Best of
Fantasy

2003

Harry Potter Boxed Set, Books 1-5 (Harry Potter, #1-5)


J.K. Rowling - 2003
    Box Set containing Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber Of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire, and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix!

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Sheet Music for Flute with CD


John Williams - 2003
    Alfred produces educational, reference, pop, and performance materials for teachers, students, professionals, and hobbyists spanning every musical instrument, style, and difficulty level. Alfred’s home office is located in Los Angeles with domestic offices in Miami and New York as well as offices around the world, including Australia, Germany, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. In addition to its own titles, Alfred distributes products from over 50 companies, including Belwin, Daisy Rock Girl Guitars, Dover Publications, DW Drums, Faber Music, Highland/Etling, Kalmus, National Guitar Workshop, Penguin, TASCAM, Ultimate Support, and WEA. All editions are compatible and can be played separately or together. The included CD contains a demonstration of each song followed by a play-along track. Titles are: The Chamber of Secrets * Dobby the House Elf * Family Portrait * Fawkes the Phoenix * Gilderoy Lockhart * Harry’s Wondrous World * Hedwig s Theme * Moaning Myrtle * Nimbus 2000.Contributors: Music by John WilliamsGenre: MovieInstrument: FluteFormat: Book & CDCategory: Instrumental Series

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5, Part 1)


J.K. Rowling - 2003
    The Headmaster thinks it inadvisable for this to continue. He wishes me to teach you how to close your mind to the Dark Lord.'Dark times have come to Hogwarts. After the Dementors' attack on his cousin Dudley, Harry Potter knows that Voldemort will stop at nothing to find him. There are many who deny the Dark Lord's return, but Harry is not alone: a secret order gathers at Grimmauld Place to fight against the Dark forces. Harry must allow Professor Snape to teach him how to protect himself from Voldemort's savage assaults on his mind. But they are growing stronger by the day and Harry is running out of time ...

The Rough Guide to the Lord of the Rings: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Middle-Earth


Paul SimpsonAngie Errigo - 2003
    Tolkien. It serves as an introduction to those who have seen the films but fear the books are for anoraks and is of sufficient depth for devoted Tolkienites. It tracks the evolution of the Lord of the Rings phenomenon from Ronald Tolkien's upbringing and contemporaries such as C.S. Lewis to the revival of fantasy fiction, the obsessive fans and the trilogy's influence on figures from George Lucas to J.K. Rowling. There is also an in-depth look at the characters, a guide to Middle Earth and a rundown of the best film locations to visit, including practical details of how to get there and where best to stay.

The Sandman: King of Dreams


Alisa Kwitney - 2003
    Author Alisa Kwitney explores its beginnings and chronicles the comic's emergence as a unique and undeniable force in the literary world. Richly illustrated, this history shows how Gaiman and The Sandman's gifted artists, such as Dave McKean and Yoshitaka Amano, create a haunting (and haunted) main character who wields immense power. With illustrations never before published, behind-the-scenes stories, handwritten notes, and interviews with Gaiman himself, this volume is a true testament to the dream king and his creator.

The Lord of the Rings: Weapons and Warfare


Chris Smith - 2003
    From the graceful and proficient Elves to the horrendous war machines of the Dark Lord, each culture's approach to warfare is explained - how they fought, why they were fighting, what armor they wore and what weapons they used against their enemies. Now you can get as close to a marauding Orc as you could ever wish, without suffering the consequences!Treating the filmmakers' notes, designs and props as a true archive, Weapons and Warfare describes in detail every major conflict depicted in the film trilogy - from The Last Alliance of Elves and Men to the climactic Battle of the Pelennor Fields - each accompanied by a battle diagram from the films' chief designers.Armed with a wealth of fascinating facts and unique imagery, and with an exclusive foreword by Christopher Lee and an introduction by the Academy Award winner Richard Taylor, Weapons and Warfare promises to be the most striking companion to The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy published to date.

The Immortals


Tamora Pierce - 2003
    The Immortals: Wild Magic; Wolf Speaker; Emperor Mage; the Realms of the Gods

The Abhorsen Trilogy Box Set


Garth Nix - 2003
    To preserve life, the Abhorsen must enter Death

Fullmetal Alchemist: The Land of Sand


Makoto Inoue - 2003
    When they arrive, they discover two brothers, Russell and Fletcher Tringham are using the Elric brothers' names to continue their father's research in the alchemic lab run by town leader Mugear. While Edward and Russell argue and fight over the name, the two younger brothers talk.

The Black Jewels Trilogy: Daughter of the Blood, Heir to the Shadows, Queen of the Darkness


Anne Bishop - 2003
    But she is still young, still open to influence--and corruption.Whoever controls the Queen controls the darkness. Three men--sworn enemies--know this. And they know the power that hides behind the blue eyes of an innocent young girl. And so begins a ruthless game of politics and intrigue, magic and betrayal, where the weapons are hate and love--and the prize could be terrible beyond imagining...--back cover

Into the Wild


Erin Hunter - 2003
    But the ThunderClan cats are in grave danger, and the sinister ShadowClan grows stronger every day. Noble warriors are dying-- and some deaths are more mysterious than others. In the midst of this turmoil appears an ordinary house cat named Rusty . . . who may turn out to be the bravest warrior of them all.

Air & Earth


Tamora Pierce - 2003
    Briar is a former "street rat" who is learning plant magic. Together with their fellow mages in training, Sandry and Tris must help two communities whose people are in dire peril. In books three and four, the spellbinding conclusion to the riveting Circle of Magic quartet, acclaimed fantasy writer Tamora Pierce enchants her readers with a heart-pounding mixture of magic and mystery as four outcasts must bind together their magical powers to try and save themselves and what they love most.

Stephen King's The Dark Tower: The Complete Concordance


Robin Furth - 2003
    Begun more than thirty years ago, seven books and more than three thousand pages make up this bestselling, epic fantasy series. Previously published in two separate volumes, The Complete Concordance is the definitive encyclopedic reference book that provides readers with everything they need to navigate their way through the series. With hundreds of characters, Mid-World geography, High Speech lexicon, and extensive cross-references, this comprehensive handbook is essential for any Dark Tower fan.Characters and Genealogies-Magical Objects and Forces-Mid-World and Our World Places-Portals and Magical Places-Mid-, End-, and Our World Maps-Timeline for the Dark Tower Series-Mid-World Dialects-Mid-World Rhymes, Songs, and Prayers-Political and Cultural References-References to Stephen King's Other Work

On Dragonwings: Dragonsdawn / Dragonseye / Moreta


Anne McCaffrey - 2003
    Suddenly deadly spores are falling like silver threads from the sky, destroying everyone and everything they touch. Pern is in mortal danger. The only thing that can stop the Thread is the fire from Pern’s flying dragons. Now, the colonists must join forces with the dragons to burn the Thread before the parasite devours any and all organic life–and turns lush Pern into a barren wasteland.On Dragonwings traces the story of the early generations on Pern. From the colonists who first created the fire-breathing dragons for protection, through the rise of the dragonriders, these three novels set readers on a daring quest to protect a beautiful and extraordinary planet.

Artemis Fowl Boxed Set, Bks 1-5 (Artemis Fowl, #1-5)


Eoin Colfer - 2003
    Complete 5-Book Boxed Set includes Artemis Fowl, The Arctic Incident, The Eternity Code, The Opal Deception, and The Lost Colony.

Trickster's Choice


Tamora Pierce - 2003
    Young Aly follows in the quieter footsteps of her father, however, delighting in the art of spying. When she is captured and sold as a slave to an exiled royal family in the faraway Copper Islands, it is this skill that makes a difference in a world filled with political intrigue, murderous conspiracy, and warring gods. This is the first of two books featuring Alianne.

