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A Strange Encounter
by John CleggA forsaken telephone is heard ringing in the woods and the fact our main character decides to answer it, leads to the question, 'What happens next?' He's of a rather nonconformist disposition and relates the ensuing adventure in a self-deprecating, conversational manner, weaving into his account many of the topics that people in Britain have to currently deal with. Some may find certain views contentious, especially regarding recent medical matters, while others could well applaud, that at last, their very same feelings are appearing in print. The fact the two main characters are unequivocally described as male and female, rather than theys or personages, should give hint of a little satire contained within and also prepare the reader for descriptions of a sensual nature. Those wishing for anything more lurid, however, will be disappointed. Despite latest labyrinthine entanglements on the matter, the stance is taken, men and women often have a tendency to think differently to one another, which might enrage the few who relish the chance to take offence, but hopefully the majority will find the feelings described, plus the honest exchanges, realistic and entertaining. Although there is an obvious autobiographical input, the main characters are both composites, as is the location. From a fairly innocuous start, I doubt the reader will guess what conclusion the tale eventually arrives at. I must admit, with the book seeming to write itself, even I was enthralled and I can't really tell you any more at the moment, as I'd be giving the plot away.
Sunbringer (The Fallen Gods Trilogy #2)
by Hannah KanerThe thrilling epic fantasy sequel to No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller, GODKILLER.
Superhero Max: Read It Yourself - Level 2 Developing Reader (Read It Yourself)
by LadybirdWhen dastardly Lady Rob and Ricky Rob set out to rob a bank, ordinary boy Max becomes Swooperman, a soaring, crime-busting superhero! But the baddies hatch a cunning plan to steal his swoop boots. Can Max get them back and save the day?Superhero Max is from Developing Reader Level 2 and is ideal for readers aged from 5+ who can read short, simple sentences with help.Each book has been carefully checked by educational and subject consultants and includes comprehension puzzles, book band information, and tips for helping children with their reading.With five levels to take children from first phonics to fluent reading and a wide range of different stories and topics for every interest, Read It Yourself helps children build their confidence and begin reading for pleasure.
Sword of the War God: an epic historical adventure based on Viking mythology from the author of the Whale Road Chronicles
by Tim HodkinsonTHE EPIC HISTORICAL NOVEL OF THE YEAR - PREORDER NOW!Featuring breathtaking battles, fearsome foes, and vehement vows of vengeance, SWORD OF THE WAR GOD is a thrilling adventure set amongst the blood and tumult of fifth-century Europe, where the dying Roman Empire, the mighty Huns, and heroes from Norse mythology vie for power. In a world of war and ruin, men and gods collide.436 AD. The Burgundars are confident of destroying Rome's legions, for the Empire is weak. Their forces are strong and they have beaten the Romans in battle before. But they are annihilated, their king killed, his people scattered. Their fabled treasure is lost. For Rome has new allies: the Huns, whose taste for bloodshed knows no bounds. Many years later, the Huns, led by the fearsome Attila, have become the deadliest enemies of Rome. Attila seeks the Burgundars' treasure, for it includes the legendary Sword of the War God, said to make the bearer unbeatable.No alliance can defeat Attila by conventional means. With Rome desperate for help, a one-eyed old warlord from distant lands and his strange band of warriors may have the answers... but oaths will be broken and the plains of Europe will run with blood before the end.Drawing on Norse mythology and European history, Sword of the War God is an epic historical adventure perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Joanne Harris, Neil Gaiman and Christian Cameron.Reviews for Tim Hodkinson'Will appeal to fans of Bernard Cornwell, George R. R. Martin, and especially Theodore Brun.' Historical Novel Society'An excellently written page-turner.' Historical Writers Association
The Tainted Cup: an exceptional fantasy mystery with a classic detective duo (The Tainted Cup)
by Robert Jackson BennettA peculiar crime. A brilliant investigator. A mystery of epic proportions.'Part Sherlock Holmes murder mystery, part Through the Looking-Glass, The Tainted Cup is one of the wildest, most original stories I've ever had the privilege to explore' WESLEY CHUIn an opulent mansion at the borders of the Empire, an Imperial officer lies dead - killed when a tree spontaneously erupted from his body. Even here, where contagions abound and the blood of the Leviathans works strange magical changes, it's a death at once terrifying and impossible. Called in to solve the crime is Ana Dolabra, an investigator whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricity. At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol, an engraver, magically altered to possess a perfect memory. Soon, the mystery leads to a scheme that threatens the safety of the Empire itself. For Ana, all this makes for a deliciously thorny puzzle - at last, something to truly hold her attention. And Din? He'll just have to hold on for the ride.An eccentric detective and her long-suffering assistant untangle a web of magic, deceit, and murder in this sparkling fantasy reimagining of the classic crime novel - from the bestselling author of The Founders Trilogy.PRAISE FOR ROBERT JACKSON BENNETT'Engrossing and fascinating' MUR LAFFERTY'A masterstroke. I want Bennett to write a dozen of these, and send them to me yesterday' MAX GLADSTONE'Original, imaginative, and suspenseful' MEG GARDINER'Riveting' AMAL EL-MOHTAR'If you love unique, genre-bending, boundary-pushing fantasy as much as I do, look no further than Robert Jackson Bennett' FONDA LEE
Tales of the Celestial Kingdom
by Sue Lynn TanReturn to the realm of gods and legends, magic and romance.
