Books like 'The Gauntlet Thrown'
Readers who enjoyed The Gauntlet Thrown by Cheryl Dyson also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
historical fantasy romance action / adventure epic magic male-mc humor children sword-sorcery
-
Memories of Prophecies by Davis Ashura
Rated: 4.57 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe memories of the past may be forgotten, but prophecies linger.Cinder Shade and his fellow cadets have survived a brutal mission in the vast wilds of the Dagger Mountains. Laying to rest many of their brother warriors, they return to the Third Directorate, battered, bruised, and weary of soul.But the world turns, and new challenges press... -
How Tan Acquired an Apprentice by A.J. Sherwood, Cait Wade
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsDid Tan go looking for an apprentice? No. Is Tan going to keep Zi Rui? Yes... -
Soulblade by Lindsay Buroker
Rated: 4.48 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsIt’s been a week since the dragon Morishtomaric fell, and Sardelle is not convinced that Ridge is truly gone. With a companion who thinks he’s a god and a soldier who would happily kill her, she heads back to the mountains to look for signs that Ridge survived. What they uncover threatens to destroy their country and all they care about... -
The Princess of Potential by Delemhach
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA headstrong princess finds herself entangled in intrigue, politics, magic, and love in this coming-of-age novel set in the world of the House Witch series.It’s been twenty years since Finlay Ashowan, the fabled house witch of Daxaria, first cooked up supernatural hijinks in the castle at Austice... -
-
Secrets and Spellcraft by Michael G. Manning
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsNow a student at Wurthaven, Will is confronted with the truth of the present. The powerful magic embodied by wizards like his grandfather is but a distant memory, while the practice of the current day is timid and uninspired, and yet he needs the knowledge still preserved and managed by the college... -
Gold Dragon by Lindsay Buroker
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsNow that Trip’s siblings are safely back in the capital, he would like it if life got back to normal. As normal as possible for a half-dragon army officer learning to use his magical powers when he isn’t busy piloting with Wolf Squadron. But trouble keeps popping up, and the capital isn’t the safe haven Trip had hoped... -
The Reckoning by Vanessa Nelson
Rated: 4.63 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMissing girls. A plea for help she can’t ignore. An ancient enemy with plans of his own. Nine-year-old girls are missing from across the lands. Yvonne has promised to find them, and she always keeps her promises. Even when she doesn’t know where to start looking. There’s more trouble around. Mercenaries are disappearing... -
Diplomats and Fugitives by Lindsay Buroker
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsEven though Basilard is the official Mangdorian ambassador to the Turgonian Republic, he still isn’t fully trusted by his pacifist people. After he was enslaved and forced to entertain spectators in pit fights that left him scarred and mute, his kin turned their backs on him, condemning him for choosing violence... -
The Prince's Bargain by K.M. Shea
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsWhen Prince Arvel was declared the heir to the throne, he was ignorant of all the forthcoming unpleasantness the title would bring him. Nobles who used to ignore him now seek to manipulate and control him. Even worse, his attendance is mandatory at every social function and party.Every. Party... -
Revelations by Lindsay Buroker
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsPower that’s growing ever more impossible to hide… Captain Telryn “Trip” Yert is on the most important mission of his life. Accompanied by Captain Kaika, the sentient soulblade Jaxi, and Rysha Ravenwood—the noble-born scholar and officer he definitely shouldn’t be developing feelings for—he must find a way to close a portal that’s allowing more and more dragons into the world... -
Origins by Lindsay Buroker
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsAre you still human if your father was a dragon? Even though Captain Trip always knew he was a little odd, he’s still shocked by the revelation that the elder gold dragon, Agarrenon Shivar, sired him. It’s time, however, to accept reality and learn to use his power, even if it alienates him from his magic-fearing friends—and the woman he’s come to care about... -
The Ciphers of Muirwood by Jeff Wheeler
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsFrom the moment she was banished by her father, the king, Princess Maia journeyed to seek sanctuary at Muirwood Abbey, the epicenter of magic and good in the land. Now safe for the first time since her cruel abandonment, Maia must foster uneasy friendships with other girls training to be Ciphers: women who learn to read and engrave tomes of ancient power, despite the laws forbidding them to do so... -
The Blade's Memory by Lindsay Buroker
