A charming story about a timid eskimo boy who takes a step closer to manhood with the aid of his wise grandfather and a dreamtime vision of a Woolly Mammoth.
Twenty-three spellbinding tales of sorcery, wizardry and witchcraft, of the ceaseless battle between good and evil. From dark lords and epic clashes between the forces of good and evil to a child's struggle to control magical powers for the first time this wonderfully varied collection comprises stories by the most outstanding writers of fantasy: A. C. Benson, James Bibby, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Louise Cooper, Ralph Adams Cram, Peter Crowther, Esther M. Friesner, Tom Holt, Doug Hornig, Diana Wynne Jones, Michael Kurland, Tim Lebbon, Ursula K. Le Guin, Richard A. Lupoff, Michael Moorcock, John Morressy, Tim Pratt, David Sandner, Lawrence Schimel and Mike Resnick, Darrell Schweitzer, Clark Ashton Smith, Steve Rasnic Tem and Robert Weinberg.
This is the first study of Thomas Mann's landmark German modernist novel Der Zauberberg (The Magic Mountain, 1924) that takes as its starting point the interest in Mann's book shown by non-academic readers. It is also a case study in a cluster of issues central to the interrelated fields of transnational German studies, global modernism studies, comparative literature, and reception theory: it addresses the global circulation of German modernism, popular afterlives of a canonical work, access to cultural participation, relationship between so-called 'high-brow' and 'low-brow' culture, and the limitations of traditional academic reading practices. The study intervenes in these discussions by developing a critical practice termed 'closer reading' and positioning it within the framework of world literature studies. Mann's Magic Mountain centres around nine comparative readings of five novels, three films, and one short story conceived as responses to The Magic Mountain. These works provide access to distinct readings of Mann's text on three levels: they function as records of their authors' reading of Mann, provide insights into broader culturally and historically specific interpretations of the novel, and feature portrayals of fictional readers of The Magic Mountain. These nine case studies are contextualized, complemented, enhanced, and expanded through references to hundreds of other diverse sources that testify to a lively engagement with The Magic Mountain outside of academic scholarship, including journalistic reviews, discussions on internet fora and blogs, personal essays and memoirs, Mann's fan mail and his replies to it, publishing advertisements, and marketing brochures from Davos, where the novel is set.
The #1 bestselling chapter book is now a graphic novel! Magic. Mystery. Time-travel. Get whisked back in time in the magic tree house with Jack and Annie! Where did the tree house come from? Before Jack and Annie can find out, the mysterious tree house whisks them to the prehistoric past. Now they have to figure out how to get home. Can they do it before dark...or will they become a dinosaur's dinner? For the first time in graphic novel--live the adventure again in the very first Magic Tree House book, with new art from comic artists Kelly and Nichole Matthews!
Twenty-three spellbinding tales of sorcery, wizardry and witchcraft, of the ceaseless battle between good and evil. From dark lords and epic clashes between the forces of good and evil to a child's struggle to control magical powers for the first time this wonderfully varied collection comprises stories by the most outstanding writers of fantasy: A. C. Benson, James Bibby, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Louise Cooper, Ralph Adams Cram, Peter Crowther, Esther M. Friesner, Tom Holt, Doug Hornig, Diana Wynne Jones, Michael Kurland, Tim Lebbon, Ursula K. Le Guin, Richard A. Lupoff, Michael Moorcock, John Morressy, Tim Pratt, David Sandner, Lawrence Schimel and Mike Resnick, Darrell Schweitzer, Clark Ashton Smith, Steve Rasnic Tem and Robert Weinberg.
