Comic (humorous) fantasy

Book Synopsis.It’s not every afternoon that an enigmatic, comely blonde named Stilton (like the cheese) walks into the scruffy gin joint where Sammy "Two Toes" Tiffin tends bar. It’s love at first sight, but before Sammy can make his move, an Air Force general named Remy arrives with some urgent business.Trade Review“Raymond Chandler meets the SyFy Channel… Fans of noir film and fiction will find a lot to enjoy in this loving genre tribute, and those already familiar with Moore’s books will simply be in love.” — Library Journal (starred review) “There is a laugh-out-loud moment every couple of pages. And possibly a space alien, because, hey, this is a Christopher Moore book, after all.” — BookPage “The master of satire is back . . . Noir is a fun parody of detective fiction that has everything Christopher Moore fans have come to love and expect from his work: humor, fantasy, absurdity, and a cast of outrageous characters you won’t soon forget.” — Bustle “Witty, satirical, and hilarious with a delicious quiver of crime noir hovering over all.” — New York Journal of Books “[A] pedal-to-the-metal, exquisitely written comic romp through a neon-lit San Francisco that may never have actually existed, but that, in Moore’s supremely talented hands, sure feels like it could have.” — Booklist (starred review) “[Moore’s] latest novel Noir only shows a strengthened propensity for snappy dialogue, perverse scenarios, sharp satire, and oddball characters… delivered alongside steady helpings of the pun-laden prose, sick sight gags, and wicked, occasionally raunchy humor that readers have come to expect from one of America’s funniest living writers.” — barnesandnoble.com “Christopher Moore gives us dizzy dames and shadowy gangsters in Noir. Sammy, Moore’s comic revision of Sam Spade, will take you on a silly-thrilly ride through late-1940s San Francisco, and you’ll be laughing all the way.” — Washington Post “Noir turns a legendary genre on its side and offers grand entertainment at every level.” — Los Angeles Review of Books “Moore is a master of metaphor and a sultan of simile. . . .It takes an author of remarkable talents to keep a profitably urinating snake, a dame named for a dairy product, and a slimy extraterrestrial all running through a narrative.” — Washington Independent Review of Books “Moore spoofs hard-boiled detective fiction in this irreverent send-up set in 1947 San Francisco. . . . [A]n amusing spin on the noir subgenre.” — Publishers Weekly “Laugh out loud funny… it is always great fun to read an exceptional humorist at work.” — Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star “We get plenty of Moore’s trademark linguistic hijinks, oddball characters, and a cartwheeling plot in danger of spinning out of control before miraculously sticking the landing.” — San Antonio Express-News

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Book Synopsis''Wry and droll, fascinating and funny, by bringing us Alexander''s nether parts this novel gives momentous matters unforgettable life'' - Ross Leckie''Witty, ironic ... and achieves a deeply felt authenticity'' - NEW YORK TIMESWhen his father dies, and he is reduced at a stroke from prosperity to penury, Euxenus decides to leave Athens and seek his fortune elsewhere. As a philosopher and intellectual of some note, he has no difficulty getting a job as tutor to a young prince in the wealthy but utterly provincial court of King Philip of Macedon. The young prince is called Alexander, and the rest is history. Or is it? Alexander conquered Greece, Egypt and the Persian Empire in the course of eight years, amassing a huge army along the way, and leaving behind him the foundations of countless new cities named after him. He proclaimed himself a deity, and died at the age of 33. In ALEXANDER AT THE WORLD''S END, Tom Holt tells thTrade ReviewWitty, ironic ... and achieves a deeply felt authenticity * NEW YORK TIMES *A fascinating, gripping, moving story * THE TIMES *Wry and droll, fascinating and funny, by bringing us Alexander's nether parts this novel gives momentous matters unforgettable life * ROSS LECKIE *Read The Walled Orchard, so you can tell your descendants, "I was there when the historical novel started holding its head up with the rest of literature" * The Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisAll of Xanth is a stage as an unlikely hero saves the show in the New York Times–bestselling series. There’s no shortage of laughs when Jess is around; she’s been cursed to have nobody take her seriously. But her dubious talent comes in handy when she meets the very handsome showman Magnus. He promises to fake taking her seriously—if Jess joins his traveling show. But first they must see the Good Magician. He will give them the use of the flying Fire Boat to tour the realm if they complete a quest. The only problem is, he can’t remember what quest. Something to do with night mares, day mares, and one or two future princesses. As Jess and Magnus try to unravel the mystery, they discover their true mission: to save Xanth from a big bird with a bone to peck . . . Trade ReviewPraise for Piers Anthony “One of those authors who can perform magic with the ordinary. . . . [He] is a craftsman.” —A Reader’s Guide to Science Fiction “Anthony’s unflagging sparkle, verve and wordplay spin everyday trials of Mundane life into storytelling gold.” —Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisThere’s no dancing around a demonic threat in the fantasy world of Xanth in the New York Times–bestselling series. Squid, the alien cuttlefish, is getting an upgrade: a boost to her shape-changing talent so she can lead a mission against a foreign Demon who’s stirring up trouble in Xanth. At Squid’s side are her rescued siblings and one very special child—Larry, a girl in a boy’s body, who will act as a secret host for their adoptive mother, the Demoness Fornax. Aboard the Fire Boat, they form a plan to disguise themselves as a traveling dance troupe. Each child is paired up with a native Xanthian. But it’s the friendship that blossoms between Squid and Larry that will power their quest, and they’ll have to do some fancy footwork to avoid the trials and tribulations that await them.Trade ReviewPraise for Piers Anthony “Piers Anthony is one of those authors who can perform magic with the ordinary. . . . [He] is a craftsman.” —A Reader’s Guide to Science Fiction “Anthony’s unflagging sparkle, verve and wordplay spin everyday trials of Mundane life into storytelling gold.” —Publishers Weekly

