"It is not difficult to be happy under a blue sky. But it takes a lot of courage to be strong even under a black sun." Over the years, a black sun has risen twice. A dark dawn whose rays have done terrible things to people's minds, driving them to all sorts of horror. Twelve years have passed since the last time and the world still fears the return of that inexplicable phenomenon. But fear is not the only legacy of those terrible days. All the women who got pregnant under the influence of the black sun have given birth to babies with some… peculiarities. White hair, ashy skin, abnormal proportions, and eyes as red as fire: the Children of the Black Sun. Brightvale is a small town like many others. Here the Children of the Black Sun are treated with particular contempt, especially in the days leading up to the anniversary of the two disasters. The hatred of their fellow villagers, terrified of a possible return of that horror, will push these kids to unite and embark on a hallucinatory journey to discover themselves and their true nature. But is the black sun really about to return?

A complex, adult epic fantasy from a new Australian author ... original, dramatic, unputdownable ... Sierra has a despised and forbidden gift - she raises power from the suffering of others. Enslaved by the king's torturer, Sierra escapes, barely keeping ahead of Rasten, the man sent to hunt her down. Then she falls in with dangerous company: the fugitive Prince Cammarian and his crippled foster-brother, Isidro. But Rasten is not the only enemy hunting them in the frozen north and as Sierra's new allies struggle to identify friend from foe, Rasten approaches her with a plan to kill the master they both abhor. Sierra is forced to decide what price she is willing to pay for her freedom and her life ... Original, dramatic and unputdownable, Winter Be My Shield is the first in an epic fantasy trilogy from brilliant new Australian talent Jo Spurrier. 'Unlikely heroes, villains you will cheer for, and cold that eats your bones. Winter Be My Shield will take you to an unforgiving place, but you won't want to leave it.' Robin Hobb

For Fans of Something is Killing The Children! From the artist of the hit SIKTC spinoff series The House of Slaughter! “It is not difficult to be happy under a blue sky. But it takes a lot of courage to be strong even under a black sun.” Over the years, a black sun has risen twice. A dark dawn whose rays have done terrible things to people's minds, driving them to all sorts of horror. Twelve years have passed since the last time and the world still fears the return of that inexplicable phenomenon. But fear is not the only legacy of those terrible days. All the women who got pregnant under the influence of the black sun have given birth to babies with some... peculiarities. White hair, ashy skin, abnormal proportions, and eyes as red as fire: the Children of the Black Sun. Brightvale is a small town like many others. Here, the Children of the Black Sun are treated with particular contempt, especially during the days leading up to the anniversary of the two disasters. The hatred of their fellow villagers, terrified of a possible return of that horror, will push these kids to unite and embark on a hallucinatory journey to discover themselves and their true nature. But is the black sun really about to return? Collecting the first volume of the hit series, along with cover gallery and bonus material.

A complex, adult epic fantasy from a new Australian author ... original, dramatic, unputdownable ... Sierra has always battled to control her powers, but now her life and Isidro's depend on keeping her skills hidden from the Akharians as they draw closer to Demon's Spire. In the relics left by Ricalan's last great mage, Isidro hopes to find the knowledge Sierra needs to master her powers, but instead uncovers his own long-buried talent for magecraft. When Sierra's untrainable powers turn destructive, she has nowhere to turn for help except to the uncertain mercy of an old enemy. But what will Rasten do when she returns to his hands at last?

Is it fear or another impending black sun that has turned the town into a murderous mob? The children go into hiding with the hopes another dark dawn will come and save them, but the astrological event could spell doom for everyone."

The older children of the black sun continue to initiate their younger counterparts into their way of thinking and incorporate them into their plan for Brightvale. But even before all of the elements of what they have in store are revealed, the town’s descent into madness is already taking hold and turning the world on its head.

With anniversaries of the black sun looming, the children born during those events begin to gravitate toward each other. Will this lead to an understanding of who they truly are or a rejection of their very nature? Meanwhile, a darkness begins to take hold of some of the citizens of Brightvale.

ABLAZE is shining the spotlight on the wide variety of genres and fantastic works within our catalogue! Our Spotlight on Science Fiction includes three comic titles – Life Zero, Promethee 13:13, and Children of the Black Sun Vol. 1 – bundled together under a specially discounted price. In Life Zero: As a mysterious cloud passes through the world’s population centers, people die…then they return to life as shambling, ravenous monsters. When a team is sent into the fray to break Captain Derek Shako from prison, they soon discover that he has his own agenda that takes precedence over any other grand schemes. The completion of any mission, however, requires escape from the beleaguered, infected city… In Promethee 13:13: Darla Clemenceau has been plagued by apocalyptic visions ever since she was abducted by a UFO as a child. Now, she's ready to put it all behind her and move on with her life. But what if it's all true? A dangerous cult militia is prepping for the end of the world, and they see Darla as the key to their survival... In Children of the Black Sun: Over the years, a black sun has risen twice, dark dawn whose rays have done terrible things to people's minds, driving them to all sorts of horror. Twelve years have passed since the last time, and the world still fears the return of that inexplicable phenomenon. But fear is not the only legacy of those terrible days. All the women who got pregnant under the influence of the black sun have given birth to babies with some... peculiarities. White hair, ashy skin, abnormal proportions, and eyes as red as fire: the Children of the Black Sun."

This edition of ?lvar N£_ez Cabeza de Vaca?s Relaci¢n offers readers Rolena Adorno and Patrick Charles Pautz's celebrated translation of Cabeza de Vaca?s account of the 1527 P¾nfilo de Narv¾ez expedition to North America. The dramatic narrative tells the story of some of the first Europeans and the first-known African to encounter the North American wilderness and its Native inhabitants. It is a fascinating tale of survival against the highest odds, and it highlights Native Americans and their interactions with the newcomers in a manner seldom seen in writings of the period. ø In this English-language edition, reproduced from their award-winning three-volume set, Adorno and Pautz supplement the engrossing account with a general introduction that orients the reader to Cabeza de Vaca?s world. They also provide explanatory notes, which resolve many of the narrative?s most perplexing questions. This highly readable translation fires the imagination and illuminates the enduring appeal of Cabeza de Vaca?s experience for a modern audience.