the Death Wizard Chronicles Series

Enter the realm . . . Book One, The Death Wizard Chronicles Only a Death-Knower can die. And live again. Only a Death-Knower can return from death. And remember. Only a Death-Knower can tell the world what he's seen. Not all care to listen. For a thousand years, none have rivaled the power of Torg, the Death-Knower wizard, as he ruled his people and kept peace on Triken. Now a new threat has suddenly arisen. The evil sorcerer Invictus is greater even than Torg, and his greed and ambition threaten to engulf the land in eternal darkness. When Invictus imprisons Torg in a horrifying pit bored into the solid rock of a frozen mountain, the fate of Triken hangs in the balance. Torg becomes freedom's final hope, but first he must die to earn the victory. Jim Melvin is the author of the six-book epic fantasy, The Death Wizard Chronicles. He was an award-winning journalist at the St. Petersburg Times for twenty-five years. As a reporter, he specialized in science, nature, health and fitness, and he wrote about everything from childhood drowning to erupting volcanoes. Jim is a student of Eastern philosophy and mindfulness meditation, both of which he weaves extensively into his work. Jim lives in Upstate South Carolina in the foothills of the mountains. He's married and has five daughters. Visit him at www.jim-melvin.com and www.deathwizardchronicle.blogspot.com.

Demented, greedy, and perverse--Invictus will stop at nothing, not even an unspeakable act of sorcery, to merge his sister's power with his. Jim Melvin's acclaimed adult fantasy series, the Death Wizard Chronicles, takes a dark turn into the tormented world of Laylah, a captive sorceress who is subjected to her brother's cruel control. For more than seventy years, the most powerful sorcerer in the world has held his own sister prisoner in a magical tower--forcing her to be his "queen." Even the immense power Laylah draws from moonlight does not give her the strength to free herself . . . until she forms an unlikely alliance with two of the sorcerer's most trusted soldiers as well as an ancient demon with diabolical motives. Laylah's dramatic escape leads her to the one man who might be able to save her--Torg, the Death-Knower wizard. Drawn together by supernatural passion, the pair attempts to outrun Invictus' minions and reach the safety of the White City.

"Many things roam the streets in the darkness, and some are not human. Creatures lurk in the crannies and alleyways, pouncing on their victims with murderous intent. It is not unusual to be awoken from sleep by screams, but most of us just check the latches on the shutters and press our pillows against our ears, hoping the horrors of the night don't find their way into our own bedchambers." Demons roam unchecked as the evil sorcerer, Invictus, tightens his grip on the world . . . Hounded by Invictus' minions, Torg and Laylah escape into the northern wilds of Triken where the wizard, sorceress, and a handful of loyal companions encounter a menagerie of hideous monsters. Even worse, the demon Vedana manipulates their every move from her black realm, wielding her wicked magic like a diabolical chess-master. Against such evil, what hope have they to reach the safety of the White City?

Book 4 of The Death Wizard Chronicles Everyone they love may be doomed. Everything they cherish may be destroyed. There is no turning back. Torg and Laylah's world is in chaos; their life together, in jeopardy. Even a powerful Death Wizard such as Torg may not triumph as three terrible wars are unleashed upon the land. The evil druids of the forest Dhutanga--giant, insect-like monsters--swarm to attack the white horsemen of Jivita. The druids are superior both in strength and numbers, but the forces of good are not without hope. Torg and his Tugars stand by the horsemen's sides. Several hundred leagues to the east, an army of zombies invades Tējo, the great desert. Most of the Tugars have left to aid their allies, and only a few warriors remain to defend the Tugars' homeland against this horrendous assault. The most devastating force of all is led by Mala, the ruined snow giant, who has marched with his massive army of cretins and golden soldiers to assail the black fortress of Nissaya. Triken is on fire. Jim Melvin is the author of the six-book epic fantasy The Death Wizard Chronicles. He was an award-winning journalist at the St. Petersburg Times for twenty-five years. As a reporter, he specialized in science, nature, health and fitness, and he wrote about everything from childhood drowning to erupting volcanoes. Jim is a student of Eastern philosophy and mindfulness meditation, both of which he weaves extensively into his work. Jim lives in Upstate South Carolina in the foothills of the mountains. He is married and has five daughters. . "Melvin shows his literary mastery as he weaves elements of potential and transformation; his tale dances among literal shape shifters and more subtle powers of mind." --Ann Allen, Charlotte Observer "Adult Harry Potter and Eragon fans can get their next fix with Jim Melvin's six-book epic The Death Wizard Chronicles . . . Melvin's imagination and writing equal that of J.K. Rowling, author of the fantastically popular Harry Potter series, and Christopher Paolini, author of Eragon and Eldest. Some of his descriptions--and creatures--even surpass theirs."--The Tampa Tribune "Jim Melvin's Death Wizard Chronicles crackle with non-stop action and serious literary ambition. He has succeeded in creating an entire universe of interlocking characters--and creatures--that will undoubtedly captivate fans of the fantasy genre. It's a hell of a story . . . a hell of a series . . ."--Bob Andelman, author of Will Eisner: A Spirited Life

