Outside was crazy. The thick, coming storm weighed me down. It could come any minute: thunderous, hurricane rain, followed by all kinds of hell. I dashed across the lawn, into The Lab and up the stairs. The bookcase was locked. Most of our books anyone can look at. Some, we donÕt think would be wise to let out. I fumbled the key chain, looking for the tiny key that could open the door. I managed to get it near the keyhole when the electricity died. Cara may curse my pipe, but right then, I think sheÕd have been glad I had a lighter. The lighter helped me again. The deep, old books were a window to the past. We had read few. That would entail things like dying horrible deaths. Instead, we had a collection of Òabout books, Ó essays written anywhere from last year to a thousand years ago. The one I was looking for was deep red, 'AichlanÕs Deimos.' In it I hoped to sort out how to send Xith back to wherever the hell it came from before it ate Lily Dale, or whatever it does.

Volume 5: Stories of the Enlightenment Being, Jātakas 201–250. Interpreted by Kurunegoda Piyatissa Maha Thera. Stories Retold by Stephan Hillyer Levitt. Republished by Pariyatti Publishing (2024). ------------------------ The stories published in five volumes, are compiled and interpreted by Ven. Kurunegoda Piyatissa and retold by Todd Anderson (Vols. 1 and 2) and Stephan Hillyer Levitt (Vols. 3,4 and 5). The stories are drawn from ancient Pali and Sinhalese sources, and have been adapted for a modern audience while preserving the original moral and ethical teachings. These stories have been used for centuries in Buddhist education and sermons to teach important values such as compassion, generosity, honesty, and the dangers of greed and craving. They cover a wide range of themes and characters, from princes and kings to animals and mythical beings. They have also influenced literature, art, and architecture across various cultures. The Buddhist Tales for Young and Old series provides a rich collection of stories that can help readers of all ages develop moral and ethical values, as well as a deeper understanding of Buddhist teachings and philosophy. The combination of engaging narratives and beautiful illustrations (Vols. 1 and 2) makes these books a valuable resource for both personal and educational purposes. Volume 1: Jātakas 1–50 Volume 2: Jātakas 51–100, 514 Volume 3: Jātakas 101–150 Volume 4: Jātakas 151–200 Volume 5: Jātakas 201–250

From the bestselling author of the Heralds of Valdemar series comes an enchanting novel. In the land of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, if you can't carry out your legendary role, life is no fairy tale.… Elena Klovis was supposed to be her kingdom's Cinderella—until fate left her with a completely inappropriate prince! So she set out to make a new life for herself. But breaking with "The Tradition" was no easy matter—until she got a little help from her own fairy godmother. Who promptly offered Elena a most unexpected job.… Now, instead of sleeping in the chimney, she has to deal with arrogant, stuffed-shirt princes who keep trying to rise above their place in the tale. And there's one in particular who needs to be dealt with…. Sometimes a fairy godmother's work is never done….

MERCEDES LACKEY'S magical A Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms series continues with a captivating new adventure… Heavy is the head—and the eyelids—of the princess who wears the crown… In Rosamund's realm, happiness hinges on a few simple beliefs. For every princess there's a prince. The King has ultimate power. Stepmothers should never be trusted. And bad things come to those who break with Tradition…. But when Rosa is pursued by a murderous huntsman and then captured by dwarves, her beliefs go up in smoke. Determined to escape and save her kingdom from imminent invasion, she agrees to become the subject of one of her stepmother's risky incantations—thus falling into a deep, deep sleep. When awakened by a touchy-feely stranger, Rosa must choose between Tradition and her future between a host of eligible princes and a handsome, fair-haired outsider. And learn the difference between being a princess and ruling as a Queen.

