deeper quest

A SPECTATOR, NEW STATESMAN AND THE TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 'The best biography I have read in years' Philippe Sands 'Spectacular' Observer ' A remarkable portrait ' Guardian W. G. Sebald was one of the most extraordinary and influential writers of the twentieth century. Through books including The Emigrants, Austerlitz and The Rings of Saturn, he pursued an original literary vision that combined fiction, history, autobiography and photography and addressed some of the most profound themes of contemporary literature: the burden of the Holocaust, memory, loss and exile. The first biography to explore his life and work, Speak, Silence pursues the true Sebald through the memories of those who knew him and through the work he left behind. This quest takes Carole Angier from Sebald's birth as a second-generation German at the end of the Second World War, through his rejection of the poisoned inheritance of the Third Reich, to his emigration to England, exploring the choice of isolation and exile that drove his work. It digs deep into a creative mind on the edge, finding profound empathy and paradoxical ruthlessness, saving humour, and an elusive mix of fact and fiction in his life as well as work. The result is a unique, ferociously original portrait.

'As we come nearer to Christmas this wondrous book becomes ever more poignant and magical. Once read never forgotten' Michael Morpurgo Every winter, in the days leading up to Christmas, Benedikt walks into the snowy mountains of Iceland to rescue sheep lost in the blizzards. With his dog and his ram by his side, traversing wild snowstorms and crystalline nights, fuelled by endless cups of hot coffee, Benedikt dedicates himself to helping other living beings in need. It is midwinter in the harshest of landscapes, but this is a place of deep belonging and peace - brutal and remorseless yet irresistible and indispensable. It is also a time of peace, filled with the anticipation of that special time of year - the days before Christmas: Advent. This enchanting Icelandic classic of one man's selfless quest at Christmas time has been newly translated into English for the first time in 90 years. 'I've been preparing for winter by reading Advent... A beautiful, fable-like tale' Sarah Perry, Guardian 'Every page is a hymn to Iceland, to snow and ice and to winter. It is a true classic in every sense' Annie Worsley, author of Windswept 'A deeply comforting midwinter read' Katherine May, author of Wintering 'Gunnar Gunnarsson's novel is the Icelandic A Christmas Carol' Vanity Fair TRANSLATED BY PHILIP ROUGHTON

Explore the worlds of Dungeons & Dragons and discover your path to adventure with these illustrated, introductory guides for new adventurers. Immerse yourself in the fantastic world of Dungeons & Dragons! This collection introduces young fans to some of the exciting characters, locations, creatures, and magical elements useful for creating your own epic, adventure-filled D&D tales. Monsters & Creatures shines its torchlight on the beasts that haunt, hunt, and horrify adventurers-from deep underground caverns to wild forests, rocky mountains, and the soaring skies above. Imagine the hero you want to be with guidance from Warriors & Weapons, and equip it with the weaponry, armor, clothing, and equipment that's essential for adventuring-whether you plan to embark on your own or take up a quest with friends. Dungeons & Tombs illuminates the dark and foreboding corners of the most infamous locations in the worlds of D&D, with tips and tricks to help you survive the dungeons, deathtraps, and dangerous situations you'll encounter in those places. Explore magic in D&D with Wizards & Spells, an introduction to some of the wizards, sorcerers, and enchanted beings that you may encounter on your adventures. Learn about the magic abilities that make them special and decide if you want your own D&D character to have the power to cast spells.

Immerse yourself in Middle-earth with J.R.R. Tolkien's classic masterpieces behind the films... This special 50th anniversary edition includes three volumes of The Lord of the Rings (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King), along with an extensive new index?a must-own tome for old and new Tolkien readers alike . One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them. In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell by chance into the hands of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins. From Sauron's fastness in the Dark Tower of Mordor, his power spread far and wide. Sauron gathered all the Great Rings to him, but always he searched for the One Ring that would complete his dominion. When Bilbo reached his eleventy-first birthday he disappeared, bequeathing to his young cousin Frodo the Ruling Ring and a perilous quest: to journey across Middle-earth, deep into the shadow of the Dark Lord, and destroy the Ring by casting it into the Cracks of Doom. The Lord of the Rings tells of the great quest undertaken by Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring: Gandalf the Wizard; the hobbits Merry, Pippin, and Sam; Gimli the Dwarf; Legolas the Elf; Boromir of Gondor; and a tall, mysterious stranger called Strider. J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973), beloved throughout the world as the creator of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion, was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford, a fellow of Pembroke College, and a fellow of Merton College until his retirement in 1959. His chief interest was the linguistic aspects of the early English written tradition, but while he studied classic works of the past, he was creating a set of his own.

