Fairy and Folk tales / Fairy tale retellings

Book Synopsis''A darkly gorgeous fantasy that sparkles with snow and magic, this book wholly enchanted me'' Sangu Mandanna, author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular WitchesEnter the world of the hidden folk - and discover the most whimsical, enchanting and heart-warming tale you''ll read this year, featuring the intrepid Emily Wilde. . .Emily Wilde is good at many things: she is the foremost expert on the study of faeries; she is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world''s first encylopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk. Nor does she care to spend time with another new arrival: her dashing and insufferably handsome academic rival Wendell Bambleby But as Emily gets closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones - the most elusive of all faeries - she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery: who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, she''ll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all - her own heart.''Forget dark academia: give me instead this kind of winter-sunshined, sharp-tongued and footnoted academia, full of field trips and grumpy romance'' Freya Marske, author of A Marvellous Light''Enchanting in every sense of the word. . . This book is real magic'' H. G. Parry, author of The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep''A book so vividly, endlessly enchanting, so crisply assured, so rich and complete and wise and far-reaching in its worldbuilding that you''ll walk away half ensorcelled, sure Fawcett found Emily Wilde''s journal in some sea-stained trunk'' Melissa Albert''The ideal book to curl up with on a chilly winter''s evening. . . this book is an absolute delight.'' Megan Bannen, author of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy''A charmingly whimsical delight. . . Five dazzling, gladdening stars'' India Holton, author of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels''I enjoyed every word of this gorgeously written fairy tale featuring a grumpy heroine and an utterly charming love interest'' Isabel Ibañez, author of Woven In MoonlightTrade ReviewEmily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries charmed me more than any faerie king ever could. . . the ideal book to curl up with on a chilly winter's evening. I would follow Emily and Wendell to the ends of the earth. This book is an absolute delight -- Megan Bannen, author of THE UNDERTAKING OF HART AND MERCYEnchanting in every sense of the word, Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries is a delight of snow laden forests and changelings, folklore and fairy kings, meticulous footnotes and academic rivalry and adventure. Brilliant, prickly Emily Wilde and her infuriatingly charming fellow scholar have a special place in my heart now. This book is real magic -- H. G. Parry, author of THE UNLIKELY ESCAPE OF URIAH HEEPA charmingly whimsical delight, saturated with faerie magic and the equally wonderful magic of humanity. . . Five dazzling, gladdening stars -- India Holton, author of THE WISTERIA SOCIETY OF LADY SCOUNDRELSForget dark academia: give me instead this kind of winter-sunshined, sharp-tongued and footnoted academia, full of field trips and grumpy romance and malevolent faeries. Emily Wilde is a narrator I won't forget in a hurry, and this book was an invigorating balm for my heart and mind -- Freya Marske, author of A MARVELLOUS LIGHTA book so vividly, endlessly enchanting, so crisply assured, so rich and complete and wise and far-reaching in its worldbuilding that you'll walk away half ensorcelled, sure Fawcett found Emily Wilde's journal in some sea-stained trunk -- Melissa AlbertA darkly gorgeous fantasy that sparkles with snow and magic, this book wholly enchanted me -- Sangu Mandanna, author of THE VERY SECRET SOCIETY OF IRREGULAR WITCHESA thoroughly charming academic fairy tale, complete with footnotes and a low-key grumpy romance -- Guardian

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Book SynopsisA new expanded edition of Tolkien's most famous, and most important essay, which defined his conception of fantasy as a literary form, and which led to the writing of The Lord of the Rings. Accompanied by a critical study of the history and writing of the text.J.R.R. Tolkien''s On Fairy-stories is his most-studied and most-quoted essay, an exemplary personal statement of his views on the role of imagination in literature, and an intellectual tour de force vital for understanding Tolkien''s achievement in the writing of The Lord of the Rings.On Fairy-stories comprises about 18,000 words. What is little-known is that when Tolkien expanded the essay in 1943, he wrote many more pages of his views that were originally condensed into or cut from the published version. An estimate is difficult, but these unpublished passages perhaps amount to half again as much writing as the essay itself. These passages contain important elaborations of his views on other writers, and their publication repreTrade Review‘This book must be read… it goes far to explain the nature of Tolkien’s art and justify his success’ The Cambridge Review

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Book SynopsisWelcome to Lapvona. In a village in a medieval fiefdom buffeted by natural disasters, a motherless shepherd boy finds himself at the centre of a power struggle that puts all manner of faith to a savage test . . .Discover the Sunday Times bestselling novel from the author of TikTok sensation My Year of Rest and Relaxation.'One of the most provocative reads of the year'i NEWSPAPER'Disturbingly funny'OBSERVER, BOOKS OF THE YEAR'An addictive read . . . with a chequered cast of misfits, despots and unholy souls'THE FACE'One of America's most exciting - and most provocative - young novelists'FINANCIAL TIMES'Lapvona deserves all the hype it's received and more'i-D'Brace yourselves'STYLISTTrade ReviewCompelling... Moshfegh's bold venture beyond her comfort zone in Lapvona is a welcome promise of how much more she has to offer American literature today. * Financial Times *What impresses here is not so much Moshfegh's abilities with character or narrative, or even her language . . . as the qualities Lapvona shares with a Francis Bacon painting: depicting in blood-red vitality, without morals or judgment, the human animal in its native chaos. * Guardian *Moshfegh expertly creates a world with its own superstitions and laws, both timeless and topical. * Oprah Daily *Moshfegh's genius is her ability to rip away the veil, revealing the horrors beneath, in writing so compelling, and bleakly funny, that we can't bear to look away. * i *A witty, vicious novel.. . Moshfegh is one of our most thrilling chroniclers of the abject * Observer (USA) *

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Book SynopsisThe translation of Beowulf by J.R.R. Tolkien was an early work, very distinctive in its mode, completed in 1926: he returned to it later to make hasty corrections, but seems never to have considered its publication. This edition is twofold, for there exists an illuminating commentary on the text of the poem by the translator himself, in the written form of a series of lectures given at Oxford in the 1930s; and from these lectures a substantial selection has been made, to form also a commentary on the translation in this book. From his creative attention to detail in these lectures there arises a sense of the immediacy and clarity of his vision. It is as if he entered into the imagined past: standing beside Beowulf and his men shaking out their mail-shirts as they beached their ship on the coast of Denmark, listening to the rising anger of Beowulf at the taunting of Unferth, or looking up in amazement at Grendel's terrible hand set under the roof of Heorot.Trade Review“This is long-awaited, and hugely exciting for Tolkien readers” The Guardian “If he had never written The Lord of the Rings he would have been famous in academic circles for writing one published lecture on Beowulf called The Monsters and the Critics. It turned things upside down. Beowulf was probably the medieval text that influenced him the most and the commentary and lectures are ‘nuggets of gold’”The Independent “A tantalising prospect. Tolkien’s translation of Sir Gawain is a master class in linguistic chicanery – Middle English meets Middle Earth… it will be interesting to see if it gives Heaney's Beowulf a run for its money”Simon Armitage, The Guardian

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Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics.But the wildest of all the wild animals was the Cat. He walked by himself, and all places were alike to him.Cats have long been considered creatures of mystery and magic. Worshipped as deities in some cultures, feared as harbingers of bad fortune in others, it''s little surprise that their enigmatic charm continues to capture our imaginations today.This classic collection of the most beloved cat tales includes Saki''s Tobermory', in which a straight-talking cat leaves dinner guests aghast yet entranced; a Norse fairy tale involving a spectacular feline rescue; The Dragon Tamers' by E. Nesbit; and H. P. Lovecraft''s strange story The Cats of Ulthar'; amongst many others to enjoy for years to come.

