Traditional or cultural fiction and true stories, tales and retellings

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Book SynopsisGorgeous Collector's Edition. With its powerful tradition of storytelling, the myths of the continent of Africa have survived colonialism and slavery, bringing together a rich diversity of cultures from Ethiopia to Tanzania, from the Xhosa people to the Yoruba. This collection offers tales of the gods, creation stories, trickster adventures, animal fables and stories which amuse and teach from 'The Tortoise and the Elephant', from the Akamba of Kenya, to 'Why the Moon Waxes and Wanes', from Southern Nigeria, providing an insight into the boundless and vibrant world of African myth. Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

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Book SynopsisGreat floods and river Gods, snake spirits, and Immortals, China's unique set of mythological tales are derived from its vast expanse, diverse culture and the endless wars between tribes and dynasties. The result is a rich landscape of humanity, gods and spirits introduced here in this comprehensive book of folk tales and legendary exploits. The latest title in Flame Tree's beautiful, comprehensive series of Gothic Fantasy titles, concentrates on the ancient, epic origins of modern fantasy.

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Book Synopsis''The Stardust Thief will transport you, enchant you, and revive your belief in the magic of storytelling'' Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the SunInspired by stories from One Thousand and One Nights, The Stardust Thief weaves the gripping tale of a legendary smuggler, a cowardly prince and a dangerous quest across the desert to find a magical lamp.Neither here nor there, but long ago...Loulie al-Nazari is the Midnight Merchant: a criminal who, with the help of her jinn bodyguard, hunts and sells illegal magic. When she saves the life of a cowardly prince, she draws the attention of his powerful father, the sultan, who blackmails her into finding an ancient lamp.With no choice but to obey or be executed, Loulie journeys with the sultan''s oldest son to find the artefact. Aided by her bodyguard, who has secrets of his own, they must survive ghoul attacks, outwit a vengeful jinn queen and confront Trade ReviewYou'll be charmed immediately by the characters and pulled in by this exploration of how the stories we hear and the stories we tell ourselves - beautiful and heartbreaking alike - shape us. Perfect for fans of S.A. Chakraborty's City of Brass -- C.L. Clark, author of THE UNBROKENA thrilling adventure about found families, ancient magic and stories that linger -- S. A. Chakraborty, author of THE CITY OF BRASSThe Stardust Thief is a dream written upon a page - absorbing, lingering and poignantly told. Abdullah weaves a sweeping adventure of tales within tales, while laying bare the ways those we love can both uplift us and break our hearts -- Andrea Stewart, author of THE BONE SHARD DAUGHTERAbdullah has created a sumptuous feast of richly layered classic tales, and characters who will have you hungering to unravel their mysteries. The Stardust Thief will transport you, enchant you, and revive your belief in the magic of storytelling. -- Shelley Parker-Chan, author of SHE WHO BECAME THE SUNSizzling with action and secrets, The Stardust Thief is a grand adventure with unforgettable characters, enchanting magic, and plenty of heart -- Melissa Caruso, author of THE TETHERED MAGEThe sun-baked sands of Abdullah's imagination teem with colour, danger and excitement -- SFXAbdullah is a gifted storyteller. . . [bringing] to life a rich world, rife with magic, where anything that can be dreamed up can happen -- BOOKLISTThis powerful, intriguing adventure will leave readers eager for more -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLYA marvellous plunge into a beautifully crafted adventure -- KIRKUSAbdullah transports readers into this rich world and literary heritage -- LIBRARY JOURNAL

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Book SynopsisChiltern Publishing creates the most beautiful editions of the World?s finest literature. Your favorite classic titles in a way you have never seen them before; the tactile layers, fine details and beautiful colors of these remarkable covers make these titles feel extra special and will look striking on any shelf.The Prophet is a fable about the prophet Al Mustafa, who has lived in city of Orphalese for over 12 years and when finally leaving for his home country, people gather to bid him farewell, and ask for his guidance on important aspects of life.A worldwide bestseller since it''s original publication in 1923, the book is divided into chapters dealing with love, marriage, children, giving, eating and drinking, work, joy and sorrow, houses, clothes, buying and selling, crime and punishment, laws, freedom, reason and passion, pain, self-knowledge, teaching, friendship, talking, time, good andevil, prayer, pleasure, beauty, religion, and death.The Prophet has been translated into over 100 different languages, making it one of the most translated books in history, as well as one of the bestselling books of all time.

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Book SynopsisGrimm’s Fairy Tales contains 59 of the best-loved bedtime stories for children worldwide, enjoyed for the better part of two centuries. Originally collected by the Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, these German linguists and cultural researchers gathered legendary folklore and aimed to share the stories exactly as they heard them. This volume features all of your favorite tales, including: Cinderella Rapunzel Hansel and Grethel Snow White Rumpelstiltskin Little Red Riding Hood The Golden Goose This elegantly designed jacketed hardcover edition features an introduction by fantasy literature scholar Lori Campbell, a timeline of the life and times of the Brothers Grimm, and over 100 illustrations by Arthur Rackham. Essential volumes for the shelves of every classic literature lover, the Chartwell Classics series includes beautifully pre

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE NEBULA AWARD FOR BEST NOVELWINNER OF THE LOCUS AWARD FOR BEST FIRST NOVEL ''Clever, wickedly fun . . . with an excellent balance of humour and heart. I loved it'' S. A. Chakraborty, author of The City of BrassCairo, 1912: Though Fatma el-Sha''arawi is the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, she''s certainly not a rookie, especially after preventing the destruction of the universe last summer.So when someone murders a secret brotherhood dedicated to one of the most famous men in history, Al-Jahiz, Agent Fatma is called onto the case. Al-Jahiz transformed the world fifty years ago when he opened up the veil between the magical and mundane realms, before vanishing into the unknown. This murderer claims to be Al-Jahiz, returned to condemn the modern age for its social oppressions. His dangerous magical abilities instigate unrest in the streets of CaTrade ReviewClever, wickedly fun . . . with an excellent balance of humour and heart. I loved it -- S. A. Chakraborty, author of CITY OF BRASSA magical voice with a brilliantly unique setting, it will keep you completely enthralled -- Ben Aaronovitch, author of RIVERS OF LONDONA Master of Djinn has all the tricky twists I want in a police procedural and all the djinns, magic and wonder I want from fantasy -- Mary Robinette Kowal, Hugo and Nebula award-winning author of THE CALCULATING STARSA Master of Djinn is everything you might expect from Clark: cinematic action, a radical reimagining of real history, and magic on every page. I loved it -- Hugo Award winner Alix E. Harrow, author of THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARYWith this fantastic feat of postcolonial imagination, Clark reconfigures history with a keen, critical eye toward gender, class and imperialism. Meanwhile, the colourful prose and thorough worldbuilding allow readers to truly enter this imagined world. An epic tale of magic and mystery, this is sure to wow -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (starred review)An engaging mystery with a wonderful mix of the fantastic and the mundane, chain-smoking crocodile gods, stuffy marid librarians, and a brilliant heroine with a dashing bowler -- Django Wexler, author of THE THOUSAND NAMESClark deftly explores colonialism and the history of Cairo with an immersive setting that acts as another character in this delightful combination of mystery, fantasy and romance -- BOOKLIST (starred review)A tremendously fun book. Between the engaging writing and the intriguing plot, it was basically impossible to put down -- FANTASY INNRefreshingly different; a well-plotted mystery filled with engaging characters, presented with a lightly humorous touch -- GUARDIANA tonic of fast moving urban fantasy -- SFX