The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara Trilogy


Terry Brooks - 2003
    Now, for the first time in one marvelous collector’s edition hardcover, here’s the complete trilogy of the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara: Ilse Witch, Antrax, and Morgawr. In these enchanting novels, a colorful contingent of characters takes to the skies aboard a magnificent airship–the Jerle Shannara–on a quest fraught with wonder and danger. Ilse WitchA half-drowned elf carries a map covered with cryptic symbols–and Walker Boh, the last of the Druids, has the skill to decipher them. But someone else understands the map’s significance: the ruthless Ilse Witch, who will stop at nothing to possess it–and the powerful magic it leads to.AntraxWhile in search of the elusive magic, Walker Boh is lured into a trap–caught in a dark maze beneath a ruined city, stalked by a hungry, unseen enemy. It is Antrax: a spirit that feeds off enchantment and traps the souls of men. Now the fate of the Four Lands hangs in the balance.Morgawr The intrepid heroes aboard the Jerle Shannara have reached their breaking point. A centuries-old sorcerer, the Morgawr, vows to find and control the fabled ancient books of magic–and he is an adversary of awesome might with a fleet of airships and a crew of walking dead men at his command. In The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, Terry Brooks weaves together high adventure, vividly wrought characters, and a spellbinding world into an irresistible story of heroism and sacrifice, love and honor.

Deltora Quest 3: Dragons of Deltora


Emily Rodda - 2003
    As the starving people weaken, Lief, Barda and Jasmine discover a terrible secret, that the Shadow Lord has left behind the seeds of death itself, destined to ruin Deltora. They are called the four sisters, one in each corner of the land, and the three set out to destroy the vile creations.The stunning conclusion series to the Deltora Quest story.

The Twig Trilogy (Edge Chronicles #4-6): Includes Beyond the Deepwoods, Stormchaser & Midnight Over Sanctaphrax


Paul Stewart - 2003
    Initially, Twig’s dreams of exploration seem fulfilled. But a much higher destiny awaits him.In Midnight Over Sanctaphrax, the third title in the trilogy, Twig, now a sky pirate captain, is the only one who can save the Edgelands from disaster. But the task is daunting: his crew lost and his memory shattered. Can he make the journey back into the Deepwoods to recover his memory and take action?

The Word and the Void


Terry Brooks - 2003
    This Terry Brooks omnibus brings together three novels which together make up a trilogy of tales of demons and dark destiny.

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents: The Play


Stephen Briggs - 2003
    Maurice, an amazing cat, who has survived four years on the toughest streets in the whole of the Discworld, reckons that rats are dumb. Clever, OK, but dumb. Maurice, however, is smart -- smart enough to recognize that there's a new kind of rat around; rats that have been eating wizards' rubbish and can now talk. And Maurice is also smart enough to get a pretty amazing idea when he spots a kid playing the flute. Now he has his very own Pied Piper to go with his "plague of rats." And Maurice's money-bags are getting fuller and fuller. That is, until the group reaches the far flung village of Bad Blintz.

The Book of Athyra


Steven Brust - 2003
    Accompanying him on his journeys are two leathery-winged jhereg who share a telepathic link with Vlad—and triple his chances against even the most powerful of enemies… In Athyra, Vlad finds he’s ready to retire himself and his jhereg companions, but the biggest hitters of the House of the Jhereg have something else in mind. In Orca, Vlad must repay a debt to a boy who saved his life—even if it means breaking a financial scandal big enough to bring down the House of the Orca, and possibly the entire Empire…

Black: The Birth of Evil


Ted Dekker - 2003
    Then a silent bullet from the night clips his head...and his world goes black.From the blackness comes an amazing reality of another world-a world where evil is contained. A world where Thomas Hunter is in love with a beautiful woman. Then he remembers the dream of the chase as he reaches to touch the blood on his head.Where does the dream end and reality begin? Every time he falls asleep in one world, he awakes in the other-both facing catastrophic disaster. Thomas is being pushed beyond his limits...even beyond the limits of space and time.Black is an incredible story of evil and rescue, betrayal and love, pursuit and death, and a terrorist's threat unlike anything the human race has ever known.Some say the world hangs in the balance of every choice we make. Now the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance of one man's choice.

Artemis Fowl Boxed Set (Artemis Fowl, #1-2)


Eoin Colfer - 2003
    Boxed set with 2 books: Artemis Fowl and Artemis Fowl The Arctic Incident

A Study in Emerald


Neil Gaiman - 2003
    P. Lovecraft, and of course, Neil Gaiman.A Study in Emerald draws listeners in through carefully revealed details as a consulting detective and his narrator friend solve the mystery of a murdered German noble. But with its subtle allusions and surprise ending, this mystery hints that the real fun in solving this case lies in imagining all the details that Gaiman doesn't reveal, and challenges listeners to be detectives themselves.

Hawksong


Amelia Atwater-Rhodes - 2003
    The only thing more familiar to her is war: It has raged between her people and the serpiente for so long, no one can remember how the fighting began. As heir to the avian throne, she’ll do anything in her power to stop this war—even accept Zane Cobriana, the terrifying leader of her kind’s greatest enemy, as her pair bond and make the two royal families one.Trust. It is all Zane asks of Danica—and all they ask of their people—but it may be more than she can give.A School Library Journal Best Books of the YearA VOYA Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror List selectionFrom the Hardcover edition.

The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian


Robert E. Howard - 2003
    Cimmeria poem1 The Phoenix on the Sword 19322 The Frost-Giant's Daughter 19763 The God in the Bowl 19524 The Tower of the Elephant 19335 The Scarlet Citadel 19336 Queen of the Black Coast 19347 Black Colossus 19338 Iron Shadows in the Moon 19349 Xuthal of the Dusk 193310 The Pool of the Black One 193311 Rogues in the House 193412 The Vale of Lost Women 196713 The Devil in Iron 1934

East


Edith Pattou - 2003
    Since the day she was born, it was clear she had a special fate. Her superstitious mother keeps the unusual circumstances of Rose's birth a secret, hoping to prevent her adventurous daughter from leaving home... but she can't suppress Rose's true nature forever. So when an enormous white bear shows up one cold autumn evening and asks teenage Rose to come away with it--in exchange for health and prosperity for her ailing family--she readily agrees. Rose travels on the bear's broad back to a distant and empty castle, where she is nightly joined by a mysterious stranger. In discovering his identity, she loses her heart-- and finds her purpose--and realizes her journey has only just begun.

Pendragon (Boxed Set): The Merchant of Death; The Lost City of Faar; The Never War


D.J. MacHale - 2003
    But there is something very special about Bobby. He is going to save the world. And not just Earth as we know it. Bobby is swept off to an alternate dimension known as Denduron, a territory ruled by a magical tyrant, and plagued by dangerous revolution. If Bobby wants to see his family again, heâ��s going to have to accept his role as savior. Because, as he is about to discover, Denduron is only the beginning. . . .

The Runes of Elfland


Ari Berk - 2003
    Featuring 24 new full-color, rune-inspired paintings and dozens of black-and-white sketches by Froud, as well as more than 100 pages of the folklore and mythology surrounding each rune, this book if packed with notable legends, such as the Birch Mother, the Woman of the Marsh, the Ever-Living, the Green Girl of the Birches, and the Day-Child. * * * The Runes of Elfland is a perfect gift book for anyone who enjoys Celtic folklore and mythology, as well as for those interested in faeries and fantasy. Froud fanatics will treasure this offering, which is both art book and folklore collection. "A single word can be a world and every letter a land. A rune drawn upon the ground can have curious consequences, might invite adventure, may open ancient doors. Here are the Runes of Elfland. Here are the songs of the shining lands. Here are signs of crossing and threshold. Here are stories of fate and illumination. Chant the charm, tell the tale, and step across " Paul Goat Allen- From School Library Journal:"If runes are the keys to Faery, this book is an Open Sesame."

