Books​

My stories and books all fall into the SFF genre, i.e., High Fantasy, Science Fantasy, & Soft Sci-Fi.

New Release

Killer Quill

A Wisteraverse Novella:

Murdered in cold blood and resurrected through forbidden powers, Quill becomes her world’s legendary assassin. She can never part with her eponymous quill. It keeps her alive, heals her wounds, and enables her to transform colors into animate objects doing her bidding. In exchange, the quill feeds on her victims’ souls. When her latest mission sparks the higher power’s wrath, Quill must avenge the death of her people and her own murder. Failure will cost more than just her life.

Content / Trigger Warnings

Amazon Reviews

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Philip Baisley profile picture
Philip Baisley
July 30, 2026
Amazon star 1Amazon star 2Amazon star 3Amazon star 4Amazon star 5Verified
I’ll Never Take Colors for Granted Again Every year, it seems, a thousand new fantasy books are published. Most of them aren’t really new. They’re tales of heroes and dragons rehashing last year’s thousand. Killer Quill breaks the mold. Oh, there are dragons and heroes, or anti-heroes, of course, but there’s much more.For one thing, Killer Quill is filled with current political double entendre. Very subtle, but biting and fun. However, the thing that makes Killer Quill, and Quill the heroin, unique is the use of color. Colors are living creatures in this novel. They move. They act. They kill. Having read Killer Quill, I will never take colors for granted again.Kudos to Dr. Ketzer for producing a great novel. Can’t wait for the sequel, which I hope is in the works.
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Kevin Wood profile picture
Kevin Wood
June 23, 2026
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The Killer Quill is a great read The Killer Quill is a great read. I'm not usually someone who enjoys this type of fantasy genre because they are massive tomes. This novella was a refreshing change from those worn out gargantuan tales.Quill is a formidable and ruthless assassin driven by vengeance and a wish to improve the situation on her planet. The method of her killing is unique and sometimes a little gory and brutal.I also loved the authors ability to create this imaginative world and the explanation of terms used in the story.One other thought occurred to me though. If ever I find myself in a dark ginnell with Quill, I think I would take the safe option and leave immediately.It's a great story and a very worthwhile read.
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leehallwriter
June 6, 2026
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A descriptive and fun tale of one assassin forged in murder and betrayal Killer Quill (cool name) is the namesake and story of one assassin who was basically forged in murder and betrayal. She uses a unique array of colourful powers via a quill to carry out contract killings and even heal herself. Description and imagination are the strength in this page turning fun fantasy tale.The story centres around Quill who is given a mission and an opportunity for vengeance at the highest level. It brings flashbacks and memories of struggle for our unique hero who may be a stealth assassin but also has a human side. There are lots of moments and even choices that go against the grain of the usual traits seen in the genre making it a refreshing entry from Shida Ketza and ultimately an enjoyable swashbuckling adventure of a vengeance seeking assassin taking on the world. There’s action, stylistic world building and plenty of moments I very much enjoyed. I’d happily read more stories based in this universe and especially with this style of writing.‘Hot blood surged in her veins at the prospect of vengeance, spurring her on. She straightened her back and drew her borrowed sword, itching for a proper duel that was long overdue. The sharp tang of smoldering incense and death hung in the air.’
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@kpmaloy profile picture
@kpmaloy
April 6, 2026
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Fast-paced supernatural thrillerFast-paced supernatural thriller I saw this book promoted on social media and was intrigued; after reading I can highly recommend.When I started reading about Quill the author used page one to hook me on the story, and less than a day later I was already at The End.I love the way this author engages my senses and describes action, and the pace keeps your interest tight throughout. I especially like how the author adeptly handles sensitive issues with tact by wielding words with precision.Terrific world building!I would read more books with this character and will definitely look for more works from this author.Read this book 💫
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Linnae profile picture
Linnae
March 31, 2026
Amazon star 1Amazon star 2Amazon star 3Amazon star 4Amazon star 5Verified