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Book SynopsisFrom Bernard Cornwell, the creator of the No. 1 bestselling Sharpe novels. Arthur has brought a fragile peace to Britain - but it cannot last . . .Uniting the restive British kingdoms behind him, Arthur believes he can now hold back the Saxons threatening the country. Meanwhile, Merlin sets out on a quest to uncover the sacred Treasures of Britain, hoping they will prove decisive in the coming battle. But in a country where the cult of the Christians is spreading, Merlin''s quest is divisive. And the ambitions of the rival warlord Lancelot threaten the delicate peace. Could even those closest to Arthur be moved to betray him?In the second book of the Warlord Chronicles, Bernard Cornwell brilliantly retells the Arthurian legend, combining myth, history and thrilling battlefield action.''Wonderful and haunting'' People Magazine''Of all the books I have written these are my favourites'' Bernard Cornwell

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Book SynopsisIf you've been gripped by Pat Barker's The Women of Troy and The Silence of the Girls, then For the Most Beautiful is a must-read for you . . .Three thousand years ago a war took place that gave birth to legends - to Achilles, the greatest of the Greeks, and Hector, prince of Troy. It was a war that shook the very foundations of the world. But what if there was more to this epic conflict? What if there was another, hidden tale of the Trojan War?Now is the time for the women of Troy to tell their story.Thrillingly imagined and startlingly original, For the Most Beautiful reveals the untold story of Krisayis, daughter of the Trojans' High Priest, and of Briseis, princess of Pedasus, who fight to determine the fate of a city and its people in this ancient time of mischievous gods and mythic heroes.In this novel full of passion and revenge, loyalty and betrayal, bravery and sacrifice, Emily Hauser breathes exhilarating new life into one of the greatest legends of all - in a tale that has waited millennia to be told.'Brings ancient Troy wildly, raucously, passionately alive' Manda Scott, author of BoudicaTrade ReviewOnce in a while something comes along that’s so utterly right, so necessary for now, that you wonder why nobody thought of it before. Emily Hauser’s stunning debut novel . . . brings ancient Troy wildly, raucously, passionately alive and tells at last the stories of those who really mattered. -- MANDA SCOTT, bestselling author of Boudica and Into the FireA feast for the senses, richly described and effortlessly easy to read. It brings to life an ancient world long gone, and in so doing reminds us of the traumas and costs of war, which are sadly still so much a part of our world today. -- MICHAEL SCOTT, presenter of Rome's Invisible CityA delight from start to finish. Hauser’s fresh perspective on one of the great archetypal epics, in focusing on the marginalised women’s stories, makes for fascinating reading . . . a clever premise and a thoroughly enjoyable. -- ELIZABETH FREMANTLE, author of Sisters of TreasonIn her sparkling debut novel classicist Emily Hauser offers a fresh take on the old but living legend spun so artfully in Homer's Iliad . . . tells a ripping good story. -- PAUL CARTLEDGE, Professor of Ancient History at CambridgeA brilliant re-imagining of the Iliad, faithful to the original yet completely accessible . . . the two young women at the centre of the drama are faithfully representative of their time and place yet feel compellingly contemporary . . . Emily Hauser has given us a lively new take on a classic. -- TERRY HAWKINS, author of The Rage of AchillesFascinating . . . highly convincing . . . a familiar tale told in an unfamiliar way. Presenting the story from the point of view of the women, rather than the warriors, gives Hauser's novel real edge and originality. -- Nick Rennison * BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE *Intensely described . . . there is no doubting Hauser's passionate involvement with, and knowledge of, her subject. -- Elizabeth Buchan * DAILY MAIL *Breathing life into these bit-part characters . . . written with energy and passion. -- Antonia Senior * THE TIMES *A new, feminine perspective on the events of the Iliad . . . a colourful tale of gods and mortals. * SUNDAY TIMES *This elegant, warm novel moves between two great Trojan beauties . . . through their stories, we witness both sides of this titanic war while feminine beauty and masculine martial prowess compete for the attention of the reader and the gods. * SUNDAY EXPRESS *Hauser’s characters are brave, wilful, sometimes foolish, impulsive, and utterly relatable, and her portrayal of the manipulative, capricious gods is particularly wonderful . . . this quick-paced, enthralling retelling will attract readers who loved Madeline Miller’s The Song of ­Achilles * LIBRARY JOURNAL *Colourful and entertaining . . . a very different story when seen through female eyes. -- Nick Rennison * BBC HISTORY magazine *Colourful and entertaining tale of gods and mortals, war and love. * History Today *

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Book SynopsisThere is a legend... Britannia, AD 535 The Romans have gone. While their libraries smoulder, roads decay and cities crumble, men with swords pick over civilisation's carcass, slaughtering and being slaughtered in turn. This is the story of just such a man. Like the others, he had a sword. He slew until slain. Unlike the others, we remember him. We remember King Arthur. This is the story of a land neither green nor pleasant. An eldritch isle of deep forest and dark fell haunted by swaithes, boggarts and tod-lowries, Robin-Goodfellows and Jenny Greenteeths, and predators of rarer appetite yet. This is the story of a legend forged from a pack of self-serving, turd-gilding, weasel-worded lies told to justify foul deeds and ill-gotten gains. This is the story - viscerally entertaining, ominously subversive and poetically profane - of a Dark Age myth that shaped a nation. EVERYONE'S TALKING ABOUT 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.Trade Review'Plunging a broadsword into the heart of Arthurian legend, Tidhar's novel depicts the Knights of the Round Table as a bunch of sweary, sweaty thugs. So much for the glories of a magical, mythical past. Britain, it seems, has forever been a land of factional infighting, presided over by a brutal, uncaring elite' Financial Times. 'London-based Israeli author Tidhar's latest fantasy is a ferocious and often very funny reinvention of the King Arthur myth, taking in references from Tolkien to Brexit' iNews. 'Iconoclastic, provocative, poetic and profane. King Arthur re-imagined - as you'd expect from the author of A Man Lies Dreaming and The Violent Century as well as the World Fantasy Award-winning Osama and the Locus Award short-listed Central Station' Concatenation. 'In true Lavie Tidhar style, we get something much more entertaining, bizarre and fantastical ... If you're looking for something riotously, uncompromisingly graphic and frenzied, then this book well certainly stand out from the crowd' SF Crowsnest. 'Every new book by the fiendishly ingenious and canny Tidhar is so radically different from his previous ones that I always await the next with bated breath ... The result is stunningly unique and the way he threads his daring if not sacrilegious additions into the fabric of the Camelot tale is like a punch in the gut ... Uproarious, provocative and utterly gripping' Crime Time. 'At a time when many in a fractious, divided Britain are looking to the past for comfort, Tidhar seeks to remind us - in dizzying, profane fashion - that our nation was, like so many others, built on nothing more romantic than bloodshed and conquest' Financial Times. 'A bloody, bravura performance, which Tidhar pulls off with graphic imagery and modern vernacular ... By Force Alone is Tidhar's scatological contribution to the field of Arthurian romance, a salutary antidote to the more romantic glossings of recent modern fantasy' Guardian. 'A New Weird Britain take on Arthurian mythos ... It's an immense remix of the myth, done with an extremely ruthless eye. Lavie is an extremely clever writer' Warren Ellis. 'Everyone is a bastard here, from Guenevere to Arthur to Merlin; I have never come across a more despicable bunch of characters, this is surely an indictment of Lavie Tidhar's warped and degenerate brain. Without a doubt this is the best Arthurian tale ever written, it has ruined the entire mythology for me' Saad Z. Hossain, author of Escape From Baghdad! and Djinn City. 'A comet that blazes a brilliant new path through dusty old territory. Bold and inventive, it smashes Arthurian myth to bits, sweeps up the brightest, weirdest, most enchanting pieces, and reshapes them into a wildly original tale. Legend has it that King Arthur will return when he's most needed, and this Arthur - this flawed, ambitious, irreverent boy-kingpin - is exactly the one we need now' Lisa L. Hannett, author of Bluegrass Symphony and Lament for the Afterlife. 'Tidhar turns King Arthur's court into a gangster's paradise, full of wheelings and dealings, and true grit. If the tale didn't go down like this, it should have' Silvia Moreno-Garcia, author of Gods of Jade and Shadow and Mexican Gothic. 'A beautifully written and thrilling tale, soaked in gore and evocative historical detail, peppered with subtle humour. Tidhar storms the castle of Grimdark, sword dripping with blood, and makes a claim for its crown' Angus Watson, author of Age of Iron and You Die When You Die. 'Utterly bonkers, utterly brilliant - a brutal, witty and slightly insane deconstruction of the Arthurian legend by way of Goodfellas, this is absolute bloody (and sweary) joy on the page' Russel D. McLean, author of The Good Son and Ed's Dead. '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, author of Altered Carbon. 'You can always trust Lavie Tidhar to create something brilliant, savage and endlessly entertaining' Starburst. 'Drawing on everything from wushu movies to The Wire by way of Tarkovsky and Tarantino, By Force Alone is wild, surprising and entertaining, and a hugely immersive read' M.R. Carey, author of The Girl with All the Gifts and The Unwritten. 'A violent, funny, absurd epic - Tidhar remains an utterly original voice in contemporary fiction' Daniel Polansky, author of Low Town and The Builders. 'Lavie Tidhar has created something wonderful, an extraordinary blend of history, legend, and sheer, lunatic inspiration. I loved it' Christopher Farnsworth, author of The Eternal World and Killfile. '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, author of Cage of Souls and Dogs of War. '[An] extraordinary and vivid retelling of our national myth. Gritty revisionism is super-charged by the supernatural ... 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.

