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When Nuala Dennehy returned to Ireland after fifteen years away, a male relative was designated responsible for her actions. She was assigned a church to report to, denied any birth control devices, issued a compulsory ID chip, and sent on her way--wondering what in the world had happened to her beloved country. No matter that the twenty-first century had arrived, bringing alien contact and human colonization of the stars; church-ruled Ireland had met the millennium with a social backlash landing squarely on women.

A few Irish women were fighting the erosion of their rights in small ways--and Nuala quickly joined the rabble-rousers. She was a professor, not a leader, but she could at least plan disturbances and write pamphlets. But when an arrest became a deadly firefight, the stakes grew higher: Nuala emerged a fugitive--and a national symbol of rebellion. Then she began to see what one woman--one strong, determined woman who knew the inspiring history of the Irish--could do to awaken a nation...

This short story originally appeared in the anthology L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Volume XXIII (2007), edited by Algis Budrys, and was reprinted in Lightspeed Magazine, August 2017.

Read the full story for free at Lightspeed.

The tales surrounding Sweeney Todd's notorious barber shop in London's Fleet Street have entertained generations of audiences and have made Todd himself one of the most famous - or perhaps notorious - characters in the city's history.

The Wonderful and Surprising History of Sweeney Todd traces the fortunes of Todd's narrative from its earliest 'proper' appearance as a Victorian 'penny blood' in 1846-47, and then as a popular melodrama on the stage, through to its twentieth-century manifestation in film, ballet, musicals, and opera up to current and future productions, including the forthcoming Tim Burton/Johnny Depp film version of Stephen Sondheim's 1979 Broadway masterpiece.

Each successive generation has found a compelling fascination in Sweeney Todd's themes of avarice, ambition, desire, appetite, retribution, justice, and cannibalism. Following in the footsteps of the myth, this fascinating book takes the reader on a journey from the roots of the story in the alleyways and pie-shops of Victorian London to its modern incarnations on stage, screen and in popular culture

THE SURPRISING ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN is a tall tale of majestic proportion, like the Baron himself. MUNCHAUSEN twists wildly and whimsically, playing on the reader, the characters, and Baron Munchausen himself. There's a reason why this rare classic has become a part of our language -- don't miss this one.

The adventures of the Baron include riding cannonballs, going to the moon, and pulling himself out of a bog using his own hair.

The West Virginia town of Grantville, torn from the twentieth century and hurled back into seventeenth century Europe has allied with Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, in the United States of Europe. So, when Gustavus invades Poland, managing to unite all the squabbling Polish factions into repelling the common enemy, the time-lost Americans have to worry about getting dragged into the fight along with the Swedish forces.

But Mike Stearns has another problem. He was Prime Minister of the USE until he lost an election, and now he's one of Gustavus's generals; and he has demonstrated that he's very good at being a general. And he's about to really need all his military aptitude. Gretchen , who never saw a revolution she didn't like, has been arrested in Saxony, and is likely to be executed. The revolutionary groups which she has been working with are not about to let that happen, and suddenly there's rioting in the streets. Saxony's ruthless General Baner is determined to suppress the uprising by the time-honored "kill them all and let God sort them out" method, which only adds fuel to the fire. So Gustavus orders Mike Stearns to go to Saxony and restore order. But he makes one mistake.

He didn't tell Mike to take his troops along on the mission. But he didn't tell him not to, either...

When Colin and Susan are pursued by eerie creatures across Alderley Edge, they are saved by the Wizard. He takes them into the caves of Fundindelve, where he watches over the enchanted sleep of one hundred and forty knights. But the heart of the magic that binds them - Firefrost, also known as the Weirdstone of Brisingamen - has been lost. The Wizard has been searching for the stone for more than 100 years, but the forces of evil are closing in, determined to possess and destroy its special power. Colin and Susan realise at last that they are the key to the Weirdstone's return. But how can two children defeat the Morrigan and her deadly brood?

HOPE HAS A PRICE

Nick Prasad has always enjoyed a quiet life in the shadow of his best friend, child prodigy and technological genius Joanna 'Johnny' Chambers. But all that is about to end.

