Adventure / action fiction

Book SynopsisBOOK 5 IN THE EPIC HISTORICAL SAGA OF THE COURTNEY FAMILY, FROM INTERNATIONAL SENSATION WILBUR SMITH'Smith will take you on an exciting, taut and thrilling journey you will never forget' - Sun'With Wilbur Smith the action is never further than the turn of a page' - Independent'No one does adventure quite like Smith' - Daily MirrorA POWERFUL FAMILY. A DEVASTATING WAR. Centaine de Thiry Courtney has not only survived the many challenges of her life but has thrived. A successful businesswoman with two sons: Shasa Courtney, the Courtney heir, and Manfred de la Rey, Shasa's half-brother, her secret child raised solely by his father. But as the Great Depression takes hold, Centaine must make difficult decisions to ensure the security of her family - decisions that will affect Manfred and his father, Lothar de la Rey, a man Centaine once loved. But the world is changing, and conflicts greater than any the world has seen before are looming. Centaine and her children must face the upcoming war - and not all of them will be on the same side . . . A Courtney Series adventure - Book 2 in The Burning Shore sequenceThe Power of the Sword is the shocking second novel in The Burning Shore sequence of the Courtney family saga by Wilbur Smith, one of the best and most beloved authors of the century. Book 6 in the Courtney family series, Rage, is available now.

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Book SynopsisGogmagog tells the story of an epic journey through the sixty-mile long ghost of a dragon. We travel by boat, a rickety steam launch captained by Cady Meade, a veteran taxi pilot on the river Nysis. In her heyday she carried people and goods from the thriving seaports of the estuary into Ludwich, the capital city. But that was years ago. Now she’s drunk, holed up in a rundown seaside resort, telling her bawdy tales for shots of rum. All that’s about to change, when two strangers seek her out, asking for transport, one of whom – a young girl – is very ill, and in great danger. The other, an artificial being of singular character, has secrets hidden inside his crystal skull. And so begins the voyage of the Juniper. The Nysis is unlike any other river. Mysteries unfold with each port of call. Not many can navigate these channels, not many know of its whirlpools and sandbanks, and of the ravenous creatures that lurk beneath the surface. Cady used to have the necessary knowledge, and the powers of spectral navigation. But her glory days are well behind her now. This might well be her final journey.Trade Review"Marvellous stuff: a great flowing river of a novel, endlessly inventive, gorgeously written, pungent and haunting and gripping. This is the kind of world that, in all its strangeness, feels very real: you inhabit it rather than read about it. The dragon Faynr: chef's kiss! Can't wait for the next volume." – Adam Roberts, BSFA award-winning author of Jack Glass

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Book SynopsisTHRILLERS THAT RACE FROM THE VERY FIRST PAGE . . . 'Felix Francis' novels gallop along splendidly' Jilly Cooper ‘From winning post to top of the bestseller lists’ Sunday Times Miles Pussett is a former steeplechase jockey. Now he gets his adrenaline rush from riding down the Cresta Run, a three-quarter-mile Swiss ice chute, head first, reaching speeds of up to eighty miles per hour.   Finding himself in St Moritz during the same weekend as White Turf, when high-class horseracing takes place on the frozen lake, he gets talked into helping out with the horses. It is against his better judgement. Seven years before, Miles left horseracing behind and swore he would never return.  When he discovers something suspicious is going on in the races, something that may have a profound impact on his future life, Miles begins a search for answers. But someone is adama

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Book SynopsisThe Lady in the Van meets The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry in this uplifting, funny and moving debut novel about a 79-year-old hoarder who is convinced the world is against her.79-year-old Gloria Frensham is a hoarder. She lives amongst piles of magazines, cardboard boxes and endless knick-knacks that are stacked into every room of her home, and teeter in piles along the landing and up the stairs.She hasn't left the house in years, but when a sudden smell of burning signifies real danger, she is forced to make a sudden departure and leave behind her beloved possessions.Determined she's not ready for a care home, Gloria sets out to discover what life still has to offer her. It's time to navigate the outside world on her own, one step at a time, with just one very small suitcase in towHeart-warming and poignant in equal measure, this is a story about the loneliness of life, the struggles of growing old, the power of kindness, and the bravery it takes to leave our comfort zones.** PrTrade Review ** Praise from NetGalley reviewers ** ‘It is a feel good hug of a book with wonderful relatable characters and a storyline that will make you smile from ear to ear. Absolutely delightful.’ ‘I loved this book. It’s an easy read, and the characters are relatable, but the message – essentially carpe diem – is deep. Highly recommended.’ ‘Such a beautifully written novel’ ‘If you enjoyed reading A Man Called Ove and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, you will definitely like this book. It touches on a huge spectrum of topics, not just focusing on what you would imagine by its title.’ ‘An endearing "coming out of hibernation" story – as opposed to a coming-of-age story!’ ‘I grew to love the characters like they were real people and I’ll miss reading about them.’