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Book SynopsisJoin Robin and Marion fighting for the desperate and destitute again in the fourth action-packed adventure from international bestseller Robert Muchamore.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR ROBIN HOOD: HACKING, HEISTS & FLAMING ARROWS:'Classic Muchamore: witty characters, clever twists and high-tech gadgetry. This scores a bullseye.' - The Daily Mail'Intensely readable, outrageously enjoyable action' - Guardian'Compulsively readable...Meticulously researched feats of action and breathtaking heists.' - Times Literary Supplement'Muchamore knows just how to keep the pages turning and this is the first in a series that promises quiverfulls of action and entertainment.' - Books for Keeps'Muchamore writes with tremendous energy and his dialogue flies as fast as Robin's arrows.' The Times

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Book SynopsisCharacter-forming moral fables, Viking and Nordic folk and fairy tales take the magic of the natural world and combine it with the practical common sense of the everyday. Good folk are rewarded for their hard work, the honest and the faithful are valued by the gods in a series of themed sections: treasured tales of Bravery, Beasts and Animals, Transformation and Trickery, Trolls and Giants, Tales of Wind, Snow and Sea, all collected in a gorgeous gold-foiled and embossed hardback to treasure and enjoy. The Flame Tree Gothic Fantasy, Classic Stories and Epic Tales collections bring together the entire range of myth, folklore and modern short fiction. Highlighting the roots of suspense, supernatural, science fiction and mystery stories, the books in Flame Tree Collections series are beautifully presented, perfect as a gift and offer a lifetime of reading pleasure.

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE ORANGE PRIZE FOR FICTION''Not since Zadie Smith has a young writer arrived with such power and grace'' Time''A marvel of beauty and imagination'' Ann PatchettA tiger escapes from the local zoo, padding through the ruined streets and onwards, to a ridge above the Balkan village of Galina. His nocturnal visits hold the villagers in a terrified thrall - but for one boy, the tiger is a thing of magic.Natalia is the granddaughter of that boy. Now a doctor, she is visiting orphanages in the war-torn Balkans when she receives word of her beloved grandfather''s death, far from their home, in circumstances shrouded in mystery.Compelled to unravel the truth, Natalia stumbles upon a clue that will lead her to a tattered copy of The Jungle Book, and then to the most extraordinary story her grandfather never told her - the legend of the tiger''s wife.One of the mostBRILLIANT <Trade ReviewObreht's novel is that rarity: a debut that arrives fully formed, super smart but wearing its learning lightly. Above all The Tiger's Wife bristles with confidence -- Adrian Turpin * Financial Times *The brilliant black comedy and matryoshka-style narrative are among the novel's great joys...Obreht has prodigious talent for storytelling and imagery * Guardian *Beautifully executed, haunting and lyrical, The Tiger's Wife is an ambitious novel that succeeds on all counts. It's a book you will want to read again and again * Indpendent *Obreht's landscape hovers half in and half out of fable - where villagers who daily risk being hoisted by landmines also fear malign spirits, tigers' brides and men who transform into bears... It's a part of the world that Obreht has made her imagination's own: raucous and strange and gorgeous and rather haunting. This is a pretty formidable first novel. Here be tigers -- Sam Leith * Financial Times *She is a natural born storyteller and this is a startlingly suggestive novel about the dying out of myths and superstitions and rituals that bind people to place: the retreat of the spirits * Daily Telegraph *This is a distinguished work by almost any standard, and a genuinely exciting debut... Obreht has a vibrant, rangy, full-bodied prose style, which moves expertly between realistic and mythic modes of storytelling, conjuring brilliant images on every page... a delightful work, as enchanting as it is surprising, and Obreht is a compelling new voice * Sunday Times *The Tiger's Wife has been touted as one of 2011's outstanding debuts and it deserves its reputation...Weaving together fantastical tales and folklore with realism about coming to terms with loss and grief, it is also a book about the secrets people keep. This layering of stories creates a book rich in textures. Combining a mystery narrative, a family narrative and a book about the worlds of the imagination, Téa Obreht's novel is one that allows the reader to get lost in them * Metro *The Tiger's Wife, is assured, eloquent and not easily forgotten...war is just a backdrop, religions barely identified. It is the tiger, the deathless man, and the inquisitive doctor who lead the story through its layers of modern-day reality, magical realism, and folklore...her pacing in the book is delicious - Obreht has the storyteller's gift for suspense, and holds back details until the reader can wait no more...she has lived up to the early hype * Independent on Sunday *Natalia, a young doctor, is on her way to deliver aid to a remote orphanage when she discovers her beloved grandfather is dead. As she tries to reconstruct her grandfather's last journey, she recalls his stories, which combine folklore and mystery with his exquisite humanity. Set in a Balkan country adjusting to life after the war, the book resonates with the aftershocks of conflict, old enmities, fatalism and superstition. Haunting, thoughtful and beautifully atmospheric * Psychologies *Varied, poignant and beguilingly fantastical...The Tiger's Wife is an exciting, fast-paced and mystical novel that'll have you rushing to the end * Time Out *Spellbinding... Téa Obreht's debut has the fantastical allure of a folk fable * Marie Claire *This astounding debut novel about the former Yugoslavia in wartime is so rich with themes of love, legends and mortality that every novel that comes after it this year is in peril of falling short in comparison with its uncanny beauty...Not since Zadie Smith has a young writer arrived with such power and grace * Time *Téa Obreht's stunning debut novel, The Tiger's Wife, is a hugely ambitious, audaciously written work that provides an indelible picture of life in an unnamed Balkan country still reeling from the fallout of civil war... Ms. Obreht, who was born in the former Yugoslavia and is, astonishingly, only 25, writes with remarkable authority and eloquence... Ms. Obreht has not only made a precocious debut, but she has also written a richly textured and searing novel * New York Times *Téa Obreht is an extraordinarily talented writer...brings to mind the novels of Mikhail Bulgakov...[a] truly marvellous and memorable first novel * New York Review of Books *Téa Obreht's The Tiger's Wife comes freighted with more critical anticipation than any debut novel in recent memory...That sort of unearned, pre-emptive prestige spurs both impossible expectations and skeptical readings - a burden that would doom most first novels. Yet The Tiger's Wife, in its solemn beauty and unerring execution, fully justifies the accolades that Ms. Obreht's short fiction inspired. She has a talent for subtle plotting that eludes most writers twice her age, and her descriptive powers suggest a kind of channeled genius. No novel this year has seemed more likely to disappoint; no novel has been more satisfying * Wall Street Journal *Tea Obreht's swirling first novel, The Tiger's Wife, draws us beneath the clotted tragedies in the Balkans to deliver the kind of truth that histories can't touch. Born in Belgrade in 1985 - no, that's not a typo - she captures the thirst for consecration that a century of war has left in that bloody part of the world. It's a novel of enormous ambitions that manages in its modest length to contain the conflicts between Christians and Muslims, Turks and Ottomans, science and superstition... Well-deserved praise has been accumulating ever since Obreht published a chapter in the New Yorker almost two years ago, and now that we have the whole, its graceful commingling of contemporary realism and village legend seems even more absorbing * Washington Post *Astonishingly assured...full of vivid, dreamlike sequence...Obreht's mesmerizing writing is key to the novel, which succeeds through a kind of harmonic resonance...Obreht's striking ability to explain the world through stories is matched by her patience with the parts of life - and death - that endlessly confound us * Boston Globe *Deftly walks the line between the realistic and the fantastical . . . In Obreht's expert hands, the novel's mythology, while rooted in a foreign world, comes to seem somehow familiar, like the dark fairy tales of our own youth, the kind that spooked us into reading them again and again . . . [Reveals] oddly comforting truths about death, belief in the impossible, and the art of letting go * O: The Oprah Magazine *A wonderful, really remarkable novel...fascinating, unusual, original -- Erica Wagner * on WOMAN'S HOUR, RADIO 4 *A magical, distinctive tale. -- Emma Lee-Potter * DAILY EXPRESS *As enchanting as it is surprising ... Obreht's prose style is full-bodied and vibrant, and she conjures brilliant images on every page. -- Edmund Gordon * SUNDAY TIMES *War and its legacy ricochets through Obreht's kaleidoscopic dance of myth, folk memory and interrelated stories ... dizzying and ambitious * LONDON METRO *a stunning tale with the mythic quality of a fairy story * TIMES *Mysterious and funny * SUNDAY HERALD *A distinctive, magical tale * DAILY EXPRESS *

