Contemporary fantasy / Low fantasy

Book SynopsisTJ Klune is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, Under the Whispering Door, In the Lives of Puppets, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, the Green Creek series for adults, the Extraordinaries series for teens and more. Being queer himself, Klune believes it's important now more than ever to have accurate, positive queer representation in stories.Trade ReviewWolfsong is so well written that I'm in awe of TJ Klune's talent. The primary character, Ox, has huge feelings he can't articulate. But we know all of them, and we love him. The complex and startling world of Green Creek is the perfect setting -- Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse seriesBeautiful, poetic, unbelievably compelling. ALL the stars -- Juliette Cross, author of the Stay a Spell series on WolfsongFans will be delighted -- Publishers WeeklyAn exciting start to the [Green Creek] series -- Library Journal on WolfsongI loved it. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect -- V. E. Schwab, author of the Shades of Magic series on The House in the Cerulean SeaThe House in the Cerulean Sea is a modern fairy tale about learning your true nature and what you love and will protect. It’s a beautiful book -- Charlaine Harris, author of Dead Until DarkUnder the Whispering Door is a kind book, full of faith in the goodness of people . . . It broke my heart with its unflinching understanding that grief never goes away, never empties, only settles into the room of your soul like a strange souvenir. And then it healed me in the next breath -- Cassandra Khaw, author of Nothing But Blackened TeethA whimsical, warm-hearted fantasy that suggests it is never too late to make a positive change in life – or afterwards -- The Guardian on Under the Whispering DoorTJ Klune is doing powerful work that inspires and impresses. He is a gift to our troubled times, and his novels are a radiant treat to all who discover them -- Locus Magazine on Under the Whispering Door

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Dark, strange, thick with mystery and twists Book of Night is everything delicious and frightening I've come to expect from Holly Black.' Leigh Bardugo, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ninth House'Black is a master at world-building.' The New York Times Book Review_______________________________________________________________________#1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black makes her stunning adult debut with Book of Night, a modern dark fantasy of shadowy thieves and secret societies.Charlie Hall has never found a lock she couldn't pick, a book she couldn't steal, or a bad decision she wouldn't make. She's spent half her life working for gloamists, magicians who manipulate shadows to peer into locked rooms, strangle people in their beds, or worse. Gloamists guard their secrets greedily, creating an underground economy of grimoires. And to rob their fellow magicians, they need Charlie.Now, she's trying to distance herself from past mistakes, but going straight isn't easy. Bartending at a dive, she's still entirely too close to the corrupt underbelly of the Berkshires. Not to mention that her sister Posey is desperate for magic, and that her shadowless and possibly soulless boyfriend has been keeping secrets from her. When a terrible figure from her past returns, Charlie descends back into a maelstrom of murder and lies. Determined to survive, she's up against a cast of doppelgängers, mercurial billionaires, gloamists, and the people she loves best in the world - all trying to steal a secret that will allow them control of the shadow world and more.'I will never forget my first time reading Holly Black . . . Such a beautiful writer.' Daisy Johnson, Man Booker Prize finalist and author of SistersBook of Night, Sunday Times bestseller w/e 15th May 2022.Trade ReviewWith a gripping, perfectly paced story and a killer ending, this dark fantasy feels like an instant classic * Guardian *Dark, strange, thick with mystery and twists -- a story so believable in its magic, you'll be keeping one eye on your shadow as you turn the pages. * Leigh Bardugo, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ninth House *If Neil Gaiman channelled Stephen King, the result might be this book . . . scintillating prose, whiplash twists, and a voice of character that demands to be heard from again. * James Rollins, New York Times bestseller of The Starless Crown *Holly Black is a master of fantasy with the Midas touch -- there is no story she cannot turn to gold. * V.E. Schwab, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue *Superb, entangling magic and mystery around the gritty horrors of human nature, neglectful parenting and the scourge of severe income inequalities . . . Will have you frantically turning pages and finishing in less time than you thought possible. Everything you could want from a modern fantasy. * SFX *A gripping ride from start to finish. Book of Night invites you to reckon with the shadows of your past. * Olivie Blake, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six *Fuelled by Holly Black's wonderfully limitless imagination, Book of Night is a whip-smart and mysterious novel * CultureFly *Heart, soul, and a bit of kink -- Book of Night is smart, decadent fun. * Kelly Link, Pulitzer Prize Finalist *A delicious, dark, adrenaline rush of a book. I'm already dying to see Charlie Hall's next con. * Alix E. Harrow, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Once and Future Witches *A deliciously clever page-turner. * Paolo Bacigalupi, New York Times Bestselling author of The Water Knife *A dark romp full of danger and shadows with a razor-sharp heroine and vivid magic. * Zoraida Córdova, bestselling author of The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina *Black is a master at world-building. * The New York Times *The many mysteries keep the suspense sizzling as Charlie guides readers through this slippery world. Black's adult fans and readers looking for dark urban fantasy will be thrilled. * Publishers Weekly *Book of Night delivers hot sex, a breathless plot, perfect characters, and some of the most gorgeous writing I've read in years, sharp as a razor blade, clear as a one-way glass. * Ellen Kushner, award-winning author of Swordspoint *...[T]he story builds to an exciting climax that will certainly leave you crossing your fingers for a sequel. * Paste Magazine *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Rookery, city of secrets, lies and magic, is facing destruction. But does Alice have the power to save her new home? And will she give her life to save its secrets?When Alice discovered this alternate London, her life changed forever. She discovered she was seeing Nightjars – miraculous birds that guard our souls. But her newfound magic has a dark side. So in an effort to protect her friends, Alice is training to wield her rare abilities under House Mielikki – the House of Life. Yet something isn't right. And after a series of attacks leaves her reeling, it's clear someone wants her to fail. Alice must plunge into a world of seductive magic and unimaginable perils to uncover the conspiracy. And when she discovers why the Rookery itself is at risk, she realizes the price she must pay to save it. The Rookery is the dazzling, magical sequel to The Nightjar by Deborah Hewitt.Praise for The Nightjar: 'The wildly imaginative Hewitt is a writer to watch' – Publishers Weekly starred review 'An unusual and exciting story . . . the plot explodes off the page' – TheBookbag'A magical adventure full of danger, betrayal, and devotion' – BooklistTrade ReviewI thoroughly enjoyed this. The compelling plot and original mythological elements kept me gripped -- Genevieve Cogman on The NightjarIt’s a delight to explore the Rookery alongside Alice as she discovers her unusual powers and races to save her friend. The wildly imaginative Hewitt is a writer to watch -- Publishers Weekly starred review on The NightjarA magical adventure full of danger, betrayal, and devotion’ -- Booklist on The NightjarThe plot explodes off the page . . . I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a flight of fancy -- TheBookBag on The NightjarEasily one of my favourite books of the last few years . . . bittersweet yet beautiful -- NovelKnight on The NightjarAn absolutely compelling read that I just couldn't put down -- FrasersFunHouse on The NightjarHewitt's prose is fluid, engaging and often lush -- FantasyLiterature on The Nightjar

Read more less

Book SynopsisMany millennia after the fall of Eden, Adam, the first man in creation, still walks the Earth - exhausted by the endless death and destruction, he is a shadow of his former hope and glory. And he is not the only one. The Garden was deconstructed, its pieces scattered across the world and its inhabitants condemned to live out immortal lives, hiding in plain sight from generations of mankind. But now pieces of the Garden are turning up on the Earth. After centuries of loneliness, Adam, haunted by the golden time at the beginning of Creation, is determined to save the pieces of his long lost home. With the help of Eden's undying exiles, he must stop Eden becoming the plaything of mankind. Adam journeys across America and the British Isles with Magpie, Owl, and other animals, gathering the scattered pieces of Paradise. As the country floods once more, Adam must risk it all to rescue his friends and his home - because rebuilding the Garden might be the key to rebuilding his life.Trade Review'Birds of Paradise sits in a place between Plato and John Wick, a place which frankly I didn't know existed. And it is profoundly human too: whoever has ever known loss will resonate with it.' Francesco Dimitri, author of The Book of Hidden Things

