thistle and spire

The world of Aerthos is divided by a literal and social chasm. High above the smog-choked, industrial city of Ironwood sits Veridia, the Gilded Spire, where the elite Ascendant Houses harness the power of stolen Aether-Crystals to fuel their lavish lives and magical defenses. Elias Vane is the most lethal operative of the underground resistance in Ironwood—the infamous “Ghost of the Low City.” Driven by the trauma of his childhood, his mission is simple: destabilize the Ascendant Houses one high-ranking target at a time. His newest contract is the most sensitive yet: Lady Lyra Solstus, the youngest and most unpredictable daughter of the House Solstus patriarch. The resistance believes she possesses a hidden ledger that exposes the source of the Houses’ power and their cruel exploitation of the Grounders. Elias breaches the impenetrable defenses of the Spire and corners Lyra in her private library, ready to execute his mission. However, he discovers Lyra is not the spoiled aristocrat he expected, but a lonely scholar consumed by guilt and actively researching her family’s darkest secrets. During their confrontation, an ancient magical artifact—a forgotten Binding Amulet—is accidentally activated, magically linking their souls in a symbiotic, life-threatening bond that neither can sever. Forced to rely on one another to survive, the assassin and his target must navigate the treacherous political landscape of the Gilded Spire, dodging both Elias’s former guild and the vengeful House Solstus. As they work together to find a way to break the dangerous bond, Elias finds his cold resolve melting under Lyra’s quiet strength, and Lyra finds in the deadly assassin a fierce, unexpected protector. Their survival depends not just on breaking the bond, but on uncovering the truth about the Aether-Crystals—a truth that could either unite Aerthos or plunge it into irreversible ruin.

When a mysterious and colossal tower emerges at the world's heart, it quickly becomes humanity's greatest threat. Its interior teems with dangerous creatures possessing immense magical power, vowing to one day conquer the earth. To counter this menace, elite adventurers band together to brave its perilous floors, each deadlier than the last. Among them are daring warriors with unwavering resolve, their skills honed for the impossible. But as they climb higher, they uncover secrets about the tower's true purpose-and the terrifying stakes at the summit. The Protagonist, Fugo Almaty shall one day shed hope in the despair.

Cael is no legend – just a skilled thief drowning in debt. When a final job offers a way out, he must steal the Null Contract from the Ledger Spire, a towering archive of every obligation ever sworn. But the Spire is alive. It reshapes its halls, whispering temptations and stealing memories with every step. As Cael navigates its labyrinth alone, he faces an impossible choice: unleash humanity’s freedom or seal its chains forever. In the end, he made a sacrifice to keep the world intact, emerging with nothing but a single reminder: "I chose to remember enough to know why I did it."

The Wolf King didn't believe he was capable of love. Barely escaping the cursed throne, he's found a new life in the land of the Gaels. Spying on a redheaded beauty with healer's hands, he quickly becomes enamored. As soon as his gaze sets upon her, so do the gazes of his enemies. Briar MacLeod is a talented healer on the Moorland frontier. Her mother taught her all she knows, and her father gave her the strength of the Highlanders. When a mysterious bleeding man appears in her barn, her attention to his wounds festers an old one in the Magistrate. The only person who can tame the elusive Wolf King; she soon becomes entangled in a web of passion, power, and revolution. The Amari Darkness may be gone from Faolan, but letting go of his own is a difficult task. Ghosts of the past may threaten them, but love is like a thistle. It blooms in the wasteland. [A retelling of Sleeping Beauty, with elements from Welsh and Scottish mythology]. [BOOK THREE OF THE MIDNIGHT SERIES] Please note, this is a sequel, but by no means do you have to read the first book to understand this one. This is also *technically* the THIRD installment of the series. It takes place during the events of the second book in the series, which is currently being written. This book is what is called an interquel. You do not have to read or understand the first or second books to understand this one. It's really its own story. For reasons of pure giddiness (and some context), you may just want to read Midnight's Song first. It's highly addicting.

A man finds himself in an almost endless city. He has lost his past, objective, and even his name. The city was once a thriving utopia filled with magic. Now it is a capital of monsters and foolish adventurers. Yet out of all the ruins and castles one thing sticks out the most. A single black spire that seems to reach higher than the clouds. Now he will try his hardest to survive in this almost desolate land, and maybe get some answers.

In the beautiful Scottish countryside, a young seamstress named Janella finds herself in the employ of Dominion, the Marquess of Kent. As they work together, an undeniable connection begins to grow between them. But their paths are divided by class and status, and they must find a way to bridge the gap between them if they are to have a chance at happiness together. In this sweeping tale of love and longing, Janella and Dominion must overcome the odds to find a future together

Edwin, a man 21 years of age, was thrown into a tower with millions of other people by some unknown administrators. These administrators had given everyone talents so they could climb the tower, but no one has a clue what challenges the tower will offer. Edwin, with a unique talent, decides to give clearing the tower a shot, but a lot of problems await him. Ones that may leave him… broken. Will he clear the tower? Or will he lose his mind trying? --- [Cover art is mine]

In the annual magic awakening ceremony of Wildly Wind Village, Largas and Shinna, two siblings bound by the same bloodline, were required to undergo the traditional ritual passed down through generations. Shinna received the legendary power of a holy saint, the magic of gold. Largas, though not granted a legendary power, discovered that his mana was as vast as a boundless lake. However, the peace of the village was shattered when a dragon catastrophe struck, reducing the entire village to ashes. Everyone Largas loved perished before the eyes of the 14-year-old boy. The psychological scars left by that night etched deeply into Largas's heart, and his hatred for dragons became the driving force within him. What lies ahead for Largas? His journey to overcome the deep wounds in his heart and seek vengeance against the dragons will lead him to unknown destinies. This is an adventure fraught with darkness and brutality, where Largas must confront not only the challenges of the world around him but also the turmoil within his own soul.

Qin Yao opens her eyes and finds herself transmigrated from a post-apocalyptic world into the body of an ancient peasant woman. Her family consists of four stepchildren needing care. A good-for-nothing husband, who has nothing but looks, is causing a ruckus. They live in a thatched hut, without a grain of rice, the family is emaciated like refugees. If that wasn't enough, someone even comes to collect debts! Anger rises in Qin Yao's heart, and she kicks the wretched husband out, "Debt collector, feel free to just beat him to death!" The four stepchildren: !!! With the world quieted, Qin Yao rolls up her sleeves to revive the family. Hunting, carrying bags, fighting bandits, she's an expert in all. But facing the fields, with her back to the sky, and her face to the earth, even a top-tier fighter from the post-apocalyptic world waves her hand: Can't take it! Really can't take it! Qin Yao scratches her head: In the ancient times where agricultural taxes are extremely high, how can I avoid farming? At this moment, the lazy husband who was sent away to die (twisting and crawling) (struggling to stand up) (screaming and roaring): My dear! I think I can be saved!

# 1V1 # NOBLELADY The female general has transmigrated to the future. When she opened her eyes, she saw someone snatching a child. She reached out without much thought, but who would have thought the little girl would hug her and say, “Mom, don’t throw me and Brother away!” Since the female general couldn’t go back, she raised her children and educated them. She beat up scumbags and saved men, and achieved another brilliant life. In the face of outrageous people, she was an ice queen. Grandma, sister-in-law, do any of you deserve my time? Faced with her children, it was like a spring breeze in summer. “Little Xing, you’re so smart! Shi Tou, you’re also a good baby!” In the face of men, she was indifferent. “Leave if you want to. You have legs, right? Go on then, I won’t walk you out.” She was a woman with thousands of faces. Even in another world, she was still the most dazzling one.