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Writings on Irish Folklore, Legend and Myth (Penguin Modern Classics)
By William Yeats. 1993
This collection brings together all of W. B. Yeats’s published prose writings on Irish folklore, legend and myth, with pieces…
on subjects including ghosts, kidnappers, fairies, ancient tribes, precious stones and Gaelic love songs. Through his researches on Irish folklore, Yeats attempted to create a movement in literature that was enriched by and rooted in a vital native tradition. In this volume Yeats’s essays, introductions and sketches are presented chronologically, giving a clear picture of how his analysis developed, increasing in its depth and complexity in his quest to create an Ireland of the imagination.A thrilling and breathtaking Viking saga of betrayal, bloodshed and brotherhood from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Lancelot, Giles…
Kristian. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Games of Thrones."Nobody writes this type of swaggering historical fiction better than Kristian" -- THE TIMES"A belter of a novel...perfect for fans of historical fiction and fantasy alike, from Cornwell to Abercrombie" -- BEN KANE"Combines gritty, brutal history with the lyrical essence of men as war...written with a panache that made the pages fly by. More!" -- ANTHONY RICHES"I love a good Viking romp and these are really good!" -- ***** Reader review"Giles Kristian certainly knows how to spin a yarn." -- ***** Reader review***********************************A VOW OF VENGEANCE MUST BE KEPT...Norway AD 785. Sigurd Haraldarson has proved himself a great warrior . . . and a dangerous enemy.And yet the oath-breaker King Gorm, who betrayed Sigurd's father, still lives. The sacred vow to avenge his family burns in Sigurd's veins, but he must be patient and bide his time as he knows that he and his band of warriors are not yet strong enough to confront the treacherous king. They need silver; they need more fighters to rally to the young Viking's banner; they need to win fame upon the battlefield.And so the fellowship venture to Sweden, to fight as mercenaries. And it is there - in the face of betrayal and bloodshed, on a journey that will take him all too close to the halls of Valhalla - that Sigurd's destiny will be forged...The Vikings return in this thrilling, thunderous sequel to Giles Kristian's bestselling God of Vengeance. Sigurd's adventures continue in Wing's of the Storm.A Viking saga of warmongering, honour and loyalty from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Lancelot, Giles Kristian. Perfect for…
fans of Bernard Cornwell and Games of Thrones."A fitting end to a trilogy that fans of Bernard Cornwell should devour" -- THE TIMES"The master storyteller...whose books throw the reader headlong into the Viking age." -- BEN KANE"This remains Viking writing at its best: thrilling in it truest sense, heart-rendering and, yes, glorious." -- MANDA SCOTT"Probably the best Viking saga I have ever read -- ***** Reader review "Wonderfully written and researched, the whole series makes the entire Nordic world come alive" -- ***** Reader review"This trilogy is gripping from start to finish" -- ***** Reader review*****************************************THE GODS MUST BE FAVOURED...Norway, AD 785. A wild place, a place of blood, a place where the gods hold sway . . .Sigurd Haraldarson and his oathsworn band are winning fame and reputation. But to confront his hated enemy - the oath-breaker and betrayer King Gorm - they must win riches too.When a daring raid goes wrong, Sigurd finds himself a prisoner of the powerful Jarl Guthrum. Bound like a slave, he is taken to the sacred temple at Ubsola to face the sacrificial knife.But here Sigurd discovers a potent relic: Gungnir, a great spear that would give him the power to assemble a host strong enough to challenge King Gorm, and avenge the betrayal of his father and the murder of his family.The roar of Odin and the wild hunt will be as nothing compared to Sigurd's rage, for he and his warriors will be borne on the wings of the storm . . .Wings of the Storm concludes the Viking saga, started in God of Vengeance and Winter's Fire.Storm Christopher: A Frogmorton Farm short story (Frogmorton Farm Series)
By Jodi Taylor. 2024
