She’d had to make her way on grit alone, which meant it wasn’t likely she’d make admiral, but all she wanted was to be part of the Fleet. But then she ended up a raging space battle, and was the only one who could stop a superior office turned traitor. She had never wanted to be a hero, but fate had other ideas. . . .    Rules of Engagement: Brun Meager is a young woman from a rich and powerful family, which had a lot to do with why Esmay Suiza didn’t get along with her, not to mention both having an amorous interest in Barin Serrano. When Brun was abducted by a repressive religious militia movement that makes the 21st century Taliban look like a bunch of Unitarians, Esmay was suspected of having connived in the capture to eliminate a rival. To clear herself, it looked like Esmay would have to locate and rescue Brun. Time to be a hero again. . . .

    This groundbreaking series chronicles the compelling first contact between humans and multiple alien races, and is noted for its unique viewpoint: that of the alien protagonists.

    Hamilton short stories.

    Now, the land suffers under the tyranny of King Imre, whose savage oppression of the human population weighs heavily on Camber’s heart—a heart that is about to be shattered by a tragic loss that will lead him to confront the usurpers whose dark magic haunts the realm.  Saint Camber: The yoke of tyranny has finally been lifted in Gwynedd, but Camber’s job remains unfinished. The dangerous remnants of a conquered enemy still mass at the borders, and the new ruler is desperately unhappy wearing the crown. With the stability of a fragile kingdom at stake, its greatest champion must make the ultimate sacrifice: Camber of Culdi must cease to exist.  Camber the Heretic: The king’s heir is a mere boy of twelve, and the malevolent regents who will rule until young Alroy comes of age are determined to eliminate all Deryni. Suddenly, the future of Gwynedd hangs in the balance, and Camber—once adored as a saint, but now reviled as a heretic—must find a way to protect his people before everything and everyone he loves is destroyed in the all-consuming flames of intolerance and hate.   Filled with mysticism and magic, these sagas reminds us that “Kurtz’s love of history lets her do things with her characters and their world that no non-historian could hope to do” (Chicago Sun-Times).

    Jason is a college student learning faey technology, but is upset with the faey and their treatment of Earth. Jason meets a fiery red head name Jyslin, who takes a fancy to him and will not take no for an answer. There is a problem though: Jyslin is a Faey Imperial Marine. And, marines are not easily deterred...Never published but can be found online, absolutely for free, on the author's website (http://forums.sennadar.com). Or download from http://www.weavespinner.net/worlds_of...

    It chronicles the adventures of Skeeve, a hapless apprentice magician, and his demonic teacher, Aahz, who has been stripped of his powers, as they battle with an insane wizard who is determined to drain the world of magic. Long out of print, this fantasy classic is fondly remembered by and greatly sought after by a wide audience of comics fans, gamers and fantasy readers. It was also the first professional comics work by both Phil Foglio and his inker, Tim Sale. Also available in a hardcover edition (ISBN-13: 978-1-8908-5643-4).

    Loose Cannon (chap book #7), Shadows and Shades (chap book #8), Quiet Knives (chap book #9), With Stars Underfoot (chap book #10), Necessary Evils (chap book #11), and Allies (chap book #12).

    Two Tales of Korval (chap book #1), Fellow Travelers (chap book #2), Duty Bound (chap book #3), Certain Symmetry (chap book #4), Trading In Futures (chap book #5), and Changeling (chap book #6).

    But his cherubian protector must keep him alive against the threat of a cherubian conspiracy and that of their evil nemesis, the malevolent hordes of the mornachts, who are eager to harden his spirit and possess him. It's up to Major Davian and his unit of elite warriors to foil the conspiracy and prepare for war with the mornachts- the third great Battle for the City of Ezzer. For seven-year-old Tommy, he's just trying to survive the second grade, persecution from bullies, and the strain of his parent's divorce. He has no idea he could be the chosen one, or of the spiritual forces at work surrounding him. "M. B. Weston captures the hearts of the reader with her wonderfully crafted world of Elysia with deep imagery, rich characters, and great emotion. A must read for all fantasy fans. Think City of Angels meets Lord of the Rings meets Terminator 2 and you have a small taste of this new reality. Can't wait to see it on the big screen " Stephen J. Burton, Director/Screenwriter "Inspirational fantasy at its best. Filled with heart-wrenching drama, humor, and breathtaking adventure, which makes for a page-turning saga that will sweep you off to the mystical Elysian City of Ezzer, in Heaven's Realm, where good and evil fight to the death." Robert Gelinas, Author of The Mustard Seed "M. B. Weston has created a fantastical realm that bridges seamlessly into today's world with a powerful yet hopeful, warning message. C. S. Lewis would be proud " Sandy Lender, Author of Choices Meant for Gods