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe incredible finale of the page-turning, high-octane Sandman Slim series filled with an explosive ending and intense kick-ass action from New York Times bestselling author Richard Kadrey.It's been three months since Stark stopped a death cult and a potential ghost apocalypse, and he's at loose ends. His personal life is a mess. His professional life isn't much better. And the worldwell, the world is going to shit. L.A. is gripped by a viral epidemic that has everyone wearing masks and keeping their distance from each other. But what's even more frightening is the Shoggot gang and their leader, King Bullet, who revels in the city's collapse.Who is King Bullet? No one knows. He seemingly came from nowhere with nothing but a taste for mayhem and an army of crazed killers who follow his every command. What king wants seems simple on it face: Chaos. Destruction. A city in flames. But there's more to the king and his plans for L.A. and what Stark discovers will change Heaven, Earth, and StTrade ReviewPraise for SANDMAN SLIM: ‘The best B movie I’ve read in at least twenty years. An addictively satisfying, deeply amusing, dirty-ass masterpiece, SANDMAN SLIM swerves hell-bent through our culture’s impacted gridlock of genres…it’s like watching Sergio Leone and Clive Barker co-direct from a script by Jim Thompson and S. Clay Wilson’William Gibson ‘If Simon R. Green wrote an episode of Dog the Bounty Hunter, it would read much like SANDMAN SLIM – violent, vivid, non-stop action of the supernatural kind. I couldn’t put it down’Charlaine Harris

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE NO. 2 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERI devoured this' V.E. SchwabA vampire-themed Handmaid's Tale, with effective thrills that are intensified by social commentary' GuardianA gorgeous new fantasy horror a book about stories and fairy tales with family and love at its dark heartHidden across England and Scotland live six old Book Eater families.The last of their lines, they exist on the fringes of society and subsist on a diet of stories and legends.Children are rare and their numbers have dwindled, so when Devon Fairweather's second child is born a dreaded Mind Eater a perversion of her own kind, who consumes not stories but the minds and souls of humans she flees before he can be turned into a weapon for the family or worse.Living among humans and finding prey for her son, Devon seeks a cure for his hunger. But time is running out for her family want her back, and with every soul her son consumes he loses a little more of himselfThis is a story of escape, a mother's savage devotion and a queer love that will electrify readers looking for something beguiling, thrilling, strange and new.Perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman, Susanna Clarke, and Let the Right One InTrade Review‘A gripping and beautifully plotted story told with verve and deliciously dark wit’Daily Mail ‘An exciting blend of gothic horror and action, smart and haunting’ Laura Purcell, bestselling author of The Silent Companions "Some novels are intended to be devoured in one sitting. Such is the case with Sunyi Dean’s The Book Eaters. Innovative, unique, poignant, and told with a voice as original as the story itself. I finished this novel in that one sitting, yet I’ll be pondering it for a long time to come. This is the debut of a new master of the modern fantasy. Don ’t miss it’James Rollins, #1 NYT bestselling author of The Starless Crown ‘A delightfully weird exploration of motherhood, queerness, and escaping patriarchal norms’Buzzfeed ‘Raw and imaginative, this gritty, gothic anti-fairytale knows the truth: love will make a villain out of anyone’Olivie Blake, NYT bestselling author of The Atlas Six ‘Sunyi Dean’s The Book Eaters is a darkly sweet pastry of a book about family, betrayal, and the lengths we go to for the ones we love. Great reading for a rainy morning, with tea or coffee on, a cat in your lap, and nowhere to be but lost in a delicious modern fairy tale’Christopher Buehlman, author of The Blacktongue Thief ‘A riveting tale that consumed me as earnestly as I devoured it. Full of grit and humanity, Sunyi Dean expertly weaves the complexities of motherhood, loyalty, and found family in a world not far from our own. Dean's debut has already established her as a master of craft. If I were a book eater, this novel would be one to savour’Saara El-Arifi, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Final Strife

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Bickle does an excellent job of letting her characters speak for themselves and blending realistic, grounded conflicts with her supernatural plot...Also of note is Bickle's respectful treatment of Native American spirituality... Bickle is well on her way to establishing her work as a cornerstone of her genre." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Following the prequels Dark Alchemy and Mercury Retrograde, Bickle's series launch mixes alchemy, folklore, and Native American traditions with a wintry Western landscape that will intrigue fans of the Weird West subgenre." -- Library Journal "Full marks to Bickle for...this...consistently engaging series. Our protagonist is as likeable and resourceful as ever...The way the series sticks to a single source of the supernatural while still managing to come up with a wide range of manifestations...is very compelling." -- RT Book Reviews "Readers who like no-nonsense characters, the occult, Native American myths, and the modern Wild West will enjoy this. The writing is fun, compelling, and straight from the hip, with no apologies as to language used." -- Booklist "Bickle's world and characters are enjoyably complex, sinking the reader happily into this contemporary fantasy landscape." -- Omnivoracious

Read more less

Book Synopsis''ONE OF THE MOST BRILLIANTLY INVENTIVE WRITERS OF THIS, OR ANY, COUNTRY'' INDEPENDENTShortlisted for the Booker and James Tait Black Memorial Prizes''Spellbinding''INDEPENDENT''Exceptional''LITERARY REVIEW''Beautifully precise''GUARDIAN''Marvellous''OBSERVER''Constantly entertaining''EVENING STANDARDThe captivating second novel from the critically acclaimed author of Ghostwritten and Cloud AtlasAs Eiji Miyake''s twentieth birthday nears, he arrives in Tokyo with a mission - to locate the father he has never met. So begins a search that takes him into the seething city''s underworld, its lost property offices and video arcades, and on a journey that zigzags from reality to the realm of dreams. But until Eiji has fallen in love and exorcised his childhood demons, the belongingTrade ReviewDazzling * Independent on Sunday *A delirious mix of thriller, tragedy, fantasy, video games and a portrait of uneasy modern Japan * Guardian *Wildly inventive * Sunday Times *An extraordinary literary cabaret of dreams, visions and pastiches, from video-game rides and gangster rumbles to suicide submariners. Endlessly ingenious and hugely enjoyable - but oddly moving as well. A rich showcase for 21st-century fiction -- Boyd Tonkin * Independent *Exceptional . . . More than a surreal detective story or coming-of-age novel, more than a portrait of Tokyo or stream of adolescent consciousness, it is unique: clever, unusual, gripping and beautifully written * Literary Review *I haven't enjoyed a novel so much in ages; wild, bristling with strangeness -- Books of the Year * Independent *Mitchell catches the multicoloured atmosphere of Tokyo brilliantly . . . He is a wonderfully amphibious writer, happy in all manner of elements, and seems able to produce an endless parade of interesting characters. number9dream resounds to the same marvellous chatter of different voices that marked out Ghostwritten, his outstanding first novel -- Robert Macfarlane * Observer *The wonderfully energetic prose is constantly entertaining, filled with daring imaginative stunts and the crackling rhythms of the digital age . . . Mitchell's Tokyo is a deliciously confusing virtual reality, a maze of bewildering information. Most impressive of all, though, is the fact that when you reach the end, wondering if it was all just a dream, you don't feel cheated in the least * Evening Standard *Ghostwritten's range of voices was astonishing. Each narrator revealed anew the author's dexterity and his ability to imagine lives. His second novel is more ambitious and more impressive . . . the main plot drives one urgently onwards, and Mitchell's delight in his inventiveness is infectious * Daily Telegraph *Generally speaking, the second novel confronts two pitfalls: rehashing the first novel or eliminating all trace of it for fear of rehashing it. In number9dream, Mitchell negotiates both dangers, retaining what is best of Ghostwritten and creating an original and in many ways more complex work * Times Literary Supplement *The external action of the novel is always engaging. But such is Mitchell's beautifully precise style that he can make inaction just as pleasurable . . . The prose bespeaks a kind of observational rapture that offers the smell of Tokyo streets or even the movements of a cockroach as tiny, cherishable shards * Guardian *Dangerously addictive . . . Mitchell's writing displays the kind of literary acrobatics and metaphysical depth that won him such huge accolades for his first novel . . . a brave novel, all the more admirable for his ability to push back the boundaries of the imagination * Big Issue *The diversity and sheer pace of the narrative sets it well apart from most contemporary British fiction and Mitchell is an original with a flair for fantasy . . . oozing panache, this cosmopolitan and fresh odyssey engages and entertains * Irish Times *He is a very energised and original sentence architect who elevates the steaming, fizzing city of Tokyo into a city of the imagination . . . a gifted and unusual writer * The Times *Superlative * Sunday Telegraph *A novel as accomplished as anything being written. Funny, tenderhearted and horrifying, often all at once, it refashions the rudiments of the coming-of-age novel into something completely original * Newsweek *number9dream, with its propulsive energy, its Joycean eruption of language and playfulness, represents further confirmation that David Mitchell should be counted among the top young novelists working today . . . He writes like a dream, the kind you don't want to end * San Francisco Chronicle *Delirious - a grand blur of overwhelming sensation * Entertainment Weekly *Mitchell's new novel has been described as a cross between Don DeLillo and William Gibson, and although that's a perfectly serviceable cocktail-party formula, it doesn't do justice to this odd, fitfully compelling work * New Yorker *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA vibrant and imaginative debut contemporary fantasy set in a fantastical version of New Orleans where music is magic; perfect for readers of N. K. Jemisin and P. DjÃlà ClarkTrade ReviewWild, witty, and profound. . . a cosmic storm of talent -- Victor LaValleA hallucinatory wonder of a debut' -- Walter MosleyJennings weaves a brilliant tapestry . . . The Ballad of Perilous Graves is a remarkable debut -- BOOKLISTHugely infectious fun -- SFXThe two worlds of this gripping and inventive fantasy are so vividly depicted that reading it is a bit like taking a fabulous city break -- GUARDIANAn enchanting, energetic, wild ride of a story set to a staccato melody. The electric prose leaps off the page in a riot of colours and sounds -- Leslye PenelopeA wild, dark and joyful love song to New Orleans, the power of stories, and hope in the face of destruction -- H. G. ParryHis lyrical prose dances to a rhythm all its own -- Stina LeichtAn unforgettable story -- Rion Amilcar ScottScary, sweet, lyrical, and real -- Poppy Z. BriteI ached to live in their world. A stunning debut that is sure to become a classic -- Elizabeth HandAlex Jennings writes with an energy and a profusion of imagination and vividness that carries you off. Brilliant! -- Katherine AddisonA beautiful song full of magic and rhythm, darkness and delight. A profoundly gorgeous debut -- Christina HenryA slice of delightfully disorientating and whimsical magic -- CultureFlyThe Ballad of Perilous Graves is not only an engrossing adventure but a potent homage to the beating heart of one of the world's most magical cities -- Ladee HubbardA beautiful song full of magic and rhythm, darkness and delight. A profoundly gorgeous debut -- Christina Henry