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Book SynopsisYoung children are natural storytellers. They love both listening to parents telling stories and telling stories themselves. These 46 World Tales for Family Storytelling can be shared at bedtime, on journeys, at parties or around the campfire.Children will find these ready to tell stories are short, simple, and quick to learn. They draw on traditional tales, told in the voice of a storyteller. Parents can read or tell the stories, so children can soon tell the stories themselves. Such oral storytelling builds children's confidence in their unique voices.These wonderful world tales are all selected from the highly acclaimed 147 Traditional Stories for Primary School Children to Retell, a reference book used by teachers around the globe. In this collection for home use, we focus on tales for children aged 6-8. The stories may be read, told and retold and then explored within the family. They offer a rich vein of world heritage, giving your family a doorway into the wonderful world of traditional tales. Enjoy! Chris Smith

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Book SynopsisA retelling of Disney Beauty and the Beast with stunning development art from the original Disney Studio artists. Collect the whole Animated Classics series!Disney Beauty and the Beast is one of the best-loved films of all time and has been a family favourite for thirty years.Relive the magic through this retelling of the classic animated film, accompanied by paintings, sketches and concept art from the original Disney Studio artists. Discover the inside story with a foreword by a Disney filmmaker, and turn to the back of the book to learn more about the artists who worked on this iconic film.This beautiful hardback features premium cloth binding, a ribbon marker to match the cover, foil stamping and illustrated endpapers. This is the perfect gift for all those who have been enchanted by the magic of Beauty and the Beast, and a book to be treasured by all.

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Book SynopsisJohanna Basford is an illustrator and ink evangelist who prefers pens and pencils to pixels. Her intricate, hand-drawn illustrations are loved the world over by those who have coloured in (sometimes more than once) her bestselling books Small Victories, Rooms of Wonder, 30 Days of Creativity, Worlds of Wonder, How to Draw Inky Wonderlands, World of Flowers, Ivy and the Inky Butterfly, Johanna's Christmas, Magical Jungle, Lost Ocean, Enchanted Forest, and Secret Garden. An incredible 25 million copies sold. Johanna is a graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in Dundee, Scotland. She likes sugar mice, floral teacups, peonies, and bumblebees.Visit her online at johannabasford.com or follow @johannabasford.Trade ReviewThe colourists have a queen, and her name is Johanna Basford. * New York Magazine *Consider trading in your yoga mat for a set of markers and peruse the gorgeous gardens of Basford’s imagination. * The Huffington Post *

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Book SynopsisPrincess Peppa and Prince George introduce their favourite fairytales with these fun sticker scenes! Use the big stickers to complete the activities and tell your own stories with Peppa Pig and her friends in this magical activity book packed full of stickers.

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Book SynopsisA month-by-month treasury of stories and traditions that bring to life the changing seasons and celebrate the turning yearTrade Review“Original drawings, songs, recipes and rhymes combine into a ‘spell-book’ of the seasons that is a fascinating read.” * Countryside magazine *"Martin Maudsley's new book Telling the Seasons is a wonderful journey through the year, looking at its stories, celebrations, songs and folklore, and is a recommended read." * Cotswold Life *Author Q&A and feature in BBC Countryfile June issue * BBC Countryfile Magazine *This book is like a plump pie filled with seasonal treats, one delicious slice for every month of the year * Shepherd *

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Book Synopsis''Smart and subversive, these charming romances will ignite your heart - and your hope'' Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the SunProper Regency ladies are not supposed to become magicians - but Miss Abigail Wilder is far from proper.The marriageable young ladies of London are dying mysteriously, and Abigail Wilder intends to discover why. Abigail''s father, the Lord Sorcier of England, believes that a dark lord of faerie is involved - but while Abigail is willing to match her magic against Lord Longshadow, neither her father nor high society believe that she is capable of doing so.Thankfully, Abigail is not the only one investigating the terrible events in London. Mercy, a street rat and self-taught magician, insists on joining Abigail to unravel the mystery. But while Mercy''s own magic is strange and foreboding, she may well pose an even greater danger to Abigail''s heart. From the author of HALF A SOUL cTrade ReviewA hugely enjoyable take on the Regency. . . I wolfed this down with great pleasure. -- KJ Charles on HALF A SOULI've read these books more times than I can count. Atwater's stubborn, quietly radical characters defy the expectations of both society and fairy tales as they blaze new paths towards love and decency. Smart and subversive, these charming romances will ignite your heart-and your hope -- Shelley Parker-Chan, author of SHE WHO BECAME THE SUNWhimsical, witty, and brimming over with charm. . . Dora and the Lord Sorcier have a place amongst my favourite fantasy romance couples ever -- India Holton, author of THE WISTERIA SOCIETY OF LADY SCOUNDRELSHalf a Soul is exactly the comfort read we all need. This winsome, whimsical fantasy romance has much to say about privilege, justice, and the power of empathy, even as it sweeps you off your feet in the swooniest way possible -- Megan Bannen, author of THE UNDERTAKING OF HART AND MERCYA delightful, romantic romp that also deftly examines class and privilege, Half a Soul is the definition of a comfort read -- Hannah Whitten on HALF A SOULHalf a Soul is the perfect balm for these bad times. It's whimsical but never frivolous, sweet but not sugary, deeply kind rather than merely nice. I loved it -- Alix E. Harrow on HALF A SOULHalf a Soul is a perfect historical fantasy romance: warm, sparkling with magic, dangerous and delightful. I absolutely adored it. -- Tasha Suri, author of THE JASMINE THRONEA charming and original take on both the fae and the Regency fantasy genre, with plenty of humour and heart. I couldn't put it down. -- Heather Fawcett, author of EMILY WILDE'S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES on HALF A SOUL

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Book SynopsisTrolls and pookas, wild woodlands and fairy meadows. A dollhouse with secrets within its rooms. A holiday cottage comes with a ghostly guest, and walkers awake an ancient myth. Then a child finds an unusual excuse for missing homework, before an artwork unravels, and a wild garden cultivates a few surprises ... Full of the mysterious and the gothic, myths and memoir, this is a captivating and intriguing anthology of short stories and poetry inspired by the magic within a landscape the author knows well. An original collection by: Diana Alexander, Patrick Booth, Amaris Chase, Stephen Connolly, Toby Crabbe, Myles Cutler, Daphne Denley, J.J. Drover, Jenny Finch, Vicki Fletcher, Nikolina Hua, Rose Leicester, Olive Malcolm, Rebecca McDowall, Rosalind Newton, Margaret Royall, Stuart Samuel, Derek Skinner, Julie Wiltshire and Ceri Vyner, with illustrations by Lorna GrayTrade ReviewPraise for previous Crumps Barn Studio Anthologies: "Oh wow what a brilliant set of short stories and poetry ... There is a real mix of different tales" -- Five Stars; "I thoroughly enjoyed Spooky Ambiguous. I appreciated having both poems and prose, first and third person perspectives and a collection that can be dipped into or read in the order presented as I did. If like me, you view the concept of trick or treat anathema, I think you'll be missing a trick if you don't treat yourself to this eclectic collection instead" -- Linda Hill, reviewer

