Historical fantasy

Book SynopsisPresenting an abridgement of the author's 2004 translation of "The Mangy Parrot", this title aims to captures the narrative drive, literary innovations, and biting social commentary.Trade ReviewA wonderful window into life in Mexico at the end of the colonial era. As a primary source, it is especially relevant to my Latin American history course. Lizardi provides insight into issues of ethnicity/race, gender, class, and radicalism through this novel.--David Carey, Jr., University of Southern Maine

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Book SynopsisDavid Frye''s abridgment of his 2003 translation of The Mangy Parrot captures all of the narrative drive, literary innovation, and biting social commentary that established Lizardi''s comic masterpiece as the Don Quixote of Latin America.Trade ReviewA wonderful window into life in Mexico at the end of the colonial era. As a primary source, it is especially relevant to my Latin American history course. Lizardi provides insight into issues of ethnicity/race, gender, class, and radicalism through this novel.--David Carey, Jr., University of Southern Maine

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewFinally, an engaging, full-fledged rendition of the first Latin American novel ever--and still one of the savviest. José Joaquín Fernández de Lizardi invented Mexico . . . and David Frye shows us how.--Ilan StavansThis new rendering into English . . . is the only complete English translation. Frye performs a delicate balancing act by fashioning language that is fresh and engaging while preserving historical flavor. The result is outstanding. Summing up: Highly recommended.--M. S. Arrington, Jr., CHOICEWith David Frye's exquisitely clear and elegant translation, the English-speaking world now can fully enjoy El Periquillo Sarniento, the 19th-century novel that rendered the swirling and messy city of Mexico into a comic work of art.--Richard Rodriguez, author of Brown: The Last Discovery of America (Viking, 2002)Table of ContentsPreface. Acknowledgements; Maps. Genealogical Charts. Time Line; SELECTIONS: Acusilaus; Aelian; Aeschylus; Andron; Antoninus Liberalis; Apollodorus; Archilochus; Arrian; Babrius; Bacchylides; Bion; Callimachus; Cleanthes; Conon; Cornutus; Critias; Diodorus of Sicily; Eratosthenes; Euripides; Fulgentius; Hellanicus; Heraclitus; Herodorus; Herodotus; Hesiod; The Homeric Hymns; Horace; Hyginus; Longus; Lucian; Lucretius; Ovid; Palaephatus; Parthenius; Pausanias; Pherecydes; Pindar; Plato; Plutarch; Proclus; Sallustius; Sappho; Semonides; Simonides; Sophocles; Statius; Theocritus; Theophrastus; Thucydides; Vergil; Xenophanes; Xenophon; Appendix One: Linear B Sources (by Thomas G. Palaima); Appendix Two: Inscriptions; Appendix Three: Papyri; Note on Texts and Translations. Names and Transliterations. Index/Glossary.

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Book SynopsisAlong with a fresh translation of Azuela's classic novel, this volume offers an introduction setting the work in its historical, literary, and political contexts. Related texts include contemporary reviews of Azuela's work, excerpts from John Reed's "Insurgent Mexico", and selections from Azuela's correspondence.Trade ReviewPellon's translation marks a clear improvement over the previous English versions of this seminal novel. Pellon captures the crisp, tense, and terse dialogue of Azuela's original, and I believe that his decision to leave some words in Spanish is a good one, given that most of the words involved are already well known to the non-Spanish speaking public. The retention of these Spanish words adds flavor to the translation without turning it into a 'Taco Bell' version of the novel. I am so enthusiastic about Pellon's translation that I believe it should become the standard edition of Los de Abajo read in America. . . In short, this new translation is worthy of the classic on which it is based. I will certainly use it in my courses, but more to the point, I will recommend it to my colleagues teaching courses on English literature, Comparative literature, and American studies. --Roberto González Echevarria, Sterling Professor of Hispanic and Comparative Literatures, Yale UniversityGustavo Pellon has produced a flowing, readable new translation of Mariano Azuela's Los de Abajo that avoids the sometimes stilted English of the still popular 1929 translation by Enrique Mungia. Not only is Professor Pellon's English more readable but the translation is made smoother by his decision to leave certain difficult-to-translate words in the original Mexican Spanish. For those who cannot grasp the meaning of these words from the context, a glossary is provided at the end of the book. In addition to the new translation Professor Pellon has provided an important service to those who will use this novel in college classes by including an appendix that outlines the most important events of the Mexican revolution, discusses the novel in historical context, and explains Azuela's particular literary contributions. Finally Pellon attempts to come to grips with Azuela's views of the revolution. Also extremely welcome are the selections from John Reed's and Anita Brenner's writings on Mexico from approximately the same period. In short, this volume provides an integrated analysis of a novel that, while always said to be revelatory of the nature of the revolution, is generally not adequately contextualized. . . . To his credit, in his appendix Professor Pellon addresses the question of whether the novel is revolutionary or counter-revolutionary. --Ann Zulawski, MetamorphosesThis edition of Los de Abajo is a most welcome addition to the available literature for undergraduate teaching of the history of Mexico as well as Mexican and Latin American literature. As a teaching tool, it strikes me as clearly superior to the other editions. Pellon's Introduction and appendices are quite accessible and touch on the major historical and literary aspects of the novel. Pellon sincerely wants to help students understand and appreciate the novel. --Timothy J. Henderson, Auburn University Montgomery