    Extensive annotations by the author will provide fascinating insight into not only the books themselves but the process of creation that made the Forgotten Realms(R) world this generation's greatest fantasy setting.These three books chronicle the early years of the Realms' most powerful and most colorful wizard, the Sage of Shadowdale, Elminster. Follow Elminster from his humble beginnings as a traveling mage to the tragic collapse of an elven empire, and on to a personal turning point that could have sent him down a path to corruption and darkness.

     The legendary events at ps238, the first public school for super-kids continue! Will Guardian Angel recover from her life-threatening illness? What does a child with the power to heal hold? And what will come of the school's first impromptu super-team? Join Moon Shadow, The Flea, Emerald Gauntlet, and all the other students at ps238 as they save the playground from teleporting bullies, alien machines, and time-traveling evil geniuses! A Collection of the ps238 Comic Book, issues #16 through #21

    Five years after a tragic fire and spate of brutal murders, the people of Sandpoint eagerly anticipate the Swallowtail Festival to commemorate the consecration of the town's new temple. At the height of the ceremony, disaster strikes!In the days that follow, a sinister shadow settles over Sandpoint. Rumors of goblin armies and wrathful monsters in forgotten ruins have set the populace on edge. As Sandpoint's newest heroes, the PCs must deal with treachery, goblins, and the rising threat of a forgotten empire whose cruel and despotic rulers might not be as dead as history records.This volume of Pathfinder Adventure Path launches the Rise of the Runelords Adventure Path and includes:- "Burnt Offerings," and adventure for 1st-level characters by James Jacobs.- An exploration of your PCs' new hometown of Sandpoint, by James Jacobs.- A history of the ancient empire of Thassilon, by Wolfgang Baur.- The first installment of the Pathfinder's Journal, by Erik Mona.- Six new monsters by James Jacobs, Richard Pett, and F. Wesley Schneider.Cover art by Wayne Reynolds

    The long-awaited continuation to the popular science fiction saga is the story of Darkover's ruling class, the comyn, and their struggles to reclaim their realm from the devastating effects of the Terran Federation.

    For many, the concept was a replacement for God. 2033. The first alien radio transmissions have been received on Earth—a torrent of encrypted information that no human or computer can crack. But the decision to reply is made, and messages of goodwill are beamed into deep space. Thirty years later, just as humankind is expecting a reply from the aliens, the signals disappear. Then scientists detect a space cloud approaching the solar system at high speed. Immense in size, immeasurable in power, this blazing storm of energy is on a collision course with Earth. As one man desperately struggles to decode the original transmissions, Earth prepares to launch a nuclear attack against a seemingly unstoppable foe. As the cloud rages through the solar system, the alien code is finally broken—and mankind realizes that the enemy is far closer than they knew. Praise for Ray Hammond: 'Compelling, vivid and utterly terrifying... Be afraid, be very afraid.' - Daily Express 'This dazzling vision of global chaos explodes off the page with the dramatic force of a smart bomb.' - Daily Express Ray Hammond is a novelist, dramatist and non-fiction author. He is also a futurologist who lectures on future social and business trends for universities, corporations and governments. He lives in London and can be found on the web at www.rayhammond.com. His other works with Venture Press include The Black Hole, Extinction and Emergence.

    Sure, sure, it's chock full of great stories by the best short fiction writer of his generation, modern classics like The Ugly Chickens and Flying Saucer Rock n Roll and Heart of Whitenesse and many more... but there are two or three times as many terrific Waldrop stories, equally good and sometimes even better, that have been left out for want of space. There's only one solution. Read this book... and then go out and track down all of Waldrop's other collections and read them too.