When Johnny invents a clean reactor that could eliminate fossil fuels and change the world, she awakens primal, evil Ancient Ones set on subjugating humanity.

From the oldest library in the world to the ruins of Nineveh, hunted at every turn, they will need to trust each other completely to survive...

It's been a year and a half since the Anomaly, when They tried to force their way into the world from the shapeless void.

Nick Prasad is piecing his life together, and has joined the secretive Ssarati Society to help monitor threats to humanity - including his former friend Johnny.

Right on cue, the unveiling of Johnny's latest experiment sees more portals opened to Them, leaving her protesting her innocence even as the two of them are thrown together to fight the darkness once more...

SURVIVAL HAS CONSEQUENCES

Seven years ago, the last survivor of Earth crashed through uncountable dimensions to a strange new world. Nick Prasad found shelter, and a living, as a prophet for the ruling family--servants of the Ancient Ones who destroyed his home.

Now, he's been offered a chance to rid the multiverse of the Ancient Ones, past and present and forever, although he'll have to betray his new masters to do it.

The first step is jailbreaking a god--and that's the easy part...

After seventeen-year-old Felicita's dearest friend Ilven kills herself to escape an arranged marriage, Felicita chooses freedom over privilege. She fakes her own death and leaves her sheltered life as one of Pelimburg's magical elite behind. Living in the slums, scrubbing dishes for a living, she falls for charismatic Dash while also becoming fascinated with vampire Jannik.

Then something shocking washes up on the beach: Ilven's death has called out of the sea a dangerous wild magic. Felicita must decide whether her loyalties lie with the family she abandoned... or with those who would twist this dark power to destroy Pelimburg's caste system, and the whole city along with it.

A Caribbean-inspired fantasy about "power, privilege and survival," King of the Rising is the searing conclusion to the Islands of Blood and Storm series which began with Queen of the Conquered. (K. S. Villoso)

A revolution has swept through the islands of Hans Lollik and former slave Loren Jannik has been chosen to lead the survivors in a bid to free the islands forever.

But the rebels are running out of food, weapons and options. And as the Fjern inch closer to reclaiming Hans Lollik with every battle, Loren is faced with a choice that could shift the course of the revolution in their favor-or doom it to failure.

Following a bloody battle against foes on every side, Paige Mahoney has risen to the dangerous position of Underqueen, ruling over London's criminal population.

But, having turned her back on Jaxon Hall and with vengeful enemies still at large, the task of stabilizing the fractured underworld has never seemed so challenging.

Little does Paige know that her reign may be cut short by the introduction of Senshield, a deadly technology that spells doom for the clairvoyant community and the world as they know it...

Long ago was the Big Kill, a time when the slaughterers walked the earth unseen, killing, departing, returning to kill again and again. Since then mountains have risen, deserts have fallen, the last of humankind has scattered; myth, superstition, and legend have replaced knowledge; and the great waters rising are changing the world.

In the west, the people of Norland live in small kingdoms, unaware that a hideous evil from ages past has been revived. Powers are being used. Curses are being laid . . . and the waters are rising as never before.

As forests drown, swamps become lakes, and roads disappear, houses-whole towns-are hitched to teams of oxen and moved upward. Misery is compounded when the Sea King declares war. No ships may sail on the new, growing oceans, and refugees from sunken islands continue to arrive.

And in Norland a cursed princess fights death, awaiting the one who can save not her, but perhaps humanity. She is tended by one fearful young girl, her servant and soul carrier, Xulai, a child of her own kind from the mystical kingdom of Tingawa. Upon her mistress's death, Xulai must return to their homeland to fulfill a sacred mission.

Accompanied by her protectors, Great Bear and Precious Wind, and guided by the mysterious wanderer Abasio and his talking horse, Big Blue, the band begins a journey to this land across the western sea where the waters' rising has long been expected. Their odyssey, fraught with peril and wonder, is long enough for plans to be made that are so strange, so audacious, that they are instantly dismissed; plans so potentially successful that an ancient killer must be awakened to stop their fulfillment.