Latro in the Mist


Gene Wolfe - 2003
    Latro forgets everything when he sleeps. Writing down his experiences every day and reading his journal anew each morning gives him a poignantly tenuous hold on himself, but his story's hold on readers is powerful indeed, and many consider these Wolfe's best books.

Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons


Ernest Drake - 2003
    Don't let it fall into the wrong hands!Do you believe in dragons? Now, for the first time, the long-lost research of renowned nineteenth century dragonologist Dr. Ernest Drake is presented in all its eccentric glory, happily bridging the gap between dragon legend and fact. The meticulous Dr. Drake assigns Latin names to various dragon species, ruminates on why dragons are able to speak, speculates on how they could fly, and explains the true purpose of their notorious hoarding habits. Here are just a few of DRAGONOLOGY'S fascinating features:-- Novelty item on every spread, including tactile samples of dragon wings, dragon scales, and dragon skin -- Booklet of dragon riddles (indispensable to the burgeoning dragonologist) -- Sealed envelope containing a powerful dragon-calling spell -- Embossed faux leather cover with silver foil, encrusted with three dragon gemsIn his afterword, Dr. Drake reveals that one of the crucial goals of dragonologists is to preserve the magnificent creatures of their study wherever possible - a goal this tongue-in-cheek volume most affectionately achieves. An incomparable gift for secret dragonologists everywhere!

Midnight Sun: The Complete Stories of Kane


Karl Edward Wagner - 2003
    The Complete Stories of Kane. Table of Contents: Death Angel's Shadow (Poem) Undertow Two Suns Setting The Dark Muse Sing a Last Song of Valdese Misericorde Lynortis Reprise Raven's Eyrie In the Lair of Yslsl Reflections for the Winter of My Soul Cold Light Mirage The Other One The Gothic Touch Midnight Sun (Poem) Lacunae Deep in the Depths of the Acme Warehouse At First Just Ghostly The Treasure of Lynortis (Early version of "Lynotris Reprise") In the Wake of the Night (lost novel fragment) The Once and Future Kane (Non-fiction essay)Contents:· Death Angel’s Shadow · pm Midnight Sun #1 ’74 · Undertow · nv Whispers Aug ’77 · Two Suns Setting · nv Fantastic May ’76 · The Dark Muse · nv Midnight Sun #2 ’75 · Sing a Last Song of Valdese · ss Chacal Win ’76 · Misericorde · nv Sorcerer’s Apprentice #17 ’83 · Lynortis Reprise · nv Midnight Sun #1 ’74 · Raven’s Eyrie · na Chacal Spr ’77 · In the Lair of Yslsl · ss Midnight Sun #1 ’74 · Reflections for the Winter of My Soul · na Death Angel’s Shadow, Warner Books, 1973 · Cold Light · na Death Angel’s Shadow, Warner Books, 1973 · Mirage · nv Death Angel’s Shadow, Warner Books, 1973 · The Other One · ss Escape! Fll ’77 · The Gothic Touch · ss Elric: Tales of the White Wolf, ed. Edward E. Cramer, White Wolf, 1994 · Midnight Sun · pm Midnight Sun #1 ’74 · Lacunae · ss Cutting Edge, ed. Dennis Etchison, Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1986 · Deep in the Depths of the Acme Warehouse · ss The King Is Dead, ed. Paul M. Sammon, Delta, 1994 · At First Just Ghostly · na Weird Tales Fll ’89 · The Treasure of Lynortis · na Kadath Fll ’84 · In the Wake of the Night · ex A Fantasy Reader, ed. Jeff Frane & Jack Rems, 1981 · The Once and Future Kane · ar REH: Lone Star Fictioneer #1 ’75

The Seventh Tower


Garth Nix - 2003
    Contains complete text to Above the Veil, Into Battle and The Violet Keystone by author Garth Nix.

Brave Story


Miyuki Miyabe - 2003
    His family has problems they never told him about, a new student at school upsets everything he knows about the world, and a girl's voice rings in his mind all hours of the night. Desperately he searches for some way to change his life; a way to alter his fate.To achieve his goal, he must navigate the magical world of Vision, a land filled with creatures both fierce and friendly. And to complicate matters, he must outwit a merciless rival from the real world. Wataru's ultimate destination is the Tower of Destiny where a Goddess of fate awaits. Only when he has finished his journey and collected five elusive gemstones will he possess the Demon's Bane; the key that will unlock his future. Charity, bravery, faith, grace and the power of darkness and light: these are the provinces of each gemstone. Brought together, they have the immeasurable power to change Wataru's life.

The Symphony of Ages Boxed Set I


Elizabeth Haydon - 2003
    On the run from an old romantic interest who won't take no for an answer, Rhapsody literally bumps into a couple of shady characters: half-breeds who come to her rescue in the nick of time. Only the rescue turns into an abduction, and Rhapsody soon finds herself dragged along on an epic voyage, one that spans centuries and ranges across a wonder-filled fantasy world-- a world so real you can hear the sweet music of Rhapsody's aubade and smell the smoldering forges deep within the Cauldron. Prophecy In Rhapsody, a fellowship was forged-- three companions who, through great adversity, became a force to be reckoned with: Rhapsody the Singer; Achmed the assassin-king; and Grunthor, the giant Sergeant-Major. Prophecy continues their powerful epic. Driven by a prophetic vision, Rhapsody races to rescue a religious leader while Achmed and Grunthor seek the F'dor-- an ancient and powerful demon. These companions may be destined to fulfill The Prophecy of the Three, but their time is running short. They must find their elusive enemy before his darkness consumes them all. Destiny A Fellowship of ThreeTo stand against the F'dor-- an ancient, vile being intent on destroying the world-- a fellowship has been forged: Rhapsody, a Singer of great talent and beauty; Achmed, an assassin with unearthly talents; and Grunthor, a giant of jolly disposition and lethal skill with weapons.Driven by prophetic visions, the three know that time is running short, know that they must find their elusive enemy before his darkness consumes them all. But after their final, brutal confrontation with the F'dor, their world crosses the threshold of disaster and faces utter oblivion. The action reaches a fevered pitch, achieving a crescendo of tragedy, love, and triumph of human spirit over world-shattering cataclysm.With death at hand and the world crumbling at their feet, these three will finally discover their true ...Destiny

Elfquest Archives, Vol. 1


Wendy Pini - 2003
    1 introduces the legend of Cutter and his Wolfrider clan of elves. Existing on a prehistoric world in which humans and elves are bitter enemies, the Wolfriders live a dangerous life of fatal battles, deadly hunts, and tribal traditions. Proud of their history but unaware of their origin, the Wolfriders are on an eternal quest to learn the mysteries of their past. A fast-paced tale of action and conflict, this hardcover edition includes the Wolfriders' fateful battle with a band of humans, their surprising discovery of another clan of elves, and Cutter's first meeting with his lifemate Leetah.

Varjak Paw


S.F. Said - 2003
    But Varjak is forced out into the city when the sinister Gentleman and his two menacing cats take over his home. With help from his mystical ancestor, Jalal, Varjak manages to overcome challenges such as self-survival and a threat from the gangland cats, and he ultimately discovers the terrifying secrets behind the Vanishings. But can he save his own family from their fate? With wonderful integrated illustrations from acclaimed comic book artist Dave McKean, this book will appeal to all ages.From the Hardcover edition.

