Historical fantasy

Book SynopsisFleeing Victorian London, a witch finds her newfound independence comes with all-new perils—both mortal and immortal. Forever untangling the branches of her strange family tree, Edwina Blackwood is at a turning point. Her parents’ disappearances still strike her as unaccountably odd. Her sister’s questionable life and untimely death have left her shaken. Spellfire has transformed her home and livelihood to ash. And now a devious stalker is on her trail. With supernatural detective Ian Cameron by her side, Edwina can’t get out of London fast enough. Gaining safe passage, she finds refuge with Sir Henry Elvanfoot, famed wizard of the north, and is promised protection from ill-aimed curses. But in this unfamiliar city of fair folk and witches, where the veil between Earth and the Otherworld is about to be lifted, something is amiss. How else to explain Edwina’s sudden prophetic visions? Or the fear that surviving whoever pursues her will require the powers of an ancient bloodline she’s only beginning to comprehend? Whatever destiny awaits, it’s Edwina’s to finally control. Where will it lead? Only time, cunning, and magic—in this world or the Other—will tell.Trade Review“The surprises about both characters and the setting throughout this story will delight readers as Smith continues to skillfully play with folklore in this charming series.” —Booklist “Readers will enjoy an imaginative, skillfully written dive into Victorian fantasy.” —Historical Novels Review

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Book SynopsisTwo countries at war. A delicious taste of magic. And a fierce princess comes of age in a rousing adventure by the author of A Thousand Recipes for Revenge. Princess Solenn’s marriage into royalty should have unified the continental neighbors of Verdania and Solenn’s homeland of Braiz against a common enemy: the country of Albion. Thanks to Albion’s cunning sabotage, Verdania is now Braiz’s lethal rival. And the dead Braizian sailors washed ashore near Solenn’s château are just the beginning. Arriving in the midst of danger, Ada Garland, rogue Chef to the Gods, is desperate to reunite with her daughter, Solenn. Not only has open war begun; it’s become heart-wrenchingly personal. Ada’s long-lost, beloved Braizian musketeer, Captain Erwan Corre, is being held in a Verdanian prison, with execution imminent. And her daughter has been tasked with the near-doomed responsibility of uniting violently adversarial countries in peace. Can Solenn and Ada, coming together, stop their land from descending into all-out war? And what will Solenn become to achieve victory? As ambassador between the human and magical worlds, Solenn must now draw from both to prevent catastrophe, and this time, even the Gods are working against her.Trade Review“Fantasy readers will enjoy Cato’s characters and her original, sensuous world.” —Booklist “The sequel to A Thousand Recipes for Revenge is an intriguing intersection of culinary magic and political machinations.” —Library Journal

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Book SynopsisRage burns brighter than any spellfire...Deep in the birchwoods of Norway, magic courses through the veins of two sisters. For years they've been alone, but sweet-tempered Kaija is tired of living in shadows and longs for a life filled with community, even if it means stifling her magic. But Minna is a witch through and through, with wrath always simmering just below the surface. Different as they may be, both will never forget the day they were driven from their village. The day their mother burned.When Kaija leaves to pursue a new life, Minna is left alone in the darkness of the forest. Devastated and outraged at the betrayal, Minna casts a curse to punish those who took everything from her. What she doesn't realize is that this act will incite a deadly chain of events. Soon it will destroy everything, including the life Kaija has lovingly built. But once a witch's rage boils, regret means nothing-she can't take back what's already done.Someone will have to burn.

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Book SynopsisMagic. Murder. Mayhem. But keep it in the family. Shine’s life is usually dull: an orphan without magic in a family of powerful mages, she’s left to run the family estate with only an eccentric aunt and telepathic cat for company.But when the family descend on the house for the annual Fertility Festival, Shine is plunged into dark intrigue; stolen letters, a fugitive spy, and family drama mix with murder, sex and secrets, and Shine is forced to decide both her loyalties and future...Trade Review"Routley’s whimsical tone lends a dark comic quality to this intricate fantasy, and the outlandish characters and captivating worldbuilding." -- Publishers Weekly * Publishers Weekly *"Utterly delightful! ...Shine is resourceful, witty, and competent—the perfect heroine for a madcap escapade of family drama." – Corry L. Lee"Shadow in the Empire of Light is part witty romp, part gritty drama, and an entirely gripping read." -- Glenda Larke"Tremendous fun. Shine is a wonderful creation and Routley gives her a terrific voice. A welcome new addition to the world of contemporary comic fantasy." -- J.S. Barnes“Jane Routley’s books have won Aurealis awards and the writing style in her latest deserves another.” -- Aurealis on Shadow in the Empire of Light * Aurealis *

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Book Synopsis'Intricate and crisp, witty and solemn' Hilary Mantel, Man Booker Prize-winning author of Wolf Hall on RotherweirdAPOCALYPSE NOW?Geryon Wynter, the brilliant Elizabethan mystic, has achieved resurrection and returned to present-day Rotherweird. But after the chaos of Election Day, how can a stranger from another time wrest control? And for what fell purpose is Wynter back? His dark conspiracy reaches its climax in this unique corner of England, where the study of history is forbidden and neither friend nor foe are quite what they seem.The stakes could not be higher, for at the endgame, not only Rotherweird is under threat. The future of mankind itself hangs in the balance.'Baroque, Byzantine and beautiful - not to mention bold. An enthralling puzzle picture of a book' M. R. Carey, bestselling author of The Girl With All The Gifts on RotherweirdTrade ReviewA history-tragic-comedy all rolled into one, Rotherweird is intricate and crisp, witty and solemn: a book not unlike other books, but with special and dangerous properties. Line by line, silent and adroit, it opens a series of trap-doors in the reader's imagination * Hilary Mantel, two-time Man Booker prize winner, on Rotherweird *Baroque, Byzantine and beautiful - not to mention bold. An enthralling puzzle picture of a book * M.R. Carey, author of the bestselling The Girl With All The Gifts, on Rotherweird *Compelling . . . the love child of Gormenghast and Hogwarts * The Guardian on Rotherweird *The Rotherweird trilogy is a sprawling absorbing saga that is breath-taking in conceit and accomplishment. Fans of deeply immersive fiction, such as that created by Neal Stephenson, will love losing themselves in this nightmarish vision of a parochial English town, where everybody has secrets. * Geek Dad on Lost Acre *[A] sprawling fantasy epic * The Guardian on Lost Acre *This novel is a remarkable achievement. It's also extremely funny, in a typically British sort of way . . . a delightful Harry Potter for grown-ups * Sunday Independent on Rotherweird *An imaginative tour de force * The Times on Rotherweird *Lost Acre is a triumphant final volume to what has been a constantly surprising piece of modern British fantasy. Part Gormenghast, part Monty Python, part mythology, part Terry Pratchett, a little bit steampunk but with the occasional dragon and changeling, and with plenty of word puzzles along the way. And while it has plenty of antecedents, this series, its setting and its tone is totally unique and thoroughly enjoyable and should be celebrated as such * Pile by the Bed on Lost Acre *Intricate and rather beautiful . . . gothic, engaging, and strange, this is a series that has been filled with praise by fans of baroque literature from all fields * Starburst *A vivid fantasy world - albeit one with firm roots in both our own Elizabethan age and, with a timeshift plot set off by events in the Tudor era, the time of Good Queen Bess * SFX *Precisely calibrated . . . The stakes could not be higher * Daily Mail on Lost Acre *I'm a sucker for a good puzzle and this one was magnificent * Midnight Blue *Ambitious in his scope . . . incredibly inventive * SF Crowsnest on Lost Acre *Lost Acre is the perfect swansong to the wonderfully executed series of books. Highly recommended * The Eloquent Page on Lost Acre *It's complex, intriguing and I've loved it! It's definitely ambitious but it does work! It's very original and nothing like I've seen before * Life Has a Funny Way of Sneaking Up on You on Lost Acre *A steampunkish amalgam of Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast, Terry Pratchett's Ankh-Morpork and Christopher Isherwood and Edward Upward's Mortmere, replete with quirky characters, Heath Robinsonesque mechanical devices and a dash of the supernatural * The Guardian *Rotherweird and its otherworldly counterpart Lost Acre are just as fascinating as ever. Lost Acre, like its predecessors, is a book to be savoured. If you like your fantasy complex, this is a trilogy for you and Lost Acre rounds it off in style * Mugful of Books on Lost Acre *A clever, quirky and enjoyable jaunt into a gothic mystery spanning the millennia between Roman invasions (Gregorius), the Elizabethans (Bole and Wynter, Ferensen and the Seers) and the modern day * The Book Lovers' Sanctuary on Lost Acre *Caldecott delivers with gusto. There are surprises too: far from being an all-powerful villain, even Wynter isn't sure what is happening (can it be he's really being played?) - and many secrets still lie hidden. An excellent close to this trilogy . I'd also commend the illustrations by Sasha Laika - they are moody, allusive and add greatly to the atmosphere * Blue Book Balloon on Lost Acre *Still one of the best characters in these stories is the city of Rotherweird. It is slightly gothic, Dickensian, there is a touch of horror in it, but it is foremost absolutely captivating. This world building, although complex, is done with great skill and is one (of the many) attractive features. It gave me many hours of sometimes confusing, sometimes marvellous and very often amazing pleasure * Library Thing on Lost Acre *Delightfully ordinary people with extraordinary names wrestle with weird machinery, weirder science and some quite deliciously gruesome flayage * Jamie Buxton, Daily Mail *A great read . . . rich and rewarding * Sci Fi Online *One of those rare, satisfying commitments you've been looking for in a book * Amazing Stories *A rather spectacular conclusion to a unique series * Locus *