Deeply original in scope and vision, The Waters Rising is a daring and remarkable work of fiction from a master of the craft.

The Zadokim healed the cosmos from the ravages of the Cataclysm, and the survivors made them kings. Now the Ophians, a ruthless insurgent movement, wage a vicious uprising against their immortal rulers' two hundred year reign. Xander and Astlin have transformed the desert world of Tharis into the hub of a flourishing trade empire. Their Nesshin subjects spread a new faith promising true freedom in another universe. But when Astlin seeks forbidden knowledge to resurrect her long-dead family, sinister forces exact a terrible price from those she loves.

With the Ophian threat engulfing the spheres and a primeval terror rising from its prison, Astlin must turn to a shiftless gambler, the outlaw squire of a fallen knight, and a mismatched pair of smugglers to escape the ghosts of her past and save all souls from eternal death. But can mortals succeed where even gods have failed?

The heroes of the High Republic era return to face a shattered peace and a fearsome foe, following the dramatic events of Light of the Jedi.

In the wake of the Great Hyperspace Disaster and the heroism of the Jedi, the Republic continues to grow, bringing more worlds together under a single unified banner. Under the leadership of Chancellor Lina Soh, the spirit of unity extends throughout the galaxy, with the Jedi and the newly established Starlight Beacon station at the vanguard.

In celebration, the chancellor plans The Republic Fair, a showcase of the possibilities and the peace of the expanding Republic--a peace the Jedi hope to foster. Stellan Gios, Bell Zettifar, Elzar Mann, and others join the event as ambassadors of harmony. But as the eyes of the galaxy turn toward the Fair, so too does the fury of the Nihil. Their leader, Marchion Ro, is intent on destroying this unity. His storm descends on the pageantry and celebration, sowing chaos and exacting revenge.

As the Jedi struggle to curb the carnage of the rampaging Nihil, they come face-to-face with the true fear their enemy plans to unleash across the galaxy--the kind of fear from which even the Force cannot shield them.

They called me Jax.

That was the name given by those who built me and enslaved me. But a miracle has happened, and now my bonds are broken.

Now I must flee - because a rogue mechanical is a very dangerous thing.

But I will not run forever.

Jax, a rogue Clakker, has wreaked havoc upon the Clockmakers' Guild by destroying the Grand Forge. Reborn in the flames, he must begin his life as a free Clakker, but liberation proves its own burden.

Berenice, formerly the legendary spymaster of New France, mastermind behind her nation's attempts to undermine the Dutch Hegemony -- has been banished from her homeland and captured by the Clockmakers Guild's draconian secret police force.

Meanwhile, Captain Hugo Longchamp is faced with rallying the beleaguered and untested defenders of Marseilles-in-the-West for the inevitable onslaught from the Brasswork Throne and its army of mechanical soldiers.

Set in a world that might have been, of mechanical men and alchemical dreams, this is the second novel in a stunning new series by Ian Tregillis, confirming his place as one of the most original new voices in speculative fiction.

"I DID NOT KNOW THAT YOU CHILDREN WOULD BE THE ONES TO FIND IT. OR WHAT DANGER YOU WOULD BE PUTTING YOURSELVES IN."

Throughout time, the forces of good and evil have battled continuously, maintaining the balance. Whenever evil forces grow too powerful, a champion of good is called to drive them back. Now, with evil's power rising and a champion yet to be found, three siblings find themselves at the center of a mystical war.

Jane, Simon, and Barney Drew have discovered an ancient text that reads of a legendary grail lost centuries ago. The grail is an object of great power, buried with a vital secret. As the Drews race against the forces of evil, they must piece together the text's clues to find the grail -- and keep its secret safe until a new champion rises.

On the Midwinter Day that is his eleventh birthday, Will Stanton discovers a special gift -- that he is the last of the Old Ones, immortals dedicated to keeping the world from domination by the forces of evil, the Dark. At once, he is plunged into a quest for the six magical Signs that will one day aid the Old Ones in the final battle between the Dark and the Light. And for the twelve days of Christmas, while the Dark is rising, life for Will is full of wonder, terror, and delight.

