Myths & Legends Books

Book SynopsisAngrboda's story begins where most witch tales end: with being burnt. A punishment from Odin for sharing her visions of the future with the wrong people, the fire leaves Angrboda injured and powerless, and she flees into the furthest reaches of a remote forest. There she is found by a man who reveals himself to be the trickster god Loki, and her initial distrust of him-and any of his kind-grows reluctantly into a deep and abiding love. Their union produces the most important things in her long life: a trio of peculiar children, each with a secret destiny, whom she is keen to raise at the edge of the world, safely hidden from Odin's all-seeing eye. But as Angrboda slowly recovers her prophetic powers, she learns that her blissful life-and possibly all of existence-is in danger. Angrboda must choose whether she'll accept the fate that she's foreseen for her beloved family-or rise to remake it.

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

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Book SynopsisFor the past two centuries these delightful stories, gathered together and written down by brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, have entertained and frightened children and adults alike. The lives of Tom Thumb, Cinderella, Rumplestiltskin and the Frog Prince form part of our common heritage: they stimulate the imagination and the heart, and linger at the back of our minds for a lifetime. They are funny, disturbing, wise and compassionate. They speak of joy and terror, happiness and revenge, love and violence.Designed to appeal to the booklover, Macmillan Collector's Library is a series of beautiful gift editions of much loved classic titles. Macmillan Collector's Library are books to love and treasure. This edition of Grimm's Fairy Tales is complete and unabridged, and features Arthur Rackham's masterly illustrations, all hand-coloured by Barbara Frith, one of Britain's leading colourists.

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Book SynopsisWith a new introduction, this collection of Slavic tales is based on the oral storytelling traditions of the peoples of Eastern Europe, from the Polish and the Slovaks to the Macedonians, Czechs and Serbians, with roots in pagan folklore and influenced by the Viking traders who settled in Kiev in the early middle ages. Stories abound with mountains, magic palaces and temples and such incredible tales as 'The King of the Toads', 'Vassilissa the Cunning', and 'The Tsar of the Sea' and 'The Feather of Bright Finist the Falcon'. FLAME TREE 451: From mystery to crime, supernatural to horror and myth, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic.

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Book SynopsisFirst ever standalone edition of one of J.R.R. Tolkien's most important poetic dramas, that explores timely themes such as the nature of heroism and chivalry during war, and which features unpublished and never-before-seen texts and drafts.In 991 AD, vikings attacked an Anglo-Saxon defence-force led by their duke, Beorhtnoth, resulting in brutal fighting along the banks of the river Blackwater, near Maldon in Essex. The attack is widely considered one of the defining conflicts of tenth-century England, due to it being immortalised in the poem, The Battle of Maldon.Written shortly after the battle, the poem now survives only as a 325-line fragment, but its value to today is incalculable, not just as an heroic tale but in vividly expressing the lost language of our ancestors and celebrating ideals of loyalty and friendship.J.R.R. Tolkien considered The Battle of Maldon the last surviving fragment of ancient English heroic minstrelsy'. It would inspire him to compose, during the 1930s, hiTrade Review ‘If you were to choose only one [book] to gain some insight into the prolific smorgasbord of his multifaceted writing, this is peak Tolkien’ Wall Street Journal ‘Offers valuable insight into Tolkien’s creative process and enriching our understanding of his scholarly contributions’ Amon Hen, Bulletin of the Tolkien Society ‘Tolkien was a storyteller of genius’ Literary Review

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Book SynopsisClassic hardback edition of the third volume of The Lord of the Rings, now featuring Tolkien's original unused dust-jacket design. Includes special packaging and the definitive edition of the text, with fold-out maps.The Companions of the Ring have become involved in separate adventures as the quest continues. Aragorn, revealed as the hidden heir of the ancient Kings of the West, joined with the Riders of Rohan against the forces of Isengard, and took part in the desperate victory of the Hornburg. Merry and Pippin, captured by orcs, escaped into Fangorn Forest and there encountered the Ents.Gandalf returned, miraculously, and defeated the evil wizard, Saruman. Meanwhile, Sam and Frodo progressed towards Mordor to destroy the Ring, accompanied by Sméagol Gollum, still obsessed by his preciouss'. After a battle with the giant spider, Shelob, Sam left his master for dead; but Frodo is still alive in the hands of the orcs. And all the time the armies of the Dark Lord are massing.This classic hardback features Tolkien's original unused dust-jacket design, and its text has been fully restored with almost 400 corrections with the full co-operation of Christopher Tolkien making it the definitive version, and as close as possible to the version that J.R.R. Tolkien intended. Also included are the original red and black maps as fold-out sheets, and for the first time a fully revised and enlarged index.Trade Review‘The story moves on with a tremendous narrative rush to its climax… extraordinary imaginative work, part saga, part allegory, and wholly exciting.’The Times ‘A triumphant close… a grand piece of work, grand in both conception and execution. An astonishing imaginative tour de force.’Sunday Telegraph ‘His astonishing inventiveness remains to the end and is continued in a series of appendices.;The Guardian