Return to Pixie Hollow with the companion title to Allison Saft's Wings of Starlight. Perfect for fans of Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber and The Cruel Prince by Holly Black! Centuries after the events of the TikTok sensation and #1 New York Times bestseller Wings of Starlight , comes a new lush romantasy, where two fairies must battle a dangerous magic - and their growing feelings for each other - in order to save their home in the Winter Woods. One day when Pixie Hollow frost-fairy Periwinkle travels too close to the forbidden border where Spring meets the Winter Woods, she unknowingly discovers a thread of a lost magic and, for the first time, begins to dream. While Periwinkle's dreams start sweet, they slowly morph into more disastrous visions of the Pixie Dust Tree destroyed. One night, deep in the Winter Woods, after waking from sleepwalking, Periwinkle is confronted by a sparrow man who says he knows two secrets: one that Peri has been dreaming and two that the Winter Woods is in terrible danger. Weaver claims to be a dream-talent, the last of his kind in Pixie Hollow, and with Periwinkle's help he says he can spin her dreams into dream-thread which can save the dying Pixie Dust Tree . In order to do so, the two will need to embark on a quest to find a magic spindle and scissors in the legendary lost fairy workshops of dream-talents past. Peri begins a reluctant journey with Weaver, the infuriatingly handsome stranger. Together they will face obstacles, monsters, and an unspeakable danger deep within the Winter Woods. Along the way, Peri will begin to question everything she thought she knew. But in Winter even beautiful things can hurt you, and Weaver is no exception.

The sequel to the New York Times-bestselling and National Book Award longlisted Walk on Earth a Stranger. After her harrowing journey west to California, Lee Westfall has finally found a new home-one rich in gold, thanks to her magical power, a power that seems to be changing every day. But this home is rich in other ways, too: with friends who are searching for a place to be themselves, just as she is, and with love. Jefferson-her longtime best friend-hasn't stopped trying to win her heart. And Lee is more and more tempted to say yes. But her uncle Hiram hasn't given up his quest to get Lee and her power under his control. When she's kidnapped and taken to him, Lee sees firsthand the depths of her uncle's villainy. Yet Lee's magic is growing. Gold no longer simply sings to her, it listens. It obeys her call. Is it enough to destroy her uncle once and for all? Rae Carson, acclaimed author of the Girl of Fire and Thorns series, takes us deep into the gold fields as she continues this sweeping saga of magic and history, and an unforgettable heroine who must come into her own. Like a River Glorious is the second book in the Gold Seer trilogy.

A fully illustrated, beautifully produced edition of Junichiro Tanizaki's wise and evocative essay on Japanese culture. 'We find beauty not in the thing itself but in the patterns of shadows, the light and the darkness, that one thing against another creates... Were it not for shadows, there would be no beauty.' This book is in fact a portal. Reading it, you will be led by Junichiro Tanizaki's light touch into a mysterious and tranquil world of darkness and shadows, where gold flashes in the gloom and a deep stillness reigns. If you are accustomed to equate light with clarity, the faded with the worthless and the dim with the dreary, prepare for a courteous but powerful realignment of your ideas. In Praise of Shadows is a poetic paean to traditional Japanese aesthetics - in a free-ranging style that moves from architecture to No theatre, and from cookery to lighting, Tanizaki teaches us to see the beauty in tarnished metal, the sombre dignity in unglazed pottery, the primacy of organic materials that bear witness to the regular touch of human hands. It is also astonishingly prescient, offering a gentle warning against the quest for airbrushed perfection, and reminding us that too much light can pollute and obscure our natural world. In this special edition, the text is accompanied by specially selected images to complement Tanizaki's reflections and further illustrate the pattern and beauty of shadows.

In the fourth installment of the award-winning, critically acclaimed Lightfall series, Bea, Cad, and their friends continue their quest to restore light on their dark world. Perfect for fans of Amulet and Avatar, this next book dives deeper into the magical world of Irpa, where ancient secrets and adventures abound. After surviving a shipwreck on the Fuerre Sea, Cad washes ashore on the shores of Pellidyr. There, he searches for Lorgon, the Water Spirit, but instead finds the other spirits of Irpa who question if their planet can be saved. One of them offers to help Cad and transports him to A Place Between, a strange liminal realm between the living and the dead, where Cad works to uncover the reason Lorgon summoned them to Pellidyr in the first place. Meanwhile, Bea awakens within the walls of the capital city. While Pellidyr’s leader has heard the tales of Bea’s derring-do and believes her to be a hero with all the answers, she’s never felt more uncertain about the future. What she does know is that she can’t accomplish anything without her crew. When Bea’s escape plan also brings her to A Place Between, she makes a shocking discovery that changes her understanding of everything that came before her…and what could soon follow.

T. H. White s masterful retelling of the saga of King Arthur is a fantasy classic as legendary as Excalibur and Camelot, and a poignant story of adventure, romance, and magic that has enchanted readers for generations. Once upon a time, a young boy called Wart was tutored by a magician named Merlyn in preparation for a future he couldn t possibly imagine. A future in which he would ally himself with the greatest knights, love a legendary queen and unite a country dedicated to chivalrous values. A future that would see him crowned and known for all time as Arthur, King of the Britons. During Arthur s reign, the kingdom of Camelot was founded to cast enlightenment on the Dark Ages, while the knights of the Round Table embarked on many a noble quest. But Merlyn foresaw the treachery that awaited his liege: the forbidden love between Queen Guenever and Lancelot, the wicked plots of Arthur s half-sister Morgause and the hatred she fostered in Mordred that would bring an end to the king s dreams for Britain and to the king himself. [The Once and Future King] mingles wisdom, wonderful, laugh-out-loud humor and deep sorrow while telling one of the great tales of the Western world. Guy Gavriel Kay

