Fiction: Fantasy & SciFi
Here you’ll find works by some of the best fantasy and science fiction writers of our time, including World Fantasy Award winner Tanith Lee, bestselling author of The Bitterbynde Trilogy, Cecilia Dart-Thornton, and the classic authors who inspired JRR Tolkien, author of ‘The Lord of the Rings’.
Madigan’s Leap: A new Celtic romantasy trilogy for young adults
Book 1: The King’s Shilling
Quote from the book:
The faces of these two as they gazed upon each other were the faces of people in pain. To look at them, anyone might have guessed they experienced the keenest agony or the most intense sorrow.
Slowly the young man’s hand moved towards Rose, and then with a sudden movement he had seized her by the wrist. In the same instant her other hand found its way up to his face. Her fingers slid into his hair and gripped tightly. When at length they released each other, her wrist bore his fingerprints in the form of bruises, and her hand came away tangled with several livid filaments torn from his scalp.
Despite the fact that they had inflicted violence on each other, and as if by these actions they had verified the other’s existence, the expression of hurt in their eyes softened. It appeared that whatever anguish pierced them had now diminished to an ache. As though at some signal, they turned and began walking side by side, following the last of the crowd up the slope.
They had spoken not a word.
THE KING’S SHILLING – A CELTIC ROMANTASY
Madigan’s Leap Book 1
Launches on 1 September 2025
Magic, folklore and history entwine in this wholesome tale of love, loss, and destiny, creating an enchanting journey, perfect for young adult readers.
In the late 18th century, the Delacey family—once prosperous landowners—live on the rugged coast of an alternative Ireland, in the village of Allanwell. Tragedy strikes, and they are plunged into poverty.
Amidst the turmoil, Rose, the youngest of the four Delacey daughters, is haunted by dreams of a marvelously handsome youth. Desperate to know whether he really exists, Rose seeks the aid of a local wise woman, who casts a spell to reveal the truth. The spell is perilous – will Rose live to encounter the man from her visions, or is it all an illusion? Will she find love – and if so, how long may happiness last?
For a Royal Navy press-gang is raiding up and down the coast, seizing young men to fight in the war against France. No able-bodied fellow is safe from their clutches. What will this mean for the villagers of Allanwell, for the Delaceys, and for Rose and the lover she sees only in dreams?
As rumours of war grow louder, Rose must decide whether to hold onto hope or forge a new path forward . . .
THE CLOVEN RING – A CELTIC ROMANTASY
Madigan’s Leap Book 2
Launches on 1 March 2026
WORDS OF POWER – A CELTIC ROMANTASY
Madigan’s Leap Book 3
Launches on 1 September 2026!
The Bitterbynde Trilogy
THE ILL-MADE MUTE
(Book #1) Special edition
By Cecilia Dart-Thornton.
‘Hobbit-fanciers will find much to delight them in The Ill-Made Mute’
The Times (UK).
‘Not since Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings fell into my hands have I been so impressed by a beautifully spun fantasy.’ Andre Norton, Grand Master of Science Fiction
THE LADY of the SORROWS
(Book #2) Special edition
By Cecilia Dart-Thornton.
Now with never-before-published content. A Nielsen Bookscan certified bestseller. Number one on the Sydney Morning Herald bestseller list. Locus Magazine’s ‘recommended reading’.
THE BATTLE of EVERNIGHT
(Book #3) Special edition
By Cecilia Dart-Thornton.
The stunning conclusion to the best-selling Bitterbynde Trilogy – now with an extra chapter!
‘Cecilia Dart-Thornton exhibits strong and authentic evidence of having visited some of the more exotic corners of Faerie . . . ‘
The Washington Post
Large Print!
The Flower-Forged Maiden
“The Flower-Forged Maiden”
A large-print book in the Faery Chapbooks series
Available as an EBOOK
**In a world where magic whispers on the wind, one man’s dream becomes reality.**
Aedan, a skilled blacksmith in the quaint village of Ironhaven, is haunted by visions of a mysterious woman. When a faery disguised as a bird reveals the secret to bringing her to life, Aedan seizes his chance at love.
