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Time Lords and Star Cops: British science fiction television in the 1970s–80s
by Philip BraithwaiteBritish science fiction television of the 1970s and 1980s is full of Machiavellian protagonists and fatalistic endings. It presents a complex world of moral and ethical dilemmas, appropriate to the emerging political landscape of Thatcherite Britain. This book analyses the science fiction series of the period – including Blake’s 7, Doctor Who and Sapphire & Steel – alongside Britain’s transition from social-democracy to neoliberal economics and the premiership of Margaret Thatcher. It examines the abrupt shifts in themes and tone that these series often exhibit compared to their predecessors, highlighting comparisons to the similarly abrupt change in Britain’s political landscape.
Fantastic histories: Medieval fairy narratives and the limits of wonder (Manchester Medieval Literature and Culture)
by Victoria FloodFantastic Histories explores the political and cultural contexts of the entry of fairies to the historical record in twelfth century England, and the subsequent uses of fairy narratives in both insular and continental history and romance. It traces the uses of the fairy as a contested marker of historicity and fictionality in the histories of Gerald of Wales and Walter Map, the continental mirabilia of Gervase of Tilbury, and the fourteenth- and fifteenth-century French Mélusine romances and their early English reception. Working across insular and continental source material, Fantastic Histories explores the practices of history-writing, fiction-making, and the culturally determined boundaries of wonder that defined the limits of medieval history.
Fantastic histories: Medieval fairy narratives and the limits of wonder (Manchester Medieval Literature and Culture)
by Victoria FloodFantastic Histories explores the political and cultural contexts of the entry of fairies to the historical record in twelfth century England, and the subsequent uses of fairy narratives in both insular and continental history and romance. It traces the uses of the fairy as a contested marker of historicity and fictionality in the histories of Gerald of Wales and Walter Map, the continental mirabilia of Gervase of Tilbury, and the fourteenth- and fifteenth-century French Mélusine romances and their early English reception. Working across insular and continental source material, Fantastic Histories explores the practices of history-writing, fiction-making, and the culturally determined boundaries of wonder that defined the limits of medieval history.
The Boy Who Hatched Monsters
by T.C. ShelleySam's life has always been strange. After all, his family have no idea that he's half monster, half fairy.But now he's keeping an even bigger secret. He alone has the power to bring monsters to life! (He's even got a tiny gargoyle hatchling hidden in his sock drawer.) When Queen Maggie finds out, she's delighted. She wants Sam to create her a whole new legion of vile ogres. When he refuses, she vows that she will destroy everything Sam holds dear. And so the stage is set for a final battle, one that will determine not just Sam's future, but that of the whole of monsterkind …The conclusion to T.C. Shelley's magical fantasy trilogy is perfect for fans of Jennifer Bell, Sophie Anderson and Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book.
The Werewolves Who Weren't
by T C ShelleyThe magical follow-up to The Monster Who Wasn't. The second book in this brilliantly rich and strange fantasy series will make us all believe in monsters – be they good, bad or somewhere in between.Sam might be half-monster and half-fairy, but since finding a loving family with the Kavanaghs, his daily life has been all human. And now he's facing one of the greatest human challenges – starting secondary school. But Sam barely has time to worry about the strange stuff teachers say (why do they call it the Great War when it sounds like was anything but great?) before he is thrust back into the world of monsters. Sam's school friends Amira, Hazel and Wilfred reveal that they are shifters: noble twin-souled beings who live half their lives as humans and the other half as dogs. When his new friends are kidnapped one by one, Sam is dragged into an adventure that will force him to confront both halves of his own identity, monster and fairy, if he wants a chance at saving their lives …
The Monster Who Wasn't
