyLitRPG

(Greenwild #3)

The Secret Garden meets A Wrinkle in Time in the spellbinding final book of the New York Times-bestselling Greenwild series. Daisy and her friends may have defeated the Grim Reapers in Iffenwild, but it’s clear that the battle for the Greenwild is only just beginning… With the support of the Iffenwilders and their mighty water magic, Daisy and her friends are finally setting off to rescue the Botanists held prisoner in the heart of the Amazon rainforest – including Daisy’s ma and the ... [read more]

FantasyChildrensMiddle Grade

(The Whisperwicks #2)

Benjamiah returns to a much-changed Wreathenwold in this spooky, illustrated second book in the #1 New York Times bestselling middle grade trilogy perfect for fans of Phillip Pullman, Neil Gaiman, and Skandar and the Unicorn Thief. In the months since Benjamiah returned from his adventure in Wreathenwold, he has been dying to return to those labyrinthine streets. Desperate to find anything that will bring him to the impossible magic, the Minotaur, and most of all, his best—and only—friend ... [read more]

FantasyMiddle Grade

(Nevermoor #4)

Enter the fantastically Wundrous world of Nevermoor - perfect for all adventurous young readers. Morrigan Crow has a dangerous choice to make in the fourth of this bestselling, award-winning series ... Praise for Nevermoor: 'Exciting, mysterious, marvellous and magical ... quite simply one of the best children's books I've read in years' Robin Stevens, author of Murder Most Unladylike. Morrigan Crow is ready for a new adventure. In Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow, we will travel to ... [read more]

FantasyYoung Adult

(My Buddy's Starship #2)

The long-awaited and much begged-for sequel to My Buddy Gave Me a Starship. Commanding a complex starship is the least of Mitch’s worries. Using his buddy’s starship to swoop to the rescue of beleaguered outposts or single-handedly blast his way through enemy squadrons is nothing new; Mitch has been doing that for weeks now. But dealing with the reckless—not to mention mutinous—scheme of the woman he trusts is a whole new challenge he hadn’t expected. Left behind, without his ... [read more]

Science FictionSpace OperaAdventureHumor

(Rivers of London #10)

THE BRAND NEW NOVEL IN THE INTERNATIONAL #1 BESTSELLING RIVERS OF LONDON SERIES "This isn’t London. The rules are different up here…" All Detective Sergeant Peter Grant wanted was a nice holiday up in Scotland.He'll need one once this is over... Sea: check.Sand: some.Sun: sort of - but that's not the only thing in the sky... [read more]

FantasyUrban Fantasy

(The Scorched Throne #2)

In the thrilling conclusion to the Egyptian-inspired Scorched Throne duology, a fugitive queen must risk everything and everyone she loves for the chance to restore her lost kingdom of Jasad. Held deep in a mountain refuge, Sylvia has been captured by the Urabi, who believe the Jasad Heir can return their homeland to its former power. But after years of denying her legacy and a forbidden alliance with Jasad’s greatest enemy, Sylvia must win the Urabi’s trust while struggling to hide the ... [read more]

FantasyRomance

(Gunnie Rose #6)

#1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Charlaine Harris returns with the sixth and final installment in the critically acclaimed Gunnie Rose series as sisters Lizbeth Rose and Felicia must face their fates at the last Wizards’ Ball. Lizbeth Rose’s sister Felicia attends the Grand Wizards’ Ball, and as one of the most powerful—and beautiful—death wizards in a generation, she is highly sought after as one of the belles of the ball. However, war and violence are on the rise ... [read more]

FantasyAlternate History

(The Primal Hunter #13)

With Nevermore done and dusted, it’s back to Earth where the fight for the Milky Way Galaxy is about to begin... But first, a fun trip to the moon with Jake’s best-buddy space worm, Sandy. After that little adventure, it’s time for the final preparations before the long-awaited Prima Guardian arrives, signaling the start of the battle for the Milky Way Galaxy. A battle that turns out to be a large ordeal, with every inhabited planet in the galaxy involved and free to either ally with one ... [read more]

FantasyUrban FantasyLitRPGDystopia

(The Spellmonger Series #17)

Hell ride into the heart of shadow! "Lilastien is missing." That's how Master Minalan the Spellmonger, the greatest wizard of the age, began the mission for his two former apprentices, Tyndal and Rondal. Both were men of means now, recently married and enjoying high positions as a reward for their past service in the war. But service does not end with an armistice; now that the war is over, the Spellmonger recruits them to track down the missing Alka Alon sorceress, Lilastien, whose knowledge ... [read more]

Fantasy

(Shadowbound Fae #1)

You are mine now. Mine to play with. Mine to break. He is secrets, danger and passion. He is forbidden sin.And now he holds the key to destroy all I hold dear. The Dark Fae prince never told me his name. Not when he tried to seduce me, and not before he purposely botched one of my jobs and stole what was mine -- a dangerous relic with unlimited power. It has the ability to break kingdoms… and tear down the wall that separates the human world from the dangerous, wyld magic of the fae. He ... [read more]

FantasyUrban Fantasy

(Dragons of Tirene #4)

The gears of destiny have been set in motion. Lark Axton has failed. Failed to save Flighthaven, the military school she attended before she knew she was a dragoncaller and the descendant of the true royal house of Tirene. Failed to kill King Xenon and stop his army of the drachen, who are taking over the world by stealing the free will of its people at the bidding of the mad god Narc. Worst of all, she failed to save Sterling: the Crown Prince Knox of Tirene, her perfect match, the cold to her ... [read more]

FantasyRomantasyDragons

(Ajax's Ascension #3)

Ajax’s life in the capital takes a new twist as he joins the Academy. Everyday interactions with the most talented members of his own generation. The chance to delve the dungeons present in the capital with some regularity, testing himself against the strongest challenges the kingdom has to offer. Experiments with alchemy? As his family prepares to move to the capital. Will everything continue smoothly? Or will he face difficulties in his climb through society? [read more]

FantasyLitRPGSword and Sorcery

(Codename: Freedom #5)

Vanguard continues. Prodos's competition is ranking up. Major Lucius Edwards is a year behind. Without victory, Earth's preparation will be severely lacking. War is coming. Can skill compete with overwhelming force? [read more]

FantasyScience FictionLitRPG

(Argeneau #37)

Being an immortal rogue enforcer is never easy. But when human bones are found buried in a residential garden—and they happen to be discovered by your life mate—things get even more complicated in this latest installment of New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands’s wickedly alluring Argeneau vampire series. Crispinus Delacort is an immortal rogue enforcer and a homicide detective. But in his quiet city, he’s more likely to be rounding up truant teens than investigating murders. ... [read more]

FantasyRomanceParanormal RomanceUrban FantasyVampires