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Book SynopsisWith factions on board, and multiple enemies to contend with, only the most careful navigation will save them.As he sails away from Port Jackson, Captain Jack Aubrey feels nothing but relief at leaving the penal colony and its inhabitants far behind. But, unknown to him, hidden among his crew is one Clarissa Oakes. With Britain at war on two fronts, with both America and France, Aubrey's orders are to make for the Sandwich Islands and intervene in the conflict there.How much trouble can one woman cause?One moment you laugh out loud at comedy rooted in character, and the next, storming adventure or danger grips you by the throat . . . good writing allied to must-read-on storytelling.'SHAUN USHER, Daily MailThank God for Patrick O'Brian. His genius illuminates the literature of the English language, and lightens the lives of those who read him.'KEVIN MYERS, Irish TimesTrade Review‘If O’Brian’s novels have become a cult, this is because they are truly addictive. . . They are, quite magnificently, adventure yarns whose superb authenticity never distracts from the sheer thrill of the action.’Caroline Moore, Sunday Telegraph ‘The Aubrey–Maturin novels, by Patrick O’Brian, are so addictive that after I finish one I have to hide the next from myself for a little while in order to do anything else but read.’Louise Erdrich ‘In Aubrey and Maturin, Patrick O’Brian has created two of the most enjoyable characters in twentieth-century fiction. Their relationship sustains an absorbing and thrilling sequence of naval stories, unrivalled in their complexity, full of impeccable detail and psychological insight. O’Brian switches from the intimate to the epic with equal assurance. One of the greatest authors to sail with.’Michael Palin ‘My hero is Patrick O’Brian. It’s basically impossible to write that well.’David Mamet ‘One of the most compelling and brilliant novelists of his time . . . Beyond his superbly elegant writing, wit and originality, Patrick O’Brian showed an understanding of the nature of a floating world at the mercy of the wind and the sea which has never been surpassed.’Max Hastings, Evening Standard ‘I devoured Patrick O’Brian’s twenty-volume masterpiece as if it had been so many tots of Jamaica grog.’Christopher Hitchens ‘Written with most engaging enthusiasm that can’t fail to give pleasure to anybody who enjoys historical adventure flavoured with more than a dash of realism.’The Sunday Times ‘One of the most brilliantly sustained pieces of historical fictional writing this century.’James Teacher, Spectator ‘Patrick O’Brian brings depth to his sea-stories with outstanding dialogue, characterisation, humour and a golden thread of romance. You don’t have to love books about naval battles to become entranced.’Katie Fforde

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Book SynopsisHelp Zog as he tries his hardest to win a golden star!Put Zog through his paces in this gorgeously interactivefinger puppet book based on Zog by superstar creatorsJulia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

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Book Synopsis The first book in #1 New York Times bestselling author Tamora Pierce’s award-winning Song of the Lioness quartet, adapted into a gorgeous, full-color graphic novel In Song of the Lioness, Book 1: Alanna, the first of four volumes adapting #1 New York Times bestseller Tamora Pierce’s Song of the Lioness quartet, we meet Alanna of Trebond, a young noblewoman from the kingdom of Tortall. However, Alanna isn’t like other girls from noble families—what she really wants is to become a knight and earn her shield, something women definitely aren’t allowed to do. But Alanna will not be deterred, and she arrives in the capital disguised as a boy to begin training as a page, the first step toward becoming a knight. Despite the tough conditions and grueling work, Alanna’s skills and stubbornness win her friends amongst the nobility and the denizens of the lower city. But not everyone wishes h

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Book SynopsisThrown out of the navy for a crime he did not commit, Jack Aubrey has lost everything he held most dear.In command of his beloved Surprise, but in a civilian capacity, Jack Aubrey must navigate a world apart from anything he has previously known, his friend Stephen Maturin at his side. Together they embark on a voyage which, if successful, might just restore Aubrey to the rank, and the raison d''etre, whose loss he so much regrets.Fate is fickle and few people can ever truly be trusted, but has Jack Aubrey's luck run out?Patrick O'Brian is unquestionably the Homer of the Napoleonic wars.'JAMES HAMILTON-PATERSONMy hero is Patrick O'Brian. It's basically impossible to write that well.'DAVID MAMETTrade Review‘If O’Brian’s novels have become a cult, this is because they are truly addictive. . . They are, quite magnificently, adventure yarns whose superb authenticity never distracts from the sheer thrill of the action.’Caroline Moore, Sunday Telegraph ‘The Aubrey–Maturin novels, by Patrick O’Brian, are so addictive that after I finish one I have to hide the next from myself for a little while in order to do anything else but read.’Louise Erdrich ‘In Aubrey and Maturin, Patrick O’Brian has created two of the most enjoyable characters in twentieth-century fiction. Their relationship sustains an absorbing and thrilling sequence of naval stories, unrivalled in their complexity, full of impeccable detail and psychological insight. O’Brian switches from the intimate to the epic with equal assurance. One of the greatest authors to sail with.’Michael Palin ‘One of the most compelling and brilliant novelists of his time . . . Beyond his superbly elegant writing, wit and originality, Patrick O’Brian showed an understanding of the nature of a floating world at the mercy of the wind and the sea which has never been surpassed.’Max Hastings, Evening Standard ‘I devoured Patrick O’Brian’s twenty-volume masterpiece as if it had been so many tots of Jamaica grog.’Christopher Hitchens ‘Written with most engaging enthusiasm that can’t fail to give pleasure to anybody who enjoys historical adventure flavoured with more than a dash of realism.’The Sunday Times ‘One of the most brilliantly sustained pieces of historical fictional writing this century.’James Teacher, Spectator ‘Patrick O’Brian brings depth to his sea-stories with outstanding dialogue, characterisation, humour and a golden thread of romance. You don’t have to love books about naval battles to become entranced.’Katie Fforde