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Book Synopsis'A wild, adventurous romp that will leave you breathless at every turn' Hafsah FaizalOnce upon a time, there was a horrible girl . . . Vanja Schmidt knows that no gift is freely given, not even a mother's love. The adopted goddaughter of Death and Fortune, Vanja has long made her own way in the world as the dutiful servant of Princess Gisele. Until a year ago, when her otherworldly mothers demanded payment for their care, and Vanja decided to steal her future back . . . by stealing Gisele's life. With the help of an enchanted string of pearls, Vanja transformed into her former mistress and took her place, leaving the real Gisele a penniless nobody. Now, Vanja leads a lonely but lucrative double life as princess and jewel thief, charming the nobility while emptying their coffers to fund her great escape. Until, one heist away from freedom, Vanja crosses the wrong god and is cursed to turn into jewels, stone by stone. With a feral guardian half-god, Gisele's sinister fiancé, and an overeager junior detective on her tail, Vanja has just two weeks to pull off her biggest grift yet, or she risks losing more than her freedom - she could lose her life. In this delightfully irreverent retelling of 'The Goose Girl', Margaret Own crafts an unputdownable tale about stolen lives, thorny truths, and the wicked girls at the heart of both.Trade ReviewGorgeous prose, delicious magic * VE Schwab, author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue *A wild, adventurous romp that will leave you breathless at every turn. Expect sharp edges balanced with delightful humor and good fun - but I'll warn you: Vanja will steal your heart * Hafsah Faizal, New York Times-bestselling and award-winning author of We Hunt the Flame *Margaret Owen has done it again, yanking me between surety and nail-biting anticipation the whole way * Brittney Morris, bestselling Author of Slay *With Six of Crows and The Cruel Prince as readalikes, this will find an audience anywhere there are fantasy fans. Highly recommended and not to be missed * School Library Journal, starred review *A lush and lively adventure replete with romance, revenge, and robbery * Kirkus, starred review *Owen flips the tale of the Goose Girl on its head for a breathlessly inventive, never-a-dull-moment adventure of found family and second (or fourth or fifth) chances. If you're not careful, it'll steal your heart, too * Booklist, Starred Review *Masterpiece of storytelling... This is YA fantasy at its very best * Armadillo Magazine *Little Thieves really does have all the elements for a truly memorable fantasy fable. It's a book for anyone who loves classic fairytale retellings with hear-stealing characters and a thrilling cat-and-mouse adventure at its heart * Culturefly *Margaret Owen has written my favourite fantasy novel of 2021. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys fairy tales, murder mysteries, heists and clever twists * Reach Plc Regional *Fantasy fans will love this YA reimagining of Brothers Grimm classic Goose Girl * Heat Magazine *This book spools out a plot you think you've seen before but then delights in gleefully wrong-footing you. A perfectly delightful Picasso ... will leave you chock-full of joy * SFX *A great read for this time of year with curses and a range of terrifying creatures to keep you spooked to the end * Reach Plc (BirminghamLive) *A sparky and irreverent reimagining of Goose Girl, the German fairytale by the Brothers Grimm, Little Thieves is rich with detail and zippy dialogue... I wasn't prepared for quite how much I loved this book * Culturefly - Best Books of 2021 *Margaret Owen has clearly thrown all her ideas at the wall to see what sticks and, amazingly, not only have they stuck but they've formed a Picasso * SFX *Thrilling and laced with frightening magic and irreverent humour * Metro *

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Book SynopsisA delicate weaving of myth and history, The Witch and the Tsar breathes new life into stories you think you know' Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the WolfYaga lives deep in the Russian forest, tending to any that call upon her for her healing potions and vast wisdom.She has been alone for centuries, with only her beloved animals for company. But, when Tsaritsa Anastasia, wife of Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich, shows up at Yaga's cottage on the brink of death, Yaga is compelled to travel with her to Moscow to keep her safe.However, the Russia Yaga sees as she makes her journey to the heart of the country is one on the brink of chaos. Tsar Ivan soon to become Ivan the Terrible grows more volatile and tyrannical by the day, and Yaga believes the tsaritsa is being poisoned by an unknown enemy. But what Yaga cannot know is that Ivan is being manipulated by powers far older and more fearsome than anyone can imagine.Set in sixteenth-century Russia, The Witch and the Tsar upeTrade Review‘An utterly enchanting, wholly immersive debut that deftly reimagines the legend of Baba Yaga. This one is unmissable’ Alexis Henderson, author of The Year of the Witching ‘This epic tale brings both history and folklore to vivid life. It's a fresh, exciting take sure to capture fans of Madeline Miller's Circe and Jennifer Saint's Ariadne’ Publishers Weekly ‘Fierce and fearless, The Witch and the Tsar whisks the reader back to a sixteenth-century Russia that's enthralling, frightening, and completely unforgettable. With stunning prose and sharp insight, Olesya Salnikova Gilmore conjures up a captivating battle between gods, emperors, and folkloric spirits, led by a prickly, powerful heroine who leaps off the page and refuses to be ignored. This is Baba Yaga like you've never seen her before, and you're going to love her’ Allison Epstein, author of A Tip for the Hangman ‘Beautifully written, gripping…a story of Baba Yaga as you have never met her before – don’t even THINK about missing it!’ Gabriella Saab, author of The Last Checkmate ‘The Witch and the Tsar delivers high stakes, memorable characters, and a sixteenth-century Russia you can almost reach out and touch. Yaga’s tale is a story I never knew I needed’ Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch’s Heart ‘A perfect blend of fantasy and historical fiction, The Witch and the Tsar magnificently paints an old Russia full of vengeful gods, court intrigue, and high adventure. In the centre of it all is the half-goddess Yaga, isolated and proud, whose compassion for humanity drives her into a war with Ivan the Terrible and the mythical beings who use him for their own ends. Immersive and beautifully written, Yaga’s story reminds us that gods – like humans – can choose their own fates’ Anika Scott, internationally bestselling author of The Soviet Sisters