by T C ShelleyA brilliantly rich and strange fantasy adventure that will make us all believe in monsters – be they good, bad or somewhere in between.It is a well-known fact that fairies are born from a baby's first laugh. What is not as well documented is how monsters come into being …This is the story of a creature who is both strange and unique. When he hatches down in the vast underground lair where monsters dwell, he looks just like a human boy – much to the disgust of everyone watching. Even the grumpy gargoyles who adopt him and nickname him 'Imp' only want him to steal chocolate for them from the nearby shops. He's a child with feet in both worlds, and he doesn't know where he fits.But little does Imp realise that Thunderguts, king of the ogres, has a great and dangerous destiny in mind for him, and he'll stop at nothing to see it come to pass …
The Redeemed: The West Country Trilogy (The West Country Trilogy)
by Tim PearsA stirring, exquisitely rendered tale of homecoming; the final instalment in Tim Pears's epic West Country TrilogySelected as a book of 2019 by the Guardian, Scotsman and The TimesIt is 1916. The world has gone to war, and young Leo Sercombe, hauling coal aboard the HMS Queen Mary, is a long way from home. The wild, unchanging West Country roads of his boyhood seem very far away from life aboard a battlecruiser, a universe of well-oiled steel, of smoke and spray and sweat, where death seems never more than a heartbeat away. Skimming through those West Country roads on her motorcycle, Lottie Prideaux defies the expectations of her class and sex as she covertly studies to be a vet. But the steady rhythms of Lottie's practice, her comings and goings between her neighbours and their animals, will be blown apart by a violent act of betrayal, and a devastating loss.In a world torn asunder by war, everything dances in flux: how can the old ways life survive, and how can the future be imagined, in the face of such unimaginable change? How can Leo, lost and wandering in the strange and brave new world, ever hope to find his way home? The final instalment in Tim Pears's exquisite West Country Trilogy, The Redeemed is a timeless, stirring and exquisitely wrought story of love, loss and destiny fulfilled, and a bittersweet elegy to a lost world.
A Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses #4)
by Sarah J. MaasWith bits of Buffy, Game Of Thrones and Outlander, this is a glorious series of total joy - StylistSarah J. Maas's sexy, richly imagined Court of Thorns and Roses series continues with the journey of Feyre's fiery sister, NestaNesta Archeron has always been prickly – proud, swift to anger and slow to forgive. And since the war – since being made High Fae against her will – she's struggled to forget the horrors she endured and find a place for herself within the strange and deadly Night Court. The person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred, winged warrior who is there at Nesta's every turn. But her temper isn't the only thing Cassian ignites. And when they are forced to train in battle together, sparks become flame.As the threat of war casts its shadow over them once again, Nesta and Cassian must fight monsters from within and without if they are to stand a chance of halting the enemies of their court. But the ultimate risk will be searching for acceptance – and healing – in each other's arms.
Bone China: A wonderfully atmospheric tale for winter reading
by Laura Purcell'Du Maurier-tastic' GUARDIAN'Deliciously sinister' HEAT 'A clever, creepy read' SUNDAY EXPRESS Consumption has ravaged Louise Pinecroft's family, leaving her and her father alone and heartbroken. But Dr Pinecroft has plans for a revolutionary experiment: convinced that sea air will prove to be the cure his wife and children needed, he arranges to house a group of prisoners suffering from the same disease in the cliffs beneath his new Cornish home. Forty years later, Hester Why arrives at Morvoren House to take up a position as nurse to the now partially paralysed and almost entirely mute Miss Pinecroft. Hester has fled to Cornwall to try and escape her past, but surrounded by superstitious staff enacting bizarre rituals, she soon discovers that her new home may be just as dangerous as her last…
Space Detectives: Cosmic Pet Puzzle (Space Detectives)
by Mark Powers'Immensely, cheerily silly' Guardian'A thunderously good read, so funny and action packed. Children are going to love it!' Serena Patel, author of ANISHA, ACCIDENTAL DETECTIVEGrown an extra head and don't know why? Pocket money stolen by a green blob? Lost your peculiar pet? You need the Space Detectives! What seems like a simple case of a missing pet soon has the Space Detectives completely bamboozled! This is no ordinary pet – it's a synthpet, where owners mix in different animals to make a totally unique one-of-a-kind pet. The missing pet has the body and legs of a cat, a duck's bill, long rabbit-like ears and the scaly tail of a crocodile. A creature like that should be easy to spot, right? Not on Starville, the universe's biggest space station where every inhabitant looks different – it's like looking for a star in a galaxy. Where should our heroes Connor and Ethan even begin? Another out-of-this-world adventure awaits!
