Whether it is the three headed guard dog Fluffy in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, or even the story of Smaug in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth in The Hobbit; all these pop culture mythical creatures have a deep connection to the mythologies and folktales of ancient cultures.Where did they come from? What relevance do they serve in mythology? Why are some so obscure, while others become pop-culture enigmas? Get the answer to these questions, and learn about beasts from different world cultures.Folklorist Zayden Stone dives deep into the stories of these magical beasts and providesa fictional anecdote,a retelling of the original myths,an analysis of the symbolism and relevance of the creatures,and then pairs it with some beautiful black and white illustrations reimagined by artist Herdhian.In the Mythical Creatures and Mythological Beasts book, the illustrated guide takes you through six themes that have been specifically chosen since they are consistent across cultures. The categories include:arthropods for insects, crustaceans, and arachnids;avian for birds;canines for wolves and dogs;serpents for snakes and dragons;ungulates for hooved animals like horses and cows; andaquatic for water dwelling beasts.Presenting the creatures in categories makes it easier to see what the beasts have in common. You will find some overlapping themes across ancient cultures that point to universal ideas in how humans perceive the world.If you wonder where your favorite creature is, you will probably find them within these pages, even if they do not have their own chapter. For example, the ever-popular Pegasus can be found in the tale of the Gorgon sisters. He also had a half-brother, Arion, who features in the ungulates section. There is also a brilliant white-winged horse from Islamic tradition which may sound very familiar to Pegasus as well.If you have a love for the myths and want to learn about the unique beasts that dwell within them, this book is a great way to do it. Not only will you learn about ones you may have never heard of, but you will also be able to draw parallels between cultures and see how they interpreted their surroundings through stories of mythical creatures and magical beasts.

    For five years, he studied the secrets of the Arcane Art that lives in his very blood and bones. Now, he has become a Mage, a wielder of awesome power, capable of creating and destroying life. The power drawn from the very fabric of reality at his fingertips. Thus he is assigned to a post in his home town which is in need of the assistance that only a true master of the Arcane can provide. And his first great working shall be... Fixing the local irrigation system. And taking care of a premature girl mage. Oh, and his superior is a jerk. Such is the Life of a Mage

    Built by the greater god Helion, each floor is like a vast and ever changing realm equipped with its own challenges, its own dangers, and its own rewards for those willing to risk it all. And for any strong enough to reach the tower’s peak comes the right to fight for the ultimate prize...Valin Frost was a common thief from earth with little desire to risk his life in the tower. However, a twist of fate plunged him through its large, onyx doors. Now, Valin must join the ranks of the mana wielders, master his abilities, and learn how to fight if he plans on surviving the trials of Helion’s tower... and perhaps, one day carving his name into the book of legends.This is a tower ascension novel with litrpg and cultivation elements.

    Carnie. Ride jockey. Roustabout. White trash. Tilt girl. Gypsy. Cricket has been called a lot of things, but she never thought survivor of the zombie apocalypse would be one of them.Book 3: The Shadow AspectLayla and Cricket must join forces if they hope to survive the end of days. But when the world burns, mankind's shadow side rises. Do we deserve to survive?Book 4: Witch WoodHarm none, and be ready for zombies. In the little town of Brighton, Amelia's practice of Wicca marks her as a curiosity both at home and at school. But when modern treatments fail to make a dent in the flu outbreak sweeping the globe, those who once ridiculed her white witchcraft turn to Amelia for help.Book 5: The Torn WorldWith the undead walking, vampires hunting, and kitsune closing in, everything seems lost. Layla, Cricket, and Amelia will need help if there is any hope of survival. Will they prevail in the dying world? Bonus Read: The Clarion Call The spirits warned Vasilisa the end was coming. Who knew her actions might save the world?

    Ivan has an interface, a spear, and basic weapon skills. All he has to do to return to Earth is complete a simple quest and reach the second level. But experience points are only awarded for kills in this game, and the clock is ticking. Whoever doesn’t score within 24 hours will remain in the location forever.The game takes places in the ruins of a massive city, where the undead lurk in the central districts and the outskirts are raided by the descendants of past owners. The undead are strong, while the goblins rarely move around alone and aren’t worth much XP. The most valuable prey under these conditions are formal allies, i.e. the other players. If a player is capable of killing a fellow human, of course. Even if they aren’t planning to go against their own nature by murdering innocents, who said that they will have a choice? It’s kill or be killed!Those who complete the quest will be returned to Earth, where they can rest and prepare for the next attempt. Beyond the local objective is also a global one. In the center of the city stands a temple to a fallen god, and until one of the players captures the Altar, the mission will be repeated again and again. But when all you’re holding is a spear, your allies can’t be trusted, and resurrection is nearly impossible, this isn’t much more than a delayed death sentence…For the first seven players, who become the Earth Gods, this mission is a chance to rapidly gain power and take charge of a united Pantheon. A chance to escape death and protect our world from invasion. Although there is only one altar and the Gods make others do their work. Ivan must make a choice and decide whose pawn he will become. Or should he take a risk, refuse their patronage and keep his options open?

    But will his talent and stamina be up for the challenge?Warning: This novel contains mature content, including a harem element and explicit sex. It is not meant for readers under 18 years of age.