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Book SynopsisTommaso Cellini, celebrated ruler of Cadenza, is dead. For Carlo Mazzoni, an aspiring poet, it is the worst possible moment to arrive at the city gates, his dreams of literary fame turning to disappointment and disgrace. For Vittoria – known to all but a handful as the notorious ink maid Hypatia – Tommaso’s death is overshadowed by the disappearance of her creative spark, while Vittoria’s impulsive sister Maddelina seeks to make her own name with a daring conspiracy.As Cadenza descends into anarchy amid rumours of war with its rival Venice, Carlo and the two sisters become entangled in intrigue, murder and revolution. 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 SynopsisIt’s the last months of the nineteenth century and twenty-two year old Euphemia Thorniwork, is out of step with the men’s world she lives in. A mathematical research student at Oxford, looked on with suspicion by her her tutor, Professor Milton, she is forced to collaborate with fellow-student, Leo Lazarus, also under suspicion—for being Jewish. At home in London, life is under pressure—for months a toxic fog has engulfed the city each evening, bringing illness to many, including Euphemia’s widowed mother. The fog has been accompanied by a wave of body-snatching and the body of Euphemia’s beloved cousin, Pearl, remains missing. Additionally, money is tight and Euphemia and her mother must move in with relatives who disapprove of her lifestyle. Haunted by dreams of Pearl in which numbers, a red heifer and Biblical purification rites provide insoluble clues, she discovers an article about communicating with the dead using sound waves. Determined to cling to rational explanations, Euphemia returns to Oxford, but when she begins to fall in love with Leo, and learns something of esoteric Judaism, their research takes an unconventional turn and the questions mount. Can Euphemia and Leo find the body snatchers? What is the origin of the toxic fog and can they find a way to defeat it? Will Leo and Euphemia’s love survive their religious divide? Blending Victorian romance and drama with a compelling supernatural story, The Sound of Gematria is an engaging debut novel not to be missed.

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Book SynopsisFor 312 years the rotstorm has blighted the ruins of the Ferron Empire. Born of an unholy war between gods themselves, it scours the land with acid mists and deadly lightning, spawning twisted monstrosities from its nightmarish depths. On the Stormwall, the men and women of the Stormguard maintain their vigil — eyes sharp, blades sharper — defending the Undal Protectorate from the worst of the rotstorm’s corruption. But behind the stormfront, something is stirring, kindling the embers of an ancient conflict and a plan to kill a god. Will Stormguard steel be enough to meet the coming tempest? *** As the children of the storm carve a bloody swathe across the Northern Marches, the whitestaffs — the Protectorate’s healers and sages — have fled, retreating to their island citadel of Riven. Their withdrawal has weakened the realm, and worse, their absence is a death sentence for Floré’s daughter Marta. Skein-sick, Marta wastes away from the terrible magic she has inherited from her father and only the whitestaffs have the knowledge that might save her. When Flore is dispatched to reason with the whitestaffs, to bring them back into the fold, she seizes the chance. Her mission could save both the protectorate and her child. But on the island of Iskander, caged and chained, she will only discover the worst betrayal.Trade Review'Those who enjoy an action-crammed page-turner will be satisfied. . . a solid fantasy’ * British Fantasy Society *PRAISE FOR THE GAUNTLET AND THE FIST BENEATH: 'Excellent, vivid worldbuilding... A gripping story with cinematic detail' British Fantasy Society. 'An exciting and action-packed fantasy novel... Some disturbing and interesting ideas give the book a twist, but it also feels comfortably like a fantasy novel that any fan of the genre can enjoy' SF Book Review. 'Green's worldbuilding is unique and creative... This book appeals to both enthusiasts of high fantasy as well as the more everyday fantasy reader. Epic action, deep world-building, and colourful characters make for a magical debut, forged in compelling inspirations... There's plenty more magic to come' The Publishing Planet. 'The unrelentingly dark tone enables Green to maintain a high level of suspense throughout. Fans of Anthony Ryan will welcome this and its sequels' * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisFor 312 years the rotstorm has blighted the ruins of the Ferron Empire. Born of an unholy war between gods themselves, it scours the land with acid mists and deadly lightning, spawning twisted monstrosities from its nightmarish depths. On the Stormwall, the men and women of the Stormguard maintain their vigil — eyes sharp, blades sharper — defending the Undal Protectorate from the worst of the rotstorm’s corruption. But behind the storm front, something is stirring, kindling the embers of an ancient conflict and a plan to kill a god. Will Stormguard steel be enough to meet the coming tempest? --- Floré returns to the Undal Protectorate to find it blighted by the deadly ice and bitter winds of a Claw Winter. Her people are dying, and she is sworn to save them... but she can think only of her daughter Marta, slowly succumbing to her skein-sickness, trapped somewhere in the far, far north. Now Tullen One-Eye – the man they call the ‘Deathless’ – has been freed and roams the land once more. There are rumours that the great god-wolf Lothal hunts again. And, deep in Orubor’s Wood, the god-bear Anshuka stirs from her slumber... Floré must raise her gauntlet one final time if she is to save her daughter and her people. But will steel alone be enough to take down the gods?Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE GAUNTLET AND THE FIST BENEATH: 'Excellent, vivid worldbuilding... A gripping story with cinematic detail' British Fantasy Society. 'An exciting and action-packed fantasy novel... Some disturbing and interesting ideas give the book a twist, but it also feels comfortably like a fantasy novel that any fan of the genre can enjoy' SF Book Review. 'Green's worldbuilding is unique and creative... This book appeals to both enthusiasts of high fantasy as well as the more everyday fantasy reader. Epic action, deep world-building, and colourful characters make for a magical debut, forged in compelling inspirations... There's plenty more magic to come' The Publishing Planet. 'The unrelentingly dark tone enables Green to maintain a high level of suspense throughout. Fans of Anthony Ryan will welcome this and its sequels' * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisSquid Game meets The Hunger Games in this thriller where modern-day recruits compete with ancient weapons in a deadly game across the streets of Edinburgh. Welcome to the Pantheon Games. Let the streets of Edinburgh run with blood... The Games are the biggest underground event in the world, followed by millions online. New recruits must leave behind their twenty-first century lives and vie for dominance in a gruelling battle to the death armed only with ancient weapons – and their wits. Tyler Maitland and Lana Cameron have their own reasons for signing their lives away. Now they must risk everything and join the ranks of seven warrior teams that inhabit this illicit world. Their journey will be more extraordinary and horrifying than anything they could have dreamed, testing them to breaking point. Will they find what they seek? Or will they succumb to the nature of the Pantheon? Let the Season begin. Praise for the Pantheon series: 'The Wolf Mile is a thrilling ride and a heck of a debut. C.F. Barrington knocks it out of the park.' Matthew Harffy 'The moment you ask yourself if it could just be true, the story has you.' Anthony Riches 'Gripping and original – a terrific read!' Joe Heap 'So gripping that I sometimes find myself holding my breath while I'm reading!' Ruth Hogan 'A brilliant eccentric concept which hits you like a fever dream.' Giles KristianTrade ReviewThe Wolf Mile is a thrilling ride and a heck of a debut. C.F. Barrington knocks it out of the park -- Matthew HarffyThe Wolf Mile blurs the boundary between fantasy and real life with authoritative panache. The moment you ask yourself if it could just be true, the story has you -- Anthony RichesThe Wolf Mile had me hooked from the first page. Gripping and original – a terrific read! -- Joe HeapI was utterly gripped and can't wait for the next instalment. This is a hit movie just waiting to be made! -- Ruth HoganA brilliant eccentric concept which hits you like a fever dream -- Giles Kristian