But magic always comes with a price.
As Aedan and his flower-forged bride, Blossom, navigate their newfound happiness, they must contend with an ancient law that threatens to tear them apart. With each accidental touch of cold iron, their time together dwindles.
Can their love survive in a world where mortals and faeries were never meant to dance together? Or will Aedan be forced to watch as Blossom returns to the realm from whence she came?
A wholesome retelling of a traditional fairy tale, suitable for young adults, and beautifully illustrated with eight exquisite images.
“The Flower-Forged Maiden” is a spellbinding tale of love, sacrifice, and the magic that blooms in the most unexpected places.
Available as a print book and an ebook.
The Stonehenge Cipher
The Stonehenge Cipher
Book 1 of The Codex Mysteries (Large Print)
Available as an EBOOK
**Ancient stones hide deadly secrets in this gripping archaeological thriller.**
A grisly discovery at Stonehenge plunges cryptographer Dr. Eliza Blackwood into a labyrinth of ancient codes and modern-day peril. Partnered with the determined Detective Inspector Jack Holloway, Blackwood races to decipher mysterious markings that hint at a power beyond imagination.
As they unravel a web of druids, government conspiracies, and forgotten lore, Blackwood and Holloway find themselves in a heart-pounding chase across Britain’s sacred landscapes. With each solved puzzle, they edge closer to a truth that could reshape history—and a looming threat that could end it all.
From hidden chambers to celestial alignments, “The Stonehenge Cipher” weaves a tale of suspense and discovery, challenging everything we thought we knew about one of the world’s most enigmatic monuments.
“A masterful blend of history and suspense. You won’t be able to put it down!” – Global Book Reviews
Cyberchicks in Love
CYBERCHICKS IN LOVE (Book 1)
“The Hitch-hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” meets “Mills & Boon” with a dash of “Discworld” and a sprinkling of The Spice Girls. It’s comic fantasy romance satire science-fiction.
The madcap adventures of a horde of beautiful young women, all intent on pursuing the same movie star
are woven into a spoof of fanfic, chick lit, bodice-rippers, virtual reality and travel guides.
CYBERCHICKS GO WILD (Book 2)
YOU’LL SMILE, YOU’LL LAUGH, YOU’LL CRINGE,~ YOU’LL ESCAPE TO A WEIRD WORLD ~ .
Find out more!
Get them at Barnes & Noble
For readers 16 years and over.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Barb Dwyer is the literary equivalent of a glitter cannon on roller skates: unpredictable, irreverent, and impossible to ignore. Rumoured to be the virtual love-child of Douglas Adams, Nora Roberts, Terry Pratchett and Jane Austen (don’t ask how—it was the ‘90s), she writes books fuelled by midnight snacks, bad decisions, and better punchlines.
Her debut romp, Cyberchicks in Love, turns fandom inside-out with a heady mix of satire, romance, and digital chaos, all set against the backdrop of 1998 internet culture and one utterly unprepared movie star.
When she’s not weaving mischief into prose, Barb may be found lurking in second-hand bookshops, arguing with her laptop, or plotting the next genre to bend to her will.
She doesn’t take herself seriously, and neither should you—unless you’re planning to follow her characters down the rabbit hole. In which case: pack snacks, avoid time portals, and definitely don’t trust the travel brochure.
The Books that Inspired Tolkien
#11 SHE: A HISTORY OF ADVENTURE
– A book that influenced Tolkien.
By H Rider Haggard.
The first edition to contain illustrations from not one but four artists who were contemporaries of JRR Tolkien, and whose works he admired.
Tolkien greatly enjoyed the works of H. Rider Haggard, the author of “She”.
#5 THE PRINCESS and the GOBLIN
– A Book That Inspired Tolkien.
With original illustrations.
George MacDonald. Illustrated by Jessie Wilcox Smith, introduced by Cecilia Dart-Thornton.
Professor J.R.R. Tolkien, author of ‘The Lord of the Rings’, was a great admirer of George MacDonald’s fairy-stories.