Read more less

Book SynopsisMaster thief, rogue and chancer Gideon Sable is back for another fast-paced supernatural heist - and this time he has the vault of a Las Vegas casino in his sights.Judi Rifkin is one of the world''s most successful collectors of the weird and unnatural. In a London underworld filled with criminals with very special talents, Judi is a force to be reckoned with.And Gideon Sable - thief, rogue and chancer - owes her a very large favour.Judi makes him an offer he can''t refuse: steal her the legendary Masque of Ra, kept safe in a Las Vegas casino, and she''ll wipe the slate clean.This isn''t Gideon''s first heist by a long shot. But with old grudges threatening to cloud his judgment, an unpredictable crew who don''t entirely trust each other and a formidable supernatural security team guarding his target, this job might be a gamble too far . . .A Matter of Death and Life is the sequel to The Best Thing You Can Steal,

Read more less

Book SynopsisHeartsong is a passionate fantasy from bestselling author TJ Klune, and is the third book in the Green Creek series. When Robbie Fontaine receives a critical mission from his Alpha, he seizes the chance to finally belong to a pack. But there are rumours of a traitor in their midst – including the wolf who may be his mate . . .Trade ReviewWolfsong is so well written that I'm in awe of TJ Klune's talent. The primary character, Ox, has huge feelings he can't articulate. But we know all of them, and we love him. The complex and startling world of Green Creek is the perfect setting -- Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse seriesBeautiful, poetic, unbelievably compelling. ALL the stars -- Juliette Cross, author of the Stay a Spell series on WolfsongFans will be delighted -- Publishers WeeklyAn exciting start to the [Green Creek] series -- Library Journal on WolfsongI loved it. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect -- V. E. Schwab, author of the Shades of Magic series on The House in the Cerulean SeaThe House in the Cerulean Sea is a modern fairy tale about learning your true nature and what you love and will protect. It’s a beautiful book -- Charlaine Harris, author of Dead Until DarkA whimsical, warm-hearted fantasy that suggests it is never too late to make a positive change in life – or afterwards -- The Guardian on Under the Whispering DoorTJ Klune is doing powerful work that inspires and impresses. He is a gift to our troubled times, and his novels are a radiant treat to all who discover them -- Locus Magazine on Under the Whispering Door

Read more less

Book SynopsisAll Robbie Fontaine ever wanted was a place to belong. After the death of his mother, he bounces around from pack to pack, forming temporary bonds to keep from turning feral. It's enough - until he receives a summons from the wolf stronghold in Caswell, Maine.Life as the trusted second to Michelle Hughes - the Alpha of all - and the cherished friend of a gentle old witch teaches Robbie what it means to be pack, to have a home.But when a mission from Michelle sends Robbie into the field, he finds himself questioning where he belongs and everything he's been told. Whispers of traitorous wolves and wild magic abound - but who are the traitors and who the betrayed?More than anything, Robbie hungers for answers, because one of those alleged traitors is Kelly Bennett - the wolf who may be his mate.The truth has a way of coming out. And when it does, everything will shatter.Heartsong is the third book in the Green Creek series by bestselling author TJ Klune. Continue the journey with BrothersTrade ReviewI loved it. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect -- V. E. Schwab on The House in the Cerulean SeaThe House in the Cerulean Sea is a modern fairy tale about learning your true nature and what you love and will protect. It’s a beautiful book -- Charlaine Harris on The House in the Cerulean SeaUnder the Whispering Door is a kind book, full of faith in the goodness of people . . . It broke my heart with its unflinching understanding that grief never goes away, never empties, only settles into the room of your soul like a strange souvenir. And then it healed me in the next breath -- Cassandra Khaw on Under the Whispering Door

Read more less

Book SynopsisAlasdair MacKenzie has never once considered himself unlucky in all the centuries he''s been an immortal rogue enforcer. Not until he meets Sophie. Finding the beautiful, smart, and funny woman who is his life mate is great luck, actually. But meeting her at a wedding full of Argeneaus, not to mention his own busybody uncles determined to ''help him claim his woman'', is bad luck. And the fact that Sophie is someone else''s date? Well that''s just the next level of unlucky.From the way her gaze travels over his body like a caress to the electric zing whenever they innocently touch . . . he has to have her! He''ll keep his hands off Sophie until her date is over. After that all bets are off and he''ll pull out all the stops to win her for eternity. Great plan -- until he gets hit by a car. And then he''s poisoned. Is his luck that bad, or is someone out to stop this immortal from claiming Sophie as his life mate?

