"Avatar: The Last Airbender meets Maze Runner" in this inspirational fantasy adventure! When four children are told their elemental gifts will leave them cursed, they must make a life-changing choice: explore the treacherous reaches of the Ildarwood in a desperate attempt to change their fates, or surrender to a life as outcasts. “Fall of the Forsaken” is the harrowing precursor to the Trials of Ildarwood series, an intricately-woven epic fantasy series. Taking place nineteen years before the prologue in “Spectres of the Fall,” this inspiring tale provides a brief yet exciting introduction to an imaginative world with vast lore, diverse cultures, and a fascinating history. The Ildarwood is calling. The adventure of a lifetime is about to begin!
For nearly 10,000 years, the Trials have been a sacred tradition... But when all of the twelve-year-old children in Ranewood are banished into the nearest spectral forest, they quickly realize that the Ildarwood is not nearly as safe as they were told. Stalked by faceless hunters whose souls have been ravaged by Trials past, the children - now Ildarbound - must learn to control one of nine elements from the spirit realm to save the Ildarwood, their families, and themselves from an ancient spectral Blight. Who will master their abilities and rise to fight the growing threat? And who will lose their souls to the faceless hunters? Their stories are about to unfold… The Trials of Ildarwood: Spectres of the Fall is the illustrated first book in S.C. Selvyn's debut epic fantasy series. Written for imaginative teens and adults alike, there is something for everyone in this intricately-woven tale about incredible children who must learn how to use their unique gifts, not just to survive... but to thrive! Read it once, and you are bound to be inspired. Read it twice, and you'll uncover countless hidden layers that add incredible depth to the story's already rich details. This edition includes a map of Ranewood, twenty-eight chapter illustrations, and an appendix with detailed lore about the world of the Ildarwood.
Marie Curie is the only woman in history to win the Nobel Prize in two fields—physics and chemistry. Her amazing story and groundbreaking work are the subjects of this essential volume, notable for incorporating personal documents, photographs, and other primary sources to support the details of Curie’s life. Readers will recognize the heroism of Curie in the face of great challenges. For example, women in Poland during Curie’s school years could not obtain a university degree—she had to travel to France to study. They will also appreciate how Curie’s work in X-ray technology was applied to medicine, saving the lives of millions.
A groundbreaking story about a teenage girl who discovers she's intersex . . . and what happens when her secret is revealed to the entire school. Incredibly compelling and sensitively told, None of the Above is a thought-provoking novel that explores what it means to be a boy, a girl, or something in between. What if everything you knew about yourself changed in an instant? When Kristin Lattimer is voted homecoming queen, it seems like another piece of her ideal life has fallen into place. She's a champion hurdler with a full scholarship to college and she's madly in love with her boyfriend. In fact, she's decided that she's ready to take things to the next level with him. But Kristin's first time isn't the perfect moment she's planned—something is very wrong. A visit to the doctor reveals the truth: Kristin is intersex, which means that though she outwardly looks like a girl, she has male chromosomes, not to mention boy "parts." Dealing with her body is difficult enough, but when her diagnosis is leaked to the whole school, Kristin's entire identity is thrown into question. As her world unravels, can she come to terms with her new self?
The ruins of the crown is a story set in a fictional world and revolves around the life of Chandrasekhar, an exiled prince who is trying to rebuild an army along with his friend Akula and Swanraabhaya to reclaim his kingdom. It is not as easy as it seems because there is a threat from the Shadow Empire. Will Chandrasekhar be able to reclaim his home or will he die trying? This is a story full of adventure and fun to read.
Gabe thought he had covered all the angles, but it's tough to plan a contingency for accidentally trapping an evil god in your brain. Gabriel Delling might call himself a professional con artist, but when walking superstitions start trying to bite his face off, his charm is shockingly unhelpful. It turns out living nightmares almost never appreciate a good joke. Together with a succubus who insists on constantly saving his life, Gabe desperately tries to survive a new reality that suddenly features demons, legends, and a giant locust named Dale-all of whom pretty much hate his guts. And when an ancient horror comes hunting for the spirit locked in his head, Gabe finds himself faced with the excruciating choice between death...or becoming some kind of freaking hero. Hero Forged is the first book in the new series, Ethereal Earth, a modern fantasy adventure that challenges the natures of myth, humanity, and what it means to be the good guy.