DIVE INTO POST-APOCALYPTIC CHAOS: Explore Capitol Hill, once a symbol of American greatness, now a war-torn battleground between Scavengers, Raiders, and Super Mutants. Experience the intense conflict in the Capital Wasteland, where diplomacy has been replaced by gunfire and survival is the ultimate goal. DISCOVER THE REGION RULESET: Dive deep into the world of Fallout 3 and engage in intense skirmish warfare as you navigate the unending conflict between the mysterious Enclave and the heroic Brotherhood of Steel. NEW ENCLAVE TROOPS AND UNSEEN ARMOR: Meet a fresh selection of Enclave Troops clad in unique, never-before-seen armor. Perfect for stealthy operations, they clash with the Brotherhood of Steel, led by the Lyons Pride, in their quest to protect the Capital. SURVIVORS, MUTANTS, AND MONSTERS: Join the survivors who call Capitol Hill home and witness epic clashes involving domesticated Deathclaws, power-armored soldiers, and more. Choose your side and shape the fate of the Capital Wasteland. STREAMLINED GAMEPLAY WITH EXCITING ADDITIONS: Enjoy an expanded gaming experience with a booklet containing rules for battlefield expansion, faction rules, and strategy guides. Unleash 135 new cards, including unit, AI, equipment, and perk cards, to enhance your tactics. Explore five new scenarios and region rules sheets spanning the Capital Wasteland. This expansion provides everything you need to play as the Enclave and Elder Lyons' Brotherhood of Steel, and it's designed for quick setup and immersive gameplay. Access to the Fallout: Wasteland Warfare Two-Player Starter Set is essential for full expansion use.

It is said that a monument now stands before the high church of Caerleon: an anvil pierced through with a sword. It is said that the sword can only be taken by the Britons' rightful king... 'This is a book you will return to over and over again' Dan Jones From Sunday Times bestseller Amy Jeffs', Arthur: A New Life mines the deep, elusive seams of a story we think we all know: the legend of King Arthur. But here he is anew: a larger-than-life warlord, a hero raised by fairies, a leader of the wild hunt, a monster-slayer, lying wounded under the ash cloud, longing to rise again. Tracing an epic story from Merlin's conception and the building of the Round Table to the abduction of Guinevere and King Arthur's ambitious quest for Empire, this Arthur is as real as any other, brought back to life from the earliest sources. Drawing out the dark and beautiful stories from the original medieval and early modern texts, Amy guides the reader from citadels through forests, into volcanoes, caves and riverbanks and beyond, even as far as Hell and the Otherworld. Going further than merely the stories, she provides incisive commentary about each tale, emphasising the legends' crafted nature and their symbiotic relationship with the political cultures of contemporary medieval Europe. Twenty-five original linocut illustrations map the inky Arthurian myth-scape, darkened by time, familiar as a dream.

**Shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize** 'Andrea Wulf belongs to the small, splendid canon of writers unafraid to render fact with feeling' Maria Popova, creator of The Marginalian and author of Figuring An inspiring biography of the remarkable naturalist, explorer and revolutionary, by the bestselling author of The Invention of Nature George Forster was a man out of time: he journeyed to the far reaches of the known world and challenged the worldviews of eighteenth-century Europe with radical ideas about equality and freedom. Celebrated during his lifetime, he knew Goethe, Benjamin Franklin, Mary Wollstonecraft and Alexander von Humboldt but has since been largely forgotten by history. The Traveller seeks to restore Forster as one of the great visionaries of his era. At the age of seventeen he joined Captain Cook's second voyage - an exploration of vast contrasts from the icy world of Antarctica to the tropical islands of the South Pacific. A brilliant mind driven by boundless curiosity, he studied the diverse nature, people and cultures he encountered and came back imbued with a deep belief in the equality of races. On his return he was feted in England, France, Germany and Poland, using his fame to advocate freedom and human rights and argue against empire, racism and slavery. He admired strong and educated women and was proud to have daughters. The book traces how - inspired by the French Revolution - he became a leader of the short-lived Republic of Mainz and was eventually forced into exile in Paris during the Reign of Terror. Following in Forster's footsteps from Europe to Tahiti, and drawing on a wealth of correspondence mostly unpublished in English, Andrea Wulf paints a portrait of a remarkable, passionate figure unbound by place, people or establishment. She vividly conveys his extraordinary quest to find what connects us rather than what sets us apart.

TWO TROUBLED HEARTS. ONE LIFE-CHANGING JOURNEY. 'Both a popcorn-ready train wreck and a warm hug when you're crying, while kicking you in the gut with the emotional beats drop' New York Times Book Review 'Big 'give me all the feelings' tale of a chance meeting on a bus route' New York Times Magazine Daisy Douglas has spent her life behind the scenes: at work, in her relationships, and now, in planning a wedding she isn't sure she even wants. As an entertainment journalist, she can spot the start of a story a mile away. So when her routine 4 a.m. bus ride to the newsroom takes a surprising turn, she notices. For months, the same man has boarded at the same stop, reading the same tattered copy of Virginia Woolf's Orlando over and over as if his life depends on it. When a broken-down bus and a shared walk through the quiet early-morning London streets finally throws them together, Tom reveals the heartbreaking truth as to why he can't be without his novel. Determined to help him find the answer to the riddle hidden in its pages, Daisy joins Tom on his strange literary quest-one that leads them to places neither of them ever expected. But as their friendship deepens, she starts to wonder if what they're both looking for might not be in the book after all. 'A gorgeous, moving love story about coming to terms with your past and deciding what you want for your future' Emily Stone, author of A Winter Wish 'A delight. I came for the literary intrigue and stayed for the sizzling chemistry' Laura Pearson, author of The Last List of Mabel Beaumont 'What a delightful and heartfelt read!' Allison Raskin, author of Save the Date

