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Books and Stories By Marc Van Pelt

Books by Marc Van Pelt                        

Please use the links on this page when buying one of these books as I get commissions along with royalties from some of the vendors.
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Forest Spirit and the Dragon Queen


Journey into the mystical realm of Aguerius Forest, where two worlds collide in an unforgettable tale of friendship, courage, and the enduring magic of nature.

In the enchanting forests of Aguerius, an unexpected friendship between an 8-year-old boy named Almas and an ageless elvish boy, Ulec, blooms amidst secrets and wonders. In this tale you'll meet Almas, a young boy who finds himself lost in the heart of the forest. Unbeknownst to him, danger lurks in the form of a Forest Dragon. It's Ulec, the elvish boy with a unique connection to nature, who comes to his rescue. Their initial meeting sparks an extraordinary bond, changing their lives forever.

From then their meetings in the forest becomes a series joyful encounters filled with playful banter, magical surprises, and leaves that have a mind of their own. But a kingdom's plea and a quest for alliance set the stage for their most challenging adventure yet.

As Almas, Ulec, and the forest's enchanting creatures lead the way, the story unfolds with humor, drama, and the ever-present magic that surrounds them. Together, they must navigate the trials of friendship, face the threat of a Dragon Queen, and bridge the divide between their worlds.

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Lich-El: Lich Lord Wars Book 1 


In the fantasy world of Mundial, an unlikely friendship between the young elf Ulec and human Almas is put to the ultimate test when dark forces of the undead Lich Lords invade. Ulec possesses a deep connection to the ancient forests, while Almas is driven by courage and strategic thinking. But when the Lich Lords kidnap Almas, Ulec must embark on a dangerous quest to save his friend before grim experiments can begin.

As they navigate Mundial's realms, Ulec and Almas encounter powerful allies and deadly foes. The two boys soon realize that only through unity and bravery can they hope to prevail against the gathering darkness. Terrible sacrifices must be made as the fate of the entire world hangs precariously in the balance.

Lich-El is a sweeping fantasy adventure that weaves a richly-imagined world of elves, humans, magic, and ageless evil. With high stakes, dynamic characters, and a stirring exploration of friendship and courage, this enthralling tale will keep readers gripped until the very last page. Bravery, sacrifice, and the enduring power of hope all await in this epic saga.

 
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Escape through the Sacred Forest: Lich Lord Wars Book 2


When hope seems lost, unlikely heroes rise.

In Escape Through the Sacred Forest, Almas Aguerius, a young bard-in-training, and his best friend Ulec, a gifted elvish boy bound to the mysterious powers of the forest, must lead a desperate journey for survival. As the undead armies of the Lich Lords close in, Almas uses the magic of music to inspire courage among the refugees, while Ulec commands the very life of the sacred forest to hold their enemies at bay.

But Ulec is growing weaker, cursed by the Lich Lords’ dark magic, and his time is running out. Together, the two boys face impossible odds as they guide their people through a land of ancient enchantments, where the forest itself is both a sanctuary and a danger. As bonds of friendship and family are tested, Almas and Ulec must uncover hidden strengths and make choices that could change the fate of the world.

With epic battles, vibrant world-building, and heartwarming moments of friendship, Escape Through the Sacred Forest is an unforgettable tale of courage, sacrifice, and the enduring power of hope.

Will Almas and Ulec’s efforts be enough to save their people, or will the forest’s secrets claim them all?



The Necromancer: Lich Lord Wars Book 3


Almas Aguerius thought his life would be spent mastering bardic magic, helping people as a nobleman of the Aguerius Province. But everything changes when the villainous lich lords Tornal and Lich-El set their sights on him.

In the aftermath of a blast meant for his sister, Almas is pulled from the brink of death and reborn - as a necromancer enslaved to the lich lords' control. Now trapped between the realms of life and death, Almas possesses terrifying new abilities to command the undead. Powers he never wanted but may be forced to embrace.