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Book Synopsis''It will be read and re-read not as a treatise but as a story: one of the most extraordinary that has ever been written of the origins of Western self-consciousness'' Simon SchamaThe marriage of Cadmus and Harmony was the last time the gods of Olympus feasted alongside mortals. What happened in the distant ages preceding it, and in the generations that followed, form the timeless tales of ancient Greek mythology. In this masterful retelling of the myths we think we know, Roberto Calasso illuminates the deepest questions of our existence.''The kind of book one comes across only once or twice in one''s lifetime'' Joseph Brodsky''A perfect work like no other'' Gore VidalTrade ReviewSensuous, dazzlingly intelligent -- Lucy Hughes-Hallett * Sunday Times *The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony is a perfect work like no other -- Gore VidalA brilliant and profound narration -- A.S. ByattA masterpiece ... a wonderfully fashioned work of art -- John BanvilleCalasso has no equal in the sparkle of his storytelling and the depth of his learning -- Boyd Tonkin * Independent *Enlivening, enthralling, essential: a classic -- Peter Conrad * Observer *

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Book SynopsisPre-order the next captivating folkloric fantasy, Song of the Huntress, now!In a magical ancient Britain, bards sing a story of treachery, love and death. This is that story. For fans of Madeline Miller's Circe, Lucy Holland's Sistersong retells the folk ballad ‘The Twa Sisters'.'A captivating spell of myth and magic' – Jennifer Saint, author of AriadneKing Cador’s children inherit a land abandoned by the Romans, torn by warring tribes. Riva can cure others, but can’t heal her own scars. Keyne battles to be seen as the king’s son, although born a daughter. And Sinne dreams of love, longing for adventure.All three fear a life of confinement within the walls of the hold, their people’s last bastion of strength against the invading Saxons. However, change comes on the day ash falls from the sky – bringing Myrdhin, meddler and magician. The siblings discover the power that lies within them and the land. But fate also brings Tristan, a warrior whose secrets will tear them apart.Riva, Keyne and Sinne become entangled in a web of treachery and heartbreak, and must fight to forge their own paths. It’s a story that will shape the destiny of Britain.Sistersong is a powerfully moving story, perfect for readers who loved Naomi Novik’s Uprooted and Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale.Trade ReviewA beautiful reimagining of an old British folklore ballad, Sistersong weaves a captivating spell of myth and magic around the reader. Lucy Holland's lyrical prose and powerful storytelling will lure you into an eerie, intriguing world in which enemies lurk unseen, the threat of betrayal hangs heavy and sisterly loyalties are tested to their limit -- Jennifer Saint, author of AriadneSistersong is a fresh and gripping retelling of an ancient tale. Set in a realistic, gritty world, the nuanced, compelling characters are the heart of this story about family, love, loyalty and identity. I loved it -- John Gwynne, author of MaliceRooted in history but shot through with surprises, this takes ancient British myth and gives it a wonderfully fresh twist. The book combines timely themes around our lost connection with nature, the fluidity of identity and the power of claiming your own story with a haunting atmosphere and a rollicking pace. Lucy Holland is a brilliantly assured storyteller -- Molly Flatt, author of The Charmed Life of Alex MooreAstonishing! -- Ellen Kushner, author of SwordspointNo cream teas in this West Country fable: feast instead on a gory, gripping and magically mythic tale of love and hatred, loyalty and betrayal -- Daily MailBrilliantly written and full of memorable characters . . . If you like poetic reimaginings of mythology, such as Madeline Miller’s Circe and The Song of Achilles, you need to make sure to pick up Sistersong -- Grimdark MagazineA masterpiece of storytelling . . . a beautiful story of the complex and loving relationship between three sisters and how their relationship and strength influenced the lives of those around them -- TheBookBagBeautifully written and with a keen eye for historical detail, Sistersong demonstrates the power of these old familiar ballads when they are opened up to new perspectives -- TheFantasyHiveSistersong is such a fantastic read . . . complicated sisters, gorgeous creepy magic and a sublime sense of time & place -- Freya MarskeSistersong truly reads like a ballad – beautiful and mournful, a melody that sticks in your head. An absolutely stunning book -- Hannah Whitten, author of For the WolfFrom its opening pages, Sistersong transports you to a time period often overlooked, and spins a tale of family, loyalty, and the triumph of becoming the person you were always meant to be. I was utterly captivated from the beginning to the tragic, bittersweet end -- Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch's HeartSistersong is a marvellous tale, gracefully told in language as beautiful as the song that inspired it. It's a celebration of the power of sisterhood, the strength of earth magic, and the triumph, in the end, of fidelity to both. I fell in love with all three siblings, and I think you will, too! -- Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of WitchesMagical, beautiful, and heartbreaking, Sistersong keeps you turning the pages until the thrilling conclusion, both tragic and triumphant. Lucy Holland is a talent to watch -- Greer Macallister, author of Scorpia