Great writing, just needs a little plot clarity I enjoyed the author's writing style and I really liked Quill's powers, especially how color was incorporated. I thought it was cool, too, how different races couldn't see certain colors. I also thought the author handled some of the more sensitive topics well without getting too graphic.My one note where I think the story could be improved upon is the need for clarity concerning the plot. I wasn't sure where the story was headed or what the goal was until a few chapters from the end, so it felt like the story didn't really kick off until that point at the end. And while I enjoyed the flashback scenes, I wasn't sure why they were needed or how they furthered the main plot. I think all the pieces are there and each are well-written—we just need a little something more to help tie the pieces together and give that clarity the whole way through of what the main purpose is and what the MC's over-arching goal/obstacle is. Doing that will clarify what part of the book is the climax and will make the story an even stronger, more-engaging read.Overall, the writing was fun to read, and I would recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy.
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Stuart Bronstein profile picture
Stuart Bronstein
March 27, 2026
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Killer Book If you like fantasy about a very unlikely hero, infused with mystery and intrigue, this is the book for you. We are dropped in the middle of an ongoing event, and we have to discover what is going on, just like the characters in the books do. This is not a book to read quickly - it is so packed with information that, if you're not careful, you can miss a lot. And you don't want to miss a single word.
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Gabriela Nøhr profile picture
Gabriela Nøhr
February 15, 2026
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🫀 I love the dark twist and fantasy of this book 🫀🫀
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Antoine Monks profile picture
Antoine Monks
February 13, 2026
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If you like grimdark, you should check this one out! I feel as though I've glimpsed the tip of an iceberg... or rather a quill.Ketzer created an entirely unique planetoid, several nations inhabited by unique human species and a very original magic system (at least I've never come across anything like it before) and it's clear there are more stories to be set here in the future, but this novella ignores these potentially vast horizons to tell a very intimate story of an assassin that is mostly about trauma and how it shapes our lives even when we think it's lost hold on us.
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Dylan profile picture
Dylan
January 31, 2026
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Fast-paced assassin caper “She craved the racing of her pulse at the kiss of danger, her brush with death, the intoxicating thrill that made her feel alive.”Dr. Shida Ketzer whips up a fast-paced assassin caper with stealth details and a deep backstory. Protagonist Quill is a mercenary assassin who we see work through her career, gathering friends, enemies, and experience (and memories). A flow of action spurs the story along, with many sequences of assassin missions going well - and chaotic. Quick-witted, resourceful, and armed with some sick magic gear, Quill’s artful way of sneaking, and quipping, make up some of my favorite scenes. Overall, I enjoyed Killer Quill’s passionate protagonist and the light but effective world-building the most.
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Drew McDowell profile picture
Drew McDowell
December 7, 2025
Amazon star 1Amazon star 2Amazon star 3Amazon star 4Amazon star 5Verified
Intricate and Intriguing The way the world, politics, and culture all entwined so seamlessly was wonderfully balanced.Quill is a complex character that doesn't bore and doesnt miss the mark.The world building was moved with the story, never pausing it.The layers of culture and politics meshed well and lent a depth to the world around Quill, giving insight into a broader world that Ketzer has created.This will be a world to visit frequently!
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More Books​

More Wisteraverse books are coming soon!

Stories in the Hymber system (Epic, high Fantasy)

Most of my current stories (finished, published, or Work In Progress) are set on a little obscure planet within the vast Wisteraverse universe.

Map of Planet Hymber’s dark hemiellipsoid

Progress on books and stories set on planet Hymber

Killer Quill novella (Colors Eternal, Book 0.5)

100 %

Colors Eternal trilogy, Book 1

100 %

Colors Eternal trilogy, Book 2

35 %

Colors Eternal trilogy, Book 3

17 %

Flames of War — novella

40 %

Of Wars & Scars — short story

100 %

MMTV — novel

20 %

Stories set in the BCN system (Speculative Fiction)

Tom & Kat — novella

40 %

Tom & Kat — short story

100 %

Stories set in the Mandel system (Sci-Fi, Dystopian)

Cyberpunk WIP — novel

25 %

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