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia C. Wrede, the fantastic conclusion to her tale of magic on the western frontier.Eff is an unlucky thirteenth child...but also the seventh daughter in her family. Her twin brother, Lan, is a powerful double seventh son. Her life at the edge of the Great Barrier Spell is different from anyone else's that she knows.When the government forms an expedition to map the Far West, Eff has the opportunity to travel farther than anyone in the world. With Lan, William, Professor Torgeson, Wash, and Professor Ochiba, Eff finds that nothing on the wild frontier is as they expected. There are strange findings in their research, a long prarie winter spent in too-close quarters, and more new species, magical and otherwise, dangerous and benign, than they ever expected to find. And then spring comes, and the explorers realize how tenuous life near the Great Barrier Spell may be if they don't find a way to stop a magical flood in a hurry. Eff's unique way of viewing magic has saved the settlers time and again, but this time all of Columbia is at stake if she should fail.
Summary of the story: The Mammoth Mission is a heartwarming children's story about a tribe of Mammoths who live in a forest and their journey to protect their home and the creatures that live within it. When the Mammoths notice a dark cloud moving towards them, they set out on a mission to warn the other creatures in the forest. Along the way, they encounter a fairy who offers to help them defeat the evil sorcerer who cast the dark cloud over the forest. The Mammoths show bravery and selflessness as they embark on their journey, facing challenges and overcoming obstacles to protect their home. With the help of the fairy, they defeat the sorcerer and save the forest from destruction. As a token of her appreciation, the fairy gifts the Mammoths powerful tools to aid them in their future endeavors. With these gifts, the Mammoths become the protectors of the forest and work tirelessly to keep it safe. Years pass, and the Mammoths grow old but continue to patrol the forest, keeping it safe from harm. They become a legend in the forest, inspiring generations to come to become stewards of the environment. In the end, the Mammoths fulfill their mission, leaving behind a legacy of bravery and selflessness. Their story reminds us that even the smallest creatures can make a big difference and that protecting the environment is a responsibility that we all share. Top of Form Bottom of Form Story Begins: Once upon a time. In a far-off land, where the sun always shone and the breeze was always warm, there lived a tribe of creatures called the Mammoths. These were gentle giants, who roamed the verdant forests that surrounded their home, in search of food and play. They were proud and majestic creatures, with long tusks that curved up towards the sky, and thick, shaggy fur that protected them from the elements. The Mammoths were a peaceful tribe, and they lived in harmony with all the other creatures in the forest. They were known for their kindness and their generosity, and many of the smaller creatures in the forest looked up to them as protectors and friends. The Mammoths had a deep connection to nature and the world around them. They knew every inch of the forest and could navigate through it with ease, using their keen sense of smell and their powerful memories. They understood the seasons and the cycles of nature, and they lived in balance with the land, taking only what they needed and giving back what they could. Despite their size and strength, the Mammoths were not invincible. They faced challenges and dangers in their world, just like any other creature. There were predators in the forest, who saw the Mammoths as a source of food. There were harsh winters, where food and water were scarce, and the Mammoths had to rely on their instincts and their resilience to survive. But the Mammoths were not afraid of these challenges. They faced them head-on, with bravery and courage. They had a deep sense of community, and they looked out for each other, sharing food and resources when times were tough. They knew that they were stronger together than they were alone, and they worked as a team to overcome any obstacle. One of the greatest challenges that the Mammoths faced was the encroachment of humans on their land. As humans began to settle in the nearby valleys, they started to clear the forests, destroying the Mammoths' natural habitat. The Mammoths watched with sadness as their home was destroyed, and they knew that they had to do something to protect themselves and their land. The Mammoths organized themselves into a council, with the wisest and most experienced among them leading the way. They decided that they needed to take action to stop the humans from destroying their home. They began to reach out to other creatures in the forest, forming alliances and building coalitions. Together, the Mammoths and their allies worked to raise awareness about the destruction of the forest. They talked to the humans, trying to reason with them and persuade them to stop