Tariq and the Drowning City: Book 1 (The Spiritstone Saga)
by Sarwat ChaddaDriven from their home by drought and disease, Tariq and his river tribe travel to the great capital city of Ethrial. But once they arrive, Tariq realises that they are still in grave danger - and time is running out! Tariq is a seer, and he's had a troubling vision of a tidal wave that will drown the whole city. But when Tariq warns of impending disaster, he is banished from the city. The only ones who believe Tariq are Livia, and elf inventor, and Artos, the soldier who arrests him. An ancient legend called The Saga of the Spiritstones might hold the key to preventing a disaster. Can Tariq and his new friends find a long-lost Spiritstone and use its powerful elemental magic to save Ethrial, and the people they love, from complete devastation?
A Tempest of Tea: The must-read YA fantasy of 2024, from the author of TikTok sensation We Hunt the Flame (Blood and Tea)
by Hafsah FaizalFrom Hafsah Faizal, New York Times-bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame, comes A Tempest of Tea – an intoxicating brew of vampires, secrets and romance, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows.'A masterpiece' – Ali Hazelwood, author of The Love Hypothesis.On the streets of White Roaring, Arthie Casimir is a criminal mastermind and collector of secrets. Her prestigious tearoom transforms into an illegal bloodhouse by dark, catering to the vampires feared by society. But when her establishment is threatened, Arthie is forced to strike an unlikely deal with an alluring adversary to save it – and she can't do the job alone.Calling on some of the city's most skilled outcasts, Arthie hatches a plan to infiltrate the dark and glittering vampire society known as the Athereum. But not everyone in her ragtag crew is on her side, and as the truth behind the heist unfolds, Arthie finds herself in the midst of a conspiracy that will threaten the world as she knows it.Dark, action-packed, and swoonworthy, this is Hafsah Faizal better than ever.
The Time They Saved Tomorrow (The Swidgers)
by Steve NallonThe second book in The Swidgers series. He can't lie, he can't harm but he can save lives. After their dramatic escape from the devastating fire at the Old Coach Inn, the Swidger railway tunnel takes William Arthur and Granny on to London for what appears to be a new adventure … or is it? Dark forces that seeks out William Arthur are at play, leading our young hero to doubt his future as a SWIDGER. But then he is given a mysterious red book by an old man with a white beard. William is told to protect it with his life – yet the pages are blank. A sudden catastrophe changes everything and William and Granny must somehow find a way to put the world back to what it was. Could the blank pages of the mystery red book somehow be the key? Only time will tell
The Time Travellers: Adventure Calling (The Time Travellers)
by Sufiya AhmedSuhana, Mia and Ayaan are thrown together on a trip to Parliament, where they are fascinated by all the history that happened there. Little do they suspect that they'll be LIVING that history when they are transported back to 1911! Finding themselves in the middle of a women's suffrage demonstration, they are amazed to see people from all over the world taking part. Suhana wants to explore but Mia and Ayaan are anxious to get back. Then they lose each other… Will they be able to return to the present without changing the course of history forever?