    Conflicts rage across the Koprulu sector as each of the three species fights for its existence among the stars. LIBERTY'S CRUSADE: Behind the attacks of the zerg and the protoss lies the story of a lifetime, and investigative reporter Mike Liberty is determined to uncover it. But every new piece of information only deepens the mystery. Thrown into the middle of a war that may determine the fate of humanity in the Koprulu sector, Liberty reports on the escalating conflict and wonders whom he can afford to trust. SHADOW OF THE XEL'NAGA: Bhekar Ro is a bleak, backwater world on the fringe of the Terran Dominion, and every day is a struggle to survive for the planet's human colonists. Yet when a violent storm unearths an unfathomable alien structure, Bhekar Ro becomes the greatest prize in the Koprulu sector. Zerg, protoss, and terran forces turn the planet into a bloody battlefield in their haste to claim the lost secrets of the most powerful species the universe has ever known. SPEED OF DARKNESS: All Ardo Melnikov ever dreamed of was living in peace on the verdant colony of Bountiful. That dream was shattered when the zerg attacked the colony and annihilated his loved ones. Now a marine charged with defending the worlds of the Terran Confederacy, he must come to terms with the painful memories of his past...and the unsettling truths that may dominate his future. UPRISING: She is the Queen of Blades. Her name has become legend throughout the galaxy, and that legend is death for all who dare oppose the swarm. Nevertheless, Sarah Kerrigan was once human, and an extraordinary human at that. Forced to become one of the Terran Confederacy's merciless psionic assassins, she carried out her orders without question until a twist of fate propelled her toward a destiny no one could have foreseen. This is the tale of Kerrigan's shadowy origins -- and the war that was fought for her very soul.

    With only a single gold piece to his name–a gift from a nomad chieftain who claimed it carried magic–Krispos heads for the imperial capital, Videssos, and into a world of peril and possibility. KRISPOS OF VIDESSOSKrispos’ reign as emperor of Videssos shows every sign of being brief and very bloody–for trouble is brewing. Civil war has erupted, and as rebel troops take the field against the untried emperor, outland raiders are sweeping down from the northlands in a tide of carnage. How long can Krispos hope to keep head and crown together?KRISPOS THE EMPERORA strange heresy has taken root in the land and soon dissent flares into open revolt as Krispos faces his greatest challenge: To save his empire from tearing itself apart, he wages an evermore desperate war against an implacable foe, setting brother against brother and father against son.

    Shin and Krashen report that children who read recreationally over the summer return to the school year with gains in literacy, while children who do not backslide. Independent, voluntary reading will occur--whether skilled or challenged--as long as children are given access to books of quality and interest. An informative but friendly narrative explains the research-based plan for designing successful summer literacy programs. The appendix includes activities, blackline masters, and advice for commonly experienced challenges, such as working with administrators on summer program needs.

    In this follow-up to Scaredy Dog, author Ali Brown details her successful methods for professional dog trainers ready to work with reactive dogs.

    To defeat this evil, a Star Son is born, heralded by the unique star-shaped mark on his arm. This generation's enemy is Broga, a mage so malevolent that, for the first time in history, two Star Sons are born in the same generation. Broga covets their power and will use any means to gain it - even murder. As young children, Ethan and Jake Payne, the Star Sons of this era, are taken from England to America by their parents to protect them from Broga. The boys are soon orphaned and grow up with no magical training. Now teenagers, Ethan and Jake must find their own way back to the magical world and learn the magic they need to defeat Broga. Will they survive long enough to find help? Or will help, perhaps, find them?

    The Tzotzil women of the Chiapas Highlands are the poets and the artists. Ambar Past, who collected the poems and drawings, includes a moving essay about their poetics, beliefs, and history.In the 1970s, living among the Maya, Past watched the people endure as an epidemic swept through a village. No help came. Many children died. One mother offered her dead child a last sip of Coca-Cola and uttered a prayer:Take this sweet dew from the earth, take this honey. It will help you on your way. It will give you strength on your path.Incantations like this—poems about birth, love, hate, sex, despair, and death—coupled with primitive illustrations, provide a compelling insight into the psychology of these Mayan women poets. The Cinco Puntos edition of Incantations is a facsimile of the original handmade edition produced by the Taller Leñateros. It was reviewed in The New York Times.At the age of twenty-three, Ambar Past left the United States for Mexico. She lived among the Mayan people, teaching the techniques of native dyes and learning to speak Tzotzil. She is the creator of the graphic arts collective Taller Leñateros in Chiapas and was a founding member of Sna Jolobil, a weaving cooperative for Mayan artisans.