    A series of near death encounters force Asan to flee from his world with a sacred item that once belonged to a legendary figure from an ancient clan.Transported into the World of Realms, Asan wakes up in the body of an assassinated ten-year-old boy. He finds himself thrown into a strange new world— A world of cultivation and magical beasts. Thrown into the world as a mortal, Asan struggles to survive against the various powers that seek to destroy him.With the help of a highly-feared cultivator, he must battle to transcend his mortal roots and understand the mysteries of the World of Realms. This a story that has a fantastic blend of Western and Eastern themes. Those who love Wuxia, epic, and dark fantasies would definitely enjoy this novel. It could also be regarded as a coming of age novel in a mythical and dystopian world.

    The war with the Serken has finally turned to the favor of the Allied worlds for the first time in over a decade, yet it is far from over. Lt. Commander Roy O’Hara leads his squadron of combat fighters against the enemy’s latest Super Destroyer and is shot down over an unexplored planet. Unknown to all, the planet holds secrets to a long lost alien weapon, the key to Roy’s own destiny and his role in an age old prophecy. Near death Roy is found by Katreena, a beautiful and mysterious woman. She is part of the medieval society on the planet that knows nothing of space or alien wars. On a solitary trip, she finds Roy, broken and battered, and saves his life with the Boto Stone; one of the most powerful tools of the healers in their society. She is unaware that by doing so she will create a deep bond and awaken an affect not seen for hundreds of years; the ability to communicate to each other in dreams. An unguarded moment leads to a forbidden night of intimacy; an act of betrayal to the crown, an act that will put both their lives in jeopardy. Katreena flees to save them both, but their ability to access each other’s dreams does not diminish. Danger increases as their secret may be discovered and war erupts on their planet.

     A kept secret. A life altered. A new journey.  Ariane lived her life one book at a time. She would never have guessed those books were about to change everything. They led her to Orion. Tall, dark, with eyes only for her. The rest of the world ceased to exist when Orion was around. But during a fateful ash moon, he shifted into a wolf. Ari thought she was dreaming, but she’d recognize those eyes anywhere. Fiction became reality. Fantasy was actually history. And soon, Ari would learn her role in it. A pack war was on the horizon, and she was the only one who could stop it. Nothing would ever be as it once was, because Ariane was now part of the Avynwood Pack. With over 8 million pages read in Kindle Unlimited, find out why everyone is falling for the paranormals in this romance trilogy. "One of the best written paranormal offerings I’ve found this year." - Crystal M., Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★ "Completely obsessed with this new series!! Total must read!" - TracyB, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★ "This story is AMAZING. I think the plot is genius." - Nina, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★ "Well written, passionate characters, suspense, twists and turns. So good!" - Nikki B, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★

     Orphaned by demons at the age of ten, I have dedicated my life to keeping the world safe from nightmares. Trained by one of the greatest monster hunters who ever lived, and armed with an arsenal of mystical weapons, I battle forces beyond human understanding. Trust me, it’s not as glamorous as it sounds. The Shadow Detective Boxed Set collects the first three supernatural action chillers of the bestselling urban fantasy horror series in one place for one great price. You get: Cursed City, Soul Catcher and Blood Rain. CURSED CITY My name is Mike Raven. I hunt nightmares. Demons murdered my parents when I was eight. Turns out my folks were paranormal investigators and Hell always settles its scores. Naturally I decided to join the family business. For two decades I've studied the occult and traveled the world fighting monsters. Vampires. Shifters. Demons. Ghosts. I've faced them all. But my biggest challenge lay ahead... From the moment Celeste stepped into my office, I knew she was in trouble. Black magic trouble. Her father had promised her soul to a powerful demon on the day she was born. Now, twenty-one years later, the forces of darkness were gathering to collect their long-awaited prize. Guess who's about to pick a fight with the Devil himself... SOUL CATCHER My name is Mike Raven. I hunt monsters. But today the monsters are hunting me. There are two worlds. The world of the living--and the world of the dead. Sometimes they overlap. And sometimes they collide. The spirit of a diabolical killer has returned from the grave to stalk the woman I love. Guess who's going to pick a fight with a dead murderer and his legion of the damned? BLOOD RAIN My name is Mike Raven. I've always hunted monsters. But now one of them is the woman I love. I tried to save Detective Jane Archer's life. Instead I turned her into a creature of the night. I know she's out there. Hunting. Killing. It's only a matter of time before our paths cross. Before I must make a terrible decision: Do I put her down or let my city drown in a rain of blood?

    

    

    Gifted with the unusual ability to weave time with matter, sixteen-year-old Adelice Lewys is exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen as a Spinster is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also mean the power to embroider the fabric of life. But Adelice isn't interested. Because once you become a Spinster, there's no turning back.

    Earth has entered a golden age of technology, and man and artificial intelligence share the world in peace. For those that aren't satisfied with the physical humdrum of Earth, the Singularity's people eagerly welcome humans into their home of Incipere. But new golden age or not, the world keeps on turning as it always has, and it still isn’t always datum and daisies. Just ask Athos Aramis. After being mugged, stabbed, and left with a critical spinal injury, Athos’s last option is to trade one machine-supported life for another and let his mind be downloaded into the world of Incipere. Thanks in part to some outdated guide books, his journey is less than ideal, and as the newest alchemist of Incipere, Athos must learn to survive as he goes. His biggest lesson? Incipere - and its denizens - shouldn't be taken lightly.