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By Douglas A. Vakoch, Sabine Sharp. 2024
The Routledge Handbook of Trans Literature examines the intersection of transgender studies and literary studies, bringing together essays from global…
experts in the field. This volume provides a comprehensive overview of trans literature, highlighting the core topics, genres, and periods important for scholarship now and in the future.Covering the main approaches and key literary genres of the area, this volume includes: Examination of the core topics guiding contemporary trans literary theory and criticism, including the Anthropocene, archival speculation, activism, BDSM, Black studies, critical plant studies, culture, diaspora, disability, ethnocentrism, home, inclusion, monstrosity, nondualist philosophies, nonlinearity, paradox, pedagogy, performativity, poetics, religion, suspense, temporality, visibility, and water. Exploration of diverse literary genres, forms, and periods through a trans lens, such as archival fiction, artificial intelligence narratives, autobiography, climate fiction, comics, creative writing, diaspora fiction, drama, fan fiction, gothic fiction, historical fiction, manga, medieval literature, minor literature, modernist literature, mystery and detective fiction, nature writing, poetry, postcolonial literature, radical literature, realist fiction, Renaissance literature, Romantic literature, science fiction, travel writing, utopian literature, Victorian literature, and young adult literature. This comprehensive volume will be of great interest to scholars and students of literature, gender studies, trans studies, literary theory, and literary criticism.By Shaun Hamill. 2024
Capturing the electric short fiction energy that led Robert E. Howard to be one of the top fantasy writers of…
the century, with exclusive serialized eBook stories starring Conan, Solomon Kane, and more by many of today&’s top writers in fantasy and sword-and-sorcery.In a port city in Zingara, Conan of Cimmeria drinks away the last of his meager purse. He&’s considering robbing one of the city&’s noble houses when he&’s approached by a man named Flavio, first mate on a ship called Fortune&’s Dawn. The Dawn is seeking mercenaries to transport valuable cargo to Aquilonia, the very heart of civilization. Conan is suspicious, but also deeply curious and in sore need of the coin, so he takes the job. His suspicions only deepen as he meets the reticent, sparse crew of the ship. However, Conan only realizes the severity of danger he&’s walked into when a terrible scream reveals a crew member dead and mutilated on the deck. Armed with only his wits and his sword, Conan must figure out the mysteries of Fortune&’s Dawn before the same fate befalls him.By Liana Finck. 2024
A wryly personal and deeply relatable graphic memoir skewering the &“traditional&” parenting book to chronicle the absurdities, frustrations, and soaring…
joys of new parenthood—from the acclaimed New Yorker cartoonist and authorHow do you know if you&’re ready to have a baby? How do you know if you might be pregnant? And how do you deal with peeing all the time and being hungry all the time and fielding well-meaning but kind of insulting advice and finding a doula and being dropped by your old friends and learning why it&’s called mom brain and not dad brain and the tyranny of the milestones you&’re not meeting and negotiating boundaries with in-laws and realizing that your heart now exists outside of your chest and in the body of this tiny little being whose entire existence depends on the quality of your care? To tackle these questions and many others, award-winning cartoonist and memoirist Liana Finck began illustrating her early years of motherhood, giving images and language to her insecurities, frustrations, and wild joy. In How to Baby, Liana takes her witty and lacerating cartoons (&“Hobbies for Pregnant Women: Waiting on Hold with the Insurance Company&”) and weaves them together with comic essays (&“You Married a Brute. Worse. You&’re a Nag: Go Ahead and Argue with Each Other&”), handy lists (&“Nesting. The Comprehensive List of What to Buy and Why Getting Things Used Is Dangerous and Unamerican&”), and profound observations. Together, these brilliant pieces form an immersive and comprehensive narrative whole—a baby book, a resource, and an emotional balm—for our time.By Katie Zhao. 2024
In the third book of this epic fantasy series, kids from around the world are summoned to compete at the…