The Goose Girl


Shannon Hale - 2003
    And when she was older, she watched as a colt was born, and she heard the first word on his tongue, his name, Falada.From the Grimm’s fairy tale of the princess who became a goose girl before she could become queen, Shannon Hale has woven an incredible, original, and magical tale of a girl who must find her own unusual talents before she can lead the people she has made her own.

Pratchett 8 Book Set: Night Watch / Truth / Carpe Jugulum / Color of Magic / Fifth Elephant / Light Fantastic / Equal Rites / Thief of Time


Terry Pratchett - 2003
    Pratchett Fiction Collection Eight-Book Set For a limited time get eight books in Terry Pratchett`s Discworld series in one easy-to-order package, including Pratchett's 28th installment in the series, Night Watch.

Landmoor


Jeff Wheeler - 2003
    Thealos Quickfellow, a Shae from the kingdom of Avisahn, has left his homeland to learn first hand of the threat of the Bandit Rebellion. His life is forever changed when he meets the mysterious Sleepwalker known as Jaerod. For Thealos himself is one of the keys that can open a door to a Silvan artifact which can tame the forbidden side of the Everoot. As the valley of the kingdoms of Dos-Aralon and Avisahn grows weaker and weaker, the cruel Bandit Rebellion prepares to claim a stronghold in the south. There they will launch a new war by using the Everoot and its power to heal or destroy. Thealos and Jaerod must defy the powers of men, Shae, and other foes to reach the place where the conflict will begin - and where the dangerous Everoot is being harvested. A fortress called Landmoor.

Mimus


Lilli Thal - 2003
    The dark Middle Ages jump to life in blazing color in this world of adventure and imagination.Two mighty kingdoms are engaged in endless, merciless war, but change appears imminent. King Philip is meeting his archenemy, King Theodo, to sign a peace treaty. But King Philip and his men are tricked and consigned to the squalid dungeons of King Theodo's castle. Soon, his son, 12-year-old Prince Florin, is lured to the castle, where the same horror awaits him.On a whim, King Theodo decides to make the captive crown prince his second Fool, trained by Mimus, an enigmatic, occasionally spiteful, and unpredictable court jester. To add to Florin's misery, he and Mimus are fed a daily portion of gruel, forced to live in a dark, damp tower, and required to entertain the court on demand. But events ultimately turn for Florin and the other captives. They escape and it is Mimus's intervention that helps make it possible.Mimus is a stunning novel that will take readers in its grip and hold them until the last page is turned. Through the brilliant rhymes, jokes, and wordplay of Mimus, the unceasing action and compelling events are sprinkled with lightness and humor.

Guardians of Ga'hoole Boxed Set


Kathryn Lasky - 2003
    Deep in the Forest of Tyto the adventure takes wing!Soren is born in a forest kingdom where Barn Owls have lived in peace for eons. But evil now lurks in the owl world, an evil that will shatter Tyto's peace and change Soren's life forever.In the first four books of this popular series Soren and his band make their way to the Great Ga'Hoole Tree where they will join with like-minded owls - honest, brave, wise and true - to boldly face danger and be tested in ways they never imagined.

The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure


Storm Constantine - 2003
    The author of many acclaimed works of science fiction and fantasy, she is best known for her daring, stylish and provocative Wraeththu trilogy (The Enchantments of Flesh and Spirit, The Bewitchments of Love and Hate, The Fulfilments of Fate and Desire). The series, which chronicled the rise of a new race of seductive androgynous beings with awesome powers, was hailed as a modern fantasy masterpiece, winning an avid international following of devoted readers.Now, with The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure, Storm Constantine returns once again to the saga of the Wraeththu with a new epic that reveals previously unknown truths about the origins of these remarkable beings. Long before the Wraeththu assumed total mastery of the Earth and dominion over the dwindling remnants of the human race, they were a wild and passionate people, living in scattered tribes, worshiping strange gods, increasing their numbers by transmuting humans into their own kind. But all that changed on a festival night that surpassed all others, a night when the world changed forever and the Wraeththu began to realize their awesome potential.It was a time when the archmage Thiede wove the strands of Wraeththu destiny. When two young Wraeththu hara came together to produce a miraculous new life. When Pellaz, a brash and reckless young leader, rose from destruction to take his place in Wraeththu history. And a child called Lileem found a path of passion and power that led to unknown worlds of mystery.A tale of intrigue and betrayal, bloodshed and pleasure, dark and dangerous supernatural forces, ardent and consuming passions, The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure is a thrilling new chapter in a compelling fantasy epic.

The Firebringer Trilogy


Meredith Ann Pierce - 2003
    Complete text of all 3 stories: Birth of the Firebringer, Dark Moon, and The Sun of Summer Stars.

Twilight Falling


Paul S. Kemp - 2003
    and the sun sets on one man's service to Sembia's merchant lords.The day's end finds Erevis Cale serving a new master, one who is beyond the petty accumulation of wealth.After all, what is gold to one who trades in souls?

Stephen King's The Dark Tower: A Concordance, #1


Robin Furth - 2003
    Inspired more than thirty years ago by works as diverse as J.R.R. Tolkien's epics, Robert Browning's poetry, and Sergio Leone's Westerns, this is the tale that Stephen King has never abandoned. When he typed the first sentence in 1970, King feared the telling might take several lifetimes, but two thousand pages and four books later, the end is in sight. Published in anticipation of The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla, A Concordance, Volume I is the definitive guide to the first four books in Stephen King's bestselling epic fantasy series, The Dark Tower. With the hundreds of characters, Mid-World geography, and the High Speech lexicon, this comprehensive handbook is one no Dark Tower fan will want to be without. It is the perfect way in for readers new to the series, or the perfect way back in for longtime fans who read the first four books years ago.

Catwings Box Set


Ursula K. Le Guin - 2003
    Now readers can follow all of the adventures of the winged cats who escape the dangerous and dirty city to live in the countryside. From the original four cats, James, Roger, Thelma and Harriet, to their new friends, Jane and Alexander, the fantasy that is so wonderfully realistic is brought to life by S. D. Schindler's delicate, yet vibrant illustrations.

Deltora Quest: Special Edition, Books 5-8


Emily Rodda - 2003
    Lief, Barda, and Jasmine must recover the lost gems of the Belt of Deltora at any cost. This will not be easy -- beasts, traps, and terrors stand in their way. From the underwater lair of the ferocious Glus to the deadly mists of the Valley of the Lost, Lief, Barda, and Jasmine must summon up their deepest courage -- and their greatest strength.Book 5: Dream Mountain / Book 6: The Maze of the Beast / Book 7: The Valley of the Lost / Book 8: Return to Del

A Circle of Cats (Newford)


Charles de Lint - 2003
    She wanders the woods, chasing squirrels and rabbits and climbing trees. Free-spirited and independent Lillian is a kindred spirit to the many wild cats who gather around the ancient beech tree. One day, while she is under the beech, Lillian is bitten by a poisonous snake. The cats refuse to let her die, and use their magic to turn her into one of their own. How she becomes a girl again is a lyrical, original folktale. Set in the countryside north of de Lint's fictional Newford, with some of the same characters as the duo's recent, acclaimed "Seven Wild Sisters," "A Circle of Cats" is the long-awaited first picture book by long-time friends Charles de Lint and Charles Vess, whose masterful art is as magical as the story.

The Little Endless Storybook


Jill Thompson - 2003
    Her protector and favorite puppy Barnabas searched the waking world for his tiny princess to no avail. Now, Barnabas must travel to the strange and unlikely realms of each of the Endless to see if Delirium's siblings have seen their missing sister...For years fans have demanded to see more of Jill Thompson's Little Endless, the diminutive versions of the characters from Neil Gaiman's award-winning SANDMAN series, and now their dreams are answered.This special edition hardcover features Jill Thompson's original sketches and the secret history of the Little Endless.