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Book SynopsisIt's world history. But not as we know it.c.1000AD: Erik the Red's daughter heads south from Greenland1492: Columbus does not discover America1531: the Incas invade EuropeFreydis is the leader of a band of Viking warriors who get as far as Panama. Nobody knows what became of them. Five hundred years later, Christopher Columbus is sailing for the Americas, dreaming of gold and conquest. Even when captured, his faith in his mission is unshaken. Thirty years after that, Atahualpa, the last Inca emperor, arrives in a Europe ready for revolution. Fortunately, he has a recent guidebook to acquiring power - Machiavelli's The Prince. So, the stage is set for a Europe ruled by Incas and, when the Aztecs arrive on the scene, for a great war that will change history forever.'Binet's best book yet: the work of a major writer just hitting his stride. A delightful counterfactual novel' ***** - Daily TelegraphTrade ReviewGlorious, funny and profound * Daily Telegraph *A wild romp of a book that turns history on its head * Guardian *A bold and thrilling experiment in counter-factual history from a masterful storyteller * Financial Times *Characteristically ambitious, brilliant...Combining all the pleasure of a period romp with vital questions about our shared origin stories...a triumph * i *A propulsive 'counter-factual' romp...both dizzying and fun -- Claire Allfree * Metro, *Summer Reads of 2021* *

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Book SynopsisMikami's middle age hasn't gone as he planned: He never found a girlfriend, he got stuck in a dead-end job, and he was stabbed to death in the street at 37. So when he wakes up in a new world straight out of a fantasy RPG, he's disappointed but not exactly surprised to find that he's facing down a dragon, not as a knight or a wizard but as a blind, boneless slime demon. But there are chances for even a slime to become a hero...

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Book SynopsisDawsyn's fight to save the people of the Ledge is far from over in this thrilling and highly anticipated sequel to the bestselling, Ledge --- Dawsyn's miraculous escape from the Ledge was just the beginning. In the queens' dungeon, Dawsyn awaits her execution while reliving the death of her lover, Ryon. There is no hope for mercy. But hope finds her in the form of rescue by her village friends. On the run and struggling to tame her newly-gained and greatly unstable powers, Dawsyn's journey continues. As she ascends the perilous mountain slopes once again to the Glacian kingdom in a desperate attempt to save those remaining on the Ledge, she discovers a new evil awaiting her. With a contingent of hundreds, she must lead her people way, but she has no way of knowing what will lie ahead, or what might follow behind... Fighting with her ax and newfound power is arduous enough, but finds she must also battle her feelings of betrayal and hope when those she thought lost forever, may not be gone after all...Trade Review"McEwan's worldbuilding is just as fantastic as in the first book." - Library Journal "I fell in love with the fierce and clever main character, Dawsyn, and I can't wait to follow her on the rest of her journey." - Vanessa Len, author of Only a Monster PRAISE FOR LEDGE "A gritty fantasy of betrayal and vengeance set against a clever bit of worldbuilding... Readers looking for a bloody Kill Bill fairy tale (and not a "Beauty and the Beast" charmer) will be more than satisfied." - Publishers Weekly "The Maas mob will devour this trilogy. Ledge reads like Laini Taylor's lore set in Leigh Bardugo's Fjerda, penned with Katherine Arden's prose. The narrative pacing, playfulness, and deliverance will delight fans of Ilona Andrews' Innkeeper Chronicles and Holly Black's The Folk of the Air." - Angela Armstrong, author of The Unflinching Ash "This is a stunning debut from Stacey McEwan! Set in a dramatic and deadly world of ice and snow, Ledge is a steamy and thrilling fantasy with heart-pounding action and breath-taking twists. I fell in love with the fierce and clever main character, Dawsyn, and I can't wait to follow her on the rest of her journey." - Vanessa Len, author of Only a Monster "Despite the icy setting, Ledge is a sizzling story filled with sexual tension, betrayal, and stolen heritage and a series to watch out for." - British Fantasy Society "McEwan, a popular figure on BookTok, has written an ambitious fantasy debut. The plot and worldbuilding are thoroughly fleshed out and make this novel a great start to the Glacian Trilogy." - Library Journal "A bold and gutsy epic fantasy debut... Lusty at times even rollicking, with formidable fighting, pops of powerful healing magic, and a heroic plot, Ledge will appeal to those seeking new adult romantic fantasy." - LoveReading "This book is immediately gripping. I was invested every step of the way, and loved the visceral world of the ledge. The cold might not be alive, but these characters definitely jump off the page, and the enemies to lovers romance hit all the right spots. Stacey's debut novel is a triumph for all fantasy lovers, and I can't wait to see where this series goes!" -Raven Kennedy, author of The Plated Prisoner series "The Bridgerton crowd will love it. But so too will the Buffy crowd... The heroes are compelling, rugged but likeable, and there's a confident immediacy to the present-tense prose." - SFX Magazine