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER In the explosive sequel to the bestselling romantasy Fear the Flames, two fated lovers must unite against warring kingdoms to defend their home and crowns from those who wish to destroy them. Cayden Veles, renowned Demon Commander of Vareveth, overthrew the throne to save Elowen Atarah, the woman he searched for since childhood. Now he's determined to fulfill his quest for revenge against her father, even if it means forcing the only person he's ever wanted into a marriage of political convenience. Elowen Atarah has everything she thought she'd ever want. Finally reunited with her dragons, she now has an army to enact vengeance, but as events transpire, she begins contemplating if she wants more. As her father's only living heir, the Imirath throne is her right and destiny. But fighting and winning a war will require trusting Cayden Veles, her partner in crime and now king to her queen; the man she both longs for and doubts, especially after opening her heart only to become a pawn in his game. Navigating the shifting allegiances amongst all the kingdoms of Ravaryn will require all their strategy and strength, with devastating and bloody attacks on one side and cutthroat diplomacy for alliances on the other. But Elowen and Cayden must find a way to stand strong within the power they've gained, or risk losing everything. Delving deeper into a vast and ever-changing world, Wrath of the Dragons will take you on a journey filled with epic battles and a tender, angsty love for the ages.

¿A Goodreads Choice finalist for Readers' Favourite Science Fiction¿ 'An enjoyable, richly imagined, space-faring adventure' Guardian 'Come ... for Indiana Jones-style outer space heist adventure, stay for the sensitively drawn characters and thoughtful exploration of other forms of life far beyond our own' Veronica Roth SAVE ONE WORLD. DOOM HER OWN. Maya Hoshimoto was once the best art thief in the galaxy, returning stolen artifacts to alien civilizations. Until a disastrous job forced her into hiding. Now she just wants to enjoy a quiet life as a graduate student of anthropology, but she's haunted by persistent and disturbing visions of the future. Then an old friend comes to her with a job she can't refuse: find a powerful object that could save an alien species from extinction. Except no one has seen it in living memory, and they aren't the only ones hunting for it. Maya sets out on a breakneck quest through a universe teeming with strange life and ancient ruins. But the farther she goes, the more her visions cast a dark shadow over her team of friends new and old. Someone will betray her along the way. Worse yet, in choosing to save one species, she may condemn humanity and Earth itself. Readers love The Stardust Grail: 'With its quirky characters, impeccable world-building, and deep themes of friendship and understanding, it offers a compelling narrative that will keep you hooked from start to finish ' 'Kitasei is quickly proving to be one of my new favourite authors in the sci-fi space , and I can't wait to see what her brilliant mind cooks up next' 'Yes, I shed a tear or two because I didn't want to say goodbye to these characters ' 'It's really easy to fall in love with this book'

Game of Thrones fans will love the New York Times bestselling Abhorsen series. Sabriel, the first installment in the trilogy, launched critically acclaimed author Garth Nix onto the fantasy scene as a rising star. Dark Secrets, Deep Love, and Dangerous Magic Sent to a boarding school in Ancelstierre as a young child, Sabriel has had little experience with the random power of Free Magic or the Dead who refuse to stay dead in the Old Kingdom. But during her final semester, her father, the Abhorsen, goes missing, and Sabriel knows she must enter the Old Kingdom to find him. She soon finds companions in Mogget, a cat whose aloof manner barely conceals its malevolent spirit, and Touchstone, a young Charter Mage long imprisoned by magic, now free in body but still trapped by painful memories. As the three travel deep into the Old Kingdom, threats mount on all sides. And every step brings them closer to a battle that will pit them against the true forces of life and death-and bring Sabriel face-to-face with her own destiny. "Sabriel is a winner, a fantasy that reads like realism. Here is a world with the same solidity and four-dimensional authority as our own, created with invention, clarity and intelligence." -Philip Pullman, author of His Dark Materials trilogy She inherits his title, his sacred trust, and the seven bells of a power she barely understands—a power that might be the only thing standing between the living and the dead. Classic YA Epic Fantasy: Discover a richly detailed world where the line between life and death is dangerously thin, perfect for fans of foundational high fantasy. A Unique Magic System: Sabriel must master the seven bells of the Abhorsen, instruments of a dangerous magic meant not to raise the Dead, but to send them back to their final rest. A Coming-of-Age Quest: Forced from her sheltered life at boarding school, a young woman must embrace a perilous destiny to save her father—and the Old Kingdom itself. Unforgettable Companions: Joined by Mogget, a powerful and ancient being trapped in the form of a cat, and the mysterious mage Touchstone, Sabriel won't have to face the darkness alone.

NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORKER LONGLISTED FOR THE CENTER FOR FICTION FIRST NOVEL PRIZE AND THE VCU CABELL FIRST NOVELIST AWARD “If you read one debut novel in 2022, this should be it.” —Los Angeles Times In the bustling streets and cloistered homes of Lagos, a cast of vivid characters—some haunted, some defiant—navigate danger, demons, and love in a quest to lead true lives. As in Nigeria, vagabonds are those whose existence is literally outlawed: the queer, the poor, the displaced, the footloose and rogue spirits. They are those who inhabit transient spaces, who make their paths and move invisibly, who embrace apparitions, old vengeances and alternative realities. Eloghosa Osunde's brave, fiercely inventive novel traces a wild array of characters for whom life itself is a form of resistance: a driver for a debauched politician with the power to command life and death; a legendary fashion designer who gives birth to a grown daughter; a lesbian couple whose tender relationship sheds unexpected light on their experience with underground sex work; a wife and mother who attends a secret spiritual gathering that shifts her world. As their lives intertwine—in bustling markets and underground clubs, churches and hotel rooms—vagabonds are seized and challenged by spirits who command the city's dark energy. Whether running from danger, meeting with secret lovers, finding their identities, or vanquishing their shadowselves, Osunde's characters confront and support one another, before converging for the once-in-a-lifetime gathering that gives the book its unexpectedly joyous conclusion. Blending unvarnished realism with myth and fantasy, Vagabonds! is a vital work of imagination that takes us deep inside the hearts, minds, and bodies of a people in duress—and in triumph.

AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER! She doesn't remember her past. But some memories come with a cost. Eira Eckhart has spent years building a quiet life in a small town at the edge of a recently overthrown kingdom. Her memory is fractured, her past a blur-but with her shop, her loyal rabbit familiar, and practicing only the potions magic still legal under the watchful eye of the Iron Empire, she's managed to remain unnoticed by the empire's witch hunters. Until Hugo Venton walks through her door. Brash, clever, and infuriatingly handsome, Hugo is searching for something…and seems to know more about Eira than she knows about herself. But when a terrifying encounter with an unnatural, deadly new breed of soldier puts a price on her head, she has no choice but to join Hugo on his quest. Their hunt for a missing princess pulls Eira across the continent-and deeper into a past she can't recall. As buried memories, mysteries in the Iron Empire's capital, forgotten feelings, and the truth behind her identity begin to surface, Eira realizes the forbidden magic simmering in her veins might be the very thing that could save them from the Iron Empire's forces as they draw ever closer…if she can remember how to control it in time. FOR FANS OF: Yearning The guard that falls in love with their assignment Enemies to friends to lovers Forbidden magic Memory loss plotlines Spark of the Everflame and A Fate Inked in Blood Plus sized main characters (whose weight is the least important thing about them) Powerful women in romantasy

"Action-packed …. Rice's writing is solid and the premise intriguing." --Publishers Weekly (re A Quest of Heroes) "I await each release by this author eagerly and have never been disappointed!" --Book Reviewer (Wish) From #1 bestseller and USA Today bestseller Morgan Rice, whose books have over 10,000 five-star ratings, comes the third book in a spectacular new fantasy series, DEATHBORN, ideal for fans of Rebecca Yarros, Callie Hart, and Carissa Broadbent. The series begins with VEILED (BOOK 1 OF THE DEATHBORN SERIES). As Elara Gray begins her third year at Greyveil Academy, a global delegation arrives to confront the growing threat lurking beyond the veil. Mysterious magical disturbances and a cryptic Deathborn elder's arrival pull Elara deeper into a web of secrets, while her uneasy alliance with Luminary Orion sparks forbidden feelings. When a shocking crime casts suspicion on Elara, she and her allies race to uncover a dangerous conspiracy threatening the academy's core. With Darian hiding a perilous secret and enemies closing in, Elara must harness her necromantic powers to protect those she loves. Can Elara clear her name before the veil unravels? Seductive romance meets supernatural intrigue in a high-stakes world where mortality's boundaries fade and forbidden power awaits those willing to pay its terrible price. As enemies become reluctant lovers amidst ancient magic and deadly political games, morally complex characters must navigate their darkest desires and dangerous alliances—challenging readers to question how much they would sacrifice for power that transcends the veil between life and death. Future books in the series are available! "Loved it. Kept me on my toes like the whole time. It made me want to keep reading even when I was supposed to be sleeping." --Book Reviewer (Wish) "The beginnings of something remarkable are there." --San Francisco Book Review (re A Quest of Heroes) "Has all the ingredients for an instant success: plots, counterplots, mystery, valiant knights, and blossoming relationships replete with broken hearts, deception and betrayal. It will keep you entertained for hours, and will satisfy all ages. Recommended for the permanent library of all fantasy readers." --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re The Sorcerer's Ring)

A marvel' CHLOE GONG 'Dazzling' STEPHANIE GARBER 'Magic leaps from every page' AXIE OH 'A master storyteller' KERRI MANISCALCO Sisterhood bonds and courage are tested in the new magical standalone story from the New York Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes and The Dragon's Promise. Channi was not born a monster. But then her own father offers her in sacrifice to the Demon Witch, and she is forever changed. Cursed with a serpent's face, Channi is the exact opposite of her beautiful sister, Vanna -the only person she loves and trusts. But when a vulgar competition is set up to marry Vanna off to the highest bidder, only Channi will defend her sister from the cruellest of her suitors. In doing so, she becomes the target of his wrath. To save her Vanna, Channi will face a battle royale, a quest over land and sea, a romance between sworn enemies, and a choice that will strain her heart to its breaking point. Elizabeth Lim is at the absolute top of her game in this thrilling yet heart-wrenching tale of courage, loyalty and the deep bonds of sisterhood. READERS LOVE ELIZABETH LIM 'I will read quite literally ANYTHING Elizabeth Lim writes but I think this has to be my favourite ' ' I haven't enjoyed a fantasy book like this since I read Fourth Wing. Wow ' 'This book was truly wonderful ! I loved everything about it and I'm not sure I have words in me to do it justice' 'This was pure perfection , just like the Six Crimson Cranes duology. So if you loved that, you'll surely love this too' 'The emotional impact of it is both beautiful and brutal in a way that is sure to stay with you for quite some time