*** Pre-order a brand new Frogmorton Farm short story, from the bestselling author of the Chronicles of St Mary's. ***With…
their children off on a school trip Russell and Jenny are contemplating their first peaceful weekend for many years.SPOILER ALERT: That doesn't happen.The telephone lines are down.The lights have gone out.The weather is closing in.And that's not the only thing . . . Readers love Jodi Taylor: 'It was just a glorious ride of wonderfully written words''Wish I could give it 10 stars''I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!''I could put a star for every page and it still wouldn't be enough''Loved every sentence''READ THIS BOOK!!!!!''I read this twice in back to back readings''Magical, witty and life-affirming''This is a beautifully told tale full of love, drama and intrigue''Jodi never fails to impress''Such beautifully developed characters, great writing and a wonderful touch of humour. Absolutely loved this story, its one I wont forget''I lost a whole night's sleep due to not being able to put it down. Believe me, it's worth the loss of sleep!'Everybody should have a Thomas!''Totally amazing read'Storm Christopher: A Frogmorton Farm short story (Frogmorton Farm Series)
By Jodi Taylor. 2024
*** Pre-order a brand new Frogmorton Farm short story, from the bestselling author of the Chronicles of St Mary's. ***With…
their children off on a school trip Russell and Jenny are contemplating their first peaceful weekend for many years.SPOILER ALERT: That doesn't happen.The telephone lines are down.The lights have gone out.The weather is closing in.And that's not the only thing . . . Readers love Jodi Taylor: 'It was just a glorious ride of wonderfully written words''Wish I could give it 10 stars''I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!''I could put a star for every page and it still wouldn't be enough''Loved every sentence''READ THIS BOOK!!!!!''I read this twice in back to back readings''Magical, witty and life-affirming''This is a beautifully told tale full of love, drama and intrigue''Jodi never fails to impress''Such beautifully developed characters, great writing and a wonderful touch of humour. Absolutely loved this story, its one I wont forget''I lost a whole night's sleep due to not being able to put it down. Believe me, it's worth the loss of sleep!'Everybody should have a Thomas!''Totally amazing read'Storm Christopher: A Frogmorton Farm short story (Frogmorton Farm Series)
By Jodi Taylor. 2024
A brand new Frogmorton Farm short story from the million-copy bestselling author of the Chronicles of St Mary's. Perfect for…
fans of Sarah Addison Allen, Kristen Ashley and Genevieve Cogman.With their children off on a school trip Russell and Jenny are contemplating their first peaceful weekend for many years.SPOILER ALERT: That doesn't happen.The telephone lines are down.The lights have gone out.The weather is closing in.And that's not the only thing . . . Readers love Jodi Taylor: 'It was just a glorious ride of wonderfully written words''Wish I could give it 10 stars''I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!''I could put a star for every page and it still wouldn't be enough''Loved every sentence''READ THIS BOOK!!!!!''I read this twice in back to back readings''Magical, witty and life-affirming''This is a beautifully told tale full of love, drama and intrigue''Jodi never fails to impress''Such beautifully developed characters, great writing and a wonderful touch of humour. Absolutely loved this story, its one I wont forget''I lost a whole night's sleep due to not being able to put it down. Believe me, it's worth the loss of sleep!'Everybody should have a Thomas!''Totally amazing read'The Light That Blinds Us: TikTok made me buy it! A dark and thrilling fantasy not to be missed
By Andy Darcy Theo. 2024
&‘Loved it from start to finish, was hooked all the way.&’ &‘This book deserves to be read by everyone.&’ &‘This…
book is filled with amazing one liners that I would legit tattoo on my forehead!&’ &‘Brilliant, thought provoking.&’ &‘Literally dying for more.&’Goodreads ReviewsLegendborn meets Percy Jackson in this dark and thrilling debut fantasy romance.When consumed by shadow, even the faintest light can be blinding... After a childhood haunted by disturbing hallucinations of the Shadow Man, Alexis Michaels&’s only comfort is the blue amulet he&’s had since before he can remember. Now, the visions have gone, and Alexis craves a normal life. But when a trip to Stonehenge unites him with three other teens carrying similar gems, normality is abandoned when they are plunged into a hidden world of power-wielding Elementals, and told they are the chosen ones, destined to save the world from an eternal night. Trained by legends and guided by heroes, Alexis and his companions must venture on a perilous quest, facing tests of love, loss, and loyalty. But a dark past plagues Alexis as they prepare to defeat an adversary more ominous than they could imagine, and a looming secret sets to corrupt the mission, their lives, and his mind. A high-stakes, speculative romance, which masterfully weaves themes of mental health, psychosis, and found family. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Cassandra Clare from TikTok and BookTok star @andydarcytheo.All the Ever Afters: The Untold Story of Cinderella's Stepmother
