Such a blasphemous bastardisation of a word, 'Commonwealth'. 'Common' meaning of, or to, everyone regardless of place or estate and 'wealth' meaning relating to weal - wholeness, prosperity, health and success. the Puritans calling the theological tyranny of all aspects of England after the regicide the 'Commonwealth' is almost the closest to the ultimate debasement of English common parlance I can imagine. But not quite. I consider marginally worse their use of 'Protectorate'. You don't 'protect' rabbits by putting the most vicious and nasty weasel you can possibly breed down the warren-holes. It was bad enough the war between 'forty-two and 'forty-six lacerated England corporate in all aspects to a perilous degree. Even the most hideous wounds, if clean, can scab and scar over and the body become hale, if scarred, again. Sometimes surprisingly quickly. Take my word of honour as an ex-Officer for it. During my time soldiering I saw scores of such miraculous cases. But although that war wounded England grievous, it was the toxin of Puritanism so thoroughly rubbed into the gaping injuries during the wounding that turned England corporally and spiritually septic for over a decade thereafter. I pen these words with relief that the 'Commonwealth' and 'Protectorate' are now dead. Puritans are now selling up their property and leaving the country as despised and ostracised scum by the boat-load, with the generality spitting at their backs as they leave. the Americas are welcome to those that are commissioning the voyage boats and I'm glad the Shipwrights are profiting from their emergency fabrication. I hope the foundling Colonies have some use for the manure, for the meadows of England don't.

The king is dead. Evil rises. Can a prince conquer his cursed mind and save his people? After his father is murdered, Alex must fulfill a destiny he’s not sure he’s equipped for. And despite his new high-stakes responsibilities, he can’t get the girl who killed the monarch out of his head. But when she tries to convert him to the sinister Killiam Order, Alex is forced to draw on a potentially deadly power to right the betrayal. Tapping into unknown magic, the young ruler risks madness to defend his kingdom. But with his castle invaded and the Order advancing fast, the tormented noble and his small band of loyalists must fight the battle alone… Can Alex unleash his newfound skills and free his realm from darkness once and for all? Elder Born is the climactic third book in The Being of Dreams epic fantasy series. If you like mind-altering sorcery, treacherous powerplays, and a war to end all wars, then you’ll love Catherine M Walker’s thrilling conclusion.

Buy Elder Born to restore light to the land today!

The gods who created this world have abandoned it. In their mercy, however, they chained the rogue god—and the monstrous creatures he created to plague mortalkind—in the vast and inhospitable wasteland of the Bourne. The magical Veil that contains them has protected humankind for millennia and the monsters are little more than tales told to frighten children. But the Veil has become weak and creatures of Nightmare have come through. To fight them, the races of men must form a great alliance to try and stop the creatures. But there is dissent. One king won't answer the call, his pride blinding him even to the poison in his own court. Another would see Convocation fail for his own political advantage. And still others believe Convocation is not enough. Some turn to the talents of the Sheason, who can shape the very essence of the world to their will. But their order is divided, on the brink of collapse. Tahn Junell remembers friends who despaired in a place left barren by war. One of the few who have actually faced the unspeakable horde in battle, Tahn sees something else at work and wonders about the nature of the creatures on the other side of the Veil. He chooses to go to a place of his youth, a place of science, daring to think he can find a way to prevent slaughter, prevent war. And his choices may reshape a world . . . . The second title in the Vault of Heaven series, Peter Orullian's Trial of Intentions is a mesmerizing fantasy epic that turns the conventions of the genre on its head

Set in a world of dark myth and dangerous prophecy, this thrilling fantasy launches an epic tale of daring warriors, living weapons, and bloodthirsty vengeance.​ "The Sword Defiant is a treat for all fantasy fans . . . . It’s an absolute blast.” ― Justin Lee Anderson, author of The Lost War Many years ago, Sir Aelfric and his nine companions saved the world, seizing the Dark Lord's cursed weapons, along with his dread city of Necrad. That was the easy part. Now, when Aelfric - keeper of the cursed sword Spellbreaker - learns of a new and terrifying threat, he seeks the nine heroes once again. But they are wandering adventurers no longer. Yesterday's eager heroes are today's weary leaders - and some have turned to the darkness, becoming monsters themselves. If there's one thing Aelfric knows, it's slaying monsters. Even if they used to be his friends. "In the tradition of Tolkien and Eddings, with a richly detailed narrative, well-drawn characters, epic battles, and political and religious intrigues, Hanrahan's outstanding first outing in the Lands of the Firstborn series will thrill fantasy readers—who will anxiously await the next book." ― Booklist (starred review) "This novel has the potential to become a fan-favorite among those who appreciate vast and eloquent epic fantasy. Readers will enjoy the unique twists, absorbing intrigue, and endearing characters." ― Library Journal "I will buy any novel that Gareth Hanrahan ever writes." ― The Fantasy Inn For more from Gareth Hanrahan, check out: The Black Iron Legacy The Gutter Prayer The Shadow Saint The Broken God

"With a fiery, righteous rage, former slave Octavia Albert set about, after Emancipation, collecting the true stories of those that "terrible institution" affected most. That raw material gave rise to The House of Bondage, a refutation to Uncle Tom's Cabin, and an answer to other works of literature of the period that purported to show the horror of slavery even though their authors had never set foot in the South. First published in 1890, this is an important example of a sadly small genre: 19th-century literature by African-American women. With its straightforward and heartbreaking litany of cruelty at the hands of slaveowners, families forever divided, and the harsh effects of particularly hard labor, this is an unforgettable work that should be read by every American who thinks he knows his nation's history"--Amazon.com.

Kerith, a land devastated by wars that erased all trace of magic and subjugated by the magic-wielding Vaelinars, is once again torn by war when the Vaelinars' feuds reignite, triggering an uprising by the natives and newcomers alike.

A new selection from the national epic of India Originally composed in Sanskrit sometime between 400 BC and 400 AD, The Mahabharata-with one hundred thousand stanzas of verse-is one of the longest poems in existence. At the heart of the saga is a conflict between two branches of a royal family whose feud culminates in a titanic eighteen-day battle. Exploring such timeless subjects as dharma (duty), artha (purpose), and kama (pleasure) in a mythic world of warfare, magic, and beauty, this is a magnificent and legendary Hindu text of immense importance to the culture of the Indian subcontinent. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Everyone they love may be doomed. Everything they cherish may be destroyed. There is no turning back.