magical Shaman Youth Tournament! But with all the young shamans away, who will defend the human realm from evil spirits?"A hilarious tussle between homework, family, and heroism." —Kwame Mbalia, #1 New York Times bestselling authorIf awards were given for multitasking, then Winnie Zeng would come in first place. Between juggling evil spirits and middle school—boy, does she have her hands full. Ordinarily, winter break would be her chance to catch up on anime, but this year marks the return of the Shaman Youth Tournament, where shamans around the world duel for the title of champion!To prepare, Winnie and her archnemesis, David, train for their toughest battles yet. But when some of their competitors start acting a little stranger—and a lot stronger—than normal, they realize they might be in over their heads.Soon, it becomes clear that the spirit attacks in Winnie&’s hometown were only the beginning of something more sinister than any one shaman can tackle. Now, it&’s up to all shamans to take on this task and protect the human world. It just may be the last mission they ever receive. . . .By Amiee Gibbs. 2023
A dazzling gothic tale of Faustian bargains, jealousy, and murder set in a spectacular circus, where star-crossed lovers' destinies are…
forged at an unexpected price—perfect for readers of V. E. Schwab's The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. In Victorian London, where traveling sideshows are the very pinnacle of entertainment, there is no more coveted ticket than Ashe and Pretorius' Carnivale of Curiosities. Each performance is a limited engagement, and London's elite boldly dare the dangerous streets of Southwark to witness the Carnivale's astounding assemblage of marvels. For a select few, however, the real show begins behind the curtain. Rumors abound that the show&’s proprietor, Aurelius Ashe, is more than an average magician. It's said that for the right price, he can make any wish come true. No one knows the truth of this claim better than Lucien the Lucifer, the Carnivale's star attraction. Born with the ability to create fire, he's dazzled spectators since he was a boy. When Odilon Rose, one of the most notorious men in London, comes calling with a proposition regarding his young and beautiful charge, Charlotte, Ashe is tempted to refuse. After revealing, however, that Rose holds a secret that threatens the security of the troupe's most vulnerable members, Ashe has no choice but to sign an insidious contract. The stakes grow higher as Lucien finds himself drawn to Charlotte and her to him, an attraction that spurs a perilous course of events. Grave secrets, recovered horrors, and what it means to be family come to a head in this vividly imagined spectacle—with the lives of all those involved suspended in the balance.Includes a Reading Group Guide.By Laura Kay. 2021
'The Split has everything I love in a novel. It's hilariously funny, it's so uplifting, and its characters are irresistibly…
loveable' - BETH O'LEARY'Full of humour, kindness, cake and a cat, this is the novel to turn to in difficult times' - KATIE FFORDE Following a brutal break up, Ally flees to her dad's house in Sheffield with her ex's cat (who always preferred her anyway). When she realises Emily isn't coming to win back either her or the cat, Ally takes to the sofa to mourn the future she'd planned.After a few days' grace, her dad calls in reinforcements - Ally's old friend and first beard, Jeremy. Reunited, the two find solace in each other's heartbreak and an endless supply of baked goods. But jacked up on sugar and mutual delusion, they concoct a plan to run the half marathon and win back their exes...This seems like the perfect example of their ability to commit and better themselves. But will their exes be waiting at the finish line, or is there a whole new future on the horizon?A brilliant, heart-warming and intensely funny story of love, heartache, friendship and family. Perfect for fans of Marian Keyes and Beth O'Leary.~*~ PRAISE FOR THE SPLIT ~*~'A warm, funny, comforting read with such loveable characters!' - RUTH JONES'Uplifting, warm and heartfelt, with a cast of engaging characters who quickly became my friends. A feel-good depiction of love, friendship and family, which is very funny, but with moments of true poignancy too. An absolute must-read' - HOLLY MILLER'It's like meeting Marian Keyes and Dawn O'Porter in a cosy gay pub in Sheffield!' MATT CAIN'Wise, wonderful and so much fun. I loved it!' - HEIDI SWAIN 'It was pure fun. Heart-warming and adorable' - JULIE COHEN'It's rare that a book so important to the literary canon is, at the same time, entertaining, heart-warming, and funny' - ANSTEY HARRIS 'I adored The Split - a hilarious but oh-so-relatable tale of how not to handle a break-up. It made me laugh and sigh and head out for a run' - HOLLY HEPBURN'An absolute JOY from start to finish. If you're after a smart, funny romcom with characters to root for, this is one for you' - RICHARD ROPER'Fun, sassy and a joy to read. I loved it!' - EMMA COOPER'Such a lovely and heart-warming book. And it's hilarious! ... You'd be hard pushed to find a better group of characters to spend time with' - SUZANNE EWARTLove The Split? Then read Laura Kay's new heartwarming romcom, Making It, available to pre-order now!By Matthew Hubbard. 2024