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Book SynopsisAlong with a fresh translation of Azuela's classic novel, this volume offers an introduction setting the work in its historical, literary, and political contexts. Related texts include contemporary reviews of Azuela's work, excerpts from John Reed's "Insurgent Mexico", and selections from Azuela's correspondence.Trade ReviewPellon's translation marks a clear improvement over the previous English versions of this seminal novel. Pellon captures the crisp, tense, and terse dialogue of Azuela's original, and I believe that his decision to leave some words in Spanish is a good one, given that most of the words involved are already well known to the non-Spanish speaking public. The retention of these Spanish words adds flavor to the translation without turning it into a 'Taco Bell' version of the novel. I am so enthusiastic about Pellon's translation that I believe it should become the standard edition of Los de Abajo read in America. . . In short, this new translation is worthy of the classic on which it is based. I will certainly use it in my courses, but more to the point, I will recommend it to my colleagues teaching courses on English literature, Comparative literature, and American studies. --Roberto González Echevarria, Sterling Professor of Hispanic and Comparative Literatures, Yale UniversityGustavo Pellon has produced a flowing, readable new translation of Mariano Azuela's Los de Abajo that avoids the sometimes stilted English of the still popular 1929 translation by Enrique Mungia. Not only is Professor Pellon's English more readable but the translation is made smoother by his decision to leave certain difficult-to-translate words in the original Mexican Spanish. For those who cannot grasp the meaning of these words from the context, a glossary is provided at the end of the book. In addition to the new translation Professor Pellon has provided an important service to those who will use this novel in college classes by including an appendix that outlines the most important events of the Mexican revolution, discusses the novel in historical context, and explains Azuela's particular literary contributions. Finally Pellon attempts to come to grips with Azuela's views of the revolution. Also extremely welcome are the selections from John Reed's and Anita Brenner's writings on Mexico from approximately the same period. In short, this volume provides an integrated analysis of a novel that, while always said to be revelatory of the nature of the revolution, is generally not adequately contextualized. . . . To his credit, in his appendix Professor Pellon addresses the question of whether the novel is revolutionary or counter-revolutionary. --Ann Zulawski, MetamorphosesThis edition of Los de Abajo is a most welcome addition to the available literature for undergraduate teaching of the history of Mexico as well as Mexican and Latin American literature. As a teaching tool, it strikes me as clearly superior to the other editions. Pellon's Introduction and appendices are quite accessible and touch on the major historical and literary aspects of the novel. Pellon sincerely wants to help students understand and appreciate the novel. --Timothy J. Henderson, Auburn University Montgomery

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Book SynopsisAndrea Hairston''s alternate history adventure, Redwood and Wildfire, is the winner of the Otherwise Award and the Carl Brandon Kindred Award.At the turn of the 20th century, minstrel shows transform into vaudeville, which slides into moving pictures. Hunkering together in dark theatres, diverse audiences marvel at flickering images. Redwood, an African American woman, and Aidan, a Seminole Irish man, journey from Georgia to Chicago, from haunted swampland to a city of the future. They are gifted performers and hoodoo conjurors, struggling to call up the wondrous world they imagine, not just on stage and screen, but on city streets, in front parlors, in wounded hearts. The power of hoodoo is the power of the community that believes in its capacities to heal.Living in a system stacked against them, Redwood and Aidan''s power and talent are torment and joy. Their search for a place to be who they want to be is an exhilarating, painful, magical adv

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Book SynopsisThe Binding meets The Handmaid''s Tale - Discovering a book of dark and ancient power, a convent librarian must defend it with her life. Perfect for fans of dark academia and historical feminist fiction.''A wonderfully rich and absorbing tale'' Observer''Expertly crafted and beautifully told'' Jennifer Saint''All so good. I read it in two days flat, and wish I had spaced it out more'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ READER REVIEWBeatrice is the convent''s librarian. For years, she has shunned the company of her sisters, finding solace only with her manuscripts. Then, one carnival night, two women, bleeding and stricken, are abandoned outside the convent''s walls. Moments from death, one of them presses something into Beatrice''s hands: a bewitching book whose pages have a dangerous life of their own. But men of the faith want the book destroyed, and a zealous preacher has tracTrade ReviewA wonderfully rich and absorbing tale * Observer *This novel is chillingly good. * The Book Trail *Wonderfully atmospheric, this immersive tale grips the reader to the final page. * Woman & Home *A fascinating read for any fans of historical fiction, magical realism, intrigue and mystery, dealing with themes of female power, patriarchal religion and the power of books. * Somerset Life *Enchanting. The Book of Eve draws you into its rich, unsettling world from the first page and refuses to let go until the very end. Vividly drawn characters and a totally transporting setting with timely undertones, like The Handmaid's Tale meets The Devil and the Dark Water. -- Bobby Palmer, author of Isaac and the EggExpertly crafted and beautifully told, this is an intriguing tale of ancient power and mystery with female strength and solidarity at its core. Haunting, magical and moving. -- Jennifer Saint, author of ARIADNE and ELEKTRAWhat a spellbinding tale! I can't remember the last time I was so captivated by a novel that I had to put everything else on hold to read it. Tense and claustrophobic, with a creeping sense of dread that builds throughout the story, The Book of Eve is a beautifully written, utterly enthralling read. -- Karen Coles, author of THE ASYLUMCan a book be both fast-paced and a slow-burn? I read Meg Clothier's The Book of Eve in a quick burst, enchanted by the plot, the mysterious manuscript, and the unfolding relationships between characters. Weeks later I'm still thinking about the compelling and complex treatments of themes of knowledge, community, agency and kinship. At times brutal and haunting, this is a beautiful book and one whose ideas resound long after the final page is turned. -- Melissa Fu, author of PEACH BLOSSOM SPRINGWhat an extraordinary book - rich in historical detail and full of esoteric knowledge yet wearing its learning lightly while tapping into a rage that's universal at men's endless attempts to control the doings and thinkings of women. It's an education hidden in a tense, compelling, anger-driven narrative, Beatrice and Diana both knock-out characters. No mean feat! -- Harriet Tyce, author of BLOOD ORANGE and IT ENDS AT MIDNIGHTThe Book of Eve completely captured me with its intricately and delicately woven world, filled with strange and entrancing magic. A powerful novel that grips with its compelling mystery and unforgettable heroine. -- Eleanor Shearer, author of RIVER SING ME HOMEThe Book of Eve is a dark, magical tale of women called upon to find their strength and sisterhood in order to protect an ancient power. Mysterious, bewitching and beautiful. -- Elizabeth Lee, author CUNNING WOMENA ravishing, erudite feminist hijack of Renaissance Florence and the Bonfire of the Vanities -- Alice Albinia, author of CWENA truly beautiful book, brimming with unsettling magic and the love of literature. It's erudite and bewitching, with a heroine I will never forget. Like a feminist Name of the Rose. -- Costanza Casati, author of CLYTEMNESTRA