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Book Synopsis THEY DESTROYED HER WORLD. BUT SHE'S THEIR ONLY HOPE… Avry’s power to heal the sick should earn her respect in the plague-torn land of Kazan. Instead she is feared. Her kind are blamed for the horrifying disease that has taken hold of the nation. When Avry uses her forbidden magic to save a dying child, she faces the guillotine. Until a dark, mysterious man rescues her from her prison cell. His people need Avry’s magic to save their dying prince. The very prince who first unleashed the plague on Kazan. Saving the prince is certain to kill Avry – yet she already faces a violent death. Now she must choose – use her healing touch to show the ultimate mercy or die a martyr to a lost cause?

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Book SynopsisBOOK 6 IN THE BALLANTYNE SERIES, BY INTERNATIONAL SENSATION WILBUR SMITH'Best historical novelist' - Stephen King 'A master storyteller' - Sunday Times 'Wilbur Smith is one of those benchmarks against whom others are compared' - The Times 'No one does adventure quite like Smith' - Daily MirrorDIVIDED BY WAR. UNITED BY LOVE.On a beautiful September day, General Penrod Ballantyne and his fiancée, the successful travel writer, Amber Benbrook, stroll hand in hand through the busy streets of Cairo. The future is theirs for the taking. But when Penrod's jealous former lover, Lady Agatha, plants doubt about his character, Amber leaves him and travels to the wilds of Abyssinia with her twin sister, Saffron, and her adventurer husband, Ryder Courtney. On a mission to establish a silver mine, they make the dangerous journey to the new capital of Addis Ababa, where they are welcomed by King Menelik II, the King of Kings. He knows of a plot to invade his beloved Abyssinia, and he needs the Courtneys to help him win. Back in Cairo, a heartbroken Penrod seeks oblivion in Lady Agatha and the city's opium dens, descending into ruin. He is rescued from himself by an old friend, who is now in the Italian army, and offered the chance restore his honour and to join the military efforts. Italy has designs on Abyssinia, and there are rumours of a plan to invade . . . With storm clouds gathering, and on opposing sides of the conflict, can Penrod and Amber find their way back to one another - against all the odds?An epic historical adventure of love, betrayal, courage and war. King of Kings brings together two of Wilbur Smith's greatest families, the Courtneys and the Ballantynes in this sequel to his worldwide bestseller, The Triumph of the Sun (Sunday Times, Jul 2018).The sixth book in the epic Ballantyne Series and the second title in an exciting crossover sequence between Wilbur Smith's two iconic family sagas, the Ballantynes and the Courtneys.The adventures of the Ballantynes and Courtney's continue in Book 7 of the Ballantyne series, Mafeking, coming soon

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Book SynopsisThe final novel in the chilling and epic new fantasy series from the bestselling and critically acclaimed author of PRINCE OF THORNS and RED SISTER ''If you like dark you will love Mark Lawrence. And when the light breaks through and it all makes sense, the contrast is gorgeous'' ROBIN HOBBThe green world overwhelms all of Yaz's expectations. Everything seems different but some things remain the same: her old enemies are still bent on her destruction.The Corridor abounds with plenty and unsuspected danger. To stand a chance against the eyeless priest, Eular, and the god-like city-mind, Seus, Yaz will need to learn fast and make new friends.The Convent of Sweet Mercy, like the Corridor itself, is packed with peril and opportunity. Yaz needs the nuns' help but first they want to execute her.The fate of everyone squeezed between the Corridor's vast walls, and ultimately the fate of those labouring to survive out on ice itself, hangs from the moon, and the battle to save the moon centres Trade Review‘An excellent writer’#1 New York Times bestselling author George R.R. Martin ‘Mark Lawrence gets better with every book. It has a drive to it, a pulse, a gearshift that kicks higher and higher’Fantasy Book Review ‘Dark, passionate, tense, with a female hero anyone could relate to–I was utterly fascinated! This is no pretty, flowery tale, but one of vastly different people struggling to survive when a hostile government comes to power’#1 New York Times bestselling author Tamora Pierce 'If you like dark you will love Mark Lawrence. And when the light breaks through and it all makes sense, the contrast is gorgeous'#1 New York Times bestselling author Robin Hobb

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Book Synopsis Bestselling phenomenon Simon McCleave is back with another gripping, atmospheric new crime thriller set on the Isle of Anglesey, Wales. Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE ANGLESEY SERIES: ‘Full of twists and with plenty of atmosphere.’ – Million-copy bestseller FAITH MARTIN ‘Action-packed! A great thriller in a gorgeous location.’ – international bestselling author LISA GARDNER 'A harrowing story set against a stunning backdrop. Anglesey becomes McCleave's newest brutal playground.’ MORGAN GREENE ‘The tension keeps you gripped until the last page.’ RACHEL MCLEAN