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Book Synopsis“Series fans will find themselves right at home” as a computer game draws two players into the illusion-, pun-, and dragon-filled land of Xanth (Kirkus Reviews). Sixteen-year-old Dug has yet to be impressed by a computer game, but that’s before he gets hooked by Companions of Xanth—and the beguilingly beautiful princess-serpent he’s chosen to guide him. Nada Naga has her work cut out for her keeping Dug’s eyes on the magical prize . . . and off of her human form. Kim is no stranger to Xanth, which is why she chooses her favorite companion, Jenny Elf, to accompany her through its marvels—and dangers. Though Kim’s hyper-enthusiasm is infectious, she doesn’t really believe that Xanth is real, and it’s up to Jenny to prove it. What the two players don’t know is that there’s more at stake than winning; the very existence of Xanth hangs in the balance. Demons may run the game, but there are voids to avoid, loan sharks to outswim, and Com Pewter—the most evil machine of all—to outwit. Not to mention that a companion may be just as willing to sabotage Dug and Kim as help them succeed . . . “The legions of Xanth readers can rest assured that [Demons Don’t Dream] contains plenty of the punningly named animals, vegetables, people and things (such as the Ice Queen Clone and the Censor-Ship) that have become the series’ raison d’etre.” —Publishers Weekly

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Book Synopsis“Puns and playfulness reign supreme” as a demoness learns that big birds of a feather don’t flock together in the New York Times–bestselling Xanth series (The Toronto Star). Seeking a solution to a perplexing personal problem, the delectable Demoness Metria asks for help from the wise Magician Humfrey. But before he will help her, she must perform a perilous mission: Rove the length and breadth of Xanth in search of a suitable jury for the trial of Roxanne Roc, a notably noble and virtuous bird charged with a most improbable offense. Exciting, exhilarating, and brimming with hilarious high jinks, Roc and a Hard Place is Xanth at its most enchanting. “[A] lighthearted series . . . many outlandish characters, adventures, jokes and plays on words.” —Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisThis Xanth villain is full of hot air. “Anthony’s unflagging sparkle, verve and wordplay spin everyday trials of Mundane life into storytelling gold” (Publishers Weekly). A fickle flux in the fabric of space has allowed a horrendous hurricane to blast into Xanth, stirring up mischief and madness wherever she goes. Trapped in a preposterous form by a cosmic wager, the Demon X(A/N)th must join forces with a vexatious vixen named Chlorine to save Xanth from this terrifying and tempestuous threat. Their companions on this haphazard quest are a hapless human family—Jim and Karen Baldwin and their two teenage sons, David and Sean—gusted into Xanth from the mundane world beyond. Together they encounter a host of turbulent misadventures as they struggle to keep Xanth from being blown off the map forever. “Just the thing for pun-happy funsters.” —Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisIt’s harpy hour in the New York Times–bestselling series, as a one-of-a-kind Xanth woman searches for her happy ever after. Though Gloha loves every inch of Xanth—from Lake Ogre-Chobee to the Ever Glades—being the only harpy-goblin cross in existence has her feeling a bit lonely. Now that she’s old enough to enter into the Adult Conspiracy, she has to face reality: There are no males of her kind to mate with. Her only chance at love is to seek the help of the Good Magician, but all he has to give her is a referral . . . Sent to find the Good Magician’s second son, Trent, Gloha embarks on a journey that will take her to the most magical and mad parts of Xanth. Along the way, she’ll acquire friends and foes—including demons and nymphs, a winged centaur filly, a skeleton searching for a soul, and an invisible giant. But with the help of Trent, Gloha just might discover that her quest for the ideal partner may be the biggest fantasy of all. “Amusing . . . Fans of the author’s trademark humor will relish this latest jaunt through the wacky world of Xanth; new readers too will enjoy the fun.” —Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisREINCARNATION ROUND TWOLeon heads off to study abroad in the Alzer Republic, accompanied by Marie and the idiot brigade (a.k.a., her love interests). Leon’s just praying that Marie keeps her hands to herself—if she meddles in the plot of the sequel, she may force him to save the world. Again. Unfortunately, the original story has already flown off the rails. The new protagonist has a twin sister who wasn’t in the game! On top of that, some high and mighty noble’s son, backed by the power of Alzer’s Holy Tree, is baring his fangs at Leon. If Leon ever wants that quiet country life, he’ll have to seize the reins of a whole new story.