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Book SynopsisA revelatory new annotated edition of the most translated Italian book in the world--the basis for two new major motion pictures: a Netflix animated version co-directed and co-written by Guillermo del Toro and voiced by Ewan McGregor, Cate Blanchett, and Tilda Swinton, and a Disney Plus live-action version directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks, Cynthia Erivo, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lorraine Bracco, and Keegan-Michael KeyA Penguin Classic Carved from a piece of wood by the old carpenter Geppetto, the puppet Pinocchio comes to life and immediately starts to misbehave. But while this beloved character has achieved literary immortality, the novel has been widely misunderstood. Pinocchio has a penchant for lying, to be sure, but it’s when he avoids going to school that he repeatedly gets into trouble. The Adventures of Pinocchio is thus not a cautionary tale about lying but an unusually timely fable for our increasingly authoritaTrade Review“A zingy new translation.” ―The Economist“Perfectly timed. The translators . . . do justice to the story with their insightful annotations and cogent introduction. . . . Who can’t love a story as wildly inventive as [this]? Children certainly love it—and have so for nearly 150 years. But Pinocchio can also grab the interest of any adult willing to engage with the story’s rich tapestry of symbolism, archetypes, and layers of meaning. . . . Should you find yourself watching all or none of the recent and upcoming film adaptations of Pinocchio, this new translation from Penguin Classics is a terrific way to get reacquainted with one of the world’s most popular and important stories.” ―PopMatters“Very lively . . . A fine translation in many ways, and I love the way it brings out the Italianness, and I do like the punch of it. It’s great.” ―Ann Hallamore Caesar, The TLS Podcast“A complex, unsettling novel—miles away from the morality tale that Pinocchio’s story has become . . . Pinocchio harbors a strain of systemic injustice and deep betrayal. . . . Imbued with social criticism and pessimistic humor, [it] can be read, among other things, as an irreverent attack on established authority. . . . As the translators John Hooper and Anna Kraczyna note in a recent critical edition published by Penguin, it’s no coincidence that the utterance ‘Pazienza!’ occurs 15 times throughout the novel. . . . It’s a quintessentially Italian admission of defeat . . . that, as Hooper and Kraczyna note, ‘echoes centuries of unwilling yet unavoidable resignation.’ ” —The Atlantic“An effort to reclaim the spirit of the original, particularly as something distinct from the animated Disney cartoon that most are familiar with . . . Their goal . . . is not dissimilar to that of Matteo Garrone in his wonderfully dark film adaptation: to demonstrate, once again, that Pinocchio is far more than just a children’s story.” ―The Week in Italy

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES NO.1 BESTSELLEREscape into a world of magic and danger with THE DARK STAR TRILOGY. Drawing on a rich tradition of African mythology, fantasy and history, this is the story of a lost child, an extraordinary hunter, and a mystery with many answers . . .*Perfect for fans of Pratchett, George R. R. Martin and Octavia Butler*''The kind of novel I never realized I was missing until I read it. A dangerous, hallucinatory, ancient Africa, which becomes a fantasy world as well-realized as anything Tolkien made'' Neil Gaiman*****Tracker is a hunter. Known throughout the thirteen kingdoms as one who has a nose, he always works alone. But he breaks his own rule when, hired to find a lost child, he finds himself part of a group of hunters, each stranger and more dangerous than the last.As the mismatched gang follow the boy''s scent from perfumed citadels to enchanted darklands, TrackeTrade ReviewStand aside, Beowolf . . . James has spun an African fantasy as vibrant, complex and haunting as any Western mythology * Washington Post *I cannot wait for the next instalment * Spectator *Marlon James possesses almost frightening levels of talent . . . An archetypal epic for the 21st century * Forbes *A fantasy world as well-realized as anything Tolkien made, with language as powerful as Angela Carter's. It's as deep and crafty as Gene Wolfe, bloodier than Robert E. Howard, and all Marlon James... I cannot wait for the next instalment

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Book Synopsis'Sexy, surprising and full of secrets' Stephanie GarberMy night. My darkness. My power.THE SPELLBINDING CONCLUSION TO THE STUNNING FANTASY ROMANCE THESE HOLLOW VOWS. After Abriella's sister was sold to the fae, she thought life couldn't get any worse. But when she suddenly finds herself caught in a web of lies of her own making ­- loving two princes and trusting neither - things are not quite as clear as she once thought. As civil war wages in the Court of Darkness, Brie finds herself unable to choose a side. How can she know where she stands when she doesn't even know herself anymore? In this darkly romantic thrill ride, the more Faerie is torn apart from the inside, the clearer it becomes that prophecies don't lie and Brie has a role to play in the fate of this magical realm - whether she likes it or not.READERS LOVE LEXI RYAN'An amazing conclusion' Netgalley - five star review'A beautifully broken and epic fantasy' Carrie Ann Ryan'I adored this. It literally had me crying, not because I was sad but because I was so happy when reading it' Netgalley - five star review'Prepare to fall for your newest book boyfriend' Lisa Maxwell'All in all ACOTAR vibes and will definitely read again' Netgalley - five star reviewTrade Review** Praise for Lexi Ryan **Sexy, surprising, and full of secrets. These Hollow Vows is a lot like the world of Faerie - seductive, enthralling, and dangerous. With two very different love interests, lots of heated moments, and a spectacular ending, this is the fantasy romance I have been craving * Stephanie Garber, #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of the Caraval Series *Engaging writing and worldbuilding . . . Compelling * School Library Journal *A beautifully broken and epic fantasy that completely blew me way. Complete with twisted fae, love triangles that make my heart pound, and exceptional world building, These Hollow Vows is a must read for fans of Sarah J Maas and Jennifer L Armentrout. I highly recommend and am in dire need for the next book! * Carrie Ann Ryan, NYT Bestselling Author of the Elements of Five Series *Nobody writes unbridled desire and tender pining quite like Lexi Ryan. So, whilst These Twisted Bonds isn't quite the epic conclusion some readers would have been hoping for, it will still keep you pinned to those pages like your mortal life depends on it * Culturefly *

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Book SynopsisFrom TikTok sensation Sierra Simone comes the first in the Lyonesse series, a spin-off of her bestselling New Camelot books.Tristan Thomas is lost. After leaving the army, the young former soldier is in limbo. Until, that is, he's hired by Mark Trevena, the owner of Lyonesse-DC's ultra-secret club-to be Mark's new bodyguard. He's drawn into Mark's dark, seductive world of power and desire, and slowly drawn to Mark himself, even though Mark is everything Tristan knows he shouldn't want: cruel and wicked and shamelessly amoral.But protecting Mark isn't Tristan's only duty: soon, Mark asks him to guard his soon-to-be bride as she travels home from Ireland on Mark's yacht. Tristan is jealous-and hurt to learn that the object of his obsession is engaged-but the former soldier in him is made to obey orders, and he goes to fetch Mark's bride for him.Isolde Laurence is nothing like Tristan expected, however. Young, quiet, and sharp, she's being pushed into this marriage by her family, and as the two travel back to America, Tristan finds himself fascinated with Isolde and the glimpses he gets of the lonely but determined woman behind her reserve. And the fascination is mutual: one night, while sailing under the cold stars, they share a searing kiss. From there, it's a fast fall into the forbidden for all three of them.