Time Travelling with a Tortoise
by Ross WelfordExciting, funny, heartwarming, and mind-bendingly clever, Time Travelling with a Tortoise is the extraordinary, adventure-packed sequel to Ross Welford’s beloved, bestselling debut, Time Travelling with a Hamster.
Tiny Dogs: Bea’s Secret Friends (Tiny Dogs #1)
by Rose LihouTiny dogs, big adventures!Meet the tiny dogs in this first book from debut author-illustrator Rose Lihou, with full-colour illustrations throughout.Bea and her mum are moving in with her grandparents, which will mean a new school, new friends, and big changes for Bea. . .All Bea can remember about Granny and Grandad's house is their big, beautiful garden with its colourful flowers and secret hide-and-seek spots, but when Bea and her mum arrive, the garden has grown sad and neglected.The wild garden feels like the perfect place for Bea to hide away from all the changes in her life, but when she hears a strange noise in the long grass, she can't quite believe what she finds. . .FOUR TINY DOGS, NO BIGGER THAN MICE!Follow the adventures of Bea and the tiny dogs as they become friends and work together to save the garden!
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods (Gods Beyond the Skies #1)
by Molly X. ChangRed Queen meets These Violent Delights and Iron Widow in an epic anti-colonial YA fantasy from debut author Molly X. Chang. 'A thrilling tale of magic and murder, intrigue and betrayal.' Cassandra Clare'Hauntingly poetic prose' Xiran Jay Zhao'A tender and brutal fantasy that will leave readers breathless and eager for more' Rebecca RossKnown as The Girl Blessed By Death, Ruying wants only to survive, but when her magic is discovered by an enemy prince she must decide if saving her family is worth betraying her country.For as long as Yang Ruying can remember, the empire of Er-Lang has been occupied by Romans, whose advanced science and military make them Gods. But these Gods are not kind. Their only gifts: cruelty, opian, and destruction.When Antony, the second Prince of Rome, uncovers Ruying's power, she becomes what she always feared: the perfect assassin. As tensions mount and rebellion stirs, Ruying can no longer deny that peace is a death sentence for Er-Lang. A death she may not be willing to deliver.
Tomorrow City: Dieselpunk Roleplaying (Osprey Roleplaying)
by Nathan RussellA dieselpunk roleplaying game of action, mystery and mad science!Tomorrow City was one of the cities of the future, built to usher in a new age of prosperity, seizing upon scientific achievements at the dawn of the twentieth century. Then came the War. Radium-powered soldiers assembled, diesel-fuelled nightmares rolled off production lines, city fought city, and the world burned in atomic fire. We survived, barely. Tomorrow City still stands, an oil-stained beacon of hope, part-refuge, part-asylum. Beset by dangers from both within and without, a secret war now rages on its streets. Diesel-born monstrosities stalk the alleyways, air pirates strike from the wastelands, mad scientists continue their dark work, occultists manipulate the city's strange geometry, and secret societies plot in the shadows.Tomorrow City is a roleplaying game of dark science and dieselpunk action. Swift and simple character creation and an easy-to-learn dice pool system places the emphasis on unique personalities and the momentum of the plot. Join the Underground and fight the crime and corruption at the heart of the city. Sell your dieselpunk tech, occult knowledge, and sheer grit as troubleshooters for mysterious paymasters. Hunt down spies, saboteurs, and science-run-amok. As weary sky rangers, fringe scientists, and radium-powered veterans, you might be all that stands between a better tomorrow and no tomorrow at all.
