Delve into intrigue, penetrate a fortified palace, recruit warriors, sail to a foreign land, experience a foreign culture, battle an evil cult, stumble upon a conspiracy, join a false flag operation, and eliminate traitors. All this and more await you inside this second compilation volume of the the HS&S: WT series, including an exclusive short story that tells of one way how mercenaries can become famous

Cinema of Swords is a history, guide, and love letter to over four hundred movies and television shows featuring swashbucklers: knights, pirates, samurai, Vikings, gladiators, outlaw heroes like Zorro and Robin Hood, and anyone else who lives by the blade and solves their problems with the point of a sword. Though swordplay thrives as a mainstay of current pop culture—whether Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings or Star Wars—swashbuckling was if anything even more ubiquitous during Hollywood’s classic period, from its foundations in the Silent Era up through the savage bursts of fantasy films in the ‘80s. With this huge cinematic backlist of classics now available online and on-demand, Cinema of Swords traces the roots and branches of this unruly genre, highlighting classics of the form and pointing fans toward thrilling new gems they never knew existed. With wry summaries and criticism from swordplay expert Lawrence Ellsworth, this comprehensive guidebook is perfect as a reference work or as a dazzling Hollywood history to be read end-to-end.

Helena Birch is no stranger to the weird and unexplainable. In fact, it's part of the reason she became a private eye: to turn questions into answers. But Helena's latest job is unusual enough to leave even a seasoned skeptic like her a little unnerved.While tracking down straying spouses is pretty typical P.I. work, tailing a woman who left her husband for a magic-worshipping cult is new. And something about this case hasn't felt right from the start.From the moment she arrives in Cambria, Helena is haunted by déjà vu and inexplicable dread. Only the promise of a big paycheck at the end of this strange journey keeps her from dropping the case altogether.But when Helena is abducted by one of the cult's members and barely escapes with her life, she's willing to grudgingly admit that she might be in over her head.With the police on her trail after the death of her kidnapper, the cult hunting her down, and her only ally an unassuming waitress at the local café, Helena knows she'll need every bit of skill and luck she can muster to get away alive.Hell, maybe she could even use a little bit of magic...

Within the Sanctuary of Wings is the conclusion to Marie Brennan's thrilling Lady Trent Memoirs After nearly five decades (and, indeed, the same number of volumes), one might think they were well-acquainted with the Lady Isabella Trent--dragon naturalist, scandalous explorer, and perhaps as infamous for her company and feats of daring as she is famous for her discoveries and additions to the scientific field. And yet--after her initial adventure in the mountains of Vystrana, and her exploits in the depths of war-torn Eriga, to the high seas aboard The Basilisk, and then to the inhospitable deserts of Akhia--the Lady Trent has captivated hearts along with fierce minds. This concluding volume will finally reveal the truths behind her most notorious adventure--scaling the tallest peak in the world, buried behind the territory of Scirland's enemies--and what she discovered there, within the Sanctuary of Wings. The Lady Trent Memoirs 1. A Natural History of Dragons 2. The Tropic of Serpents 3. Voyage of the Basilisk 4. In the Labyrinth of Drakes 5. Within the Sanctuary of Wings At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Marion Zimmer Bradley's "Sword & Sorceress" series has always presented the best in contemporary women's fantasy, and this new volume carries on the tradition! In this volume, 26 original stories of bold, talented, and heroic women lead readers through enchanted realms of the imagination into danger both physical and sorcerous, where power and courage lie in a woman's hands.