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Book SynopsisWell, this is a belter of a book! A hugely entertaining and gripping read!' NetGalley reviewer, ?????He'll watch you.A lawyer is found dead at sunrise on a lonely clifftop at Dunnet Head on the northernmost tip of Scotland. It was supposed to be his honeymoon, but now his wife will never see him again.He'll hunt you.The case is linked to several mysterious deaths, including the murder of the lawyer's last client Scotland's most notorious criminal who had just walked free. DS Max Craigie knows this can only mean one thing: they have a vigilante serial killer on their hands.He'll leave you to die.But this time the killer isn't on the run; he's on the investigation team. And the rules are different when the murderer is this close to home.He knows their weaknesses, knows how to stay hidden, and he thinks he's above the lawMax, Janie and Ross return in the latest gripping novel in this explosive Scottish crime series. Fans of Ian Rankin, Stuart MacBride and Marion Todd will love The Night Trade Review Praise for Neil Lancaster: ‘Grabbed me from the first page … think Jack Reacher fronting Line of Duty’ Ian Rankin ‘The best police procedural I've read in years – fast-paced, compelling and deeply authentic. DS Max Craigie is a brilliant hero and I can't wait for the next in the series’ Jane Casey ‘A genuinely thrilling adventure’ Scottish Sun ‘Compelling, quirky and engaging, this is a page-turner you won't want to miss!’ Denzil Meyrick ‘Genuinely gripping, a total page-turner and one of my favourite reads of the year’ Matt Nixon, Daily Express ‘Great storytelling with a whiplash smart hero and heroine’ Daily Mail ‘A cracking good story … kept me turning the pages, and loving the twists. I can’t wait for the second Craigie instalment’ Gytha Lodge ‘Gripping’ Bella ‘A sizzling start to a new series’ Crime Monthly ‘A thriller writer set to blow up the bestseller lists’ C. L. Taylor ‘Rock hard cop stuff, from a writer who’s done it for real. Absolutely terrific’ Paul Finch ‘The most authentic voice in thriller writing’ Tony Parsons ‘An edge-of-your-seat, read-in-one-sitting book. If you like Line of Duty, you must snap this up’ Cass Green ‘An authentic and compelling thriller. Highly recommended’ Mark Dawson ‘Absolutely blown away by how good this is … highly recommended’ Marion Todd ‘If you loved his Tom Novak series, you’ll love this even more’ Stephen Leather ‘A powerful and gripping story … D. S. Max Craigie is a fantastic creation’ Howard Linskey ‘An incredible piece of work. Great storytelling, pacy and written with such a sense of place’ Chris MacDonald ‘A stone cold classic of the genre; the strongest start to a series I’ve seen in years’ Tony Kent ‘Compelling from beginning to end!’ John Barlow If you want to know how the police really do it, you’d be mad to miss this' Claire Seeber

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Book SynopsisThe fifth book in the phenomenally successful Thursday Next series, from Number One bestselling author Jasper Fforde. ''Ingenious - I''ll watch Jasper Fforde nervously'' Terry Pratchett on The Eyre AffairFourteen years after she pegged out at 1988 SuperHoop, Thursday Next is grappling with a recalcitrant new apprentice, the death of Sherlock Holmes and the inexplicable departure of comedy from the once-hilarious Thomas Hardy novels.Her idle sixteen-year-old would rather sleep all day than save the world from imminent destruction, the government has a dangerously high stupidity surplues, and the Stiltonista Cheese Mafia are causing trouble for Thursday in her hometown of Swindon. Then things begin to get bad. As Reality Book Shows look set to transplant Reality TV Shows and Goliath invent a trans-fictional tourist coach, Thursday must once again have her wits about her as she travels to the very limits of acceptable narrativTrade Review'Once you read one - you'll be hooked.' * David Baldacci *'Fforde's books are more than just an ingenious idea. They are written with buoyant zest and are tautly plotted. They have empathetic heroes and heroines who nearly make terrible mistakes and suitably dastardly villains who do. They also have more twists and turns than Christie, and are embellished with the rich details of Dickens or Pratchett' * Independent *A riot of puns, in-jokes and literary allusions that Fforde carries off with aplomb * Daily Mail *'Fforde is a master entertainer, and a wordsmith of dexterous genius.' * Scotsman *'Fans of the late Douglas Adams, or, even, Monty Python, will feel at home with Fforde' * Herald *

