In the kingdom of Ujjain, King Vikramaditya reigns with wisdom and compassion. But a shadow falls upon the land as whispers of a monstrous Ironscale threaten peace. Driven by a quest to protect his people, Vikramaditya embarks on a perilous journey into the Whispering Forest, seeking the guidance of a legendary celestial serpent. Within the forest's hidden temple, he faces trials and unlocks the power of the serpent's song, a melody of empathy that soothes the Ironscale's rage. Victorious, Vikramaditya returns to a kingdom hailing him as a hero. However, a new threat emerges from within. Prince Raj, consumed by ambition and a yearning to surpass his father's legacy, delves into forbidden knowledge. He stumbles upon a ritual to bind the serpent's essence for personal gain, oblivious to the catastrophic consequences. As Vikramaditya grapples with unsettling dreams and a growing sense of unease, he uncovers his son's treacherous plan. Torn between love for his son and the safety of the kingdom, Vikramaditya is forced to banish Raj. A race against time ensues as Vikramaditya journeys to the source of the serpent's power – the dormant volcano and the pulsating emerald tree. He must unravel the secrets of the ritual and sever the connection before Raj unleashes chaos upon the land. The Serpent's Song is a captivating tale of courage, betrayal, and the corrupting influence of ambition. It explores the power of empathy and the delicate balance between peace and war. Will Vikramaditya succeed in stopping his son's dark ritual? Can the melody of peace be restored, or will the kingdom be consumed by the discordant song of war? Dive into this epic fantasy adventure and discover the fate of Ujjain.

For the first time ever, a tale from the Persian Book of Kings springs to life in this stunningly produced and ingeniously crafted pop up book. Zahhak: The Legend of the Serpent King retells the myth of the misguided Prince Zahhak who is easily swayed by the devil to murder his father and usurp the thrown. Cursed with monstrous snakes that grow out of the king's shoulders, the Serpent King grows infamous throughout the land for his treachery and oppression. He rules for one thousand years before a noble and valiant Feraydun gains the strength and army to defeat the unjust King. The fantastic world of Zahhak: The Legend of the Serpent King literally pops off the page with intricately crafted spreads, two pop-up folds per page, and complex construction that will delight readers young and old with every turn of the page.

In the previous book, The Celtic Serpent, after a diagnosis of cancer and the death of her grandmother, Angi Talismann found herself on an incredible journey. Shackled to an unstable piece of ancient technology in the form of a medallion, she and her colleagues were forced to locate lost medallion gemstones which had been scattered to different countries in the seventeenth century. Close on their heels was a resolute killer bent on acquiring the medallion. Tracking down the descendants of old Irish and Scottish families assigned to protect this ancient treasure proved a daunting task. Eventually, locating the gemstones, the initial stage of their venture ended with twelve individuals stepping through a golden, serpent gate on the Hill of Tara in Ireland propelling them into another world. While stating they would return in three months, its assurance was uncertain. The journey continues in this book. Angi and her companions quickly adapt to their new environment on Tir na nOg, the land of the Tuatha de Danann, deemed to be the ancient gods of the Irish. Here they learn that their escort, Sirona, is a distinguished member of the kingdom and her ancestor, Myttrwn, is a gifted scientist and magician, supposedly centuries old in Earth terms. Under Myttrwn’s guidance the twelve discover a different perspective of the universe, learn the healing and destructive powers of light and sound, and gain some insight into their future role while Angi takes her first steps in mastering the complexities of her medallion. Yet, with all the goodwill, a powerful individual, Zolar, is displeased with their presence in Tir na nOg and Angi’s possession of such advanced technology. He sets out to rectify this matter in his own treacherous way. The journey to Tir na nOg for the twelve travellers would create an indelible imprint on their lives.

Recounts the aborigine story of creation featuring Goorialla, the great Rainbow Serpent.

Award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings an ancient Mesoamerican creation myth to life Long ago, the gods of Mesoamerica set out to create humans. They tried many times during each sun, or age. When all their attempts failed and the gods grew tired, only one did not give up: Quetzalcóatl—the Feathered Serpent. To continue, he first had to retrieve the sacred bones of creation guarded by Mictlantecuhtli, lord of the underworld. Gathering his staff, shield, cloak, and shell ornament for good luck, Feathered Serpent embarked on the dangerous quest to create humankind. Award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings to life the story of Feathered Serpent, one of the most important deities in ancient Mesoamerica. With his instantly recognizable, acclaimed art style and grand storytelling, Tonatiuh recounts a thrilling creation tale of epic proportions.

Ambition will fuel him. Competition will drive him. But power has its price. It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute. The odds are against him. He's been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined - every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute . . . and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

A cornerstone of Chinese popular culture, the legend of the White Snake--the admirable demon who loves her victim--has been continually rewritten, reinterpreted, and readapted for over five hundred years. The Precious Scroll of Thunder Peak was one of the most popular nineteenth-century versions of the legend. In bringing together translations of the Scroll, four anonymous youth books, and other texts related to the development of the White Snake legend, this volume opens a window into the richness and variety of premodern Chinese popular literature. It also illustrates the ways in which traditional and modern Chinese societies have treated a host of vital cultural issues, including the role of women in society, perceptions of sexuality, and folk religion. Wilt L. Idema's Introduction traces the evolution of the legend and places the translated texts in the history of Chinese popular literature and culture. Annotations explaining terms and references that may be unfamiliar to Western readers, a glossary, and a thorough bibliography further enhance the value of this book for both scholars and students.

CONTENTS MYTHOLOGY LEGENDS FOLK TALES REFERENCES INDEX

Care for pet reptiles from iguanas to tortoises.

Mink is a witness, a shape shifter, compelled to follow the story that has ensnared Celia and her village, on the West coast of Vancouver Island in Nuu’Chahlnuth territory. Celia is a seer who — despite being convinced she’s a little “off” — must heal her village with the assistance of her sister, her mother and father, and her nephews. While mink is visiting, a double-headed sea serpent falls off the house front during a fierce storm. The old snake, ostracized from the village decades earlier, has left his terrible influence on Amos, a residential school survivor. The occurrence signals the unfolding of an ordeal that pulls Celia out of her reveries and into the tragedy of her cousin’s granddaughter. Each one of Celia’s family becomes involved in creating a greater solution than merely attending to her cousin’s granddaughter. Celia’s Song relates one Nuu’Chahlnuth family’s harrowing experiences over several generations, after the brutality, interference, and neglect resulting from contact with Europeans.