Read more less

Book Synopsis The Nommo Award Winner.The Nebula Award Finalist.The World Fantasy Award Finalist.The British Science Fiction Award Nominee.A contemporary fantasy filled with the mythos of Nigeria, featuring Yoruba gods liberating an artefact from the depths of the British Museum. Shigidi is a disgruntled nightmare god in the Orisha spirit company, reluctantly answering the prayers of his few remaining believers to satisfy the demands of the company board. When he meets Nneoma, a sort-of succubus with a long and secretive past, everything changes.Together, they attempt to break free of their constraints and live on their owns terms. But the elder gods have other plans for Shigidi, and the Orisha Spirit Company is not so easy to leave. The chairman has a final job for Shigidi and Nneoma, one that will take them to the very heart of the British Museum.From the boisterous streets of Lagos to the rooftop bars Trade ReviewFast and sharp as talons, Shigidi is a high-stakes art heist love story with Nigerian gods and demons and some Succession-level corporate politics and Alan Moore-ish deep dives into occult lore and mythologies. If you thought Killmonger was right or loved American Gods and Akata Witch, this one is very much for you * Lauren Beukes *A high octane thriller that is simply unputdownable. Talabi deftly weaves different mythos spanning centuries across continents and borders to create a truly fantastical story. Gods, demons, magicians, giants, all jostling for power and prestige within an all too human story. This remarkable debut rocked my world * T.L. Huchu, author of The Library of the Dead *Shigidi is a richly written story of love between immortals, a high stakes supernatural heist, and a sweeping adventure across time, space, and perhaps realms of existence. This is godpunk, done with style. And I'm absolutely here for it! * P. Djeli Clark, Nebula Award-winning author of Master of Djinn *For those who feel as if they've been waiting years for a novel by Wole Talabi, Shigidi surpasses expectations. It's fast-paced and fun, clever and beautiful. Filled with characters you want to spend time with in a world that is fresh and exciting. * Temi Oh, author of Do You Dream of Terra-Two *Shigidi is a tale that will excite any lover of contemporary African fantasy. What better thrill than two globetrotting, timetrotting, worldtrotting beings caught between a love story, a heist and a ghastly contract with a spirit company? Talabi's imagination, already obvious in previous works, shines through, offering us a world of deities and monstrosities trading in belief and supplication. An innovative addition to the godpunk roster-if you loved David Mogo, you'll love this! * Suyi Davies Okungbowa, author of the Nameless Republic trilogy *A heist caper with sex, violence, and superpowers popping off every technicolor page . . . Readers are in for a rollicking thrill ride * Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) *A captivating and entertaining story of a nightmare god and his succubus lover, Nneoma, pulling a heist across two worlds * Lightspeed Magazine *Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon is an explosion made of other explosions. As soon as I read the opening-taut, rollicking, rooted in physicality and emotion-I was charmed. This book is incantation, a sorcerous working that bound me to its story and drew me along as it sped toward its destination. Wole Talabi is a brilliant short fiction writer, and now he is revealed as a brilliant novelist, as well * Alex Jennings, author of The Ballad of Perilous Graves *[A] delightfully entertaining novel . . . a defiantly ambitious work . . . [and] also an action-packed thrill ride . . . Talabi's snarky narration keeps the tone light, while leaving room for a sweet love story * The Washington Post *Talabi keeps in balance his kinetic mix of noir heist fiction, erotic romance, political intrigue, and supernatural fireworks without distracting too much from the genuinely affecting relationship between Nneoma and Shigidi, who are a pair we wouldn't mind seeing again, and won't forget anytime soon * Locus *Talabi weaves a high-stakes, fast-paced tale of corporate greed, an interdimensional heist, and warring deities entrenched in Yoruba culture. Perfect for fans of the Ocean's film franchise and Scott Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lamora (2006), this book will have readers holding their breath as Shigidi and Nneoma try to accomplish the impossible * Booklist *A smart, sexy, postcolonial book about two freelance gods running from their past and stealing from the British Museum. I had so much fun with these characters and I can't wait for the next book in the series. Perfect for fans of American Gods * Thomas D. Lee, Sunday Times bestselling author of Perilous Times *[A] debut fantasy novel that's everything at once: love story, adventure story, spirit world story . . . Talabi excites the reader with the beauty of his language * Aurealis *Complex, entertaining, and absolutely *fun* - and beyond that, heartwarming in its characters and in its conclusions. A story which left me wanting to believe in it * Genevieve Cogman, Sunday Times bestselling author of the Invisible Library series *Pure post-colonial magic and huge, heisty fun * Daily Mail *The universe is anchored in African beliefs, but with a global perspective and modern twists * SFX, 5* *Exuberant writing and ebullient imagination made this a lot of fun * K.J. Charles *A thoroughly entertaining read which balances a confident sense of its Nigerian identity with an awareness of contemporary fantasy * ParSec Magazine *A vivid, entertaining tale of love, power and revenge * The Guardian *Wole Talabi treats his readers to a journey steeped in mysticism... The book draws on centuries of African history and legends, as well as Nigeria's modern colonial past * Geek Dad *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom legendary storyteller Stephen King, comes this No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller, now with a stunning new cover look for Summer 2024.WELCOME TO THE DARK SIDE OF HAPPILY EVER AFTERCharlie Reade looks like a regular high school kid, great at baseball and football, a decent student.But when Charlie is seventeen, he meets a dog named Radar and her aging master, Howard Bowditch, a recluse in a big house at the top of a big hill, with a locked shed in the backyard. When Bowditch dies, he leaves Charlie a cassette tape telling a story no one would believe - inside the shed is a portal to another world.Stephen King goes into the deepest well of his imagination in this spellbinding novel about a seventeen-year-old boy who inherits the keys to a parallel world where good and evil are at war, and the stakes could not be higher - for their world or ours.Trade ReviewThere is a splendid climactic battle . . . King's delight in the world he has created is infectious and there's much to revel in here * Daily Telegraph *With ogres and castles, maidens and pots of gold, this is a fairy story through-and-through. Because it's Stephen King's, it's a Once-Upon-A-Time tale like no other * Daily Mail *Fairy Tale is a multiverse-traversing, genre-hopping intertextual mash-up, with plenty of Easter eggs for regular King devotees . . . allusions and homages abound . . . a page-turner driven by memorably strange encounters and well-rendered, often thrilling action * New York Times Book Review *Fairy Tale is vintage, timeless King, a transporting, terrifying treat born from multiple lockdowns which, in true King style, puts its finger right on that tender point which is the threshold between childhood and growing up * Guardian *The latest addictive thriller from King * The List *King's reputation precedes him, and his spellbinding new novel is magnificent and terrifying * Living North Magazine *The hailed King of masterful writing has pierced the page with mighty words once again, releasing a whopping fantasy novel, reminiscent of the haunting magnificence of those Brothers Grimms . . . Fairy Tale soars, allowing you to bask happily ever after in its unforgettable spell * Buzz Magazine *A blazing flash of creativity . . . King's best book in over a decade * Esquire *A really enjoyable and enthralling read, both exciting and enchanting, and yet another captivating tale from the pen of Stephen King * The Afterword *A fantasy gem . . . King tells this wonderfully fantastical tale with such effortless skill that the reader cannot help but fully invest in Charlie and all the characters, his evocation of late 20th-century small-town USA and its people pitch perfect, and his descriptions of the parallel world of Empis . . . vividly terrifying * Irish Independent *Some brilliantly written escapism . . . featuring a loyal dog, a grieving hero and childhood fears and dreams made real . . . King at his finest * Evening Standard *A spellbinding tale that bursts with imagination * Woman's Own *Stephen King is the world's greatest storyteller. Fairy Tale had me enchanted from page one. I remain in total awe at his genius * David Walliams *Magnificent . . . a doorstop chronicle of small-town America, and the battle between good and evil. Classic King, and clearly written with joy . . . He is one of the best writers on childhood and teenagers, which continues in Fairy Tale * Richard Osman, The Sunday Times *The master storyteller returns with a spellbinding story of mysterious houses, parallel worlds and reluctant heroes as an ordinary high school kid discovers a portal to a universe populated by classic fairy tale archetypes * Waterstones *If you've ever enjoyed classic King - coming-of-age stories grounded as much in suburban neighbourhoods as in supernatural fairylands - you will enjoy this * Literary Review *A dark, dazzlingly inventive fantasy novel * Daily Mirror, Best Books of 2022 *In her new leading role, Holly shines. She's tough, relentless, and compassionate while at the same time being vulnerable and prone to lapses of confidence. The story is the kind of thing King excels at, too - dark, mysterious, and deeply unsettling. This is the novel Holly deserves * Booklist *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis might be his biggest coup yet! Legendary master thief Gideon Sable is on the hunt for the ghost of an alien-possessed man in this fast-paced supernatural heist thriller.The Preserve in Bath - the British Area 51 - is the secret government dumping ground for all things supernatural and out of space. It is one of the most heavily-guarded places in the world. However, it''s not what protects it that makes it so dangerous but the things that are inside . . . Gideon Sable - master thief, con artist and self-proclaimed vigilante - faces a challenge he can''t refuse. His client, the former Head of the British Rocketry Group, Professor Neil Sharpe, wants him to break into the Preserve. Once inside, Gideon and his crew of supernatural misfits can get any mystical artefact they desire out of the Preserve''s collection. The catch? To reach it, they must go through the treacherous Box Tunnel complex and not only face trained guards and booby traps but steal so

Read more less

Book SynopsisMaster thief, rogue and chancer Gideon Sable is back for another fast-paced supernatural heist - and this time he has the vault of a Las Vegas casino in his sights.Judi Rifkin is one of the world''s most successful collectors of the weird and unnatural. In a London underworld filled with criminals with very special talents, Judi is a force to be reckoned with.And Gideon Sable - thief, rogue and chancer - owes her a very large favour.Judi makes him an offer he can''t refuse: steal her the legendary Masque of Ra, kept safe in a Las Vegas casino, and she''ll wipe the slate clean.This isn''t Gideon''s first heist by a long shot. But with old grudges threatening to cloud his judgment, an unpredictable crew who don''t entirely trust each other and a formidable supernatural security team guarding his target, this job might be a gamble too far . . .A Matter of Death and Life is the sequel to The Best Thing You Can Steal,

