City of Illusions

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Fred Saberhagen

A blend of science fiction and fantasy, the Book of Swords series describes twelve magically swords forged with specific enhancements, and sometimes serious detracting abilities granted to the one who wields them. The stories are generally well written with plenty of plot twists and conflicts for the protagonist to overcome. If you enjoy a good quest, or a trip down fantasy lane, you may be interested in this book and the remaining series. See the [Wikipedia entry][1] for further details on the series. [1]:

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John Robert Marlow

"Mitchell Swain is the richest man in the world, until he announces the "ultimate technological breakthrough." The world stops for the press conference--and sees him assassinated. No one knows what he was going to say. Almost no one. Jennifer Rayne intends to find out. A leading journalist covering high-tech, she was scheduled to interview Swain after the press conference. Instead, she investigates his murder. What she finds is a scientist to whom Swain has funneled billions, a desperate U.S. government following the same clues, and a bizarre technology that promises invincibility, immortality, and the ability to destroy any enemy--or the earth itself. Mankind has entered the final arms race. It will last two days"--Publisher's description.

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Devon Monk

"Magic is Allison Beckstrom's blessing and curse. As a Hound, she uses her gifts to track down practitioners who abuse their power, and then stops them from inflicting harm on unsuspecting innocents. Unfortunately her spells have taken a toll on her, physically marking her and erasing her memories--including those of the man she supposedly loves. But lost memories aren't the only things preying on Allie's thoughts. Her late father, the prominent businessman--and sorcerer--Daniel Beckstrom, has somehow channeled himself into her mind. With the help of the Authority, a secret organization of magic users, she hopes to gain better control over her own abilities--and find a way to deal with her father...."--p. [4] of cover.

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Patricia Ward

"Every year when the deep cold of winter sets in, unbeknownst to humanity, dangerous visitors arrive from another world. Disguised as humans, the Nafikh move among us in secret, hungry for tastes of this existence. Their fickle, often-violent needs must be accommodated at all times, and the price of keeping them satisfied is paid most heavily by servs. Created by the Nafikh to attend their every whim, servs are physically indistinguishable from humans but for the Source, the painful, white-hot energy that both animates and enslaves them....Lucy is a serv who arrived as a baby and by chance was adopted by humans. She's an outcast among outcasts, struggling to find a place where she truly belongs....But when the body of a serv child turns up and Lucy is implicated in the gruesome death, the worlds she's tried so hard to keep separate collide. Hounded by the police, turned upon by the servs who once held her dear, she must protect her family and the life she's made for herself." --