The discovery in 1987 of a supernova brought to world attention the excellence of Canadian astronomers. As Richard Jarrell explains in this book, the path to excellence has been a long one. Although astronomy has been practised in this country from the earliest days of exploration, its professional status has slowly evolved in much the same way as has the nation itself. In the period of exploration and early settlement, the practical needs of navigators and surveyors were foremost. Astronomical practitioners – for many used astronomy but few were professional or even amateur astronomers – came from elsewhere. Only when Canada was a settled colony, halfway through the nineteenth century, did its own scientific needs emerge. By the century's end Canadian astronomy, socially and institutionally unique and independent, had been established: astronomers born and trained in Canada worked in their own organized and funded institutions. In the twentieth century the story is dominated by the Dominion Observatory, and, in higher education, the University of Toronto. The federal government remained the biggest actor, in employment and funding, first through the observatories, then the National Research Council. The expansion of universities greatly broadened the scope of Canadian astronomy, while the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, local clubs, literature, planetariums, and museums kept the public informed. By the 1960s Canadian astronomy, though small in size, was as sophisticated as any in the world.

In the last ten years, the Kindred Kingdoms has been licking its wounds since the bloody civil war. The Binding Rebellion was crushed and an uneasy peace settled over the three-island nation under the leadership of Cadarn Dmitry Romanenko, who took his throne through manipulation and brutal betrayal. However, the crown doesn't protect him for long, and Romanenko soon becomes a victim of another's political machinations. With her father dead, Aria Romanenko escapes the palace with a trusted few and flees to Karsh; an island renowned for its mercenaries. In pursuance of revenge against her father's usurper, she enlists the aid of sell swords and cut-throats. They will do what they can to see her desire to take the throne made a reality, but at what cost? Together they will face horrors and dangers of a mystical world gone mad as the maniacal ruler of the Kindred Kingdoms releases his ultimate weapon for reshaping the world in his own image. The power contained in obsidian that will unleash a God.

This is a collection of poems that echo the feelings and confusions of teenagers worldwide, and hopefully, every teen will be able to read them and relate to these words.

The struggle between God and man, magic and indefinable evil is without recourse. Roedanth wants his brother back, but Peetra is dead. The dream of revenge and an army has him plotting in Shard. Kendrai and Hi’ayman realize they are in fact, kinsmen trapped in the dark. Flesh eating Specks salivate in the passageway beyond and Ro’Breare, the traitor plots ruination for all. Drakite and Emanon strike a deal, but will the Dark God hold true to his word. Tarmat is dead, Taros is missing and Kinaloch is in an uproar. Boallag has a price on everyone’s head for he wants the crown. The Halls of Coowic is in ruins and Pubbula runs mad, his love is dead. Vengeance is high on the list and Paganini begins the hunt, vowing to see Roedanth’s head on a spike. Pec holds court in Doggit’s house. Everyone strives to make do in a world bubbling with wild magic, as the lives of man and monster hang in the balance.

Elizabeth J. Duncan spins a charming tale of murder and intrigue in her award-winning first novel, The Cold Light of Mourning. The picturesque North Wales market town of Llanelen is shocked when Meg Wynne Thompson, a self-made beauty who has turned out to be something of an unpopular bride, goes missing on her wedding day...and turns up dead. The last person believed to have seen her is manicurist Penny Brannigan, an expatriate Canadian who has lived in North Wales for almost twenty-five years. When Penny notices that something is not quite right at the funeral of her dearest friend, she becomes emotionally invested in the case, and sets out to investigate. It seems that several people, including the bride's drunken, abusive father, had reasons to wish Meg dead, but when the trail leads to her groom's home, an explosive secret will shake the small town. With its bucolic Welsh setting and vivid, colorful characters, this mystery is sure to delight the most discerning of traditional-mystery fans.