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Book SynopsisIntroduced by Kate Mosse, lose yourself in an epic naval journey in the final novel in the Booker Prize-winning historical fiction Sea Trilogy by the author of Lord of the Flies.I think there has been death in my hands.On the last stretch of its epic voyage from England to Australia, a disintegrating warship inches towards land. But there are still trials ahead, as the vessel is smashed against an ice cliff and blasted by a great storm, while the claustrophobic passengers battle erotic desires, masculine rivalry and violent power struggles - all experiencing a sea change in their natures. And when an unseen fire begins to smoulder below decks, the other side of the world has never seemed further away ...''Fantastic ... Gems tumble off the pages ... A strong sense of drama ... Much of the pleasure of reading his work is his original imagery.'' Annie Proulx A truly noble achievement'. Patrick Trade Review'The best novel I've read this year ... The language fizzes and spits.' - Daily Telegraph'Awesome ... Ambivalent, unresolved, walking a tightrope between reason and spirituality, tragedy and comedy ... So compelling and disturbing.' - Victoria Glendinning

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Book SynopsisA giant grizzly on a killer rampage terrorizes a small ranch community—and lures legendary mountain man Smoke Jensen into the deadliest trap of all: the human kind . . . .JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. HUNT OR BE HUNTED.The bear seems harmless—at first. Just a lost and confused grizzly poking around Big Rock. Then the killings begin. A horse wrangler is mangled. A rancher mauled. Then a bartender in the heart of town is found clawed to a bloody pulp. Now every man in Big Rock is taking up arms to hunt down the beast before it strikes again—which worries the local sheriff. He’s afraid this amateur hunting party could turn into a mass funeral real fast. So he asks Smoke Jensen to help keep everyone calm and contain the panic. Unfortunately, it’s too late. The panic is out of control. And the hunt is on. . . .While the gun-toting locals head for the hills in search of the bear, a ruthless gang of bank robbers ride into the hal

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER''Fforde pours his brilliant imagination into every corner of this world'' Daily Mail''Fforde keeps the puns and neologisms coming thick and fast while exploring every facet of his novel''s intriguing premise'' Financial TimesEvery Winter, the human population hibernates. During those bitterly cold four months, the nation is a snow-draped landscape of desolate loneliness, and devoid of human activity. Well, not quite. Your name is Charlie Worthing and it''s your first season with the Winter Consuls, the committed but mildly unhinged group of misfits who are responsible for ensuring the hibernatory safe passage of the sleeping masses. You are investigating an outbreak of viral dreams which you dismiss as nonsense; nothing more than a quirky artefact borne of the sleeping mind.Trade ReviewPraise for Early Riser * : *Fforde pours his brilliant imagination into every corner of this world * Daily Mail *Endlessly imaginative and distinctively quirky, this is entertaining fun * Mail on Sunday *Brilliantly funny . . . His relentless imagination and his affection for his characters are contagious and irresistible * New York Times *The master of the alternative universe * Press Association *It's been worth the wait * Oxford Mail *Make(s) us look at our world anew * SFX Magazine *the thriller aspect is propulsive * Times *Jasper Fforde lunacy at its best * Daily Express *Fans of Jasper Fforde's unique blend of comicdystopia and quirky British cosiness will not bedisappointed with his first novel in six years * Guardian *a zany send-up of all things British * Guardian *Praise for Jasper Fforde * : *Reading a Fforde novel feels like taking off on a magic carpet, only to be picked up by another and another and taken on new flights of fantasy . . . When the plot is thundering along, peppered with jokes, lively dialogue and silly names . . . you just sit back and enjoy the ride. * Scotsman *Fans of the late Douglas Adams, or, even, Monty Python, will feel at home with Fforde * Herald *Forget all the rules of time, space and reality; just sit back and enjoy the adventure. * Telegraph *'Fforde's books are more than just an ingenious idea. They are written with buoyant zest and are tautly plotted. They have empathetic heroes and heroines who nearly make terrible mistakes and suitably dastardly villains who do. They also have more twists and turns than Christie, and are embellished with the rich details of Dickens or Pratchett * Independent *No summaries can do justice to the sheer inventiveness, wit, complexity, erudition, unexpectedness and originality of the works, nor to their vast repertoire of intricate wordplay and puns * The Times *I love to dive into Jasper Fforde's books. They're wildly imaginative but he makes you believe every word. Where else can you encounter a ditzy dodo, a deadly chimera and a straight-as-an-arrow detective investigating what really happened to Humpty Dumpty? Great stuff. -- David BaldacciFforde keeps the puns and neologisms coming thick and fast while exploring every facet of his novel's intriguing premise * Financial Times *