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Book SynopsisThe dead wreak revenge on the living, paintings come alive, spectral brides possess mortal men and a priest devours human flesh in these chilling Japanese ghost stories retold by a master of the supernatural. Lafcadio Hearn drew on the phantoms and ghouls of traditional Japanese folklore - including the headless 'rokuro-kubi', the monstrous goblins 'jikininki' or the faceless 'mujina' who stalk lonely neighbourhoods - and infused them with his own memories of his haunted childhood in nineteenth-century Ireland to create these terrifying tales of striking and eerie power. Today they are regarded in Japan as classics in their own right. Edited with an introduction by Paul MurrayTrade ReviewThe particular value of Murray's collection is that it leads us in chronological order through a much greater breadth of Hearn's writings on the supernatural in Japan, with ghostly tales selected from 11 of his books ... This book insightfully shows how Hearn filtered Japanese ghostly originals through the prism of his own expansive imagination and traumatized experience to create works that were distinctly, and chillingly, his own * Japan Times *What makes these stories, preserved from ancient times, especially readable today is the preternaturally postmodern form they are given in Hearn's deeply idiosyncratic telling * New Yorker *The overarching mood is of wonder . . . the stories occupy the reverie world our mind projects onto the backs of our eyelids, where the ordinary mingles with the supernatural * The Wall Street Journal *An extraordinary author . . . Paul Murray, a former Irish diplomat, has been hooked since a 1970s posting in Japan. His Penguin compilation includes 34 selections, a chronology of Hearn's peripatetic life, some intriguing background information about the sources of the stories, and a number of evocative woodblock prints. Murray's introduction is exceptionally useful to contextualize the man and his oeuvre, tracing the powerful influence of Irish folktales and ghost stories on Hearn's take on Japanese counterparts * Los Angeles Review of Books *

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Book SynopsisA glittering rush of sugar-sweet enchantment' Stephanie Garber, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Curse for True LoveIn the darkness of night, magic awaitsNottingham, 1906Marietta Stelle longs to be a ballerina but, as Christmas draws nearer, her dancing days are numbered she must marry and take up her place in society in the New Year. But, when a mysterious toymaker, Dr Drosselmeier, purchases a neighbouring townhouse, it heralds the arrival of magic and wonder in Marietta's life.After Drosselmeier constructs an elaborate theatrical set for her final ballet performance on Christmas Eve, Marietta discovers it carries a magic all of its own a magic darker than anyone could imagine. As the clock chimes midnight, Marietta finds herself transported from her family's ballroom to a frozen sugar palace, silent with secrets, in a forest of snow-topped fir trees. She must find a way to return home before she's trapped in Everwood's enchanting grip forever.In the darkness of night, magic awaits and you will never forget what you find hereTropes:?? Finding the magic of Christmas?? True love?? Festive fun!Your favourite authors have fallen under the magical spell of Midnight in Everwood:The perfect winter fairy tale' Sarah Morgan, The Christmas EscapeA deliciously dark retelling of The Nutcracker' Jennifer Saint, AtalantaSumptuous and spellbinding' Heidi Swain, Underneath the Christmas TreeBeautifully spun and wildly imagined' Cari Thomas, ThreadneedleEnchanting! The perfect Christmas treat' Veronica Henry, Christmas at the Beach HutReaders LOVE Midnight in Everwood:Transported me to a magical world' ??????????A great winter read' ??????????A story in which you can lose yourself' ??????????I was drawn into this book from the very first page' ??????????A must-read for the Christmas season' ??????????Enchanting and full of wonderful adventure' ??????????Will sweep you off your feet' ??????????A fairy tale for grown-ups and absolutely perfect for Christmas' ??????????Trade Review Praise for Midnight in Everwood: ‘Perfect autumnal reading in this enchanting and fantastical retelling of The Nutcracker. A show-stopping book’ Woman & Home ‘A glittering rush of sugar-sweet enchantment laced with sparkling prose and bewitching storytelling. Beware of entering this magnificent world; Everwood will dazzle and seduce you and then steal you away’ Stephanie Garber, Sunday Times bestselling author of Once Upon A Broken Heart ‘An absolute dream of a read. A magical, enchanting retelling of The Nutcracker’ LoveReading, Book of the Month ‘Magical and evocative, the perfect winter fairy tale’ Sarah Morgan, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Christmas Escape ‘This retelling of The Nutcracker will transport you to a fairy tale world where magic happens’ Good Housekeeping ‘The perfect Christmas treat, with every word a jewel. You will fall under its spell from the first page to the last. Enchanting’ Veronica Henry, Sunday Times bestselling author of Christmas at the Beach Hut ‘A sumptuous and spellbinding read’ Heidi Swain, Sunday Times bestselling author of Underneath the Christmas Tree ‘Deliciously dangerous and darkly enchanting’ Sophie Anderson, The Girl Who Speaks Bear ‘I ADORED this adult retelling of The Nutcracker. A lyrical winter fairy tale full of snow, magic and whimsy. So beautifully written – every page was a delight’ Alex Bell, The Winter Garden ‘Whisks us away in its sugar spun dance of enchantment. For fans of The Night Circus, as delicious as its sweetest confection, it’s a real delight’ Nydia Hetherington, A Girl Made of Air ‘A magical and dark story told like a beautiful fairy tale’ Fabulous ‘A quintessential Christmas read’ Culturefly

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Book SynopsisEverybody loves stories and Scotland is full of them. Every town, village, glen, loch, nook and cranny has a tale to tell and it’s these stories that bring those places to life. Scotland’s Stories is the key to unlocking those legends and seeing these incredible places in a new light. Loch Garve looks very different when you know there’s a Kelpie lurking somewhere in its depths. There’s a new appreciation for the iconic Eilean Donan Castle after discovering the man who built it spoke with birds. An empty moor or wooded gorge is easily brought to life with the clashing sounds of a battle fought long ago.Based on the popular travel blog from storyteller Graeme and Molly the Labrador, these tales will appeal to all who love history, folklore and Scotland.Trade ReviewThis book is a real treasure for anyone interested in Scotland. From fierce battles and fascinating figures of Scottish history to the wonders of Scottish mythology, this book has it all! -- Beth Reid * @historywithbeth *In his new book, Graeme Johncock brings together some of Scotland’s most intriguing stories, such as the Lady Ghosts of Crathes Castle… * Scotland magazine *"Everyone loves a good tale, whether it’s a rousing historical anecdote or a frightening fantasy… and they’re all better when heard in the place where the action is set, writes storyteller supreme Graeme Johncock" * Feature in Scotsman magazine *Johncock takes the reader on a tour of some incredible places while revealing the stories that bring them to life. A great read to dip into at your leisure. * Scottish Field *

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Book SynopsisHungary nestles in the crossroads of Europe, and so Hungarian culture shares elements from West and East, with a rich tradition of folk beliefs and folktales that have been passed down through the generations. This delightful collection gathers together tales told by the authors and folklorists Baroness Orczy, János Kriza, John Erdélyi and Julius Pap: tales of fairy folk, adventure and adversity, fables and lessons, magical creatures and transformations – from ‘Uletka and the White Lizard’ with its echoes of Snow White, to the adventure of ‘Prince Mirkó’ with its bloodshed and diamond castles. FLAME TREE 451: From myth to mystery, the supernatural to horror, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic.