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Book SynopsisThe second in a dystopian thriller series, where modern-day recruits compete in an ancient fight to the death in the streets of Edinburgh. New Season. New Rules. Same deadly game... The Pantheon Games are the biggest underground event in the world, followed by millions online. New recruits must leave behind their twenty-first century lives and vie for dominance in a gruelling battle to the death armed only with ancient weapons – and their wits. Last season's new recruits Tyler and Lana have lived to fight another day, but now they face a series of even more lethal clashes before the Grand Battle that will bring the Season to a close. It's survival of the fittest in the most brutal fashion imaginable. As they race toward the bloody end, Lana must finally face the demons of her past, and Tyler will have to fight with the mother of all targets on his back... Squid Game meets The Hunger Games in this fast-paced, action-packed thriller series. Praise for the Pantheon series: 'The moment you ask yourself if it could just be true, the story has you.' Anthony Riches 'Gripping and original – a terrific read!' Joe Heap 'The Wolf Mile is a thrilling ride and a heck of a debut. C.F. Barrington knocks it out of the park.' Matthew Harffy 'So gripping that I sometimes find myself holding my breath while I'm reading!' Ruth Hogan 'A brilliant eccentric concept which hits you like a fever dream.' Giles KristianTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE WOLF MILE: 'A thrilling ride... C.F. Barrington knocks it out of the park' Matthew Harffy. 'The moment you ask yourself if it could just be true, the story has you' Anthony Riches. 'Gripping and original – a terrific read!' Joe Heap. 'So gripping that I sometimes find myself holding my breath while I'm reading!' Ruth Hogan. 'A brilliant eccentric concept which hits you like a fever dream' -- Giles Kristian

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Book SynopsisLower Rhumbsford is a city far removed from its glory days. On the banks of the great River Rhumb, its founding fathers channelled the river's mighty flow into a subterranean labyrinth of pipes, valves and sluices, a feat of hydraulic prowess that would come to power an empire. But a thousand years have passed since then, and something is wrong: the pipes are leaking, the valves stuck, the sluices silted, and the once-torrential Rhumb has been reduced to a sluggish trickle. The fortunes of the Locke family, descendants of the city's most celebrated engineer, are similarly reduced. In a once-fashionable quarter of the once-great city, siblings Samuel and Briony Locke are about to be drawn into a web of ancestral secrets and imperial intrigues, as a ruthless new power arises... Reviews for A Clockwork River: 'Exuberant isn't often a word you'd apply to fantasy novels, but A Clockwork River rushes along at a pace to match the waterway at its heart' SFX 'Delightfully weird and clever' Grimdark Magazine 'Oh, just plunge into this "hydro-punk" fantasy novel, will you' The TimesTrade Review'Oh, just plunge into this 'hydro-punk' fantasy novel, will you. It's as charming as it is uncontainable, an uber-confident picaresque comedy in the authentic, madcap 18th-century manner' The Times. * The Times *4½ stars! Exuberant isn't often a word you'd apply to fantasy novels, but A Clockwork River rushes along at a pace to match the waterway at its heart * SFX Magazine *It is delightfully weird, clever, and a luxuriously slow novel set in a historical urban fantasy world * Grimdark Magazine *A monumental hydropunk novel centred around a hydraulic city in danger of collapse, Emery's meticulously realised fantasy brings in everything from house spirits and troglodytes to the Ladies Whist Club * Waterstones *A languid and lengthy exploration of societal expectations and boundaries across multiple tiers and cultures, all told through a narrative voice that has humour and intelligence in spades and is not afraid to use them to follow random tangents and relate these tales in complex sentences using complex vocabulary. It shouldn't work, this arduous spiralling of detail over many, many hours of reading, and yet somehow, 12ish hours later, it has * British Fantasy Society *