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

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Book SynopsisViking Tales is the thrilling story of Harald Fairhair. Starting at his birth it follows through his many adventures until he unites Norway as its King.As the Viking population grows their lust for adventure takes them on many brave journeys, discovering and settling foreign lands, even setting foot in America.This edition features a large font for easy reading by younger readers, and all the original images, a pronunciation guide, and teachers notes.

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Book SynopsisFor the first time ever, a beautiful slipcased edition of the enchanting prelude to The Lord of the Rings, illustrated throughout with over 50 sketches, drawings, paintings and maps by J.R.R. Tolkien himself, with the complete text printed in two colours and with many bonus features unique to this edition.Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard, Gandalf, and a company of thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an unexpected journey there and back again'. They have a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragonWritten for J.R.R. Tolkien's own children, The Hobbit was published on 21 September 1937. With a beautiful cover design, a handful of black & white drawings and two maps by the author himself, the book became an instant success and was reprinted shortly afterwards with five colour plates.Tolkien's own selection of finished paintings and drawings have become inseparable from his text, adorning editions of The Hobbit for more than 85 years. But the published art has afforded only a glimpse of Tolkien's creative process, and many additional sketches, coloured drawings and maps although exhibited and published elsewhere have never appeared within the pages of The Hobbit.In this unique enhanced edition of Tolkien's enchanting classic tale, the full panoply of his art is reproduced for the first time, presenting more than 50 illustrations to accompany Bilbo Baggins on his adventure there and back again'.Unique to this edition are two poster-size, fold-out maps revealing all the detail of Thror's Map and Wilderland, an illustrated 88-page booklet, and a printed art card reproducing Tolkien's original dustjacket painting.It is additionally quarterbound, with raised ribs on the spine, stamped in three foils on black cloth boards, and housed in a custom-built clothbound slipcase. The pages are edged in gold and include a ribbon marker.Trade Review‘One of the most influential books of our generation’The Times ‘Finely written saga of dwarves and elves, fearsome goblins and trolls … an exciting epic of travel, magical adventure, working up to a devastating climax’The Observer ‘The English-speaking world is divided into those who have read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and those who are going to read them’Sunday Times ‘One of the best loved characters in English fiction … a marvellous fantasy adventure’Daily Mail ‘A flawless masterpiece’The Times

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

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Book SynopsisIn the West we tend to think of witches in terms of the witch trials, when fear, ignorance and religious fervour brought the poor to heel, and fostered suspicion of those who dared to be different, or knowledgeable, or independent of mind. Witches and wizards are often associated with pre-Christian societies, Celtic in particular, (and therefore popular in tales of fantasy), but the nature of their wisdom can be found in so many fascinating cultures across the world. Ancient societies, particularly where natural religions with many gods abound, often highlight the power of an elder, or a seer, a healer or a wise friend. Tales of wizards and witches reach across traditions as folk try to explain natural phenomena and engage with the world around them. Those who understood the properties of healing in plants, or could make a prediction of weather events to rescue crops, became worshipped as elders, as keepers of knowledge. In tribal African societies, Polynesian cultures and East Asian traditions there are tales of those with great knowledge who are often described as witches or wizards. The Baba Yaga of Eastern Europe, Bokwewa, the humpback magician of the Chippewa, Merlin and Morgana la Faye of Arthurian Legend and the fox witches of Japan are but a few of the many examples. Some work for good, others with ill-intent, but all become the focus of folkloric legend, collected here in this new book of myths and tales.

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Book SynopsisStep into Stephen Fry's richly colourful world of magic, mayhem, monsters and maniacal gods in MYTHOS: THE ILLUSTRATED STORY . . .No one loves and quarrels, desires and deceives as boldly or brilliantly as Greek gods and goddesses.In Stephen Fry''s vivid retelling, we gaze in wonder as wise Athena is born from the cracking open of the great head of Zeus and follow doomed Persephone into the dark and lonely realm of the Underworld. We shiver in fear when Pandora opens her jar of evil torments and watch with joy as the legendary love affair between Eros and Psyche unfolds.Mythos: The Illustrated Story captures these extraordinary myths for our modern age in striking colour - in all their dazzling and deeply human relevance.

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Book Synopsis This beautiful, deluxe slipcased edition of Tolkien’s famous illustrated letters from Father Christmas to his children includes for the first time every available letter, picture and envelope that he sent them, reproduced in glorious colour. The perfect Christmas gift for Tolkien lovers of all ages. Trade Review‘Will appeal to any kids whose appreciation of new worlds hasn’t been blighted by Action Man and enlightened schoolteachers.’TERRY PRATCHETT, Bath and West Evening Chronicle ‘Tolkien at his relaxed and ingenious best.’The Times

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Book SynopsisChina Miéville lives and works in London. He is three-time winner of the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award (Perdido Street Station, Iron Council and The City & The City) and has also won the British Fantasy Award twice (Perdido Street Station and The Scar). The City & The City, an existential thriller, was published to dazzling critical acclaim and drew comparison with the works of Kafka and Orwell (The Times) and Philip K. Dick (Guardian).Trade ReviewTackles his theme with a dark assurance . . . with its original blend of twisted urban fairytale and modern gothic horror, King Rat marks out China Miéville as an author to be watched. * The Times *Brings together elements of fantasy, fairytale and the detective story . . . I greatly enjoyed Miéville's weird and engaging myth-making. * Daily Telegraph *