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsThe king is missing.A secret organization is hunting sorcerers.The enemy has powerful new weapons to deploy, and the capital is more vulnerable than it's ever been.Worst of all, at least in Ridge Zirkander's view, someone put that jackass Colonel Therrik in charge of the flier battalion... -
Dragon Tear by Lindsay Buroker
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsNow that Jev is no longer obligated to marry a manipulative noblewoman, Zenia can finally pursue a relationship with him. But there’s something else she must deal with first. She’s learned that the magical dragon-tear gem she wears around her neck is linked to a living dragon, one that is being held prisoner and tortured. Zenia owes her life several times over to the creature... -
-
A Song for Arbonne by Guy Gavriel Kay
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsBased on the troubadour culture that rose in Provence during the High Middle Ages, this panoramic, absorbing novel beautifully creates an alternate version of the medieval world... -
The Fowl Proposal Bonus Scenes by Lindsay Buroker
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsThis series of four scenes was originally published on Lindsay's blog. They take place after the events of Soulblade (Dragon Blood, Book 7) and before Shattered Past (the Therrik novel)... -
Penric’s Mission by Lois McMaster Bujold
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsIn his 30th year, Penric fell in love with light.Learned Penric, a sorcerer and divine of the Bastard's Order, travels across the sea to sunlit Cedonia on his first covert diplomatic mission, to attempt to secure the services of a disaffected Cedonian general for the Duke of Adria. However, nothing is as it seems... -
Unraveled by Lindsay Buroker
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsA mission to a foreign land has left Captain Trip Yert with a responsibility he never anticipated: watching over two dozen magical stasis chambers containing half-dragon young, including eight that are half-human. As bewildering as he finds it, all of them are related to him... -
The Prisoner of Limnos by Lois McMaster Bujold
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsIn this sequel novella to “Mira’s Last Dance”, Temple sorcerer Penric and the widow Nikys have reached safety in the duchy of Orbas when a secret letter from a friend brings frightening news: Nikys’s mother has been taken hostage by her brother’s enemies at the Cedonian imperial court, and confined in a precarious island sanctuary... -
The Human Familiar by Honor Raconteur
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsWhile Bannen had every intention of finding adventure, being yanked through a magical portal two continents away isn’t quite what he imagined happening. For that matter, being magically bound to a mage-in-training hadn’t ever crossed his mind. Being the first human familiar ever summoned in Corcoran? Not on his to-do list... -
Under the Ice Blades by Lindsay Buroker
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsCaptain Astuawilda Kaika is an elite forces soldier, a demolitions expert, and a woman who loves secret missions. She most certainly isn’t someone with the patience to teach General Zirkander’s raw cadets how to survive encounters with the enemy. Certain she’s been given this duty as a punishment, she confronts her superiors, only to find out that King Angulus himself gave her the assignment... -
Starflower by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsThe Black Dogs are on the hunt, but who is their prey?When a cursed dragon-witch kidnaps fairest Lady Gleamdren, the Bard Eanrin sets boldly forth on a rescue mission...and a race against his rival for Gleamdren's favor. Intent upon his quest, the last thing the immortal Faerie needs is to become mixed up with the troubles of an insignificant mortal... -
Talon the Black by Melissa Mitchell
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhat would you do if a dragon fell from the sky? Claire Evans is a small-towner from Indiana faced with this exact situation. When a dragon crash-lands in her corn field, she goes gallivanting off to find it.This incident triggers a chain of events that sweep our heroine into a complicated plot to destroy a kingdom... -
The Void Mage by Honor Raconteur
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsAfter two years of training in Turransky under a new master, Rena is a proper Void Mage, supposedly ready to handle whatever the world throws at her. Which is just as well because Toh’sellor’s influence has proven it can pop shards up anywhere at any given time across all three continents, with nothing to use to predict it. Worse still, it doesn’t seem to have any real restrictions... -
-
Remnants by Honor Raconteur
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsFinally over with the wedding, managed to escape the parents, signed up with the MISD, yay! Got assigned a permanent team with Chi, Vee, and Maksohm, double yay! Toh’sellor has been stolen. Yeah, this is not going to be fun. It is, in fact, anti-fun. Oh, and monkeys. Poor Chi... -
Fist of the Furor by R.K. Ryals
