A CONTINUATION OF THE CLASSIC BEASTMASTER SAGA... In an epic journey across the mystical lands of Ancor, a lone warrior confronts a sinister power from beyond the stars -- forced to stake his very survival on the aid of his companions: a soaring eagle, a fearsome tiger, and two cunning, quick ferrets. BEASTMASTER MYTH Blessed with an extraordinary gift to commune with animals, yet haunted by his own legacy and tragic past, Dar has become champion of his world and its natural riches. But when an unyielding force of evil and carnage descends upon his gentle existence, he must emerge from a spiritual journey and embark upon a dreadful voyage. Will Dar become the savior Ancor so desperately needs, or will his world be subjected to an evil that leaves no innocent unharmed -- human or beast? And when a striking figure from Dar's past reappears, can she help him salvage his broken spirit?
The second book in the Turning Wars trilogy, the thrilling saga about the origins of the Dragonrealm. Nathan Bedlam has managed to free most of the human mages from the Dragon Kings' control, but the struggle against the drake lords has not gone well. With treachery at every turn, Nathan knows that the only hope the rebels have is to seize Penacles, the City of Knowledge. Yet, doing that will require forcing the Gryphon to realize the power within him, a power that may also prove to be the rebellion's downfall.
The world of MYTH is a dark and ancient realm ruled by apocalyptic gods and forever overshadowed by the damning presence of fearsome underworld demons that constantly threaten to engulf the mortal plane in hellfire and smoke. It is a legendary place where powerful mages, deadly beasts, mighty warriors and terrifying darklords coexists and collide in never ending battles that will forever rage on even until the very end of time itself. For it is within this long lost world that epic tales and age old legends of fallen gods, noble heroes and demonic darklords will forever be told as never before. With over 1000 fully illustrated and authentically handwritten pages filled with tales and legends from this awesome netherworld realm, this one of a kind masterpiece is definately a must have for every serious fantasy fan worldwide.
Monster hunting is more than just going out into the woods or hanging out in graveyards. The history and performance of monster hunting, from Alexander the Great to scientific expeditions of the Victorian era, can lead us directly to modern-day Bigfoot searches. Combining methods of scientific exploration with aspects of tourism theory demonstrates how monster-hunting is performative and, through an analysis tool called The Cryptid Tourist Gaze, this book examines how and why we go looking for monsters and the ways in which small towns celebrate the monsters that once haunted them. By looking at specific museums such as The North American Bigfoot Center and Expedition Bigfoot: The Sasquatch Museum as well as various festivals and conferences such as The Mothman Festival and the UFO Festival in Roswell, we can witness the ways modern monster-hunting practices are performed and see how much they have evolved from their predecessors. Through themes of liminality, community, and initiation, the performance of monster hunting through cryptid tourism allows both participants and observers to gain insight into why looking for monsters, proving their existence, and sharing experiences with other believers is so important.
Barden's Foe is pure fantasy. The story is set in the land of Barden, a fictitious world inhabited by magical beings and creatures of myth and legend.When Aramok, a warrior from the Koutan Jungle, meets with a legendary creature called a Phouton, they travel to the enemy-occupied city of Ersk, bent on revenge. In the city, they chance upon an elf, sent by his kindred to evaluate the power of the enemy.Pye the elf senses a power in the warrior that far transcends the urge for revenge. They agree to work toward the common goal of saving the land of Barden from the sinister hands of Merismos the Destroyer.The companions are captured by a platoon of Zark and are imprisoned in the Dungeons of Merismos. They escape Ersk, but Pye is seriously injured, so they seek shelter in the Erskian swamps before they can head to safety in Elfendom.Aramok and Pye seek others to join them in a supreme battle against Merismos. Will they be successful against Barden's Foe? This powerful adventure is a spirited page turner.