The Trials of Empire (Empire of the Wolf #3)
by Richard SwanThe Trials of Empire is the epic conclusion to the bestselling Empire of the Wolf series, where Sir Konrad Vonvalt - the most powerful and feared of the Emperor's Justices - must finally face the dark powers that seek to detroy the Empire.THE TIME OF JUDGEMENT IS AT HANDThe Empire of the Wolf is on its knees, but there's life in the great beast yet.To save it, Sir Konrad Vonvalt and Helena must look beyond its borders for allies - to the wolfmen of the southern plains, and the pagan clans in the north. But old grievances run deep, and both factions would benefit from the fall of Sova.Even these allies might not be enough. Their enemy, the zealot Bartholomew Claver, wields infernal powers bestowed on him by a mysterious demonic patron. If Vonvalt and Helena are to stand against him, they will need friends on both sides of the mortal plane - but such allegiances carry a heavy price.As the battlelines are drawn in both Sova and the afterlife, the final reckoning draws close. Here, at the beating heart of the Empire, the two-headed wolf will be reborn in a blaze of justice . . . or crushed beneath the shadow of tyranny. Praise for the Empire of the Wolf series'A stunning piece of modern fantasy writing' RJ Barker'Utterly compelling, thoroughly engrossing and written with such skilful assurance I could barely put it down' Nicholas Eames'A fantastic debut' Peter McLean'Equal parts heroic fantasy and murder mystery . . . Richard Swan's sophisticated take on the fantasy genre will leave readers hungry for more' Sebastien de Castell'Great characters, compelling and wonderfully written. A brilliant debut and fantastic start to the series' James Islington'Totally addictive' Novel Notions'A brilliant book, with intrigue, excellent character arcs, a brutal magic system and a story I just could not put down' Grimdark Magazine'An absorbing fantasy murder mystery . . . I have been thoroughly hooked by this series and cannot wait for the next helping of political upheaval' Fantasy Book Critic'Fantasy, mystery, drama, intrigue, action - The Justice of Kings has it all' Bibliosanctum'One of those utterly compelling and believable books that begs to be read in one sitting. This is going to be one of the standouts of the year' British Fantasy Society'Swan's debut is a thrilling epic fantasy with a murder mystery and supernatural twist that will delight fans of Sherlock Holmes. It certainly delighted me' Fantasy Hive'Swan has built a dark and gritty world, filled it with beautifully written characters and lays out a master-crafted story to create an incredible book that you can't put down' FanFiAddictThe Empire of the Wolf trilogyThe Justice of KingsThe Tyranny of FaithThe Trials of Empire
The Troublemakers
by Tamzin MerchantReturn to the spellbinding magical world of the Hatmakers in this sweeping, epic and exciting new adventure on the high seas - perfect for fans of Nevermoor, A Pinch of Magic and Harry Potter.Cordelia Hatmaker has finally united the Maker families and restored the kingdom's trust in Maker magic. But mysterious outbreaks of chaotic magic are beginning to happen across London. And then the unthinkable happens . . . Cordelia is accused of treason.As the guards close in, she must flee London at once. With her father, Prospero, and friends, Sam and Goose, Cordelia sets sail on her family's ship, Little Bear, for the adventure of a lifetime. They're determined to solve the mystery of a missing girl, and to clear Cordelia's name once and for all.But soon they are in the dangerous territory of a band of legendary pirates: the Troublemakers. Is Cordelia a match for the fierce and unstoppable pirate queen?A breathtaking new adventure from bestselling author of The Hatmakers and The Mapmakers, Tamzin Merchant, featuring beautiful illustrations by Paola Escobar.Praise for The Hatmakers'Wildly inventive . . . full of laugh-out-loud humour, enchanting magic and rebellious hope. I loved it' Catherine Doyle'Imaginative' The Times'An utterly charming adventure full of wildness, wit, magic and heart' Anna James'Absolutely wonderful' Emma Carroll'A swashbuckling romp for lovers of history and magic . . . Will appeal to Philip Pullman and Harry Potter fans' Kirkus
Ultima and Worldbuilding in the Computer Role-Playing Game
by Carly A. Kocurek Matthew PayneUltima and World-Building in the Computer Role-Playing Game is the first scholarly book to focus exclusively on the long-running Ultima series of computer role-playing games (RPG) and to assess its lasting impact on the RPG genre and video game industry. Through archival and popular media sources, examinations of fan communities, and the game itself, this book historicizes the games and their authors. By attending to the salient moments and sites of game creation throughout the series’ storied past, authors Carly A. Kocurek and Matthew Thomas Payne detail the creative choices and structural forces that brought Ultima’s celebrated brand of role-playing to fruition. This book first considers the contributions of series founder and lead designer, Richard Garriott, examining how his fame and notoriety as a pioneering computer game auteur shaped Ultima’s reception and paved the way for the evolution of the series. Next, the authors retrace the steps that Garriott took in fusing analog, tabletop role-playing with his self-taught lessons in computer programming. Close textual analyses of Ultima I outline how its gameplay elements offered a foundational framework for subsequent innovations in design and storytelling. Moving beyond the game itself, the authors assess how marketing materials and physical collectibles amplified its immersive hold and how the series’ legions of fans have preserved the series. Game designers, long-time gamers, and fans will enjoy digging into the games’ production history and mechanics while media studies and game scholars will find Ultima and World-Building in the Computer Role-Playing Game a useful extension of inquiry into authorship, media history, and the role of fantasy in computer game design.