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Book SynopsisOne of only two novels I''ve ever loved whose main characters are not human' BARBARA KINGSOLVER For fans of The Essex Serpent and The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock.By far my favourite book of of the year' GuardianOne cold night, two newcomers emerge onto the streets of 1899 New York, and it is never the same again.But these two are more than strangers to this land, they are strangers to this world. From the depths of folkloric history come Chava the golem, a creature made of clay, brought to life by a disgraced rabbi and Ahmad, a djinni, born in the ancient Syrian desert and trapped in an old copper flask released accidentally by a tinsmith in a Lower Manhattan shop.Two companions who were never meant to be released, and never meant to meet. And when they do, their opposing natures will be sealed by a special bond, but one that is threatened by watching eyes, roaming owners and a misunderstanding world.A glittering gem of a novel, as spell-binding as it is compelling, The Golem and The DjinnTrade Review‘By far my favourite book of of the year … There isn't a wasted word, poorly considered paragraph or a single chapter in this high-concept fairytale that doesn't deliver some new enchantment’ Damien Walter, Guardian ‘The Golem and The Djinni has the detailed realism of historical fiction, the haunting feel of a folk tale, and is one of only two novels I've ever loved whose main characters are not human’ Barbara Kingsolver ‘The author makes you care enough about the humanity of these magical spirits to not only see them through to the end but also to regret that you’ve reached the last page’ New York Times ‘A continuous delight — provocative, atmospheric, and superbly paced’ Boston Globe ‘The Golem and The Djinni are among my favourite fictional people’ Washington Post

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Book SynopsisSome stories are universal. They play out across human history. And time is the river which will flow through them.It starts with a family, a family which will mutate. For now, it is a father, mother and two sons. One with his father’s violence in his blood. One who lives his mother’s artistry. One leaves. One stays. They will be joined by others whose deeds will change their fate. It is a beginning.Their stories will intertwine and evolve over the course of two thousand years – they will meet again and again at different times and in different places. From distant Palestine at the dawn of the first millennium to a life amongst the stars in the third. While the world will change around them, their destinies will remain the same. It must play out as foretold. It is written.A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom is the extraordinary new novel from acclaimed writer John Boyne. Ambitious, far-reaching and mythic, it introduces a group of characters whose lives we will come to know and will follow through time and space until they reach their natural conclusion.Trade ReviewAn ambitious, epic sweep of a book...John Boyne brilliantly and economically creates a sense of history and place... an enthralling read * S: The Sunday Express Magazine *This novel combines the pleasures of good old-fashioned storytelling with the excitement of finding a writer who makes you look at the world anew * Daily Express *Throbs with enduring love, warmth and passion. * The Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisBrave, Resourceful, Deceitful, Double-Crossing... Charming.Prince Jean-Marc Charming Arundel, known to friends and enemies alike as "Prince Charming," is handsome, well-mannered, brave, a peerless swordsman, a cunning tactician – and a liar, a con man and a fraud. For years he has been travelling from one kingdom to the next, rescuing endangered princesses and maidens, securing their troths and his place in their fathers' palaces, then looting their treasuries and having it away before dawn.Until a chance meeting of three of his victims – raven-haired Marie Blanche de Neige, the sorceress Doctor Emilia Rapunzel and the long-slumbering Bella Lucia dei’ Sogni – suggests a course of revenge...Trade Review“Delightful” -- Booklist“A delightfully twisted mash-up of fairy tales… Fans of Alix E. Harrow’s Fractured Fables series or Kevin Hearne and Delilah S. Dawson’s The Tales of Pell series will enjoy this story” -- Library Journal

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Book SynopsisA romantic retelling of a classic fairy tale about a beautiful herbalist and a lovestruck prince.Shirayuki is an herbalist famous for her naturally bright-red hair, and the prince of Tanbarun wants her all to himself! The prince from the neighboring kingdom, Zen, rescues her from her plight, and thus begins their love story.Shirayuki and Ryu are back in Lilias to work as herbalists. Shirayuki wastes no time diving into her new assignment, spending a backbreaking number of hours compounding medicine. But she and Ryu aren’t alone for long before Obi appears on Zen’s orders and invites Shirayuki to join him for a chat—at sunrise, no less!

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Book SynopsisThe translation of Beowulf by J.R.R. Tolkien was an early work, very distinctive in its mode, completed in 1926: he returned to it later to make hasty corrections, but seems never to have considered its publication.This edition is twofold, for there exists an illuminating commentary on the text of the poem by the translator himself, in the written form of a series of lectures given at Oxford in the 1930s; and from these lectures a substantial selection has been made, to form also a commentary on the translation in this book.From his creative attention to detail in these lectures there arises a sense of the immediacy and clarity of his vision. It is as if he entered into the imagined past: standing beside Beowulf and his men shaking out their mail-shirts as they beached their ship on the coast of Denmark, listening to the rising anger of Beowulf at the taunting of Unferth, or looking up in amazement at Grendel's terrible hand set under the roof of Heorot.But the commentary in this book includes also much from those lectures in which, while always anchored in the text, he expressed his wider perceptions. He looks closely at the dragon that would slay Beowulf snuffling in baffled rage and injured greed when he discovers the theft of the cup'; but he rebuts the notion that this is a mere treasure story', just another dragon tale'. He turns to the lines that tell of the burying of the golden things long ago, and observes that it is the feeling for the treasure itself, this sad history' that raises it to another level. The whole thing is sombre, tragic, sinister, curiously real. The treasure is not just some lucky wealth that will enable the finder to have a good time, or marry the princess. It is laden with history, leading back into the dark heathen ages beyond the memory of song, but not beyond the reach of imagination.'Sellic Spell, a marvellous tale', is a story written by Tolkien suggesting what might have been the form and style of an Old English folk-tale of Beowulf, in which there was no association with the historical legends' of the Northern kingdoms.Trade Review“This is long-awaited, and hugely exciting for Tolkien readers” The Guardian “If he had never written The Lord of the Rings he would have been famous in academic circles for writing one published lecture on Beowulf called The Monsters and the Critics. It turned things upside down. Beowulf was probably the medieval text that influenced him the most and the commentary and lectures are ‘nuggets of gold’”The Independent “A tantalising prospect. Tolkien’s translation of Sir Gawain is a master class in linguistic chicanery – Middle English meets Middle Earth… it will be interesting to see if it gives Heaney's Beowulf a run for its money”Simon Armitage, The Guardian

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Book SynopsisPerfect for storytime, this collection of ten traditional and much-loved stories includes The Princess and the Pea, Jack and the Beanstalk, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Little Red Riding Hood. Beautifully designed pages with Richard Johnson's enchanting illustrations bring each tale to life. Includes an introduction to the stories and notes on where they came from.