As the lich lords prepare to unleash an undead army to conquer the kingdoms of the living, Almas finds himself caught between the lich lords' dark purposes and his desperate desire to escape their control to protect his family. His only hope may be to defy his makers by fully accepting the necromancer's unholy magic.

Can Almas overcome the lich lords' mental chains to take ownership of his new dark powers? Or will he remain a helpless pawn in their apocalyptic schemes, forced to turn his magic against his loved ones? In this dark fantasy adventure, a boy's fateful choice could spare the world from the lich lords' grasp - or doom it to eternal undeath.

Perfect for fans of grimdark and epic fantasy, The Necromancer is an action-packed tale about confronting the darkest forces within ourselves. Pick up your copy today!



Paladin's Rise: Lich Lord Wars Book 4


"Paladin's Rise: Lich Lord Wars Book 4" is a spellbinding tale of courage, sacrifice, and the enduring strength of family. Almas, Cady, Creetan, Ulec, and their kin embark on a journey of self-discovery, facing formidable adversaries, unearthing hidden truths, and wielding the remarkable magic within them.

In a realm where undead revenants and malevolent Lich Lords threaten the realm, can the Aguerius family unite their unique talents and put an end to the age-old conflict? Will their unwavering bond and newfound abilities be enough to defy the darkness and save their world from ultimate destruction?

This gripping fantasy novel, the fourth installment in the "Lich Lord Wars" series, immerses readers in a richly woven tapestry of magic, courage, and enduring love, as one family battles the forces of darkness to protect their realm and all they hold dear. Prepare to be transported to a world where legend and magic come alive, and heroes are forged in the heat of battle.

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Lich Lord Wars Collection


Collection includes the books, Forest Spirit and the Dragon Queen,  Lich-El, Escape through the Sacred Forest, The Necromancer, and Paladin's Rise. 


Forged in Fire and Shadow

In the wake of the devastating Lich Lord Wars, an era of peace should have dawned. But darkness still lurks in the shadows of the realm.

Forged in Fire and Shadow is the first book in the Yucaipa's War series, a new epic fantasy adventure picking up the storylines of the beloved Aguerius family. When treacherous forces strike at the very heart of the kingdom, Zach - an orphan guard-in-training sworn to protect the Aguerius household - is swept into a conspiracy that will challenge his sarcastic wit and unexpected magical talents alike.

Alongside his best friend Kaiden, an expert archer, and Cady, the daring daughter of a powerful lord, Zach must unravel the secrets behind the attack before the enemy's reach ensnares them all. But with renegade elves, turncoat soldiers, and a new king with questionable motives, their path is fraught with deadly peril.

Aided by a roguish ranger and a mischievous shapeshifting elf, the trio undergoes a trial by fire that will test their skills, their bonds, and their determination to survive. Can they overcome the bloodshed triggering this Royal Betrayal before it's too late?

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Mathen's Flight: Fates Foe Book 1


A World in Decay. A Boy with a Terrible Destiny. A Man Who Must Decide the Future.

In a realm where the land itself is dying, Mathen Cutter, a skilled businessman and reluctant hero, embarks on what should have been a simple journey to secure stone for his factories. Instead, he finds himself entangled in the mysterious and ominous town of Aguares, a place where hope is scarce, and secrets lurk behind every corner.

Mathen’s journey takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Jas, a cunning orphan whose future holds the promise of great destruction—or redemption. Guided by a powerful, ancient artifact known as Seer, Mathen must navigate a dangerous world of corrupt leaders, dying lands, and ancient magic to uncover the truth about Jas and the sinister forces at play.

But when the sacred Aguerius Forest grants them sanctuary, Mathen realizes his fight is far greater than mere survival. The world of Mundial is unraveling, and the choices Mathen makes could shape the fate of not just the boy but all of creation.

Will Mathen save the future or be consumed by it?


