Every month, the Castalia House Blog spotlights some of the many new releases in independent, pulp, and web novel-influenced science fiction and fantasy.

1-800-STARSHIP – J. N. Chaney

CALL NOW. BECOME A NOVA SLINGER TODAY.

Those are the words Mark Allen reads inside an old 80s comic book buried in the back of his uncle’s retro 80s arcade.

Between playing Galaga and Pac-Man, he decides to pick up the phone and give it a call, only to discover that the number still works.

It doesn’t take long before an old man shows up at his doorstep, dressed in strange clothes, driving a Delorean, and calling himself “The Recruiter”. Mark thinks he’s won a prize from some old contest… but the reality is far stranger.

The old man has come to take Mark to a faraway space station—to train him for an impossible fight against an enemy that threatens everything.

Because, as it turns out, the comic book is real. And so is the war.

Blade of Flames (Blades of Ruin #1) – Jonathan Moeller

In an hour of darkness, a new hero awakens.

Talembur awakens alone in a forgotten catacomb, his memory lost.

Sinister enemies wielding dark magic pursue him, seeking to claim the sword he bears.

Yet while Talembur might have forgotten his past, his skills have not left him.

He will make his enemies beware, for he knows how to wield the deadly sword that he carries…

Foray – Toby Neighbors

Second chances don’t come around every day.

Regenerative Therapy can reverse aging, but the costs are staggering. Staff Sergeant Zane Taylor has served for eighteen years, putting his life on the line for the Western Alliance in their ongoing conflicts around the world. But a training accident has derailed his plans for the future and left him without many options.

Willing to do just about anything to get the Regen Therapy that would heal his shattered hip and give him a second chance at life, Zane Taylor took the only option he had left. But no one foresaw what would happen when he joined Exsol, a private security firm offering services to corporate interests on foreign worlds.

There is a secret war brewing. Few know what’s happening, or who is really behind the events shaping life in the Sol system. Join former SSG Zane Taylor as he discovers the alien agenda that is threatening the future of the human race.

Read More

Every week, the Castalia House Blog spotlights some of the many new releases in independent, pulp, and web novel-influenced science fiction and fantasy.

The Apothecary Diaries #15 – Natsu Hyuuga

In the East is a land ruled by an emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her—until she was kidnapped and sold into service there.

While pursuing the secret of themysterious jade, Maomao and Jinshi found more than just the tablet’s owner—they’ve also discovered a forbidden book that has long lain hidden. As the book is gradually reconstructed, they discover that the knowledge and secrets within might be extremely important to someone very unexpected. Meanwhile, Maomao finds herself helping her father Luomen in what appears to be a large-scale drug trial…but what are they treating? And why?

Cirsova Magazine #24 / Fall 2025 – edited by P. Alexander

Thrilling tales of daring adventure and thrilling suspense, including:

An old sea shanty, a reminder of a curse, drives a pirate captain to the brink of madness… Can the crew make their final score, or will the curse destroy them all?!

A young soldier returns to his home in Provent… a land which is under a curse laid by its former sorcerous inhabitants who were all put to the sword generations ago!

The cul-de-sac is kept up at all hours by the weird noises coing from Jebediah Graber’s house! Things get even stranger, though, as neighbors begin to disappear!

Otis is back and on a rampage! His wife killed by evil cultists, the moonshining zombie is going to smash everyone and everything standing in his way!

Disrupted Magic (Shamrock Disposal Book 1) – D. K. Holmberg

I break magic for a living. Unfortunately, rent’s still due—and the Agency just offered me a job I can’t refuse.

Cal Drexler is not your average magical freelancer—mainly because he’s technically illegal. Officially, he’s a “breaker,” someone who shuts down rogue enchantments for a fee and maybe a cinnamon roll. Unofficially? He’s a morph, capable of absorbing and redirecting magic… a skill the Shamrock Disposal Agency classifies somewhere between “extremely rare” and “kill on sight.”

So when rent’s overdue and a gig chasing bakery sprites nearly gets him turned into a glowing muffin, Cal’s luck seems about standard—until the Agency shows up on his doorstep. Not to arrest him. To hire him.

Now partnered with a suspicious field agent who has zero patience for Cal’s improv style, he’s getting dragged into magical gallery heists, fae-forged crystals that sing like springtime, and a conspiracy that could shatter the balance between worlds. All while pretending he’s just another charming burnout with a bag of herbs and a winning smile.

But magic has a way of revealing the truth. And the Agency’s idea of “consulting” may be more lethal than unemployment.

The Legend of Randidly Ghosthound #12 – Noret Flood

Randidly Ghosthound, at long last, understands the looming shadow of the Nexus.

He chooses to become proactive, meeting the threats of the Tribulations before they even descend upon his world. To do so, he simply needs to go up.

To travel to the Nexus, the source of all the horrors that have descended upon his world.

Considering the time it will take, he starts by preparing his planet to survive without him. He empowers Kharon, his walking city; he roots out the lingering threats of unstable political elements; and he hunts down Kaan Swaac, refuses to give him even a moment of peace.