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Book SynopsisThe third gripping instalment in a dystopian thriller series where modern-day recruits compete in an fight to the death with ancient weapons in the streets of Edinburgh. Live by the rules. Die by the rules. Or break them and take your chances in the chaos that follows... The Pantheon Games are the biggest underground event in the world, with millions watching online as modern-day recruits battle to the death with weapons of the ancient world. Tyler Maitland left his life behind to search for his sister, who disappeared after joining the Pantheon's Edinburgh chapter. But one year on, he's still no closer to finding her... After the shocking climax of the Grand Battle, Tyler must now find a way to forge a new brotherhood amongst his enemies. There will be new identities, new teammates, a new cause... but the same blood will flow on the streets while those at the top enjoy the show and count the money rolling in. This season will be like no other. Tyler must accept a new mission, one that hasn't been attempted in twenty years of the Pantheon. His life, and the search for his sister, depends on it. Squid Game meets The Hunger Games in this fast-paced, action-packed thriller series. 'I've rarely read anything so immersive. It grabbed me by the scruff of my neck on the first page and only dropped me stunned and exhausted with the final sentence.' Ruth Hogan Praise for the Pantheon series: 'The moment you ask yourself if it could just be true, the story has you.' Anthony Riches 'Gripping and original – a terrific read!' Joe Heap 'The Wolf Mile is a thrilling ride and a heck of a debut. C.F. Barrington knocks it out of the park.' Matthew Harffy 'A brilliant eccentric concept which hits you like a fever dream.' Giles KristianTrade ReviewI've rarely read anything so immersive. It grabbed me by the scruff of my neck on the first page and only dropped me stunned and exhausted with the final sentence -- Ruth HoganPRAISE FOR THE WOLF MILE: 'The moment you ask yourself if it could just be true, the story has you' Anthony Riches. 'Gripping and original – a terrific read!' Joe Heap. 'A thrilling ride... C.F. Barrington knocks it out of the park' Matthew Harffy. 'A brilliant eccentric concept which hits you like a fever dream' -- Giles Kristian

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Book SynopsisGod bless you, England, on this glorious Year of Our Lord, 1145. Things are definitely not right in Nottingham. Rebecca, daughter of a Jewish money-lender, has a sense for it. A mad monk schemes to resurrect the Christ from body parts. A bone harpist murders creatures of legend for a price. A fae creature binds its wings and embraces a new God and his son. And don't even mention the Hood. The Man in Green. The Prince of Thieves. The tick-tock taker of the ten-toll tax. What hope have the series of sheriffs sent to hold the peace? It's the forest, you see. Sherwood. Ice Age ancient, impenetrable, hiding a dark and secret heart. But hearts, no matter how black, no matter how hidden, are not immune to change. The old world is dying... and a terrifying new one is waiting to take its place. Rebecca senses an opportunity. But how far is she willing to go, and what price – because there is always a price – will she have to pay? The Hood is Lavie Tidhar's narcotic reweirding of an ancient English myth, a tale stitched together from legends lost to time, a tale told and retold, reworked and renewed for each passing century. A tale, reader, for today. 'A wild, inventive tapestry of myth and magic, with a wry sense of humor. Tidhar's writing is wonderfully vibrant' Silvia Moreno-Garcia, bestselling author of Mexican GothicTrade ReviewThis is a book to experience rather than to read, as every chapter and revisionist character expands into sheer, wonderful madness. One for the ages * Crime Time *Chaotic, wildly inventive and relentlessly entertaining * Big Issue *Tidhar fancies himself an iconoclast, and his incidental invention reaches impressive levels of delirium * The Times *A wealth of colorful tales and memorable characters * Locus *PRAISE FOR BY FORCE ALONE: 'A bloody, bravura performance, which Tidhar pulls off with graphic imagery and modern vernacular' Guardian. 'As eclectic as the Sword in the Stone and as ruthless as A Game of Thrones, this retelling of the whole Arthurian legend stands alongside the very best' Daily Mail. 'The narrative voice is deadly serious but there's a strong undercurrent of gleefulness to the profanity, violence and otherworldly magic that makes By Force Alone a whole lot of fun to dive into' Spectator. 'Lavie Tidhar has crafted a punk epic on the mouldering bones of legend and jolted it to life with ten thousand volts of knowing wit and fury. By Force Alone eviscerates the complacent posturing of the Arthurian myth, explodes the well-worn conventions of the tale and from the shiny jagged pieces assembles a wholly fresh rollercoaster ride of cheap violence, vicious magic and messy human truth' Richard Morgan. 'A twisted Arthur retelling mixing the historical and the magical with a very modern eye. Brutal and vicious, funny, Peaky Blinders of the Round Table' -- Adrian Tchaikovsky

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Book SynopsisThe Cleaving is an Arthurian retelling that follows the tangled stories of four women: Nimue, Ygraine, Morgana, and Guinevere, as they fight to control their own destinies amid the wars and rivalries that will determine the destiny of Britain. The legendary epics of King Arthur and Camelot don't tell the whole story. Chroniclers say Arthur's mother Ygraine married the man that killed her husband. They say that Arthur's half-sister Morgana turned to dark magic to defy him and Merlin. They say that the enchantress Nimue challenged Merlin and used her magic to outwit him. And that Arthur's marriage to Guinevere ended in adultery, rebellion and bloodshed. So why did these women chose such dangerous paths? As warfare and rivalries constantly challenge the king, Arthur and Merlin believe these women are destined to serve Camelot by doing as they are told. But men forget that women talk. Ygraine, Nimue, Morgana and Guinevere become friends and allies while the decisions that shape their lives are taken out of their hands. This is their untold story. Now these women have a voice. Juliet McKenna is an expert on medieval history and warfare and brings this expertise as well as her skills as a fantasy writer to this epic standalone novel.Trade ReviewPRASIE FOR JULIET E MCKENNA "If you're not reading Juliet McKenna you should be" - Kate Elliott "The thinking fantasy reader's writer" - Charles Stross "Her many characters are thoroughly engaging and her plots tight" - Joanne Harris "McKenna creates real tension" - Time Out "Written with verve and style" - SFX Magazine "Magically convincing and convincingly magical" - Dan Abnett "If your appetite is for fantasy in the epic tradition, with compelling narratives, authentic combat and characters you care about, Juliet E McKenna is definitely the author for you" Stan Nicholls "Everything just sings in these books." - Charles de Lint in F&SF

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Book SynopsisAfter defusing another flashpoint in the ongoing fracas between the Winfiel Kingdom and the Church, Col and Myuri are more than ready to take a breather. Of course, the world has other plans for the infmaous Twilight Cardinal. As the two of them leisurely make their way to a certain monastery, they stumble upon a fallen squire who is up in arms the moment he finds out who they are. With the world's strongest holy order of knights on the brink of dissolution and Col apparently to blame, there's no time to waste!

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Book SynopsisDespite victory after victory, the Empire advances towards its inevitable fate. Having seen what merciless reality has to offer, Zettour's gathers what remains of his love for his country and begins working toward the best possible defeat he can afford to bring the Empire. And to do that, what he needs is not rhyme nor reason. Zettour will do what he must to shock the world. All that is left is to become the source of all evil...

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Book SynopsisThe companion of the young man who wishes to become a priest, Col, is the daughter of the wisewolf, Myuri, and she urges him to make her his wife. After leaving the pirate islands, the two get caught up in a storm and arrive the port town of Desarev in the Winfiel Kingdom.In this town, where the Church lies dormant, Col is called "The Twilight Cardinal" and is treated like a savior. He also has to face Myuri's unrequited love, so he forbids her from calling him "Brother," and tries to change their relationship.Before them appears a merchant girl who calls herself Ilenia. She is the embodiment of a sheep, and asks them to help her with some "big plans"...!

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Book SynopsisAfter saving the Knights of St. Cruza from the brink of destruction, the Col and Myuriform their very own knightly order. Although Myuri is thrilled to finally hold a title she'slong obsessed over, she realizes that her position as a knight is making it harder forher to fawn over Col. Before she can rack her brain for a solution, however, a requestcomes in from Hyland for her to investigate Raponel, a region whose prodigious wheatproduction is rumored to be the product of a deal with a devil. Meanwhile, Col getsasked to discover a new continent to resolve the conflict between the Kingdom and theChurch?!

