Explore Aconyte’s world expanding fiction of 2021 with the opening excerpts from the epic fantasy realms of Descent: Legends of the Dark, undead horrors in Zombicide, the eldritch adventure of Arkham Horror, and space exploration from Terraforming Mars Mask of Silver by Rosemary Jones ­­– A movie director shoots his silent horror masterpiece in eerie Arkham, capturing crawling nightmares instead of moving pictures. Last Resort by Josh Reynolds ­­– Hordes of zombies threaten to wipe out all of mankind in this first action-horror novel set in the exciting (yet horrifying) world of the Zombicide games. In the Shadow of Deimos by Jane Killick ­­– Mars is the new frontier for humanity, as we launch an epic saga of inspiring planetary exploration. Pandemic: Patient Zero by Amanda Bridgeman ­­– The debut of an incredible new novel series that shows just what humanity can achieve when experts work together, to ensure a global pandemic is never allowed to break out again. The Shield of Daqan by David Guymer – Mighty warriors fight to save the realm from blood magic and evil, in this battle-soaked epic fantasy novel. To Chart the Clouds by Evan Dicken – A sneak peek at our first 2022 Legend of the Five Rings title in which border tensions between rival samurai clans escalate into war over a hidden valley.

A brave starship crew are drawn into the schemes of interplanetary powers competing for galactic domination, in this epic space opera from the best-selling strategic boardgame, Twilight Imperium Captain Felix Duval and the crew of the Temerarious quietly patrol a remote Mentak Coalition colony system where nothing ever happens. But when they answer a distress call from a moon under attack, that peaceful existence is torn apart. They rescue a scientist, Thales, who’s developing revolutionary technology to create new wormholes. He just needs a few things to make it fully operational… and now, ordered to aid the scientist, the Temerarious is targeted by two rival black-ops teams intent on reacquiring Thales. Can Felix trust Thales? Or is this a conspiracy to tip the balance of power in the galaxy forever?

Dark incantations expose the minds of Miskatonic University students to supernatural horrors, in this chilling mystery novel of Arkham Horror The mysterious disappearance of a gifted student at Miskatonic University spurs his troubled roommate, Elliot Raslo, into an investigation of his own. But Elliot already struggles against the maddening allure of a ceaseless chant that only he can hear… When Elliot’s search converges with that of a Greenland Inuk’s hunt for a stolen relic, they are left with yet more questions. Could there be a connection between Elliot’s litany and the broken stone stele covered in antediluvian writings that had obsessed his friend? Learning the answers will draw them into the heart of a devilish plot to rebirth an ancient horror.

A mad surrealist’s art threatens to rip open the fabric of reality, in this twisted tale of eldritch horror and conspiracy, from the wildly popular world of Arkham Horror. Aspiring painter Alden Oakes is invited to join a mysterious art commune in Arkham: the New Colony. When celebrated Spanish surrealist Juan Hugo Balthazarr visits the colony, Alden and the other artists quickly fall under his charismatic spell. Balthazarr throws a string of decadent parties for Arkham’s social elite, conjuring arcane illusions which blur the boundaries between nightmare and reality. Only slowly does Alden come to suspect that Balthazarr’s mock rituals are intended to break through those walls and free what lies beyond. Alden must act, but it might already be too late to save himself, let alone Arkham.

Rogue’s frightening new mutant powers keep her at arms-length from the world, but two strangers offer a chance to change her life forever, in this exhilarating Marvel Super Hero adventure Young Rogue’s life is a mess: she’s on her own, working a terrible diner job and hiding from everyone. The powers she has started to develop are terrifying: when your first kiss almost kills the guy, it’s hard to trust anyone – even yourself. Then two people arrive in town who could change her life, and she finally gets a choice: try her luck with the big-haired billionaire who claims to be scouting for gifted interns, or trust the rakish Cajun gambler with the eerie red eyes. But these two aren’t the only ones interested in a mutant just coming into her powers. Rogue will have to master her abilities and decide her own fate – before someone else does.