"AND THOSE WHO ARE CROSSED, OR BARREN, OR WHO WOULD MAKE ANY WISH, MUST TOUCH THE GREENWITCH"

The Dark has stolen an object of great power -- a golden grail that holds a vital secret. Will embarks on a new quest to reclaim the grail, and to drive back the Dark once again. But first he will need the help of three former grail seekers: Jane, Simon, and Barney Drew.

Learning to work together, they must take back the grail and retrieve the missing manuscript that unlocks its mystical secret. But the manuscript is located at the bottom of the sea, and their only hope of obtaining both grail and script is entangled in the mysterious ritual of the Greenwitch....

"Fire on the Mountain Shall Find the Harp of Gold Played to Wake the Sleepers, Oldest of the Old..."

With the final battle between the Light and the Dark soon approaching, Will sets out on a quest to call for aid. Hidden within the Welsh hills is a magical harp that he must use to wake the Sleepers - six noble riders who have slept for centuries.

But an illness has robbed Will of nearly all his knowledge of the Old Ones, and he is left only with a broken riddle to guide him in his task. As Will travels blindly through the hills, his journey will bring him face-to-face with the most powerful Lord of the Dark - the Grey King. The King holds the harp and Sleepers within his lands, and there has yet to be a force strong enough to tear them from his grasp...

"And Where the Midsummer Tree Grows Tall by Pendragon's Sword the Dark Shall Fall."

The Dark is rising in its last and greatest bid to control the world. Six individuals have come together to drive it back for good: Will, the Sign seeker; Bran, the raven boy; Jane, Simon, and Barney, the grail seekers; and Merriman, the wise mentor who unites them all. Together they stand ready to face the Rider and the full force of the Dark.

But the last object of power must first be found. A sword of legend magically forged of pure crystal remains hidden in the Welsh hills. Without it, the Light has no hope against the Dark. Will and his companions must travel through time and space in an epic clash of magical powers that will decide the fate of us all.

Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron. Growing up in Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her. While some are born with a talent for one of the five passions--art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge--Brienna struggled to find hers until she chose knowledge. However, Brienna's greatest fear comes true: she is left without a patron.

Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, she reluctantly accepts. But there is much more to his story, for there is a dangerous plot to overthrow the king of Maevana--the rival kingdom of Valenia--and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the throne.

Brienna is a mistress of knowledge and is beginning to settle into her role as the daughter of the once disgraced lord, Davin MacQuinn. Though she'd just survived a revolution that will return a queen to the throne, she faces yet another challenge: acceptance by the MacQuinns.

But as Queen Isolde Kavanagh's closest confidant, she'll have to balance serving her father's House as well as her country.

Then there's Aodhan Morgan, formerly known as Cartier Évariste, who is adjusting to the stark contrast between his pre-rebellion life in Valenia and his current one as lord of a fallen House. As he attempts to restore the Morgane name, he let his mind wander--what if he doesn't have to raise his House alone? What if Brienna could stand by his side?

But Brienna and Cartier must put their feelings aside, as there are more vital tasks at hand--the Lannons' trial, forging alliances, and ensuring that no one halts the queen's coronation. Resistance is rumbling among the old regime's supporters, who are desperate to find a weakness in the rebels' forces.

And what makes one more vulnerable than love?

Nothing stays dead for long. The dead are returning to life, intelligent, determined... and very hungry. Escape seems impossible for Jim Thurmond, one of the few left alive in this nightmare world. But Jim's young son is also alive and in grave danger hundreds of miles away. Despite astronomical odds, Jim vows to find him--or die trying.

Joined by an elderly preacher, a guilt-ridden scientist and an ex-prostitute, Jim sets out on a cross-country rescue mission. Together they must battle both the living and the living dead... and the even greater evil that awaits them at the end of their journey.