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe tables are turned on legendary master thief Gideon Sable when a priceless magical artifact is stolen from him, in this fast-paced supernatural heist thriller. You can find everything you''ve ever dreamed of in the strange, old magical shop known as Old Harry''s Place. The problem is, not all dreams are kind. Gideon Sable - legendary master thief, conman and well-dressed rogue - and his partner in crime Annie Anybody don''t want to be shopkeepers, but when the enigmatic Harry decides to retire, he blackmails the pair into taking the store on. Before the grand reopening can happen, however, a menacing stranger arrives - with a rare and deadly item for them to appraise. A small piece of rock, with an unnerving aura, which ''Smith'' claims contains the last echoes of the legendary sirens'' song. Before they can find out more, however, Smith vanishes . . . leaving only the stone. Some valuables are more trouble than they''re worth. But be

Read more less

Book SynopsisHow to Talk to Girls at Parties by Sunday Times bestselling writer Neil Gaiman is a graphic novel with extraordinary artwork by the Eisner Award-winning duo Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá. Soon to be a feature film starring Nicole Kidman, this adaptation is ''a quirky delight'' (Audrey Niffenegger) and will appeal to fans of Alan Moore, Dave McKean and beyond. ENN is a fifteen-year-old boy who just doesn''t understand girls, while his friend Vic seems to have them all figured out. Both teenagers are in for the shock of their young lives, however, when they crash a local party only to discover that the girls there are far, far more than they appear!From the Locus Award-winning short story by Neil Gaiman, one of the most celebrated authors of our time, and adapted in vibrant ink-and-watercolour illustrations by the Daytripper duo of brothers Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá, this original graphic novel is not to be missed!Trade ReviewGentle, strange, and full of perfectly good advice ('You just have to talk to them!'), How to Talk to Girls at Parties is wise and odd. Neil Gaiman's writing is sweetly complemented by Fabio Moon & Gabriel Ba's art. It's a quirky delightHow can something so strange and so beautiful also be so sad? Like a poem, a pattern, and a people whose world was swallowed by the sea, How to Talk to Girls at Parties is three things at once

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe irreverant, hilarious, touching and philosophical caper about the end of the world.''Still makes me laugh 25 years later'' Ben Aaronovitch There is a hint of Armageddon in the air. According to the Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (recorded, thankfully, in 1655, before she blew up her entire village and all its inhabitants, who had gathered to watch her burn), the world will end on a Saturday. Next Saturday, in fact. So the Armies of Good and Evil are massing, the four Bikers of the Apocalypse are revving up their mighty hogs and hitting the road, and the world''s last two remaining witchfinders are getting ready to Fight the Good Fight. Atlantis is rising. Frogs are falling. Tempers are flaring, and everything appears to be going to Divine Plan.Except that a somewhat fussy angel and a fast-living demon are not particularly looking forward to the coming Rapture. They''ve lived amongst Humanity for millennia, and have growTrade ReviewThe Apocalypse has never been funnier - Clive BarkerWickedly funny - TIME OUTA superbly funny book. Pratchett and Gaiman are the most hilariously sinister team since Jekyll and Hyde. If this is Armageddon, count me in - James HerbertHilarious Pratchett magic tempered by Neil Gaiman's dark steely style; who could ask for a better combination? - FEAR

Read more less

Book SynopsisTo achieve the incredible she must attempt the impossible All her life, Alice has been haunted by visions of birds. But when the mysterious Crowley appears at Alice’s door, he reveals she’s been seeing nightjars – the miraculous birds which guard our souls. And a shadowy faction wants to use her rare gift to hunt the magically gifted. Forced to go on the run, Alice follows Crowley to an incredible alternate London, to hone her talents. But can she trust him? Alice must risk everything as she navigates a dangerous world of magic, marvels and death cults. Exciting, vivid and enthralling – The Nightjar by Deborah Hewitt will take the reader on a journey involving betrayal, twisted loyalties, magic and the powerful ties of friendship.'I thoroughly enjoyed this' – Genevieve Cogman 'The wildly imaginative Hewitt is a writer to watch' – Publishers Weekly (starred review)Trade ReviewI thoroughly enjoyed this. The compelling plot and original mythological elements kept me gripped -- Genevieve CogmanIt’s a delight to explore the Rookery alongside Alice as she discovers her unusual powers and races to save her friend. The wildly imaginative Hewitt is a writer to watch -- Publishers Weekly starred reviewEasily one of my favourite books of the last few years . . . bittersweet yet beautiful -- NovelKnightThe plot explodes off the page . . . I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a flight of fancy -- TheBookBagAn absolutely compelling read that I just couldn't put down -- FrasersFunHouseHewitt's prose is fluid, engaging and often lush -- FantasyLiterature

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe instant Sunday Times bestseller, Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel is a story of parallel worlds and possibilities that plays with the very line along which time should run. 'So wise, so graceful, so rich' - Naomi Alderman, author of The Power'Ingenious' - GuardianLives separated by time and space have collided, and an exiled Englishman, a writer trapped far from home, and a girl destined to die too young, have each glimpsed a world that is not their own. Travelling through the centuries, between colonies on the moon and an ever-changing Earth, together their lives will solve a mystery that will make you question everything you thought you knew to be true.From the award-winning author of Station Eleven.A Best Book of the Year - Guardian, Oprah Daily, Barack Obama'Brilliant and fiercely original' - Observer'One of her finest novels' - New York Times'Transcendent' - Wall Street JournalTrade ReviewBrilliant . . . a fiercely original creation * Observer *It is heaven to be immersed in the waters of Mandel's imagination . . . so wise, so graceful, so rich . . . I loved Sea of Tranquility -- Naomi Alderman, Women's Prize-winning author of The PowerA spiralling, transportive triumph of storytelling - sci-fi with soul -- Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The MerciesA cunning time-travel narrative . . . unputdownable . . . distinctive, remarkable work from one of the genre’s major voices * Guardian, Best Books of the Year *One of her finest novels and one of her most satisfying forays into speculative fiction yet * New York Times *A time travel epic: a soaring story of connections through the ages . . . profound and life-affirming * Vogue *Even more boldly imagined than Station Eleven. Exciting to read, relevant, and satisfying. * Kirkus *Ingenious, hugely ambitious . . . graceful and beguiling * Guardian *Bold and exciting . . . Sea of Tranquility is Mandel’s most ambitious novel yet. Inventing and mind-bending * The Economist *Destabilizing, extraordinary, and blood-boiling . . . a speculative epic * New Yorker *Extraordinary . . . An expertly crafted time-travel tale . . . supremely satisfying and moving . . . You won’t be able to shut up about this book * Irish Times *Readers of Mandel’s Station Eleven and The Glass Hotel will not be disappointed, a generous and elegant novel about art and family and time travel * LitHub *The feeling of something lovely glimpsed and lost is everywhere in these pages * New York Times *Mind-blowing * Washington Post *Mandel remains an instant-buy writer * Glamour *Wonderfully inventive . . . genuinely impressive, subtle and nuanced . . . a story with love and longing for connection at its heart, moving and thought-provoking in equal measure * Big Issue *An ambitious time-travelling panorama of pandemics and parallel worlds * Guardian *A story like a tone poem, uncannily lovely and profound * EW *A trippy, wistful story * Wired *An inventive, haunting, and tender time-travel story that underscores the importance and resilience of art * Vulture *Poignant, ingeniously constructed and deeply absorbing * NPR *Sensational . . . masterfully plotted and deeply moving * Esquire *Emily St. John Mandel, who, like an ingenious origami artist, seems determined with each new work to add yet another fold to our perception of what is real and one further twist to what we think of as time . . . Transcendent * Wall Street Journal *Mandel illustrates how hope and humanity are flames that can never be fully extinguished * Elle *World builder is a phrase that's rightly used to describe Emily Mandel's immersive powers as a novelist. I didn't just read Station Eleven, The Glass Hotel or Sea of Tranquility. I lived in those novels -- Maureen Corrigan * NPR *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Atlas Six by Olivie Blake is the runaway TikTok sensation – a must-read fantasy novel with gorgeous illustrations. If you loved Ninth House and A Deadly Education, you’ll love this.Secrets. Betrayal. Seduction.Welcome to the Alexandrian Society.When the world’s best magicians are offered an extraordinary opportunity, saying yes is easy. Each could join the secretive Alexandrian Society, whose custodians guard lost knowledge from ancient civilizations. Their members enjoy a lifetime of power and prestige. Yet each decade, only six practitioners are invited – to fill five places.Contenders Libby Rhodes and Nico de Varona are inseparable enemies, cosmologists who can control matter with their minds. Parisa Kamali is a telepath, who sees the mind’s deepest secrets. Reina Mori is a naturalist who can perceive and understand the flow of life itself. And Callum Nova is an empath, who can manipulate the desires of others. Finally there’s Tristan Caine, whose powers mystify even himself.Following recruitment by the mysterious Atlas Blakely, they travel to the Society’s London headquarters. Here, each must study and innovate within esoteric subject areas. And if they can prove themselves, over the course of a year, they’ll survive. Most of them.'As much a delicious contest of wit, will, and passion as it is of magic, this book is half mystery, half puzzle, and wholly a delight' – Holly Black, author of The Cruel PrinceThe story continues in The Atlas Paradox, the heart-stopping sequel.Reader reviews:‘I don’t think anything will ever compare with this’‘To say I can't wait for the sequel is an understatement. Do yourself a favour and buy this immediately!’‘I had to convince myself magic isn’t real’Originally a self-published sensation, this edition has been fully edited and revised.Trade ReviewLethally smart. Filled with a cast of brilliantly realized characters, each entangled with one another in torturously delicious ways, The Atlas Six will grip you by the throat and refuse to let go. Olivie Blake is a mind-blowing talent -- Chloe Gong, New York Times bestselling author of These Violent DelightsThe Atlas Six introduces six of the most devious, talented, and flawed characters to ever find themselves in a magical library, and then sets them against one another in a series of stunning betrayals and reversals. As much a delicious contest of wit, will, and passion as it is of magic, this book is half mystery, half puzzle, and wholly a delight -- Holly Black, author of Book of Night and the Folk of the Air seriesCompelling, entertaining, and addictive. This is academic Darwinism – survival of the smartest -- T. L. Huchu, author of The Library of the DeadWith a fascinating magic system explored through the lens of philosophy and morality, narrated by dynamic, enthralling characters, The Atlas Six is a tour de force. I read this book in two sittings – once I picked it up, I found it almost impossible to put down -- Christine Lynn Herman, author of All of Us VillainsThis chilling story of ambition and magic will make you question your own morals as you grow to love (and hate) its fascinating, ruthless cast of characters. I utterly devoured this book -- Amanda Foody, author of All of Us VillainsThe Atlas Six will thrill those who love twisted plots, twisted relationships, and morally grey characters ready to kill for knowledge and power. Dark, ambitious, and engaging -- H. G. Parry, author of The Unlikely Escape of Uriah HeepWith a cast of complicated hate-to-love-them characters and enough delicious philosophizing to satisfy even the pickiest dark academia heart, this book will drag you into its undertow and refuse to let you go 'til morning -- Victoria Lee, author of A Lesson in VengeanceCoolly horrific, brilliantly brainy and utterly compelling -- Daily MailDense with ideas, with a compelling premise . . . a richly satisfying head-trip -- SFX MagazineRich characters and richer prose, The Atlas Six is a fun, twisty page-turner that left me wanting more. Olivie Blake is an author to look out for! -- Susan Dennard, author of The Luminaries