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Book SynopsisYou know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen…but do you recall the most petrifying Christmas figures of all? Not all children fear just a lump of coal in their stockings. Discover the terrifying Yuletide fables that have horrified kids for generations.He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake. He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness’ sake. This lighthearted song is a bit more ominous in the context of other Christmas traditions. From beasts that threaten to cook children into stew to sinister crones who snatch little ones from their beds, you won’t find any dancing sugar plums here. Outside of the heartwarming Christmas tales we all know and love, there are an abundance of frightening stories to chill all who hear them to the bone. Discover folklore from all corners of the world, including: Krampus (Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and northern Italy), a demonic half-goat monster who drags chains and whips bad children with birch sticks, or stuffs them in his sack to take away The Kallikantzari (Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Turkey), goblins who come out during Advent to cause mischief Père Fouettard (France, Belgium, Switzerland), Saint Nicholas’ eternal cannibal manservant who deals with naughty children Hans Trapp (Alsace-Lorraine, France), who roams the countryside disguised as a scarecrow and goes door to door on Christmas looking for children to feast upon Gryla (Iceland), the giant ogre who emerges from her cave on Christmas to hunt children and cook them into stew Mari Lwyd (Wales), a creature with a horse’s skull and a long cloak that is followed by a group of chanting people Frau Perchta (Austria and Bavaria), who slits the bellies of bad children and stuffs them with straw These tales are sure to leave you wishing for the Grinch. Whether you are a fan of history and folklore, you love learning about different cultures, or you just want to give a holiday gift that will bring the joy of Christmas to that lucky someone (just kidding), The Scary Book of Christmas Lore is for you. ’Tis the season! Is it beginning look a lot like Christmas, yet?

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Book SynopsisCollins Big Cat supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that children love to read. Levelled for guided and independent reading, each book includes ideas to support reading. Teaching and assessment support and eBooks are also available.A modern retelling of Cinderella on roller-skates!Ella is forbidden from going to the roller disco with her stepsisters. Will she follow the rules or follow her dreams?Copper/Band 12 books provide more complex plots and longer chapters that develop reading stamina.Pages 30 and 31 allow children to re-visit the content of the book, supporting comprehension skills, vocabulary development and recall.Ideas for reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities.

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Book SynopsisAnimal tales full of folklore and magic, chosen for for children aged 7-11

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Book SynopsisA retelling of Disney Moana featuring beautiful development art from the original Walt Disney Animation Studios artists. Since its release in 2016, Moana has been captivating audiences all over the world with its story of an adventurous teenager and a mighty demigod on a mission to fulfil the ancient quest of her ancestors and save her people. Enjoy the hit movie through this retelling of the story accompanied by concept art from the original Disney Animation artists. Alongside the art, fascinating facts about each piece of art give an insight into the design process behind the iconic movie. The beautiful hardback features a textured finish, stunning foil and illustrated endpapers to ensure this is a book to treasure for years to come. This is the perfect gift for all those who have been swept away by the story of Moana!

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Book SynopsisA dark, gorgeous reimagining about what happened to Captain Hook after Neverland from the bestselling author of Wendy, Darling – filled with eerie suspense and heart-breaking anguish Once invited, always welcome. Once invited, never free. Captain James Hook, the immortal pirate of Neverland, has died a thousand times. Drowned, stabbed by Peter Pan’s sword, eaten by the beast swimming below the depths, yet James was resurrected every time by one boy’s dark imagination. Until he found a door in the sky, an escape. And he took the chance no matter the cost. Now in London twenty-two years later, Peter Pan’s monster has found Captain Hook again, intent on revenge. But a chance encounter leads James to another survivor of Neverland. Wendy Darling, now a grown woman, is the only one who knows how dark a shadow Neverland casts, no matter how far you run. To vanquish Pan’s monster once and for all, Hook must play the villain one last time… Exploring themes of grief, survivor's guilt and healing broken bonds, Hooked is a modern-day Peter Pan story, perfect for fans of retellings, Christina Henry and V.E. Schwab.Trade Review"Hooked is an absolutely breathtaking accomplishment, and further proof that A.C. Wise is one of the most vital voices in fiction today. Her lush, beautiful prose draws you in and never lets you go... Be sure to put Hooked at the top of your reading list." Gwendolyn Kiste, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of The Rust Maidens and Reluctant Immortals "Hooked will effortlessly pull readers back into Wise's dark, seductive, and mesmerizing version of Neverland - and into the equally compelling inner world of her characters. A beautifully written and psychologically astute sequel." Leah Cypess, author of Thornwood and Glass Slippers "Fans of creepy updated fairy tales... should snap this up." Publishers Weekly Praise for Wendy, Darling "Feminist twists and creeping dread abound in this intriguing retelling of Peter Pan" Library Journal "Intelligent and deftly executed" TOR.com "This book hooked me immediately with Wendy's voice and rage and longing... what Wise does with the Peter Pan mythos here is nothing short of astonishing" Sam J. Miller, Nebula Award-winning author of Blackfish City "Wendy, Darling is a daring, gothic re-envisioning of everything we think we know - and an important, vivid adventure" Fran Wilde, two-time Nebula award-winning, World Fantasy finalist author of Updraft "Richly imagined, surprisingly dark, and heartbreakingly beautiful" Marian Womack, author of The Swimmers "A dark and delightful retelling of Peter Pan. Wendy, Darling is a gorgeous achievement, and one you don't want to miss." Gwendolyn Kiste, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of The Rust Maidens and Boneset & Feathers "Neverland is more nightmare than dream... This rich tale of memory and magic is sure to resonate with fans of reimagined children's stories." Publishers Weekly "It's the horror-tinged feminist Peter Pan retelling I never knew I needed... a brilliant re-imagining of a classic boy's club story." Bonnie Jo Stufflebeam, author of 'Mantles' and 'Entanglement' "A gorgeously imagined journey into the unfathomable depths of childhood myth." Kelly Robson, author of Gods, Monsters and the Lucky Peach "A well crafted retelling that gently explores a variety of themes including trauma, toxic masculinity, feminism, and sexuality. Fans of the original story will want to get to know the grown-up Wendy." Booklist "Magnificent... eloquently written and full of indelible characters, Wendy, Darling is a darkly beautiful story that proves to be as memorable as - and more meaningful than - its inspiration." Locus Praise for Catfish Lullaby "This luscious, unsettling Louisiana horror novella from Wise boasts a contemporary, living-folklore aesthetic... visceral language conveys an experience of eerie magic that simultaneously lures and repels." Publishers Weekly, starred review "With a potent atmosphere, a formidable antagonist, and well-drawn, unforgettable characters, this book has definitely got it all. An absolute must-read." Gwendolyn Kiste, author of The Rust Maidens "Catfish Lullaby seamlessly combines Southern folklore with cosmic horror. There's an elegiac undertone to this lullaby that's as deep and mysterious as the bayou where it takes place." Craig Laurance Gidney, author of A Spectral Hue

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Book SynopsisOrganized into four sections – Love, Marriage & Family, Powerful Spirits & Mystical Realms, The Magical & the Supernatural, Tales of Animals & Mythical Creatures – this delightful collection gathers together the misadventures of the poor and the rich alike, the heart-warming and the cautious warning tales of everyday life, with folk stories such as Hyung Bo and Nahl Bo, or, The Swallow-King's Rewards, The Magic Invasion of Seoul, The King of the Flowers, The Unmannerly Tiger, Tokgabi and His Pranks and Prince Sandalwood, the Father of Korea. FLAME TREE 451: From myth to mystery, the supernatural to horror, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic and the mythic.