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Book Synopsis''Her Imagination was one of the most dazzling this century'' MARINA WALKER, INDEPENDENT ''The way to Carter''s visionary and lurid world'' THE TIMES''The darting, lyrical pen of Angela Carter, mistress of the erotic picaresque'' KIRKUS REVIEWS''I know nothing. I am a tabula rasa, a blank sheet of paper, an unhatched egg. I have not yet become a woman, although I possess a woman''s shape. Not a woman, no: both more and less than a real woman. Now I am a being as mythic and monstrous as Mother herself . . . ''New York has become the City of Dreadful Night where dissolute Leilah performs a dance of chaos for Evelyn. But this young Englishman''s fate lies in the arid desert, where a many-breasted fertility goddess will wield her scalpel to transform him into the new Eve. The Passion of New Eve is an extraordinary journey into the apocalyptic vision of the author Lorna Sage called ''The boldestTrade ReviewHer Imagination was one of the most dazzling this century -- Marina Walker * Independent *If you can imagine Baudelaire, Blake and Kafka getting together to describe America, you are well on the way to Carter's visionary and lurid world * The Times *Her writing is pyrotechnic * Observer *If we must have futuristic fantasies of feminism's nth degrees, let them come from the darting, lyrical pen of Angela Carter, mistress of the erotic picaresque * Kirkus Reviews *

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

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Book SynopsisA modern spin on a folk tale where the improbable can happen the twists are lovely; dark and deep' The TimesGolding folds together a folklore-inspired plot with the modern twists and tension of a police procedural novel to create a bitingly unnerving story' Adele Parks, PlatinumPowerful imagery and captivating characters, this a grabbing book' Magic Radio Book ClubThe most original book you'll read this year' Crime Monthly * * *When a small child is found wandering alone, the local shopkeepers call the authorities immediately. Twenty minutes later, the girl's mother turns up, panicked and distraught. It doesn''t take long to clear things up, and mother and daughter are soon reunited and sent on their way.Miles away, the body of a man is discovered, floating in a bathtub, but the most surprising discovery of all is that he isn''t dead. Despite his injuries, he is very much alive.Two seemingly unrelated events. But as DS Harper begins to investigate, disturbing connections between the tTrade Review PRAISE FOR THE REPLACEMENT ‘A modern spin on a folk tale where the improbable can happen … deftly spun … the twists are lovely; dark and deep’The Times ‘Golding folds together a folklore-inspired plot with the modern twists and tension of a police procedural novel to create a bitingly unnerving story’ Adele Parks, Platinum ‘Sewing together the many threads of the case, there is the added folklore that seeps into an atmospheric, mysterious and horror-struck storyline. Powerful imagery and captivating characters, this a grabbing book’ Magic Radio Book Club ‘The most original book you’ll read this year … equal parts detective novel, psychological thriller and family drama. Full of twists, turns and atmosphere, make sure you don’t accidentally stay up all night devouring it’ Crime Monthly ‘A psychological thriller with a difference’ Heat ‘Creepy and atmospheric, the author weaves a magical thread of folklore into this outstanding thriller’ My Weekly ‘Chillingly brilliant’ Bella PRAISE FOR MELANIE GOLDING ‘Chilling story, beautiful prose. Little Darlings is stunning’ Clare Mackintosh, number one Sunday Times bestseller ‘Rich and satisfying, this is part who-done-it, part fairy tale, part psychological thriller. It delivers on all fronts and will continue to rattle you, long after you have put it down’ Felicity Everett, author of The People at Number 9 ‘Deep. Dark. Utterly addictive. I read this extraordinary book in one, breathless gulp…Be warned – you can't unread this story. It will haunt you' Teresa Driscoll, author of I Am Watching You ‘A story that is in turn enthralling, creepy and downright sinister, Melanie Golding turns fairy tales on their heads…A brilliant, heart-pounding read’ Lisa Hall, author of Between You and Me

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Book SynopsisTwo women.A wild Island.A truth buried deep in the past. ‘Like a surreal cabinet of curiosities – haunting, eerie, evocative’ Bridget Collins, Sunday Times bestselling author of The BindingTrade Review‘Like a surreal cabinet of curiosities – haunting, eerie, evocative.’ Bridget Collins, author of The Binding ‘Polly Crosby whips up a lush, mythical world . . . realised beautifully in vivid writing. A book worm’s treat!’ Eve Chase, author of The Glass House ‘This moving tale is set in a mesmerising world. Like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis, the story emerges slowly, allowing you to immerse yourself in its wonders.’ Heat ‘A luminous and beautiful novel that gently lures the reader into a captivating story with a mystery at its heart.’ Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne ‘Rich and evocative storytelling is at the heart of this beautifully atmospheric book.’ My Weekly ‘A beautifully written tale of butterflies, secrets and silk’ Sonia Velton, author of Blackberry and Wild Rose ‘Immersive, atmospheric and so very imaginative.’ Kate Sawyer, author of The Stranding ‘Polly Crosby is a skilled storyteller, drawing the reader in . . . Will keep you enthralled’ Elizabeth Lee, author of Cunning Women ‘Dreamy image after image, The Unravelling is like a series of beautiful paintings’ Sara Sheridan, author of The Fair Botanists ‘Fluid and poetic … the story is of butterflies and silkworms, of flying free and being pinned, of characters and landscapes concealing layer upon layer of tightly wound secrets which eventually unspool in a series of dramatic metamorphosis.’Norfolk Magazine ‘Utterly transporting. Polly Crosby plunges us into a hauntingly beautiful landscape with complex and compelling characters.’ Annabel Abbs, author of The Language of Food ‘Imaginative and intriguing, this is packed with tender moments.’ Woman’s Weekly ‘Mysterious and suspenseful, The Unravelling is a story of visceral beauty and the transformations life undergoes to survive.’ A. J. Gnuse, author of The Girl in the Walls