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Book SynopsisIn Rausbourne, second greatest port city of the Winfield Kingdom, Myuri and Col have run into heavily-armed trouble once again. It seems that Col's reputation and deeds at the Twilight Cardinal have worsened the hostility surrounding the Winfiel Kingdom and the Church. If nothing is done, there is no doubt that hard fighting will break out. Right when it seems like they've run out of options, the one to offer them a chance to turn things around is none other than Lawrence's old acquaintance, Abe the beautiful trader! But will it be enough to stop the drums of war?

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Book SynopsisChasing after their daughter who set off on the grand adventure of a lifetime, the wisewolf and her ex-merchant husband have embarked on a little journey of their own. They've saved a town from the pits of endless debt but a new challenge is on the horizon. This time, a primeval forest is in danger and Lawrence may be the only one who can save it from disappearing forever!

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Book SynopsisOvercome with worry over his runaway daughter, Myuri, Lawrence has set off on a journey with his wife Holo for the first time in over a decade! With the wagon heavily laden with supplies and emotion, they plod away from their home, the Spice and Wolf bathhouse...only to immediately find rumors about "Saint Myuri"?!?

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Book Synopsis'Morning Star', is a novel by H. Rider Haggard. It is a classic story of experience and romance, and tracks a powerful heroine from her royal birth to her final maturation. Morning Star is a tale of gloriousness and the successiveness of the emperor of Egypt. It is the melodrama of a young woman, Tua, who is the only child and heir of the Pharaoh. He, Rames is the son of a king of a state to the south of Egypt. Tua and Rames spent sometime together as children, and he rescues her life from a crocodile. They get detached and she becomes Pharoah upon the demise of her father. This book comprises wizards and magic by distinct personalities.

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Book SynopsisPower always wins.Imagine Camelot but in Gotham: a city where Arthurian knights are the celebrities of the day, riding on motorbikes instead of horses and competing in televised fights for fame and money.'Arthurian legend meets urban fantasy in a brilliant, bloody wild ride' Jay Kristoff, Sunday Times bestselling author of Aurora BurningImagine a city where a young, magic-touched bastard astonishes everyone by becoming king - albeit with extreme reluctance - and a girl with a secret past trains to become a knight for the sole purpose of vengeance.The boldest, smartest, most adventurous fantasy I've read in ages' Krystal Sutherland, author of Our Chemical HeartsImagine a city where magic is illegal but everywhere, in its underground bars, its back-alley soothsayers - and in the people who have to hide what they are for fear of being tattooed and persecuted.Imagine a city where electricity is money, power the only game worth playing, and violence the most fervently worshipped religion.'King Arthur as you've never seen him before. The coolest thing you'll read this year' Samantha Shannon, author of The Bone Season and The Priory of the Orange TreeIn this dark, chaotic, alluring place, any dream can come true if you want it hard enough - and if you are prepared to do some very, very bad things to get it . . .Trade ReviewThis is an 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 *Arthurian legend meets urban fantasy in a brilliant, bloody wild ride * JAY KRISTOFF, No.1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author *King 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 Our Chemical Hearts [movie out this year!] *This rocks! * FANTASY BOOK CRITIC *Prepare for a politically charged, addictive read * THE FANTASY HIVE *Blackheart Knights takes these familiar stories and makes them into something that is new and inventive - a gritty, grimdark take on a futuristic London. Well-written, compelling and packaged in a way that keeps the reader guessing. Think of this as an old-school thrash metal gig like Slayer or Metallica at their heyday - loud, fast, fun and satisfying as f*** * GRIMDARK MAGAZINE *Fun, gritty and imaginative twist on an Arthurian legend, it's an urban fantasy retelling where knights ride bikes rather than horses and compete in gruesome fights in an attempt to win money and fame. I haven't read anything like Blackheart Knights previously and I don't think I ever will again, it's a very unique contemporary take on a well-loved tale * LIBRARY LOOTER *This book is AMAZING! Honestly, everyone needs to read this. It blends the Arthurian legend we all know and love with an intricate and amazingly built urban fantasy world, and I completely devoured it. This has easily made its way onto my favourite books of the year! * CROOKS BOOKS *This book was a brilliant read, and I'd recommend it to people who are interested in slow-paced, character-focused fantasy with a lot of grittiness. I also loved how there's a lot of casual queerness in this book. It's always great to see this kind of casual representation. Now to wait not-so-patiently for the next one . . . * LUMINOSITY LIBRARY *I was sucked into this world of knights and magic. I loved the way the politics of the world was introduced and how Art's history fed into Red's journey. * CURIOSITY KILLED THE BOOKWORM *Book of the Month at READS RAINBOW * READS RAINBOW *A powerful and moving urban fantasy that I found myself completely immersed in * MUSE’S BOOK JOURNAL *Eve has created a rounded political fantasy novel that has all the twists and turns you would expect from a Le Carré novel. The bonus is that you also get cool fights, cool bikes, and cool leathers * SF Book Reviews *A vibrantly reimagined urban fantasy * PAR SEC MAGAZINE *The concept already had me desperate to get my hands on a copy, but the execution was so immaculate that I know I'll be reading Blackheart Knights over and over again. A fresh and fascinating retelling that manages to make Arthurian myth modern, bloody, and pretty darn sexy * Nia’s Book Fort *The most I've enjoyed an Arthurian retelling in a long time. I never felt like I knew exactly where we were going, which meant I stayed hooked * A Medievalist Reads *There's a wealth of imagination on show here * Cheryl Morgan, Salon Futura *A brilliant world not quite like anything I've ever seen before. It's strange, and delightfully different, and it's so beautifully cohesive. I loved every moment of it. It's unquestionably one of the best books of the year * Every Book a Doorway *

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Book SynopsisPeter V. Brett, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Demon Cycle,begins a brand new epic fantasy adventure set in his beloved world, following a new generation of heroes.Fifteen years have passed since the demons were destroyed. Heroes have become legend, and those that remain live in their shadows. Olive, Princess of Hollow, has her entire life planned outa steady march toward succession. But the more her mother writes the script, the more Olive rails against playing the parts she is assigned.Darin is the son of the man people say saved the world. Everyone expects greatness from Darin, but the only thing he's ever been great at is hiding.But now it's time to fight the darkness.When Olive and Darin step across the wards one night, they learn that the demons are not all gone, and those that remain hunger for revenge.Are Darin and Olive ready to be heroes?Trade Review‘Peter Brett takes the reader with him and his characters on an electric and unrelenting charge through the demon-haunted depths of the Warded universe, full of love and death’Naomi Novik, Sunday Times bestselling author of UPROOTED ‘An intricately crafted tale of intrigue and courage where one’s station and lineage determines everything, good and bad. An exciting read. Peter Brett has outdone himself with this first book in a new series.’#1 New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks ‘The Desert Prince is a class act. Wonderful storytelling, flawed and believable characters and a ratcheting of tension that has you reading well into the dark hours. This is a must read’John Gwynne, author of Malice ‘The Desert Prince is a deeply intimate, yet epic adventure. Heart-wrenching, smart, and modern, this book kept me wide-eyed and wide awake for many-a-nights as I struggled step-for-step alongside Olive and Darin from the green lands to the desert pits to the darkest recesses of the demon minds. The Desert Prince has set a new standard for fantasy.’Wesley Chu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the War Arts Saga ‘Full of action and drama. With fresh protagonists coming into a deeply realised world full of ancient foes, THE DESERT PRINCE appeals to new fans and old alike’Peter Newman, author of The Vagrant ‘THE DESERT PRINCE is the work of a master at the top of his game. The new cast of would-be heroes instantly draw you into a world full of old dangers as Brett cranks up the tension to unbearable levels. If you’re going to read this book, cancel all your plans because there’s no way you’ll be able to put it down once you start. This is the best Peter V Brett book so far.’Mike Shackle, author of WE ARE THE DEAD