For fans of Sorcery of Thorns and Furyborn comes a thrilling new fantasy about a kingdom ravaged by war, and the princess who might be the key to saving not only those closest to her, but the kingdom itself, if she reveals the very secret that could destroy her. The kingdom of Hálendi is in trouble. It's losing the war at its borders, and rumors of a new, deadlier threat on the horizon have surfaced. Princess Jennesara knows her skills on the battlefield would make her an asset and wants to help, but her father has other plans. As the second-born heir to the throne, Jenna lacks the firstborn's--her brother's--magical abilities, so the king promises her hand in marriage to the prince of neighboring Turia in exchange for resources Hálendi needs. Jenna must leave behind everything she has ever known if she is to give her people a chance at peace. Only, on the journey to reach her betrothed and new home, the royal caravan is ambushed, and Jenna realizes the rumors were wrong--the new threat is worse than anyone imagined. Now Jenna must decide if revealing a dangerous secret is worth the cost before it's too late--for her and for her entire kingdom. A Whitney Award Nominee "A gorgeous fantasy that captivates from beginning to end."--KATHRYN PURDIE, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Burning Glass and Bone Crier's Moon "YA fantasy at its most fun."--DANA SWIFT, author of Cast in Firelight
July Fourth, "The Star-Spangled Banner," Memorial Day, and the pledge of allegiance are typically thought of as timeless and consensual representations of a national, American culture. In fact, as Cecilia O'Leary shows, most trappings of the nation's icons were modern inventions that were deeply and bitterly contested. While the Civil War determined the survival of the Union, what it meant to be a loyal American remained an open question as the struggle to make a nation moved off of the battlefields and into cultural and political terrain. Drawing upon a wide variety of original sources, O'Leary's interdisciplinary study explores the conflict over what events and icons would be inscribed into national memory, what traditions would be invented to establish continuity with a "suitable past," who would be exemplified as national heroes, and whether ethnic, regional, and other identities could coexist with loyalty to the nation. This book traces the origins, development, and consolidation of patriotic cultures in the United States from the latter half of the nineteenth century up to World War I, a period in which the country emerged as a modern nation-state. Until patriotism became a government-dominated affair in the twentieth century, culture wars raged throughout civil society over who had the authority to speak for the nation: Black Americans, women's organizations, workers, immigrants, and activists all spoke out and deeply influenced America's public life. Not until World War I, when the government joined forces with right-wing organizations and vigilante groups, did a racially exclusive, culturally conformist, militaristic patriotism finally triumph, albeit temporarily, over more progressive, egalitarian visions. As O'Leary suggests, the paradox of American patriotism remains with us. Are nationalism and democratic forms of citizenship compatible? What binds a nation so divided by regions, languages, ethnicity, racism, gender, and class? The most thought-provoking question of this complex book is, Who gets to claim the American flag and determine the meanings of the republic for which it stands?
She stole a powerful artefact. He resurrected an ancient evil. They are mortal enemies and only one can survive... but both of them may be doomed in this heartrending saga of intrigue and betrayal. When orphan Harper takes a legendary Dragonheart, she unwittingly signs her own death warrant. Searching for the elven king's missing Dragonheart is his ruthless spymaster Dimitri - who has his own secret agenda to revolutionise the Kingdom of Pelenor - but the Dragonheart is only the beginning. To further his cause, Dimitri raises a revolutionary from beyond the grave. He realises too late that he did not raise an ally... but a dark, ancient power, hell bent on revenge. And Dimitri is bound to his cause. Trapped and thrust into the middle of rising conflict, Harper and Dimitri are forced to ally to survive. When Harper unexpectedly uncovers her identity, the truth will pit all against her, for Harper holds great darkness within her, yet, she is the crux to prevailing against the oncoming cataclysm. War comes for Pelenor. The Dark One will have his dominion. The ultimate sacrifice will be required - but who will give it, and will it be enough? Resilience and the strength to stand in the face of adversity is tested in this powerful epic fantasy series of morally grey characters, loyalty and romance, betrayal and intrigue, and a desperate struggle against impending devastation that has left thousands of readers wanting more. Praise for the series includes; ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "It pulled on every single emotion available to the soul. You will laugh, you will cry, you will smile, you will want more." - Goodreads Reviewer ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "An epic ending in the best of high fantasy. The mixture of good and evil, darkness and light, and hope and despair carries you through from the first page to the last." - Amazon Reviewer ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "I couldn't put it down. The characters are so well written and believable they are almost real." - Amazon Reviewer ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "The best fantasy series I've read in recent years." - Amazon Reviewer ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "A wild ride from the beginning. I sobbed at several parts. Meg has done such a great job of making me truly care for these characters." - Amazon Reviewer The Chronicles of Pelenor is perfect for fans of Sylvia Mercedes' Venatrix Chronicles, JA Andrews' The Keeper Chronicles, and Elise Kova's Air Awakens, who love richly woven sagas of characters striving to overcome adversity from within and without, against a backdrop of an epic-scale world that comes alive on the page. This is a complete series collection including Heart of Dragons, Court of Shadows, Order of Valxiron, and Mark of Fate. Read the Chronicles of Pelenor now for just 99c, or free in Kindle Unlimited.
The first book in a new horse trilogy from Pulitzer Prize winner Jane Smiley starring a feisty young rider. Eleven-year-old Ellen is a spunky—and occasionally misbehaving—young riding student. Her teacher Abby Lovitt (who readers might recognize from The Georges and the Jewels) is a high school student who introduces her to jumping, dressage techniques, and most importantly, Ned. Ned is a colt who used to be a racehorse, until he hurt his leg and moved to Abby’s ranch. Ellen and Ned seem to understand each other, and their companionship is immediate. But Ellen is only allowed to go to riding lessons when she behaves at school. And with all that’s going on, from learning that she’s adopted to finding out her parents are adopting a new baby, it’s harder than ever for Ellen to pay attention and behave in class and at home. Will Ellen be able to spend more time on the ranch with Ned? And will her parents ever let her have a horse of her own?