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Book Synopsis'Gripping . . . You won't put it down' Sunday TelegraphA shocking collection of dark stories, ranging from chilling contemporary fairytales to disturbing supernatural fiction.Alone in a remote house in Iceland a woman is unnerved by her isolation; another can only find respite from the clinging ghost that follows her by submerging herself in an overgrown pool. Couples wrestle with a lack of connection to their children; a schoolgirl becomes obsessed with the female anatomical models in a museum; and a cheery account of child's day out is undercut by chilling footnotes.These dark tales explore women's fears with electrifying honesty and invention and speak to one another about female bodies, domestic claustrophobia, desire and violence. 'A brilliant collection of stories . . . All will burrow their way into your brain and not let go' Stylist'Shimmers with menace . . . Fans of Angela Carter and Shirley Jackson take note' i NewspaperKIRSTY LOGAN WAS SELECTED AS ONE OF BRITAIN'S TEN MOST OUTSTANDING LGBTQ WRITERS by Val McDermid for the International Literature Showcase in 2019Trade ReviewDeeply, deeply unsettling and brilliant collection of short stories. Some feature horror, nearly all feature dread and, in the manner of Shirley Jackson, all will burrow their way into your brain and not let go. * Stylist *Finely crafted feminist short stories, each one gripping and unnerving in equal measure… you won’t put it down * Sunday Telegraph *Literary and menacing. Powerfully unsettling. A fascinating collection. * Metro *Logan observes modern anxieties and commonplace troubles and twists them into surreal new shapes...marvellously unnerving...her sharp wit is unmistakable. * New Statesman *Her poetic, supernatural prose has lace edges of sticky, violent terror...Logan masters the format indubitably, channelling the spirit of Angela Carter... these tales seem to perfectly suit the unsettling times in which we live. Luckily for us, in writing these terrifying tales Logan, like Margaret Atwood or George Orwell, turns the big light on. * Herald *

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Book SynopsisCrow Dark Dawn interweaves the stories of Morrow, Ghresselle, Fenya and Binnory: vulnerable, complex and cunning, surviving in a liminal city of wind-swept wharfs and winding alleyways, stagnant canals and cold dank cellars - drawing on folklore and myth to create a distinctive dream-like atmosphere. Morrow: abandoned by Lummenmilk, his mother. He is brought up by Grob, the wizened old ratcatcher, who teaches Morrow his trade. Ghresselle: an old woman losing touch with reality, who wanders the city in search of her dead husband and a brother she never had, but who she believes is drowned. Fenya and Arrak: two street urchins, filching fruit and pickings from the market and the docks. Binnory: a young woman who arrives from the country, but quickly becomes entangled with the pickpockets and tricksters she meets on the streets. Longing and loneliness, hunger and disease live cheek by jowl with dancing and revelry, fiddle-playing and puppetry - and the haunting memory of a far-off village, lingering on in the mythic tale of a flower which bursts into flames, but never burns. DAVID GREYGOOSE dw dot windowsproject AT btinternet dot com

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Book SynopsisFor fans of The Night Circus, comes a sweeping and captivating debut novel about a young librarian who discovers that his family labours under a terrible curse.Simon Watson lives alone on the Long Island Sound. On a day in late June, Simon receives a mysterious book connected to his family. The book tells the story of two doomed lovers, two hundred years ago. He is fascinated, yet as he reads Simon becomes increasingly unnerved. Why do so many women in his family drown on 24th July? And could his beloved sister risk the same terrible fate?As 24th July draws ever closer, Simon must unlock the mysteries of the book, and decode his family history, before it's too late.Trade ReviewIn this dazzling debut, the immensely talented Erika Swyler sweeps seamlessly through generations and centuries, moving deftly back and forth and weaving the strands into an exquisite tapestry. I was immediately swept up in this quirky, raucous, and bewitching family saga. I absolutely loved this book * Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants *A luscious experience - dark, sweet and wild * Katherine Dunn, author of Geek Love *Compulsive reading * Elle *

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Book SynopsisYou've read the myths, now discover what really happened! In this powerful historical adventure set in Ancient Greece, the Argonauts take on mighty Troy, witness the strange skills of Circe, and encounter the unfortunate Sirens. Jason is the second novel in the breathtaking Blades of Bronze series, perfect for fans of Christian Cameron and Madeline Miller. They may have won the prize, but will any of them make it home alive? Jason has fulfilled the mission set him by his scheming uncle, King Pelias of Iolkos: he and the Argonauts have won the fabled Golden Fleece of Colchis. Jason dreams of glory – of taking his uncle's throne, rightfully his – and, like his warrior shipmates, of home. But it is not only Pelias who wishes Jason ill. Before the Argonauts can make it back to Iolkos, they must contend with a legion of foes who would see them dead – and a web of allies who are not quite what they seem. Jason and his warriors must outwit the recondite Circe and the spies of mighty Troy, overcome hostile tribes beyond the Danube, and sail the troubled waters of the Archipelagos, where the Sirens wait to snare unwary seafarers. Yet Jason's perils are only beginning, for he will soon discover that a truer evil lies closer to home... 'A bold and thrilling voyage that plunges you deep into the world of ancient myth with every stroke of Jason's oar. Knowles's storytelling captured my imagination from the very first page. It is wonderfully atmospheric' Daisy Dunn, editor of ARGO: A Hellenic Review, and author of Of Gods and Men: 100 Stories from Ancient Greece & Rome PRAISE FOR THE BLADES OF BRONZE SERIES AND MARK KNOWLES 'Mark Knowles has taken the legend of Jason and the Golden Fleece, and stripped it down to its bare bones... Epic battles, well-rounded characters sailing through a brilliantly described world' Adam Lofthouse 'What a spectacular triumph! Knowles has taken a reassuringly familiar legend and elevated it into a new, realistic and engrossing story' Sam Taw 'Knowles has combined historical realities with sure-footed imagination... brilliant' Dr Paul Millett '[Knowles] has teamed his love of learning classics and childhood love of sword-and-sandals epics to accomplish something remarkable' Boarding Schools' AssociationTrade ReviewA bold and thrilling voyage that plunges you deep into the world of ancient myth with every stroke of Jason's oar. Knowles's storytelling captured my imagination from the very first page. It is wonderfully atmospheric. -- Daisy DunnThe storyline is rich, fleshing out the myth well while packing in enough action and heroics to engage a modern reader * Midwest Book Review *PRAISE FOR MARK KNOWLES: 'What a spectacular triumph! Knowles has taken a reassuringly familiar legend and elevated it into a new, realistic and engrossing story. This glorious hero quest is packed with intrigue, adventure, mystery, and beautifully written skirmishes, raising the stakes higher and higher as the crew venture into darker and more treacherous lands.' Sam Taw on Argo. 'A deeply researched historical epic, so brilliantly brought to life I could taste the salt air on my tongue... Epic battles, well rounded characters sailing through a brilliantly described world.' Adam Lofthouse, author of The Centurion's Son, on Argo. '[Knowles] has teamed his love of learning classics and childhood love of sword-and-sandals epics to accomplish something remarkable.' Boarding Schools' Association. 'Knowles has combined historical realities with sure-footed imagination... Brilliant.' -- Dr Paul Millett, Cambridge University