By Danielle Teller. 2018
In the vein of Wicked, The Woodcutter, and Boy, Snow, Bird, a luminous reimagining of a classic tale, told from…
the perspective of Agnes, Cinderella’s "evil" stepmother.We all know the story of Cinderella. Or do we?As rumors about the cruel upbringing of beautiful newlywed Princess Cinderella roil the kingdom, her stepmother, Agnes, who knows all too well about hardship, privately records the true story. . . .A peasant born into serfdom, Agnes is separated from her family and forced into servitude as a laundress’s apprentice when she is only ten years old. Using her wits and ingenuity, she escapes her tyrannical matron and makes her way toward a hopeful future. When teenaged Agnes is seduced by an older man and becomes pregnant, she is transformed by love for her child. Once again left penniless, Agnes has no choice but to return to servitude at the manor she thought she had left behind. Her new position is nursemaid to Ella, an otherworldly infant. She struggles to love the child who in time becomes her stepdaughter and, eventually, the celebrated princess who embodies everyone’s unattainable fantasies. The story of their relationship reveals that nothing is what it seems, that beauty is not always desirable, and that love can take on many guises.Lyrically told, emotionally evocative, and brilliantly perceptive, All the Ever Afters explores the hidden complexities that lie beneath classic tales of good and evil, all the while showing us that how we confront adversity reveals a more profound, and ultimately more important, truth than the ideal of "happily ever after."Three Tales from the Arabian Nights
By Malcolm Lyons. 2008
Once upon a time, the name Baghdad conjured up visions of the most magical, romantic city on earth, where flying…
carpets carried noble thieves off on wonderful adventures, and vicious viziers and beautiful princesses mingled with wily peasants and powerful genies. This is the world of the Arabian Nights, a magnificent collection of ancient tales from Arabia, India, and Persia. The tales—often stories within stories—are told by the sultana Scheherazade, who relates them as entertainments for her jealous and murderous husband, hoping to keep him amused and herself alive. Three fantastic tales have been chosen from our new translation to introduce readers to the delights of Arabian Nights: 'Ali Baba and the forty thieves killed by the slave girl' is a well-known and well-loved classic, placed alongside the equally enchanting 'Judar and his brothers' and 'Ma'rus the cobbler'.Things We Say in the Dark
By Kirsty Logan. 2019
'Gripping . . . You won't put it down' Sunday TelegraphA shocking collection of dark stories, ranging from chilling contemporary…
fairytales to disturbing supernatural fiction.Alone in a remote house in Iceland a woman is unnerved by her isolation; another can only find respite from the clinging ghost that follows her by submerging herself in an overgrown pool. Couples wrestle with a lack of connection to their children; a schoolgirl becomes obsessed with the female anatomical models in a museum; and a cheery account of child's day out is undercut by chilling footnotes.These dark tales explore women's fears with electrifying honesty and invention and speak to one another about female bodies, domestic claustrophobia, desire and violence. 'A brilliant collection of stories . . . All will burrow their way into your brain and not let go' Stylist'Shimmers with menace . . . Fans of Angela Carter and Shirley Jackson take note' i NewspaperKIRSTY LOGAN WAS SELECTED AS ONE OF BRITAIN'S TEN MOST OUTSTANDING LGBTQ WRITERS by Val McDermid for the International Literature Showcase in 2019Tales of the Marvellous and News of the Strange
By Anonymous Anonymous. 2014
On the shrouded corpse hung a tablet of green topaz with the inscription: 'I am Shaddad the Great. I conquered…
a thousand cities; a thousand white elephants were collected for me; I lived for a thousand years and my kingdom covered both east and west, but when death came to me nothing of all that I had gathered was of any avail. You who see me take heed: for Time is not to be trusted.'Dating from at least a millennium ago, these are the earliest known Arabic short stories, surviving in a single, ragged manuscript in a library in Istanbul. Some found their way into The Arabian Nights but most have never been read in English before. Tales of the Marvellous and News of the Strange has monsters, lost princes, jewels beyond price, a princess turned into a gazelle, sword-wielding statues and shocking reversals of fortune.Tales from the Thousand and One Nights
