{"title":"Superhero stories","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"starter-villain-a-turbo-charged-tale-of-supervillains-minions-and-a-hidden-volcano-lair-9781509835423","title":"Starter Villain: A turbo-charged tale of","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLocus and Hugo Award-winning author John Scalzi brings us a turbo-charged tale of a family business with a difference - as Charlie discovers when he inherits it. This one comes with a hidden headquarters, minions, talking cats and James Bond-like supervillain rivals.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'\u003ci\u003eStarter Villain \u003c\/i\u003eestablishes Scalzi as SF's leading humourist' - \u003ci\u003eSFX\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWarning: supervillain in training. Risk of world domination.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInheriting his late uncle’s business proves complicated. It’s also way more dangerous than Charlie could ever have imagined. Because his uncle had kept his supervillain status a secret – until now.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDivorced and emotionally dependent on his cat, Charlie wasn’t loving life. Although they weren’t close, news of his Uncle Jake's death didn’t help. And that was before Jake’s rivals (seriously vengeful ones) ambushed his funeral. Now Charlie must decide if he should stay stuck in his rut, or step up to take on the business, the enemies, the minions, the hidden volcano lair . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEven harder to get used to are the sentient, language-using, computer-savvy cats – and the fact that in the organization’s hierarchy, they’re management. If Charlie does say yes, this lifeline could become a death wish. Because there’s much more to being an Evil Mastermind than he suspected. Yet could this also, finally, be his chance to shine?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for John Scalzi:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e‘Hugely enjoyable, intelligent and good-humoured fun’ - \u003ci\u003eThe Guardian\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘Sheer geeky pleasure from start to finish’ - \u003ci\u003eFinancial Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘An escapist delight’ - \u003ci\u003eThe Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eScalzi's latest is a light-hearted story with a likeable fish-out-of-water protagonist and a lot of very smart cats. There's also a dolphin labor dispute, some truly awful techbros, and a volcano island lair . . . \u003cb\u003eWho could resist?\u003c\/b\u003e -- Rebecca Roanhorse, author of \u003ci\u003eBlack Sun\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLaugh-out-loud funny, intricately plotted and big-hearted enough to touch even the grumpiest cynic, \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eStarter Villain \u003c\/i\u003eestablishes Scalzi as SF's leading humourist\u003c\/b\u003e * SFX *\u003cbr\u003ePrepare to be \u003cb\u003edelighted and surprised\u003c\/b\u003e * Daily Mail *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSatire aplenty\u003c\/b\u003e . . . \u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003eCharlie has to handle the lethal machinations of rival villains and also a pod of talking dolphins with militant trade union tendencies in a novel that gleefully skewers the vanity and inanity of a certain kind of plutocrat * The Financial Times *\u003cbr\u003eIn this \u003cb\u003eclever, fast-paced thriller\u003c\/b\u003e, Hugo Award winner subverts classic supervillain tropes with equal measures of tongue-in-cheek humor and common sense . . . The result is a breezy and highly entertaining genre send-up * Publishers Weekly *\u003cbr\u003eScalzi again examines tropes in a tale of an ordinary individual being cast into an extraordinary situation \u003cb\u003ewith his trademark quick pacing, clever banter, and ability to find humor in desperate situations\u003c\/b\u003e . . . With a large print run and a clever premise, Scalzi’s latest will appeal to his legion of fans and draw in new ones -- \u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis story of snark with a heart \u003c\/b\u003ereminds readers that the logical conclusion of “dogs have owners, cats have staff” is that cats are management and never let anyone forget it . . . Readers of humorous fantasy are sure to love Scalzi’s latest as much as those cats; it’s also for those who enjoy seeing superhero stories folded, twisted, and mutilated and anyone wishing for a righteous villain lair surrounded by intelligent sharks. \u003cb\u003eHighly recommended\u003c\/b\u003e -- \u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFun\u003c\/b\u003e, short and tightly plotted -- \u003ci\u003eNew Scientist\u003c\/i\u003e","brand":"Pan Macmillan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48867404185943,"sku":"9781509835423","price":13.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781509835423.jpg?v=1722283131"},{"product_id":"starter-villain-a-turbo-charged-tale-of-supervillains-minions-and-a-hidden-volcano-lair-9781529082951","title":"Starter Villain: A turbo-charged tale of","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLocus and Hugo Award-winning author John Scalzi brings us a turbo-charged tale of a family business with a difference - as Charlie discovers when he inherits it. This one comes with a hidden headquarters, minions, talking cats and James Bond-like supervillain rivals.