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Book SynopsisThe bond between men and the gods is weakening.A dead man walks between the worlds and foresees Odin’s doom.The only survivor of a slaughter unleashes a monster from fiery Muspelheim.Long hidden among mortals, a giantess sighs and takes up her magics once again.A chief’s son must overcome war and treason to become the leader his people need.And the final battle is coming...Trade Review“It has all a fantasy fan could want: gods, magic, large-scale battles, duels and magical creatures… Holdt will be a name to look out for in the genre for years to come.” -- FanFiAddict * FanFiAddict *“Holdt wows in her Norse mythology–inspired debut… an electrifying adventure.” -- Publishers Weekly, starred review * Publishers Weekly *“A promising start for a series that will gratify lovers of epic tales.” -- Aurealis * Aurealis *"A classic fantasy grounded in real-world history and myth." -- SFX * SFX *

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

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Book SynopsisFrom the multiple award-winning author of Ysabel, Tigana and A Song for Arbonne, this powerful, moving saga evokes the Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, and Norse cultures of a thousand years ago.There is nothing soft or silken about the north. The lives of men and women are as challenging as the climate and lands in which they dwell. For generations, the Erlings of Vinmark have taken their dragon-prowed ships across the seas, raiding the lands of the Cyngael and Anglcyn peoples, leaving fire and death behind. But times change, even in the north, and in a tale woven with consummate artistry, people of all three cultures find the threads of their lives unexpectedly brought togetherBern Thorkellson, punished for his father''s sins, commits an act of vengeance and desperation that brings him face-to-face, across the sea, with a past he''s been trying to leave behind.In the Anglcyn lands of King Aeldred, the shrewd king, battling inner demons all the while, shores up his defenses with alliances and dipTrade ReviewPraise for THE LAST LIGHT OF THE SUN: ‘History and fantasy rarely come together as gracefully or readably as they do in the novels of Guy Gavriel Kay… [THE LAST LIGHT OF THE SUN] is an ambitious entertainment that transcends the historical record, offering cogent observations on fathers and sons, on the power of grief, on faith, courage, loyalty and the inevitability of change’ Washington Post Praise for Guy Gavriel Kay: ‘A fine, intelligent series. Probably the best of its kind’ British Fantasy Society ‘A remarkable achievement. The essence of high fantasy’ Locus ‘Kay has delivered such a magnificent conclusion – I can’t praise it enough. THE FIONAVAR TAPESTRY will be read and reread for many years to come’ Fantasy Review ‘Packed with action…’The Times

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Book Synopsis The debut series from the double Hugo Award-winning N. K. Jemisin, author of The Fifth Season'Lush and evocative' Naomi Novik, author of UprootedIn the city of Shadow, beneath the World Tree, alleyways shimmer with magic and godlings live hidden among mortalkind. Oree Shoth, a blind artist, takes in a homeless man who glows like a living sun to her strange sight.However, this act of kindness is to engulf Oree in a nightmarish conspiracy. Someone, somehow, is murdering godlings, leaving their desecrated bodies all over the city. Oree's peculiar guest is at the heart of it, his presence putting her in mortal danger - but is it him the killers want, or Oree? And is the earthly power of the Arameri king their ultimate goal, or have they set their sights on the Lord of Night himself?The Inheritance Trilogy begins with The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, continues in The Broken Kingdoms and concludes in The Kingdom of Gods.Trade ReviewThe very best kind of sequel: as lush and evocative and true as the first, with all the same sense of mystery, giving us the world and characters we already love, and yet with a new story and a wonderfully new perspective on the whole dazzling world and pantheon the author has built * Naomi Novik *A fresh new series . . . with a unique edge and a different voice . . . flowing, almost poetic prose . . . Jemisin is on the path to becoming a big name in fantasy fiction * SciFiNow *This is a book that readers won't be able to put down . . . A magnificent novel and one of the best books this reviewer has read this year * ROMANTIC TIMES *Intense, epic, and involving * i09.com *

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Book SynopsisMalevolent and dark, the fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm are not for the faint-hearted. The stories were originally published in 1812 and form a vivid and fascinating body of work that is rich in folkloric significance. Replete with sinister characters and grotesque imagery, this collection is the perfect addition to our series of deluxe Gothic Fantasy giftbooks, and features some of the lesser-known tales alongside favourites like Snow White, Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, and Hansel and Gretel.

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Book SynopsisTHE SECOND NOVEL IN THE REVOLUTIONARY DARK STAR TRILOGY''Even more gripping and inventive than its predecessor . . . like Tolkien on ayahuasca'' Observer*Perfect for fans of Pratchett, George R. R. Martin and Octavia Butler*In this mighty follow-up to his number one bestseller Black Leopard, Red Wolf, Booker-winner Marlon James once again draws on a rich tradition of African mythology, fantasy and history to tell the story of Sogolon the Moon Witch.Part adventure story, part tale of an indomitable woman, Moon Witch, Spider King chronicles the antagonist-turned-antihero''s journey from an ostracised no-name girl, hated by her brothers and made to live in a termite hill, to a woman with fully developed powers engaged in a long-standing feud with the Aesi, chancellor to the king.Offering Sogolon''s version of the events of Black Leopard, Red Wolf, Moon Witch, Spider King is an unforgettable Trade ReviewAn epic fable drenched in African mythology. This is work that both meets the immersive worldbuilding standard in books by Tolkien and Martin and brings to the genre a voice unlike anything seen before . . . It sets readers up for what will undoubtedly be a superb finale * The Boston Globe *Booker winner James's African-inspired imaginary kingdoms mark the series out from the usual run of epic fantasies, but his uniquely supple, powerful style is even more distinctive * The Guardian *Black Leopard, Red Wolf and Moon Witch, Spider King are wildly inventive, genre-defining works of fiction on the level of The Lord Of The Rings and the Broken Earth trilogy that deserve to be studied, dissected, and argued over * AV Club *An exhilarating tour de force . . . [James] establishes a new vision for the trilogy as a whole and confirms Dark Star as a true epic -- John BurnsideMoving, vivid, and thought-provoking . . . brilliant * Buzzfeed *James cements his status as a wildly inventive and lyrical storyteller * Financial Times *James masterfully flips the first instalment on its head . . . [A] titanic story of empire, adventure and power * Esquire *Told with James' inimitable linguistic verve . . . Riotous, ultraviolent, dazzlingly inventive * Literary Hub *A fantasy world as well-realized as anything Tolkien made, with language as powerful as Angela Carter's * Neil Gaiman *James once again shattered my expectations . . . Moon Witch, Spider King is a breathtaking book, one that functions as well as a standalone as it does a sequel . . . This is a novel that begs to be read in one sitting * NPR *Even more gripping and inventive than its predecessor . . . like Tolkien on ayahuasca * Observer *This novel's prose style, inspired by the grammar of African languages, has an intoxicating swagger and energy * Slate *James is one of the finest writers at work today, and Moon Witch, Spider King is a complex, enthralling novel. It is also utterly uncompromising, a book which the reader must meet on its own terms * Toronto Star *A fantastical epic that draws on African mythology * The New York Times *An imaginative story that advances the trilogy in a satisfying way, deepening and expanding an already epic world * Time *