By William Harvey. 1954
Sometimes known as the Arabian Nights, Tales from the Thousand and One Nights includes some of the world's best-loved tales,…
including such classics as Aladdin and 'Sindbad the Sailor' The tales told by Scheherazade over a thousand and one nights to delay her execution by the vengeful King Shahryar have become among the most popular in both Eastern and Western literature. From the epic adventures of 'Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp' to the farcical 'Young Woman and her Five Lovers' and the social criticism of 'The Tale of the Hunchback', the stories depict a fabulous world of all-powerful sorcerers, jinns imprisoned in bottles and enchanting princesses. But despite their imaginative extravagance, the Tales are also anchored to everyday life by their bawdiness and realism, providing a full and intimate record of medieval Eastern world.In this selection, N.J. Dawood presents the reader with an unexpurgated translation of the finest and best-known tales, preserving their spirited narrative style in lively modern English. In his introduction, he discusses their origins in the East and their differences from Classical Arabic literature, and examines English translations of the tales since the eighteenth century.Tales from 1,001 Nights: Aladdin, Ali Baba And Other Favourites
By Malcolm C. Lyons, Ursula Lyons, Robert Irwin, Malcolm C. Lyons, Ursula Lyons,, Nick Laird. 2010
Every night for three years the vengeful King Shahriyar sleeps with a different virgin, executing her next morning. To end…
this brutal pattern and to save her own life, the vizier's daughter, Shahrazad, begins to tell the king tales of adventure, love, riches and wonder - tales of mystical lands peopled with princes and hunchbacks, the Angel of Death and magical spirits, tales of the voyages of Sindbad, of Ali Baba's outwitting a band of forty thieves and of jinnis trapped in rings and in lamps. The sequence of stories will last 1,001 nights.Upon A Burning Throne (The Burnt Empire #1)
By Ashok K. Banker. 2019
From international sensation Ashok K. Banker, pioneer of the fantasy genre in India, comes the first book in a groundbreaking,…
epic fantasy series inspired by the ancient Indian classic, The MahabharataIn a world where demigods and demons walk among mortals, the Emperor of the vast Burnt Empire has died, leaving a turbulent realm without an emperor. Two young princes, Adri and Shvate, are in line to rule, but birthright does not guarantee inheritance, for any successor must sit upon the legendary Burning Throne and pass The Test of Fire. Imbued with dark sorceries, the throne is a crucible—one that incinerates the unworthy.Adri and Shvate pass The Test and are declared heirs to the empire . . . but there is another with a claim to power, another who also survives: a girl from an outlying kingdom. When this girl, whose father is the powerful demonlord Jarsun, is denied her claim by the interim leaders, Jarsun declares war, vowing to tear the Burnt Empire apart—leaving the young princes Adri and Shvate to rule a shattered realm embroiled in rebellion and chaos . . .Welcome to the Burnt Empire SagaThe Anthology of Scottish Folk Tales
By History Press Uk. 2019
This enchanting collection of stories gathers together legends from across Scotland in one special volume. Drawn from The History Press’…
popular Folk Tales series, herein lies a treasure trove of tales from a wealth of talented storytellers. From the Spaeman’s peculiar advice and a laird who is transformed into a frog, to a fugitive hiding in a dark cave and the stoor worm battling with Assipattle, this book celebrates the distinct character of Scotland's different customs, beliefs and dialects, and is a treat for all who enjoy a well-told story.The Sky Was Ours: A Novel
By Joe Fassler. 2024
&“An immersive fever dream of a novel, beautifully written and boldly imagined.&” —Leslie Jamison, New York Times bestselling author of…
