In this fantasy romance, a royal on a rescue mission falls in love with mysterious stranger and is torn between his duty and his heart. The Summer Court is nothing like Sebastian remembers. The oppressed lower classes are drained of their magick, and around every corner political intrigues threaten an already unstable regime. Sebastian’s only hope of surviving the Court and bringing home Prince Lyne’s traitorous brother lies with Duine, a magickless Unseelie servant desperate to win his freedom. A servant for whom Sebastian, an estranged Seelie royal himself, is developing a dangerous and deepening affection. But behind the mask Duine wears are secrets as dangerous as what’s smoldering between them. And the more Duine helps Sebastian navigate Court life, the more it becomes clear the servant is not who he appears to be. How he came to be the whipping boy of one of the most powerful and corrupt faeries in the Summer Court is a truth Sebastian is determined to uncover, even if it puts him at odds with the very people who can lead him to the missing Unseelie prince. When a powerful enemy steps from the shadows, it could spell the end not just for the Unseelie, but for both faerie Courts. Sebastian must choose: complete the mission and earn his place among the Unseelie who took him in, or risk his very life to ensure freedom for the man he loves.
BOOK ONE IN THE BROKEN EMPIRE TRILOGY “Prince of Thorns deserves attention as the work of an iconoclast who seems determined to turn that familiar thing, Medievalesque Fantasy Trilogy, entirely on its head.”—Locus When he was nine, he watched as his mother and brother were killed before him. By the time he was thirteen, he was the leader of a band of bloodthirsty thugs. By fifteen, he intends to be king... It’s time for Prince Honorous Jorg Ancrath to return to the castle he turned his back on, to take what’s rightfully his. Since the day he hung pinned on the thorns of a briar patch and watched Count Renar’s men slaughter his mother and young brother, Jorg has been driven to vent his rage. Life and death are no more than a game to him—and he has nothing left to lose. But treachery awaits him in his father’s castle. Treachery and dark magic. No matter how fierce his will, can one young man conquer enemies with power beyond his imagining?
Phineas Smith has been cursed with a power no one could control. Roark Lyne is his worst enemy and his only hope. First in the Darkest Court series. The only human student at Mather’s School of Magick, Phineas Smith has a target on his back. Born with the rare ability to tap into unlimited magick, he finds both Faerie Courts want his allegiance—and will do anything to get it. They don’t realize he can’t levitate a feather, much less defend the Faerie Realm as it slips into civil war. Unseelie Prince Roark Lyne—Phineas’s roommate and self-proclaimed arch nemesis—is beautiful and brave and a pain in the ass. Phineas can’t begin to sort through their six years of sexual tension masquerading as mutual dislike. But Roark is also the only one able to help Finn tame his magick. Trusting Roark’s mysterious motives may be foolish; not accepting his temporary protection would be deadly. Caught in the middle of the impending war, Phineas and Roark forge a dangerous alliance. And as the walls between them crumble, Phineas realizes that Roark isn’t the monster he’d imagined. But their growing intimacy threatens to expose a secret that could either turn the tide of the war . . . or destroy them both. Praise for the Darkest Court series “Stunningly brilliant.” —Mirrigold “This is such a fantastic series! The contemporary twist on classic high fantasy is beautifully executed.” —Wicked Reads “I am utterly infatuated with this series and cannot wait for the next book.” —The Novel Approach Reviews
International bestselling author Mark Lawrence continues the bold new world of dark fantasy he created in the Broken Empire trilogy with the first book of the Red Queen's War... For all her reign the Red Queen has fought the long war, contested in secret, against the powers that stand behind nations, for higher stakes than land or gold. Her greatest weapon is The Silent Sister—unseen by most and unspoken of by all. The Red Queen’s grandson, Prince Jalan Kendeth—drinker, gambler, seducer of women—is one who can see The Silent Sister. Content with his role as a minor royal, Jal pretends that the hideous crone is not there. But war with the undead is coming, and the Red Queen has called on her family to defend the realm. Jal thinks that nothing that will affect him. He's wrong... After escaping a death trap set by the Silent Sister, Jal finds his fate magically intertwined with a fierce Norse warrior. As the two undertake a journey to undo the spell, encountering grave dangers, willing women, and an upstart prince named Jorg Ancrath along the way, Jalan gradually catches a glimmer of the truth: he and the Norseman are but pieces in a game—and the Red Queen controls the board.