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Book SynopsisA New York Times Bestseller & Amazon Editor's Pick! After more than five hundred years of exile, the heir to the empyre is wary about his sudden reassignment to active duty on the Goblin War’s front lines. His assignment to rescue an outpost leads to a dead-end canyon deep inside enemy territory, and his suspicion turns to dread when he discovers the stronghold does not exist. But whoever went to the trouble of planning his death to look like a casualty of war did not know he would be assigned to the Seventh Sikaria Auxiliary Squadron. In the depths of an unforgiving jungle, a legend is about to be born, and the world of Elan will never be the same. From Michael J. Sullivan, the New York Times, USA Today, and Washington Post bestselling author, a new adventure begins with the first book in The Rise and Fall trilogy. Although this series is set in the same world as the Riyria novels and the Legends of the First Empire books, it is a standalone tale. As such, no prior knowledge of the other works is required to enjoy this tale to its fullest.Trade Review“Nolyn is masterfully executed and the disparate storylines are equally intriguing as they are spun beautifully together into an ending full of gnarled twists and grim surprises that will leave you clamoring for more” – David Estes, Amazon #1 bestselling author of Fatemarked“Breathtakingly epic in scope, yet the characters are infused with the breath of genuine humanity that makes Sullivan’s work utterly unique.” – Andy Peloguin, bestselling author of The Silent Champions series“Vengeance and love test the boundaries of honor in this phenomenal epic fantasy by Michael J. Sullivan. Heart-wrenching and powerful, you can’t help but root for Nolyn and Sephryn as they struggle to unravel the plots against them before the final trap is sprung.” – Megan Haskell, award-winning autor of The Sanyare Chronicles“With Nolyn, a true master of epic fantasy shines even brighter. Sullivan has an amazing ability to craft a brilliant ensemble of characters and lead readers on an adventure that keeps them wide-eyeed and betting for more with each expertly written page.” – Dyrk Ashton, autho of The Paternus Trilogy.Table of ContentsAuthor’s Note Map Chapter 1: The Arrow of Death Chapter 2: The Monk Chapter 3: The Gathering Chapter 4: The Voice Chapter 5: One of Them Chapter 6: Divine Providence Chapter 7: The Thief and the Poker Chapter 8: Escape from Urlineus Chapter 9: Inside the Gem Fortress Chapter 10: Death Pays a Visit Chapter 11: The Orinfar Chapter 12: Crossroads Chapter 13: Vernes Chapter 14: A Gem of Great Worth Chapter 15: Teshlor Nights Chapter 16: Hail, Prymus Chapter 17: Cries in the Dark Chapter 18: Six Toes In Chapter 19: Father and Son Chapter 20: Children of Legends Chapter 21: A Cup of Wine Chapter 22: Founder’s Day Chapter 23: Miralyith Chapter 24: The Horn Chapter 25: The Invisible Hand Moves Chapter 26: Telling the Truth Chapter 27: The Last Galantian Chapter 28: Finding the Way Home AfterwordSample Chapter: Farilane (Book 2 of the series) About the Author About the Type

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Book SynopsisWith the foolishness of continuing the campaign obvious to everyone, LieutenantColonel Lergen heads to the Kingdom of Iloda to initiate peace negotiations. As thepossibility of failure still looms overhead, Deputy Chief Rudersdorf prepares hiscontingency plan. His comrade, Zettour, disagrees and instead places his faith in thegoddess. In this all-out war where right and wrong has ceased to exist, and friendshipsand responsibilities are abandoned, who can claim this fight is what’s best for thefuture of their nation?

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Book SynopsisWhen Zettour tries his best to caution against the reckless plan to strike at the Federation's vital resource fields, he soon finds himself "promoted" to a field deployment in the east. As the ill-advised operation Andromeda continues to press on, commanding officer Tanya soon finds herself fighting another bitter battle. With retreat expressly forbidden, the only way to survive is to win...

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Book SynopsisVampire Don Simon Ysido has been captured and held aboard a ship heading to the US to act as a slave, and Dr Lydia Asher must stop it . . . at any cost.March, 1917. The goal of every government involved in the Great War has been achieved: industrialist Spenser Cochran has drugged and enslaved a vampire, Don Simon Ysidro, to do his bidding, and is now on the way to the US aboard a luxury ship.Horrified, Dr Lydia Asher secures her passage on the vessel to rescue her friend from Cochran''s chemical thrall. Meanwhile, her husband makes a dangerous alliance with the vampires of Paris to send Lydia the information she needs about the drug.As they cross the Atlantic evidence mounts that another vampire is hiding aboard the ship, indiscriminately murdering passengers. Lydia knows she must solve both cases before the ship docks, and that breaking Cochran''s hold on Don Simon will not be enough . . . She must kill him.

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The Lergen Kampfgruppe has retired from the front lines at last, returning to thecapital to rest and resupply. There, all they see is stagnation and an overwhelminghunger for victory. And all too soon, the next impossible mission is already slated,involving more inventions of a certain mad scientist. All that lays before Tanya isdarkness, but this is one quagmire even she cannot escape!

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Book SynopsisWildness is a kind of magicDiscover a land of enchantment, legend, and adventure in this first book of The Immortals series, featuring an updated cover perfect for longtime fans and newcomers alike.Daine has always had a special connection with animals, but only when she's forced to leave home does she realize it's more than a knack . . . it's magic. With this wild magic, not only can Daine speak to animals, but she can also make them obey her. Daine takes a job handling horses for the Queen's Riders, where she meets the master mage Numair and becomes his apprentice.Under Numair's guidance, Daine explores the scope of her magic. But she encounters other beings, too, who are not so gentle. These terrifying creatures, called Immortals, have been imprisoned in the Divine Realms for the past four hundred years but now someone has broken the barrier. And it's up to Daine and her friends to defend their world from an Immortal attack.Trade Review‘Tamora Pierce didn’t just blaze a trail. Her heroines cut a swath through the fantasy world with wit, strength, and savvy. Pierce is the real lioness, and we’re all just running to keep pace.’LEIGH BARDUGO, #1 New York Times bestselling author ‘Tamora Pierce creates epic worlds populated by girls and women of bravery, heart, and strength. Her work inspired a generation of writers and continues to inspire us.’HOLLY BLACK, #1 New York Times bestselling author ‘Tamora Pierce’s books shaped me not only as a young writer but also as a young woman. Her complex, unforgettable heroines and vibrant, intricate worlds blazed a trail for youngadult fantasy—and I get to write what I love today because of the path she forged throughout her career. She is a pillar, an icon, and an inspiration.’SARAH J. MAAS, #1 New York Times bestselling author ‘I take more comfort from and as great a pleasure in Tamora Pierce's Tortall novels as I do from Game of Thrones.’Washington Post

