Readers of the Harry Potter series and Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell are sure to be mesmerized by Dan Vyleta’s thrilling blend of historical fiction and fantasy, as three young friends scratch the surface of the grown-up world to discover startling wonders—and dangerous secrets. “Dan Vyleta writes with intricacy and imagination and skillful pacing; never once would I have considered putting his book down. In the manner of both a Dickens novel and the best young adult adventure stories (the Harry Potter series among them). . .his ending, which I wouldn’t dare reveal here, is a real firecracker.”—Jennifer Senior, The New York Times Welcome to a Victorian England unlike any other you have experienced before. Here, wicked thoughts (both harmless and hate-filled) appear in the air as telltale wisps of Smoke. Young Thomas Argyle, a son of aristocracy, has been sent to an elite boarding school. Here he will be purged of Wickedness, for the wealthy do not Smoke. When he resists a sadistic headboy's temptations to Smoke, a much larger struggle beyond the school walls is revealed. Shortly thereafter, on a trip to London, Thomas and his best friend witness events that make them begin to question everything they have been taught about Smoke. And thus the adventure begins... You will travel by coach to a grand estate where secrets lurk in attic rooms and hidden laboratories; where young love blossoms; and where a tumultuous relationship between a mother and her children is the crucible in which powerful passions are kindled, and dangerous deeds must be snuffed out in a desperate race against time.

What compels millions of people to ignore the medical evidence and continue smoking? David Krogh offers some fascinating and surprising answers in this critically acclaimed analysis of what doctors and scientists know about the passion for tobacco. This feisty and provocative work gives smokers, ex-smokers, non-smokers, or anyone captivated by the quirkiness of human behavior a better understanding of this complex, deep-rooted habit--and in a broader context, drug use of any kind.

Offensive language, insolent behavior, slights, brawls, and scandals come alive in Ruth Goodman’s uproarious history for mischievous Anglophiles. With this “impeccable” (BBC History) chronicle, acclaimed popular historian Ruth Goodman reveals a Renaissance Britain particularly rank with troublemakers. From snooty needlers who took aim with a cutting “thee,” to lowbrow drunkards with revolting table manners, Goodman’s “gleeful and illuminating” (Booklist, starred review) portrait of offenses most foul draws upon advice manuals, court cases, and sermons. Wicked readers will delight in learning why quoting Shakespeare was poor form, and why curses hurled at women were almost always about sex (no surprise there). “Accessible, fun, and historically accurate” (Publishers Weekly, starred review), How to Behave Badly is a celebration of one of history’s naughtiest periods, when derision was an art form. “Oh, how I wish Ruth Goodman could be my tutor. But settling in for one of her history lessons is better than second best.” — Alicia Becker, New York Times Book Review

Mike Rhoades, Reese Patterson, Josh Carter and his twin sister Jen are inseparable friends, but they each have a secret they cannot share with the others. All that changes, however, during a sailing trip down the Alaskan coast, when they are struck by a violent storm. After the winds clear, the friends find themselves lost in a nightmare landscape where clouds cover the Earth with eternal darkness; roaming gangs stalk the unending night seeking victims, and two militant factions battle to rule the devastated land by any means necessary. Mike, Reese, Josh and Jen are caught up in a fight for their lives, freedom, and their very humanity as they are drawn towards the inhuman being that has brought them into this apocalyptic future...for its own enigmatic plans.

The fortune-teller went down the hill. All sorts of beautiful ladies came forward together to change their fate, borrowing heaven-defying luck to come rolling over. Beautiful women, please wait a moment, I see that you don't look too good, there's a big barrier of evil, I'll help you find a bone to help you, there's definitely a way to save you.