The Steerswoman's Road


Rosemary Kirstein - 2003
    If she asks, you must reply. A steerswoman will speak only the truth to you, as long as she knows it—and you must do the same for her. And so, across the centuries, the Steerswomen— questioning, searching, investigating—have slowly learned more and more about the world through which they wander. All knowledge the Steerswomen possess is given freely to those who ask. But there is one kind of knowledge that has always been denied them: Magic.When the steerswoman Rowan discovers a small, lovely blue jewel of obviously magical origin, her innocent questions lead to secret after startling secret, each more dangerous than the last—and suddenly Rowan must flee or fight for her life. Or worse, she must lie.With every wizard in the world searching for her, Rowan finds unexpected assistance. A chance-met traveler turned friend, Bel is a warrior-poet, an Outskirter, and a member of a barbaric and violent people. Or, so it would seem.For Bel, unknowing, possesses secrets of her own: secrets embedded in her culture, in her people, in the very soil of her homeland. From the Inland Sea to the deadly Outskirts, surrounded by danger and deceit, Rowan and Bel uncover more and more of the wizards’ hidden knowledge. As the new truths accumulate, they edge closer to the single truth that lies at the center, the most unexpected secret of them all. . . .

Rumo & His Miraculous Adventures, Part 2: A Novel in Two Books


Walter Moers - 2003
    Rumo is a little Wolperting--a domesticated creature somewhere between a deer and a dog--who will one day become the greatest hero in the history of Zamonia. Armed with Dandelion, his talking sword, he fights his way through the Overworld and the Netherworld. He meets Rala, a beautiful Wolperting female; Urs of the Snows, who thinks more of cooking than of fighting; Gornab the Ninety-Ninth, the demented king of Netherworld; Professor Ostafan Kolibri, who goes in search of the Non-Existent Teenies; Professor Abdullah Nightingale, inventor of the chest-of-drawers oracle; and, worst luck, the deadly Metal Maiden. Astonishingly inventive, amusing, and engrossing, Rumo is a captivating story from the unique imagination of Walter Moers. Filled with humor, this novel puts a new spin on the usual epic fantasy. The comparisons are many--Douglas Adams, Lewis Carroll, J. K. Rowling, Dr. Seuss, and R. Crumb--but Moers is clearly an original. Long live Zamonia!

The War of Souls Trilogy Gift Set


Margaret Weis - 2003
    This slip-covered gift set contains the three "New York Times" best-selling titles that make up the epic War of Souls trilogy: "Dragons of a Fallen Sun, Dragons of a Lost Star," and "Dragons of a Vanished Moon." Authored by Dragonlance saga co-creators Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman, these titles each hit multiple best-seller lists upon initial release.

The Silverwing Trilogy (Boxed Set): Silverwing; Sunwing; Firewing


Kenneth Oppel - 2003
    Now Shade's many fans can follow his journeys once again in this handsome boxed set.Books in this set include:"SilverwingSunwingFirewing"

The Hollow Kingdom


Clare B. Dunkle - 2003
    In nineteenth-century England, a powerful sorcerer and King of the Goblins chooses Kate, the elder of two orphan girls recently arrived at their ancestral home, Hallow Hill, to become his bride and queen...

GRRM: A RRetrospective


George R.R. Martin - 2003
    More than 1,000 pages, including nine novellas, unpublished teleplays, rare, never before collected short stories, and a small volume's worth of introductions and commentary.Each of the more than 30 stories will feature a full-page black and white illustration commissioned especially for this volume by Tim Truman, Mark A. Nelson, Janet Aulisio, Ron Brown and other fine artistsGRRM will be available only from Subterranean Press, in three editions:Trade: fully cloth bound sewn hardcover
Limited: 400 signed numbered hardcover copies housed in a handcrafted slipcase
Lettered: 52 signed leatherbound copies, housed in a handcrafted traycase, with original art not in the Limited or Trade editionsContents:ONE: A FOUR-COLOR FANBOY • Only Kids Are Afraid of the Dark • The Fortress • And Death His LegacyTWO: BREAKING THROUGH • The Hero • The Exit to San Breta • The Second Kind of Loneliness • With Morning Comes MistfallTHREE: THE LIGHT OF DISTANT STARS • A Song for Lya • This Tower of Ashes • And Seven Times Never Kill Man • The Stone City • Bitterblooms • The Way of Cross and DragonFOUR: SWORDS OF TURTLE CASTLE • The Lonely Songs of Laren Dorr • The Ice Dragon • In the Lost LandsFIVE: HYBRIDS AND HORRORS • Meathouse Man • Remembering Melody • Sandkings • Nightflyers • The Monkey Treatment • The Pear-Shaped ManFIVE: A TASTE OF TUF • A Beast for Norn (original version) • GuardiansSIX: HURRAH FOR HOLLYWOOD • The Road Less Travelled (Twilight Zone teleplay) • DOORWAYS pilot/ first draft (unproduced teleplay)SEVEN: WILD CARDS • Shell Games • The Journal of Xavier DesmondEIGHT: THE HEART IN CONFLICT • Bat Durston, the Bard, and Me (speech) • Under Siege • The Skin Trade • Unsound Variations • The Glass Flower • The Hedge Knight • Portraits of His Children

Tinker


Wen Spencer - 2003
    She runs her salvage business, pays her taxes, and tries to keep the local ambient level of magic down with gadgets of her own design. When a pack of wargs chase an Elven noble into her scrap yard, life as she knows it takes a serious detour. Tinker finds herself taking on the Elven court, the NSA, the Elven Interdimensional Agency, technology smugglers and a college-minded Xenobiologist as she tries to stay focused on what's really important — her first date. Armed with an intelligence the size of a planet, steel-toed boots, and a junkyard dog attitude, Tinker is ready to kick butt to get her first kiss.

Tales From the House of the Moon


Resmiranda - 2003
    Grief can be a prison, but the bonds of love are not easily broken. What is the truth behind fairytales?PAIRING: Kagome/Sesshomaru328.000 words aprox.

The History of Middle-earth: Part Three


J.R.R. Tolkien - 2003
    Tolkien is famous the world over for his unique literary creation, exemplified in The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. What is less well known, however, is that he also produced a vast amount of further material that greatly expands upon the mythology and numerous stories of Middle-earth, and which gives added life to the thousand-year war between the Elves and the evil spirit Morgoth, and his terrifying lieutenant, Sauron.It was to this enormous task of literary construction that his Tolkien’s youngest son and literary heir, Christopher, applied himself to produce the monumental and endlessly fascinating series of 12 books, The History of Middle-earth.This hardback edition brings together the final three volumes of The History of Middle-earth – Morgoth’s Ring, The War of the Jewels and The Peoples of Middle-earth.Epic in scope and extent, and featuring rare maps and illustrations drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien, this final volume of the trilogy presents the reader with a unique opportunity to collect the complete set of The Complete History of Middle-earth in an attractive and lasting edition.