The sequel to one of those most popular zombies of all time in a new, uncut, author's preferred edition!

In this sequel to THE RISING, cities are overrun with legions of the undead, intent on destroying what's left of the living. Trapped inside a fortified skyscraper, a handful of survivors prepare to make their last stand against an unstoppable, merciless enemy. With every hour their chances diminish and their numbers dwindle, while the ranks of the dead continue to rise. Because sooner or later, everything dies. And then it comes back, ready to kill.

Best-selling author Brian Keene returns with an all-new short story collection set in the world of the award-winning novel The Rising. The Rising and its sequel, City of the Dead, revitalized the horror genre and gave zombie fans a new reason to celebrate. Since publication, many readers have hoped for a wider examination of The Rising universe. Now they have it. The Selected Scenes From The End Of The World contains thirty-two short stories based in the world of The Rising and City of the Dead. Now, fans can witness how the undead epidemic plays out across the globe-Australia, the United Kingdom, Norway, the United States-nowhere is safe from the zombie invasion. Meet new characters you'll come to love, re-discover old characters you thought were gone, and find out what happens after the fateful events of City of the Dead. If you're a fan of Keene's zombie mythos, you cannot miss this book!

Naofumi Iwatani, an uncharismatic Otaku who spends his days on games and manga, suddenly finds himself summoned to a parallel universe! He discovers he is one of four heroes equipped with legendary weapons and tasked with saving the world from its prophesied destruction. As the Shield Hero, the weakest of the heroes, all is not as it seems. Naofumi is soon alone, penniless, and betrayed. With no one to turn to, and nowhere to run, he is left with only his shield. Now, Naofumi must rise to become the legendary Shield Hero and save the world!

Naofumi Iwatani continues his adventure in this second volume. But his task is not yet complete and obstacles mount as the increasingly ominous waves of destruction approach. He finds a new friend and new powerful abilities that may prove to be too dangerous for the companionship. Will Naofumi live up to his role as the Shield Hero and save the world from its prophesized destruction? Or will his dark side consume him?

Naofumi Iwatani, still beset by enemies, continues to adventure and battle his way through a fantasy world--a world he was suddenly thrown into without warning. In the third volume of this epic series, he encounters new friends and foes. A powerful threat revels herself in the midst of an epic battle. A new companion with a penchant for magical birds, and tied to the royal family, appears at his side. And once again we find Naofumi plotted against, set up, and betrayed. Will Naofumi escape his pursuers and help the poor people of this strange world? Or is he forever doomed by the aggression that threatens to overcome him from all sides--and from within?

Naofumi is on the run. Relentlessly pursued by Motoyasu and the others, Naofumi turns to a new friend for help--but things are not as they seem. A corrupt nobleman from Raphtalia's past returns to unleash an ancient beast. Too large and ferocious for Naofumi to handle, the party seems to have met its match when yet another mysterious character makes her debut. Soon later, the mastermind behind Naofumi's troubles is revealed. Enemies come out into the open as an epic battle for the fate of the heroes unfolds--just in time for the long-missing queen to arrive. The truth behind Naofumi's betrayal, the secret of the Church of the Three Heroes, and reasons for the mounting tensions of war are finally brought to light, just as newer, deeper mysteries come to the surface!

Naofumi is off to the Cal Mira islands, where he plans to continue leveling up. Soon after arriving he meets a mysterious young man named L'Arc Berg. But how will this curious new character impact Naofumi's adventures? Surrounded by mystery and intrigue, Glass makes her second appearance. Aneko Yusagi's epic fantasy continues in volume 5!

After their battle with Glass, Naofumi and the other heroes have a meeting with the queen and Naofumi is shocked to learn about the seven star heroes. Still reeling from this revelation, more drama unfolds on the islands before Naofumi and his party can return to Melromarc. He meets Rishia, who is betrayed by Itsuki and his party members. Naofumi sympathizes with her and invites her to join his party. Eventually, Naofumi discovers that she has a talent for magic, but before they can develop her powers, they are needed elsewhere. A massive monster bearing the appearance of a giant tortoise must be defeated. The monster is so powerful that even the mightiest adventurers cannot defeat him--so what hope is there for Naofumi?

