Outside was crazy. The thick, coming storm weighed me down. It could come any minute: thunderous, hurricane rain, followed by all kinds of hell. I dashed across the lawn, into The Lab and up the stairs. The bookcase was locked. Most of our books anyone can look at. Some, we donÕt think would be wise to let out. I fumbled the key chain, looking for the tiny key that could open the door. I managed to get it near the keyhole when the electricity died. Cara may curse my pipe, but right then, I think sheÕd have been glad I had a lighter. The lighter helped me again. The deep, old books were a window to the past. We had read few. That would entail things like dying horrible deaths. Instead, we had a collection of Òabout books, Ó essays written anywhere from last year to a thousand years ago. The one I was looking for was deep red, 'AichlanÕs Deimos.' In it I hoped to sort out how to send Xith back to wherever the hell it came from before it ate Lily Dale, or whatever it does.

MERCEDES LACKEY'S magical A Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms series continues with a captivating new adventure… Heavy is the head—and the eyelids—of the princess who wears the crown… In Rosamund's realm, happiness hinges on a few simple beliefs. For every princess there's a prince. The King has ultimate power. Stepmothers should never be trusted. And bad things come to those who break with Tradition…. But when Rosa is pursued by a murderous huntsman and then captured by dwarves, her beliefs go up in smoke. Determined to escape and save her kingdom from imminent invasion, she agrees to become the subject of one of her stepmother's risky incantations—thus falling into a deep, deep sleep. When awakened by a touchy-feely stranger, Rosa must choose between Tradition and her future between a host of eligible princes and a handsome, fair-haired outsider. And learn the difference between being a princess and ruling as a Queen.

Volume 5: Stories of the Enlightenment Being, Jātakas 201–250. Interpreted by Kurunegoda Piyatissa Maha Thera. Stories Retold by Stephan Hillyer Levitt. Republished by Pariyatti Publishing (2024). ------------------------ The stories published in five volumes, are compiled and interpreted by Ven. Kurunegoda Piyatissa and retold by Todd Anderson (Vols. 1 and 2) and Stephan Hillyer Levitt (Vols. 3,4 and 5). The stories are drawn from ancient Pali and Sinhalese sources, and have been adapted for a modern audience while preserving the original moral and ethical teachings. These stories have been used for centuries in Buddhist education and sermons to teach important values such as compassion, generosity, honesty, and the dangers of greed and craving. They cover a wide range of themes and characters, from princes and kings to animals and mythical beings. They have also influenced literature, art, and architecture across various cultures. The Buddhist Tales for Young and Old series provides a rich collection of stories that can help readers of all ages develop moral and ethical values, as well as a deeper understanding of Buddhist teachings and philosophy. The combination of engaging narratives and beautiful illustrations (Vols. 1 and 2) makes these books a valuable resource for both personal and educational purposes. Volume 1: Jātakas 1–50 Volume 2: Jātakas 51–100, 514 Volume 3: Jātakas 101–150 Volume 4: Jātakas 151–200 Volume 5: Jātakas 201–250

From the bestselling author of the Heralds of Valdemar series comes an enchanting novel. In the land of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, if you can't carry out your legendary role, life is no fairy tale.… Elena Klovis was supposed to be her kingdom's Cinderella—until fate left her with a completely inappropriate prince! So she set out to make a new life for herself. But breaking with "The Tradition" was no easy matter—until she got a little help from her own fairy godmother. Who promptly offered Elena a most unexpected job.… Now, instead of sleeping in the chimney, she has to deal with arrogant, stuffed-shirt princes who keep trying to rise above their place in the tale. And there's one in particular who needs to be dealt with…. Sometimes a fairy godmother's work is never done….

Fairy Tales and Fables have been passed down from generation to generation throughout the world for hundreds of years. But there has never been an adaptation quite like this! The Little Mermaid wants nothing more than to fall in love with a prince, but the deal she makes with a mysterious being will prove to be a terrible mistake. Then, three "blind" mice concoct a plan to outsmart an innocent old lady, but quickly learn that appearances can many times be deceiving. And, when King Midas is given the power to turn everything he touches into gold, what sounds like a blessing is really just a horrific curse! Collects issues #25-30 of the hit Grimm Fairy Tales series, complete with a bonus short story.

Action, intrigue, and danger follow Scarboy wherever he goes, especially in the Enchanted City, where the “imperfect” are cast away and orphans are enslaved. Scarboy manages to escape the evil Enchanter to safety in Great Park, but has yet to confront his greatest fear—and he’ll need enormous courage to conquer it! An exciting series from best-selling authors David and Karen Mains, the gold-medallion award-winning Tales of the Kingdom offers fast-paced action and exciting storytelling with a enduring Christian message. Enjoy these classic allegories teach kids and adults the importance of trusting God as they unveil fundamental truths about good and evil.