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Book SynopsisFour sides. Two battles. One War. As the world begins to learn how divided it really is, a small group of immortals must come together to save... everything.

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Book Synopsis*An Oprah Magazine Most Anticipated Book of 2021**A Woman & Home Top Four Literary Read**A lovereading.co.uk Star Book* And they lived happily ever after . . . didn't they?Cinderella married the man of her dreams - the perfect ending she deserved after diligently following all the fairy-tale rules. Yet now, two children and thirteen-and-a-half years later, things have gone badly wrong. One night, she sneaks out of the palace to get help from the Witch who, for a price, offers love potions to disgruntled housewives. But as the old hag flings the last ingredients into the cauldron, Cinderella doesn't ask for a love spell to win back her Prince Charming. Instead, she wants him dead. Endlessly surprising and wildly inventive, The Charmed Wife is a sophisticated literary fairy tale for the twenty-first century that weaves together time and place, fantasy and reality, to conjure a world unlike any other. Nothing in it is quite what it seems, and the twists and turns of its magical, dark, swiftly shifting paths take us deep into the heart of romance, marriage and the very nature of storytelling.'Dark and dreamy. Inside the plot, magic comes and goes. But inside the reader, it's all magic - all of us happily caught in Grushin's hypnotic spell.' - Karen Joy Fowler, author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves and The Jane Austen Book Club'Fall under its charms, I dare you' - Gregory Maguire, author of WickedA powerful, provocative and quite wonderful modern literary fairy tale. I danced through the deep dark magic of The Charmed Wife - long live the fairy tale that lives beyond "happily ever after".' - lovereading.co.uk'Surprising, darkly comedic and enchanting' - CNN'Genre-bending and darkly comic, Grushin's fourth novel is a weird and wonderful triumph.' - Oprah MagazineTrade ReviewDoes for fairy tales what Bridgerton has done for Regency England * Mail on Sunday *Pure escapism * Sun *The comedy is devastating in this autopsy of a marriage that dies of "happily ever after" syndrome. Seldom has such emotional realism been spied in the precincts of wild magic. This alumna of the Cinderella marriage is overwhelmed, over-enchanted, and so over it. Fall under its charms, I dare you. * Gregory Maguire, author of WICKED *Different and compelling * Daily Mail *Dark and dreamy. Inside the plot, magic comes and goes. But inside the reader, it's all magic - all of us happily caught in Grushin's hypnotic spell. * Karen Joy Fowler, author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves *Surprising, darkly comedic and enchanting * CNN *THE CHARMED WIFE is a thought-provoking, wickedly clever, and beautifully written fairy tale character study that enchants at every turn. Olga Grushin dissects fairy tales, marriage, and the messy human heart with a pen as sharp as any scalpel. * Melissa Bashardoust *Lush and powerful, The Charmed Wife is brimful of magic and the seething darkness that lies beneath the glittering surface of every good fairy tale. * Leife Shallcross, author of The Beast's Heart *In The Charmed Wife, Olga Grushin turns the fairy tale romance on its head, and then just keeps turning it, playfully, subversively, brilliantly: a feat of fierce imagination. * Jess Walter, author of Beautiful Ruins *A powerful, provocative and quite wonderful modern literary fairy tale, but if you enter expecting 'happily ever after' you'll be sorely disappointed. Rather than sugar and spice and all things nice, you'll instead find a novel brimming with exquisitely sharp and pointed attitude. Thirteen and a half years after Cinderella married the man of her dreams and she's had enough, she wants out. The prologue pierces love, and binds hate, firmly setting the tone, yet wicked humour and gentle observations also tickle the page. The echoes of well known fairy tales make themselves felt, adding to the enchantment. There is much to take delight in, yet beware, all magic is paid for and you'll need to be on the look out for hidden snares. I adore the tale that runs alongside the main story, of the two mice that accompanied Cinderella and live in a world circling through an entire civilisation. How easy it is to view what you want to see, rather than what is actually there. As the fairy tale splinters and a shimmer of reality breaks through, I found my thoughts tossed high in the air, and where they will land, I still don't know. So bright, so clever, and thought-provoking this just had to sit as a Liz Pick of the Month. I danced through the deep dark magic of The Charmed Wife, long live the fairy tale that lives beyond 'happily ever after'. * Lovereading.co.uk *