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratings“People die for freedom …”There is chaos in the kingdom of Medeisia. The rebels have gone into the mountains to hide, protected by the dragons... -
Tempest by R.K. Ryals
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWe must overcome and prevail ...King Raemon of Medeisia is slaughtering tattooed scribes and mages, forcing them into hiding. All marked and those associated with them are destroyed. The people are desperate. Months after challenging Raemon, the marked rebels of Medeisia must rise against their bloodthirsty king or chance being annihilated... -
Prophecy's Daughter by Richard Phillips
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe epic fantasy continues as Lorness Carol’s burgeoning magical powers are the only hope in a destined war between good and primordial evil… “The silent one in the west has awakened.” A tantalizing message reignites Kragan’s centuries-old fury to find and exterminate the unwitting young adversary prophesied to destroy him... -
The Fae Artifactor by Honor Raconteur
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsPeople really have to stop kidnapping her…. Sevana has quite enough on her plate, what with her wonky magical core still spastically melting or exploding things on her. She has every intention of seeking professional help, if such a thing exists, but is stopped before she can even go back home. That is to say, she’s kidnapped. AGAIN... -
Everafter Song by Emily R. King
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThere’s a price on Everley Donovan’s head. Fleeing from the queen’s false accusation of murder and sorcery, the girl with the clock heart knows there’s only one way to prove her innocence. Everley must catch Killian Markham, the fugitive prince guilty of the crimes for which she’s been condemned. To do that, Everley must follow him into the towering realm of the Silver-Clouded Plain... -
The Lioness and Her Knight by Gerald Morris
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsLuneta is tired of living in dull Orkney with her mother and father (who happens to be the most boring knight of King Arthur’s Round Table). She prides herself on always getting what she wants, so when the opportunity presents itself, she jumps at the chance to stay at a family friend’s castle near Camelot... -
Mira's Last Dance by Lois McMaster Bujold
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsIn this sequel to the novella “Penric’s Mission”, the injured Penric, a Temple sorcerer and learned divine, tries to guide the betrayed General Arisaydia and his widowed sister Nikys across the last hundred miles of hostile Cedonia to safety in the Duchy of Orbas... -
Solstice Day Gifts by Lindsay Buroker
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsAfter a year full of adventure, intrigue, and tragedy, Sicarius agrees to spend Solstice Day on a tropical island with Amaranthe, resting and relaxing far away from the chaos of the new republic. But there are a couple of problems. First off, the island is riddled with old wanted posters of Sicarius, along with countless people who would like to collect the bounty. Second.. -
The Archmage Unbound by Michael G. Manning
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsMordecai’s growing power and success have made him a threat, not just to the gods and their minions, but also to the king of Lothion. An unholy bargain has been struck to bring him to heel and increasingly it seems that victory may not be worth the price, not if the cost is measured in the blood of his family. Wizard, lord, husband, father, and now archmage.. -
-
The Diviner by Tobias Begley
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAfter a stressful first year at Yesgol, Evan Tailor is looking forward to a vacation with his boyfriend and a stress free year of schooling. Unfortunately, life has other plans. Despite his relative success in last year's tournament, Evan can't rest on his laurels... -
Arrows of Promise by Honor Raconteur
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIt takes more than wizards and kings to mold a kingdom…. “Da. I think it be time we press matters.” “About getting more wizards here? Aye. That be a sound notion.” Lately, Estole has more problems than solutions, and not enough resources to implement the ones they do have. When Ash collapses from magical exhaustion, the group decides the only course is to bring in more wizarding help... -
Warrior by Jennifer Fallon
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsIt is eight years since Marla Wolfblade buried her second husband. In that time, she has become the power behind Hythria's throne -- as much from a desire to control her own destiny in any way she can, as to protect her son, young Damin... -
The Crystal Gryphon by Andre Norton
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsThe story of Kerovan, whose cloven hooves set him apart from the human folk of the Dales, as he seeks his rights as heir to the throne of Ulm at a time when strange sea invaders are shattering the old kingdoms, and equally enigmatic manifestations of the Old Ones coming to interfere with humanity... -
Into the Hourglass by Emily R. King