Underworld


Greg Cox - 2003
    Sworn enemies for over nine hundred years, they have fought a secret war in the darkest shadows of the mortal world, pitting undead strength and cunning against feral rage and savagery. Now, in the hip Gothic streets of modern-day Budapest, the ancient conflict takes an unexpected new twist. Selene is a Death Dealer, a vampire warrior dedicated to the destruction of the hated lycans. Michael is a werewolf, an innocent American newly infected with the lupine curse. Against all reason and history, they find themselves drawn together even as the grisly inhuman war rushes toward its nightmarish climax. They have no idea of the power their unlikely union can unleash -- and of the terrifying secrets that will be revealed in the unearthly realm of...UNDERWORLD

Monster Manual


Skip Williams - 2003
    Encounter a horde of monsters armed and ready to battle your boldest heroes or fight alongside them. The fully illustrated pages of this book are overrun with all the creatures, statistics, spells, and strategies you need to challenge the heroic characters of any Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.Over 200 creeps, critters, and creatures keep players on their toes. From aboleths to zombies, the revised "Monster Manual" holds a diverse cast of enemies and allies essential for any Dungeons & Dragons campaign. There are hundreds of monsters ready for action, including many new creatures never seen before. The revised "Monster Manual" now contains an adjusted layout that makes monster statistics easier to understand and use. It has 31 new illustrations and a new index, and contains expanded information on monster classes and playing monsters as heroes, along with information on how to take full advantage of the tie-in D&D miniatures line planned for the fall of 2003 from Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

The Serpents of Arakesh


V.M. Jones - 2003
    One day Adam enters the Quest Golden Opportunity Competition, with the ultimate prize of working with the reclusive software genius Quentin Quested, test-driving his latest top-secret breakthrough in computer game technology. Adam is unbelievably chosen to undergo the final selection process. At Quested Court, Adam enters a world he never dreamed existed. A world of kindly adults and potential friends, in which the boundaries between fantasy and reality start to become blurred. Only when Adam and his companions begin the gaming workshop does Quentin Quested reveal their real-life quest into the parallel world of Karazan, where the Serpents of Arakesh stand guard over the most precious prize of all.

Dragons of Deltora: Special Edition, Books 1 & 2


Emily Rodda - 2003
    But young king Lief knows this isn't true - and that the time has come to find them. The evil Shadow Lord has poisoned the land with four vile creatures of sorcery buried with such stealth that only the bravest of heroes will find them. Lief and his companions Barda and Jasmine must struggle to reveal the origins of the sorcery and destroy them. Their only clues are fragments of an ancient map. And their only hope lies with seven unlikely allies - the last of Deltora's dragons.

The Tale of Despereaux


Kate DiCamillo - 2003
    It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into each other's lives. What happens then? As Kate DiCamillo would say: Reader, it is your destiny to find out.

The Oz Chronicles: Volume 1


L. Frank Baum - 2003
    Included in this two-volume set are the following stories: Volume 1The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Marvelous Land of Oz, Ozma of Oz, Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz, The Road to Oz, The Emerald City of Oz, The Patchwork Girl of Oz, Little Wizard Stories of Oz, Volume 2Tik-Tok of Oz, The Scarecrow of Oz, Rinkitink in Oz, The Lost Princess of Oz, The Tin Woodman of Oz, The Magic of Oz,Glinda of Oz.

The Art of Amy Brown


Amy Brown - 2003
    It was published by Chimera Publishing in 2003. The book is 157 pages of art, with a commentary by Amy Brown for every piece of artwork. The Art of Amy Brown has an introduction by the well-known author Charles de Lint. There are three editions of this book—a paperback, a hardcover, and a special leather-bound edition limited to 750 copies, which will be signed by Amy Brown and Charles de Lint.

The Treekeepers


Susan McGee Britton - 2003
    In this stirring fantasy, a murderous leader has taken over the land where Bird lives and destroyed the tree that gives life. He will do anything to find the Opener-one who is prophesied to save the people. A few other orphans and a sad, mysterious caretaker lead Bird to a special locket that, amazingly, opens easily in her hands. It reveals just a seed. When planted, it will grow into a new sacred tree that will produce a lifesaving elixir. Bird holds the power, but she lacks the knowledge to use it. Featuring a memorable character with grit, an indomitable will, and the cagey instincts of a survivor, Bird's saga will thrill readers as they welcome a new voice rich in imagination and storytelling skill.

Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things


Ted Naifeh - 2003
    Courtney's parents have dragged her out to a high-to-do suburb to live with her creepy Great Uncle Aloysius in his spooky old house. She's not only the new kid in school, but she also discovers strange things lurking under her bed.

City of the Lost


Mary H. Herbert - 2003
    One of the author's previous titles, "The Clandestine Circle," introduced this character to Dragonlance readers. This new title and trilogy will advance the story of the world after the events of the best-selling War of Souls trilogy and will also introduce a major new villain to the setting.

The Lord of Castle Black


Steven Brust - 2003
    Its sequel, Five Hundred Years After, was hailed by Science Fiction Chronicle as the best fantasy novel of the year.Now, in the Viscount of Adrilankha series, Brust has returned to the Khaavren epic, first with The Paths of the Dead, and now with its direct continuation, The Lord of Castle Black...a novel that gives Vlad Taltos and Khaavren fans alike a new look at one of Brust's most popular characters, the Dragonlord Morrolan.Along the way, we'll also encounter swordplay, intrigues, quests, battles, romance, snappy dialogue, and the missing heir to the Imperial Throne. It's an old-fashioned adventure, moving at a twenty-first-century pace.

Artesia Volume 2: Afield - The Second Book Of Dooms


Mark Smylie - 2003
    As Artesia and her captains seek to join the northern army led by the High King's marshal, the Grand Duke Owen Lis Red, they are confronted with the myriad dangers and distractions of life on campaign. They encounter the Thessid enemy for the first time, meet and hire mercenaries from distant lands, and learn of the Empire's terrifying allies, the Isliklids, who heretically claim descent from Islik the Divine King. And through it all, Artesia is plagued by dreams and haunted by ghosts, as she ponders the choices she has made, and those she hasn't…

Song of the Beast


Carol Berg - 2003
    Once the most famous musician of his generation, celebrated as a man beloved of the gods, his voice is now silent, his hands ruined, his music that offered beauty and hope to war-torn Elyria destroyed. Even the god who nurtured his talent since boyhood has abandoned him. But no one ever told him his crime. To discover the truth, he must risk his hard-bought freedom to unlock the mind of his god and the heart of his enemy.

Transitions: The Art of Todd Lockwood


Todd Lockwood - 2003
    That discovery altered the course of his life, and he is now one of the most widely respected fantasy artists of our age. Known worldwide for his depiction of heroic and stirring high fantasy imagery under the aegis of TSR™ and Wizards of the Coast™, he also creates work of astonishing sensitivity and beauty in quieter styles. This book, with its revealing text by Hugo-nominated writer and journalist Karen Haber and by Lockwood himself, contains well over a hundred paintings from all areas of his fantasy creation.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Kings: A Filmmaking Journey


Chris Smith - 2003
    

Joust


Mercedes Lackey - 2003
    Young and slight, Vetch would have died of overwork, exposure, and starvation if not for the anger which was his only real sustenance--anger that he had lost his home and family in a war of conquest waged by the dragon-riding Jousters of Tia. Tia had usurped nearly halt of Alta's lands and enslaved or killed many of Vetch's countrymen. Sometimes it seemed that his entire cruel fate revolved around dragons and the Jousters who rode them.But his fate changed forever the day he first saw a dragon.From its narrow, golden, large-eyed head, to its pointed emerald ears, to the magnificent blue wings, the dragon was a thing of multicolored, jeweled beauty, slim and supple and quite as large as the shed it perched on. Vetch, almost failed to notice the Jouster who stood beside him. "I need a boy," the rider had said, and suddenly Vetch found himself lifted above the earth and transported by dragon-back to a different world.Vetch was to be trained as a dragon-boy, and he hardly believed his luck. The compound seemed like paradise: he could eat until he was full, and all he had to do was care for his Jouster's dragon, Kashet.It didn't take long for Vetch to realize that Kashet was special--for unlike other dragons, Kashet was gentle by nature and did not need the tranquilizing tala plant to make her tracttable. Vetch became determined to learn the secret of how Kashet had been tamed. For if Kashet could be tamed, perhaps Vetch could tame a dragon of his own. And if he could, then he might be able to escape and bring the secret of dragon-taming back to his homeland of Alta. And that secret, might prove to be the key to Alta's liberation....