#1 THE SONG OF THE NIBELUNGS
– A Book That Inspired Tolkien. With original illustrations.
Translated by Margaret Armour, illustrated by W.B. MacDougall. Introduced by Cecilia Dart-Thornton.
#4 THE RED FAIRY BOOK
– A Book That Inspired Tolkien.
With original illustrations.
Andrew Lang. Illustrated by H.J. Ford and Lancelot Speed, introduced by Cecilia Dart-Thornton.
Andrew Lang’s Fairy Books captured the imagination of a generation of children. They were sold worldwide in the 1880s and 1890s.
Professor J.R.R. Tolkien, author of ‘The Lord of the Rings’, read and enjoyed every book in the series. They had a marked influence on his imagination.
#2 THE POETIC EDDA
– A Book That Inspired Tolkien. With original illustrations.
Translated by Olive Bray, illustrated by W G Collingwood. Introduced by C. Dart-Thornton.
A magnificent and magical collection of thirty-four Icelandic poems, interwoven with prose, dating from the 9th century to the 12th. Professor J. R. R. Tolkien, author of ‘The Lord of the Rings’, readily acknowledged his debt to this source .
#3 THE STORY of the GLITTERING PLAIN – A Book That Inspired Tolkien.
With original illustrations.
William Morris. illustrated by Walter Crane, introduced by Cecilia Dart-Thornton.
This edition includes Morris’s essay collection ‘The Art and Craft of Printing’. ‘William Morris was an enormous influence on Professor J.R.R. Tolkien, author of ‘The Lord of the Rings’.
#8 THE BOOK of WONDER & THE LAST BOOK of WONDER – Books That Inspired Tolkien.
With original illustrations.
Written by Lord Dunsany, illustrated by S. H. Syme. Introduced by Cecilia Dart-Thornton.
Numerous accoutrements of fantasy are found within the realms of The Book of Wonder, as they are in Professor Tolkien’s Middle-earth. These include talismans, precious metals, jewels, horns, dark, dangerous woods infested with evil spiders and more.
#7 THE DRAGON OUROBOROS
– A Book That Inspired Tolkien.
With original illustrations.
Written by E.R. Eddison, illustrated by Keith Henderson. Introduced by Cecilia Dart-Thornton.
Professor J.R.R. Tolkien read this story, and praised it in print. Eddison, he stated, was ‘the greatest and most convincing writer of “invented worlds”’ he had ever read.
#9 THE STORY of KING ARTHUR and HIS KNIGHTS – A Book That Inspired Tolkien.
With original illustrations.
Written and illustrated by Howard Pyle, introduced by Cecilia Dart-Thornton.
Professor J.R.R. Tolkien, author of ‘The Lord of the Rings’, greatly enjoyed Arthurian stories, which he called ‘powerful’
#10 GRIMMS’ FAIRYTALES – A Book That Inspired Tolkien.
With original illustrations.
Translated by Lucy Crane, illustrated by Walter Crane. Introduced by Cecilia Dart-Thornton.
Professor Tolkien, author of ‘The Lord of the Rings’, mined the folklore of the Grimm brothers for literary gems
#6 THE SAGA of ERIC BRIGHTEYES – A Book That Inspired Tolkien.
With original illustrations.
Written by H. Rider Haggard, illustrated by Lancelot Speed. Introduced by Cecilia Dart-Thornton.
Rider Haggard is one of a handful of Victorian and Edwardian writers whom Professor Tolkien acknowledged by name.
Australian Flower Fairies
Tanith Lee & Cecilia Dart-Thornton
PHANTASYA
By Tanith Lee
An anthology of dark fantasy,
This is a collection of nineteen splendid Tanith Lee tales that have been hand-picked by the author. These extraordinary journeys into Lee’s hugely popular fantasy worlds span 31 years of her writing career and include four never-before-published stories
FALLOWBLADE
by Cecilia Dart-Thornton
The Crowthistle Chronicles #4
‘Dart-Thornton conjures up her world of Tir in the luminous yet hard-edged manner of Jack Vance and Mary Gentle.’
The Washington Post