Those on Earth cannot believe the time and power that Randidly Ghosthound has accumulated. But such victories are bittersweet. Because Randidly cannot forget the damage a casual look dealt to him, when a truly powerful being glanced his way… Read More

Every week, the Castalia House Blog spotlights some of the many new releases in independent, pulp, and web novel-influenced science fiction and fantasy.

Blood of the Kingdom (The Claimed Realm #3) – Marc Alan Edelheit

A kingdom on the brink. A warrior with a forbidden legacy. A final reckoning that will shake the world to its core…

Alaric has won the battle—but not the war. As the dust settles and the dead are buried, whispers of prophecy rise. The blood of a fallen empire flows in his veins, and with it, the weight of an impossible destiny. Once content to rule his quiet earldom, and honor his king, Alaric now finds himself the fulcrum upon which the future of Kevahn—and the world—will turn or perhaps even fight against.

But loyalty is no shield. With his ancient bloodline revealed and Rikka—an elven lumina of myth and holy power—at his side, Alaric must contend with suspicious lords, broken alliances, and a king who may now see him as a rival and challenger instead of a loyal vassal. As tensions mount and betrayal looms, Alaric must decide whether to stand by his oath… or embrace the legacy that could reshape the world.

The Cruel Stars (The Black Ships #2) – G. P. Hudson

The Union is the most powerful civilization in the galaxy. But its greatest threat is yet to come—and only one man can stop it.

Captain Max Knight thought his mission was simple: eliminate an arms dealer and head home. No big deal, right? But when mysterious forces threaten all of humanity, he embarks on a desperate journey beyond known space, chasing a legend that might only be a myth.

As the enemy tightens its grip, the Union teeters on the brink of destruction. Desperation breeds bold action, and Max and his crew are handed a mission so dangerous, so impossible, that failure means total annihilation. But if they succeed, they might just turn the tide of war.

The fate of the Union rests on a knife’s edge. Will they rise to the challenge—or fall to the cruel stars?

Ghost in the Siege (Ghost Armor #6) – Jonathan Moeller

An invading army. A deadly sorceress. The final stand.

Caina has at last discovered the secret of destroying the Liminal Temple, the gateway the serpent men use to travel from their world to attack Caina’s home.

But she’s running out of time.

As enemy fleets and armies encircle New Kyre, Caina must destroy the Liminal Temple before it is too late.

Yet she has overlooked the most dangerous secret of all.

The Grand Priestess of the serpent men waits hidden within the heart of New Kyre, and is working to bring about the destruction of all that Caina loves…

A Journey of Realms (Realms & Runes #3) – Joshua Kern

Justice has been achieved. Their family found. Don’t get in their way.

Justice was only the beginning. Their journey is far from over—and peace remains a distant dream.

Erik and Ainsley are no longer alone. Vali, Erik’s uncle, has joined them—a blood relative he’s never met, and the first real link to a family lost in the shadows of the past. But what awaits them is more than just a reunion. It’s a reckoning.

Old grudges fester among Erik’s kin. His coming reopens wounds never healed, and one wrong move could tear the clan apart. But the storm outside pales in comparison to the one brewing inside Ainsley.

Ainsley is losing control of her cultivation. The primordial beast tethered to her bloodline is no longer content to whisper and slumber in wait—it’s howling and pulling at its chains. If she fails to rein it in, and if it awakens fully, then her soul will be the price, and she may never return.

Their journey was meant to bring healing and clarity. Instead, they step into the center of a storm generations in the making. And this time, the cost might be more than just their lives—it might be the future they’re trying to build.

In a world shaped by runes, cultivation, demons, savage honor, and ancestral war-beasts, the strongest force may not be power—it may be the bond they’ve forged in fire. Read More

Every week, the Castalia House Blog spotlights some of the many new releases in independent, pulp, and web novel-influenced science fiction and fantasy.

The Devil’s Cut (Harvey Bennett Thrillers #18) – Nick Thacker

Centuries-old pirate treasure. A deadly Caribbean cartel. And the clock is ticking.

Harvey Bennett was supposed to be on vacation.

A week in the Caribbean with his best friend, Reggie, sounded simple enough—sun, sand, and maybe a little deep-sea diving while Sarah Lindgren, Reggie’s archaeologist girlfriend, attended a conference in San Juan. But when an injured man stumbles into the bar, crying for help, Ben and Reggie are pulled into a mystery that runs centuries deep.

The wreck’s location is no accident. Beneath the turquoise waters lies an infamous pirate smuggling route now controlled by the Syndicate, a modern-day cartel as ruthless as the buccaneers who came before them. Their cargo isn’t just gold—it’s people, weapons, and secrets worth killing to protect.

From the sunken ruins of a Spanish galleon to a fortress island hidden from modern maps, Ben and Reggie must navigate treacherous waters, underground caves, and a deadly enemy that always seems one step ahead.