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Book SynopsisTwo sisters parted. Two women blamed. Two stories reclaimed.'Required reading for fans of Circe . . . a remarkable, thrilling debut' - Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth AvenueFor millennia, two women have been blamed for the fall of a mighty civilisation - but now it's time to hear their side of the story . . .As princesses of Sparta, Helen and Klytemnestra have known nothing but luxury and plenty. With their high birth and unrivalled beauty, they are the envy of all of Greece.Such privilege comes at a high price, though, and their destinies are not theirs to command. While still only girls they are separated and married off to legendary foreign kings Agamemnon and Menelaos, never to meet again. Their duty is now to give birth to the heirs society demands and be the meek, submissive queens their men expect.But when the weight of their husbands' neglect, cruelty and ambition becomes too heavy to bear, they must push against the constraints of their sex to carve new lives for themselves - and in doing so make waves that will ripple throughout the next three thousand years.Perfect for readers of Circe and Ariadne, Daughters of Sparta is a vivid and illuminating retelling of the Siege of Troy that tells the story of mythology's most vilified women from their own mouths at long last.Helen of Troy and her sister Klytemnestra are reimagined in this gorgeous retelling of the classic Greek myth - not as women defined by their husbands and lovers but as battle-weary survivors of a patriarchal society who take control of their own destiny. Absolutely riveting!' - Alka Joshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Henna ArtistTrade ReviewThe story of the Trojan War has been told for close to three millennia and writers are still finding ways to refashion it . . . Seen through the eyes of Klytemnestra and her sister Helen, the war proves very different from the Homeric conflict with which we are familiar . . . [Heywood] tells her story vividly, setting it convincingly in the period. * Sunday Times *Fluent and persuasive. I admire the ambition with which Heywood tackles the subject, to which she brings freshness and verve. I enjoyed it very much -- Elizabeth BuchanDaughters of Sparta has such a compelling narrative; it is utterly absorbing from beginning to end. I found it both captivating and poignant; an enthralling and powerful tale of family politics, gender constraints, love, betrayal and revenge, with a masterful handling of feelings and emotions that truly resonates down the ages. -- Laura CarlinHelen of Troy and her sister Klytemnestra are reimagined in this gorgeous retelling of the classic Greek myth - not as women defined by their husbands and lovers but as battle-weary survivors of a patriarchal society who take control of their own destiny. Absolutely riveting! * Alka Joshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Henna Artist *'Heywood's wondrous retelling of the lives of two ancient princesses struggling for independence and agency in a patriarchal society resonates deeply in today's imperfect world. Required reading for fans of Circe, and a remarkable, thrilling debut.' * Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue *Brilliantly compelling . . . the perfect balance between historical authenticity and characters who I really connected with -- Sarah BonnerAn immersive, intimate take on a well-known tale. By focussing on the diverging fates of two sisters, Heywood reveals the private lives of these women to be just as compelling as the epic events unfolding around them. -- Amanda BlockIf you love epic books about Greek mythology and the often misunderstood or misinterpreted women within these tales, Daughters of Sparta should be right at the top of your reading list. It's a vividly written and compelling retelling that brings the Spartan princesses to life with all the human fortitude and foibles you'd expect from flesh and blood people. I'm already impatiently awaiting the reveal of the next set of female perspectives from the ancient world that Claire Heywood will be writing about in her second novel. * CultureFly *

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Book SynopsisSome three thousand years ago, in a time before history, the warriors of Greece journeyed to the ends of the earth in the greatest expedition the world had ever seen.One woman fought alongside them.Abandoned at birth on the slopes of Mount Pelion, Atalanta is determined to prove her worth to the father who cast her aside. Having taught herself to hunt and fight, and disguised as a man, she wins a place on the greatest voyage of that heroic age: with Jason and his band of Argonauts in search of the legendary Golden Fleece. And it is here, in the company of men who will go down in history as heroes, that Atalanta must battle against the odds – and the will of the gods – to take control of her destiny and change her life forever.With her unrivalled knowledge and captivating storytelling, Emily Hauser brings alive an ancient world where the gods can transform a mortal’s life on a whim, where warriors carve out names that will echo down the ages . . . and where one woman fights to determine her own fate.Trade ReviewIn For the Winner, Emily Hauser tells the compelling story of the brave, strong and clever Atalanta as she seeks to take her rightful place in her father's life. Her many adventures with Jason and his Argonauts kept me utterly absorbed. Here is a heroine to cheer for, and a book to cherish. * Margot Livesey *One of the most fascinating and innovative recent novelisations of the legendary journey of Jason and the Argonauts to capture the Golden Fleece seen from the eyes of the only heroine who, according to myth, took part: Atalanta. Although Jason and the Argonauts is one of the most famous stories of Greek mythology, the story of Atalanta has been less known or even neglected throughout the centuries. Emily Hauser's novel fills this gap with intellectual erudition, passion and paralleled imagination in order to give us, in the liveliest way possible, the story of an amazing female character and her journey from anonymity to immortality through her unbelievable heroic deeds. * Antony Makrinos, Fellow in Classics at UCL *An enchanting, dramatic novel that brings to life iconic mythic characters, including a woman whose voice had long been silenced. * Judith Starkston, author of HAND OF FIRE *For the Winner is beautifully descriptive and full of historical detail, easily drawing the reader into a lost world of gods and heroes. By taking the viewpoint of Atalanta, a lesser known character from Greek myth, Hauser gives us a refreshingly original take on Jason's famous quest for the Golden Fleece. * Glyn Iliffe, author of KING OF ITHACA *A brilliant, epic tale full of breath-taking action with a shining star at its centre, Atalanta, a female warrior of incredice force and drive. This gem of a book will leave you desperate for the next Emily Hauser novel. * Crystal King, author of FEAST OF SORROW *

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Book SynopsisFrom Snow White to Cinderella, Rapunzel to Rumpelstiltskin, the Brothers Grimm bequeathed a canon of stories which have become literary and childhood classics. The most widely read story collection after the Bible, their magical tales are stalwarts of early learning and imagination, listed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register as a vital part of our history and culture. This beautiful hardback anthology is based on the Grimm’s popular 1857 edition and features 27 of their best-loved stories in a vibrant and meticulous new translation commissioned for this publication. The tales are accompanied by exquisite vintage illustrations from the past 200 years, including masterpieces from the legendary Kay Nielsen, British artists Walter Crane and Arthur Rackham, and giants of 19th-century German illustration Gustav Süs, Heinrich Leutemann, and Viktor Paul Mohn. Additional historic and contemporary silhouettes dance across the pages like delicate black paper lace. In addition to the tales and illustrations, the book contains a foreword on the Grimms’ legacy, brief introductions to each fairy tale, and extended artists’ biographies in the appendix. For adults and children alike, this precious edition brings the eternal magic of the Grimms’ stories to the heart of every home.The following fairy tales are featured in the book:The Frog Prince, The Wolf and the Seven Little Goats, Little Brother and Little Sister, Rapunzel, Hansel and Gretel, The Fisherman and His Wife, The Brave Little Tailor, Cinderella, Mother Holle, Little Red Riding Hood, The Bremen Town Musicians, The Devil with Three Golden Hairs, The Shoemaker and the Elves, Tom Thumb’s Travels, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Rumpelstiltskin, The Three Feathers, The Golden Goose, Jorinde and Joringel, The Goose Girl, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, The Star Coins, Snow White and Red Nose, The Hare and the Hedgehog, Puss n’ Boots, The Golden KeyTrade Review“…a truly bewitching coffee-table tome.” * Modern Luxury Interiors *“The perfect addition to any nursery library, it will have readers and listeners spellbound.” * Daily Telegraph *"This gloriously illustrated collection, TASCHEN's first children's book, includes lesser-known tales like 'Little Brother and Little Sister' and 'The Devil With the Three Golden Hairs' along with the favorites... Best are the timeless illustrations, mostly European, gleaned from previously published work from the 1820s to the 1950s. The stories, if not all their characters, live happily ever after." * New York Times Book Review *

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Book SynopsisAn inter-connected romantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. MaasI never should have taken that loan but my aunt needed meds I couldn't afford. Now I've been sold to slavery and the Nightfall Queen's guards have found out I'm not entirely human.I guess I'm lucky they didn't kill me.The next thing I hear is that the Elf King himself has bought me, and I'm to be transferred to his castle. It will take me five years to pay off the debt but I get to be his personal assistant. Personal assistant to the king. That can't be so bad, right?Oh how wrong I was.His council has tasked me with finding him a wife before they will fund his war against the Nightfall Queen. That part should be easy: he's rich, disgustingly handsome, and smart to boot. The problem? He's rejecting every high-born female I send his way.The more time we spend together, the more we realize I'm not just some half elf. There is a deep power that runs through my veins, one that makes me a target or his solution?I enter into a fake marriage with him so that he can get the council off his back and I can get some protection.That's a great idea, as long as I don't fall in love with him.Should be simple enoughThe Broken Elf King is book TWO of FOUR in the Kings of Avalier series. It''s a full-length standalone fantasy romance about the Elf King Raife Lightstone.