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Book Synopsis **Winner of the British Fantasy Award for Best Fantasy Novel** The first book in the award-winning Winnowing Flame trilogy. Epic fantasy for fans of Robin Hobb and Jay Kristoff.''Fantasy adventure at its very best'' Starburst ''Williams excels at eldritch world-building'' Guardian ''An original new voice in heroic fantasy'' Adrian Tchaikovsky The great city of Ebora once glittered with gold. Now its streets are stalked by wolves. Tormalin the Oathless has no taste for sitting around waiting to die while the realm of his storied ancestors falls to pieces - talk about a guilt trip. Better to be amongst the living, where there are taverns full of women and wine.When eccentric explorer, Lady Vincenza ''Vintage'' de Grazon, offers him employment, he sees an easy way out. Even when they are joined by a fugitive witch with a tendency to Trade ReviewAbsolutely phenomenal fantasy -- Adrian TchaikovskyWilliams portrays her characters as flawed but humane, propels the plot with expert pace, and excels at eldritch world-building * Guardian *There is so much to praise about The Ninth Rain: the worldbuilding is top-notch, the plot is gripping and the characters just get better and better. A sublime read * SFX *Yet again, Williams has created an addictive and coherent fantasy world filled with all sorts of deliciously interesting things within it... This is fantasy adventure at its very best. Go check it out * Starburst *The Ninth Rain is a fast-paced and vibrant fantasy romp through a new world, full of people you want to spend time with and enemies you'd happily run from * SciFiNow *Jen Williams takes us on another great adventure. Fresh, engaging, and full of heart -- Peter NewmanA cracking story that grips you by the heart and doesn't let go -- Edward CoxA very original fantasy world * Story Collector *The Ninth Rain is full of tropes written in a different and clever way. The drop-dead gorgeous man? He's the source of comedy. Immortals living off human blood but dying as well because of it? Yes, sounds like vampires, although they're not called as such in this book. The threat of zombies and zombie-infestation? They're present too, but not the usual plot line that involves a virus or what not. It was all so brilliantly done' * The Travelling Bibliophile *Brilliantly creative fantasy * This Northern Gal *

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Book SynopsisFor fans of The Night Circus, comes a sweeping and captivating debut novel about a young librarian who discovers that his family labours under a terrible curse.Simon Watson lives alone on the Long Island Sound. On a day in late June, Simon receives a mysterious book connected to his family. The book tells the story of two doomed lovers, two hundred years ago. He is fascinated, yet as he reads Simon becomes increasingly unnerved. Why do so many women in his family drown on 24th July? And could his beloved sister risk the same terrible fate?As 24th July draws ever closer, Simon must unlock the mysteries of the book, and decode his family history, before it's too late.Trade ReviewIn this dazzling debut, the immensely talented Erika Swyler sweeps seamlessly through generations and centuries, moving deftly back and forth and weaving the strands into an exquisite tapestry. I was immediately swept up in this quirky, raucous, and bewitching family saga. I absolutely loved this book * Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants *A luscious experience - dark, sweet and wild * Katherine Dunn, author of Geek Love *Compulsive reading * Elle *

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Book SynopsisWhen two men are thrown together by the curse of immortality in a magical version of Elizabethan London, they are drawn into a dark plot that threatens to upend the world as they know it, all the while trying not to fall in love.

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Book SynopsisFor centuries, the Dawn Republic has ruled over the land unopposed. No more. Deep below the Gap, Gyre Silvereye discovered a city, hidden far from human eyes. There, the ghouls have dwelt for four hundred years in hibernation, awaiting the moment to wreak their vengeance on the Dawn Republic. With their help, Gyre can finally see a way to overthrow the all-powerful Twilight Order. But the ghouls do not give their trust easily, and Gyre will need to secure the alliance of the human rebels to the south if they are to even stand a chance. And uniting the two won't be simple. His sister Maya still fights for the Order. But after recent events, she is no longer certain where her loyalties lie. Chasing the origins of a mysterious artefact to a long-lost library, she just might find the truth – whether she is ready for it or not. Reviews for Ashes of the Sun: 'Ashes of the Sun has it all, and comes with the higher than highly recommended tag' LoveReading 'A high-octane, dystopian fantasy thrill-ride' Grimdark Magazine 'Immersive and wondrous' SFFWorld 'Gorgeous writing, powerfully drawn characters, and an exciting storyline!' K.D. Edwards 'Exciting. Immersive. Epic' Peter ClinesTrade ReviewA unique setting, an action-packed plot, and two opposed but simultaneously sympathetic narratives... This is a thrilling dream you can happily lose yourself in * British Fantasy Society *PRAISE FOR ASHES OF THE SUN: 'Immensely enjoyable, this high fantasy novel contains characters and a storyline to die for... Not only is this a fast-paced beautifully diverse read, I found the humour perfectly timed... Ashes of the Sun has it all, and comes with the higher than highly recommended tag' LoveReading. 'Ashes of the Sun is a high-octane, dystopian fantasy thrill-ride... Scintillating... Unpredictable and shocking too. Highly recommended' Grimdark Magazine. 'Immersive and wondrous... Highly, highly recommended. It will take a great deal for any fantasy novel in 2020 to knock Ashes of the Sun off my top fantasy spot for the year' SFF World. 'Gorgeous writing, powerfully drawn characters, and an exciting storyline!' K.D. Edwards, author of The Last Sun and The Hanged Man. 'Exciting. Immersive. Epic. A perfect page turner and a phenomenal start to a new series' -- Peter Clines, author of The Fold and Ex-Heroes

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThe Adventures of Tom Sawyer charts the escapades of a thirteen-year-old boy growing up on the banks of the Mississippi. Testing the patience of his aunt Polly, the bold and sharp-witted Tom Sawyer frequently skips school in search of excitement, and the scrapes he gets into with his friend Huckleberry Finn range from innocent japes to more serious events such as the witnessing of a murder. One of the most popular and influential American novels, Mark Twain's masterpiece is at the same time a highly entertaining romp which celebrates youth and freedom and a more profound investigation of his times, touching on themes such as race, revenge and slavery. This volume includes Tom Sawyer, Detective, a sequel and pastiche of the detective genre, first published in 1896.Trade ReviewThe father of American literature. -- William Faulkner