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'\u003ci\u003eStarter Villain \u003c\/i\u003eestablishes Scalzi as SF's leading humourist' - \u003ci\u003eSFX\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWarning: supervillain in training. Risk of world domination.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInheriting his late uncle’s business proves complicated. It’s also way more dangerous than Charlie could ever have imagined. Because his uncle had kept his supervillain status a secret – until now.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDivorced and emotionally dependent on his cat, Charlie wasn’t loving life. Although they weren’t close, news of his Uncle Jake's death didn’t help. And that was before Jake’s rivals (seriously vengeful ones) ambushed his funeral. Now Charlie must decide if he should stay stuck in his rut, or step up to take on the business, the enemies, the minions, the hidden volcano lair . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEven harder to get used to are the sentient, language-using, computer-savvy cats – and the fact that in the organization’s hierarchy, they’re management. If Charlie does say yes, this lifeline could become a death wish. Because there’s much more to being an Evil Mastermind than he suspected. Yet could this also, finally, be his chance to shine?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for John Scalzi:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e‘Hugely enjoyable, intelligent and good-humoured fun’ - \u003ci\u003eThe Guardian\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘Sheer geeky pleasure from start to finish’ - \u003ci\u003eFinancial Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘An escapist delight’ - \u003ci\u003eThe Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eScalzi's latest is a light-hearted story with a likeable fish-out-of-water protagonist and a lot of very smart cats. There's also a dolphin labor dispute, some truly awful techbros, and a volcano island lair . . . \u003cb\u003eWho could resist?\u003c\/b\u003e -- Rebecca Roanhorse, author of \u003ci\u003eBlack Sun\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLaugh-out-loud funny, intricately plotted and big-hearted enough to touch even the grumpiest cynic, \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eStarter Villain \u003c\/i\u003eestablishes Scalzi as SF's leading humourist\u003c\/b\u003e * SFX *\u003cbr\u003ePrepare to be \u003cb\u003edelighted and surprised\u003c\/b\u003e * Daily Mail *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSatire aplenty\u003c\/b\u003e . . . \u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003eCharlie has to handle the lethal machinations of rival villains and also a pod of talking dolphins with militant trade union tendencies in a novel that gleefully skewers the vanity and inanity of a certain kind of plutocrat * The Financial Times *\u003cbr\u003eIn this \u003cb\u003eclever, fast-paced thriller\u003c\/b\u003e, Hugo Award winner subverts classic supervillain tropes with equal measures of tongue-in-cheek humor and common sense . . . The result is a breezy and highly entertaining genre send-up * Publishers Weekly *\u003cbr\u003eScalzi again examines tropes in a tale of an ordinary individual being cast into an extraordinary situation \u003cb\u003ewith his trademark quick pacing, clever banter, and ability to find humor in desperate situations\u003c\/b\u003e . . . With a large print run and a clever premise, Scalzi’s latest will appeal to his legion of fans and draw in new ones -- \u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis story of snark with a heart \u003c\/b\u003ereminds readers that the logical conclusion of “dogs have owners, cats have staff” is that cats are management and never let anyone forget it . . . Readers of humorous fantasy are sure to love Scalzi’s latest as much as those cats; it’s also for those who enjoy seeing superhero stories folded, twisted, and mutilated and anyone wishing for a righteous villain lair surrounded by intelligent sharks. \u003cb\u003eHighly recommended\u003c\/b\u003e -- \u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFun\u003c\/b\u003e, short and tightly plotted -- \u003ci\u003eNew Scientist\u003c\/i\u003e","brand":"Pan Macmillan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48867499344215,"sku":"9781529082951","price":17.09,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781529082951.jpg?v=1722283568"},{"product_id":"circle-of-death-a-shadow-thriller-9781538711101","title":"Circle of Death: A Shadow Thriller","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Grand Central Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48867540271447,"sku":"9781538711101","price":17.09,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781538711101.jpg?v=1722283780"},{"product_id":"disney-pixar-the-incredibles-suddenly-super-9781803684963","title":"Disney Pixar The Incredibles: Suddenly Super","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDiscover a world where Violet became an agent of Syndrome, perfect for fans of The Incredibles","brand":"Bonnier Books Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48868556767575,"sku":"9781803684963","price":8.54,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781803684963.jpg?v=1722288612"},{"product_id":"three-kings-edited-by-george-r-r-martin-wild-cards-9780008361525","title":"Three Kings Edited by George R. R. Martin Wild","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe return of the famous shared-world superhero books created and edited by George R. R. Martin, author of A Song of Ice and Fire.For decades, George R.R. Martin  bestselling author of A Song of Ice and Fire  has collaborated with an ever-shifting ensemble of science fiction and fantasy icons to create the amazing Wild Cards universe.In the aftermath of World War II, the Earth's population was devastated by an alien virus. Those who survived were changed forever. Some, known as jokers, were cursed with bizarre mental and physical mutations; others, granted superhuman abilities, became the lucky few known as aces.Queen Margaret, who came to the English throne after the death of her sister Elizabeth, now lies on her death-bed. Summoningthe joker aceAlan Turing, she urges him to seek the true heir: Elizabeth''s lost son. He was rumoured to have died as a baby but, having been born a joker, was sent into hiding.Margaret dies and her elder son Henry becomes king and at once declares he want\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003ePRAISE FOR THE WILD CARDS SERIES:\u003c\/p\u003e           \u003cp\u003e“Deep and complex”\u003cbr\u003eStarburst\u003c\/p\u003e           \u003cp\u003e“Perhaps the most original and provocative of the shared worlds books.”\u003cbr\u003ePeter S. Beagle, author of The Last Unicorn\u003c\/p\u003e           \u003cp\u003e\"Martin has assembled an impressive array of writers. . . . Progressing through the decades, Wild Cards keeps its momentum to the end.\"\u003cbr\u003eLocus\u003c\/p\u003e           \u003cp\u003e\"The shared-world series known as Wild Cards has had a long and illustrious history of contributors and achievements.\" SciFi.com\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins Publishers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49399480484183,"sku":"9780008361525","price":11.07,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9780008361525.jpg?v=1730467709"},{"product_id":"starter-villain-9780765389220","title":"Starter Villain","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNow a \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebestseller!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eInheriting your uncle''s supervillain business is more complicated than you might think. Particularly when you discover who''s running the place.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCharlie''s life is going nowhere fast. A divorced substitute teacher living with his cat in a house his siblings want to sell, all he wants is to open a pub downtown, if only the bank will approve his loan.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThen his long-lost uncle Jake dies and leaves his supervillain business (complete with island volcano lair) to Charlie. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut becoming a supervillain isn''t all giant laser death rays and lava pits. Jake had enemies, and now they''re coming after Charlie. His uncle might have been a stand-up, old-fashioned kind of villain, but these are the real thing: rich, soulless predators backed by multinational corporations and venture capital. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt''s up to Charlie to win the war his uncle started against a league of supervillains. But with unionized dolphins,\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tor Publishing Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49404879012183,"sku":"9780765389220","price":21.74,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9780765389220.jpg?v=1730487916"},{"product_id":"black-panther-tales-of-wakanda-9781789095685","title":"Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA ground-breaking anthology celebrating Marvel's beloved Black Panther and his home of Wakanda, penned by an all-star cast of authors such as Sheree Renee Thomas and Nikki Giovanni.  T'Challa faces the gods of his parents. Vampires stalk Shuri and a Dora Milaje in voodoo-laced New Orleans. Erik Killmonger grapples with racism, Russian spies, and his own origins. Eighteen brand-new tales of Wakanda, its people, and its legacy.   The first mainstream superhero of African descent, the Black Panther has attracted readers of all races and colors who see in the King of Wakanda reflections of themselves. Storytellers from across the African Diaspora-some already literary legends, others who are rising stars-have created for this collection original works inspired by the world of the Panther and its inhabitants. With guest stars including Storm, Monica Rambeau, Namor, and Jericho Drumm, these are stories of yesterday and today, of science and magic, of faith and love.  These are the tales of a king and his country. These are the legends whispered in the jungle, myths of the unconquered men and women and the land they love.  