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Book SynopsisA half-drowned stranger turns up at the door of Garad Gaheris, retired King's Champion, with a hell of a story to tell. The ex-knight may have uncovered a conspiracy involving the very highest echelons of London's elite.'A riveting tragedy of blood and desire. A masterwork of urban fantasy - and the coolest thing you'll read this year' - SAMANTHA SHANNON on Blackheart KnightsCurrent King's Champion Si Wyll, a master illusionist, still reeling from the betrayal of his lover and the death of his mentor, is poised to become the most dangerous man in London. Then a figure from his past surfaces, determined to blackmail him into a plot to change the balance of power for good. 'A brilliant, bloody wild ride' - JAY KRISTOFF on Blackheart KnightsAnd the city's godchildren, those born with illegal magical abilities, have had enough of being put down - but who must die to ensure their ascension?Trade ReviewKing Arthur as you've never seen him before. Eve doesn't just capture lightning, but commands it, in a riveting tragedy of blood and desire. A masterwork of urban fantasy - and the coolest thing you'll read this year * Samantha Shannon, author of The Bone Season and The Priory of the Orange Tree *The screaming neon of Bladerunner meets the medieval steel of Arthurian legend in a world that's dizzying in scope and imagination. The boldest, smartest, most adventurous fantasy I've read in ages - and it's really f**ing fun * Krystal Sutherland, author of House of Hollow *Arthurian legend meets urban fantasy in a brilliant, bloody wild ride * JAY KRISTOFF, No.1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of Empire of the Vampire *Outstandingly well-crafted and absorbing urban/epic/alt-reality/mythic fantasy read * JULIET MCKENNA, author of the No.1 bestselling The Green Man’s Heir *

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Book SynopsisCan she find the courage to defy a king?In seventeenth-century France, Louis XIV rules with flamboyant ambition. In his domain, wealth and beauty are all; frivolity begets cruelty; science and alchemy collide. From the Hall of Mirrors to the vermin-infested attics of the Chateau at Versailles, courtiers compete to please the king, sacrificing fortune, principles, and even sacred family bonds.'A wonderful book! Adventure, love, history, magic - it's an engrossing story with magnificent characters, balanced perfectly on the edge between,' says DIANA GABALDONBy the fiftieth year of his reign, Louis XIV has made France the most powerful state in the western world, but the Sun King's appetite for glory knows no bounds. In a bold stroke, he sends his natural philosopher on an expedition to seek the source of immortality: the mythical sea monster. For the glory of his God, his country, and his king, Father Yves de la Croix returns with his treasures: one heavy shroud packed in ice . . . and in a covered basin, an imprisoned sea-creature.Marie-Josephe de la Croix has been looking forward to assisting her brother Yves in the scientific study of the sea monster, until she makes a discovery that will threaten everything her brother, the court and the King believe.'The finest alternate history ever, light-hearted and wise - a luminous, radiant novel,' said URSULA K. LE GUINBut in the decadent court of King Louis, where morality is skewed and corruption reigns, will anyone listen to a single voice? Somehow, she must find the courage to follow her heart and her convictions - even at the cost of changing her life forever.Trade ReviewThe finest alternate history ever, lighthearted and wise - a luminous, radiant novelA dazzling and spirited evocation of the passions, intrigues and preconceptions of the age: an enchanting slice of what-if historical speculation * KIRKUS *Successfully melds fantasy and alternate history to create a charming, well-written and meticulously researched novel * FANTASY BOOK REVIEW *McIntyre has done her historical homework, as is evident in a superbly realised setting, and she executes the plot with superior skill. A splendid historical fantasy that shows sf star McIntyre admirably opening new territory * BOOKLIST *A wonderful book! Adventure, love, history, magic - it's an engrossing story with magnificent characters, balanced perfectly on the edge between * DIANA GABALDON *The story thrives in the details . . . gives it a thematic richness and resonance that made me care deeply about the story * EYRIE *McIntyre vividly re-creates a Versailles poised on the cusp between alchemy and modern science. Her imaginings enliven her history with wonder, but, as in the best fantasy, they serve less to dazzle by their inventiveness than to illuminate brilliantly real-world truths - here, humanity's responses, base and noble, when confronting the unknown * PUBLISHERS WEEKLY *Fans of McIntyre, or simply alternate history fans and romantics who love an intelligent, compassionate heroine will devour this book, yelling in outrage at the men who belittle our heroine and sighing with delight when she finds love * FEMSCIFI *One of the most enjoyable and well-written novels I have read in a long time. The novel has got splendid characterisation, a tightly-woven plot, and a fascinating story. It's also obviously meticulously researched, and full of intricate details about the historical era in which it takes place. Read the book. It is a marvellous, fascinating, uplifting experience * JOHN WALTERS, author of ADRIANA’S FAMILY *An excellent alternative history * ARTSANDWINE *

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Book SynopsisA City of Poets and Dreamers, Liars and Cheats…Tommaso Cellini, celebrated ruler of Cadenza, is dead, and the city mourns. For Carlo Mazzoni, an aspiring poet, it was the day of his arrival in the City of Words and the end of his dreams to walk side-by-side with the great man, two artists together.For Vittoria — known to all but a handful as the famed ink maid Hypatia — the death of a ruler is less troubling than her sadness and inability to write. Without it, her admirers will leave her, and with it her livelihood.With its ruler dead, the city plunges into turmoil amid rumours of war with its rival Venice. Surrounded by murder, intrigue, revenge and revolution, they must rely on new friends and sinister acquaintances to find their paths to freedom.Trade Review"A gorgeous, immersive triumph of Renaissance-flavored worldbuilding" -- Publishers Weekly, starred review * Publishers Weekly *“[A] delicate study of the demise of society” -- SciFiNow * SciFiNow *“Memorable” -- SFX Magazine * SFX Magazine *“The zest and wit that Beckerlegge infuses into his fantastical Decameron is marvelous” -- Locus * Locus *“This is a fabulous book” -- The Historical Novels Review, Editor's Choice * The Historical Novels Review *

