My favorite books to explore new fantasy worlds

Why am I passionate about this?

Storytelling is my passion. I have loved writing in the science fiction and fantasy genres since I learned to read as a kid. I’ve won multiple awards, have an optioned screenplay, and am actively working on several paid script projects. I love to swap stories with other writers and dive into new worlds.


I wrote...

Crown of the Realm

By D. Dalton,

Book cover of Crown of the Realm

What is my book about?

Crown of the Realm is 6-time award-winning novel. The elven king and queen murdered. The crown of the realm stolen, and the elven lands aflame. A banished evil has returned. Not far away, unhinged men hunting an outlaw crash into Derora Saxen’s peaceful village while she play jousts on ponies. She sets out to find help with her protesting best friend, Kelin. But in assisting a stranger on the run, Caleb, they’re pulled headfirst into the chaos of the elven war. 

Facing ancient evils, arrogant elves, a sarcastic knight mentor, and one traitor—maybe more—Derora, Kelin, and Caleb have to choose: gamble desperately or hope that traditional strategy can take them to victory against enemies who have been perfecting their revenge for two thousand years.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Small Gods

D. Dalton Why did I love this book?

This is a book that I can reread again and again. It’s easy to read but it explores a deep topic in a fun, satirical way with diverse characters who keep a reader engaged. It definitely doesn’t have the typical fantasy hero protagonist, which makes for new ways of approaching problems. The characters clash with each other and grow in an unexpected but hilarious ways.

By Terry Pratchett,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Small Gods as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Fans of Sir Terry Pratchett will love this stunning graphic novel adaptation of his bestselling standalone Discworld novel Small Gods. Beautifully brought to life by illustrator Ray Friesen, it takes a close look at religion's institutions, its people, its practices and its role in politics in Pratchett's unique way...

'An intriguing satire on institutionalized religion corrupted by power...' - Independent
'Deftly weaves themes of forgiveness, belief and spiritual regeneration' - The Times
'I loved this book. I wish it could go on and on and on because it was so enjoyable to read. I wish more books are like this…


Book cover of The Rise of Kyoshi

D. Dalton Why did I love this book?

I really like that this story doesn’t start with someone who’s already noble and true with a great destiny thrust upon them, it’s about someone who must learn the traits of becoming a hero. It’s got good action and fun characters who will keep you entertained, and set in a world you probably already know well.

By F. C. Yee, Michael Dante DiMartino,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Rise of Kyoshi as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender comes the instant USA Today and New York Times bestselling novel starring Avatar Kyoshi-now in paperback

After years of searching for the next Avatar, the four nations have found peace with Avatar Yun-until Kyoshi, Yun's friend and servant, demonstrates remarkable bending abilities herself. With the identity of the true Avatar After nine years of desperate searching for the next Avatar, the discovery of young, charming Avatar Yun has brought stability to the four nations-that is, until Earth Kingdom-born Kyoshi, Yun's unassuming friend and servant, demonstrates remarkable bending during a mission to the…


Book cover of The Horse King

D. Dalton Why did I love this book?

While hungry for really any fantasy book, I got into the Dragonrealm series just after it had gone out of print, so I had a lot of fun and rushes of victory scouring all the secondhand bookstores to find any book I could, even out of order. It’s a little dated and cheesy now, considering that the main character’s name is Bedlam, but if you can find a copy, it’s a fun trip down memory lane.

By Richard A. Knaak,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Horse King as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

When Darkhorse receives word that the son of the great warlock, Cabe Bedlam, has been lured into captivity in the land of Zuu, the magical steed determines to rescue his young friend and stop his enemies' sorcery. Original.


Book cover of The Last Wish: Introducing the Witcher

D. Dalton Why did I love this book?

The book that launched a gaming and now TV empire! And it’s a deliciously dark read, but not your typical fantasy narrative, and instead follows the hero through short stories that build a fun, amazing realm to experience. I really enjoy stories about broken heroes as they struggle to do good in their world, and this series offers this in spades.

By Andrzej Sapkowski, Danusia Stok (translator),

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Last Wish as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of The Deed Of Paksenarrion

D. Dalton Why did I love this book?

I stole time out of math class to read this epic fantasy. It was huge and I finished it in 2 days. This is a true hero’s journey story from farmer to powerful earn, with all heavy-hitting emotional beats earned. It also presents a true crisis of faith to the main character and earning one’s courage back.

By Elizabeth Moon,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Deed Of Paksenarrion as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Paksenarrion wasn't planning to submit to an unwelcome marriage and a lifetime of poverty, so she left her village with a plan and her grandfather's sword. And a few weeks later, she was installed as Duke Phelan's newest recruit in a company of soldiers for hire, her arms training about to begin. But when Paks sees combat, she's stabbed with an ensorcelled knife and barely survives. Then the near-misses start mounting up, raising questions about this young fighter. Is she attracting evil because she is a danger to them all? Or is there another reason malignant forces seek her life?…


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Captain James Heron First Into the Fray: Prequel to Harry Heron Into the Unknown of the Harry Heron Series

By Patrick G. Cox, Janet Angelo (editor),

Book cover of Captain James Heron First Into the Fray: Prequel to Harry Heron Into the Unknown of the Harry Heron Series

Patrick G. Cox Author Of Ned Farrier Master Mariner: Call of the Cape

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

On the expertise I claim only a deep interest in history, leadership, and social history. After some thirty-six years in the fire and emergency services I can, I think, claim to have seen the best and the worst of human behaviour and condition. History, particularly naval history, has always been one of my interests and the Battle of Jutland is a truly fascinating study in the importance of communication between the leader and every level between him/her and the people performing whatever task is required.  In my own career, on a very much smaller scale, this is a lesson every officer learns very quickly.

Patrick's book list on the Battle of Jutland

What is my book about?

Captain Heron finds himself embroiled in a conflict that threatens to bring down the world order he is sworn to defend when a secretive Consortium seeks to undermine the World Treaty Organisation and the democracies it represents as he oversees the building and commissioning of a new starship.

When the Consortium employs an assassin from the Pantheon, it becomes personal.

Captain James Heron First Into the Fray: Prequel to Harry Heron Into the Unknown of the Harry Heron Series

By Patrick G. Cox, Janet Angelo (editor),

What is this book about?

The year is 2202, and the recently widowed Captain James Heron is appointed to stand by his next command, the starship NECS Vanguard, while she is being built. He and his team soon discover that they are battling the Consortium, a shadowy corporate group that seeks to steal the specs for the ship’s new super weapon. The Consortium hires the Pantheon, a mysterious espionage agency, to do their dirty work as they lay plans to take down the Fleet and gain supreme power on an intergalactic scale. When Pantheon Agent Bast and her team kidnap Felicity Rowanberg, a Fleet agent…


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