The Indie Author Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror New Release List: August 2025
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In Deep Coprolite by Douglas Lumsden: Available August 1, 2025
Shade the Collector, Book 2
Subgenre(s): Urban Fantasy
LET SLEEPING DUNG LIE!
Benedict Shade, were-cat and collector of exotic magical artifacts, is tasked by the Lord’s Investigation Agency to “collect” (i.e., “steal”) two pieces of fossilized dung from a river spirit in a backwoods town. What seems to be a routine job (for him) turns out to be anything but. Everyone in town believes Shade is an undercover agent for the LIA, a charge his hepcat buddy, Dwayne, is quick to remind him is true. A mysterious femme fatale can’t decide whether to seduce Shade or let him be killed by a horde of human mudfish. And if Shade can’t play marriage counselor to a pair of squabbling spirits, the result could be a cataclysmic natural disaster!
Last Among Equals by Peter J. Aldin: Available August 1, 2025
Subgenre(s): Epic Fantasy
Sometimes, it’s the outsiders who have the most to offer.
And the most to lose.
As monstrous hordes of Trell carve bloody swathes across the southern nation of Ollaj, northern Kardalan quietly revels in its neighbor’s downfall. Until the Trell appear at their own borders.
The fate of both countries now rests upon the shoulders of two unlikely heroes…
Erik Hødegaal, a disgraced Kardelian nobleman and warrior, unjustly branded a traitor and shunned for his father’s sins.
And youthful Prej, the last of Ollaj’s mages, an inexperienced apprentice who hides a secret calling she feels ill-prepared to fulfill.
To thwart the Trell scourge, these traditional enemies must forge an alliance, rallying a ragtag band of soldiers and sorcerers to face an enemy razing everything in their path.
In a world where old grudges run deep and new horrors emerge, Erik and Prej must learn to trust each other—or else bear witness to the destruction of both their homelands.
Before the Balance by R.J. Zielonka: Available August 12, 2025
The Hallowed Star Series, Book 2
Subgenre(s): Dystopian, LGBTQIA+
In Before the Balance, the second book of The Hollowed Star Series, find out what happens to Finley and friends as they make it to the city of Toronto, their final destination on a dystopian and nearly unlivable planet Earth.
After everything they survived in Book One, it’s time to find out the answer to so many questions: Is Auryn really on that ship? If she is, what’s going to happen between her, Finley, Kian and Mina? Why do Finley’s dreams come true? Is a dying planet Earth even worth saving?
Immerse yourself in a place where dreams can come true and love can bloom, even when you might not want them to.
The Blacksmith’s Boy by Bruce Buchanan: Available August 12, 2025
Subgenre(s): New Adult Fantasy
Bok Omat thought his place in the Kingdom of Imarina was settled. The 19-year-old served as his rural community’s healer and helped in his family’s blacksmith’s shop. It was an unremarkable life in Imarina’s peasant class, but as long as his parents, sister, and young nephew were safe, a fine one under the protection of the Inishari royal family.
But when an ancient spell threatens Bok’s family and the safety of the entire kingdom, he answers an unlikely summons from Princess Isabella to join her in protecting all they cherish. Despite their vastly different pasts, Bok and Isabella become close friends as they race to counter this deadly incantation and the mysterious mastermind behind it.
Bok learns secrets that force him to reconsider all he has ever known about the world and his place in it. But will this knowledge come at the price of his life, Imarina’s freedom, or even his burgeoning friendship with Isabella?
A Magical Love Story 2.5 by Nikki Flynn: Available August 13, 2025
A Witch in Time, Book 4
Subgenre(s): Fantasy Romance
One of the stories of Cerise, Alistair and their friends enjoying the summer sunshine. Waves, games, sunbathing, and fighting a monster intent on killing at least one of them. Just a normal summer, yeah?
The half stories weave in misshapen puzzle pieces of the world and relationships, adding parts that don’t fit with the rest of the narrative because of weird magic at play. That’s why 2.5 is book 4.
House of Dirt by Theo: New stories available beginning August 14, 2025
A free long-form story collection
Subgenre(s): Fantastical Realism
Two friends at a turning point in their lives discover a house that collects discarded things. Their lives are changed forever by the choices they make and the people they meet inside of it.
Warmonger’s Wrath by Nick Snape: Available August 14, 2025
The Wrecking Squad, Book 3
Subgenre(s): Space Opera, Galactic Empire
You may shatter a Breaker’s heart, but they sure as hell won’t let you do it twice.