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Book SynopsisIn her classic way, Kerr spins a tale of beginnings and ends, of love and heartbreak,as the spiral narrative winds round upon itself in this final installment of The Westlands series.Days of air and darkness, nights of siege and steelA disastrous siege has befallen Cengarn and trapped the Princess Carra behind its walls the goddess Alshandra has sent a fanatical army to kill Carra's child at any cost.But Carra has defenders, both elven and human, with powerful magics at their command: Jill and Dallandra, prepare to battle the evil workings of the mad goddess and stand agaist her. Meanwhile, Rhodry is flying to their aid with a powerful ally, a dragon sworn to fight the ravaging Horsekin.But an old enemy lies in wait to prevent him from ever seeing the city or Jill again.In one timeline we return to Jill and Rhodry's first journey together. In the other, we meet them as they fight what may be their final war.Trade ReviewPraise for Katharine Kerr and the Deverry novels: ‘Kerr is an excellent writer, her stories live and breathe – exciting, unpredictable, and engaging in equal measure.’Mark Lawrence ‘A fantastic plot which turns a simple story into something far more original … a cracking read … engrossing’ SFX ‘A criminally under-rated and overlooked epic fantasy sequence [with] a keen sense of history, well drawn characters, and a complex plot’Kate Elliott, author of the Spiritwalker Trilogy ‘An unusually scholarly writer of fantasy’ TELEGRAPH ‘Much as I dislike comparing anything to The Lord of the Rings, I have to admit that on this occasion it’s justified’ INTERZONE ‘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 ‘An extensive and complete world, whose endlessly fascinating details grow book by book’ STARLOG

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"I can't emphasize enough how funny BITE ME is." -- Bookreporter.com "[H]ilarious, educational, and original... [I]t is difficult to put the book down, for there are astonishing new developments on every page." -- BookPage "A page-turner... Your 'Lear' can be rusty or completely unread to appreciate this new perspective on the Shakespearean tragedy. That is if you enjoy a whole lot of silly behind the scenes of your tragedies." -- Valdosta Times (Georgia) on FOOL "If there's a funnier writer out there, step forward." -- Playboy "[W]all-to-wall, farcical fornicating and fighting...a jolly good time can be had." -- Booklist on FOOL "A laugh-a-page novel that's raunchy and irreverent." -- USA Today "A raunchy slapstick comedy of young vampires in love ... Moore is in top form, and this reviewer laughed all the way through this page-turner. Enthusiastically recommended." -- Library Journal "A vampire comedy that's witty, bright and funny." -- People "An instant classic ... terrific, funny and poignant. -- Rocky Mountain News "Funny, literate, smart and sexy, all at once!" -- Jeff Lindsay, author of the Dexter series, on FOOL "In transforming "King Lear" into a potty-mouthed jape, Moore is up to more than thumbing his nose at a masterpiece. His version of Shakespeare's Fool, who accompanies Lear on his slide from paternal arrogance to spiritual desolation in the original text, simultaneously honors and imaginatively enriches the character." -- San Francisco Chronicle on FOOL "It's hard to resist so gleeful a tale of murder, witchcraft, treason, maiming, and spanking... Moore's deft ear for dialogue keeps the pages turning ... Fool is a wickedly good time." -- Christian Science Monitor on FOOL "Less may be more, but it isn't Moore. Wretched excess doth have power to charm, and there are great reeking oodles of it strewn throughout these irreverent pages." -- Kirkus Reviews on FOOL "Moore has produced eight books that deftly blend surreal, occult and even science-fiction doings with laugh-out-loud satire of contemporary culture. Powered by engines of the abnormal and unlikely, his tales feature eccentric lowlifes who find their desperate existences hilariously remade by intrusions from other spheres." -- Washington Post Book World "Moore is a very clever boy when it comes to words. There are good chuckles to be had in this tale. ...Whether you need to read the original King Lear before you read Moore's Fool is debatable. Seems a fool's errand to us. Just enjoy." -- USA Today on FOOL "Moore turns things on their head with an edgy 21st-century perspective that makes the story line as sharp, surly and slick as a game of Grand Theft Auto... It's a manic, masterly mix-winning, wild and something today's groundlings will applaud." -- Publishers Weekly on FOOL "Often funny, sometimes hilarious, always inventive, this is a book for all, especially uptight English teachers, bardolaters and ministerial students of the kind who come to our doorstep on Saturday mornings." -- Dallas Morning News on FOOL "Mingling comedy and mystery, Moore crafts an intricate story that teases the reader with numerous twists and bawdy humor...[T]his is an imaginative and amusing look at the Impressionist era, and Moore's prose is fresh and engaging." -- Booklist on SACRE BLEU "Art history is playfully--and perilously--rewrtitten in this ambitious novel...fans of Moore's mix of wit and slapstick will be pleased." -- Publishers Weekly on SACRE BLEU "Moore's humor is, as ever, sweetly juvenile, but his arty comedy also captures the courage and rebellion of the Impressionists with an exultant joie de vivre." -- Kirkus Reviews on SACRE BLEU "[A]surprisingly complex novel full of love, death, art, and mystery...Don't let Moore's quirky characters and bawdy language fool you. His writing has depth, and his peculiar take on the impressionists will reel you in...this is a worthy read. " -- Library Journal (starred review) on SACRE BLEU "[A] marvelous, tongue-in-cheek, mythical explanation of the artistic urge... brought vividly to life." -- The Oregonian (Portland) on SACRE BLEU "Can Moore find the funny in gloomy Van Gogh? If anybody can-can, count on Moore." -- USA Today on SACRE BLEU "Sacre Bleu is a consistently compelling blend of love story, mystery, and 'what if?' art history lesson." -- Entertainment Weekly on SACRE BLEU "Captivating ... Those familiar with Moore's work will love this rich story, which is full of gleefully anachronistic behavior and language--often pun-based--coming from artists we ordinarily revere." -- Houston Chronicle on SACRE BLEU "[A] delightfully ribald romp." -- Washington Post Book World on Sacre Bleu "The true joy in Sacre Bleu stems from Moore's writing...His writing contains the rare combination of poetry and humor; where one moment you find yourself rereading a passage for its sublime imagery, and the next, you are grinning over a well-placed wisecrack...an excellent novel." -- Dallas News on Sacre Bleu "[A]nother exceedingly bizarre, often raucous, and consistently delightful journey into the sweetly demented mind of novelist Christopher Moore." -- Philadelphia Inquirer on SACRE BLEU "Sacre Bleu is big fun." -- St. Paul Pioneer Press on SACRE BLEU "Christopher Moore's new novel blends diligently researched art history smoothly with his fevered, fiendish imagination." -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on SACRE BLEU

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Mesa’s debut mixes a bit of Mexican folktale, a chunk of magical realism, and tons of period detail into a page-turning urban fantasy that takes the glitter of Boardwalk Empire and combines it with a story of found family, mob violence, and romance." — Library Journal (starred review) “Bindle Punk Bruja is a book you will dive into, gorgeously addictive and impossible to put down. It will transport you through time to a 1920s world soaked in gin, glittering in gold and edged in danger. Luna is a hero with an indomitable will, navigating blood-soaked city streets with dark humor and cutting intelligence. Sharp, smart and utterly enchanting, Mesa’s debut is a triumph that stayed with me long after I turned the final page.” — Greta Kelly, author of The Frozen Crown "The friends and family surrounding Luna are a joy to meet...good flapper fun." — Kirkus Reviews "Bindle Punk Bruja is the “bee’s knees” and the “cat’s meow.”" — Seattle Book Review