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsIn the second book in The Evermore Chronicles by Emily R. King, Everley Donovan plunges into the roiling waves of a strange new world to hunt a wicked prince who cheated time. Everley Donovan’s mission: retrieve the hallowed sword of Avelyn stolen by the wicked Prince Killian, who slayed her family and left her for dead. Should she fail, the seven worlds will come to an end, as could time itself... -
Advent by Honor Raconteur
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 24 ratings“Good work, Balancer.”I frowned at the title. “All I did was transport her here, Raile.”“Yes, so you did,” he agreed in a tone that clearly didn’t agree with me at all. “Perhaps you don’t consciously realize this, Garth, but its little things like this that are restoring balance to Chahir. No task can be done in just one stroke of effort; it takes many strokes, and much sustained effort... -
Ice Cracker II: And Other Stories by Lindsay Buroker
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsShe's wanted for crimes against the throne. He's the empire’s most notorious assassin. With bounties on their heads, they’re not likely candidates for heroics, but they're on a quest for redemption. Unfortunately, they'll have to pursue and conquer great threats to earn the emperor's recognition.Three short fantasy stories set in the author's "Emperor's Edge" universe... -
Duty Bound by Lindsay Buroker
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsCrown Agent Jev Dharrow’s good dwarf friend Cutter is missing, as is the city’s master gem cutter. Jev doesn’t know who would want them, but he’s determined to find out. He hopes his fellow agent, Zenia, can help him locate the missing dwarves... -
Prophecy: Child of Earth by Elizabeth Haydon
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsIn Rhapsody, a fellowship was forged-- three companions who, through great adversity, became a force to be reckoned with: Rhapsody the Singer; Achmed the assassin-king; and Grunthor, the giant Sergeant-Major. Prophecy continues their powerful epic. Driven by a prophetic vision, Rhapsody races to rescue a religious leader while Achmed and Grunthor seek the F'dor-- an ancient and powerful demon... -
Blood Ties by Lindsay Buroker
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsRecently appointed Crown Agents Jev and Zenia must prove that they're worthy of their new jobs and young King Targyon’s trust. Their mission? To research the strange “disease of the blood” that killed Targyon’s three cousins and left him unexpectedly ruling an entire kingdom at barely twenty years of age. There are just a few problems... -
-
Rise of the Phoenix King by Shari L. Tapscott, Jake Andrews
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe epic conclusion to the Crown and Crest series!After serving Camellia for the last five months, Henrik is prepared to sacrifice his future to remove the people he loves from the princess’s clutches—even if it means he must say goodbye to Clover for good.But Camellia isn’t willing to turn away from her wicked ways... -
Enigma by Lindsay Buroker
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsAfter surviving ancient booby traps, deadly puzzles, and torture-happy imperial marines, cryptanalyst Tikaya Komitopis can’t wait to return home, even if that means explaining to her family how she came to love Fleet Admiral Rias Starcrest, the empire’s most notorious commander and the man responsible for the decimation of her people during the war... -
Sunrunner's Fire by Melanie Rawn
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 33 ratingsIt began with the discovery of the star scroll—the last repository of forgotten spells of sorcery, the only surviving record of the ancient foe who in times past had nearly destroyed the Sunrunners and their magic... -
Mage Strike by R.K. Thorne
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsThe fight for freedom begins.The hard part should have been over. Former slave Miara and Crown Prince Aven have escaped with their freedom and their lives. From kidnapper and captive, they’ve grown into a powerful partnership. And they’ve returned to the mountain fortress of Estun, triumphant, to warn his people of the rising menace just across their border.But escape was only the first step... -
Water Spell (Guardians of the Realm Book 1) by Lizzy Ford
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA water mage and the protector she never wanted. Rare water mage Sela is given no time to mourn the loss of her longtime protector and father figure before she’s faced with the one man standing in the way of her freedom: her new guardian, mage-warrior Tieran. An Inlander with no honor, Tieran is loyal to no man, priest, king or god... -
Dark Horse by Mary H. Herbert
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAfter her entire clan was massacred, a young woman assumes her brother's identity and becomes a warrior - all to exact revenge upon the chieftain who ordered her family slain. But the chieftain, Lord Medb, has resurrected the forbidden art of sorcery and plans to destroy all who oppose him in this dark ages fantasy world...
Or - use our amazing romance book finder to get recommendations based on your favorite content tropes and themes. Mix and match at will.