A queer coming-of-age about three teenage boys in small town Alabama who set out to get revenge on their ex-boyfriends and…
end up starting a student rebellion. Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Jason June!Ezra Hayes has always felt like a background character compared to BFFs Lucas and Finley. He would do anything to be seen as a romantic lead, even if it means keeping his boyfriend, Presley, a secret. But when he discovers that Presley is a lying cheater, and his best friends are having boy problems of their own, they want revenge.Their plans to get even involve sabotaging the largest party of the year, entering a drag competition, and even having Ezra run against his ex for Winter Formal King. Then the school district starts to actively censor queer voices with their Watch What You Say initiative. Taking to TikTok to vent frustrations, Ezra begins &“The Last Boyfriends Student Rebellion.&”Between ex-boyfriend drama and navigating viral TikTok fame, Ezra realizes this rebellion is about something more important than revenge. It&’s a battle cry to fight back against outdated opinions and redefine what it means to be queer in small town Alabama.By Lauren Roberts. 2024
Set during the time of the New York Times bestseller Powerless, fan favorite Adena gets a story all her own…
in this captivating novella as she attempts to survive on the streets of Loot…and falls for a mysterious—and dangerous—Elite.Adena and Paedyn have always been inseparable. Fate brought them together when they were young, but friendship ensured they would always protect each other and the home they built in the slums of Loot. But now Paedyn—an Ordinary—has been selected for the Purging Trials, which means almost certain death. Now alone in Loot, Adena must fend for herself. After attempting to steal, she&’s rescued by a mysterious man from the market. Mak&’s shadowy past and secretive power set him apart from the other low-level Elites of Loot. And as the pair team up to see their loved ones before the Trials, the quest tests their loyalty, their love, and their lives. This novella also includes a special extended teaser to Reckless—the exciting sequel to Powerless!By Erin M Evans. 2024
From a rising star in epic fantasy comes the captivating second novel in a trilogy featuring an unlikely team who…
must find a way to work together and solve an empire-spanning mystery to defend the last place they call home. The conspiracy at the heart of the empire has been revealed. The Archivists played a key role in solving a brutal murder and uncovering one of the empire&’s longest kept secrets. Now, what&’s left in its wake are a series of unearthed artifacts, one shaken city, and the shocking truth not dared spoken aloud. Just as the empire has begun to regain normalcy, another mystery unveils itself when a stolen ancient relic is found. Only no one knew that it was missing from its sacred vault in the first place. And now that the real one has been recovered, who replaced it with a fake? With Quill and Amadea at the heart of another mystery, they will need to quickly follow the clues that all lead back to this new relic. Because all the while, an old enemy is gathering strength beyond the Salt Wall and the Archivists might come to find there&’s nowhere left for them to go but over."Detailed and mysterious, a place to explore and relish. Highly recommended!" ―R. A. Salvatore, author of "The Legends of Drizzt"For more from Erin M. Evans, check out:Empire of ExilesBy Kaaron Warren, Cat Sparks. 2024
Calvaria Fell is a stunning collaborative collection of weird tales from two acclaimed authors, Kaaron Warren and Cat Sparks. It…
