"After another long day at work, all Jon Christensen wanted was a cheap burger and some peace and quiet. When he pulled into the local McDonald's, Jon only had the usual cares on his mind. His sister. The bills. A career with seemingly nowhere to go. But after a confusing encounter at the cash register triggers a violent episode in the parking lot, he's quickly pulled into a world he doesn't understand. His few careless sentences - and the odd gift of languages he's kept hidden for years - wind up thrusting him right into the middle of a chaotic magical free-for-all, a battle taking place in the shadows of society. Entangled in an increasingly complex web of violence and lies, he's left with a choice: adapt, or die. Surrounded by strangers, Jon must struggle to survive, searching out friends amidst a sea of foes. If he can get his group of strays and rejects to work together, there's a chance they might just make it out alive. Should he fail, the consequences will be dire - not only for Jon, but also for those he loves"--Amazon.com.
“Fantastic . . . an honest, beautifully detailed book and an entertaining read.” —DIANA GABALDON, THE WASHINGTON POST "A fantastical treat." —PEOPLE “Simultaneously sweeping and intricate . . . Tompkins’s amazing debut novel conjures an epic battle for the soul of Ireland. Filled with papal machination and royal intrigue, magic and mayhem, faeries, Vikings, legates, kings and queens, angels and goddesses, this is one wild and breathless ride.” —KAREN JOY FOWLER “Plundering the treasure chest of human myths, from mysterious biblical giants to ferocious Celtic faeries, Tompkins has created a fantasy adventure with the shifting perspectives of dreamscape. A novel rich and strange.” —GERALDINE BROOKS What became of magic in the world? Who needed to do away with it, and for what reasons? Drawing on myth, legend, fairy tales, and Biblical mysteries, The Last Days of Magic brilliantly imagines answers to these questions, sweeping us back to a world where humans and magical beings co-exist as they had for centuries. Aisling, a goddess in human form, was born to rule both domains and—with her twin, Anya—unite the Celts with the powerful faeries of the Middle Kingdom. But within medieval Ireland interests are divided, and far from its shores greater forces are mustering. Both England and Rome have a stake in driving magic from the Emerald Isle. Jordan, the Vatican commander tasked with vanquishing the remnants of otherworldly creatures from a disenchanted Europe, has built a career on such plots. But increasingly he finds himself torn between duty and his desire to understand the magic that has been forbidden. As kings prepare, exorcists gather, and divisions widen between the warring clans of Ireland, Aisling and Jordan must come to terms with powers given and withheld, while a world that can still foster magic hangs in the balance. Loyalties are tested, betrayals sown, and the coming war will have repercussions that ripple centuries later, in today’s world—and in particular for a young graduate student named Sara Hill. The Last Days of Magic introduces us to unforgettable characters who grapple with quests for power, human frailty, and the longing for knowledge that has been made taboo. Mark Tompkins has crafted a remarkable tale—a feat of world-building that poses astonishing and resonant answers to epic questions.
"Scholar and magician, Siegel uncovers the age-old practices of magic in sacred rites and rituals and unveils the contemporary world of Indian magic of street and stage entertainers. Siegel's journeys take him from ancient Sanskrit texts to the slums of New Dehli as he explores India's remarkable magical tradition." --Publisher's description.
In the third and final volume of the Remnants series, the power of the Remnants and their people are growing, threatening Pacifica’s careful plans for domination. Among the Trading Union, village after village, outpost after outpost, and city after city are drawn to people of the Way, and agree to stand against those who hunt them. But Pacifica intends to ferret out and annihilate the Remnants—as well as everyone who hasn’t sworn allegiance to the empire—setting the stage for an epic showdown that will change the course of a world on the brink … forever.
The Kingdom of Morrighan is steeped in tradition and the stories of a bygone world, but some traditions Lia can't abide. Like having to marry someone she's never met to secure a political alliance.