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Book SynopsisAll Tastes! • All Species! • All Currencies!You can find anything in Scalentine, the city of portals, but you won’t find a better brothel than the Red Lantern. And its proprietor, Babylon Steel (ex-mercenary, ex-priestess, ex… lots of things), means to keep it that way.But a prurient cult are protesting in the streets, sex workers are disappearing, and Babylon has bills to pay. When the powerful Diplomatic Section hires her – off the books – to find a missing heiress, she has to take the job.And then her past starts to catch up with her...Originally published as Babylon Steel in 2011 to critical acclaim, this trope-busting, inclusive, sex positive fantasy is back to delight and entertain readers, complete with a gorgeous new cover from Discworld artist Stephen Player.Trade Review"A pacy fantasy romp – idiosyncratic, but an entertaining slice of fun." -- The Guardian -- Keith Brooke * The Guardian *"Sebold has a flair for storytelling... you’ll enjoy this if you appreciate the better end of female-friendly fantasy. -- SFX * SFX Magazine *"Worth a hearty recommendation." -- Fantasy Book Review * Fantasy Book Review *“Sebold’s world is vibrant and so fully fleshed out that exploring the many twists and turns is a pleasure.” – Aurealis * Aurealis *

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Book SynopsisOrec Blackblade missed the fall of the Kinslayer, tasked instead with leading his elite band of warriors on a diversionary battle where he split the head and pulsating crown of the enemy’s sorcerer, causing a blast that killed almost everyone in a 100-meter radius. Just four months later the broken circlet finds its way to Doctors Catt and Fisher, collectors of rare artefacts, and their innate curiosity and tinkering with the crown unleashes a new terror on the land. Only Orec and his surviving men can stop it, but will the black sword he carries be enough to stop the coming darkness?Trade Review"I really enjoyed Redemp­tion’s Blade, and I’d like to see more." -- Liz Bourke, Locus"If you’re looking for something that celebrates the genre, while working to interrogate and question how that genre works, look no further than Redemption’s Blade. I can only hope there are more tales to tell in this world to come." -- Tor.com"Salvation’s Fire... it’s a damn good book in its own right." -- Liz Bourke, Locus"All in all, four different takes on two great characters, each author bringing something different and interesting to make a lovely little collection. You don’t have to have read the other books to enjoy them, though you probably get a bit more out of them if you do." -- fantasy-hive.co.uk"Catt and Fisher, or Catty and Fishy to their friends, are a delight... I just have to have more of these characters in my life." -- theeloquentpage.co.uk"If Jack Reacher came to Westeros and started beating the hell out of everybody, you’d have Mark De Jager’s Infernal ... daring, dangerous, and full of surprises" -- Sebastien de Castell"Clever, funny and cheerfully brutal" -- Snorri Kristjansson (on Infernal)"Infernal proves to be an incredibly strong start for this series. With drama, mystery, bloodshed, and grim humour abound, fans who favour the likes of The Elric Saga or The Silerian Trilogy will definitely have some fun with this one" -- Starburst"Epic fantasy without any pretensions of changing literature or establishing itself in the canon, Infernal is only concerned with being entertaining. And it definitely succeeds." -- SciFiNow (on Infernal)