features previously published stories from both authors, along with a new novella by Kaaron Warren and four new stories by Cat Sparks.The collection offers a glimpse into a chilling future world that is similar to our own. Readers will be drawn into experiences at once familiar and bizarre, where our choices have far-reaching consequences and the environment is a force to be reckoned with.The title of the collection tethers these stories to a shared space. The calvaria is the top part of the skull, comprising five plates that fuse together in the first few years of life. Story collections work like this; disparate parts melding together to make a robust and sturdy whole. The calvaria tree, also known as the dodo tree, adapted to being eaten by the now-extinct dodo bird; its seeds need to pass through the bird' s digestive tract in order to germinate. In a similar way, the stories in Calvaria Fell reflect the idea of adaptation and the consequences of our actions in a changing world.Calvaria Fell is a haunting and thought-provoking collection that will linger in readers' minds long after the final page has been turned.By Ivana Bodrozic. 2024
Ivana Bodrožić&’s latest award-winning novel tells a story of being locked in: socially, domestically and intimately, told through three different…
perspectives, all deeply marked and wounded by the patriarchy in their own way.Here the Croatian poet and writer depicts a wrenching love between a transgender man and a woman as well as a demanding love between a mother and a daughter in a narrative about breaking through and liberation of the mind, family, and society.This is a story of hidden gay and trans relationships, the effects of a near-fatal accident, and an oppressed childhood, where Ivana Bodrožić tackles the issues addressed in her previous works—issues of otherness, identity and gender, pain and guilt, injustice and violence.A daughter is paralyzed after a car crash, left without the ability to speak, trapped in a hospital bed, unable to move anything but her eyes. Although she is immobilized, her mind reels, moving through time, her memories a salve and a burden. A son is stuck in a body that he doesn&’t feel is his own. He endures misperceptions and abuse on the way to becoming who he truly is. A mother who grew up being told she was never good enough, in a world with no place for the desires and choices of women. She carries with her the burden of generations.These three stories run parallel and intertwine. Three voices deepen and give perspective to one another&’s truth, pain, and struggle to survive.By Dianna Hutts Aston. 2024
From acclaimed poet Dianna Hutts Aston (An Egg is Quiet) and #1 NYT bestselling illustrator Renée Kurilla (Just Because by Matthew…
McConaughey) comes a charming book in which three adorable mermaids share bedtime blessings with the sweet creatures of the coral reef.Like Goodnight Moon, but for the creatures of the sea:Bless clams in their beds, and lobsters in pods. Bless sharks in their shivers, and squids in their squads.In this gorgeous rhyming picture book perfect for cozy bedtime reading, three mermaid troubadours sing their blessings to sea creatures everywhere. &“Bless clams in their beds, and lobsters in pods,&” they sing. &“Sharks in their shivers, and squids in their squads.&” Draped with leis and strumming harps, the mermaids travel the ocean to deliver a benediction to their beloved community—fish, whales, sharks, sea snails and many more. Endpapers will identify all of the featured ocean creatures in this one-of-a-kind book that honors the denizens of the sea and brims with a gentle spirit of kindness and environmental awareness. With colorful, ethereal illustrations that will have young mermaid lovers turning the pages again and again, this special picture book is ideal for gift giving, vacation/staycation readalouds, or enjoying in a group storytime anywhere.By Jennifer Dugan. 2024
From the author of Some Girls Do comes another heartfelt YA sapphic romance—starring a baseball pitcher and a student umpire who…
are definitely not supposed to fall for one another.&“Sapphic sports romance perfection. Swoony and romantic, but unafraid to tackle grief, family expectations, and fighting for your dreams, this is a home run of a book.&” —Rachael Lippincott, coauthor of the #1 New York Times Bestsellers Five Feet Apart and She Gets the GirlJune is the star pitcher of her elite club baseball team—with an ego to match—and she's a shoo-in to be recruited at the college level, like her parents have always envisioned. That is, if she can play through an overuse injury that has recently gone from bad to worse.Ivy isn't just reffing to pay off her athletic fees or make some extra cash on the side. She wants to someday officiate at the professional level, even if her parents would rather she go to college instead. The first time they cross paths, Ivy throws June out of a game for grandstanding. Still, they quickly grow from enemies to begrudging friends . . . and then something more. But the rules state that players and umpires are prohibited from dating.As June's shoulder worsens, and a rival discovers the girls' secret and threatens to expose them, everything the two have worked so hard for is at risk. Now both must choose: follow their dreams . . . or follow their hearts?By Lindsay Smith. 2015