These are the Tales of Wakanda.  Featuring stories by Linda D. Addison, Maurice Broaddus, Christopher Chambers, Milton J. Davis, Tananarive Due, Nikki Giovanni, Harlan James, Danian Jerry, Kyoko M., L.L. McKinney, Temi Oh, Suyi Davies Okungbowa, Glenn Parris, Alex Simmons, Sheree Renee Thomas, Cadwell Turnbull and Troy L. Wiggins.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"It's well worth your time, especially if you are a fan\" Financial Times  \"Absolutely filled to the brim with brand new stories... giving voices to those who are not just diverse because they are Black but because of the various cultural backgrounds and experiences they bring to the table.\" Culturess  \"Add[s] to Black Panther and Wakanda's richly storied history.\" ScreenRant  \"This anthology should sate fans longing for the next 'Black Panther' installment.\"  3\/4 Stars, USA Today  \"I was engrossed, and devoured this novel in about a day. Some of that is due to the title character... The rest is that Hudlin created a compelling story that Holland was able to translate incredibly well to the written page.\" Patrick Hellen, AIPT for Black Panther: Who is the Black Panther?  \"Jesse J. Holland's riveting book The Invisibles shines a long overdue light on the enslaved men and women who were forced to serve in the nation's seat of executive power.\" J.D. Dickey, author of Empire of Mud: The Secret History of Washington, DC  \"Although some slaves' lives have been lost to history, Holland creates a vivid portrait of many, including William Lee, who worked as Washington's 'body servant'...\" Kirkus for The Invisibles","brand":"Titan Books Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49412604199255,"sku":"9781789095685","price":9.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781789095685.jpg?v=1730517329"},{"product_id":"captain-marvel-shadow-code-9781803361802","title":"Captain Marvel: Shadow Code","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMarvel's most powerful super hero, Captain Marvel, must battle an old enemy in this brand-new original novel with help from her friends Tony Stark, Spectrum, Hazmat and Spider-Woman!  CAPTAIN MARVEL IS ASKED FOR A SIMPLE FAVOR, BUT SHE SOON MEETS AN ADVERSARY WITH UNPARALLELED POWER.  Tony Stark wants Carol to keep an eye on brilliant grad student Mara Melamed, who is struggling to find her feet at Empire State University. Although reluctant at first, Carol meets Mara and is soon impressed by the young woman.  But trouble quickly finds Captain Marvel in the form of a controversial operating system from DigiTech-whose mysterious CEO only appears as a hologram. To make matters worse, one of Carol's closest friends has been framed for murder. And Mara Melamed is at the tangled center of it all.  Carol is driven to her darkest edge as she questions her identity and sense of belonging in the world. With her allies at her side, Carol must face her self-doubt and protect the world from impending doom.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePRAISE FOR CAPTAIN MARVEL:   \"This is a pure fun book through-and-through.\" ComicVine.com on Captain Marvel: Higher, Further, Faster, More   \"Fans of space adventure, strange creatures and humorous reveals will get their fill here, and find a new friend in Carol Danvers.\" Comicosity.com on Captain Marvel: Stay Fly   \"A must-read for everyone.\" ComicsTheGathering.com on The Mighty Captain Marvel: Alien Nation     PRAISE FOR GILLY SEGAL:   \"An absolute page turner, I'm Not Dying with You Tonight is a compelling and powerful novel that is sure to make an impact.\"  Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give   \"A page-turning debut, as timely as it is addictive.\" David Arnold, New York Times bestselling author of Mosquitoland and Kids of Appetite   \"An astounding achievement. This novel is an incendiary experience, one that does not shy away from difficult questions about privilege and violence. But Jones and Segal don't hold our hands to provide us easy answers; this is a book meant to be devoured in a single sitting and discussed for years to come.\"  Mark Oshiro, author of Anger is a Gift","brand":"Titan Books Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49412921524567,"sku":"9781803361802","price":17.09,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781803361802.jpg?v=1730518550"},{"product_id":"marvels-secret-invasion-prose-novel-9781803362489","title":"Marvel's Secret Invasion Prose Novel","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA shapeshifting alien race invades the Marvel Universe in this exciting re-imagining of the bestselling comic book event from the author of one of its original tie-ins.  WHO DO YOU TRUST?  The shapeshifting alien race known as the Skrulls have infiltrated every branch of the Marvel Universe, from S.H.I.E.L.D., to the Avengers, and even interplanetary defence force S.W.O.R.D.   As the New Avengers watch leader of the Hand, Elektra, transform into a Skrull after her death, they come to realise that an attack is coming, one that has been planned for many years. From heroes to villains, anyone could be a Skrull in disguise. Uncertain of who to trust, the team tries desperately to unite against an unseen foe. But it is too late.   