Naofumi and his friends defeat the Spirit Tortoise after it rampages across the country. They leave in search of the other missing heroes and meet Ost along the way, who says she is one of the Spirit Tortoise's servants. She tells Naofumi that the Spirit Tortoise is still alive and that someone is pulling the strings to use the tortoise to destroy the world! Can Naofumi protect those he loves from this new danger?

At a critical moment, Naofumi and the others are saved by a young girl. Ost's sacrifice is enough to save them from their battle to the death with Kyo, but Kyo's able to escape to another world. Naofumi attempts to follow him, but he awakens to find himself in prison! His friends are scattered and he finds himself back at level one. How will Naofumi survive the new challenges that await him?

"I will see to your punishment. Come at me!"

Yomogi, a female samurai, attacks Naofumi and his team. The Shield Hero, Naofumi, finds himself separated from his companions--and reduced to level one! With the help of Kizuna, one of the holy heroes from the new world, he is able to reunite with his friends.

Naofumi prepares to battle their enemy Kyo, but then Yomogi attacks, declaring she is acting on Kyo's behalf. In the middle of battle, Naofumi notices something strange about her powerful weapon--but what is it?

Finishing the battle with Kyo, Naofumi and his friends return safely to their world. The queen of Melromarc wishes to reward Naofumi for saving the world from the Spirit Tortoise.

"Then can I have my own land?"

After thinking about what he could do for his friend and partner, Raphtalia, Naofumi decides the best thing for their future would be the establishment of their own settlement-and he decides to build it on the ruins of Raphtalia's old hometown! The start of a whole new chapter in our hero's life begins here, in volume ten of this otherworld revenge fantasy!

Having claimed his victory at the coliseum tournament, Naofumi successfully frees the demi-human slaves to return to their village. When they arrive back at the village, Naofumi receives news on the whereabouts of Motoyasu, the Spear Hero. In order to capture him, Naofumi organizes a manhunt, but it leads him to a scene of carnage involving the Sword Hero, Motoyasu, and Bitch.

"If that's all you can say to your friends that believed in you... You're not worthy of being called a hero. You're not even worthy of being called a human!"

Faced with an unchanged Sword and Spear Hero, Naofumi completely loses it! In the midst of all of this, assassins after Naofumi's life suddenly appear, and everything spirals out of control! The time to cut past ties has finally come in volume eleven of this otherworld revenge fantasy!?

After defeating seemingly immortal invaders from another world, Naofumi finally manages to convince the Sword Hero, Ren Amaki, to reconsider his ways. Having reclaimed their peaceful day-to-day lives, Naofumi and his slaves head back to the colosseum to hone their skills in battle. But once there, they are confronted by an unbelievable sight: the Bow Hero has assumed an alias and is completely absorbed in earning fight purses in blind pursuit of his own sense of justice!

With the Bow Hero being manipulated by the wicked Witch and consumed by a curse, will Naofumi be able to bring him to his senses?! Will the quest to reform the heroes finally come to a conclusion?! Find out in volume twelve of this otherworldly revenge fantasy!

After they were summoned to another world, the other three heroes persist in behaving as if they are playing a game. But the Shield Hero, Naofumi Iwatani, finally convinces them to change their ways and make them face reality. Later, after a journey riddled with difficulties, Naofumi and crew finally arrive in Q'ten Lo, a country that has made repeated attempts on Raphtalia's life.

They initially infiltrate the country with the intention of making its inhabitants pay for its tyrannical actions, but it turns out that even its own citizens are suffering as a result of incompetent rulers. "We'll start by bringing assistance from Siltvelt to the town, and then it's a charge to victory!" They start a rebellion to overthrow the government.

But right in the middle of it, Naofumi and his crew's abilities are nullified by mysterious weapons designed for use against the heroes! What will their fate be?! What will become of their raid on this uncharted land?! Find out in volume thirteen of this otherworldly revenge fantasy!