NATIONAL BESTSELLER After Revenge of the Sith, a newly forged Darth Vader hunts for the secrets of life and death under the watchful eye of Emperor Palpatine. In the wake of Emperor Palpatine’s rise to power, the true nature of his most sinister enforcer remains a mystery. Darth Vader is a dominant yet illusive figure: the shadow cast by a malignant Imperial regime, unknowable to even its top officials. But even as his humanity gives way to myth, Vader remains haunted by the promises of the dark side, seeking the ultimate power that his master has hinted at but withheld—the power to conquer death itself. On the volcanic world of Mustafar, Vader undertakes a dark ritual, bleeding a kyber crystal to forge his lightsaber. This act unleashes a power far greater than he anticipated, giving him a glimpse into the limitless potential of the Force. Vader is determined to follow this vision, even if it means defying his master’s orders. Yet he finds the Emperor suspiciously supportive of his mission, even sending Vader to the Diso system to investigate rumors of a Force-wielding shaman able to raise the dead. At his side are a cadre of the Emperor’s scarlet-robed Royal Guard, led by Colonel Halland Goth—a decorated soldier with a very personal interest in Vader’s mission. Even as the Emperor’s true motivations reveal themselves, Vader falls deeper into obsession. His journey takes him far across the galaxy, chasing rumors and phantoms. But no matter how far he travels, he cannot escape the shadows within his own soul. Haunted by the echoes of his past, Vader circles the true resolution to his quest: only once all weakness is purged can he become a master of evil.

A dazzling work of personal travelogue and cultural criticism that ranges from the primitive to the postmodern in a quest for the promise and meaning of the psychedelic experience. While psychedelics of all sorts are demonized in America today, the visionary compounds found in plants are the spiritual sacraments of tribal cultures around the world. From the iboga of the Bwiti in Gabon, to the Mazatecs of Mexico, these plants are sacred because they awaken the mind to other levels of awareness--to a holographic vision of the universe. Breaking Open the Head is a passionate, multilayered, and sometimes rashly personal inquiry into this deep division. On one level, Daniel Pinchbeck tells the story of the encounters between the modern consciousness of the West and these sacramental substances, including such thinkers as Allen Ginsberg, Antonin Artaud, Walter Benjamin, and Terence McKenna, and a new underground of present-day ethnobotanists, chemists, psychonauts, and philosophers. It is also a scrupulous recording of the author's wide-ranging investigation with these outlaw compounds, including a thirty-hour tribal initiation in West Africa; an all-night encounter with the master shamans of the South American rain forest; and a report from a psychedelic utopia in the Black Rock Desert that is the Burning Man Festival. Breaking Open the Head is brave participatory journalism at its best, a vivid account of psychic and intellectual experiences that opened doors in the wall of Western rationalism and completed Daniel Pinchbeck's personal transformation from a jaded Manhattan journalist to shamanic initiate and grateful citizen of the cosmos.

Thoroughly revised and expanded for a new generation of readers, this classic guide to enjoying literature to its fullest-a lively, enlightening, and entertaining introduction to the tools of literary analysis, covering a diverse range of writing and literary devices, including symbols, themes, and contexts-teaches you how to improve your reading comprehension and make your everyday reading experience richer and more rewarding. While books can be enjoyed for their basic stories, there are often deeper literary meanings beneath the surface. How to Read Literature Like a Professor [Third Edition] helps us to discover those hidden truths by looking at literature with the practiced analytical eye-and the literary codes-of a college professor. What does it mean when a protagonist is traveling along a dusty road? When he hands a drink to his companion? When he's drenched in a sudden rain shower? As a master class in literary criticism for beginners, Thomas C. Foster provides answers to these questions as he explores every aspect of fiction, from major themes to literary models, narrative devices, and form. Offering a broad overview of literature-a world where a road leads to a quest, a shared meal may signify a communion, and rain, whether cleansing or destructive, is never just a shower-he shows us how to make our reading experience more intellectually satisfying and fun. The world, and curricula, have changed. This third edition has been thoroughly revised to reflect those changes, and features new chapters, a new preface and epilogue, as well as fresh teaching points Foster has developed over the past decade. Foster updates the books he discusses to include more diverse, inclusive, and modern works, such as Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give; Emily St. John Mandel's Station Eleven; Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere; Elizabeth Acevedo's The Poet X; Helen Oyeyemi's Mr. Fox and Boy, Snow, Bird; Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street; Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God; Maggie O'Farrell's Hamnet; Madeline Miller's Circe; Pat Barker's The Silence of the Girls; and Tahereh Mafi's A Very Large Expanse of Sea. In this bestselling guide, you'll learn to decode the hidden language of literature: How to Analyze a Book: Master the "grammar of literature" and learn to spot the symbols, themes, and patterns-from quests and shared meals to rain and vampires-that enrich any story. Literary Devices Explained: Understand the codes professors use to explore everything from narrative form to character archetypes, making your reading more intellectually satisfying and fun. Advanced Placement English Resource: Discover why this accessible guide has become a go-to resource and favorite summer reading for AP English students and teachers across the country. Modern and Diverse Examples: Explore insights from classic works alongside contemporary titles like The Hate U Give, Station Eleven, Neverwhere, and Circe.