A high-concept, fantastical espionage novel set in a world where dreams are the ultimate form of political intelligence. Livia is…
a dreamstrider. She can inhabit a subject's body while they are sleeping and, for a short time, move around in their skin. She uses her talent to work as a spy for the Barstadt Empire. But her partner, Brandt, has lately become distant, and when Marez comes to join their team from a neighboring kingdom, he offers Livia the option of a life she had never dared to imagine. Livia knows of no other dreamstriders who have survived the pull of Nightmare. So only she understands the stakes when a plot against the Empire emerges that threatens to consume both the dreaming world and the waking one with misery and rage.By Jeff VanderMeer. 2006
From the author of Borne and Annihilation comes the paperback reissue of his cult classic Shriek: An Afterword.An epic yet…
personal look at several decades of life, love, and death in the imaginary city of Ambergris—previously chronicled in Jeff VanderMeer’s acclaimed City of Saints and Madmen—Shriek: An Afterword relates the scandalous, heartbreaking, and horrifying secret history of two squabbling siblings and their confidantes, protectors, and enemies.Narrated with flamboyant intensity and under increasingly urgent conditions by the ex-society figure Janice Shriek, this afterword presents a vivid gallery of characters and events, emphasizing the adventures of Janice’s brother Duncan, a historian obsessed with a doomed love affair and a secret that may kill or transform him; a war between rival publishing houses that will change Ambergris forever; and the gray caps, a marginalized people armed with advanced fungal technologies, who have been waiting underground for their chance to mold the future of the city.After reading this introduction to the Family Shriek—part academic treatise, part tell-all biography—you’ll never look at history in quite the same way.By Avon Gale, Piper Vaughn. 2019
It&’s goalie vs. goalie in this enemies-to-lovers hockey romance. Ryu Mori has had a stellar season as goalie for the Atlanta…
Venom. So when he&’s called into management&’s office, he&’s expecting to hear he&’s the new starting goalie for the team, not that some new guy—an incredibly hot, annoyingly bratty rookie—is here to compete for his spot.Not everyone gets to play in the best league in the world. Emmitt Armstrong knows that, and he&’s not about to waste the opportunity after grinding his way from the bottom to the top. If the Venom are looking for a meek, mild-mannered pushover, they&’ve got the wrong guy.Ryu doesn&’t want to admit the other goalie&’s smart mouth turns him on. Beating Armstrong at practice feels good, sure, but there are other, more fun ways to shut his rival up.In this league, it&’s winner takes all. But there&’s more to life than winning, and if Emmitt and Ryu can get past their egos and competitive natures, they might just discover they work better as partners than they ever imagined possible.Hat Trick Book 1: Off the Ice Book 2: Goalie Interference Book 3: Trade DeadlineBy Avon Gale, Piper Vaughn. 2019
An NHL star is hot for his teacher in this age-gap, opposites-attract hockey romance.Tristan Holt may be at the top…
of his game, but he&’s already thinking one play ahead. Hitting the books in the off-season means he&’ll have a business degree to fall back on when it&’s time to hang up his hockey skates.But his straightforward plan is complicated by his undeniable attraction to his sexy sociology professor, Sebastian Cruz.Impressed by Tristan&’s brain as well as his brawn, Sebastian can&’t help lusting after the gorgeous jock. With tenure on the line, Sebastian won&’t break the rules by becoming involved with one of his students—at least, not until the end of term. Once final grades are posted, though, their naughty mutual fantasies can become reality.Tristan&’s not sure he&’s up for being the poster boy for openly gay hockey players, but Sebastian&’s never been the type of man to keep his sexuality—or his relationships—in the closet. For Tristan, being with Sebastian might mean risking more than just his heart.Previously published.Hat Trick Book 1: Off the Ice Book 2: Goalie Interference Book 3: Trade DeadlineBy Avon Gale, Piper Vaughn. 2020
Childhood crushes reunite in this friends-to-lovers hockey romance.Daniel &“Bellzie&” Bellamy should be on top of the world—a Stanley Cup is…