As unwanted and rebellious boys, they find refuge in Ironhall....Years later they emerge as the finest swordsmen in the realm—A magical ritual of a sword through the heart binds each to his ward—if not the king himself, then to whomever else the monarch designates—with absolute loyalty.And the greatest Blade of them all was—and is—Sir Durendal. But a lifelong dream of protecting his beloved liege from enemies, traitors, and monsters is dashed to bits when Durendal is bonded till death to an effete noble fop at his king's orders. Yet Destiny has many strange and inscrutable plans for the young knight—for a mission, a contest, and, perhaps, a treasure await him in a faraway land. But he soon finds himself enmeshed in treason and foul intrigues, compelled to betray the king he had hoped to serve. The Blades have ways to protect their own, but death and madness haunt the path to salvation—and few ever return unscathed. As unwanted and rebellious boys, they find refuge in Ironhall....Years later they emerge as the finest swordsmen in the realm—A magical ritual of a sword through the heart binds each to his ward—if not the king himself, then to whomever else the monarch designates—with absolute loyalty. And the greatest Blade of them all was—and is—Sir Durendal. But a lifelong dream of protcting his beloved liege from enemies, traitors, and monsters is dashed to bits when Durendal is bonded till death to an effete noble fop at his king's orders. Yet Destiny has many strange and inscrutable plans for the young knight—for a mission, a contest, and, perhaps, a treasure await him in a faraway land. But he soon finds himself enmeshed in treasonand foul intrigues, compelled to betray the king he had hoped to serve. The Blades have ways to protect their own, but death and madness haunt the path to salvation—and few ever return unscathed.

“A gritty, medieval fantasy full of enchantment” (Publishers Weekly), David Keck's epic Tales of Durand trilogy concludes with A King in Cobwebs Once a landless second son, Durand has sold his sword to both vicious and noble men and been party to appalling acts of murder as well as self-sacrificing heroism. Now the champion of the Duke of Gireth, Durand’s past has caught up with him. The land is at the mercy of a paranoid king who has become unfit to rule. As rebellion sparks in a conquered duchy, the final bond holding back the Banished break, unleashing their nightmarish evil on the innocents of the kingdom. In his final battle against the Banished, Durand comes face to face with the whispering darkness responsible for it all—the king in cobwebs.

ÒYouÕve never been here before?Ó Wanekia asked. ÒNo, Ó Chloe said. ÒYour father wonÕt fly. He never even told me about this place until he was delirious after that wound. IÕm glad he did.Ó ÒDo you think weÕll make it?Ó Wanekia asked, obviously scared. ÒDo you think theyÕll come after us?Ó ÒWe will make it, even if they do come after us, Wanekia, Ó Chloe said. ÒI donÕt think theyÕll pursue us all the way, anyway. ItÕs a long way to go.Ó ÒIs Father going to be alright?Ó Wanekia asked, looking back at Martin again. ÒYes, of course, Ó Chloe said, not sure of her words. ÒHeÕs been hurt worse before. The skinner is working.Ó ÒIt wonÕt even estimate how long, though, Ó Wanekia said. ÒItÕs done that before, too, Ó Chloe said. ÒHeÕll be fine. We just need to get him someplace safe.Ó ÒWe could have gone back to England, Ó Wanekia said. ÒWe couldnÕt, and you know it, Ó Chloe said. ÒThe way things are going, they could trace us through Time and then weÕd drag the Burnsides into this and theyÕd die. I wonÕt do that."

“Gracefully interweav[es] Arthurian legend, realistic and magical elements, humor, and heartbreak . . . an engrossing conclusion to a notable series.” —Booklist In this final installment of the Squire’s Tale series, Terence and his fellow Knights of the Round Table must come together in a last stand to save Camelot. The characters Gerald Morris has brought to life throughout his series—Terence and Gawain, Lynet and Gaheris, Luneta and Rhience, Dinadan and Palomides—each have an important role to play in this climactic final conflict. Maintaining their faith, selflessness, and honor, Arthur’s court bands together to try to defeat Morgause and Mordred and banish the dark magic from England forever. “Morris pulls off a spectacular conclusion to his humane and witty Squire’s Tales series as destructive intrigues both provide a backdrop for a fan-pleasing reunion of favorite figures from past episodes and lead up to the final battle between Arthur and his brilliant, hideously warped son Mordred . . . Well done.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “The knights’ simplicity, honor, and kitchen-table philosophizing will continue to entrance readers, straight through to the end of this thrilling, elegiac, hope-from-the-ashes saga.” —The Horn Book (starred review) “In this final title in the series, Morris once again makes the adventure, excitement, and magic of King Arthur and his court accessible to every reader . . . An excellent end to a worthwhile and well-written series that can be recommended to reluctant and skilled readers alike.” —School Library Journal