Everything changes when Isabelle discovers that she is the heir to Fortune's Farm, a wondrous place where the final remnants of magic grow. For as long as she can remember, ten-year-old Isabelle has dreamed of escaping her home in Runny Cove, a gray village where it never stops raining, and where she is forced to work at Mr. Supreme's Umbrella Factory. Journeying across the ocean, Isabelle finds a sunny new home filled with magical delights, including Curative Cherry trees that can heal all kinds of sickness, and Floating Fronds that make her fly. But Isabelle still feels the call to return to Runny Cove and use the secrets of the farm to stop the rain. With the magic of Fortune's Farm behind her, will Isabell be strong enough to bring back the sun and stop the despicable Mr. Supreme? From the author of Smells Like Dog comes a magical journey about loyalty, family, and the magic within.
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Mark of the Dragonfly comes a thrilling fantasy adventure about two magical friends living as refugees in a world that doesn't trust magic. Perfect for fans of Serafina and the Black Cloak and the School for Good and Evil series! There was no warning the day magic died in Talhaven. It happened with a giant explosion and the arrival of a skyship full of children, all with magic running through their veins and no memory of home. Rook and Drift are two of those children, and ever since that day, they've been on the run, magical refugees in a world that doesn't trust magic. Because magic doesn't die right away--it decays, twists, and poisons all that it touches. And now it's beginning to poison people. Try as they might, Rook and Drift can't remember anything about their lives before Talhaven. But it's beginning to look like they're the only ones who can save their adopted world . . . if that world doesn't destroy them first. Praise for The Door to the Lost "This fun, exciting story...and the many well-rendered, imaginative and heartfelt scenes along the way make this journey worthwhile."--The New York Times Book Review "Themes of refugees and found families are addressed in a way that retains fantasy flavor while realistically presenting the brutality of ignorance and beauty of humanity. Your new favorite fantasy."-Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review "Johnson's immersive world building is vivid...and the fast-paced action, compelling characters, and one cute magical fox will keep fantasy-loving kids hooked."--Booklist "With heartfelt explorations of the meanings of friendship and family...fans of portal fantasies, steampunk, and action-driven books will find this an entertaining read and will be left wanting more."--School Library Journal Praise for The Mark of the Dragonfly: "This magnetic middle-grade debut . . . [is] a page-turner that defies easy categorization and ought to have broad appeal." --Publishers Weekly, Starred Review "Heart, brains, and courage find a home in a steampunk fantasy worthy of a nod from Baum." --Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review "A fantastic and original tale of adventure and magic. . . . Piper is a heroine to fall in love with: smart, brave, kind, and mechanically inclined to boot." --School Library Journal, Starred Review
The doors of Alexandria are closed. With Olivia's betrayal fresh in Daniel's mind, his relationship with the Booklender's Guild has never been worse. He's been used - by Olivia, by Indira, and by Alexandria herself. But the job of Librarian isn't one you simply quit, so he pushes the frustrations aside, focusing on his duties. Until he hears a knock at the front door. With the realization that Leon and his friends have been exposed comes an impossible choice. If he runs away, protecting himself and his Library, they'll be caught. They'll die. But if he plunges into the outside world after them, he risks handing Alexandria over to the very mages they've been hiding from for generations. The decision has arrived - Which world will he pick? Is he Librarian Owl? Or is he just Daniel, his responsibilities be damned? Whichever he chooses, there's no going back.
The cat has been occupying a prominent place in our homes and at our sides for many years. It is normal to come across him at any time in our literature or when visiting a website. Sometimes he occupies the central place and there are many books that have been devoted to him, sometimes by writers less well known than their companions... Other times, he is just making the scene more lively, more truthful, because without him, where would be the soul of our home? Through these quotes, you will first travel in time, across regions religions and cultures: the Bible, Einstein, Mahomet, Queen Elisabeth II, Shakespeare, Agatha Christie and many others. This little journey into the heart of wisdom or in the company of famous personalities will give you all the delights that our fourlegged friends deserve. And at the heart of all these treasures, I'm sure you will find valuable thoughts to illuminate your every day.