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Book SynopsisDEATH HAS COME TO AEMILIUS.It is the twentieth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius Caesar Augustus. The Empire spans the known world. No power is greater, and nothing can threaten the peace it brings. And no one must know of the horrors that haunt it.Aemilius thought he would die heroically in battle like his forefathers, mourned by a loving wife and many children, but he’s barely a man when a harpy flies down out of the old myths and knocks him from his horse. Stunned and helpless, he waits for his end… and is saved.Formed on the bloody battlefield of Teutoburg, the Hidden Legion are an order of soldiers, magicians, and rogues so secret that the Empire itself would hunt them down if they were exposed. And now Aemilius is one of them.A darkness is growing across the Empire, and someone is setting traps for the Legion themselves. Aemilius and his new comrades set off on the hunt for an unknown enemy…Trade Review "A dark mystery in a dark age brought vividly to life. I look forward to reading more" ? Robert Fabbri, author of the bestselling Vespasian series"For Vikings done right, come to Snorri Kristjansson" ? Mark Lawrence, bestselling author of Red Sister"An exciting new voice. With his Viking mystery, Snorri has created a new and interesting sub-genre of Icelandic noir" ? Ragnar Jonasson"An entertaining and claustrophobic tale of familial tension and murder" ? SciFiNow"Timeless and universal . . . It will be interesting to see where Kristjansson's imagination takes his beguiling heroine next" ? Starburst"Kin is well paced and skilfully plotted, with a strong sense of everyday life at the time . . . I suspect this will not be the last Viking noir novel we see" ? The Times“Kristjansson’s sleek, action-packed tale is the blend of The Dirty Dozen and Ray Harryhausen we didn’t know we needed.” -- The Financial Times

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE HWA GOLD CROWN 2023 Neva is born into a world of trickery and illusion, where fortunes are won and lost on the turn of a card. But she is also born with an extraordinary gift: she can predict the weather. In Regency England, where the proper goal for a gentlewoman is marriage and only God can foretell the future, this is a dangerous power to possess. In order to stand up to the men of science, Neva adopts a sophisticated male disguise, created by her brilliant clockmaker father. But what will happen when she falls in love with a charismatic young man? 'Seductive' Observer 'Wildly inventive' The Times 'Superb... joyful' New Statesman 'A delight' The Sunday Times 'Beguiling' Mail on Sunday 'Magical storytelling' Heat 'A triumph!' Caroline Lea 'Bold and original' Financial Times 'I was completely captivated' Amanda CraigTrade ReviewThis is a fresh take on the Regency novel * Good Housekeeping *A historical story with a refreshingly modern twist, The Weather Woman paints an intriguing portrait of life in the early 1800s * Heat *Rich, bold and original * The Financial Times *[A] beguiling tale of science and the supernatural * Mail on Sunday *Full of life and colour... a delight * The Sunday Times *This wonderful novel, set in 18th-century London, between the two great Frost Fairs on the frozen Thames, interweaves magic and science with the dreams of a young woman ahead of her time and in danger because of it -- Rosie de Courcy, publisherPRAISE FOR SALLY GARDNER: 'Sally Gardner has a rare ability to build worlds that are rich, strange and totally unique to her... A story that will enthral you from beginning to end' Absolutely South East (and West). 'Readers who enjoy puzzles and problem-solving will love this absorbing, mysterious thriller... This riveting and original fantasy will compel you to keep turning just one more page until you find you haven't eaten, slept or moved from your seat for hours. Spectacular' BookTrust, on Invisible in a Bright Light. 'Rich and haunting historical fiction with a charismatic female lead' The Bookseller, on Invisible in a Bright Light. 'The prize-winning Gardner is [a] dab hand at literary world-creation' * Observer *

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Book Synopsis"Cavendish draws from the best conventions of the genre in this eerie gothic novel about a woman’s sanity slowly unraveling within the hallways of a mysterious mansion." – Publishers Weekly Don’t play the game.In 1893, Evelyn and Claire leave their home in a Yorkshire town for life in a rural retreat on their beloved moors. But when a strange toy garden mysteriously appears, a chain of increasingly terrifying events is unleashed. Neighbour Matthew Dixon befriends Evelyn, but seems to have more than one secret to hide. Then the horror really begins. The Garden of Bewitchment is all too real and something is threatening the lives and sanity of the women. Evelyn no longer knows who - or what - to believe. And time is running out. FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.Trade Review"Cavendish (The Darkest Veil) draws from the best conventions of the genre in this eerie gothic novel about a woman’s sanity slowly unraveling within the hallways of a mysterious mansion." -- Publishers Weekly"Well-rooted in classic gothic traditions, the novel doesn't furiously spill the blood like most modern horror, but it maximizes its unique advantages. The setting in particular seems well-drawn [...] An atmospheric and gently scary tale that will appeal to horror fans and Brontë enthusiasts alike." -- Booklist"The Garden of Bewitchment is everything you want in a ghost story. [...] She also proves that if there is a crown of queen of gothic horror, she should be wearing it." -- Modern Horrors“Atmospheric and rich in detail, Cavendish masterfully draws the reader into the slow-burning horror that makes well-crafted Gothic literature so delightfully addictive. The Garden of Bewitchment delivers as a gothic tale of unexpected horror, unravelling insanity, and what happens when the realities we’ve constructed for ourselves turn against us.” -- The Nerd Daily“A gothic nightmare set on the Yorkshire moors, full of ghosts, uncertain motivations, and the creepiest board game this side of Jumanji.” -- Tor Nightfire“The Garden of Bewitchment is a novel that does not so much beg to be read as it commands the next page be turned […] A must-read for fans of atmospheric tales of the supernatural that creep into the psyche. Cavendish is a master storyteller, capable of building a world that is almost too real for the reader […] an element that her literary ancestors Henry James, Shirley Jackson, Arthur Machen, and yes, the Bronte sisters understood all too well.” -- iHorror

