Fantasy Books

Book SynopsisOne of the most popular X-Men epics of all time, revealing the birth of perhaps the deadliest force in the galaxy-Dark Phoenix. PILOTING A DOOMED SHUTTLE THROUGH A MASSIVE SOLAR FLARE, JEAN GREY SACRIFICES HER LIFE TO SAVE THE X-MEN. THEN A MIRACLE OCCURS-AND SHE IS REBORN! True to its namesake, the Phoenix rises, and Jean becomes one of the universe's most powerful entities. But when she and the X-Men launch an assault against the clandestine organization known as the Hellfire Club, she is manipulated into betraying her fellow mutants. Jean is transformed into the Hellfire Club's Black Queen, and her life takes a deadly turn. As her powers surge out of control, it becomes clear to all that the Phoenix must be stopped. Some would destroy her regardless of the cost, but the X-Men desperately seek to defeat her without killing Jean in the process. The fate of our world hangs on their success.Trade Review“Fans of the original novel will find a loyal adaptation by Moore, and readers only familiar with the film versions will learn some new nuggets inside some favorite characters’ backgrounds” - Borg.com

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Book SynopsisThere's power in stories. This is a story of power. Dead bodies aren't unusual in the alleyways of Fenest, capital of the Union of Realms. Especially not in an election year, when the streets swell with crowds from near and far. Muggings, brawls gone bad, debts collected – Detective Cora Gorderheim has seen it all. Until she finds a Wayward man with his mouth sewn shut. His body has been arranged precisely by the killer and left conspicuously, waiting to be found. Cora fears this is not only a murder, but a message. As she digs into the dead man's past, she finds herself drawn into the most dangerous event in the Union: the election. In a world where stories win votes, someone has gone to a lot of trouble to silence this man. Who has stopped his story being told? _______________________________________________________ 'An utterly absorbing tale set in a fascinating world' MICK FINLAY. 'If you love storytelling, you'll love this' S.J. MORDEN. 'It's rare to find such a richly imagined world about the art of myth and storytelling' CHRISTOPHER FOWLER. 'Irresistibly thrilling, weaving together gaslit crime, fantasy and mystery... I can't wait for more' TIM MAJOR. 'There is more than meets the eye in this gripping and inventive debut... Rife with intrigue, deceit and cultural tension' JAMES AITCHESON.Trade ReviewAn utterly absorbing tale set in a fascinating world. A terrific start to the series -- Mick FinlayIt's rare to find such a richly imagined world about the art of myth and storytelling -- Christopher FowlerLike a Philip Pullman rendition of Cloud Atlas. Widow's Welcome is an irresistibly thrilling introduction to a world of stories within stories – and I can't wait for more -- Tim MajorThere are hidden depths to Widow's Welcome, and the rewards for spending time with this book are very great. I felt as if I was one of the Audience, and asked to cast my own vote on stories of tragedy, sacrifice and betrayal. If you love storytelling, you'll love this -- Simon MordenThere is more than meets the eye in this gripping and inventive debut... Rife with intrigue, deceit and cultural tension' -- James AitchesonIngenious fantasy * Western Mail *Melding noir with the fantasy genre, this is a rather clever read, one which feels especially prescient for our reality * SciFiNow *David Towsey and Katherine Stansfield have created a vivid, inventive delight of a world... To read the book is to be immersed in the customs, politics and stories of a refreshingly strange reality... A satisfyingly literal spin on the politics of the UK today' * Western Mail *Its appeal is different to much other similar genre fare... Damp and urban. To me it felt a lot more like books such as Gorky Park or The White Russian where the author uses the central plot device of a murder to explore the nuances of a more complex situation, and more intricate world... A well told story, and I genuinely look forward to the next' * Concatenation. *This isn't your normal fantasy world-building, it's something different... Plot aside, we are also treated to good, solid, believable characters... Fun on the campaign trail. Recommended' * Concatenation. *[D.K. Fields] has created a vivid and believable world. The descriptions of place, system and character are clearly and interestingly drawn... Fascinating' * Crime Review *

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Book SynopsisThere's power in stories. But power comes at a price. Detective Cora Gorderheim is a detective no longer. Stripped of her badge, her job now is to protect her sister, Ruth, the new Wayward storyteller. Ruth must tell her tale of the Tear widening if people are to know what's really happening in the Union of Realms. But the powers that be want her silenced. Keeping Ruth alive in Fenest is hard enough, but when the sisters set sail for West Perlanse, the dangers come thick and fast. And soon Cora realises she must make a terrible choice: her sister's life, or the future of the Union. 'Melding noir with the fantasy genre, this is a rather clever read, one which feels especially prescient for our reality' SCIFINOWTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE TALES OF FENEST TRILOGY: 'Melding noir with the fantasy genre, this is a rather clever read, one which feels especially prescient for our reality' SciFiNow. 'Like a Philip Pullman rendition of Cloud Atlas. Widow's Welcome is an irresistibly thrilling introduction to a world of stories within stories – and I can't wait for more' Tim Major. 'There is more than meets the eye in this gripping and inventive debut... Rife with intrigue, deceit and cultural tension' James Aitcheson. 'It's rare to find such a richly imagined world about the art of myth and storytelling' Christopher Fowler. 'If you love storytelling, you'll love this' -- Simon Morden

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Book SynopsisA dazzling mixture of crime, romance, magic and myth from the author of the bestselling The Psychology of Time Travel. The Kendricks have been making world-famous dolls for over 200 years. But their dolls aren't coveted for the craftmanship alone. Each has an emotion laid on it; a magic that can provoke bucolic bliss or consuming paranoia at a single touch. Persephone Kendrick longs to learn her ancestors' craft, but only men may know the secrets of the workshop. So when a handsome stranger arrives claiming doll-making talent and blood ties to the family she sees a chance to grasp all she desires. But then, one night, the firm's most valuable doll is stolen. Only someone with knowledge of magic could have taken her. Only a Kendrick could have committed this crime... 'Captivating, inventive and tender' ADELE PARKS 'An atmospheric examination of gender inequality' GUARDIAN 'A magical tale that blends very human people with a hidden world of enchantment' WOMAN & HOME 'An addictive fantasy with a smart feminist twist' iNEWSTrade ReviewBringing magic realism to a contemporary Oxford setting in an atmospheric examination of gender inequality * Guardian *Mascarenhas's lushly inventive second novel is an addictive fantasy with a smart feminist twist * iNews *Captivating, inventive and tender... A dazzling mix of crime, romance, magic and myth' -- Adele ParksThis magical tale blends very human people with a hidden world of enchantment * Woman *[A] vividly imagined second novel * The i *I adored this beautifully crafted and thought-provoking magic realist novel... Multi-faceted, challenging, and entirely captivating... A truly lovely read' * LoveReading *There's a wonderful sense of magic and tradition, but the story as a whole has a very contemporary feel * Waterstones *[A] dazzling mixture of crime, romance, magic and myth... Captivating, inventive and tender' * Platinum *Kate Mascarenhas' striking visual images and characters will have you casting the movie whilst reading... This is simply a great and original tale that put me in mind of such as Stardust by Neil Gaiman. The magic lingers along with the family issues. The ending is surprising and clever and I look forward to more by Kate Mascarenhas' * SF Crowsnest *

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