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Book SynopsisCollins Big Cat supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that children love to read. Levelled for guided and independent reading, each book includes ideas to support reading. Teaching and assessment support and eBooks are also available.Nearly everyone in Marceline's class is going away for the holidays, but she has to go into hospital for an operation instead. However, Marceline loves books and she has lots of stories to keep her company. She learns all about the history of fairy tales and thinks about how she would retell a fairy tale herself.Diamond/Band 17 books offer more complex, underlying themes to give opportunities for children to understand causes and points of view.Pages 54 and 55 allow children to re-visit the content of the book, supporting comprehension skills, vocabulary development and recall.Ideas for reading in the back of the book provide practical support a

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThe overarching mood is of wonder . . . the stories occupy the reverie world our mind projects onto the backs of our eyelids, where the ordinary mingles with the supernatural * Wall Street Journal *

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Book SynopsisStories by Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault, Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, and illustrated by Arthur Rackham, Harry Clarke, William Heath Robinson, Walter Crane, Warwick Goble and Elizabeth Tyler Wolcott.Trade ReviewAs for fairy tales, it’s hard to think of a lovelier collection than Enchanted Tales and Happily Ever Afters . . . If I were a nicer person I would give mine to a deserving child, but tough, I’m not. -- Melanie McDonagh, The Standard, The best childrens books of 2023

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Book SynopsisFor most children, reading the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm is an essential experience; but when these stories were first collected, fairy tales were considered entertainment for adults as well. This edition of Grimm's Fairy Tales brings together the best-known fairy and folk tales set down by the Brothers Grimm, including Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, The Frog-Prince, and Rumpelstiltskin, in a package aimed at readers returning to the beloved stories of their youth.

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Book Synopsis'Robert Dinsdale mixes history and mythology with great panache . . . Richly textured and with an appropriately labyrinthine plot, this is a book that explores the monster inside man — and vice versa. Book of the Month' Sunday TimesLondon, 1861: Ten-year-old Nell belongs to a crew of mudlarks who work a stretch of the Thames along the Ratcliffe Highway. An orphan since her mother died four years past, leaving Nell with only broken dreams and a pair of satin slippers in her possession, she spends her days dredging up coals, copper and pieces of iron spilled by the river barges – searching for treasure in the mud in order to appease her master, Benjamin Murdstone.But one day, Nell discovers a body on the shore. It’s not the first corpse she’s encountered, but by far the strangest. Nearly seven feet tall, the creature has matted hair covering his legs, and on his head are the suggestion of horns. Nell’s fellow mudlarks urge her to steal his boots and rifle his pockets, but as she ventures closer the figure draws breath – and Nell is forced to make a decision which will change her life forever . . .From the critically acclaimed author of The Toymakers comes an imaginative retelling of the legend of the Minotaur, full of myth and magic and steeped in the grime of Victorian London; perfect for lovers of historical fiction with a mythical twist such as Stone Blind and Circe.Praise for Once A Monster:'Imaginative mash-up of the mythical with Victorian gothic.' - The Times'A wonderful magic trick of a story, full of very human monsters and monstrous humans. Dinsdale is a beautiful, evocative story teller. - Stuart Turton, bestselling author of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn HardcastleTrade ReviewA wonderful magic trick of a story, full of very human monsters and monstrous humans. Dinsdale is a beautiful, evocative story teller. -- Stuart Turton, bestselling author of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle[An] imaginative mash-up of the mythical with Victorian gothic. * The Times *Robert Dinsdale mixes history and mythology with great panache in Once a Monster -- The Sunday Times Book of the Month (Nick Rennison's historical fiction picks)What if the Minotaur survived, and followed Ariadne’s string out of the twisting darkness of the labyrinth? From this thread, Dinsdale spins an engaging yarn about dreams, second chances, and monsters both ordinary and supernatural. The story flows as smoothly as the waters of the Thames, and is just as dark and deep. Of note is Dinsdale’s ability to turn a phrase, shimmering like fine crystal held to the light. A dazzling and heartfelt book. -- Luna McNamara, author of Psyche and ErosAn inventive and irresistible retelling of the legend of the Minotaur. * I News *A labyrinthine delight of a novel where a world of Dickensian darkness is infused with ancient myth. Historical writing at its finest . . . unique, seductive, and accomplished. -- Essie Fox, bestselling author of The SomnambulistI was very moved by this story about shame, the costs of survival, and being loved in all one’s brokenness. Minos makes perfect sense as a character living at the margins in Victorian London, and the different ways Nell searches for beauty in the dirt will stay with me for a long time. -- Kate Mascarenhas, author of The Psychology of Time Travel and Hokey PokeyLike the magic at the heart of the story, this vivid, haunting novel is both vast and intimate. A wonderful and thought-provoking read. -- Katherine Arden, author of The Winternight Series, on The ToymakersThe crystalline prose, deep characterisation and compelling story carry you along. Highly recommended. * Historical Novel Society *

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Book SynopsisIn their tiny, sea-beaten cottage on the north coast of Scotland, Liska and Ruth await the birth of their first child. Each passes the time by telling the baby stories, trying to pass on the lessons they’ve learned: tales of circuses and stargazing, selkie fishermen and domestic werewolves, child-eating witches and broken-toothed dragons. But they must keep their storytelling a secret from one another, as they’ve agreed to only ever tell the plain truth. So to cloak their tales, Ruth tells her stories when Liska is at work, to a background of shrieking seabirds; Liska tells hers when Ruth is asleep, with the lighthouse sweeping its steady beam through the window.Trade ReviewA collection of skillfully written short stories in which the beauty of imagination meets the inevitable harshness of life -- Vanessa Piras, four stars * Skinny *A collection of skilfully written short stories in which the beauty of imagination meets the inevitable harshness of life… Undeniable literary merit. -- Vanessa Piras * List *What’s important is that it works, and that Logan’s lyrical, dreamlike storytelling reminds us why folk tales exist. -- Alastair Mabbott * Herald *A fascinating and original book, Kirsty Logan is a writer to watch. * Diva *

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Book SynopsisOnce upon a time, the townspeople of F -. did something bad . . .Local schoolteacher Catherine Evans has made writing the definitive account of what happened when Ilsbeth Clark drowned in the well her life's work.Some don't want the past raked up, but Catherine is determined to shine a light upon that shameful event. Because Ilsbeth was an innocent, shunned and ostracized by rumour-mongers and ill-wishers, and someone has to speak up for her. And who better than Catherine, who has herself felt the sting and hurt of such whisperings?And then a childhood friend returns to F -. Elena is a successful author who's earned a certain celebrity. Now in search of a new subject, she announces her intention to write a book about the long-dead woman.And Elena has everything Catherine has not. A platform. And connections. And no one seems to care that this book will be pure speculation, tainting Ilsbeth's memory. Catherine is left with no option but to blunt her rival's pen ...Before summer is over, one woman will be dead and the other accused of murder.But is she guilty, or are there other forces at work? And who was Ilsbeth Clark, really?An innocent? A witch? Or something else entirely?Trade ReviewTrue to form, Camilla Bruce has spun a slippery yet beguiling spell with this cleverly crafted and intoxicating tale of female rivalry and folklore. A startling and original plot is woven around a cast of gleefully unpleasant characters - I was gripped from the very first page.Haunting and harrowing . . . I couldn't look away.Simmering with unease and spookiness, this creepy read will give you goosebumps. **** * HEAT magazine *A slippery yet beguiling spell ... this is a cleverly crafted and intoxicating tale of female rivalry and folklore. * PICK ME UP! 'Book of the Week' *Uniting the 'found footage' of Janice Hallett's books with Norwegian tales of 'difficult women' and folk horror. * STYLIST *

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Book SynopsisA classic and heart-warming tale, Papa Panov's Special Day is the story of a lonely shoemaker's generosity reflecting the true spirit of Christmas.