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Book Synopsis"Cavendish draws from the best conventions of the genre in this eerie gothic novel about a woman’s sanity slowly unraveling within the hallways of a mysterious mansion." – Publishers Weekly Don’t play the game.In 1893, Evelyn and Claire leave their home in a Yorkshire town for life in a rural retreat on their beloved moors. But when a strange toy garden mysteriously appears, a chain of increasingly terrifying events is unleashed. Neighbour Matthew Dixon befriends Evelyn, but seems to have more than one secret to hide. Then the horror really begins. The Garden of Bewitchment is all too real and something is threatening the lives and sanity of the women. Evelyn no longer knows who - or what - to believe. And time is running out. FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.Trade Review"Cavendish (The Darkest Veil) draws from the best conventions of the genre in this eerie gothic novel about a woman’s sanity slowly unraveling within the hallways of a mysterious mansion." -- Publishers Weekly"Well-rooted in classic gothic traditions, the novel doesn't furiously spill the blood like most modern horror, but it maximizes its unique advantages. The setting in particular seems well-drawn [...] An atmospheric and gently scary tale that will appeal to horror fans and Brontë enthusiasts alike." -- Booklist"The Garden of Bewitchment is everything you want in a ghost story. [...] She also proves that if there is a crown of queen of gothic horror, she should be wearing it." -- Modern Horrors“Atmospheric and rich in detail, Cavendish masterfully draws the reader into the slow-burning horror that makes well-crafted Gothic literature so delightfully addictive. The Garden of Bewitchment delivers as a gothic tale of unexpected horror, unravelling insanity, and what happens when the realities we’ve constructed for ourselves turn against us.” -- The Nerd Daily“A gothic nightmare set on the Yorkshire moors, full of ghosts, uncertain motivations, and the creepiest board game this side of Jumanji.” -- Tor Nightfire“The Garden of Bewitchment is a novel that does not so much beg to be read as it commands the next page be turned […] A must-read for fans of atmospheric tales of the supernatural that creep into the psyche. Cavendish is a master storyteller, capable of building a world that is almost too real for the reader […] an element that her literary ancestors Henry James, Shirley Jackson, Arthur Machen, and yes, the Bronte sisters understood all too well.” -- iHorror

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Book Synopsis“The suspense of the story, aided by sly hints from the author, and the atmosphere of a dark, claustrophobic tomb work together to create a scary story. The characters’ fear invites the reader into the world to experience the fright themselves.” — Booklist Starred Review Deep inside the tomb exists a hidden world of wonder and terror. In 1935, British archaeologists vanished inside an Egyptian cave. A year later, one man returned covered in mysterious scars. Egyptologist Imogen Riley desperately wants to know what happened to the ill-fated expedition led by her grandfather. On a quest for answers, she joins a team of archeologists and soldiers in Egypt. Inside a mountain tomb, they’ve found a technologically advanced relic and a maze of tunnels. Dr. Nathan Trummel believes this tomb leads to the most guarded secrets of the pharaohs. When the explorers venture deep into the caves, they discover a hidden world of wonder and terror.FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing Independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePressTrade Review"Nicely paced and laced with palpable tension [...] Horror fans will be pleased as the terrors of the tomb force each character to confront a past trauma"“The suspense of the story, aided by sly hints from the author, and the atmosphere of a dark, claustrophobic tomb work together to create a scary story. The characters’ fear invites the reader into the world to experience the fright themselves.”“Moreland gives us a unique vision of Egyptian deities in “Tomb of Gods” and the novel is a fun read with a strong plot yet easily accessible story. A definite recommendation for fans of horror in general but particularly for those who like stories about Egypt and its mythology.”“The novel will scare you, confound you, and force you to think, and that, readers, is the mark of an excellent read.”"Tomb of Gods completely knocked me out from beginning to end, with some of the sequences so unrelentingly fast moving it was impossible to put down." -- Tony’s Top 10 Horror Novels of 2020, HorrorDNA.com“What starts out as a good adventure story, grows into so much more as it moves along. Tomb of Gods is fantastically imaginative, darkly fun, and horrifically astounding; I expect this book to make my Top 10 Reads of 2020.” -- Dead Head Reviews“Tomb of Gods was a thrilling and chilling read, cleverly weaving together history with mythology, with the creeping presence of horror underneath.” -- Beneath a Thousand Skies“I just wanted to read this book and fall in love, all over again, with Egypt and the gods… I definitely wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone, lover of Ancient Egypt or not.” -- The Magic of Worlds Blog“It is obvious how much research the author has done as he weaves the beautiful scenery, and traditions into this horror story.” -- The Divine Writes Blog“The horror was chilling, and I had a hard time putting the book down once I started it. Brian Moreland puts a great deal of care into his characters and his internal mythology, and he can write a spine-tingling story.” -- We Who Walk Here, Walk Alone Blog“This is a book that actually made me feel the pain of the characters, the fear was visceral. Several times, I had to put the book down because it was so well written." -- Book Bustle Blog“With a mixture of adventure, tense claustrophobic horror, horrifying monsters, an engaging cast of characters and a slightly different portrayal of the Egyptian pantheon, we are drawn deep into the “Tomb of Gods” and we might not leave.” -- Books I Like Blog“This is not a book to read with the lights off, but it is absolutely a book to read!” -- Reading Reality Blog"Horror fiction and horror films abound with stories of the “you-don’t-want-to-go there” and while Tomb of Gods can be filed within this sub-genre, Moreland has come up with something different within that trope by combining Egyptian mythology (which he clearly knows a lot about) with great scene-setting, claustrophobic horror, uncovering the unknown, thrills and action and maybe a smattering of romance" -- Concatenation