Space Detectives: Extra Weird Creatures
by Mark Powers'Immensely, cheerily silly' Guardian'A thunderously good read, so funny and action packed. Children are going to love it!' Serena Patel, author of ANISHA, ACCIDENTAL DETECTIVEGrown an extra head and don't know why? You need the Space Detectives!Connor and Ethan are bamboozled when Starville, the space station where they live, is overrun with cosmic chaos! Boys have two heads, dogs have three tails and even aliens who normally have six arms are growing extra ones! What is going on? Can Connor and Ethan get to the bottom of this intergalactic mystery? Featuring: a piano-playing pig, zooming hover-scooters and astronomically scrumptious Snorgleberry tarts
The Princess Who Flew with Dragons
by Stephanie BurgisSofia is the other princess. Not the crown princess – that's her perfect big sister, Katrin. Sofia is the princess who always says the wrong thing; who hates going to parties; who doesn't like people; who just wants to sit and read her books. So when Sofia is shipped off on a stomach-churning dragon flight to make another royal visit, she decides it's time for this princess to take a little break. In disguise, Sofia soon finds herself discovering a magical city of learning, new friends and freedom. In short, everything is going wonderfully … right up until it goes horribly wrong. And that's before the ice giants show up.From the author of The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart comes a magical third adventure about acceptance, family and friendship, perfect for fans of Cressida Cowell and Cornelia Funke
The Farm: A Novel
by Joanne RamosWhat would you sacrifice for a new life? 'A firecracker of a novel, at once caustic and tender, page-turning and thought-provoking. Highly recommended' Madeline Miller'Ramos's debut novel couldn't be more relevant or timely' O: The Oprah Magazine, '25 Books We Can't Wait to Read in 2019''Exploring everything from white privilege to surrogacy, The Farm is set to be one of the biggest books for 2019' Stylist, 'Books you need to add to your 2019 reading list''An unsettling, unputdownable read' ELLE, 'Ones To Watch: The New Writers We're Excited To Read In 2019''Wow, Joanne Ramos has written the page-turner about immigrants chasing what's left of the American dream ... Truly unforgettable' Gary ShteyngartAmbitious businesswoman Mae Yu runs Golden Oaks - a luxury retreat transforming the fertility industry - where women get the very best of everything, so long as they play by the rules.Jane is a young immigrant in search of a better future. Stuck living in a cramped dorm with her baby daughter and her shrewd aunt Ate, she sees an unmissable chance to change her life. But at what cost?A brilliant, darkly funny novel that explores the role of luck and merit, class, ambition and sacrifice, The Farm is an unforgettable story about how we live and who truly holds power.
MONSTER! HUNGRY! PHONE!
by Sean TaylorMonster is HUNGRY. He wants PIZZA. And he's got a PHONE!But uh oh . . . who is he going to call? Hold the line – Monster is in for a wild ride! WARNING: This book may make you laugh your socks off!A hilarious picture book that's perfect for anyone who's ever REALLY wanted PIZZA. With bold, bright illustrations by the talented Fred Benaglia, it's an unmissable treat, and perfect for fans of Oi Frog!
MONSTER! THIRSTY! DRINK!
by Sean TaylorIt's a VERY hot day. Monster is THIRSTY. He wants a drink!But UH-OH! Where is he going to find one? Hold on tight – Monster is in for another wild ride! This laugh-out-loud picture book is perfect for anyone who's ever wanted a long, cool drink on a long, hot day. With bold, bright illustrations by the talented Fred Benaglia, it's a hilarious picture-book treat and ideal for fans of Oi! Frog.