Read more less

Book SynopsisAre you looking for a book with bite?'OUTRAGEOUS, SMART, FUN' Bonnie Garmus, Sunday Times bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry'BRILLIANT' StylistOne day, the mother was a mother but then, one night, she was quite suddenly something else...At home full-time with her two-year-old son, an artist finds she is struggling. She is lonely and exhausted. Her husband, always travelling for his work, calls her from faraway hotel rooms. One more toddler bedtime, and she fears she might lose her mind.Instead, she starts gaining things, surprising things that happen one night when her child will not sleep. New appetites, new instincts. And from deep within herself, a new voice...'INCREDIBLE' Carmen Maria Machado'I TORE THROUGH IT' Lisa McInerney'FUNNY AND UNNERVING AS HELL' Jenny Offill'The spiritual successor to Angela Carter' Evening StandardTrade ReviewOutrageous, gritty, smart, fun -- BONNIE GARMUS * Sunday Times bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry *Yoder's voice is precise and funny, pitch-perfect... This is a terrifically alive and imaginative tale... an important contribution to the engagement with motherhood that rightly dominates contemporary feminism. -- Lara Feigel * Observer *I've been waiting my whole adult life for a read like this. Nightbitch is truly imaginative, utterly original, brave and brilliant - I devoured it. * Elaine Feeney, author of AS YOU WERE *A deliciously untamed satire on mothering and collapsed ambition... Yoder's descriptions of wild self-release are thrilling. -- Catherine Taylor * Financial Times *Yoder's commentary on the assorted neuroses of modern womanhood is graceful and coolly incisive... She infuses new life into the cold, furry flesh of the monstrous femme. -- AK Blakemore * Guardian *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor fans of BEFORE THE COFFEE GETS COLD, fairy tale and magic are weaved together in sparse language that belies a flooring emotional punch.'Strange and beautiful. Imagine the offspring of The Wind-up Bird Chronicle with The Virgin Suicides' GUARDIAN'Genuinely affecting. A story of empathy, collaboration and sharing truths' FINANCIAL TIMESTranslated by Philip Gabriel, a translator of Murakami_______________________________Would you share your deepest secrets to save a friend?In a tranquil neighbourhood of Tokyo, seven teenagers wake to find their bedroom mirrors are shining.At a single touch, they are pulled from their lonely lives to a wondrous castle filled with winding stairways, watchful portraits and twinkling chandeliers. In this new sanctuary, they are confronted with a set of clues leading to a hidden room where one of them will be granted a wish. But there's a catch: if they don't leave the castle by five o'clock, they will be punished.As time passes, a devastating truth emerges: only those brave enough to share their stories will be saved.Tender, playful, gripping, LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR is a mesmerizing tale about the importance of reaching out, confronting anxiety and embracing human connection.Readers love LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR:***** 'This book has become one of my favourite Japanese reads of all time . . . A magical heartfelt read that will stay with you'***** 'Unexpected, beautiful and heart-breaking . . . this is a work of fiction which reaches into the heart of a modern problem and has valuable insight'***** 'Rich and vivid.This book is a symbol that 'there is always hope'Trade ReviewA surge of Japanese women are redefining their nation's literature * VOGUE *Strange and beautiful. Imagine the offspring of The Wind-up Bird Chronicle with The Virgin Suicides * GUARDIAN *A moving, reflective and surprising novel... anyone who has ever struggled with feeling isolated, had difficulties at school, or had mental health struggles, will find this novel to be a cleansing balm. * CULTUREFLY *Neat twists and a genuinely affecting denouement. A story of empathy, collaboration and sharing truths, this is 'a modern, all-ages fairy tale' that should appeal to fans of Neil Gaiman and Studio Ghibli animations * FINANCIAL TIMES *There's a warmth to her writing, and Tsujimura has a mature ability to allow the story to speak for itself without narrative * JAPAN TIMES *An original and tender blend of social commentary and magical realism * THE JAPAN SOCIETY REVIEW *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Cruel Prince meets City of Bones in this thrilling fantasy where four queer teens race to stop a serial killer before their crimes expose the hidden world of faeries to humans.Choose your player.The half-fae outcast, desperate for acceptance. The tempestuous Fury, exiled and hellbent on revenge. The dutiful prince, determined to earn his place. The brooding guardian, burdened by a terrible secret. Each holds a key to solving a series of ritualistic murders that threaten to expose faeries to the human world. But they cannot do it alone. To track down the killer, they will have to form a tenuous alliance, putting their differences - and conflicts - aside. Failure risks the destruction of the faerie and human worlds alike. And time is running out. Time to roll the dice.Trade ReviewA gripping flight into fantasy * Kirkus Reviews *Shuttleworth sensitively tackles the plot's darker elements, including trauma and suicidal ideation, tempering them with tenderness and wry wit. A kaleidoscopic narrative adds depth and drive * Publishers Weekly *Beautifully written and deliciously complex, A Dark and Hollow Star is utterly engrossing. The magic is bloody, the humor sharp, and the murder mystery drenched in violence and intrigue. Like a fallen Fury set on vengeance, I couldn't get enough * Nicki Pau Preto, author of the Crown of Feathers series *A brilliant debut that is both dark and full of humour, with characters you will fall in love with and an incredibly immersive world * The Last Book on the Left *A thrilling urban fantasy/murder-mystery which stuns you with ethereal world-building, high-stakes adventure, and a cast of characters you won't soon forget * Cinelinx *A fantastical faerie story rich with mythology and lore that takes place in the modern world and is unapologetically queer * The Reading Chemist *A book full of opulence and treats... A confection of a debut that augers well for the author's future as a storyteller - ParSec, Autumn 2021 review