The invasion has begun.  A crashed ship in the Savage Land. A prison break at the Raft. Thunderbolts Mountain under attack.   And an armada of Skrull ships approaching Earth.   Scattered and hopeless, heroes and villains alike must team up to fight a war they never saw coming, the fallout of which will change the face of the Marvel Universe as we know it.   BASED ON THE BESTSELLING MARVEL EVENT BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS AND LEINIL FRANCIS YU.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePRAISE FOR THE AUTHOR\u003cbr\u003eEasily my favorite thing to spring out of Secret Invasion so far. – IGN, on Cornell’s Captain Britain and the MI:13 run\u003cbr\u003eThis book is a strong follow-up, a good standalone story, and an excellent read for fans of dark urban fantasy. - Publishers Weekly on The Severed Streets\u003cbr\u003eNo one balances the lighthearted and the unnerving more deftly than Cornell. --Daniel Abraham, co-author of The Expanse\u003cbr\u003eAn elegant, elegiac examination of identity, fictionality, God and humanity itself--but also a very, very funny story about a crew of dopes. I love them all, except Bob. (In actuality Bob sort of broke my heart!) --Tamsyn Muir, author of the Locked Tomb series\u003cbr\u003eA scream disguised as a giggle. Reading Rosebud is like going on an absurdist romp through a sunlit meadow with Douglas Adams, only to suddenly realize that you're deep in the forest and ol' Dougie has just slipped a knife between your ribs. --Peter Watts, author the Firefall series and the Rifters series\u003cbr\u003eCutting-edge science fiction from a writer at the very top of their game. --Gareth L. Powell, author of Embers of War\u003cbr\u003eA true voyage of the imagination, simultaneously mind-wrenching and laugh-out-loud funny. --Adrian Tchaikovsky\u003cbr\u003ePaul Cornell re-imagines the classic SF idea of first contact and turns it upside down and inside out--and then twists it into a multi-dimensional thing of wonder. --Michael Cassutt, writer for Z-Nation and co-author of The Astronaut Maker\u003cbr\u003eHe's gone and written a novel too! I suspect it will be just as good as everything else he's written, and that's not fair at all. - George R. R. Martin, author of Game of Thrones.\u003cbr\u003eAn irresistible blend of guns, gangsters, cops and monsters - Ben Aaronovitch\u003cbr\u003eAt once epic and terribly intimate. This is the story of a village, not a city, and all the more powerful for that; not all big fantasy needs an urban setting. Beautifully written, perfectly cruel, and ultimately kind. This is Cornell at the height of his craft. — Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of the InCryptid and October Daye series\u003cbr\u003eRich in charm... local politics and witchcraft writ small and personal, but large in consequence. [Cornell] adeptly describes the emotion of magic; its effects and internal ignition of wonder. The feel of being exposed to magic for the first time and the feel of doing magic and having it done to you have never been better described in any story. — Bill Willingham, author of Fables and Down the Mysterly River\u003cbr\u003eMasterfully creepy and sinister, all the more so for taking place in the beautifully drawn English countryside. — Jenny Colgan, author of Doctor Who: Into the Nowhere\u003cbr\u003eCornell brilliantly delineates not only the insular milieu of rural England but the brutal materialism of Thatcher's Britain, in a slow-building novel of retribution and cycles of abuse. Superb. --The Guardian\u003cbr\u003eThis is what horror ought to be: primal, personal, and powerful. Gloriously gutting. Chalk is like nothing I've ever read before, or am ever likely to read again. Well, you can just come over here and rock me to sleep tonight.--New York Times bestselling author Seanan McGuire\u003cbr\u003eExcellent, petrifying and awful in all the right ways... Hand over mouth in parts. Strongly recommended. --Kieron Gillen, author of The Wicked \u0026amp; The Divine and Phonogram\u003cbr\u003eRaw and dark... powerful and inventive. Terrific. --Kurt Busiek, Harvey and Eisner Award winning creator of Astro City\u003cbr\u003eHoly Shit! I love this fucking book! This book kept me up way too late reading it, and then I couldn't sleep the rest of the night. OMG what a book. Intense and horrific and gorgeous. Damn, dude. I mean... damn. -- Diana Rowland, author of the White Trash Zombie series.\u003cbr\u003eChalk is a raw, blistering, horror-ride through the hell of adolescence and the despair of abuse. It is honest and hard-hitting, often uncomfortable to read, yet wonderfully crafted. 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Highly recommended. --Ginger Nuts of Horror\u003cbr\u003eCornell weaves human and supernatural horror together in powerful and disturbing ways. --Publishers Weekly","brand":"Titan Books Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49412922310999,"sku":"9781803362489","price":17.09,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781803362489.jpg?v=1730518554"},{"product_id":"george-r-r-martin-presents-wild-cards-sleeper-straddle-9780593357835","title":"George R. R. 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