Threshold
by Rob DoyleRob has spent most of his confusing adult life wandering, writing, and imbibing literature and narcotics in equally vast doses. Now, stranded between reckless youth and middle age, between exaltation and despair, his travels have acquired a de facto purpose: the immemorial quest for transcendent meaning. On a lurid pilgrimage for cheap thrills and universal truth, Doyle's narrator takes us from the menacing peripheries of Paris to the drug-fuelled clubland of Berlin, from art festivals to sun-kissed islands, through metaphysical awakenings in Asia and the brink of destruction in Europe, into the shattering revelations brought on by the psychedelic DMT. A dazzling, intimate, and profound celebration of art and ageing, sex and desire, the limits of thought and the extremes of sensation, Threshold confirms Doyle as one of the most original writers in contemporary literature.
Apeirogon
by Colum McCann'Nothing like any book you've ever read' MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM'A quite extraordinary novel. Colum McCann has found the form and voice to tell the most complex of stories, with an unexpected friendship between two men at its powerfully beating heart' KAMILA SHAMSIE Rami Elhanan and Bassam Aramin live near one another – yet they exist worlds apart. Rami is Israeli. Bassam is Palestinian. Rami's license plate is yellow. Bassam's license plate is green. It takes Rami fifteen minutes to drive to the West Bank. The same journey for Bassam takes an hour and a half. Both men have lost their daughters. Rami's thirteen-year-old girl Smadar was killed by a suicide bomber while out shopping with her friends. Bassam's ten-year-old daughter Abir was shot and killed by a member ofthe border police outside her school. There was a candy bracelet in her pocket she hadn't had time to eat yet. The men become the best of friends. In this epic novel – named for a shape with a countably infinite number of sides – Colum McCann crosses centuries and continents, stitching time, art, history, nature and politics into a tapestry of friendship, love, loss and belonging. Musical, muscular, delicate and soaring, it is a book for our times from a writer at the height of his powers.
The Storm Keepers' Battle: Storm Keeper Trilogy 3 (The Storm Keeper Trilogy)
by Catherine DoyleFionn Boyle, Storm Keeper of Arranmore, is facing the fight of his life. The terrifying all- powerful sorceress Morrigan has been raised from the dead and has sealed off the island from all help. Fionn is the only thing that stands between her and a dark future. He's got to find a way to defeat her. But there are some terrible choices in store for Fionn as the dark sorcerer begins to take his nearest and dearest for her own. With only two candles left to burn, will Fionn master his powers in time to stop her?
The Lost Girl King
by Catherine Doyle'The Lost Girl King echoes Lord of the Rings and Narnia, whilst being original and fresh. It's sure to become a classic of its own' - Aisha Bushby, author of A Pocketful of Stars'A glorious gulp of a summer adventure' - Piers Torday, author of The Lost Wild'Nobody writes peril, wit and wonder as well as Catherine Doyle … a modern Diana Wynne Jones' - Dave Rudden, author of Irish Children's Book of the Year, Knights of the Borrowed Dark**********Amy and Liam Bell have been packed off to stay at Gran's house in the wilds of Connemara for the summer. Out for a walk on the first morning of their holiday, they trace the flight of a hawk to a nearby waterfall – only to watch the bird disappear through it. Intrigued, the children follow and soon realise they've discovered the entrance to Tír na nÓg, the legendary land of eternal youth.But they've been tricked. Almost immediately Liam is captured by a troop of headless horsemen who take him to Tarlock, the ruling sorcerer of Tír na nÓg, who is seeking the bones of a human child for a sinister new spell.Packed with edge-of-your seat adventure, incredible imagination, humour and warmth, The Lost Girl King is the rare kind of story that has you reading long past lights out.
The Dawn Chorus: A Bone Season novella
by Samantha ShannonAn ebook exclusive which bridges the story between the previous and forthcoming instalments of Samantha Shannon's international phenomenon series The Bone Season Paige Mahoney and Arcturus Mesarthim have arrived in the Scion Citadel of Paris. Exhausted by her efforts against Scion, Paige has no choice but to remain in hiding, away from the revolution she started, so she can heal and come to terms with her mental and physical scars. In the confines of a safe house, Arcturus and Paige begin to reconnect after following separate paths for weeks. As they wait for contact from the mysterious Domino Programme – an espionage network operating in Scion – their present begins to mirror their past.
