What's in a shadow? Menace, seduction, or salvation? Immaterial but profound, shadows lurk everywhere in literature and the visual arts, signifying everything from the treachery of appearances to the unfathomable power of God. From Plato to Picasso, from Rembrandt to Welles and Warhol, from Lord of the Rings to the latest video game, shadows act as central players in the drama of Western culture. Yet because they work silently, artistic shadows often slip unnoticed past audiences and critics. Conceived as an accessible introduction to this elusive phenomenon, Grasping Shadows is the first book that offers a general theory of how all shadows function in texts and visual media. Arguing that shadow images take shape within a common cultural field where visual and verbal meanings overlap, William Sharpe ranges widely among classic and modern works, revealing the key motifs that link apparently disparate works such as those by Fra Angelico and James Joyce, Clementina Hawarden and Kara Walker, Charles Dickens and Kumi Yamashita. Showing how real-world shadows have shaped the meanings of shadow imagery, Grasping Shadows guides the reader through the techniques used by writers and artists to represent shadows from the Renaissance onward. The last chapter traces how shadows impact the art of the modern city, from Renoir and Zola to film noir and projection systems that capture the shadows of passers-by on streets around the globe. Extending his analysis to contemporary street art, popular songs, billboards, and shadow-theatre, Sharpe demonstrates a practical way to grasp the "dark side" that looms all around us.

Once you graduate from the academy, you're guaranteed an assignment. That was what Coura had always known and still believed even as she wasn't certain what position she desired. Unfortunately, her destiny never intended for such a simple life. Her mentor, dark mage master Byron, shows her there is more to the world when they travel to the capital city. However, underlying political manipulation and looming threats teach Coura how fragmented her world really is, and will become. Something frightening awaits as a secret locked away within herself as a child is forced to the forefront when she is confronted by angelic beings unseen for decades. Could her new, supposedly evil power stand up to that of legend? And, despite training with the sword and dark magic her entire life, is Coura truly prepared for the role she was fated to play between the angels and long-forgotten demons?

A gentle story about sadness showing that sometimes all you need to feel better is the openness of someone who accepts you as you are.

From two of the greatest imaginations of our time comes a magnificent novel of adventure and magic...SHADOW MOON: First in the Chronicles of the Shadow War. The genius of Star Wars(r) creator George Lucas and the vision of Chris Claremont, the author of the phenomenally bestselling The Uncanny X-Men adventures, merge in what must be the fantasy event of the year. In Shadow Moon, war and chaos have gripped the land of Tir Asleen. An ancient prophecy reveals one hope: a savior princess who will ascend to the throne when the time is right. But first, a Nelwyn wanderer must face forces of unimaginable malevolence and dangerous, forbidden rites of necromancy that could bring back a powerful warrior from soulless sleep. George Lucas reshaped filmmaking in the '70s and '80s with his Star Wars and Indiana Jones films. When Bantam Books asked Lucas if he had any stories he would like to develop as novels rather than as films, Lucas turned to his 1988 fantasy film, Willow. "When I wrote the story for Willow, I began with the pre-story," Lucas said, "but the full story was yet to be told." Now, Lucas's vision is being fulfilled with the talented help of Chris Claremont. Having previously taken the reins of what was for a decade the bestselling comic in the western hemisphere (The Uncanny X-Men) Claremont assumes the reponsibility of foster parent to Lucas's creation. On sale in hardcover now, and available on BDD Audio Cassette as well, SHADOW MOON is a momentous new adventure for readers looking to spend part of this summer in a fantastic world. SHADOW MOON is one of Bantam Spectra's most exciting publishing events in 1995, the year we celebrate our 10th Anniversary as the premiere publishing imprint of books of speculative fiction.

In the treacherous city where darkness and secrets lurk, Ethan Cross, a detective skilled in the art of darkness magic, finds himself on a dangerous case. Abigail Sinclair seeks his help to protect her daughter from a supernatural stalker, plunging Ethan into a deadly race against time to unravel the mystery of an ancient artifact and the sinister cult behind it all. As Ethan delves deeper into the shadows, he uncovers the Luminous Assembly's twisted plan to control the city's magical power and summon the terrifying Shadow King. With the aid of Detective Ji-Yoon Park and a newfound ally, the enigmatic Lily, Ethan must confront his own demons, battle monstrous creatures, and risk everything to stop the cult's malevolent ritual. But can he overcome the darkness within himself and save the city from the Shadow King's grasp? Darkness, danger, and a desperate quest for the truth collide in "Shadow's Grasp," a thrilling urban fantasy novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Between the veils of twilight and the whispers of shadows lies a tale intertwined with sheer terror. Within every page of this book, words come to life, unearthing dark secrets long forgotten. In the depths of a forbidden forest, where twisted branches reach like skeletal fingers toward the sky, the curse of the 'Hand of Evil' awaits its next captive. The brave dare to venture amidst the darkened trees, but few return unscathed, their minds haunted by visions of the unknown. By the flickering light of trembling candles, our heroes gather, bound by a fate entwined with the very destiny of the world itself. In their hands, they carry the burden of hope as they face nightmare creatures and the most sinister secrets of the past. Each page of this book is an invitation to the unknown, a passage to a world where evil lurks in every shadow and danger lurks around every corner. Prepare to be captivated by suspense, chilled by fear, and enchanted by the promise of redemption amidst the chaos. If you dare to open these pages, prepare for a journey through the abyss of darkness, where the line between reality and fantasy fades and the only certainty is that not all who venture down this path return unscathed. Be warned: once you begin this journey, there is no turning back. The Hand of Evil awaits, ready to embrace those who dare to defy its dark power.

The Wheel of Time is now an original series on Prime Video, starring Rosamund Pike as Moiraine! In The Shadow Rising, the fourth novel in Robert Jordan’s #1 New York Times bestselling epic fantasy series, The Wheel of Time®, Rand al’Thor now wields the sword Callandor. He is both the Champion of Light and the Dragon Reborn. Now, he seeks answers to another prophecy that lies with the warrior people known as the Aiel to put him on the path of learning how to wield the One Power. Accompanied by Moiraine Damodred, Rand arrives at the Aiel Waste and is granted permission by the Wise Ones to enter the sacred city of Rhuidean. After passing through a doorframe ter'angreal, Moiraine gains foresight while the Aiel await Rand's return, either with both arms marked by dragon symbols, validating his identity as He Who Comes With the Dawn, the Chief of Chiefs of all the Aiel—or to never emerge at all. Since its debut in 1990, The Wheel of Time® has captivated millions of readers around the globe with its scope, originality, and compelling characters. The last six books in series were all instant #1 New York Times bestsellers, and The Eye of the World was named one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read. The Wheel of Time® New Spring: The Novel #1 The Eye of the World #2 The Great Hunt #3 The Dragon Reborn #4 The Shadow Rising #5 The Fires of Heaven #6 Lord of Chaos #7 A Crown of Swords #8 The Path of Daggers #9 Winter's Heart #10 Crossroads of Twilight #11 Knife of Dreams By Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson #12 The Gathering Storm #13 Towers of Midnight #14 A Memory of Light By Robert Jordan and Teresa Patterson The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time By Robert Jordan, Harriet McDougal, Alan Romanczuk, and Maria Simons The Wheel of Time Companion By Robert Jordan and Amy Romanczuk Patterns of the Wheel: Coloring Art Based on Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.