The deeper they dig, the more they uncover a prize that could rewrite Caribbean history—and a cartel determined to bury it, along with anyone who stands in their way.

Ethos (Link #1) – Nathan Hystad

Ethos was mankind’s greatest hope. Until the Link closed.

On the 300th anniversary of Earth’s first expedition to another solar system, the original colony ship miraculously appears near Saturn. But the crew of Excursion One is nowhere to be found. All that’s left is a broken android, and a string of clues.

Captain Calvin Brooks, a hero from the Solar Wars, spends his days trying to forget the past on Link Station, until he’s thrust into danger when he’s asked to pilot the decayed ship back through the wormhole to search for the Ethos colony.

Jane Vanderbilt is the world’s most renowned historian on the revamped Excursion One mission, and her connection to the crew runs deep. Jane is added to the team by a mysterious astrophysicist, loyal to the Diplomats.

Luke Dalton is haunted by tragedy. He works the mines on Mars, while the loss of his family constantly weighs on him. The Deniers have other plans. Luke’s enlisted for duty by the Diplomat’s enemy. His mission: learn what really happened on Ethos.

The Family Jewels – Michael James Ploof

The family who games together, stays together.

Betrayed by his guild and left for dead, Benjamin Jewel’s aspirations to triumph in the Ragnarök Tournament seemed shattered—until Chuck, his mother’s enthusiastic boyfriend—secures him a last-minute entry. His luck is turning around.

Ben’s relief morphs into horror when he discovers that his “noob” family has also joined for a bit of fun, making his challenging quest downright nightmarish.

Now, not only must he navigate a treacherous world teeming with monsters, vengeful gods, and sinister spirits, but he must also contend with his new guildmates: his own dysfunctional family.

Grampa Dru is in it for the laughs, Gramma Bean is lost in a flashback to Vegas, 1975, and his mom sees it as the perfect bonding opportunity. Meanwhile, his twin sisters, Mindy and Mandy, relish in his misfortunes, and Wiley, his overzealous eight-year-old brother, wreaks havoc, eager to slay everything in sight—monsters, innocent NPC villagers, and, preferably, Ben himself.

They say the family that plays together stays together, but surviving each other might just be the greatest challenge they face.

Hell Flyers (Starship Renegade #1) – Tony Neighbors

Commander Kase is an elite pilot, the best of the best, a squadron leader who’s just been given a top-secret assignment.

The Renegade is an alien ship with advanced technology. It alone operates outside the Sol system. But the galaxy is controlled by a militant race of giant aliens known as the Ashi, who won’t be content until every intelligent race bends their knee in submission to the Imperium’s rule. And it’s going to take humanity’s best to counter the threat.

Captain Zeke Darius is in command of the starship Renegade. His strategy and tactics could free the galaxy from the Ashi threat, or bring the wrath of the entire Imperium down on the heads of the human race.

Major Remmy Steel is a tried and tested Space Marine who leads the platoons assigned to the Renegade. It’s his responsibility to take his tiny force into combat and stop the Ashi who stand at twice the height of the average human.

Commander Kase, callsign Hard Case, will lead a squadron of fearless pilots into combat with the Ashi. In new, highly advanced fighters, the Hell Flyers will throw themselves between the Imperium Fleet and the starship Renegade.

Spaceship in a Bottle – Jonathan Brazee

A salvager discovers an alien starship, but that’s only the beginning.

Wiz Zumwalt has sunk his Navy pension into a beat-up ship in hopes of finding riches in the asteroid belts.

Only the days of the Asteroid Cowboys are over. Big Mining now has a firm grip on the mineral riches, and their economies of scale and resources make it almost impossible for the indie miner to survive.

Now, he has two days before his ship will be repossessed unless he can find a miracle.

And boy, does he find one.

On a nameless hunk of rock, his sensors detect the faintest traces of, well . . . something.

Not a human ship, but something alien. A long-running secret that upturns everything he’s always believed, one that could impact humanity’s very existence.

Mankind always believed it was alone. Every probe it ever sent out beyond the Oort Cloud sent back the same results… except those were a lie, created to trick humanity into believing the galaxy was empty.

But that was far from the truth.

As the alien ship takes off and sends Wiz across the stars and out of the solar system, he soon discovers the universe is teeming with life. Empires are at war, countless species among them, and humanity has been left on the sidelines.

The only question is, why? Why was humanity placed inside of a bubble?

Those Who Came Before (The Forgotten Ship #3) – J. N. Chaney and Terry Mixon

A lost alien race.

Drake and Yukiko have been preparing the floating city of Atlantis for three million refugees, but every time they solve one problem, another pops up. The Jontihem are unsure of how to respond, and then there is the ancient alien facility on the sea floor under Atlantis.

Powerful artifacts that no one understands.

Why did Those Who Came Before build it? What was its purpose? Why is it still active? Those secrets, and many more, are waiting to be revealed. If, of course, Drake can keep The Authority from killing him and taking it all over. Or can the alien structure strike back at those who wish it harm?

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