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn ailing king. An ambitious queen. Four tenuous friends. And a deadly game that threatens them all.The stakes are higher than ever in this thrilling sequel to A Dark and Hollow Star.After thwarting the man behind the gruesome ironborn murders - and breaking several fae laws to do so - all Arlo wants is a quiet summer. As the deity of luck's Hollow Star, capable of bringing about endless possibilities, this shouldn't be too much to ask, right?But someone is still trying to summon the mythical Seven Deadly Sins. All signs point to immortal meddling, and if this is the gods' attempt at returning to the Mortal Realm, it's Arlo they're going to use to do it.When Queen Riadne offers to host Arlo at the Seelie Summer palace, she jumps at the chance. She'll get to see more of Vehan and Aurelian and perhaps even work out her complicated feelings for the gorgeous ex-Fury, Nausicaä. But no one trusts the infamous Queen of Light, even as Arlo wonders if she's just been greatly misunderstood.With the Summer Solstice quickly approaching, everyone expects Riadne to finally challenge the High King for his crown. And as Arlo struggles to get control of her powers and take charge of her destiny, she'll soon be faced with a choice that won't only change the fate of the Mortal Realm forever, but could condemn it to a cruelty the likes of which the Courts have never known.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR ASHLEY SHUTTLEWORTHA dazzling sequel with enough tantalizing court intrigue, reveals, and secrets to keep you on the edge of your seat. Shuttleworth expertly expands the beautiful and cruel world of the fae with rich world-building and intricate character work in this must-read follow up to A Dark and Hollow Star * Liselle Sambury, author of BLOOD LIKE MAGIC and BLOOD LIKE FATE *A gripping flight into fantasy * Kirkus *Beautifully written and deliciously complex, A Dark and Hollow Star is utterly engrossing. The magic is bloody, the humor sharp, and the murder mystery drenched in violence and intrigue. Like a fallen Fury set on vengeance, I couldn't get enough * Nicki Pau Preto, author of the Crown of Feathers series *A promising opener to an urban faerie fantasy series featuring multiple queer identities * School Library Journal on A DARK AND HOLLOW STAR *Shuttleworth sensitively tackles the plot's darker elements, including trauma and suicidal ideation, tempering them with tenderness and wry wit. A kaleidoscopic narrative adds depth and drive * Publishers Weekly *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWelcome to The Real, where Pyn-Poi's people live in harmony with nature - until a killing stink threatens their whole world.It comes without warning, without explanation - the sudden deadly Stink that shreds the life of the People, poisoning the land, sickening the trees, killing babies in the womb. It comes from above, from the Plains of the Ancestors, but what has caused this murderous curse?It falls to Pyn-Poi to find out. The young tree-woman must climb the unclimbable cliff, to face the Ancestors on their own ground and demand an accounting for the Stink.But the end of the climb is just the beginning of Pyn-Poi's journey. What she finds in the world above is an abomination beyond the most fearsome fire-stories of the People - and she must defeat it, or face the extinction of everything she has ever loved.Praise for The Night Field'Simple, beautiful prose' Scott T. Barnes, editor of NewMyths.com magazine'Masterful storytelling' Karin Lacey, The Uncommon Octopus'Beautifully written, poetic' Susan Sachs, climate education mentorTrade ReviewModern bard Donna Glee Williams delivers a moving ecological fable, written with her signature grace and compassion. The Night Field weaves wonder, loss and renewal into a narrative that resonates with the past at the same time that it suggests fertile ground for a new future. Highly recommended! * ELAINE ISAAK, author of The Singer’s Legacy *Donna Glee Williams' simple, beautiful prose transports us to a Sylvain wonderland with woven bridges, mysterious currents, magical flora and more familial love and conflict than most mainstream novels. When the child Pyn-Poi led me into in Williams' word-forest, I did not want to leave * SCOTT T. BARNES, Writers of the Future winner and editor of NewMyths.com magazine *With lyrical prose, Williams delivers her finest performance yet. Her masterful storytelling unearths depth and colour in subtle nuance. The characters are real and believable, and their journey will stick with you for many years to come * KAREN LACEY, The Uncommon Octopus *A beautifully written, poetic book that showcases resilience on many levels. The heart of this story is the resilience of one young girl on the brink of womanhood who makes it her personal mission to discover the source of the poison impacting her way of life and her resolve to fix it. Donna Glee Williams weaves a story that mirrors our own society's capacity to take brutal advantage of the natural world that supports us, but also gives us hope that it doesn't have to be this way - through the efforts and energies of young people * SUSAN SACHS, climate education mentor, including Earth-to-Sky (NASA, NPS & USFWS) *This is such an original premise and such a perfectly wrought world. It feels like an early Ursula K. Le Guin * CHRISTINA LADD, The Mary Sue, on THE BRAIDED PATH *A great piece of magical fantasy * SF Book Reviews *I was wholly absorbed in Pyn-Poi's rich, transporting and ultimately harrowing world. As with all the good books that have made an impression on me, I'd find myself contemplating images and scenes at odd times during the day. I still do. * Smoky Mountain Living Magazine *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'I'm sorry? A fantasy romcom that is ACTUALLY funny and has a Black woman lead? And there's buckets of nachos? And a lesbian centaur? Give me a million books in the series, please.' Goodreads reviewAll I wanted to do was live my life in peace. Maybe get a cat, expand my spice farm. Really anything that doesn't involve going on a quest where an orc might rip my face off. But they say the Goddess has favourites. If so, I'm clearly not one of them.After saving the demon Fallon in a wine-drunk stupor, all he wanted to do was kill an evil witch enslaving his people.I mean, I get it, don't get me wrong. But he's dragging me along for the ride, and I'm kind of peeved about it. On the bright side, he keeps burning off his shirt.'This book is pure, sexy, dirty joy' Goodreads reviewTrade Review[P]erfect entertainment for my stressed out brain, and I was definitely rooting for those two wacky kids to have their HEA * Smart Bitches, Trashy Books *From the title I was convinced I would love this book and I did, it was funny and spicy and it was almost like talking to myself. The [heroine] was relatable with very real world problems, I too would like not to be dragged on adventures when I could just quietly farm cinnamon. * Amazon reveiw *This book had me laughing out loud . . . cannot wait to continue with the series * Amazon review *This was so stinking cute!! The banter, between not only the love interests but everyone, was phenomenal and I found myself actually laughing out loud at parts. Can't wait to read the next one * Amazon review *One of the freshest voices in fantasy romance! This book has it all: spice, humor, and a world I want to get lost in! * Katee Robert *A hilarious, down-to-earth romance with magic, adventure, and intrigue. What's not to love? * Talia Hibbert *Hilarious, hot and full of heart, That Time I Got Drunk And Saved A Demon is exactly what you need in your life. Right now. Go pick it up because it is the cure to any reading funk and might even clear up acne. I'm serious. It's that good. * Avery Flynn *Delightfully spicy and full of heart, this is the perfect escapist fantasy rom-com -- a must-read series for readers who always roll to seduce when they play D&D. Cosy fantasy fans look no further. * Nadia El-Fassi, author of Best Hex Ever *Hilarious, hot and full of heart, That Time I Got Drunk And Saved A Demon is exactly what you need in your life. Right now. Go pick it up because it is the cure to any reading funk and might even clear up acne. I'm serious. It's that good * Avery Flynn, author of Butterface *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'This book is pure, sexy, dirty joy' Goodreads reviewer on That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a DemonWhen I was a little girl, my Ma used to read me stories every night. Some were epic adventures with high stakes and exciting twists, while others were of princesses trapped in towers guarded by fierce dragons. The pitiful princess would be stuck inside all day pining for her prince charming to come and rescue her. I always hated those stories. I couldn't imagine why the lazy thing didn't just get up and leave. Ironic since I was now stuck in that same situation. Turns out, when a dragon holds you hostage, he doesn't just let you get up and leave. Who knew? When I thought I saw hope on the horizon, that hope was smashed to bits by - you guessed it - another damn dragon.'[P]erfect entertainment for my stressed out brain, and I was definitely rooting for those two wacky kids to have their HEA' Smart Bitches, Trashy Books on That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a DemonTrade ReviewA fated mates road-trip romance that only Kimberly Lemming could deliver. It's got all the crackling wit, moments of absurdity, and captivating love story to fulfill every promise she's made to her readers with the first two books! Cherry is hilarious resilience goals and Dante is the secretly-dirty sad boy of my dreams! If I could eat this with a shovel it still wouldn't be enough * Melody Carlisle of the Heaving Bosoms podcast *She did it again. Sexy, funny, and full of surprises. I couldn't put this book down the minute I started reading * Mea Monique, author of THE GRIM REAPER'S LAWYER *