Dragon shifter Prince Jaxx is tasked with saving a planet in turmoil — but when he rescues alluring Fiora from her ruthless captors, it becomes his mission to claim her as his mate… A red-hot paranormal romance! Prince Jaxx's inner dragon-shifter is at war with his human side. He knows what is right and what is prudent, and those two impulses rarely line up. With so many people in need and the planet in chaos, how can he even think about finding a mate? But when he helps to rescue the alluring Fiora from her captors, something inside him shifts, and all he can think about is winning her love. Book Two of the Qurilixen Lords series, the much anticipated dragon shapeshifter romance by NY Times and USA TODAY Bestselling Author, Michelle M. Pillow. RNAA Recommended Read - March 2021 "a fascinating read with excellent world-building." - Romance Novel Addicts Anonymous Book Recommendation by Linda Fausnet ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ About the Qurilixen Lords Series This series features the adult children of the Dragon Lords and Lords of the Var® series. These books can stand alone. Author Note: This is the son of the Dragon Lords: Dark Prince's Yusef and Olena. Praise for Qurilixen Lords “Filled with intrigue and adventure, Dragon Prince: A Qurilixen World Novel is an exciting new spinoff in a rich and intricate universe. Michelle Pillow creates characters to cheer for, to hope with, while building worlds that are portals for the imagination. Truly, Ms. Pillow is a master of futuristic fantasy.” - Yasmine Galenorn, NY Times, Publishers Weekly, & USA TODAY Bestseller "Michelle M. Pillow crafts an incredible story. Paranormal romance as hot as dragon fire!" - Gena Showalter, NY Times & USA TODAY Bestseller "Sometimes you just need to gobble up the insane goodness that is dragons, and Michelle has been aiding in that addiction for fifteen years." - Eve Langlais, NY Times & USA TODAY Bestseller “Michelle Pillow weaves a fantastical tale of dragon shifters, full of rich world-building, action and adventure, along with a sexy love story. This entire series is not to be missed!” - Bianca D'Arc, USA TODAY Bestseller "A wonderfully sexy tale filled with romance and dragon-shifters that draws you in from the first page and doesn’t let go. The Qurilixen Lords series is one you don’t want to miss!" - Mina Carter, NY Times & USA TODAY Bestseller Qurilixen Lords series: Dragon Prince Marked Prince Feral Prince Fire Prince Her Lawless Prince - Coming Soon Poisoned Prince - Coming Soon Cursed Dragon - Coming Soon A Qurilixen World Novel The Qurilixen World is an extensive collection of paranormal, fantasy, and science fiction romance novels by award-winning author, Michelle M. Pillow, and includes several series installments: Dragon Lords, Lords of the Var®, Space Lords, Captured by a Dragon-shifter, Galaxy Alien Mail Order Brides, Dynasty Lords, Qurilixen Lords, and more. Topics: Dragon Shapeshifter, Cat Shifter, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fated Mate, Alpha Male, Alien Romance, futuristic romance, fated mate, comedy, shapeshifter romance, dragon shifter, Science Fiction & Fantasy, prince, Dragon Romance, Shifter Romance, Sci-Fi, Alien Romance, Paranormal Romance, futuristic, nobility, royalty, action and adventure, romantic comedy, fantasy, sci-fi, First Contact, dragon-shifter, hea, humorous romance, romantic adventure, sfr, space exploration, weredragon. Perfect for fans of Gena Showalter, Laurann Dohner, Charlene Hartnady, Darynda Jones, S. E. Smith, Evangeline Anderson, Christine Feehan, Donna Grant, Rebecca Zanetti, Anna Hackett, JR Ward, Kresley Cole, Lynsay Sands, Nalini Singh, Genevieve Jack, Felicity Heaton, Jennifer L Armentrout, Carrie Ann Ryan, Elizabeth Hunter, Patricia Briggs, Laurell K. Hamilton, Lora Leigh, Alisa Woods.
With a mix of both respectable and immoral advice, The Prince is a frank analysis on political power. Separated into four sections, The Prince is both a guide to obtain power and an explanation on the aspects that affect it. The first section discusses the types of principalities. According to Machiavelli, there are four different types—hereditary, mixed, new and ecclesiastical. While defining each type, Machiavelli also discusses the implications of each. Next, The Prince identifies types of armies. There are hired armies, which Machiavelli himself expressed distrust of, loaned troops (also known as auxiliaries), native, or a mix of the three. With intriguing contrasts, the next section reveals the most effective behavior and characteristics for a ruler. While it is advised to be stingy over generous, cruel over merciful, and champions dishonesty over inconvenience, The Prince also stresses the importance of being a well-like ruler with an enhanced reputation, creating a complex character to portray. Finally, to highlight why the aforementioned sections are necessary and accurate, the last section of The Prince discusses the political state of 16th century Italy. With examples of both effective and ineffective policies and rulers, The Prince provides intriguing philosophical and political discourse as well as a detailed look at the innerworkings of the Italian government during the Renaissance. The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli introduces an unprecedented political analysis, creating a fascinating discussion on Renaissance politics while inviting readers to consider the evidence of Machiavelli’s studies present in modern-day government. Machiavelli’s work has paved the way for and shaped political parties that are still in practice even in a democratic society, consequently solidifying The Prince as an ever-present analysis of political science. This edition of Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince is presented in a modern font and features a new, eye-catching cover design. Providing both a riveting look into Renaissance politics and a relevant analysis of power, The Prince by Machiavelli possess a duality that preserves its influence.
The Prince is a 16th-century political treatise by the Italian diplomat and political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli. From correspondence a version appears to have been distributed in 1513, using a Latin title, De Principatibus (About Principalities). However, the printed version was not published until 1532, five years after Machiavelli's death. This was done with the permission of the Medici pope Clement VII, but "long before then, in fact since the first appearance of the Prince in manuscript, controversy had swirled about his writings". Although it was written as if it were a traditional work in the mirrors for princes style, it is generally agreed that it was especially innovative. This is only partly because it was written in the vernacular Italian rather than Latin, a practice which had become increasingly popular since the publication of Dante's Divine Comedy and other works of Renaissance literature. The Prince is sometimes claimed to be one of the first works of modern philosophy, especially modern political philosophy, in which the effective truth is taken to be more important than any abstract ideal. It was also in direct conflict with the dominant Catholic and scholastic doctrines of the time concerning how to consider politics and ethics. Although it is relatively short, the treatise is the most remembered of Machiavelli's works and the one most responsible for bringing the word "Machiavellian" into usage as a pejorative. It also helped make "Old Nick" an English term for the devil, and even contributed to the modern negative connotations of the words "politics" and "politician" in western countries. In terms of subject matter it overlaps with the much longer Discourses on Livy, which was written a few years later. In its use of near-contemporary Italians as examples of people who perpetrated criminal deeds for politics, another lesser-known work by Machiavelli which The Prince has been compared to is the Life of Castruccio Castracani.