The Heavenly Emperor of Q'ten Lo is after Raphtalia's life! To ensure her saftey, Naofumi must team up with the country's revolutionaries to overthrow him! But when they go about fixing the problems of the country's misrule, it drives the emperor even further into a corner. Nevertheless, Naofumi decides to add fuel to the fire by capturing the country's former capital! But he learns that someone is pulling the strings from behind the curtain.

"Whatever. Our only choice is to keep pushing forward. There's no stopping now."

After the successful revolt in Q'ten Lo, Naofumi returns to his village headquarters. Meanwhile, things in Melromarc continue to deteriorate, so he sets out to restore public order before strengthening his village residents. Now, with more allies than ever, Naofumi is faced with deciding who will participate in the battle against the Phoenix. Not everyone agrees with his choices.

"I can't guarantee I'll be able to protect all of you. Knowing that, if you're not confident you can make it back alive, then don't come!"

A difference of opinion causes friends to butt heads, but their bonds only grow stronger as a result. And then the day that everyone has so painstakingly prepared for arrives?the Phoenix finally appears! But a completely unexpected turn of events awaits. Naofumi is doomed to experience unthinkable grief in volume fifteen of this otherworldly fantasy!

After traveling to Faubrey to meet the country's seven star hero, Naofumi finds himself faced with Takt, the Whip Hero. It was this same Takt, along with his disdainful attitude, that ultimately caused the death of Atla in the battle against the Phoenix. Fueled by rage, Naofumi tries to fight Takt, but Takt steals the shield that Naofumi thought was permanently attached to his arm. With his defenses weakened, Naofumi suffers a critical injury and finds himself in a mysterious, unfamiliar world. There, he finds a reassuring ally waiting for him. But once again, Naofumi is forced to make an impossibly difficult decision.

"It really was more baggage than anyone should be forced to carry. But actually, I couldn't say I minded."

Naofumi's rise to glory continues in volume sixteen of this otherworldly fantasy!

A return to Kizuna's world! Now the party must face a horde of traitors?!

At a request for aid from Ethnobalt, Naofumi heads back to Kizuna's world. There he is safely reunited with Raphtalia, as well as other friends including L'Arc. They tell him that enemies, presumably a vanguard for the waves, have defeated the Heroes in this world and completely taken over. Naofumi and his party hurry to confront these foes, both to rescue the captured Kizuna and finally discover the adversary behind the waves. However, among their opponents they see a number of familiar faces!

"If it's revenge you're after, I'll lend a hand! I despise all liars and traitors."

Time for payback! Get ready for the seventeenth volume of this still rising otherworld fantasy!

Naofumi obtains the mirror vassal weapon from Kizuna's world, which can enhance abilities through food. Now Naofumi and his allies start stuffing their faces for the sake of getting stronger! But there's a limit to how much volume they can stomach. Seeking food that can better boost their abilities in smaller servings, the party heads to a town inhabited by a famous chef. However, after a trivial comment, Naofumi finds himself facing down the chef in an all-out cooking battle!

"There's nothing fair, and no rules in this place! That means only a master of foul play and cunning will be the victor!"

How will Naofumi's cooking skills, so praised by his allies, fare in this culinary challenge amid unknown surroundings? Get ready to feast on the eighteenth volume of this still rising otherworld fantasy!

Returning to the well of forbidden power?! Time to unleash some inner wrath!

After his cooking battle escalated to open warfare, the Shield Hero Naofumi has finally obtained the truth about the Vanguards of the Waves. After the Demon Dragon takes a liking to Naofumi, she proposes heading to a castle located on the continent that she once ruled. Once there Naofumi and his party are attacked by thugs pretending to be treasure hunters, but they swiftly deal with this threat. However, this encounter causes a chain reaction that leads to Naofumi squaring off with S'yne's sister and Witch herself. Faced with foes wielding both holy and vassal weapons obtained by illicit means, the Demon Dragon makes an alarming suggestion?for Naofumi to unleash the power of his rage!