cutting down the trees. They organized protests and demonstrations, trying to get the attention of the wider world and bring pressure to bear on humans. The Mammoths knew that they faced an uphill battle, but they were determined to protect their home. They knew that the forest was not just their home, but the home of countless other creatures as well, and they felt a deep responsibility to protect it. As time went on, the Mammoths and their allies began to make progress. They convinced some of the humans to stop cutting down the trees, and they worked with others to create protected areas within the forest. They continued to raise awareness and to fight for their cause, even in the face of resistance and opposition. Eventually, the humans began to see the error of their ways. They realized that they had been destroying something precious and irreplaceable, and they started to work with the Mammoths and their allies to protect the forest. They set up conservation programs and reforestation projects, and they started to work towards a future where humans and nature could coexist in harmony. The Mammoths watched with pride as their home was restored and protected. They knew that their efforts had made a difference, and they felt a deep sense of satisfaction and gratitude. They had worked tirelessly to protect their home, and their hard work had paid off. Over time, the Mammoths became known as champions of the forest. They were respected and admired by all the creatures in the forest, who saw them as symbols of strength and determination. They continued to live in harmony with nature, cherishing the land that they had fought so hard to protect. Despite the challenges that they had faced, the Mammoths remained optimistic about the future. They knew that there would always be challenges and obstacles to overcome, but they felt confident in their ability to face them with bravery and resilience. The Mammoths were used to spending their days playing and having fun in the forest. They would roam around, grazing on the lush greenery, splashing in the streams, and playing games with each other. They enjoyed the simple pleasures of life and never worried about the future. But one day, something unusual happened. The sky, which was always blue and clear, began to change. It started with a faint haze, which gradually grew thicker and darker. The Mammoths, who were playing a game of tag, paused to look up at the sky. They saw a huge, ominous cloud moving towards them, covering the sun, and casting a deep shadow over the forest. The Mammoths were confused and frightened. They had never seen anything like this before and didn't know what to make of it. They looked at each other, wondering if they should run or hide, but they could not move. The sky continued to darken, and the cloud grew closer and larger. The Mammoths could hear strange rumbling sounds coming from the cloud, and they felt the ground shaking beneath their feet. Suddenly, the cloud burst open, and a fierce storm descended upon the forest. The wind howled, the rain poured down in sheets, and lightning flashed across the sky. The Mammoths huddled together, trying to find shelter from the storm, but there was none.
25 chilling short stories by outstanding female writers. Women have always written exceptional stories of horror and the supernatural. This anthology aims to showcase the very best of these, from Amelia B. Edwards's 'The Phantom Coach', published in 1864, through past luminaries such as Edith Wharton and Mary Elizabeth Braddon, to modern talents including Muriel Gray, Sarah Pinborough and Lilith Saintcrow. From tales of ghostly children to visitations by departed loved ones, and from heart-rending stories to the profoundly unsettling depiction of extreme malevolence, what each of these stories has in common is the effect of a slight chilling of the skin, a feeling of something not quite present, but nevertheless there. If anything, this showcase anthology proves that sometimes the female of the species can also be the most terrifying . . .
What happens when an Irish god finds himself smitten by a beautiful mortal woman? When the Celtic gods dream of romance trouble abounds! Visit an Irish king tempted by the poetry of a sensuous wraith who blends the mythological and the historical so seamlessly he finds himself transported to a myth-laden Ireland of beasts and warriors-and entirely at her mercy. A forbidden love cursed by the saints causes two young lovers to magically shape-shift to freedom in an underground fairy Otherworld with disastrous results. A Celtic hero sets out on a treacherous sea journey to claim a dream woman. The rekindled ashes of an ancient desire between a fierce clansman and his lady find new light with a pair of young, secret lovers. The volume contains stories by: Jenna Maclaine, Jennifer Ashley, Roberta Gellis, Claire Delacroix, Sue-Ellen Welfonder, Cindy Miles, Ciar Cullen, Helen Scott Taylor, Shirley Kennedy, Margo Maguire, Susan Krinard, Pat McDermott, Nadia Williams, Dara England, Kathleen Givens, Sandra Newgent, Cindy Holby, Cat Adams, Penelope Neri, Patricia Rice.