Wolfskin


Juliet Marillier - 2003
    His closest friend, Somerled, a strange and lonely boy, has his own very different ambitions - yet a childhood oath, sworn in blood, binds these two in lifelong loyalty. Meanwhile, far away across the water, on the Light Isles, the king's niece Nessa is beginning to learn the ways of the mysteries - though neither the young priestess nor her people can realize what lies ahead for them." "Eyvind and Somerled seem set to follow very different paths: one becoming a fearless servant of the Warfather, the other a scholarly courtier. Then a voyage of discovery, led by Somerled's brother Ulf, brings the two friends together again in accompanying a group of settlers to some beautiful islands rumoured to lie across the western sea. However, their good spirits are dampened by a tragedy on board, which Eyvind begins to suspect may not have been an accident." Ulf's new settlement begins in harmony with the native islanders, led by King Engus. But one day, on a trip to a holy place of the Folk, a brutal murder occurs and that peace is shattered. It is now that Eyvind begins to feel the restraining ties of his boyhood oath...and to realize what sort of future Somerled had in mind for himself all those years ago.

Castle in the Sky Box Set


Hayao Miyazaki - 2003
    Sheeta is a young girl who wears a mysterious blue stone that gives her the power to defy gravity. When she floats down into the life of Pazu, a young orphan boy, they soon find themselves back in the clouds, where the enchanting city of Laputa, built by a lost civilization, awaits. Inspired by Gulliver's Travels and set in the 19th century, Castle in the Sky pits young Sheeta, whose magic stone gives her the power of flight, and her friend Pazu against a horde of wicked pirates and spies as all vie to learn the secret of Laputa, the mysterious floating castle. This collectible boxed set contains all four volumes in the popular series in an exclusive display case featuring five collectible Castle in the Sky postcards. The full-color pages are illustrated with movie stills, and the English language dialogue comes from Studio Ghibli's official movie subtitles.

The Bloodstone Chronicles: A Journey of Faith


Bill Myers - 2003
    In this volume, three children enter another dimension and through captivating allegorical drama, learn key principles of the Kingdom of God.

The Shamutanti Hills / Kharé – Cityport of Traps / The Seven Serpent / The Crown of Kings (Fighting Fantasy: Sorcery!, #1-4)


Steve Jackson - 2003
    Whatever your choice the journey ahead will be dangerous and you will be faced with tricks, traps, problems, clues – and a host of evil creatures who will do everything in their power to thwart you. Whether you confront your enemies or flee to fight another day, each journey will be unique and it will be YOURS!----------This boxed set contains the four Fighting Fantasy: Sorcery! gamebooks from the Fighting Fantasy Reissues (Series 1) by Wizard Books:The Shamutanti Hills, #1Kharé – Cityport of Traps, #2The Seven Serpent, #3The Crown of Kings, #4

Wonder Tales: The Book of Wonder and Tales of Wonder


Lord Dunsany - 2003
    M. D. Plunkett (1878–1957), the eighteenth Baron Dunsany, was one of English literature's most original talents. The author of many of the best fantastic tales in the language, he was also a great influence on other writers of the genre. American novelist H. P. Lovecraft wrote: "[Dunsany's] rich language, his cosmic point of view, his remote dream-worlds, and his exquisite sense of the fantastic, all appeal to me more than anything else in modern literature."These 33 tales by one of the grand masters of fantasy contain all of the stories from two of Dunsany's finest  collections — The Book of Wonder and Tales of Wonder — including the famous "The Three Sailors' Gambit," possibly the best chess story ever written; "The House of the Sphinx," "The Wonderful Window," "The Bad Old Woman in Black," "The Watch-Tower," "The Three Infernal Jokes," "The Secret of the Sea," and 26 other literary gems.

The Fairy Rose


Kailin Gow - 2003
    As a summer fairy, Rose is kept busy with the Summer Harvest. The last thing on her mind was the gift she receives on her fairy 13th birthday, which brings out a gift she didn't know she had. The Fairy Rose is the first book in The Fairy Rose Chronicles. Other books in the series include, The Fairy Fair, Pixies vs. Fairies,The Fairy Alchemist, The Fairy Test, and Fairy Dreams. First written and published in 2003, the Fairy Rose Chronicles is now available as an ebook for Amazon Kindle, and features characters from Kailin Gow's bestselling FROST Series.

Little Gods


Tim Pratt - 2003
    Within these pages you will encounter a train to the underworld, a feral bicycle, a thief with peculiar eating habits, an amnesiac superhero, a haunted zoot suit, star-crossed monsters, fallen angels on vacation and other wonders. From fast-paced sorcerer-punk to weird Westerns, from the loss of childhood innocence to the heat death of the universe, these stories will delight, surprise and move you.

Dark Reflections


Kai Meyer - 2003
    In this fast-paced series, feisty fourteen-year-old Merle and her friends Junipa and Serafin live in enchanted Venice, which has been under siege by Egypt for over 30 years. The Venetians' only protection is the Flowing Queen. But when the Queen's very existence is threatened, Merle soon finds herself at the center of a struggle for Venice's survival. But the final battle is one that she and her friends never could have imagined--and the cost will be high indeed. The author's imaginative use of history and mythology combine with fast-paced storytelling to create a page-turning series that is utterly compelling.

The Wolves in the Walls


Neil Gaiman - 2003
    Lucy hears sneaking, creeping,crumpling noisescoming from insidethe walls.She is sure there arewolves living in the walls of her house.But, as everybody says, if the wolves come out of the walls, it's all over.

The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-Earth for Dummies


Greg Harvey - 2003
    Tolkien's novels of Middle-earth - The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and The Silmarillian - have become some of the most famous, and most beloved, literary works of the twentieth century. And the Lord of the Rings films by director Peter Jackson have re-ignited interest in Tolkien and his works, as well as introduced his stories to a new generation of fans. Even if you've never read the novels and have only seen the films, you know that the world of Middle-earth is a complicated one. Tolkien took great care in representing this world, from creating new languages to including very particular cultural details that add to the richness of the world's fabric. Many other books have been written about Tolkien and his works, but none have come close to providing the kind of reference needed to comprehend the world of Middle-earth. That's what veteran Dummies author and unabashed Tolkien fan Greg Harvey attempts to do in The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies.As the author says in his introduction to the book, this is not an encyclopedia or quick guide to all the diverse beings, languages, and history that make up Tolkien's Middle-earth. Nor is it a set of plot outlines for the novels. Rather, what you'll find in The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies is a basic guide to some of the possible linguistic and mythological origins of Middle-earth, plus a rudimentary analysis of its many themes and lessons for our world. This book can help enrich your reading (or re-reading) of Tolkien's novels, and it will challenge you to think about the themes inherent in Tolkien's Middle-earth and their implications in your own life.Here's just a sampling of the topics you'll find covered in The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For DummiesExploring the main themes in Tolkien's works, including immortality and death; the heroic quest; love; fate and free will; and faith and redemption Investigating the diverse lands of Middle-earth - including the Shire, Gondor, and Mordor - and their significance Examining the different cultures of Middle-earth, such as Hobbits, Elves, Men, and those wily Wizards Touring the history of Middle-earth Understanding Tolkien's creation of new languages to enrich the story of Middle-earth Top Ten lists on the battles in the War of the Ring, online resources, and the ways the films differ from the novels So, whether you're reading Tolkien's novels or watching the films for the first time, or you've been a fan for many years and are looking for a new take on Tolkien's works, The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies can help you enhance your reading or viewing experience for years to come.