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Book SynopsisAlso known as Journey to the West, Wu Ch''êng-ên''s Monkey is one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature, translated by Arthur Waley in Penguin Classics. Monkey depicts the adventures of Prince Tripitaka, a young Buddhist priest on a dangerous pilgrimage to India to retrieve sacred scriptures accompanied by his three unruly disciples: the greedy pig creature Pipsy, the river monster Sandy - and Monkey. Hatched from a stone egg and given the secrets of heaven and earth, the irrepressible trickster Monkey can ride on the clouds, become invisible and transform into other shapes - skills that prove very useful when the four travellers come up against the dragons, bandits, demons and evil wizards that threaten to prevent them in their quest. Wu Ch''êng-ên wrote Monkey in the mid-sixteenth century, adding his own distinctive style to an ancient Chinese legend, and in so doing created a dazzling combination of nonsense with profundity,

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Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics.For, said he, there never was nor is there one chaste woman upon the face of earth.'A collection of Persian, Arabian and Indian tales dating from the 9th century, Sir Richard Burton's most well-known translation of Arabian Nights brings together ancient folklore and stories passed down from generation to generation.Featuring tales about love, history, tragedy and comedy as well as fables and fairy tales, this edition remains a well-loved collection of exotic and evocative stories. Fantastical and curious customs are bought to life by Burton's translation in stories such as The Lovers of Bassorah', The Concubine of Al-Maamun' and The Hunchback's Tale'.

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Book SynopsisFamily history (he is half Norwegian) and a passion for the fiction of Bernard Cornwell inspired GILES KRISTIAN to write. Set in the Viking world, his bestselling 'Raven' and 'The Rise of Sigurd' trilogies have been acclaimed by his peers, reviewers and readers alike. In The Bleeding Land and Brothers' Fury, he tells the story of a family torn apart by the English Civil War. He also co-wrote Wilbur Smith's No.1 bestseller, Golden Lion. His contemporary survival thriller, Where Blood Runs Cold, won the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. With his Sunday Times bestseller Lancelot, Giles plunged into the rich waters of the Arthurian legend. His epic reimagining of our greatest island 'history' continued in Camelot and draws to a breath-taking close with Arthur. Giles Kristian lives in Leicestershire.To find out more, visit www.glieskristian.com. You can follow him on X @GilesKristian and Facebook/Giles KriTrade ReviewThis the second volume in Giles Kristian's retelling of the Arthurian legend which started with the superb Lancelot. Kristian has created a powerful, dark vision of Arthur's Britain, where magic has its limits and the worst monsters are human. -- Antonia Senior * THE TIMES *This is SUCH a good book. I loved it - the sense of time and place is so beautiful, so haunting. And the people, as ever, are bitingly real. Wrapped in the rich lore of the Arthurian saga, Giles has given us a vital, glorious story: rich, rewarding, and utterly revealing of our times - Camelot is a novel you'll savour long after the last page has been turned. -- MANDA SCOTT, author of A Treachery of SpiesWhat a wonderful book. Beautifully evocative and bone-crunchingly bloody, filled with characters I loved and hated, all conveyed in beautifully lyrical prose and edged with the sense of hope and tragedy that is essential for any retelling of the Arthurian tale. It was fabulous to go back to 5th-century Britain and dive into the fray again. -- JOHN GWYNNE, author of the Of Blood and Bone TrilogyKristian’s sequel to his acclaimed Arthurian novel Lancelot is, in some ways, even better than the first book . . . evokes post-Roman Britain in a masterly fashion, totally immersing the reader into the dank, misty, marshlands of hounded Britons and brutal Saxon invaders; of Merlin’s twisty, amoral magic and the raw, skinned-knuckle courage of the warrior trapped in the bloody crush of the shield wall. It is, in short, a triumph. Highly recommended, especially to fans of Bernard Cornwell’s seminal Warlord Chronicles. -- ANGUS DONALD, author of OutlawAdventure, intrigue and love abound in this retelling of a tale that is veiled in myth and legend . . . Kristian's writing weaves a spell on the reader as surely as Merlin at the height of his powers. Kristian has done it again. Camelot is a wonderful book. -- MATTHEW HARFFY, author of The Serpent SwordCamelot gave me one-hell of a punch. It contained some of the best writing in historical-fiction today and completely knocked me off my feet. It had the emotion and intimacy of Lancelot, just with something more. A phenomenal read. * GRIMDARK Magazine *Giles Kristian has set himself a rather monumental task. Namely, how do you follow a novel like LANCELOT - surely already a classic in the Arthurian canon and one of those books that leaves you with your head swimming and your heart thumping long after you’ve read the last word? His monumental answer is: CAMELOT . . . an immense achievement . . . together, these two novels represent something altogether more monumental. Nothing short of a new milestone in British myth-making. It deserves to be an instant classic and I’d bet my last arm-ring that it will be. -- THEODORE BRUNAfter finishing Lancelot, I had my doubts whether Camelot could have the same impact on me, whether it could captivate and enchant me in the same way. I needn’t have feared. Kristian once again works his sorcery, and weaves a superb blend of high fantasy and historical fiction, enriched by luscious prose . . . herein lies the beauty of Camelot, it is a book where the past hauntingly mirrors the present. * FANTASY HIVE *Camelot sees the storytelling brilliance of Giles Kristian reach for and attain new heights . . . this duology for me is now the go-to Arthurian tale, surpassing Bernard Cornwell’s . . . it truly is a classic. * PARMENION BOOKS *A wonderfully crafted novel . . . a good book is one that will take you through a range of emotions, from laughter to tears, and that will – when you get to the final page – leave you bereft that there is no more to read, and disappointed that you know you will not read anything so good any time soon. Camelot fills all these criteria. It surprises you at every turn. It is probably the best book I will read this year – and it’s only April! * HISTORY...THE INTERESTING BITS! *Just brilliant . . . I loved this book. From the prose, to characters, to action sequences. Everything in this book is brilliant. That is partly due to my love for anything Arthurian, but it is also due to the intricate and powerful story Giles Kristian has magically created. * BOOKNEST *