Explore Aconyte's world expanding fiction ranges with these opening excerpts from the epic fantasy realms of Legend of the Five Rings and Descent: Journeys in the Dark, the eldritch adventure of Arkham Horror, and deep space opera from Twilight Imperium Featuring excerpts from: Wrath of N’kai by Josh Reynolds An international thief of esoteric artifacts stumbles onto a nightmarish cult in 1920s New England, in the first Arkham Horror novel. The Doom of Fallowhearth by Robbie MacNiven Legendary heroes battle the undead and dark sorcery, in the epic world of adventure, Descent: Journeys in the Dark. Curse of Honor by David Annandale The reckless pursuit of honor exposes an empire to demonic invasion, in the realms of Legend of the Five Rings. The Fractured Void by Tim Pratt A brave starship crew are drawn into the schemes of interplanetary powers competing for galactic domination, in the space opera universe of Twilight Imperium. The Last Ritual by S A Sidor A mad surrealist’s art threatens to rip open the fabric of reality, in this twisted tale of Arkham Horror. Poison River by Josh Reynolds A charming slacker aristocrat discovers a talent for detection and a web of conspiracies, in Legend of the Five Rings’ Emerald Empire.

Warring samurai clans fight with swords and magic for the Emperor’s favor with these collected Legend of the Five Rings novellas, including a brand-new novella of the Crane Clan. Ice and Snow by Katrina Ostrander – a surprise attack and courtly machinations challenge the untested heir to the Crane Clan to keep the peace and prove her value to her family. The Sword and the Spirits by Robert Denton III – the champion of the Phoenix Clan must save her lost love from the darkness consuming him, and from the menace of a desecrated shrine. Whispers of Shadow and Steel by Mari Murdock – in the Scorpion City of Lies, the “only honest Scorpion” magistrate is caught between family and finding justice in a murder case. Across the Burning Sands by Daniel Lovat Clark – the future heir to the mighty Unicorn Clan faces duplicity, assassins, betrayal, and even sorcery as he seeks peace with the caliph of al-Zawira.

A stunning return to Arkham Horror when a movie director shoots his silent horror masterpiece in eerie Arkham, capturing crawling nightmares instead of moving pictures, in this chilling novel of creeping dread Hollywood make-up artist and costumier, Jeany Lin, travels to Arkham to work on the new “nightmare movie” by enigmatic director Sydney Fitzmaurice. The star is her sister, Renee Love, Sydney’s collaborator and lover. Desperate to outdo the thrills and terror of Lon Chaney’s popular pictures, Sydney prepares occult-infused dream sequences for Love and her co-stars to perform. But there’s more than mere imagery at play as the cast suffer recurring nightmares, accidents, and impossible waking visions. When events take a sinister turn and people start dying on set, it’s up to Jeany to unmask the monsters before Sydney’s obsessions doom them all.

Three extraordinary supernatural heroes join forces with Ghost Rider to capture Lucifer himself and return him to Hell, in this staggering Super Hero adventure from Marvel: Untold Johnny Blaze, aka the Ghost Rider, has accidentally released Lucifer from Hell, and that’s a serious problem. While hunting the 666 fragments of Lucifer’s soul now loose on Earth, Johnny enlists the aid of witches Jennifer Kale, Satana Hellstrom and Topaz to track down a sliver of the demon which is possessing the body of Jennifer’s cousin, Magda. Lucifer is looking for the Tome of Zhered-Na, aiming to release the demon within its pages and unleash hell upon the world. But the witches are the Tome’s protectors, and they aren’t going down without a fight. Now the witches must work together, trust the Ghost Rider, and put their personal demons aside to stop the King of Hell in his tracks.

Mighty warriors fight to save the realm from blood magic and evil, in this battle-soaked epic fantasy novel, from the hugely popular Descent games The once-glorious Barony of Kell is a ruin of its former self, assailed by banditry and famine; its noble Baron Frederic is caught between saving his people and defending his borders. Yet worse is to come… for a new Darkness is rising. Sadistic warrior-priestess, Ne’Krul, spying an opportunity to wreak bloody vengeance on behalf of her demonic masters, leads her Uthuk warband into a brutal invasion. Kell’s only hope lies in holy warrior, Andira Runehand, and legendary hero, Trenloe the Strong, both drawn to Kell to defeat an alliance of evil unprecedented in Terrinoth. They must not fail.