"The Makers" by Tim Niederriter

Current Tags

portal fantasy, sword and sorcery, urban fantasy, contemporary fantasy, mythology, multiverse, dimensions

Categories

Action & Adventure / Fantasy

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The Makers

Author's Description

Saul is a maker, destined to create new worlds until he was exiled to Earth. The society he once believed in is now his enemy. The people he once looked down upon are his only help. Monsters lurk between the worlds, but the true horror of the multiverse is human.

Why I Chose it

This starts with a great scene that shows the magic system of this story and exposes the tensions between some of the characters. It's a nice example of how to set things up quickly.

[12 episodes so far, with 5 in the last 30 days.]

Who Might Like This

If tales of creation magic and betrayal are your cup of tea, check this one out!

Unrelated Griping

The "Completed stories" carousel still hasn't changed. I can only console myself with the knowledge that probably nobody would have looked at it anyhow.

"Sir Bubba Saves the World" by C. L. Webb

Current Tags

humorousfantasy, urbanfantasy, adventure, magic, knights

Categories

Fantasy / Action & Adventure

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Sir Bubba Saves the World

Author's Description

Bartholomew "Bubba" Batts needs a job. His pro football career tanked, along with his two marriages, and he's lost every job he's had. When he answers an ad for the position of "knight," he finds himself in an alternate world, where the fate of a kingdom, a desperate princess, and a beautiful lady-in-waiting all depend on him. Too bad he has no idea what he's doing...

Why I Chose it

Even if this story isn't your kind of thing, go check out the first paragraph. It's a great example of how to make a character who is objectively unlikable into a sympathetic protagonist. By the end of that paragraph, we're rooting for him!

[57 episodes so far, with 3 updates in the last 30 days.]

Who Might Like This

Anyone who likes humorous fantasy with a likable character on a redemption arc should read this!

Unrelated Griping

Still haven't updated the "Featured in Kindle Vella" list — I think it's been over a week — and now one of the ones featured is lacking a cover image... Don't make me get a job with this software group just to bash it into shape!

"In Search of Harmony" by Marc Whipple

Current Tags

isekai, fantasy, gamelit, litrpg, humor, romance, magic

Categories

Fantasy / Romance

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In Search of Harmony

Author's Description

Chris Erikson has been isekai-ed into a world of magical music! Normally, a Song Mage can sing a single pure tone that has a magical effect. But our hero has a unique cheat ability called "Leader of the Band" that enables him to... well, cheat. Now he has to collect a group of Song Mages and teach them to sing in harmony. But there are all kinds of ways to get a Song Mage to sing, especially when they're a beautiful woman who's always been silenced... Updates every Monday!

Why I Chose it

Today's random search word was "harmony". (It gave me a lot fewer random sermons about how God is talking to the author than my search on "speak" did.) I had to look up what "isekai" meant — as far as I can tell, it's basically portal fantasy.

Anyhow, this is another litrpg story, and it leans heavily on that — the main character has a full-death experience, gets sent to another world, and looks up his stats. I was entertained by the first episode. 

Does it seem like this story might veer into "woman are the prize at the end of the video game" territory? Maaaybe. I'm not sure. And it's possible that particular weakness might not bother fans of litrpg as much as it would bother me. So... see for yourself!

[16 episodes so far, with 1 updates in the last 30 days.]

Who Might Like This

Portal fantasy litrpg readers!

Unrelated Griping

I try not to point out flaws in any one story (because yeah, I'm sure someone could find all sorts of problems with my own), but I found a story yesterday that had the phrase "sharp, arcuate bow" three times in adjacent sentences in the first paragraph. I try not to let editing errors ruin my enjoyment of a story, but that just felt egregious. I mean, at least re-read your first paragraph before you publish.

Anyhow, I've decided to put "sharp, arcuate bow" into all my novels from now on.

"Ocean of Dreams: An Epic Portal Fantasy" by Rebecca Ehrick

Current Tags

romance, found family, epic fantasy, magitech, portal fantasy, lgbt, fantasy

Categories

Fantasy / Action & Adventure

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Ocean of Dreams: An Epic Portal Fantasy

Author's Description

Esar tried to forget about his prophetic dreams, but he can no longer ignore his nightmares. Adrin, a budding engineer, dreamed of building weapons to vanquish monsters before he was called to become heir to the throne. And Naomi's quest to discover her origins has taken her further than she ever dreamed...into another world. Connected by their dreams, they must find a way to avert the disaster that Esar foresees and uncover the foes who threaten to tear them apart. Updates Sun, Tues & Thurs.

Why I Chose it

This one showed up in a Facebook group specifically for Vella SF/F authors, on a post allowing self-promotion. I know not all the entries will be good, but so far I'm two for two.

Excellent writing in this one, with really strong characterization. Don't let the first episode being a prologue put you off. It's not an info dump. The author does an excellent job of world building in the first two episodes.

[30 episodes so far, with 11 updates in the last 30 days]

Who Might Like This

Are you interested in a portal fantasy with a strong characters and hints of exciting things to come? Check it out!

Unrelated Griping

Honestly, I have no griping today. This was the first story I looked at, and it was really good!