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Book Synopsis"My cheeks hurt from smiling through this delightful book for adults who haven't outgrown fairytales."- JODI PICOULT, THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF WISH YOU WERE HERESometimes to truly know a person, you have to read between the lines.Isabelle is completely lost. When she first began her career in publishing after college, she did not expect to be twenty-five, still living at home, and one of the few Black employees at her publishing house. Overworked and underpaid, constantly torn between speaking up or stifling herself, Izzy thinks there must be more to this publishing life. So when she overhears her boss complaining about a beastly high-profile author who has failed to deliver his long-awaited manuscript, Isabelle sees an opportunity to finally get the promotion she deserves.All she has to do is go to the author's Santa Barbara mansion and give him a pep talk or three. How hard could it be?But Izzy quickly finds out she is in over her head. Beau Towers is not some celebrity lightweight writing a tell-all memoir. He is jaded and withdrawn and - it turns out - just as lost as Izzy. But despite his standoffishness, Izzy needs Beau to deliver, and with her encouragement, his story begins to spill onto the page. They soon discover they have more in common than either of them expected, and as their deadline nears, Izzy and Beau begin to realize there may be something there that wasn't there before. Best-selling author Jasmine Guillory's reimagining of a beloved fairy tale is a romantic triumph of love and acceptance and learning that sometimes to truly know a person you have to read between the lines."By the Book is in my hands and I could not be any more excited to celebrate it!"- EMILY HENRY, THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF BOOK LOVERSTrade Review"Endearing ... A sweet read." * Kirkus Reviews *"For anyone who's ever possessed dreams of a literary romantic gesture, this will make you swoon." * Entertainment Weekly *"You'll be blushing and crushing until the very end." * TheSkimm *"This fairy tale rom-com mashup is total magic! Swoon-worthy from start to finish!" * Julie Murphy, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of IF THE SHOE FITS and DUMPLIN' *

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Book SynopsisA traditional Russian folk tale with glowing illustrations from an award-winning artist will warm your heart and fill you up with the joyful, generous spirit of Christmas.

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Book Synopsis"Encompasses everything I love about rom-coms. I laughed, I swooned, I smiled. Another hit for Julie Murphy!"- COLLEEN HOOVER, #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF IT ENDS WITH USIf the shoe doesn't fit, maybe it's time to design your own.Cindy loves shoes. A well-placed bow or a chic stacked heel is her form of self-expression. As a fashion-obsessed plus-size woman, she can never find designer clothes that work on her body, but a special pair of shoes always fits just right.With a shiny new design degree but no job in sight, Cindy moves back in with her stepmother, Erica Tremaine, the executive producer of the world's biggest dating reality show. When a contestant on Before Midnight bows out at the last minute, Cindy is thrust into the spotlight. Showcasing her killer shoe collection on network TV seems like a great way to jump-start her career. And, while she's at it, why not go on a few lavish dates with an eligible suitor?But being the first and only plus-size contestant on Before Midnight turns her into a viral sensation -and a body-positivity icon- overnight. Even harder to believe? She can actually see herself falling for this Prince Charming. To make it to the end, despite the fans, the haters, and a house full of fellow contestants she's not sure she can trust, Cindy will have to take a leap of faith and hope her heels - and her heart - don't break in the process.Bestselling author Julie Murphy's reimagining of a beloved fairy tale is an enchanting story of self-love and believing in the happy ending each and every one of us deserves.Trade Review"An enchanting Cinderella-inspired story." * Culturess *"A refreshing take on the classic Cinderella story." * Forbes *"In this charming and modern retelling of Cinderella, Murphy hits the mark again with a body-positive novel that makes everyone feel included." * School Library Journal *"Murphy's adult debut is a binge-worthy modern take on Cinderella. Readers will love Cindy and Henry's back-and-forth banter; when the duo find ruses to sneak away for some time alone with each other, hearts will melt." * Library Journal *"[An] inventive Cinderella retelling, Murphy cleverly blends the conventions of fairy tales and reality TV to create an incisive commentary on both ... readers interested in a smart exploration of the intersection of romance and reality TV will be overjoyed." * Publishers Weekly *"In Murphy's breezy and fun rom-com, there's enough of Cinderella in the story to be charming, yet overall it sparkles like an exciting new tale. Cindy is immensely lovable, and readers will root for all her dreams to come true." * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisSouthern Africa is a region of impressive diversity of landscape, climate and peoples: from forests to deserts, from coasts to mountains, from subtropical to temperate, from the Zulu, Pedi and Venda peoples to the ancient San peoples whose territories span much of the entire region, with countless tribes in between. This region includes the modern countries of Angola, Botswana, Eswatini (Swaziland), Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The peoples' folktales share common themes and roots through their migrations across the mineral-rich lands and have been passed down orally to explain the world, guide society and entertain. This lively collection has a new introduction and contains tales from across the region, of creation and origins, of trickster animals and their lessons, and of hardship, greed and love. FLAME TREE 451: From myth to mystery, the supernatural to horror, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic.

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Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics.But the wildest of all the wild animals was the Cat. He walked by himself, and all places were alike to him.Cats have long been considered creatures of mystery and magic. Worshipped as deities in some cultures, feared as harbingers of bad fortune in others, it''s little surprise that their enigmatic charm continues to capture our imaginations today.This classic collection of the most beloved cat tales includes Saki''s Tobermory', in which a straight-talking cat leaves dinner guests aghast yet entranced; a Norse fairy tale involving a spectacular feline rescue; The Dragon Tamers' by E. Nesbit; and H. P. Lovecraft''s strange story The Cats of Ulthar'; amongst many others to enjoy for years to come.

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Book SynopsisA magical, classic fairytale reimaginedOnce upon a time there was a princess, locked in a tower, forced to bend to her father's willBut Celine is no ordinary princess, and she has no intention of being a damsel in distress.Celine has a lover, Hugo, whose cunning plan to rescue her is tied up in his own ambition to reclaim the lands and title that are his birthright. If only they can break the spell that binds him to the body of a cat, they will free the kingdom from the grasp of a cruel witch and live happily ever afterFor the plan to succeed, they must rely on Hugo's cousin, Philippe, to whom Celine must bind herself in marriage until Hugo can be reinstated. It's a risk to trust him, but it soon becomes clear that this is the least of their problems, because this is a land of shapeshifters, magic, and illusion, where nothing is as it seems, even the truth.This is Puss in Boots with the intrigue and backstabbing of Game of Thrones. A fairytale, but not as you know itPraise for Lilly In

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