The Unicorn Legacy: Tangled Magic
by Kamilla Benko"A sparkling page-turner full of surprising twists, clever girls, and magical wonders!" -Tui Sutherland, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Wings of Fire seriesFrom the creator of The Unicorn Quest series, a wondrous new series set in the magical land of Arden, full of unicorns and mystery!Magic pulses bright in Arden, a world where humans who craft magic have been at war and separated for hundreds of years. Now a new era has dawned, the unicorns have returned, and the prime minister has decreed that apprentices from all four guilds will learn in the newly formed Unicorn Academy. But peace is tenuous: As rumors spread of dark magic and of unicorns disappearing, twelve-year-old apprentice Olivia Hayes is caught between her joy at newfound magical abilities at the academy and proving to everyone that her older sister, Laurel, is NOT a unicorn poacher. She and her friends must untangle the truth and the secrets of the past to spin a stronger future-or else the unicorns of Arden may be lost forever. This sweeping middle grade fantasy is about friendship, choice, and the ties that truly matter.
Voyage of the Damned: Catch the fantasy debut on everyone’s lips, simply put - Magical. Gay. Mystery. Cruise.
by Frances WhiteThe mind-blowing murder mystery debut with magical passengers, epic adventure, and a twist you can’t guess.If Agatha Christie wrote fantasy, this would be it!----------"Agatha Christie with glitter magic.' I’m totally here for it. I hoovered up White’s chunky novel in a day. Both funny and flirty as it deals with issues of class, snobbery and sexuality amongst all the magic and murder. The result is hugely entertaining' Herald-----------For a thousand years, Concordia has maintained peace between its provinces. To mark this incredible feat, the emperor's ship embarks upon a twelve-day voyage to the sacred Goddess's Mountain.Aboard are the twelve heirs of the provinces of Concordia, each graced with a unique and secret magical ability known as a Blessing.All except one: Ganymedes Piscero – class clown, slacker, and all-round disappointment.When a beloved heir is murdered, everyone is a suspect. Stuck at sea and surrounded by powerful people and without a Blessing to protect him , Ganymedes's odds of survival are slim.But as the bodies pile higher, Ganymedes must become the hero he was not born to be. Can he unmask the killer and their secret blessing before this bloody crusade reaches the shores of Concordia?Or will the empire as he knows it fall forever?----------------------------Praise for Voyage of the Damned:'Frances White has crafted a brilliantly clever tale full of heart-warming characters, riveting twists and a gloriously conceived world. A poignant, quirky and utterly delightful read. I felt EVERYTHING while reading Voyage of the Damned' Bea Fitzgerald, bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen'Burned through this in about two days. Absolutely bloody brilliant! Voyage of the Damned is clever and comedic, while also heartfelt and harrowing. I hope readers will come to enjoy Dee's escapades as much as I did' - Sunyi Dean, author of The Book Eaters'An enchanting, bloody delight. Full of magic, laugh-out-loud humor, and so much murder' - Gabi Burton, author of Sing Me To Sleep----------------------------Readers can't stop raving about this book and its chaotic protagonist, Dee . . . Dee Fan Club Testimonials:‘He’d spit in the face of authority and unapologetically flirt with anything that moves’ Reader review‘Ganymedes Piscero, AKA Dee, is my favorite sort of disaster child’ Reader review'He's chubby, anxious, imperfect and 100% relatable—the kind of hero the world could use more of.' Reader review'I would protect him with my life.' Reader review'Ganymedes is an absolute riot. He's hilarious, chaotic, and a total queer underdog that you can't help but root for.' Reader review
Wandering Stars
by Tommy OrangeDiscover the story of a Native American community told through the generations, from the author of the New York Times bestseller There There Following its unforgettable characters through almost two centuries of history, from the horrors of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 to the aftermath of a shooting in the early 21st century, Wandering Stars is an indelible novel of America's war on its own people.It is also the tender, shattering story of many generations of a Native American family, searching for ways through displacement, addiction and pain, towards home and hope.Readers of Orange's classic debut There There will know some of these characters and will be eager to learn what happened to Orvil Red Feather after the Oakland Powwow. New readers will discover a wondrous novel of poetry, music, rage and love, from one of the most astonishing voices of his generation.