What do you get if you cross The Little Mermaid with Jennifer's Body ? A hungry, violent, sexy yet grotesque girl called Jenny... And she will eat you now. Jenny Greenteeth has watched civilizations fall and wars break out during her lifetime. Preferring to keep her own company, she has been living in Boston for the last few hundred years - currently, in an abandoned subway station. Here, she has access to the waterways, an interconnected subterranean system that allows her to travel around the globe. With a conviction that she is far superior to humans - who are petty, dangerous, and fragile - she has no qualms about satisfying her hunger with their flesh. That is, until she comes face to face with a human man who, for the first time, she doesn't want to eat (but also...she kind of does). Confused by these conflicting feelings, Jenny is intrigued. So, when two other cryptids take up residence in her station - a satyr and a selkie - she (begrudgingly) asks them to help her find this mystery man in exchange for safe passage through her waterways. Together, they embark on a quest to track him down. On the way, Jenny experiences the modern world - discovering catcalling, pigeons, protests, fashion, friendship, and...Dunkin Donuts. On her journey to find the man that she couldn't eat at first sight, Jenny goes on an unexpected deep dive into what it means to be human and to fall in love. Sometimes you just want to eat the one you love...right?

A humorous and rousing set of literal and figurative sojourns as well as a mission statement about comprehending, protecting, and truly experiencing the outdoors, fueled by three journeys undertaken by actor, humorist, and New York Times bestselling author Nick Offerman Nick Offerman has always felt a particular affection for the Land of the Free not just for the people and their purported ideals but to the actual land itself: the bedrock, the topsoil, and everything in between that generates the health of your local watershed. In his new book, Nick takes a humorous, inspiring, and elucidating trip to America's trails, farms, and frontier to examine the people who inhabit the land, what that has meant to them and us, and to the land itself, both historically and currently. In 2018, Wendell Berry posed a question to Nick, a query that planted the seed of this book, sending Nick on two memorable journeys with pals a hiking trip to Glacier National Park with his friends Jeff Tweedy and George Saunders, as well as an extended visit to his friend James Rebanks, the author of The Shepherd's Life and English Pastoral. He followed that up with an excursion that could only have come about in 2020 Nick and his wife, Megan Mullally, bought an Airstream trailer to drive across (several of) the United States. These three quests inspired some deep-ish" thinking from Nick, about the history and philosophy of our relationship with nature in our national parks, in our farming, and in our backyards; what we mean when we talk about conservation; and the importance of outdoor recreation, all subjects very close to Nick's heart. With witty, heartwarming stories and a keen insight into the human problems we all confront, this is both a ramble through and celebration of the land we all love.

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE CAPITAL WASTELAND: Explore the post-apocalyptic ruins of Capitol Hill with Fallout: Wasteland Warfare's latest expansion. Dive deep into the Fallout 3 universe, experiencing the never-ending conflict between the enigmatic Enclave and heroic Brotherhood of Steel amidst a chaotic wasteland. AMAZING ARMOR: Encounter a diverse selection of never-before-seen Enclave Troops bedecked in unique armor, ready to reclaim the Wastes from mutants, raiders, and monsters. Engage in epic battles as the Brotherhood of Steel, led by the Lyons Pride, fights to protect the Capital from their enigmatic foes. EXPAND YOUR BATTLEFIELD OPTIONS: This expansion comes with a booklet containing rules to expand your battlefield strategies. With 259 new cards, including unit, weapon, item, perk, explore, event, danger, stranger, creature, quest, and leader cards, enhance your gameplay and create new tactics to secure victory. NEW SCENARIOS AND FACTION RULES: Experience five new scenarios that challenge your skills and strategies. Master the unique abilities of two new sub-factions, The Slog and The Forged, and navigate the wasteland with unit rules for Ghouls. Delve into faction-specific rules and strategy guides to outmaneuver your opponents. STREAMLINED GAMEPLAY WITH VAULT-TEC APPROVED LISTS: Enjoy quick and seamless gameplay with Vault-Tec approved lists and regional rules cards, designed for swift setup and immersive gameplay. Simplify your gaming experience and engage in more thrilling battles, deciding the final fate of the Capital Wasteland. Access to the Fallout: Wasteland Warfare Two-Player Starter Set is necessary for full expansion use, making it a must-have addition for enthusiasts.

Gardens have always been places of leisure, pleasure, and production. They reflect identities, dreams, and visions. They also have deep cultural histories and immense symbolic potential. The recent revival however has focused less on the garden as a site of romantic refuge and more on the garden as a place to imagine the future otherwise urban farms, vertical gardens, and other innovative urban planning projects demonstrate that this present return is no timid retreat but a pioneering quest for a world in which ecological justice counts for something.»Garden Futures« examines what gardens and their design reveal about our relationship to nature. In exploring the history of ideas behind the modern garden, this book takes a close look at the present, searches into the past, and builds bridges with the future. It includes stunning photographs of groundbreaking gardens by artist Derek Jarman and garden designer Piet Oudolf, while critical essays by well-known authors question the ideals of the conventional garden - from seemingly perfect, water-wasting lawns to ubiquitous plants and their colonial roots. Historical photo-essays consider the garden as a political space, and gardeners Gilles Clément and Jamaica Kincaid present the garden as a place of learning where abstract concepts like ecology, climate change, and food insecurity are translated into things you can smell, touch, and taste. »Garden Futures« also features experimental approaches taken by gardeners and landscape architects such as New York-based Julia Watson and Malaysian collective Kebun-Kebun Bangsar. In the age of the Anthropocene, it is hoped that this book is part of recognizing the entire planet as a garden that we need to tend to and use responsibly.With texts by Jamaica Kincaid, Gilles Clément, Liz Christy, and others interviews with Julia Watson, Bas Smets, Céline Baumann and Ng Sek San.