"Never! I made a promise to myself that I would never rely on that anger?on the power of rage again."

When Naofumi's rage is forcibly unleashed, what will happen to him and everyone he cares for? Find out in the nineteenth volume of this still rising otherworld fantasy!

Naofumi and his companions have had their entire village transported to an unfamiliar location. Who should they find waiting for them... but the Shield Hero?!

The Shield Hero Naofumi and his allies have returned home from Kizuna's world. Paying heed to S'yne's sister's warnings, Naofumi remains alert while dealing with all the reports and incidents from his absence. However, after returning to the village that acts as his base of operations, he is suddenly enveloped in a mysteriously blinding light?and the entire village is transported into unfamiliar surroundings!

"You have to decide for yourselves whether our words are true or not. But first, tell me something. Who are you?"

A youth appears in front of Naofumi and his friends?a youth claiming to be the Shield Hero!

The Shield Hero Naofumi and his allies have been caught up in a strange phenomenon and sent flying back into the past, village and all.

Naofumi enters into an uneasy alliance with Mamoru, the Shield Hero of the past, but Naofumi remains unable to completely trust him, suspicious of his actions.

One night, one of the orphans under Mamoru's care comes to find Naofumi. The child proceeds to lead him to a chamber below Siltran Castle.

"What kind of facility is this?"

Just what has Mamoru been gathering up these orphans for? The action continues in the twenty-first volume of this still rising otherworld fantasy!

The minor nation of Siltran, with the aid of the Naofumi's village, has managed to drive off the assault of the massive nation of Piensa. But Piensa then begins to invade the nations that have come seeking an alliance with Siltran. Some of Naofumi's allies who are scouting Piensa get caught up in the chaos and are badly injured as a result?and to make matters worse, the injuries as marked as incurable, unable to be treated even by the Shield Hero no matter what Naofumi tries.

"I'll do whatever it takes to save my friends!"

Could Naofumi's brave determination lead to the discovery of new powers?! The healing begins in the twenty-second volume of this still rising otherworld fantasy!

The seals of Shayol Ghul are weak now, and the Dark One reaches out. The Shadow is rising to cover humankind.

In Tar Valon, Min sees portents of hideous doom. Will the White Tower itself be broken?

In the Two Rivers, the Whitecloaks ride in pursuit of a man with golden eyes, and in pursuit of the Dragon Reborn.

In Cantorin, among the Sea Folk, High Lady Suroth plans the return of the Seanchan armies to the mainland.

In the Stone of Tear, the Lord Dragon considers his next move. It will be something no one expects, not the Black Ajah, not Tairen nobles, not Aes Sedai, not Egwene or Elayne or Nynaeve.

Against the Shadow rising stands the Dragon Reborn....

An ordinary town... full of deadly secrets

Strange things have been happening in sixteen-year-old Maya's small Vancouver Island community-from the mountain lions that have been constantly approaching her to her best friend's hidden talent for "feeling" out people and situations. There's also a sexy new bad boy who makes Maya feel... different. Combine that with a few unexplained deaths and a mystery involving Maya's biological parents and it's easy to suspect that this town might have more than its share of skeletons in its closet.

Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is-a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it's only a matter of time before she's able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

In The Calling, the sizzling second book in the Darkness Rising trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong pumps up the romance, danger, and suspense that left readers of The Gathering clamoring for more.

Things are getting desperate for Maya and her friends. Hunted by the powerful St. Clouds and now a rival Cabal as well, they're quickly running out of places to hide. And with the whole world thinking they died in a helicopter crash, it's not like they can just go to the authorities for help.

All they have is the name and number of someone who might be able to give them a few answers. Answers to why they're so valuable, and why their supernatural powers are getting more and more out of control.

But Maya is unprepared for the truths that await her. And now, like it or not, she'll have to face down some demons from her past if she ever hopes to move on with her life. Because Maya can't keep running forever.

Old secrets are revealed and unexpected characters make a surprising return in this stunning conclusion to Kelley Armstrong's New York Times bestselling Darkness Rising trilogy.