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Book SynopsisScribble and his gang, the Stash Riders, haunt the streets of an alternate Manchester, chasing the immersive highs that come from Vurt Feathers. Place a feather in your mouth and it takes you to the Vurt: another place, a trip, a shared reality of all our dreams and mythologies. Different coloured feathers provide different experiences, but Scribble is searching for his lost love and only one feather offers the hope of finding her. It’s the ultimate feather, it may not even exist at all: Curious Yellow. But as the Game Cat says, “Be careful, be very careful. This ride is not for the weak.” First published in 1993, Jeff Noon’s extraordinary, influential, award-winning novel transcended SF boundaries and resisted categorization. Alluding to noir and surrealism alike, it was defiantly its own thing and remains so thirty years later. “Refreshing, disturbing and original," – The Independent File Under: Fantasy [ Curious Yellow Urban Wonderland Game Cat Living on the Dub Side ]Trade Review“I remember my sharp delight, in 1993 on first discovering Vurt’s hallucinogenic VR-induced Manchester. It instantly became one of my favourite examples of new directions in science fiction, and remains so these decades later!”– William Gibson, author of Neuromancer and The Peripheral “An intense, blistering story about the price of knowledge, full of dreamers and borderlands.”– Lauren Beukes, author of The Shining Girls “Passionate, distinctive, demanding and enthralling.”– The Times “A gripping piece of speculative fiction.”– The Guardian “Refreshing, disturbing and original.”– The Independent “An audacious fantasia, exhibiting a narrative daring and command few new writers can boast, sweeping the reader along as though it were a Vurt feather-trip itself.”– Publishers Weekly “Subversive, transgressive. It gets under your skin like Cronenberg.”– Chuck Wendig“These books, the best books, discover the essential human notes of their times, and they ring so strongly down the decades that we remember them still.”– Warren Ellis, author of Transmetropolitan“Vivid, restless, street-writing, neon-noir, ranging widely through fantasies and rationalities. An utterly unique, quite brilliant piece of writing.”– Adam Roberts, author of Jack Glass “Vurt was a better Philip K. Dick novel than most of Dick’s own books”– Richard Kadrey

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Book SynopsisFor the right price, these professional troubleshooters can solve any problem, whether they're taking out the scum of the earth or destroying human-eating monsters!The troubleshooters of Gokurakugai are open for business! In a run-down town without law and order, Alma and Tao accept work from clientele of all creeds and cultures, and they're always ready to dole out justice against human-devouring monsters that lurk in the shadows. They'll take on any caseas long as the price is right!At the shrine where a series of murders involving hanged corpses transpired, a mysterious man named Yoru approaches Tao. His appearance leaves Tao stunnedhe's the spitting image of Jin, her little brother who went missing nine years ago. What secrets lie in Tao's past? And how will she deal with the monster standing before her now?

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Book SynopsisDark humor and quirky horror unite in this tale of clashing heroes and monsters from the creator of Tokyo Ghoul and Tokyo Ghoul: re!Best friends Tokio and Azuma do everything together, even if most of the time it feels like Tokio is just stumbling along in Azuma's cooler, more talented footsteps. But when they're attacked one night by a superhuman mutant called a choujin, Tokio finally has a chance to shineby turning into a choujin himself!After years of clashing with Zora and her forces, Yamatomori finally has a chance to defeat their former leader. But this final showdown will be on Zora's home turf, and everyone knows the cost of storming her tower will be high. Will the battle be the perfect chance for Tokio and his friends to prove themselves to their mentors, or is this finally the fight they won't walk away from?

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Book SynopsisThere's never a dull day at the office when you're a magical girl!Are you looking for something new? Something challenging? Something very highly paid? Exterminating monsters is an exciting, fast-paced field that will get you out from behind a desk and into the action. With over 500 magical girl companies now in operation, you're sure to find a positionand a uniformthat fits. Start your career as a magical girl today!A year has passed since the Magilumiere offices were shuttered after their magic-operation license was suspended, and Kana Sakuragi is excited to finally get to work with her coworkers again, even if it took starting a company of her own to get there. But on the first day of the new job, Shigemoto and Midorikawa are no-shows! It turns out Midorikawa might be a traitor who's been keeping Shigemoto under close observation, and the only way the magical girls can discover the truth is by venturing into enemy territory to participate in the New Energy Agency's magic competition!

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Book SynopsisGuess what? I, Issei Hyoudou, am now a mentor to a new junior in the OccultResearch Club! Yeah! Demon Lord Sirzechs had the Prez add a Bishop to her Familia.Wait...He’s a what? He was sealed where? Huh? The Demons, Angels, and FallenAngels are having a meeting...here?! Well, no one ever said high school was going tobe easy!

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Book Synopsis

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