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Book SynopsisBook 3 in the Stoker's Wilde series! Booklist on the first book in this series, Stoker's Wilde: "Pass this volume on to readers who are hungry for more historical stories with a supernatural frame." Science and the supernatural collide in this terrifying tale of witches, reanimated corpses and spirits invading our world from beyond the grave. Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde have returned to their lives in London after their adventures in the American West. Bram is managing a theatre and Oscar is rising to fame and planning his upcoming wedding when they are once again called upon to battle supernatural evil. Grief-crazed scientist Victor Mueller needs Bram’s unusual blood for his mad quest to bring his dead wife back to life, and he’ll resort to kidnapping to get it. Meanwhile, a young medium named Lorna Bow runs fake séances in London under the thumb of an abusive uncle. When her mother Endora returns, Lorna learns the truth: they come from a long line of witches, and soon Endora has awakened Lorna’s dormant powers. When the scientist and the witches combine forces, all Hell breaks loose. Long-dead souls find themselves back in the land of the living, and some of them have scores to settle with our heroes. But as Mueller’s ambition and her mother’s desire for vengeance against the men who imprisoned her become clear, Lorna soon finds herself questioning the morality of their work. Bram and Oscar must team up with American secret agent Cora Chase to protect all they hold dear. Only a mission into the Land of the Dead can stop Mueller and Endora from bringing back more souls. Bram’s wife Florence must call on the monster-fighting skills she honed in America, and even Oscar’s bride Constance has to face new challenges as she learns how the supernatural has shaped her own history. In an adventure that spans continents – and even other worlds – they confront old enemies and unknown dangers. Teaming up with old friends Teddy Roosevelt and Richard Burton and new allies like Arthur Conan Doyle and Nicola Tesla, they too must harness both science and magic to protect our world from intruders from the Land of the Dead. FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePressTrade ReviewPraise for STOKER'S WILDE and STOKER'S WILDE WEST: "Suggest to fans of paranormal alternative history featuring well-drawn characters and strong world building, such as Molly Tanzer’s Creatures series, Robert McCammon’s I Travel by Night series, or The Hunger by Alma Katsu." — Booklist "Hopstaken and Prusi have done their homework and produced a pleasing period penny dreadful." — Publishers Weekly's review of Stoker's Wilde "Historical details and supernatural monsters abound, but it is the odd couple of Wilde and Stoker, with their diametrically opposed personalities and interesting quirks, that drives this story. Pass this volume on to readers who are hungry for more historical stories with a supernatural frame." — Booklist's review of Stoker's Wilde “A fun throwback to classic horror, playing off of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, this tale stars fictionalized versions of both Stoker and Wilde, brought together through circumstance to hunt the undead throughout England [...] This husband-and-wife writing team offer a solid choice for fans of vampire lore and atmospheric, historical horror.” — Library Journal's review of Stoker's Wilde “A piece of work that is more original and creative than any novel I have read in years.” — High Fever Books' review of Stoker's Wilde "Stoker's Wilde is immensely entertaining and engrossing...this novel was an utter delight." — The Haunted Reading Room's review of Stoker's Wilde "This is a must-read for Horror lovers.” —Terror Tree's review of Stoker's Wilde "Stoker’s Wilde West is, quite simply, an addictive, clever and extremely fun horror adventure. — Grimdark Magazine "Fast, furious, funny, action-packed, gory, fast-talking with a hint of fantasy and science fiction thrown into the mix. What’s not to like in another winner from Flame Tree Press, an imprint to look out for, and If the little teaser at the end is anything to go by we might have more adventures to come? Let’s hope so." — Concatenation

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Book SynopsisThe time of peace is over. The time of war has begun.Bera is struggling to reconcile her desire to be an ordinary woman with the weight of her Valla duty to shape the future. Love and friendship vie with her longing for freedom at sea on her beloved longboat. Warned that Chaos is coming and that Vikings have taken her kin as slaves, Bera realises her destiny is to follow them to Wolf Island, a land that has abandoned the old gods. In a quest to save her loved ones, Bera must use her smith’s iron lore and the knowledge of her Valla ancestors to follow an ancient path into a dark labyrinth, where human time is meaningless. There, she confronts her worst foe to finally bring peace – at the cost of a life.The voyage that began with Sea Paths and continued with Obsidian ends with Landfall, Bera’s most dangerous and important journey of all.

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Book SynopsisClytemnestra?s Bind is a bold and brutal first-person retelling that redefines her story, unveiling the untold depths of her soul and the legacy she forged as a mother, wife, and queen.Queen Clytemnestra''s world shatters when Agamemnon, a rival to the throne of Mycenae, storms her palace, destroys her family and claims not only the throne but Clytemnestra herself. Tormented by her loss, she vows to do all she can to protect the children born from her unhappy marriage to him. But when her husband casts his ruthless gaze towards the wealthy citadel of Troy, his ambitions threaten to once more destroy the family Clytemnestra loves.From one of Greek mythology''s most reviled characters?a woman who challenged the absolute power of men?comes this fiery tale of power, family rivalry and a mother''s burning love.Perfect for readers of Greek mythology, and fans of Costanza Casati?s Clytemnestra, Madeline Miller?s Circe, and Jennifer Saint?s Elektra.