In An Oath of Brothers, Thorgrin and his brothers emerge from the land of the dead, more driven than ever to find Guwayne, and set sail across a hostile sea, leading them to places beyond their wildest dreams. As they come ever-closer to finding Guwayne, they also encounter obstacles unlike ever before, obstacles which will test them to their very limits, which will call on all their training and force them to stand together as one, as brothers. Darius stands up to the Empire, boldly waging a guerilla war, amassing an army, as one freed slave village after the next rallies to his cause. Facing off against fortified cities, against an army a thousand times his size, he summons all of his instincts and courage, determined to survive, determined to win, to strive for freedom at any cost, even at the cost of his life. Gwendolyn, with no other choice, leads her people into the Great Waste, deeper into the Empire than anyone has ever journeyed, on a quest to find the legendary Second Ring--the last hope for the survival of her people, and the last hope for Darius. Yet along the way she will encounter horrific monsters, worse landscapes, and an insurrection from amidst her own people that even she may not be able to stop. Erec and Alistair sail for the Empire to save their people, and along the way stop at hidden islands, determined to raise an army--even if it means dealing with mercenaries of questionable repute. Godfrey finds himself deep inside the city of Volusia and deep in trouble as his plan goes from bad to worse. Imprisoned, set to be executed, finally, even he can see no way out. Volusia forges a pact with the darkest of sorcerers, and driven to even greater heights, she continues her ascent, conquering all who stand in her way. More powerful than ever, she will take her war all the way to the steps of the Empire Capital--until she is up against the entire Empire army, an army that dwarfs even her own, setting the stage for an epic battle. Will Thorgrin find Guwayne? Will Gwendolyn and her people survive? Will Godfrey escape? Will Erec and Alistair reach the Empire? Will Volusia become the next Empress? Will Darius lead his people to victory? With its sophisticated world-building and characterization, An Oath of Brothers is an epic tale of friends and lovers, of rivals and suitors, of knights and dragons, of intrigues and political machinations, of coming of age, of broken hearts, of deception, ambition and betrayal. It is a tale of honor and courage, of fate and destiny, of sorcery. It is a fantasy that brings us into a world we will never forget, and which will appeal to all ages and genders.

This audiobook is read by Alicia Keys, with special guest appearances by family and friends, including Oprah Winfrey, Jay-Z, and Michelle Obama.In her intimate memoir, More Myself, Alicia Keys shares her quest for truth: about herself, her past, and her shift from sacrificing her spirit to celebrating her worth.One of the most celebrated musicians of our time, Alicia Keys has enraptured the nation with her heartfelt lyrics, extraordinary vocal range, and soul-stirring piano compositions. Yet away from the spotlight, Alicia has grappled with private heartache over the challenging and complex relationship with her father, the people-pleasing nature that characterized her early career, the loss of privacy surrounding her romantic relationships, and the oppressive expectations of female perfection.Since her rise to fame, Alicia's public persona has belied a deep personal truth: she has spent years not fully recognizing or honoring her own worth. After withholding parts of herself for so long, she is at last exploring the questions that live at the heart of her story: Who am I, really? And once I discover that truth, how can I become brave enough to embrace it?More Myself is part autobiography, part narrative documentary. Alicia's journey is revealed not only through her own candid recounting, but also through vivid recollections from those who have walked alongside her. The result is a 360-degree perspective on Alicia's path: from her girlhood in Hell's Kitchen and Harlem, to the process of self-discovery she's still navigating.With the raw honesty that epitomizes Alicia's artistry, More Myself is at once a riveting account and a clarion call to readers: to define themselves in a world that rarely encourages a true and unique identity.Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award 2020.

Bloomsbury presents Born to Be Wild, written and read by Andrew Westoll.An investigation into how zoos fail to protect the animals they work to save.Few places on Earth force us to reckon with the power we wield over the natural world quite like the modern zoo. Yet, for all our handwringing over the Anthropocene, and at a time of unprecedented concern for animals, the zoo has mostly avoided serious inquiry—until now.In Born to Be Wild, former zoologist and bestselling journalist Andrew Westoll takes readers behind the scenes at some of the most iconic zoological parks, introducing a cast of extraordinary animals and journeying deep into the wild, on a quest to unearth a new understanding of the modern zoo. The result is an expedition to the heart of our troubled relationship with the animal kingdom, a timely consideration of the many paradoxes posed by the Sixth Extinction, and a moving meditation on what it means to be a parent whose child is in love with a vanishing wild.Born to Be Wild powerfully illustrates how zoos struggle every day to balance our love for the wild with our need to control it. Exploring familiar stories such as the shooting of Harambe the gorilla in Cincinnati to the Supreme court case of Happy the elephant, Westoll highlights how zoos are failing the animals they are meant to protect while investigating what could be done differently. An essential read for animal lovers questioning their responsibility in wildlife interactions.