the perfect topper to his fourteen-year NHL career. But despite the post-win high, something&’s missing. When the chance to play for his hometown team, the Miami Thunder, comes along, he&’s open to it. And when he runs into an old friend from his past soon after he makes the move, he wonders if it might be kismet.Micah Kelly never thought he&’d see his childhood crush—and first kiss—again. Danny Bellamy moved on to bigger and better things when they were teenagers, and the idea that Micah&’s relationship with the professional hockey player could be anything more than one-sided Instagram thirst seems too good to be true.Maybe too good to be true is the new reality, though. As the season goes on, Micah teaches Daniel to surf, and Daniel introduces Micah to his lovable pack of rescue dogs and the world of being a hockey boyfriend. Life is good. But when things on the ice don&’t go as planned, they&’ll have to decide if their rediscovered romance is built to last.Previously Published.Hat Trick: Book 1: Off the Ice Book 2: Goalie Interference Book 3: Trade DeadlineBy Nathan Burrage. 2024
The Holy Land, 1099: Jerusalem has fallen. As the Christian factions vie for power, Godefroi de Bouillon and his companions…
unearth markers to the Keystone, a mystical artefact with the power to shape history. Yet progress has its price: Godefroi' s bodyguard lies gravely wounded; the Arabic cabal guiding Hugues is broken; and the forces of Severity are gathering to claim the Keystone.France, 1307: Bertrand de Châ tillon-sur-Seine was a knight for a single day before fleeing with the mysterious Salome. After a pitched battle that claims most of his brethren, Bertrand agrees to become Salome' s new Shroud, binding his fate to hers. A refuge lies across the English Channel, but will they reach it in time? And when will Salome finally reveal her secrets?The Keystone awaits, but is it meant for mortal hands?By Ilona Andrews. 2018
** PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED - This is an anthology edition of the Kinsmen Universe, which includes SILENT BLADE, SILVER SHARK, plus…
a new short story, and three original illustrations.**Family is everything. Talent is power. And revenge is sweet. In a distant, future world Kinsmen-small powerful groups of genetically and technologically advanced families-control vast financial empires. They are their own country, their own rulers, and their only limits are other Kinsmen. The struggle for power is a bloody, full-contact sport: in business, on the battlefield...and sometimes in the bedroom.Silent BladeOld hatreds die hard. Old love dies harder. On the planet Rada, Meli Galdes' family is of minor rank, and were relying on her marriage to Celino, the razor-smart, ruthless leader of the powerful Carvanna empire. When he abruptly breaks their engagement, he ruins her family and guarantees that Meli will never marry, as no suitor will oppose the rich and influential Carvannas. But Meli has a rare, secret, lethal-and valuable-talent. As a melder of energy, she's capable of severing anything in her path. So she 'leaves' her family and trains to become one of the best and most lethal of assassins, all the while covertly guarding her family's interests. Now she's ready to quit; but she has one more assignment. To kill the man who ruined her life. Silver SharkClaire Shannon is a killer...and her weapon is her mind. Born on a planet torn by war for over 300 years, Claire is a soldier: a psycher, with the ability to read, control, and destroy the minds of enemy psychers and to infiltrate the biological network where they battle to death. When Claire's faction loses the war, she barely escapes extermination from both sides, as her talent brands her as too dangerous to society. By so-deeply burying her ability that she avoids detection, Claire is instead deported to Rada as a refugee, where she must find work to remain. She finds a job as personal assistant to Venturo Escana, a premiere kinsman; one of Rada's most wealthy entrepreneurs—and most powerful psychers. She thought she had left war behind, but now she must hide her skills and her growing feelings from Venturo...and this battle might just cost her everything... A Mere FormalityThe leader of the fierce Reigh people expires during an intergalactic summit, putting 30 million colonists' lives and livelihoods in jeopardy. When the new heir to the Reigh throne, Lord Nagrad, demands restitution, the phrase "'a life for a life" turns the intergalactic calamity into an arranged marriage contract between Lord Nagrad and sharply intelligent diplomatic analyst Deirdre Lebed... and the negotiation of terms becomes anything but formal!