Fantasy Books

Book Synopsis'A wonderful book by a fabulous author, very highly recommended.’ Louise DouglasA tale as old as time. A spirit that has never rested.Present dayAs a love affair comes to an end, and with it her dreams for her future, artist Selena needs a retreat. The picture-postcard Sloe Cottage in the Somerset village of Ashcombe promises to be the perfect place to forget her problems, and Selena settles into her new home as spring arrives. But it isn’t long before Selena hears the past whispering to her. Sloe Cottage is keeping secrets which refuse to stay hidden.1682Grace Cotter longs for nothing more than a husband and family of her own. Content enough with her work on the farm, looking after her father, and learning the secrets of her grandmother Bett’s healing hands, nevertheless Grace still hopes for love. But these are dangerous times for dreamers, and rumours and gossip can be deadly. One mis-move and Grace’s fate looks set…Separated by three hundred years, two women are drawn together by a home bathed in blood and magic. Grace Cotter’s spirit needs to rest, and only Selena can help her now.USA Today bestselling author Judy Leigh writing as Elena Collins, brings you this unforgettable, heart-breaking, gripping timeslip novel set in a world when women were hung as witches, and fates could be sealed by a wrong word. Perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Diana Gabaldon and Louise Douglas.Praise for Elena Collins:'A profoundly moving, beautifully written and emotional story that skilfully combines two time frames into one unputdownable book. I was completely immersed in Grace’s story from the beginning: despite it taking place 400 years ago. The modern day storyline was also delightful with some wonderful characters. In short a wonderful book by a fabulous author, very highly recommended.' Louise Douglas

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiscover the war-ravaged lands of Dormus, the exciting world setting for the international bestselling gamebook series, DestinyQuest. Dormus is a world riven with strife and conflict, it’s very fabric of reality under threat from otherworldly forces and cataclysmic events. These are dark and perilous days, where fractious tensions threaten to bring down kingdoms and empires, and demonic invaders sow seeds of chaos to hasten the fall of humanity. This is a time when great heroes will rise – legendary men and women of fame, who will spin the web of destiny anew, changing lives and history, influencing kings and nations, and becoming beacons of hope amidst a desperate world teetering on the brink of ruin. Inside this beautifully illustrated hardback volume you will find: • A detailed history of the world, from its creation by the celestial Fates, to the current End Days of crumbling empires and war-weary kingdoms. • A comprehensive timeline that charts the key events that have shaped the world of Dormus, right up to the present – interlinking with the narratives of the gamebook series. • An overview of the magic system, detailing the chaotic forces of the Shroud and the effects of its demonic taint, as well as the runic magic of the dwarves and the dangerous arts of channelling elemental forces. • Exciting character stories and biographies, exploring some of the key heroes (and villains) who have influenced the DestinyQuest world, including the legendary witchfinder, Eldias Falks, and the enigmatic archmage, Avian Dale. • Detailed summaries of the main factions that vie for power and influence within the kingdom of Valeron, from the secretive enclaves of the Arcane Hand to the scheming masters of shadow, the Nevarin. Whether you are a fan of the DestinyQuest series or a gamemaster looking for a new and immersive setting for your homebrew roleplaying campaigns, the World Companion delivers a wealth of exciting secrets and discoveries – everything you need to arm yourselves for epic adventures ahead. So, are you ready to embrace your destiny?

Read more less

Book SynopsisLorelei Aurelius is the smartest inquisitor in the mountain city of Ancris. When a mysterious tip leads her to a clandestine meeting between the Church and the hated Red Knives, she uncovers a plot that threatens not only her home but the empire itself. The trail leads to Rylan Holbrooke, a notorious thief posing as a dragon singer. Lorelei soon discovers there’s more to Rylan than meets the eye. He came to Ancris to solve the very same mystery she stumbled onto. Knowing his incarceration could lead to the Red Knives’ achieving their goals, Lorelei makes a fateful decision: she frees him. Now branded as traitors, the two flee the city on dragonback. In the massive forest known as the Holt, they follow the trail of clues and discover something terrible. The Red Knives are planning to awaken a powerful demi-god in the holiest shrine in Ancris, and for some reason the Church is willing to allow it. It forces their return to Ancris, where the unlikely allies must rally the very people who’ve vowed to capture them before it’s too late.Trade Review‘Dragons... Unique magic systems... Political intrigue... If you would enjoy a lively mix of those ingredients, then this book is for you.’ -- Robin HobbA sprawling fantastical romp through a mystical land that crafts a unique set of magics, stalked by an underbelly of political machinations, this really is one to get your dragon’s teeth into * SciFi Now *Cinematic and heartwarming... calls to mind Game of Thrones... Beaulieu delivers plenty of witty repartee and brings old tropes to life with new intricacies. Epic fantasy fans will feel right at home in this fun, familiar world * Publishers Weekly *Layered and full of intrigue... A modern variation on the likes of David Eddings or Anne McCaffrey * SF Book Review *A sheer delight of complex politics, religion and intricate alchemy, and contains enough dragons to make any fantasy lover beam with glee * The Fantasy Hive *

Read more less

Book SynopsisCollected by Yoruba poet Bakare Gbadamosi and scholar Ulli Beier, Not Even God Is Ripe Enough is a mesmerising collection of traditional oral stories and lighthearted Yoruba fables. Including stories such as 'Kindness won't kill you but it can give you a lot of worries', 'He who shits on the road will meet flies on his return' and 'You can fool others but can you fool yourself?' Not Even God is Ripe Enough is a wide-ranging selection of amusing Yoruba proverbs and tales of magical realism. From bizarre stories of talking animals to wise parables passed down from generation to generation, these stories are full of surprising twists, humour, and the surreal.

Read more less

Book SynopsisExperience a desperate race against time as Stormcast Eternals find themselves fighting not only the scheming and skittering Skaven, but also the cruel realities of their own shattered souls, and inevitable destinies.Deep in the heart of the Skaven apocalypse, where survival lies on a knife edge, ratmen and Reclusians alike race towards a prize that will turn the tide of war - a lost Stormcast brother. Should the enemy uncover his forbidden knowledge, Aqshy will surely fall, so, for the chosen of Sigmar, failure is not an option.The journey is long and full of strife, and for the mortal acolytes who accompany the Reclusians - guardians of their memories and faith - it may be the last steps they take. Yet together, they are hope when hope is dying, a truth they all must seize upon. For without it, they are victims of nightmares and shadow, ushering in this new Hour of Ruin.

Read more less