The Fantasy Collection of Robert E. Howard is a compilation of some of the most iconic works by the renowned author. Howard is widely regarded as the father of the sword and sorcery genre, and this collection showcases his masterful storytelling skills and vivid imagination. Filled with action-packed adventures, mythical creatures, and dark magic, this book immerses readers in a fantastical world unlike any other. Howard's writing style is characterized by its fast-paced narrative and vivid descriptions, drawing readers into a world of heroes and villains battling for supremacy. The literary context of the collection highlights Howard's influence on modern fantasy writers, making this a must-read for fans of the genre. Robert E. Howard's life experiences, love for history, and interest in mythology greatly influenced his writing. His exploration of ancient civilizations and folklore is evident in the depth of his world-building and character development. As a prolific writer, Howard's dedication to his craft shines through in the fantastical worlds he creates, leaving a lasting impact on the genre. I highly recommend The Fantasy Collection of Robert E. Howard to readers who enjoy epic tales of bravery, magic, and adventure. Howard's timeless stories continue to captivate audiences with their enduring themes of heroism and struggle against evil, making this collection a true classic in the realm of fantasy literature.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The specter of graduation looms large as Naomi Novik’s groundbreaking, New York Times bestselling trilogy continues in the stunning sequel to A Deadly Education. “The climactic graduation-day battle will bring cheers, tears, and gasps as the second of the Scholomance trilogy closes with a breathtaking cliff-hanger.”—Booklist (starred review) HUGO AWARD FINALIST • LOCUS AWARD FINALIST • ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Polygon, Thrillist, She Reads In Wisdom, Shelter. That’s the official motto of the Scholomance. I suppose you could even argue that it’s true—only the wisdom is hard to come by, so the shelter’s rather scant. Our beloved school does its best to devour all its students—but now that I’ve reached my senior year and have actually won myself a handful of allies, it’s suddenly developed a very particular craving for me. And even if I somehow make it through the endless waves of maleficaria that it keeps throwing at me in between grueling homework assignments, I haven’t any idea how my allies and I are going to make it through the graduation hall alive. Unless, of course, I finally accept my foretold destiny of dark sorcery and destruction. That would certainly let me sail straight out of here. The course of wisdom, surely. But I’m not giving in—not to the mals, not to fate, and especially not to the Scholomance. I’m going to get myself and my friends out of this hideous place for good—even if it’s the last thing I do. With keen insight and mordant humor, Novik reminds us that sometimes it is not enough to rewrite the rules—sometimes, you need to toss out the entire rulebook. The magic of the Scholomance trilogy continues in The Golden Enclaves

A retired group of legendary mercenaries get the band back together for one last impossible mission in this award-winning debut epic fantasy. "Fantastic, funny, ferocious." -- Sam Sykes Clay Cooper and his band were once the best of the best, the most feared and renowned crew of mercenaries this side of the Heartwyld. Their glory days long past, the mercs have grown apart and grown old, fat, drunk, or a combination of the three. Then an ex-bandmate turns up at Clay's door with a plea for help -- the kind of mission that only the very brave or the very stupid would sign up for. It's time to get the band back together.

Vast legions of gods, mages, humans, dragons and all manner of creatures play out the fate of the Malazan Empire in this first book in a major epic fantasy series from Steven Erikson. The Malazan Empire simmers with discontent, bled dry by interminable warfare, bitter infighting and bloody confrontations with the formidable Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii, ancient and implacable sorcerers. Even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. Yet Empress Laseen's rule remains absolute, enforced by her dread Claw assassins. For Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his squad of Bridgeburners, and for Tattersail, surviving cadre mage of the Second Legion, the aftermath of the siege of Pale should have been a time to mourn the many dead. But Darujhistan, last of the Free Cities of Genabackis, yet holds out. It is to this ancient citadel that Laseen turns her predatory gaze. However, it would appear that the Empire is not alone in this great game. Sinister, shadowbound forces are gathering as the gods themselves prepare to play their hand... Conceived and written on a panoramic scale, Gardens of the Moon is epic fantasy of the highest order--an enthralling adventure by an outstanding new voice. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Award-winning author Robin McKinley tells an enthralling story of magic, love, and redemption, based on the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast. Once upon a time, a wealthy merchant had three daughters. When his business failed, he moved his daughters to the countryside. The youngest daughter, Beauty, is fascinated by the thorny stems of a mysterious plant that overwhelms their neglected cottage. She tends the plant until it blossoms with the most beautiful flowers the sisters have ever seen—roses. Admiring the roses, an old woman tells Beauty, “Roses are for love.” And she speaks of a sorcerers’ battle many years ago that left a beast in an enchanted palace, and a curse concerning a family of three sisters . . . The Newbery Medal–winning author’s charming retelling of the classic fairy tale weaves a tangled story of sorcery, loyalty, and love that is sure to cast a spell on readers.