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Book Synopsis''A tale of fear and survival, hope and yearning and defiance, in timelessly elegant prose. It will enchant you, break your heart, and chill you to the very marrow.' Samantha Shannon on The Wolf and the WoodsmanFrom the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Wolf and the Woodsman comes a gothic retelling of The Juniper Tree, where a young witch seeks to discover her identity and escape the domination of her abusive wizard father. Perfect for fans of Angela Carter, Catherynne M. Valente and Shirley Jackson_________________________________A gruesome curse. A city in upheaval. A monster with unquenchable appetites.Marlinchen and her sisters are the last true witches in a city shifting from magic to industry. Viewed as little more than tourist traps, they spend their days treating clients with archaic remedies and nostalgic charm, while attempting to placate their tyrannical, xenophobic wizard father, who keeps his daughters locked away in their crumbling home.But at night, they sneak out to revel in the city's thrills, particularly the recently established ballet theatre, where Marlinchen meets a dancer who quickly captures her heart. But as their late-night trysts grow more fervent and frequent, so does the threat of her father's rage. And while their city flourishes, a monster lurks in its midst, borne of intolerance and resentment and suffused with old-world power.Sunday Times bestseller, June 2022 (w/c 27th June 2022)Trade ReviewA tale of fear and survival, hope and yearning and defiance, in timelessly elegant prose. It will enchant you, break your heart, and chill you to the very marrow. * Samantha Shannon, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree *Utterly astonishing . . . Juniper & Thorn is the dark fairytale brought to perfection: terrible, and true, and full of teeth. * Shelley Parker-Chan, Sunday Times bestselling author of She Who Became the Sun *A gothic masterpiece. Reid weaves threads of unsettling horror and abuse with astonishing empathy. * Kat Dunn, author of Dangerous Remedy *Reid expertly weaves a dark and delightful tale that packs a sting. Love, betrayal, and a heroine for our time. I absolutely loved this novel. * T. L. Huchu, author of The Library of the Dead *Thrumming with feminist power, and riveting in its worldbuilding, Juniper & Thorn is an unforgettable tale. * Ausma Zehanat Khan, author of The Bladebone *

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Book SynopsisWhen the darkness rises again, the light will return wherever people stand their ground. Two years after the events of The Standing Ground, the tiny outpost of Y Tir in North Wales becomes a refuge for those who want to live without implants—permanent links to government surveillance that are threatening to dominate people’s lives again. But can Alys, Luke and Emrys thwart the growing threats of the new tech-giants whose offers of enhanced memories and virtual lives mask the erosion of privacy and even humanity? As new enemies threaten Y Tir’s existence, and old enemies emerge to sew seeds of destruction, Alys’ and Luke’s lives are put under increasing pressure. But there are also allies, not least Alys’ and Luke’s daughter, Iris, who appears to have fallen out of the mists of Greek legend and into Celtic myth. Can Iris, more strange and powerful even than Myrddin Emrys, also known as Merlin, save the day for Y Tir? Skilfully combining near-future technologies of surveillance and immersive media with Arthurian legend and Greek mythology, this story of suspense is full of convincing and extraordinary characters. A breath-taking conclusion to The Standing Ground trilogy. But does this story ever end?

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Book Synopsis"A man went to knock at the king's door and said, Give me a boat. The king's house had many other doors, but this was the door for petitions. Since the king spent all his time sitting by the door for favours (favours being offered to the king, you understand), whenever he heard someone knocking on the door for petitions, he would pretend not to hear..." Why the petitioner required a boat, where he was bound for, and who volunteered to crew for him and what cargo it was found to be carrying the reader will discover as this short narrative unfolds. And at the end it will be clear that what night appear to be a children's fable is in fact a wry, witty Philosophical Tale that would not have displeased Voltaire or Swift.Trade ReviewSaramago writes possibly the most beautiful but certainly the most precise and differentiated Portuguese prose of our time -- Walter Haubrich * Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung *Saramago is a writer, like Faulkner, so confident of his resources and ultimate destination that he can bring any improbability to life -- John UpdikeNo candidate for a Nobel Prize has a better claim to lasting recognition than this novelist -- Edmund WhiteHe was the equal of Philip Roth, Günter Grass, Thomas Pynchon and Don DeLillo. His genius was remarkably versatile - he was at once a great comic and a writer of shocking earnestness and grim poignancy -- Harold BloomSaramago is a writer of formidable talent and extraordinary imagination * La Repubblica *