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Book Synopsis'Intricate, elegant and sharp as a blade―The Throne of the Five Winds is sweeping political fantasy at its finest.' ―Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine ThroneTwo women are forced to navigate a treacherous imperial court determined to consume them in this sweeping and richly detailed first book of an East Asian-inspired epic fantasy series.The imperial palace―full of ambitious royals, sly gossip, and unforeseen perils―is perhaps the most dangerous place in the Empire of Zhaon. Komor Yala, the lady-in-waiting to the princess of the vanquished kingdom of Khir, has only her wits and a hidden blade to protect herself and her charge, who was sacrificed in marriage to secure a tenuous peace.Soon, Komor Yala and the Khir princess find themselves pawns in the deadly schemes for the throne. And when the emperor falls ill, a far bloodier game begins...A single hidden blade could alter the course of history in this epic tale of ambition, honor, and sacrifice, perfect for fans of The Tiger's Daughter and The Grace of Kings.Praise for the Hostage of Empire series:'With a deliberate pace and fine attention to details of dress and custom, Emmett weaves a masterful tale of court intrigues.' ―Booklist (starred review)'Action and intrigue takes place within a layered and beautifully realized fantasy world that will appeal to readers of K. Arsenault Rivera's The Tiger's Daughter.'―B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy BlogHostage of EmpireThe Throne of the Five WindsThe Poison PrinceThe Blood Throne 

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Book SynopsisNaida is living a lie.A peerless battlefield surgeon. A talisman for the army. A symbol of hope in an impossible, grinding war.A fraud.Society, led by the queen, has long held that the Esselrode people and their abilities are inherently, irredeemably evil, a truth which Naida has been brought up to believe. But as one of them, feeling compelled to use her powers again and again to heal those on the brink of death, it''s hard to accept. It''s even harder to live a lie, conflicted about her hidden identity, when the truth could save lives.Taken from the battlefield where she thrives to a court where her life hangs ever more precariously in the balance, Naida is about to learn that there are even greater secrets, and conspiracies, afoot . . . and that her dangerous truth could change the course of a nation . . .James Barclay is back with a brand-new standalone adventure which will tug on your heartstrings and ke

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Book SynopsisWall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler continues his wondrous Harbinger series in which two young women unite as two worlds approach the brink of war… Though relations between Princess Seraphin Fitzempress and her father have been strained, Sera’s royal position has remained unchallenged. Filled with self-doubt, she struggles to grasp the Mysteries—her greatest trial yet. An education in the enigmatic magic is a necessary one, should Sera plan to rise in her station and invoke her powers during war. But the emperor’s death now leaves both Sera and her ambitious father eligible for the throne—a contest the prince regent intends to win. Even if it means an alliance with a rival empire. Sera’s hope lies in Cettie, a waif raised in the world below, whose life has intertwined with Sera’s in the most unexpected ways. The Mysteries come easily to Cettie, and her studies have begun to yield new insight into her growing powers. But those same powers put Cettie in the path of those who would destroy her. Now as the threat of war ignites and an insidious sickness spreads throughout the kingdom, Sera and Cettie will need to gather their courage and fight for each other’s lives…and for the future of their endangered world.

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Book SynopsisShortly after his twenty-first birthday, Anodos arrives in a magical world inhabited by strange creatures, where he’s forced to face many physical and emotional battles. The young hero sets out on an epic adventure that tests his mind, body and spirt. Anodos is an inquisitive young man who discovers a mystical figure in an old desk. It’s a beautiful fairy who invites him to explore the enchanted Fairy Land. Once he arrives, Anodos meets many eccentric figures, some of whom have clear ulterior motives. He attempts to navigate the illustrious area but encounters different obstacles along the way. It’s an epic journey that will put Anodos’ heart and soul to the test. Phantastes is a vibrant fairy tale that speaks to an older audience. The hero is drawn into a fantastical world usually reserved for small children. Yet, Anodos’ curious nature takes him on an unexpected and fulfilling adventure. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Phantastes is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisTHE CONDUCTOR'S FILM RIGHTS NOW OPTIONED BY QUEEN LATIFAHIn the exciting sequel to The Conductors, and the second book in the Murder & Magic series of historical fantasy novels set in post-Civil war Philadelphia, Hetty Rhodes and her husband, Benjy face a case bigger and more dangerous than anything they've handled before.___________________________________Freedom comes at a cost...Hetty and Benjy have another death on their hands: Raimond Duval, a victim of one of the many fires consuming Philadelphia. His death is officially declared an accident, but Hetty and Benjy smell something more than just ash in the air. Their investigations point to a powerful Fire Company, known to let homes in the Black community burn to the ground, but before they can investigate further, Raimond's son, Valentine, is also found dead.It quickly becomes clear that there is something more here, something that connects Raimond and Valentine to the recent fires plaguing the city, and Hetty and Benjy have never been the kind to step aside.But this feels larger than the cases that have come before and now their lives hang in the balance. After all, even the most powerful magic can't hold back the ghosts of the past.Trade ReviewREVIEWS FOR THE CONDUCTORS___________________________ * Nicole Glover *Community dynamics mixed with a magical alternate Reconstruction era mystery. The Conductors has all the elements I was looking for in a good story. * Mary Robinette Kowal, Hugo Award-winning author of The Calculating Stars *An Underground Railroad-but with magic. With compelling characters and wondrous worldbuilding, Glover weaves a tangled mystery of murder, spellwork, and freedom, amid the remnants of slavery's lingering memories. * P. Djèlí Clark, Nebula Award–winning author of Ring Shout *The Conductors is a seamless blending of magic, mystery and history, creating power and wonder with its rarefied glimpse of Black life in the late-1800s. The Vigilance Society and the magic-wielding couple at the core of this story are a welcome addition to the growing chorus of voices in Black speculative fiction. Glover's worldbuilding, characters, and attention to historical detail create a delightfully genre-bending debut! * Tananarive Due, American Book Award winner, author of Ghost Summer: Stories *Nicole Glover blends historical detail and magical elements into an unforgettable debut. The Conductors is a wholly original and thoroughly riveting story. This is no doubt the first of many brilliant books to come. * Deanna Raybourn, New York Times best-selling author of A Murderous Relation *

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Book SynopsisWall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg returns to the enchanting world of The Paper Magician. Alvie Brechenmacher has arrived in London to begin her training in Polymaking—the magical discipline of bespelling plastic. Polymaking is the newest form of magic, and in a field where there is so much left to learn, every Polymaker dreams of making the next big discovery. Even though she is only an apprentice, Alvie is an inventor at heart, and she is determined to make as many discoveries—in as short a time frame—as she can. Luckily for her, she’s studying under the world-renowned magician Marion Praff, who is just as dedicated as Alvie is. Alvie’s enthusiasm reinvigorates her mentor’s work, and together they create a device that could forever change Polymaking—and the world. But when a rival learns of their plans, he conspires to steal their invention and take the credit for it himself. To thwart him, Alvie will need to think one step ahead. For in the high-stakes world of magical discovery, not everyone plays fair…

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