    Steve Cutter aka Strand, a dark troubled superhero discovers rapidly evolving man eating creatures. He must warn a disbelieving world and save his niece before it’s too late.-------------------------A dark hero, Strand, fights an epic battle to save mankind. Driven by a tragic past, and a deep desire to do the right thing, Strand valiantly pursues his mission. His world is made up of incredible technologies: exoskeletons, robots, dinosaurs, missiles and explosions. Its a thrill-a-minute ride!!! --Robert Gunter, Author, The Sandlot--------------------------A well-written and imaginative adventure novel about a dark superhero. Fun and entertaining! --Paul Jenkins, Eisner award winning writer of Spiderman, Marvel Knights, Wolverine and more.---------------------------A Superhero with no super powers, just technology and smarts. This could be real. I'm looking out my window for any T-Rex Crocs or Mariners. You are gonna love it! --Scott Satin, Executive TV Producer, Who Wants to be a Superhero?

    Desperate to calm his nightmarish visions of his lover Padme Amidala's death, Skywalker falls under the thrall of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and his promises of power beyond all imagining. Once a slave to the dark side, Skywalker helps carry out a tragic conspiracy against the Jedi that will see the Republic transformed into an Empire.

    But as Lolla-Wossiky ventures north in search of his dream beast, he also is on a quest to cure the ceaseless presence of the "black noise" - a shroud of darkness inside his head created by the violent death of his father that he can only push back when he is drinking. But along the voyage, an experience in Wobbish territory will change Lolla-Wossiky's life forever, and change him from a drunken Red Man into the wise and powerful Red Prophet. Also includes a special Ender's story.

    Cryessa, High Priestess of the land by birth and training, is strong and commanding, but locked in a life and death struggle to protect her people from the King, who bears a centuries old hate for the Temple.

    R. Martin is a giant in the field of fantasy literature and one of the most exciting storytellers of our time. Now he delivers a rare treat for listeners: a compendium of his shorter works, collected into three stunning volumes, that offers fascinating insight into his journey from young writer to award-winning master.Whether writing about werewolves, wizards, or outer space, George R. R. Martin is renowned for his versatility and expansive talent, highlighted in this dazzling collection.  Included here in Volume III are acclaimed stories such as the World Fantasy Award winner “The Skin Trade” as well as the first novella in the Ice and Fire universe, “The Hedge Knight,” plus two never-before-published screenplays. Featuring extensive author commentary, Dreamsongs, Volume III, is an invaluable chronicle of a writer at the height of his creativity–and an unforgettable listening experience for fans old and new.

    Magorium's Wonder Emporium!Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium is the most unusual toy store ever. Edward Magorium, proprietor and marbles champion is 243 years old and has been inventing toys since the mid-1770's. Now it's time for him to leave and he wants Molly Mahoney to take over the store. But Molly doesn't think she can and the store throws a tantrum and begins to turn gray. With the help of nine-year-old Eric, a counting mutant (otherwise known as an accountant) named Henry, a block of wood and some faith in herself, can Mahoney save the Wonder Emporium? Or does the magic have to depart with Mr. Magorium?

    As Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker try to discover the identity of the assassin, they uncover an insidious plot to destroy the Republic.

    First, the horses were attacked. Then, the river dried up. Now, the last of the crops has mysteriously burnt to the ground. Everyone is terrified. But Tom isn't afraid. He's always dreamed of a quest-a real quest!-and vows to go to the king and bring help for them all. But Tom soon learns that his village is not the only one in trouble. People are in trouble all over the kingdom. Hope is nearly lost. That is, until Tom is sent on the greatest quest of all--the Beast Quest.

    Hughes is one of the top voices in modern SF, and this book has a huge audience waiting for it."For 100,000 years, Old Earth's Institute for Historical Inquiry has mapped the collective unconscious of the human race. They have encountered all the archetypal figures - the Wise Man and the Fool, the Destroyer and the Redeemer - the "usual suspects" that populate the myths and legends at the back of the human mind.And now young Guth Bandar suspects the collective unconscious has become aware of itself. Worse, it has an agenda. And worst of all, it can force Bandar to go deep into the darkest forests of the mind, where the only escape from madness is death.""A fascinating premise. There is interest for the reader here on several levels: in following Guth Bandar's adventures, in the various archetypical personality types he encounters, in his reflections on the more philosophical questions of the nature of consciousness. In "The Commons," Hughes has created a universe with particularly fertile prospects for speculative activity."" -- Tangent""Irresistibly good reading."" -- Booklist on Black Brillion""Hughes's boldness is admirable."" -- The New York Review of Science Fiction