Mojo: Conjure Stories


Nalo HopkinsonNisi Shawl - 2003
    Although the stories explore the myths and legends of personal magic, the subject matter ranges widely from African warriors in the holds of slave ships to abused children plotting revenge to drag queens to the undead living in affluent closed communities. In Neil Gaiman's "Bitter Grounds," an anthropology professor is on his way to a conference in New Orleans to present a paper on the legend of the Haitian coffee girls, undead children who allegedly went door-to-door selling a chicory coffee mixture just before the dawn. When his car breaks down on a backwoods road, he runs into a mysterious Samaritan who comes into his life for a very definite reason. The introduction by Luisah Teish, a popular spiritualist and author of Jambalaya: The Natural Woman's Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals, says it all: "Reader, Be Aware! There's a conjuring going on. You are being lured, with the turning of each page, into the myth and mystery of our DeepBlack magical heritage." Unlike many anthologies, this collection of 19 original stories has no weak spots. Every tale is strong, unique, and noteworthy in its own right. Fans of Nalo Hopkinson works like Brown Girl in the Ring and the short story collection Skin Folk will cherish this brilliant collection. Paul Goat Allen

A Warrior's Journey


Paul B. Thompson - 2003
    Writing team Thompson & Cook once again explore the history of the ancient Dragonlance world in "A Warrior's Journey," the first title in the new Ergoth trilogy. Considered the historical specialists of the Dragonlance world, the authors take the story to a colorful and violent era of its history that has not been previously chronicled in any novel. The mighty Ergothian empire is gripped by civil war. Centuries before the first Cataclysm sunders Ansalon, two imperial dynasties struggle for supremacy. Brutal warlords jockey for power, while corrupt wizards sell their skills to the highest bidder. Unnatural monsters prey on the unwary. Amid this chaos and upheaval, a brave young peasant shakes the towers of the mighty as his fate and the destiny of Krynn collide.

Oh My Goth! Presents: The Girlz of Goth


Aurelio Voltaire - 2003
    Voltaire, the creator of CHI-CHIAN and OH MY GOTH, releases the first-ever collection of pin-up artwork from his uniquely twisted mind Revisiting popular characters from previous comics/animation and introducing dozens more, these richly detailed images burst off of the page, opening a door to worlds populated by sultry succubae, sexy androids, and spooky sirens.

Utten and Plumley


Reade Scott Whinnem - 2003
    Accused by a troll friend of making up stories, a tiny, magical, blue creature named Utten accepts a dare, forges a friendship with a lonely old man, and travels to the man's childhood on a life-changing adventure.

Gideon's Dawn


Michael D. Warden - 2003
    From here, Life flowed to the four corners of creation. Or so it once was, before High Lord Gideon used a Word of Desolation that Abaddon had taught him, unleashing a corrupting perversion. Two thousand years later, another Gideon has appeared. No one knows where he came from or how he arrived. But they know he has power. This is no ordinary sojourner, they whisper. This may be the answer to ancient prophesies of doom and deliverance. Or he may just be Gideon Dawning, a graduate student from Texas, in over his head in a world beyond time. . . .

Here There Be Dragonnes


Mary Brown - 2003
    Her companions included a crow, a toad, a goldfish, and a kitten. Never had a more unlikely band of unheroic heroes set off on a difficult and dangerous quest. But Thing had a ring with unusual powers.

Telling Tales


Neil Gaiman - 2003
    I knew the first two verses when I began it, and the conclusion was there when I reached it. This is why I love writing."Harlequin Valentine "was originally written as a short story. Lisa Snellings made a Ferris Wheel with strange creatures in each car, and writers wrote stories, one for each character. I was given the showman, a little Harlequin who took people’s tickets."Boys and Girls Together "was written in a hotel room in Boston. It rained outside, and I was certain I was telling the world something very important."The Wedding Present "is a story hidden in my book of short stories, Smoke and Mirrors. Some people who have copies of Smoke and Mirrors have skipped past it, and do not know that it was there. Do not tell them."The End "is the kind of thing I find on my hard disk from time to time – small, gentle apocalypses that I do not quite remember writing."

Dune: The Prophet (#1.3)


Frank Herbert - 2003
    Two years have passed since the events in Book II.

The Bird That Drinks Tears


Lee Yeongdo - 2003
    A rare example of the genre Korean Fantasy, the stock characters and clichés of normal western fantasy such as elves, magic, dragons and Latin languages are instead replaced by Korean concepts such as dokkaebi, ssirum, and the Arajit language based on Proto-Korean language.CharactersKeigon Draka (케이건 드라카) - A mysterious human who hunts and eats nagas. He is chosen as the pathfinder of the Rescue Party that must rescue a naga and bring the naga to Haensha Archtemple. His name consists of two animals that were made extinct by the naga; his first name 'Kaigon,' means black lion, and his last name Draka, means Dragon.Beehyung Srable (비형 스라블) - A cheerful dokkaebi, the butler of castlemaster. He is chosen as the magician of the Rescue Party.Tinahan (티나한) - An arrogant lekon who dreams of climbing on the back of a Sky Fish. He is chosen as the defeater of the Rescue Party.Ryoon Pei (륜 페이) - A young naga who is haunted by the murder of his father, which he witnessed when he was eleven years old. He is sent on a mission to leave Keyboren and reach Haensha Archtemple, where he must try to save all four races. Because of death of his father, he fears extracting his heart and ran away from the heart extraction ritual. His name derives from hanja ryoon(輪), which means 'wheel'.Samo Pei (사모 페이) - A female naga renowned for her dancing and swordsmanship. She is also kind to naga males, which is uncommon behavior in naga society. As a result, the Pei family is popular among males, and Samo becomes an object of jealousy among other families. She is the elder sister of Ryoon Pei. When Ryoon is accused of murder, she sets out to assassinate her brother, according to naga tradition. She later becomes the King of the northern army and fights against the Naga's invasion.

Sticks & Stones


Norm Thabit - 2003
    What exactly IS a power bubble? That question will torment all five of Steef’s mages. They knew, when they agreed to train the boy, that the task would be dangerous. And puzzling. There are no parches for training a Clear.And he doesn’t pulse his power, like a good wizard should. He makes bubbles! Whoever heard of bubbles!? Probably the same people who’ve heard of one wizard with all seven Colors! No one!And there they lay. All over the ground in this remote valley. Blue bubbles. White bubbles. Even (shudder) Black bubbles. Can’t leave ‘em there. Can’t pop ‘em.But if one of the massive HornCats, whose valley this is, happens to trip over a bubble and die, the King of the Cats will expel all of the ‘two-legs’. Or worse. And there’s no where else to go, for hiding is why they came here in the first place. Hiding from the Guilds, who would abuse this boy if they could.Strange place. Strange power. Strange beasts. Even Steef’s staff is strange. But all five of these Masters of magic, love that boy. And they’re going to protect him if they can. From the Guilds and the Cats… and himself.They try not to think about what happens if he does grow up. Because he might just want to come out of that valley. And then bubbles of Power will be the least of their problems.

The Kazillion Wish


Nick Place - 2003
    

The Art of Adrian Smith


Adrian Smith - 2003
    

The Field Guide and The Seeing Stone


Tony DiTerlizzi - 2003
    Three ordinary kids, Jared, Simon, Mallory Grace discover a whole new world, That someone does not want them to know about

Campbell's Kingdom / The White South


Hammond Innes - 2003