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Book SynopsisA chilling fantasy retelling of the Snow White fairy tale by bestselling creators Neil Gaiman and Colleen Doran. A not-so-evil queen is terrified of her monstrous stepdaughter and determined to repel this creature and save her kingdom from a world where happy endings aren''t so happily ever after. From the Hugo, Bram Stoker, Locus, World Fantasy, Nebula Award-winning and Sunday Times-bestselling writer Neil Gaiman (American Gods) comes this graphic novel adaptation by Colleen Doran (Troll Bridge). ''Like Ray Bradbury before him, [Neil Gaiman] writes lovely little horror stories, fairy tales and fantasies which are as familiar as they are fabulous, stories that are never quite what the reader expects...'' A.V. ClubTrade ReviewThis sumptuous, adults-only comic book adaptation brings the acclaimed writer's short story to vivid life . . . [Doran] creates imagery and visuals that'll linger in your mind's eye long after you close the book . . .Snow, Glass, Apples is a combination of a superb script, with Gaiman at his evocative, inventive best, and masterful artwork from Doran. * Starburst *A must for any fan of American Gods or the work of Neil Gaiman... [sitting] alongside the TV series and the novel as another way to tackle and understand Gaiman's deep, rich narrative * Starburst *

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Book SynopsisThe second part of The History of The Lord of the Rings, an enthralling account of the writing of the Book of the Century which contains many additional scenes and includes the unpublished Epilogue in its entirety.The Treason of Isengard continues the account of the creation of The Lord of the Rings started in the earlier volume, The Return of the Shadow.It races the great expansion of the tale into new lands and peoples south and east of the Misty Mountains: the emerence of Lothlorien, of Ents, of the Riders of Rohan, and of Saruman the White in the fortress of Isengard.In brief outlines and pencilled drafts dashed down on scraps of paper are seen the first entry of Galadriel, the earliest ideas of the history of Gondor, and the original meeting of Aragorn and Eowyn, its significance destined to be wholly transformed.The book also contains a full account of the original map which was to be the basis of the emerging geography of Middle-earth.This series of fascinating books has now bee

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Book SynopsisThere is something morbidly fascinating about the dark and grotesque. Although it is human nature to tiptoe around the uncomfortable (or avoid it altogether), some artists are inspired by the unsettling to create intriguing works of art that push the boundaries of normality and provoke viewers into exploring their fears and taboos. There are also others who use them as springboards of the imagination to express their innermost feelings and question the often-grim realities of existence.In conjunction with Victionary’s 20th anniversary, the new edition of ‘DARK INSPIRATION’ combines most of the projects from the first two best-selling titles of the same name along with new work into one meaty celebration of the macabre. Featuring chilling depictions of childhood reveries, folklore, mysteries, and death in a variety of styles and interpretations, each project serves unconventionally as a celebration of life in all its gruesome glory. With contributions from: Aitch, Akino Kondoh, Aleksandra Waliszewska, Alessandro Sicioldr Bianchi, Alex Garant, Alice Lin, Amandine Urruty, Audrey Kawasaki, Bene Rohlmann, Dadu Shin, Dan Hillier, Daniel Martin Diaz, Danny Van Ryswyk, David Ho, dromsjel, Eero Lampinen, Eika, Elisa Ancori, Erik Mark Sandberg, Evelyn Bencicova, Fabian Mérelle, Fiona Roberts, Francesco Brunotti, Francois Robert, Fuco Ueda, Gabriel Isak, Giacomo Carmagnola, Guim Tió Zarraluki, Hannes Hummel, Heiko Müller, James Jean, Januz Miralles, Jeff Mcmillan, Jesse Auersalo, Jim Johnson Tsang, Jon Beinart, Jules Julien, Justin Nelson, Kate Macdowell, Katy Horan, Kayan Kwok, Kim Simonsson, Kotaro Chiba, Lala Gallardo, Lola Dupre, Lostfish, Mariana Magdaleno, merve morkoç (Lakormis), Mia Mäkilo, Michael Reedy, Miranda Meeks, Nadja Jovanovic, Nicoletta Ceccoli, Oleg Dou, Olivia Knapp, Paola Rojas H & David Perez, Paul Hollingworth, Raffaello De Vito, Raul Oprea aka Saddo, Richard Colman, Ryan Oliver, Sergio Mora / Agency Rush, Tara McPherson, Till Rabus, Tim Lee, Yido, Yoshitoshi Kanemaki, Yuka Yamaguchi, Yury Ustsinau, and Zhou Fan

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Book SynopsisThe Concluding Part of the Epic Viking Fantasy TrilogyALL SHALL PERISH The great wolf howls for Ragnarok to begin. The half-giant Einer leads an army of the dead to clash with the golden shields of Asgard. The nornir tie and retie their threads, as Loki’s and Odin’s schemes unfold… and unravel. For not even cunning gods and giants see every part of the web.As the survivors of the burned village of Ash-hill converge on the final battle on Ida’s Plain, only two are truly free to choose their paths and prevent the annihilation of the nine worlds: a storyteller who holds all destinies in his hands, and a shieldmaiden with no destiny at all.Trade Review“Lush prose and epic battles only enhance this well-crafted series finale from a rising genre talent.” -- Publishers Weekly, starred review * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisJ.R.R. Tolkien’s writings on the Second Age of Middle-earth, collected for the first time in one volume.Trade Review‘Physically beautiful and sometimes overwhelming in its power, this book is a grand compendium of all Tolkien said about the period when the foundations of The Lord of the Rings are laid’John Garth, THE GUARDIAN ‘It brings a Biblical grandeur to Tolkien’s fictional history’WINTER IS COMING ‘A trove of source material about one of Middle-earth’s most intriguing and central back stories. The book is beautifully illustrated by Alan Lee and nimbly edited by Brian Sibley’WASHINGTON POST ‘For those wishing to expand their understanding of Middle-earth and the incredible legend crafted by Tolkien, this is an essential piece to complete that puzzle’BOOK REPORTER ‘How, given little over half a century of work, did one man become the creative equivalent of a people?’THE GUARDIAN ‘Demanding to be compared with English mythologies… at times rises to the greatness of true myth’FINANCIAL TIMES ‘A creation of singular beauty… magnificent in its best moments’WASHINGTON POST ‘With this most recent volume, The Fall of Númenor, Sibley has beautifully and brilliantly done for Tolkien’s Second Age what Christopher Tolkien did for the First Age’NATIONAL REVIEW

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

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