The Last Good Man
by Thomas McMullan'A Scarlet Letter for our times' MARGARET ATWOOD'An extraordinary and disquieting work of imagination, and as original as any novel I've read in recent memory' ROB DOYLEDuncan Peck has travelled alone to Dartmoor in search of his cousin. He has come from the city, where the fires are always burning.In his cousin's village, Peck finds a place with tea rooms and barley fields, a church and a schoolhouse. Out here, the people live an honest life – and if there's any trouble, they have a way to settle it. They sit in the shadow of a vast wall, inscribed with strange messages. Anyone can write on the wall, anonymously, about their neighbours, about any wrongdoing that might hurt the community. Then comes the reckoning. The stranger from the city causes a stir. He has not been there long before the village wakes up to the most unspeakable accusation; sentences daubed on the wall that will detonate the darkest of secrets. A troubling, uncanny book about fear and atonement, responsibility and justice, and the violence of writing in public spaces, The Last Good Man dares to ask: what hope can we place in words once extinction is in the air?
Pan's Labyrinth: The Labyrinth of the Faun
by Guillermo del Toro Cornelia FunkeThis enthralling novel, inspired by the 2006 film, illustrates that fantasy is the sharpest tool to explore the terrors and miracles of the human heartYou shouldn't come in here. You could get lost. It has happened before. I'll tell you the story one day, if you want to hear it. In fairy tales, there are men and there are wolves, there are beasts and dead parents, there are girls and forests. Ofelia knows all this, like any young woman with a head full of stories. And she sees right away what the Capitán is, in his immaculate uniform, boots and gloves, smiling: a wolf.But nothing can prepare her for the fevered reality of the Capitán's eerie house, in the midst of a dense forest which conceals many things: half-remembered stories of lost babies; renegade resistance fighters hiding from the army; a labyrinth; beasts and fairies.There is no one to keep Ofelia safe as the labyrinth beckons her into her own story, where the monstrous and the human are inextricable, where myths pulse with living blood ...
Princess Snowbelle and the Snow Games
by Libby FrostFar away in the glistening land of Frostovia, Snowbelle and her brothers are preparing for the Snow Games contest. Snowbelle's best friend, Sparkleshine, and her brothers are competing too. As the first race starts, competition is fierce, but when Snowbelle and Sparkleshine's horse race goes awry, Sparkleshine learns that winning is not the most important thing.An uplifting and charming tale of teamwork and friendship in a winter wonderland. This eBook comes with a glorious audio accompaniment read by CBeebies star Justin Fletcher, complete with rich sound effects and sparkling wintery music!
The TinyWing Fairies
by Suzanne BartonAlways on the lookout for mysteries to solve, and finding new adventures around every corner, the TinyWing Fairies are quite the team! Join Pippin, Marthy, Tiffin and Little Ess as they head out into the frosty night to investigate the source of a strange noise that is keeping the fairies from sleeping. Whatever can it be?With snowy, atmospheric backdrops and illustrations full of pretty patterns and textures, this warm and reassuring story about night-time noises is the perfect comfort for wakeful little ones. There's not a frilly pink outfit to be seen! This eBook comes with a glorious audio accompaniment read by CBeebies star Justin Fletcher, complete with rich sound effects and magical wintery music!
I Went Trick-or-Treating
by Paul HowardI went trick-or-treating and I scared... a naughty, warty toad, a sliding, gliding ghost, a howling, growling wolf and some super silly skeletons...When a brother and sister go trick-or-treating, they compete to see who can scare the creepiest creatures. As they try to remember each hair-raising encounter, everything escalates – until they get the biggest fright of all! A new take on an old favourite, children will love this laugh-out-loud, test-your-memory story, with ghosts, skeletons, a spooky pirate ship and much, much more! From the illustrator of the bestselling The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark, this is a hilarious follow-up to I Went to the Supermarket and I Went to See Santa. This eBook comes with a glorious audio accompaniment read by CBeebies star Justin Fletcher, complete with spooky Halloween sound effects.