The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander, Book Three in The Chronicles of Prydain Princess Eilonwy hates to leave her friend Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper, and her beloved home, Caer Dallben. Why does she have to go to the Isle of Mona to train as a proper lady when she's already a princess? But Eilonwy soon faces much more than the ordeal of becoming a dignified young maiden, for she possesses magical powers sought by the evil enchantress Queen Achren. When Eilonwy is put under a deep spell, Taran and his companions set out on a dangerous quest to rescue her. Yet how can a lowly Assistant Pig-Keeper hope to stand against the most evil enchantress in all of Prydain?

Taran Wanderer, the fourth book in Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain Taran is an Assistant Pig-Keeper no longer--he has become a hero. Now he dreams of winning the hand of Princess Eilonwy, but how can someone who has spent his whole life caring for a pig hope to marry royalty? Taran must find out who he really is. Eager to learn his origins and hoping to discover noble roots, Taran sets off with the faithful Gurgi. The journey takes the companions to the three witches in the Marshes of Morva and through the many realms of Prydain. At last they reach the mystical Mirror of Llunet, which reveals a person's true identity. Yet Taran may not be ready to face the truth. . . . Includes a new pronunciation guide.

In this thrilling climax of the classic fantasy The Chronicles of Prydain, Death Lord Arawn has stolen the black sword Dyrnwyn, the most powerful weapon in the kingdom. At the request of Prince Gwydion, Taran rallies friends both old and new to raise an army to march against Arawn's terrible warriors. Together, they must battle through a frozen wasteland to Mount Dragon, where a deadly confrontation awaits and Taran's true destiny will at last be fulfilled. "Lloyd Alexander is the true High King of fantasy." - Garth Nix Winner of the Newbery Medal 1969

Fairy Tales and Fables have been passed down from generation to generation throughout the world for hundreds of years. But there has never been an adaptation quite like this! The Little Mermaid wants nothing more than to fall in love with a prince, but the deal she makes with a mysterious being will prove to be a terrible mistake. Then, three "blind" mice concoct a plan to outsmart an innocent old lady, but quickly learn that appearances can many times be deceiving. And, when King Midas is given the power to turn everything he touches into gold, what sounds like a blessing is really just a horrific curse! Collects issues #25-30 of the hit Grimm Fairy Tales series, complete with a bonus short story.

ÒYouÕve never been here before?Ó Wanekia asked. ÒNo, Ó Chloe said. ÒYour father wonÕt fly. He never even told me about this place until he was delirious after that wound. IÕm glad he did.Ó ÒDo you think weÕll make it?Ó Wanekia asked, obviously scared. ÒDo you think theyÕll come after us?Ó ÒWe will make it, even if they do come after us, Wanekia, Ó Chloe said. ÒI donÕt think theyÕll pursue us all the way, anyway. ItÕs a long way to go.Ó ÒIs Father going to be alright?Ó Wanekia asked, looking back at Martin again. ÒYes, of course, Ó Chloe said, not sure of her words. ÒHeÕs been hurt worse before. The skinner is working.Ó ÒIt wonÕt even estimate how long, though, Ó Wanekia said. ÒItÕs done that before, too, Ó Chloe said. ÒHeÕll be fine. We just need to get him someplace safe.Ó ÒWe could have gone back to England, Ó Wanekia said. ÒWe couldnÕt, and you know it, Ó Chloe said. ÒThe way things are going, they could trace us through Time and then weÕd drag the Burnsides into this and theyÕd die. I wonÕt do that."

“A gritty, medieval fantasy full of enchantment” (Publishers Weekly), David Keck's epic Tales of Durand trilogy concludes with A King in Cobwebs Once a landless second son, Durand has sold his sword to both vicious and noble men and been party to appalling acts of murder as well as self-sacrificing heroism. Now the champion of the Duke of Gireth, Durand’s past has caught up with him. The land is at the mercy of a paranoid king who has become unfit to rule. As rebellion sparks in a conquered duchy, the final bond holding back the Banished break, unleashing their nightmarish evil on the innocents of the kingdom. In his final battle against the Banished, Durand comes face to face with the whispering darkness responsible for it all—the king in cobwebs.