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Book SynopsisClassic hardback edition of the second volume of The Lord of the Rings, featuring Tolkien's original unused dust-jacket design. Includes special packaging and the definitive edition of the text, with fold-out map.Frodo and the Companions of the Ring have been beset by danger during their quest to prevent the Ruling Ring from falling into the hands of the Dark Lord by destroying it in the Cracks of Doom. They have lost the wizard, Gandalf, in the battle with an evil spirit in the Mines of Moria; and at the Falls of Rauros, Boromir, seduced by the power of the Ring, tried to seize it by force. While Frodo and Sam made their escape the rest of the company were attacked by Orcs.Now they continue their journey alone down the great River Anduin alone, that is, save for the mysterious creeping figure that follows wherever they go.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 is the original red and black map of the Shire as a foldout sheet.Trade Review‘An extraordinary book. It deals with a stupendous theme. It leads us through a succession of strange and astonishing episodes, some of them magnificent, in a region where everything is invented, forest, moor, river, wilderness, town and the races which inhabit them.’The Observer ‘Among the greatest works of imaginative fiction of the twentieth century.’Sunday Telegraph ‘The English-speaking world is divided into those who have read The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and those who are going to read them.’Sunday Times ‘A story magnificently told, with every kind of colour and movement and greatness.’New Statesman ‘Masterpiece? Oh yes, I’ve no doubt about that.’Evening Standard

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Book SynopsisFrom the No. 1 bestselling author of WAR LORD comes an epic retelling of the Arthurian legend, from the bestselling Last Kingdom seriesAfter rebellions and betrayals by those he believed loved him most, Arthur looks at his most weak.His Saxon enemies decide to strike before he regains his strength, plunging Britain into war. It will require all Arthur''s leadership and military cunning to win this last battle.But in this final struggle of the warlord, the intrigues of Mordred, now the adult heir to the throne of Britain, and the dark magic of the priestess Nimue could conspire to bring about Arthur''s downfall.Even his trusty blade Excaliber may not be sharp enough to save him . . .From the epic and bestselling author who has gripped millions, Bernard Cornwell concludes The Warlord Chronicles, bringing the Arthurian legend to thrilling new life._______''A powerful and dramatic ret

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Book SynopsisEnchanting tales of the gods, kings, and monsters that populated the Anglo-Saxon world. An atmospheric collection of 30 folk tales exploring stories of cosmology, monsters, conflicts and courtship from the Seven Kingdoms to Middle Earth. This is an entertaining portal into a world overflowing with mythology, magic and all manner of beguiling creatures, which has inspired everything from the Lord of the Rings to Game of Thrones. The book is divided into 3 parts: • Scop is a set of stories told by the Anglo-Saxon storyteller Scop, from the creation to the destruction of the world. It explores what remains of the gods and monsters of the Anglo-Saxon cosmology. • Wreccan is pagan stories exploring self-discovery and development through exile. Variations of these tales would have told by the Anglo-Saxons themselves, including Sigemund's rebellion and the trials of Beowulf. • Bretwalda stories revolve around Bretwalda the chief Anglo-Saxon king who ruled over the majority of the Seven Kingdoms. These stories reflect a period when both the old gods and Christianity existed simultaneously. Remarkable illustrations by Jesús Sotés breathe new life into these tales of the past.Trade Review‘It is easy, reading Stratford’s vibrant retellings, to understand where Tolkien drew his inspiration from and this fine book should find a similar, enthusiastic readership’ Observer Alexander Larman ‘Grab yourself a cuppa, open the covers and enjoy the atmospheric tales told within’ The CountrymanTable of ContentsScop – the Age of Gods Moon over Middle Earth Tue and the Binding of Helle Woden and the Wyrm Thunner, Dinne and Heofenfyr Frig and the Elven King The Burning Time of Waellende Wulf The Vessel of Death Wreccan – the Age of Heroes Of Sheaf & Shield, of Geat & Mathilde Sigemund Victory-hand Heremod, Hoarder of Rings Wada’s Dream Wade Waefre Wade in the Water Weyland Smith The Dance to the Music of Mimming Finn’s Last Stand The Stallion and the Horse The Harm of Grendel What has Ingeld to do The Death of Beowulf Bretwalda – the Age of England The Beginning of Wonders The Avenging of Arilda The Altars of Raedwald Penda’s Hoard The Rumwold Prophesy The Hind of Domne Aefe Snake-stone and Cattle-song The Urith Sacrifice Cuthbert’s Demons The Evengloom of the Gods Osgyth and the Stag The Vision of Dryhtehlm Guthlac turns Wodwo

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Book SynopsisLady Augusta Gregory’s Irish Myths and Legends, or Gods and Fighting Men as it was first titled in 1904, is an essential collection of Irish myths, legends and folk tales gathered by Gregory from Irish oral story tellers at the close of the nineteenth century. These epic tales are divided into two parts: the first charts the coming of the mythic Tuatha De Danaan to Ireland, the lives of Manannan and Lugh, and the tragedy of the Children of Lir. The second part follows the exploits and trials of Finn Mac Cumhal, the Fianna, Oisin, and the love story of Diarmuid and Grania. This is a timeless collection of Irish myths and legends - whimsical, tragic, astounding and ever familiar - borne through the centuries, and an essential part of Ireland's literary heritage.

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Book SynopsisThe inclusive LGBTQ+ fairytalecollection that has grabbed headlines across the world!Powerful princesses that slay giants,and beautiful princes that find true love.Heroes come in all shapes and sizes in these tales of old and new.Celebrating a multitude of ethnicities, genders and sexualities, this sparkling collection of 17 short stories takes new and familiar fairy tales and reimagines them in contemporary and inclusive light.The collection was originally published in Hungary,where the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters sparked political controversy. It quickly became an important symbol in the fight for equality and against discrimination in Hungary and enjoyed a vast wave of support both within and outside the country.I wish I could have read this book when I was a child. Sir Ian McKellenA Fairytale For Everyone is the winner of an English PEN Translates Award.

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Book SynopsisThe Greek Myths contains some of the most thrilling, romantic and unforgettable stories in all human history. From Achilles rampant on the fields of Troy, to the gods at sport on Mount Olympus, from Icarus flying too close to the sun, to the superhuman feats of Heracles, Theseus and the wily Odysseus, these timeless tales exert a fascination and inspiration that have endured for millennia. There are few people as steeped in the Ancient World as Robin and Kathryn Waterfield, and in their hands the heroism, humour, mystery, sensuality and brutality of the Greek Myths are brought brilliantly to life.Trade Review'A magnificent new book which explains and retells some of the most thrilling stories in human history' Lancashire Evening Post. * Lancashire Evening Post *Table of ContentsGenealogies. Introduction. HOPE FOR HUMANKIND: The Population of the Earth. THE ASCENT OF THE OLYMPIAN GODS: In the Beginning. War against the Titans. War against the Giants. Zeus and His Brothers. THE GODS OF OLYMPUS: Zeus the King. Hera. Hestia. Demeter. Aphrodite. Ares. Hephaestus. Athena. Apollo. Artemis. Hermes. Dionysus. THE AGE OF HEROES: The Flood. The Line of Deucalion. The Argonauts and the Golden Fleece. The Calydonian Boar Hunt. Io and the Danaids. Perseus and the Gorgon. Bellerophon. THEBES IN THE AGE OF HEROES: Cadmus, Europa, and the Foundation of Thebes. Oedipus. The Seven against Thebes. MYCENAE IN THE AGE OF HEROES: The Curse of the House of Atreus. Atreus and Thyestes. The End of the Atreid Curse. ATHENS IN THE AGE OF HEROES: The First Athenian Kings. The Labours of Theseus. Theseus and the Minotaur. King Theseus. HERACLES: The Birth of Heracles. The Twelve Labours of Heracles. Heracles the King-Maker. Heracles Becomes a God. THE TROJAN WAR: The Marriage of Peleus and Thetis. The Judgement of Paris. The Abduction of Helen. The Greeks Prepare for War. The Greek Landing. Achilles Withdraws. Agamemnon's Dream. Menelaus and Paris. Diomedes' Day of Glory. Hector Triumphant. Envoys and Spies. The Assault on the Ships. The Deception of Zeus. The Death of Patroclus. The Return of Achilles. The Death of Hector. Two Funerals. The Death of Achilles. The Wooden Horse. The Fall of Troy. ODYSSEUS' RETURN: Trouble on Ithaca. Telemachus' Journey. Odysseus on Scheria. The Cyclops Polyphemus. Aeolus, the Laestrygonians, and Circe. The Underworld. Dangers at Sea. The Cattle of the Sun. Odysseus Reaches Ithaca. At the Swineherd's Hut. In the Palace. Penelope Meets the Beggar. Vengeance. Reunion. THE END OF HOPE: Pandora. Select Bibliography. Index of Names and Places. Index of Subjects.