Like hounds under an Enforcer’s whip, Rebekah and the crew of the Sunstar are bullied into a punishing schedule. Returning from an intense, sickening mission, they are immediately sent out to infiltrate the secret bases of Court nobles as they play at war with their private armies. But the Warmonger is stirring, Countess Segfi flexing her muscles as the truth about the Scourge’s secrets is exposed. The ex-Breakers have something she wants, and she’ll stop at nothing to retrieve it.
With Rebekah and The Wrecking Squad caught up in deadly Court politics, the Countess takes a step too far, and the dogs of war slip their leash.
When the Warmonger steals something precious, Rebekah will go as far and as hard as it takes to get them back, even if it costs the lives of her crew.
Path of the Sorceress by Melissa Stone: Available August 15, 2025
Keverynn Trilogy, Book 2
Subgenre(s): Science Fantasy, Portal Fantasy
After agreeing to learn magic, Ashrinn makes little progress in her lessons. After an accident, she learns about the Sisterhood of Sword and Sorcery. By talking to a spirit attached to the strange black sword given to her by Deiwynn, she gains information that would help her colleagues go back home, but is it worth the price she’ll have to pay?
In the south, the Viridian Dragonlord has lost contact with many of his towns. During a meeting with the other Dragonlords, he asks Yumori and Drianna to help investigate, feeling that they might have some insight on the matter. While helping the Azure Coterie in their attempts to reclaim the city of Hash-Beneir, Ashrinn discovers that the Darkriders have enlisted aid from the nomads. It shouldn’t be possible for them to have travelled so far, and yet the reality is undeniable.
While she tries to find an answer to how it was done, the Darkriders continue to attack. Desperate, the new Amber Dragonlord sends messages to his allies, hoping they can provide reinforcements, but will they arrive in time to keep the Darkriders at bay?
The Rose Ball Rebels by Kel E. Fox: Available August 23, 2025
Solstice War Fairy Tales, Book 2
Subgenre(s): Fairytale Retelling
Eliott, Prince of Iris, is trapped. He and five other Princes of the Floral Realms are locked in a tower, kept as collateral for a treaty in a war that will never end.
Desperate to do something, the princes sneak out every night, meeting other conscientious objectors, dissenters and deserters to dance in defiance of their monarchs’ warring. Suspicious, the Queen sends spy after spy to find out why the princes’ shoes are always worn to nothing.
Every spy fails until the Midsummer Masquerades, when a masked stranger appears, and Eliott is drawn to her despite his wary caution. Every Realm is at war. She can’t possibly be on his side.
But when it’s love, there are no sides, and Eliott lets himself fall. The stranger, Nina, does too… except she has another mission, one that could cost them everything: love, the Rebels, and their freedom.
Austringer’s Wrath by E.L. Lyons: Available August 26, 2025
The Gifts of the Auldtree, Book 2
Subgenre(s): Dark Fantasy
The Austringer has fallen! A new Austringer is risen!
Minalav is in pieces, needs are high but trust is low. After Axly’s plan placed her on the throne, she is faced with the displeasure of High and Low Birds, the Nameless, and the humans of the city.
In a bid to bring much needed supplies, Axly offers the one thing all nations covet: sprygan weapons. In the lands of Remorra, General Grimwalt is selected to represent his kingdom. Sent by his cousin, King Henry, who has more in mind than just the sprygan weapons, Grim must negotiate with a woman he doesn’t remember.
Demon’s Rise by R.E. Sanders: Available August 28, 2025
The Jantakai Saga, Book 2
Subgenre(s): Epic Fantasy
A new force is rising
Like the onset of a great storm, darkness spreads out to cover the land
Trouble is brewing across The Jantakai, the lands of the Twin Swords. Old alliances are strained, a fragile peace is threatened, and the signs of oncoming war are clear. Gods are invoked, old and new, as folk seek solace in the mystical.
Soldier in exile, Eain Connow, is thrown into the thick of the chaos when he is embroiled with first flames of a civil war in Tayo. He has had more than his share of war, but now he must fight just to survive.
Ellyah and Nastja find themselves in even deeper trouble. Hunted for reasons they do not understand, accused of vile crimes, the net tightens around them as they strive to reach the ancient city of Glithoniel. They do not know who to trust, or where to turn.
Others are drawn in, the lure of the Demon’s Tear inescapable and beguiling. They must all choose sides and work out who is friend and who is foe, if they are to live through the oncoming storm.
No prophecies
No destiny
The new heroes of our time shall choose themselves
If you have an upcoming title that you’d like to have featured on the new release list, please fill out the form here: Indie SF/F/Horror New Release Feature