The Warm Hands of Ghosts: the sweeping new novel from the international bestselling author
by Katherine ArdenThe sweeping new novel from New York Times bestselling author Katherine Arden.'A wonderful clash of fire and ice ... A book you won't want to let go of.' Diana Gabaldon'A spectacular tour de force ... I love this book so much and want everyone to read it!' Naomi Novik'Darkly beautiful and deeply humane ... The Warm Hands of Ghosts will stir your heart, and settle into your bones.' Ava Reid'Visionary, imaginative and brilliantly written.' Anthony Horowitz‘This exquisite novel took me over like a haunting ... One of the best historical fantasies I've ever read’ Emma Törzs______________World War One, and as shells fall in Flanders, a Canadian nurse searches for her brother believed dead in the trenches despite eerie signs that suggest otherwise in this gripping and powerful historical novel from the bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale.January 1918. Laura Iven has been discharged from her duties as a nurse and sent back to Halifax, Canada, leaving behind a brother still fighting in the trenches of the First World War. Now home, she receives word of Freddie's death in action along with his uniform -but something doesn't quite make sense. Determined to find out more, Laura returns to Belgium as a volunteer at a private hospital. Soon after arriving, she hears whispers about ghosts moving among those still living and a strange inn-keeper whose wine gives soldiers the gift of oblivion. Could this have happened to Freddie - but if so, where is he?November 1917. Freddie Iven awakens after an explosion to find himself trapped under an overturned pillbox with an enemy soldier, a German, each of them badly wounded. Against all odds, the two men form a bond and succeed in clawing their way out. But once in No Man's Land, where can either of them turn where they won't be shot as enemy soldiers or deserters? As the killing continues, they meet a man - a fiddler - who seems to have the power to make the hellscape that surrounds them disappear. But at what price?A novel of breath-taking scope and drama, of compulsive readability, of stunning historical research lightly worn, and of brilliantly drawn characters who will make you laugh and break your heart in a single line, The Warm Hands of Ghosts is a book that will speak to readers directly about the trauma of war and the power of those involved to love, endure and transcend it.______________More love for The Warm Hands of Ghosts . . .'Immersive and timeless, and an ode to the enduring power of memory.’ Vaishnavi Patel'A page-turner of the highest order ... A haunting, fantastic read!’ Helene Wecker'I absolutely devoured it!' Santa Montefiore'Wonderful storytelling. Inventive, haunting and deeply moving.' Sarah Winman'An exquisite, brilliant gem of a story.’ Conn Iggulden'Simply stunning.' Kate Quinn‘Absolutely incredible; I had chills all through reading it.' Shannon Chakraborty'Arden’s gripping historical fantasy will draw readers in and keep them engaged.' Library Journal, starred review'Lyrically beautiful prose, a brave heroine and a story shot through with the darkness of war' Daily Mail
The Weavers of Alamaxa (The Alamaxa Duology #2)
by Hadeer Elsbai'Hadeer Elsbai has written a powerful story of sisterhood, love, and struggle within a rich, vibrant world with complicated characters that leap from the page to smash the patriarchy!' P. Djèlí Clark, author of A Master of Djinn, on The Daughters of IzdiharFollowing up on one of the most exciting fantasy debuts, The Daughters of Izdihar, Hadeer Elsbai concludes her Alamaxa duology, inspired by Egyptian history, with a tale of magic, betrayal and love.Magic is no longer banned in Alamaxa, but across the border the Zirani are readying their cannons. They will stop at nothing to end what they perceive is a threat not only to their way of life, but to the world.But the last time a Weaver fought back, the whole world was shattered.Two incredible women are all that stands before an entire army. But they've stood up to power before, and they won then. This time, though, it's no longer about rhetoric.This time it's about magic and blood. Praise for this series:'A gorgeous, clever feminist fantasy novel rich with magic, politics, hunger and fire. An absolute must-read' Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne 'A wondrously rich fantasy that highlights the true struggle to revolutionize a society. . . a debut not to be missed' Shannon Chakraborty, author of The