Invictus, the god-like sorcerer, has finally been defeated. Torg and Laylah are safe . . . or so it seems . . . But now the wizard and sorceress face another daunting challenge. Laylah's unborn child is growing abnormally fast--and he wields power even from her womb. A new horror is about to be born into the world. Are all who live on Triken in terrible danger again? In the climactic conclusion of The Death Wizard Chronicles, Torg and Laylah are forced to fight for their freedom one final time. Jim Melvin is the author of the six-book epic fantasy The Death Wizard Chronicles. He was an award-winning journalist at the St. Petersburg Times for twenty-five years. As a reporter, he specialized in science, nature, health, and fitness, and he wrote about everything from childhood drowning to erupting volcanoes. Jim is a student of Eastern philosophy and mindfulness meditation, both of which he weaves extensively into his work. Jim lives in Upstate South Carolina in the foothills of the mountains. He's married and has five daughters. Visit him at: jim-melvin.com and facebook.com/TheDeathWizardChronicles.

The final battle--and the stakes have never been higher. The long and bitter war is not over yet. One last battle remains, and it will set the Green Plains on fire. Mala's army of monsters has come to challenge what remains of the white horsemen. At stake? Torg's life . . . and Laylah's freedom. But even if the Chain Man and his minions are somehow defeated, an all-powerful being still waits in the wings--Invictus, himself. When the sorcerer finally makes his appearance, will Torg and Laylah's fragile hopes be incinerated?

"Melvin shows his literary mastery as he weaves elements of potential and transformation; his tale dances among literal shape shifters and more subtle powers of mind." --Ann Allen, The Charlotte Observer "Adult Harry Potter and Eragon fans can get their next fix with Jim Melvin's six-book epic The Death Wizard Chronicles . . . Melvin's imagination and writing equal that of J.K. Rowling, author of the fantastically popular Harry Potter series, and Christopher Paolini, author of Eragon and Eldest. Some of his descriptions--and creatures--even surpass theirs." --The Tampa Tribune Before he rose to power, the signs of his evil genius were present. Only a few noticed. Seemingly ordinary parents give birth to a boy with god-like powers--and soon discover that his magic is matched only by his propensity for evil. When the boy's mysterious grandmother appears and takes him away to a distant place, the parents are filled with relief. But the boy named Invictus does not like taking orders from anyone. Very quickly, even his grandmother--a demon in disguise--cannot control him. Eventually, Invictus learns that he has a younger sister, purposely hidden from him--but hidden no longer. And so he returns to his birthplace, obsessed with winning her over . . . no matter what. Jim Melvin is the author of the six-book epic fantasy The Death Wizard Chronicles. He was an award-winning journalist at the St. Petersburg Times for twenty-five years. As a reporter, he specialized in science, nature, health, and fitness, and he wrote about everything from childhood drowning to erupting volcanoes. Jim is a student of Eastern philosophy and mindfulness meditation, both of which he weaves extensively into his work. Jim lives in Upstate South Carolina in the foothills of the mountains. He's married and has five daughters. Visit him at: Jim-Melvin.com and Facebook.com/TheDeathWizardChronicles