The Empathy ExamsFrom prizewinning writer Joe Fassler comes a brilliant modern reimagining of the myth of Daedalus and Icarus as a story of obsession, longing, and the radical pursuit of utopiaIt&’s 2005, and 24-year-old Jane is miserable. Overworked, buried in debt, she senses the life she wanted slipping away—while the world around her veers badly off course, hurtling toward economic and ecological collapse. She wants to find something better. But she has no idea where to start. In a sudden and unprecedented burst of rebellion, Jane decides to abandon everything she knows, leaving behind her relationships and responsibilities to go on the road. That&’s how she meets Barry, a brilliant and charismatic recluse living on an isolated homestead near New York&’s Canadian border. For years, in secret, Barry&’s chased an unlikely obsession: to build a pair of wings humans can fly in, with designs inspired by an obscure precursor to the Wright Brothers. It&’s no mere hobby. He&’s convinced his dream of flight will spark a revolution, delivering us from the degradation of modern capitalism and the climate chaos that awaits us. Jane is captivated by Barry&’s radical vision, even as his experiments become more dangerous. But she&’s equally drawn to the enigmatic Ike, Barry&’s gentle, thoughtful son, who&’s known no other reality—and who only wants to keep his father alive, tethered to ground and to reason. So begins an inventive, dazzlingly beautiful story about the human desire for transcendence—our longing to escape the mundane and glide into a euphoric future. Inspired by the myth of Daedalus and Icarus, The Sky Was Ours is a powerful and imaginative debut that explores the question: If you had access to technology that allowed you to escape the confines of your life, would you use it? And if Barry&’s wings really could change the world, would that be freedom?The Story of a Nutcracker
By Alexandre Dumas. 2015
Discover the real story behind Disney’s latest blockbuster adaptation The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, and the iconic Nutcracker Christmas…
ballet, as told by Alexandre Dumas‘How could you imagine, silly child, that this toy, which is made of cloth and wood, could possibly be alive?’The nutcracker doll that mysterious Godfather Drosselmeyer gives to little Marie for Christmas is no ordinary toy. On Christmas Eve, as the clocks strike midnight, Marie watches as the Nutcracker and her entire cabinet of playthings come to life and boldly do battle against the evil Mouse King and his armies.But this is only the start of the tale.Read on for enchantment and transformation; enter a world by turns fantastical and sinister, a kingdom of dolls and spun-sugar palaces, and learn the true history of the brave little Nutcracker.The Star-Child (Little Clothbound Classics)
By Oscar Wilde. 2022
Little Clothbound Classics: irresistible, mini editions of short stories, novellas and essays from the world's greatest writers, designed by the…
award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith.With warmth, tenderness and quiet wit, Oscar Wilde's fables and fairy tales have moved and delighted for generations. In far-off kingdoms and ocean realms, in the company of giants and nightingales, Wilde speaks of heartbreak and redemption, of cruelty and compassion, of love lost, of love gained, of love lasting. Included in this selection are stories from The Happy Prince and A House of Pomegranates.'His tales will dazzle children and intrigue adults' GuardianSir Gawain and the Green Knight (Legends from the Ancient North)
By Petra Borner. 2006
'Tomorrow I must set off to receive that blow, to seek out that creature in green, God help me!'J.R.R. Tolkien…
spent much of his life studying, translating and teaching the great epic stories of northern Europe, filled with heroes, dragons, trolls, dwarves and magic. He was hugely influential for his advocacy of Beowulf as a great work of literature and, even if he had never written The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, would be recognised today as a significant figure in the rediscovery of these extraordinary tales.Legends from the Ancient North brings together from Penguin Classics five of the key works behind Tolkien's fiction.They are startling, brutal, strange pieces of writing, with an elemental power brilliantly preserved in these translations.They plunge the reader into a world of treachery, quests, chivalry, trials of strength.They are the most ancient narratives that exist from northern Europe and bring us as near as we will ever get to the origins of the magical landscape of Middle-earth (Midgard) which Tolkien remade in the 20th century.Sindbad the Sailor and Other Tales from the Arabian Nights
By N. J. Dawood. 1978
Some of the best-loved stories in the world. Originating in Persia, India and Arabia, they were the daily entertainment of…
the common people. In this edition they are retold especially for children. this collection includes the voyages of Sindbad the Sailor, Ali Baby and the Forty Thieves and the Tale of the Hunchback.