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Destiny's Voice: Fate's Foe Book 2


In this next installment of the Fate's Foe series, the adventure continues for Mathen Cutter and his adopted son Jas. Still settling into life together, the pair visit Alix's gadget shop when 11-year old Jas cleverly thwarts a thief with his street smarts. But soon tensions brewing between elves and the Necromian Kingdom put them all in peril. Anti-elf riots break out after attacks on industrial sites falsely blamed on the elves. While trying to make peace, Jas's true identity gets exposed, catching the eye of the slave traders Mathen had rescued him from years ago. Now Jas's life is again at risk from enemies determined to recapture him and leverage his secrets to instigate war. To protect this boy fated for darkness, Mathen and Alix must secretly whisk Jas away. But can Mathen ensure this bright lad chooses a heroic path when ominous signs suggest Jas may yet embrace his shadowed beginnings?


Fate's Forge: Fate's Foe Book 3


Once a wealthy businessman, Mathen Cutter has remade himself as the defiant leader of a refugee caravan. After fleeing the escalating war between the Necromian and Elvish Kingdoms, he has guided his patchwork family toward the prospect of sanctuary in the east. But the greatest test of his leadership still lies ahead.

Pushing across the treacherous Eastern Wastes, Mathen's band faces a harrowing gauntlet of punishing elements, unforgiving terrain, and the perpetual threat of shadowy pursuers determined to bring them down. When a young pickpocket named Remy emerges with a warning of greater evil on their trail, Mathen's courage and his caravan's resilience will be pushed to their limits.

For Jas Cutter, Mathen's headstrong son, the journey has become one of awakening. After rashly sacrificing himself to protect the children, he lays bereaved in the ominous Forest of Death. As Mathen races to Jas's rescue, ancient whispers stir in the injured boy - whispers of a dark power that could unmake the world itself. The shackled god Destiny's ominous words linger: "Yours is the hand that will unmake the world."

In this gripping third book of the Fate's Foe saga, a tale of remaking and coming-of-age unfolds across the refugee trail. As new allies and old adversaries emerge from the shadows, father and son must confront whether their bond can endure against the unraveling of destiny itself. Every sacrifice, every choice, could remake their path to sanctuary...or unmake the world they know.


Fate's Foe Collection 


Collection including the books, Mathen's Flight, Destiny's Voice, and Fate's Forge. 


The Last Refuge: The Port Cutter Chronicles Book 1


In a world on the brink of destruction, one boy's journey will determine the fate of all.

Jaxon's life changes forever when his mother falls gravely ill and his city is attacked by elves. Desperate for help, he meets a ship's doctor who reveals a shocking secret—Jaxon had siblings, given away years ago. The doctor offers them refuge aboard his ship, but this escape is only the beginning of Jaxon's adventure.

Five years later, Jaxon lives with an elvish demigod and trains for battles he doesn't feel are his destiny. When he and his friend Tia are captured in a surprise attack, Jaxon uncovers a connection to his long-lost brother. With ancient gods rising and dark forces at play, Jaxon must confront his fate and rise to the challenge, or risk becoming the instrument of the world's end.

Full of adventure, magic, and heart-pounding battles, this epic middle-grade fantasy will take readers on an unforgettable journey where courage, friendship, and destiny collide.

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Dream Walker: Devil's Peak Chronicles, #1


Welcome to Laysel, a town where the ordinary meets the extraordinary, and the dreams of an 11-year-old boy named Christopher hold the key to a world beyond imagination.

As Christopher navigates the challenges of a new school and search for new friends, a mysterious cat named Jellybean enters their lives, sparking a series of events that will change everything. From magical dream realms inhabited by colossal winged rats to impish preschoolers who are more imp than preschooler, Christopher's journey unfolds with humor, heart, and a touch of the fantastical.

When Christopher discovers his ability to enter the dreams of others, he finds himself entangled in a quest that transcends the boundaries of reality. With the support of his siblings, the friendship of a lively cast of characters, and a few unexpected allies, Christopher learns that the power of dreams can shape destinies and redefine what it means to be a hero.

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Stories from the World of Mundial


Four short stories that take place in the World of Mundial. Stories include dragons, elves, magic, ship battles, and a little time distortion. Also meet again some of my beloved characters from both of my book series.

Contains the Short Stories: Forest Spirit, Time Mage, The Merchant Ship Cree, and Frost Wyrm