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Book SynopsisRobin and Marion are back! Second in the brand-new, action-packed series from international bestseller Robert Muchamore. 'Strikes the bullseye.' - The TimesTrade Review'This is classic Muchamore: witty characters, clever twists and high-tech gadgetry. This scores a bullseye.' - The Daily Mail'Muchamore's writing aims for thrills and laughs...[he] writes with tremendous energy and his dialogue flies as fast as Robin's arrows... A new series that strikes the bullseye.' - Children's Book of the Week, The Times 'This high-octane, rip-roaring escapist reimagining from the author of the cult CHERUB series serves up a 12-year-old Robin flush with hacking skills, quick wits and a carbon-fibre recurve bow...Intensely readable, outrageously enjoyable action.' - The Guardian 'Compulsively readable...Meticulously researched feats of action and breathtaking heists.' - TLS'His latest series, which brings Robin Hood into the 21st century, with Robin as a 12-year-old on the run, looks set to be another adrenaline-filled ride' - The I Newspaper'A dystopian take on the old myth that will be gulped down like firescorched meats.' - The New Statesman 'For action and adrenaline look no further...sure to be relished by thrillseekers of 11 and up' - The Observer 'Exhilarating and unpredictable, the first adventure in this new series is sure to leave readers desperate for the next instalment.' - BookTrust 'punchy and contemporary' - The Bookseller 'In these testing times, we could all do with a dose of escapism and wish-fulfilment, and Robert Muchamore delivers magnificently in his new adventure, particularly if you happen to be a ten-year old boy.... Muchamore knows just how to keep the pages turning and this is the first in a series that promises quiverfulls of action and entertainment.' - Books for Keeps'This is a modern day telling of the tale of the band of brothers who steal from the rich to give to the poor, and it is told brilliantly. This is the start of another great series for ages 11 upwards.' - Angels and Urchins

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Book Synopsis'Mesmeric, intoxicatingly original' Hannah Kent, bestselling author of Burial Rites'Haunting and surreal... With its sharp wit and beautiful writing, this book had me flying through the pages.' Ana Reyes, New York Times bestselling author of The House in the Pines'A towering achievement, stunningly good storytelling.' Melissa Lucashenko, Miles Franklin Award winning author of Too Much LipOn the surface, Alice is exactly where she should be in life: she's just given birth to a beautiful baby girl; her ever-charming husband - an academic whose area of study is conveniently her own Mohawk culture - is nothing but supportive; and they've moved into a home in a wealthy neighbourhood. But strange things have started happening. Alice finds herself hearing voices she can't explain and speaking with things that should not be talking back to her, all while her neighbours' passive aggression begins to morph into something far more threatening... Told in Alice's raw and darkly funny voice, and infused with Native American myth and legend, And Then She Fell is a wild, fierce novel.Trade ReviewAlice and her husband have woven a lattice pattern of silence and secrets that slowly implodes in this fierce, remarkable debut. Elliott's meticulous prose is an agile portal through the narrator's complex inner life, the tensions, and fractures that surface when the trappings of success hide the weight of intergenerational trauma, racism, sexism, and the unwieldy expectations of Motherhood. And Then She Fell saves us from devastation by the grace it shows its characters and, ultimately, by the strength of their connections. -- Eden Robinson * Eden Robinson, bestselling author of RETURN OF THE TRICKSTER *And Then She Fell is an unblinking look at the complex and often terrifying journey of new motherhood and what we're told we should want, with moving insights into connecting with our ancestors and our own identity. Alicia Elliott is a powerful storyteller, and this book is both suspenseful and heartfelt, with haunting elements that linger long after the final page is turned. -- Vanessa Lillie, bestselling author of LITTLE VOICE and BLOOD SISTERSA towering achievement, stunningly good storytelling. -- Melissa Lucashenko, Miles Franklin Award winning author of TOO MUCH LIP * Melissa Lucashenko *And Then She Fell is an incredible and indelible novel. It's full of wonder and surprise, full of life and heart. This book is a gift that breathes life into the reader. Alicia Elliott has given us a knockout - a book so good you can't put it down. -- Morgan Talty, bestselling author of NIGHT OF THE LIVING REZI could not put this book down. And Then She Fell is one of the most mesmeric, intoxicatingly original novels I have read in recent years, with a central character I will carry with me for a very long time. -- Hannah KentFamiliar and ethereal. Brutal and beautiful. And Then She Fell is the fulfilment of the promise of Alicia Elliott 's storytelling prowess. . . . A soundtrack for the gorgeous nightmare that is both motherhood and belonging in and of itself, stitched together by the depths only grief and love can hook together. The Naked Lunch meets Rosemary's Baby . . . and shot together with the golden humour and philosophy of Haudenosaunee story like an intimate lifeline, And Then She Fell is remarkable, and a world unto itself. What an accomplishment. What a gift. -- Cherie Dimaline, author of ThE MARROW THIEVES and VENCOAnd Then She Fell is a stunning, propulsive novel that complexly folds generational love and mental health into a story about relationships: the ones we have with our ancestors, our family and friends, and ourselves. Through Alice's strong and unforgettable voice, Alicia Elliott highlights the macro and micro aggressions, gaslighting, and violence that Indigenous women often face from white people, even the ones who claim to love us. I laughed, cried, and rooted for the women in these pages. For their unending love for each other in every timeline of life, and for the ways in which they continue to choose each other in spite of trauma, disorder, and colonial forces who hope they don't. I'm so happy that a novel like this exists, and I am excited to see the future of writing that this work inspires. And Then She Fell is a triumph of a debut. -- Jessica Johns, author of BAD CREEAnd Then She Fell is an unblinking look at the complex and often terrifying journey of new motherhood and what we're told we should want, with moving insights into connecting with our ancestors and our own identity. Alicia Elliott is a powerful storyteller, and this book is both suspenseful and heartfelt, with haunting elements that linger long after the final page is turned. -- Vanessa Lillie, bestselling author of LITTLE VOICES and BLOOD SISTERSHaunting and surreal, And Then She Fell had me questioning reality alongside Alice as she grappled with motherhood, being a writer, a wife, and feeling like an outsider in her own life. With its sharp wit and beautiful writing, this book had me flying through the pages. -- Ana Reyes, New York Times bestselling author of THE HOUSE IN THE PINESAnd Then She Fell is an outstanding debut novel by an eminent literary voice. Alicia Elliott's thorough and thoughtful examination of motherhood, intergenerational trauma, and modern Indigenous realities is a caring salve for Indigenous readers and an important enlightenment for others. I loved its profound exploration of the spaces we navigate as Indigenous peoples - from the rez to the city and beyond - and I greatly appreciated the depth of humanity with which Elliott was able to portray her rez characters. This novel is a triumph of Indigenous truths and experiences. -- Waubgeshig Rice, author of MOON OF THE CRUSTED SNOW and MOON OF THE TURNING LEAVESAnd Then She Fell is at once engrossing and profound, terrifying and empathetic. Like The Bell Jar, it sheds new light on the trope of the mad woman, laying bare the million blows it takes to leave a person unhinged. * The Walrus *

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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 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 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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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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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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