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Book Synopsis'Uniquely twisted ... cracking gags' - Rob Grant'Frantically wacky and wilfully confusing ... gratifyingly clever and very amusing' - Mail On SundayHERE COMES THE SUNThe sun rises late, dirty and so badly in need of a service it's a wonder it gets up at all. The moon's going to be scrapped soon and a new one commissioned - but they've been saying that for years ... All is not well with the universe, and it's because the mortals are running the show. It's time for a Higher Power to take charge ...ODDS AND GODSIt's a god's life at the Sunnyvoyde Residential Home for retired deities. Everlasting life can be a real drag when all you've got to look forward to is cauliflower cheese on Wednesdays. But things are about to change, because those almighty duffers Thor, Odin and Frey have restored a thousand-year-old traction engine ... and the thing actually works. Then there's Osiris, preparing to set out on a quest that will test his wheelchair to the very limits. Only one thing might save the world. Dentures.Two fantastic comic fantasies - HERE COMES THE SUN and ODDS AND GODS - reissued with brilliant new cover style.Books by Tom Holt: Walled Orchard Series Goatsong The Walled Orchard J.W. Wells & Co. Series The Portable Door In Your Dreams Earth, Air, Fire and Custard You Don't Have to Be Evil to Work Here, But It Helps The Better Mousetrap May Contain Traces of Magic Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Sausages YouSpace Series Doughnut When It's A Jar The Outsorcerer's Apprentice The Good, the Bad and the Smug Novels Expecting Someone Taller Who's Afraid of Beowulf Flying Dutch Ye Gods! Overtime Here Comes the Sun Grailblazers Faust Among Equals Odds and Gods Djinn Rummy My Hero Paint your Dragon Open Sesame Wish you Were Here Alexander at World's End Only Human Snow White and the Seven Samurai Olympiad Valhalla Nothing But Blue Skies Falling SidewaysLittle PeopleSong for NeroMeadowlandBarkingBlonde BombshellThe Management Style of the Supreme BeingsAn Orc on the Wild SideTrade ReviewPraise for Tom Holt: 'Uniquely twisted ... cracking gags' Rob Grant, THE GUARDIAN, 'Frantically wacky and wilfully confusing ... gratifyingly clever and very amusing' MAIL ON SUNDAY, 'Frothy, fast and funny' SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY, 'Dazzling' TIME OUT, 'Wildly imaginative' NEW SCIENTIST

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Book SynopsisWhen twenty-something Kevin Felton loses his job and moves back in with his mother, he assumes life can't possibly get any worse. He used to be somebody at a big time company—now he's just another nobody with no direction and nothing to do but get drunk and fantasize over the strange blue woman that lives in his dreams. Little does he know, there’s more to his world than he ever imagined, and he’s about to be thrown headfirst into a particularly deadly kind of fantasy. Things start to look up when Kevin stumbles into a wild romance with the woman he thought was just a dream, a water nymph with a magical and mysterious past. There's just one problem: his new lover left a fiancé at the altar, and that man just happens to be Death himself. In a desperate attempt to save his own life, Kevin—alongside Driff, an elven secret agent with questionable loyalties, and Ren, a longtime friend who knows more than he's letting on—befriends the reaper and must find a way to hook Death up with someone new before his own role in events comes to light.

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Book SynopsisThis public domain children''s book was written by German physician Heinrich Hoffmann. Originally published in 1845, it was (re)introduced to the American public in 2006 by a well-known paper salesman and beet farmer. Dr. Hoffmann offers ten well-intentioned parables that warn children of the consequences and dangers of insolence and distasteful behavior -- you might call it the 19th-century version of scared straight.Struwwelpeter may have been deemed appropriate for children in mid-1800''s Germany, but it is definitely not acceptable in today''s overly sensitive political climate. The book is genuinely offensive on myriad levels - racial stereotypes, comic book violence, gruesome depictions, and much more! If you are easily offended, lack a sense of humor, or are unable to comprehend that civilization has [mostly] progressed since this book was written, you have been warned! Purchase this book at your own peril and check your wokeness at the door.On the other hand, if you can appreciate that times have changed dramatically in 175 years, then enjoy! Struwwelpeter is an interesting and worthwhile examination of the less-than-kind and not-so-gentle approach to child-rearing in 1845 Europe. Just to reiterate ... as warm and fuzzy as it may be to have your thumbs cut off because you suck them, this book is still NOT appropriate for young children.The Media Hatchery editions of this book contain the original artwork and both the English translation and the original German text. The pictures have been meticulously restored, the type reset, and the contents printed on high-quality paper to ensure bright, vivid colors and a clean, modern presentation of a 175-year-old classic.

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Book SynopsisIn a world where an endless variety of humanoid species coexist, there's an equally endless variety of sexy shops for all your nightlife needs! Join Stunk, Zel, and Crim on their erotic adventures as they sample the many deviant delights that the world of succubus joints has to offer!

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Book SynopsisElaina's nearing the end of her journey alongside her Master. This time she'll come across a lovelorn mermaid and a late-blooming nomad, a troublesome face from Fran’s youth, a narrow-minded novelist, sisters searching for a new home, a magician living in a castle in the sky, a demon lurking in a book, and a magic doll modeled after the Ashen Witch and a broom, and the grief of losing an important friend, the charcoal witch. Various incidents detain the two and hinder the end of their journey.

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