City of Brass 'Action-packed, magic-filled, and led by two fierce, vividly-rendered women, The Daughters of Izdihar is a compelling and empowering debut' Ava Reid, author of Juniper and Thorn 'A thrilling tale of two women's fight for rights in their patriarchal society, peppered with elemental magic, politics, and a relentless desire for that which is wrongly forbidden.' Andrea Stewart, author of The Bone Shard Daughter 'A powerful fantasy novel filled with clever magic, intriguing politics, and compelling characters who forge a path toward justice, no matter the obstacle' Chelsea Abdullah, author of The Stardust Thief 'An absolutely enthralling tale of two women striving for a better world' Sarah Beth Durst, author of The Queen of Blood 'Magnificent, complex, compelling' Davinia Evans, author of Notorious Sorcerer
What If. . . Loki Was Worthy?: A Loki and Valkyrie Story
by Madeleine RouxLoki and Valkyrie seek redemption in the first adventure of an epic new multiversal series that reimagines the origins of iconic Marvel heroes.So many worlds, so little time. Infinite possibilities, creating infinite realities. Long have I watched the trickster god sow chaos. But...what if Loki saved Asgard from Tony Stark's revenge?Thor - Son of Odin, God of Thunder, wielder of the hammer Mjolnir - is dead. And Loki is responsible.It was only meant to be a joke - tampering with the Destroyer, changing Thor's course to Midgard - a bit of mischief with a chance of maiming. But Loki's harmless prank spiraled out of control, unleashing death and destruction on New York City and the heroes sworn to protect it. The city was saved, but at the cost of Thor's life.Furious and heartbroken, the All-Father banishes Loki to Earth for his crime. Loki finds himself in a realm of boxed wine, instant noodles, and some sort of regional performance troupe known as the "Buffalo Bills." It's a meager existence, far from Asgard's grand courts, but he finds his new friend, Brian the Gecko, a much more engaging companion than the sycophants back home. A true meeting of the minds. Loki is the God of Mischief - but he knows, deep down, that he never truly deserved to stand next to their father's golden child Thor, as two true sons of Odin.Yet, he cannot even endure his exile in peaceful isolation. A Valkyrie - Hel-bent on carrying out her oath to Thor - barges into his trailer-home with his brother's final words from the beyond: a plea to find a certain Dr. Jane Foster and pass on Mjolnir to its rightful heir.While Loki struggles to fulfil his brother's last request, the far-reaching consequences of his fatal prank return to haunt him. Blinded by grief from those he lost in the chaos wrought by Asgard, Iron Man vows revenge on those who consider themselves gods. Determined to protect the Earth from the might of this unpredictable alien power, he forges Asgard's own weaponry into a lethal suit of armor, set on eradicating any tether between their worlds. Consequences be damned. When Asgard looks to Loki for salvation, he must answer the question: Am I truly worthy?
What Monstrous Gods
by Rosamund HodgeA rich and romantic fantasy loosely inspired by the classic Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. Perfect for fans of These Violent Delights and The Shadow Queen.
When Nightmares Come: An Investigative Wargame of Supernatural Horror (Osprey Wargames #33)
by Patrick TodoroffA solo and cooperative skirmish wargame for investigating and battling the supernatural mysteries of the modern world. When Nightmares Come is a tabletop miniatures wargame about modern day monster hunting and occult investigations. Players will form a team of paranormal vigilantes; self-taught occult specialists and monster hunters who call themselves the Nightwatch. These self-appointed members of the 'watch look to tackle the supernatural horrors and investigate the strange disturbances that plague their city. The core of the game, using the Action Dice Pool with its multiple die types, is fast and bloody, with tiered enemies, flexible player classes, quick combat resolution, and straightforward mission objectives. When Nightmares Come also contains a roleplaying element that allows for non-combat challenges and dramatic encounters. This system uses the same dice types as the core game's Action Dice Pool and emphasizes quick resolutions. This narrative system adds a fresh dimension to the core miniatures experience, particularly in longer campaigns where the promise of different foes and new storylines encourages long-term playability.