Read more less

Book SynopsisOne of the Washington Post's top ten feel-good novels of the year: a perfect gift for book lovers everywhere!During a childhood marked by neglect and loneliness, Lucy Hart found solace in books, especially Jack Masterson's Clock Island series. Now a twenty-six-year-old teacher's aide, she has shared her love of reading with bright, orphaned seven-year-old Christopher Lamb. Lucy would give anything to adopt Christopher, but even the idea of becoming a family seems like an impossible dream without proper funds and stability.Just when Lucy is about to give up, Jack Masterson announces he's finally written a new book. Even better, he's holding a contest at his home on the real Clock Island, and Lucy is one of the four lucky contestants chosen to compete to win the one and only copy.For Lucy, the chance of winning the most sought-after book in the world means everything to her and Christopher. But first she must contend with ruthless book collectors, wily opponents, and the distractingly handsome (and grumpy) Hugo Reese, the illustrator of the Clock Island books. Meanwhile, Jack "the Mastermind" Masterson is plotting the ultimate twist ending that could change all their lives forever.'Clever, dark, and hopeful' -V. E. Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRueTrade ReviewMeg Shaffer's beautiful novel is part Willy Wonka, part magical realism, and wholly moving. It broke my heart and patched it over and reminded me that even as an adult, if you look hard enough, you can find the child still inside you * Jodi PIcoult *Our list of must-read fiction books wouldn't be complete without a novel that reminds readers of the power books hold between their pages. Meg Shaffer's The Wishing Game may not contain any magic--this is a whimsical tale, but it's grounded in reality--yet there's something magical about the book * Readers Digest *A heartwarming, page-turning story of found family, love triumphing over indifference, and the world-changing power of a good book * Melissa Albert, New York Times bestselling author of The Hazel Wood *A dreamy, inventive novel about how books can not only change lives but save them too. Full of the power of imagination, it's one of my favorite books of the year. * Sarah Addison Allen, New York Times bestselling author of Other Birds *A magical ode to storytelling, imagination, and the mystery of the creative life . . . Wildly imaginative, clever, and inspiring, The Wishing Game is for anyone who has found light in a story just when they need it * Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea *Meg Shaffer's debut establishes her as one of the best. The Wishing Game sees the secret child hidden inside all of us, and it takes us on the thrilling, magical journey we all long for--where we might end up with everything we want but only if we risk it all * Gwenda Bond, New York Times bestselling author of Stranger Things: Suspicious Minds *Shaffer blends tragedy and triumph in a whimsical and gratifying debut about what makes a family. This is wish fulfillment in the best way * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *A meditation on the power of hope when all else seems lost * Kirkus *A work by turns clever, dark, and hopeful, Shaffer's debut is a love letter to reading and the power childhood stories have over us long after we've grown up * V. E. Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs featured on The Kelly Clarkson ShowThere's something magical about Yarrow, Kentucky. The three empathic witches of the Haywood family are known for their shadow garden-from strawberries that taste like chocolate to cherry tomatoes imbued with the flavors of basil and oregano. Their magic can cure any heartache, and the fruits of their garden bring a special quality to the local bourbon distillery. On one day every year, a shot of Bonner bourbon will make your worst memory disappear. But the Haywoods will never forget the Bonners' bitter betrayal.Twenty years ago, the town gave up more than one memory; they forgot an entire summer. One person died. One person disappeared. And no one has any recollection of either.As events from that fateful summer start to come to light, there must be a reckoning between the rival Haywood and Bonner families. But untangling the deep roots of this town's terrible secrets will expose more than they could ever imagine about love, treachery, and the true nature of their power.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTwo sisters are trapped on opposite sides of reality in this entrancing and deeply moving debut novel that weaves together a contemporary narrative with a parallel fantasy world of Trinidadian lore. One year ago, a tragic car accident killed 22-year-old Laine's parents and left her 18-year-old sister, Alyssa, paralyzed and nonverbal. Now-instead of studying animal nutrition or competing as one of the few equestrians of color-Laine is struggling with predatory banks, unscrupulous health care organizations, and rude customers at the coffee shop where she works. That's why when Lake Forest Adult Day Center offers to take care of Alyssa, free of charge, Laine is relieved.Alyssa isn't relieved, though. After all, in her mind, there was never a car accident. Instead, she and her parents-the king and queen of Mirendal-were attacked one year ago in the forest, her parents kidnapped while she was cursed, and now must spend her days in Lake Forest's Home for Changels-a temple caring for mortals such as herself. Perhaps there, she could meet other changels who show her how to embrace her new life.However, there is a dark prince at Lake Forest, one who has taken a peculiar interest in not only Alyssa but her sister as well. And while Laine struggles to make ends meet on an everyday basis, Alyssa finds herself leading a battle that threatens to destroy not only her and her sister but their entire kingdom.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOne quiet afternoon in 2037, Joyce Denzell hears a thud in her family’s home library and finds a book lying in the middle of the room, seemingly waiting for her—a book whose copyright page says it was published in the year 2200. Over the next twenty-four hours, each of the Denzell family members discovers and reads from this mystical history book from the future, nudged along by their cat, Plato.As the various family members take turns reading, they gradually uncover the story of Gabe, Mia, and Ruth—a saga of adventure, endurance, romance, mystery, and hope that touches them all deeply. Along the way, the Denzells all begin to believe that this book that has seemingly fallen out of time and space and into their midst might actually be from the future—and that it might have something vitally important to teach them.Engaging, playful, and thought-provoking, Hope is a seven-generation-spanning vision of the future as it could be—based on scientific projections, as well as historical and legal precedence—that will leave readers grappling with questions of destiny, responsibility, and the possibility for hope in a future world.Trade Review“An inherently fascinating, deftly written, thought-provoking, and fully entertaining blend of fantasy, the paranormal, and science fiction Hope, a History of the Future will leave readers grappling with questions of destiny, responsibility, and the possibility for hope in a future world some two centuries from now. . . . Hope, a History of the Future is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections.”—Midwest Book Review“It is a work of epic imagination, well researched and poetically rendered.”—Forrest Kinney, educator, author, pianist, composer, and presenter“This tale inspires dreams of the world we all want to live in . . .”—Priscilla Stuckey, author of Kissed by a Fox and Tamed by a Bear“The past, present, and future meet through a book that transcends time and connects us all. Out of disaster emerges hope.”—Bruce Haulman, historian and author of Vashon-Maury Island: Images of America and A Brief History of Vashon Island

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom New York Times bestselling author Ann Aguirre comes the magical town of St. Claire, where anything is possible...Iris Collins is the messy one in her family. The "chaos bunny." Her sisters are all wildly successful, while she can't balance her budget for a single month. It's no wonder she's in debt to her roommates. When she unexpectedly inherits a house from her great aunt, her plan to turn it into a B&B fails-as most of her plans do. She winds up renting rooms like a Victorian spinster, collecting other lost souls...and not all of them are "human."Eli Reese grew up as the nerdy outcast in school, but he got rich designing apps. Now he's successful by any standards. But he's never had the same luck in finding a real community or people who understand him. Over the years, he's never forgotten his first crush, so when he spots her at a café, he takes it as a sign. Except then he gets sucked into the Iris-verse and somehow ends up renting one of her B&B rooms. As the days pass, Eli grows enchanted by the misfit boarders staying in the house...and even more so by Iris. Could Eli have finally found a person and a place to call "home"?

Read more less