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Book SynopsisMidgard is a funeral pyre. RagnarÖk, the doom of the gods, has brought the Empire of the Heavens to ruin. For some, the harrowing promises a new beginning. Mother JÖrÐ will rise again, and new gods will return to the golden tables of old. But IÐunn Lind, keeper of the great World Tree Yggdrasil, no longer believes in ancient prophecy or the hand of fate. Across the veil, Churchwarden Michaels is stuck dealing with his own personal RagnarÖk - and just how to save his neck now that three Viking crosses have appeared overnight at St. Mary's. When the boundaries between realities fracture, the two guardians discover that the gods not only play dice with the Vikingverse, they are rolling snake-eyes. In this new chapter of the Vikingverse, the tapestry of time unfurls in deadly new ways.

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Book Synopsis Book nine of the celebrated Deverry series, an epic fantasy rooted in Celtic mythology that intricately interweaves human and elven history over several hundred years. Trade Review‘Kerr is a master of her trade… She has created a world that might very well go on for ever, and this one reader sincerely hopes it does’VECTOR ‘One of the top fantasists of her generation’INTERZONE

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Book SynopsisThe first volume of a thrilling fantasy adventure trilogy filled with necromancy and bone-chilling magic from the bestselling US author of the Nightrunner series.Trade Review'A fantasy that does not flinch from its premise all the way to a satisfying conclusion … The story pulled me under and carried me off with it.' ROBIN HOBB ‘The Bone Doll's Twin is a thoroughly engrossing new fantasy. It got its hooks into me on the first page, and didn't let loose until the last. I am already looking forward to the next instalment.’ GEORGE RR MARTIN ‘Original, well-written, and totally absorbing … by turns poignant, spooky, and earthy … a moving and thoroughly recommended read’ STARBURST

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Book SynopsisVolume one of the stunning fantasy trilogy set partly on the shores of Lake Superior in the 19th century.Trade Review‘A sumptuous tale of subtle magic, malevolent sorcery and twisted loyalties – you won’t regret venturing into Sarah Zettel’s world’ Sara Douglass ‘A fresh and surprisingly exciting fantasy thriller…Zettel’s engaging writing style conjures up a gripping plot and some effective, three-dimensional characterisation. Even the magic system is well-thought out and inventive…this engaging and vivid slice of escapist fantasy will keep fans of Robin Hobb more than happy’ SFX ‘Zettel’s first fantasy novel is a triumph of story-telling…All the characters are powerfully drawn, especially Bridget, a strong and attractive heroine…A Sorcerer’s Treason is a magnificent fantasy novel, showcasing just how good this genre can be. Rich, compelling and exciting, this could be the best fantasy debut in years’ Amazon ‘Sarah Zettel’s well-told and absorbing tale is full of original touches’ Starburst

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Book SynopsisNATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature and author of Never Let Me Go and the Booker Prize–winning novel The Remains of the Day comes a luminous meditation on the act of forgetting and the power of memory.   In post-Arthurian Britain, the wars that once raged between the Saxons and the Britons have finally ceased. Axl and Beatrice, an elderly British couple, set off to visit their son, whom they haven't seen in years. And, because a strange mist has caused mass amnesia throughout the land, they can scarcely remember anything about him. As they are joined on their journey by a Saxon warrior, his orphan charge, and an illustrious knight, Axl and Beatrice slowly begin to remember the dark and troubled past they all share. By turns savage, suspenseful, and intensely moving, The Buried Giant is a luminous meditation on the act of forgetting and the power of memory.

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Book Synopsis A fragile peace gives way to conspiracy, betrayal, and rebellion in this sequel to the New York Times bestselling A Little Hatred from epic fantasy master Joe Abercrombie.Peace is just another kind of battlefield . . .Savine dan Glokta, once Adua's most powerful investor, finds her judgement, fortune and reputation in tatters. But she still has all her ambitions, and no scruple will be permitted to stand in her way.For heroes like Leo dan Brock and Stour Nightfall, only happy with swords drawn, peace is an ordeal to end as soon as possible. But grievances must be nursed, power seized, and allies gathered first, while Rikke must master the power of the Long Eye . . . before it kills her.Unrest worms into every layer of society. The Breakers still lurk in the shadows, plotting to free the common man from his shackles, while noblemen bicker for their own advantage. Orso struggles to find a safe path

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Book SynopsisCharles Stross was born in Leeds, England, in 1964. He has worked as a pharmacist, software engineer and freelance journalist, but now writes full-time. Stross has won two Hugo awards and been nominated multiple times. He has also won the Locus Award for Best Novel, the Locus Award for Best Novella and has been shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke and Nebula Awards. In addition, his fiction has been translated into around a dozen languages. His novels include the popular Merchant Princes and Laundry Files series. Stross lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, with his wife Feorag, a couple of cats, several thousand books, and an ever-changing herd of obsolescent computers.Trade ReviewStross gives us an escape fantasy that is most seductive, indeed. * Salon *The Clan Corporate offers more proof, if any were needed, why Charles Stross has become universally acknowledged as one of science fiction’s major new talents. -- Mike Resnick

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

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Book SynopsisWANTED - Bloodmaid of exceptional taste. Must have a keen proclivity for life’s finer pleasures. Girls of weak will need not apply.A young woman is drawn into the upper echelons of a society where blood is power in this dark and enthralling Gothic novel from the author of The Year of the Witching.Marion Shaw has been raised in the slums, where want and deprivation are all she know. Despite longing to leave the city and its miseries, she has no real hope of escape until the day she spots a peculiar listing in the newspaper seeking a bloodmaid.Though she knows little about the far north—where wealthy nobles live in luxury and drink the blood of those in their service—Marion applies to the position. In a matter of days, she finds herself the newest bloodmaid at the notorious House of Hunger. There, Marion is swept into a world of dark debauchery. At the center of it all is Countess Lisavet.The countess, who pres

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