Imaginary beasts have figured prominently in literary works ever since the ancient world, when these myths were first formulated. But the nineteenth century witnessed the rise of science, the discovery of geological findings that challenged the biblical myth of creation, and the birth of Darwin's theory of evolution. Since then, monsters have evolved from supernatural creatures to natural ones endowed with exceptional size, strength, or intelligence. This book explores both literary and cinematic texts that are especially explicit in their Darwinian portrayal of monstrous beasts, though these creatures retain an archaic mythological quality. The myth of Leviathan and Behemoth, for instance, is as central to Jaws as it is to Moby-Dick; indeed, Jaws inherits the myth directly from Moby-Dick, as does King Kong. These and other monster tales, such as The Creature from the Black Lagoon and Grendel, keep the ancient myth alive and relevant by recasting it in the context of biological and cultural evolution. There is a pattern of alternating bestialization and anthropomorphism in many monster tales, suggesting that these images are being displayed in repeated attempts to define who we are in relation to animals. Thus the more beastly the monster, the more insistently we erect the old paradigm of the Ladder of Being, placing ourselves on a higher and separate rung; but the more human-like the creature, the more readily we shift to the paradigm of the Tree of Life, in which all creatures are more closely related. Since the matter of distinctions between species also involves questions of race, the monster myth is often conscripted to serve racist agendas. But more often than not, the myth has an anti-racist subtext that undercuts the hierarchy. The closing chapters of the volume consider the notion of artificial evolution in works such as The Island of Dr. Moreau, and human-machine interaction in Gravity's Rainbow. As fables of identity, monster tales dramatize our anxieties and fears about our own animal nature and provide a means of coming to terms with our evolution.
Six teenagers are on their way to an adventure of skill, truth, and love. Becca, Jake, Mike, and Toni have all been the greatest friends to each other longer than each of them could remember. When these teens stumble upon a cave, their adventure will finally ignite. Gifted with special powers, they will test their skills of spreading good. The four stumble upon two already gifted teenagers, and soon find that they had gained their powers from the same place. Met by Destiny, Rachel and Josh, twins by birth, join the others in a quest for survival and a quest to save their parents from the true evil that took them. Meeting Jasmine, Queen Guardian Angel of the Heavens, the teens now know they are Sages.chosen to send evil back where it belongs. But in order to do this they must unlock the door to the Temple of Destiny, built by the Ancient Sages in the Guardian Angel Heavens. They are now on a quest to find the hidden keys to unlock the door of truth and also unlocking the truth buried deep inside themselves. But at the same time, they have to bring someone back into the light, from the deep and sorrowing darkness. The teens are soon helped by the Ancient Protectors of the Sages who lead them in the right direction to succeed in their quest. They will learn much, and travel to many places, including mythical lands. They will meet many beings that they could never have imagined. They still have so many more secrets to uncover about and around them. The teens-the Sages-have a Destiny far greater than any, and far too long and unique to ever think of completing. But can they succeed? The fate of all beings may rely on them.
While other cultures relish tales about fairies, kappas, jinn, and other mythological beings, mainstream folk culture in the United States prefers a comic mythology of "fearsome critters." We yearn about, identify with, hunt for, depict, extol, and chuckle over these critters," explains Richard M. Dorson. "Belief and dread are not wholly absent, but in contrast to the rest of the world, we engage in hoaxes, pranks, tall tales, and tomfoolery with our legendary creatures." -book jacket
Laris is a young orphaned ex-refugee gifted with the beast master ability allowing her to communicate with animals. Her closest companion is a remarkably intelligent and mysterious cat-like creature named Prauo, whose origin is shrouded in mystery. Laris, having made a home for herself with the Quades, a family of Arzor ranchers, also has become friends with beast masters Tani and Hosteen Storm, who help her develop her beast master skills. When Laris inherits a spaceship from a distant relative, she realizes that she might now fulfill her dream of finding Prauo's home planet. But it won't be easy, and she is relieved when she is able to convince her new extended family to embark with her on a journey into the unknown depths of space. What Laris and her friends find in space, however, tests their beast master abilities and threatens their lives. Prauo's homeworld is beset by dangers the intrepid travelers could not have anticipated. It will take all of their talents and experience to get back to Arzor alive. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
