Spring 2024 Forthcoming Fantasy Books The Snow Ghost and Other Tales Classic Japanese Ghost Stories edited by Anonymous, Vintage Classics, �16.99 / Can$35.99 / US$29.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-784-87872-6.
Enter the haunted world of Ancient Japan in this spine-tingling collection of ghostly tales told andretold across the centuries. From Goblin infested caves and haunted Tombs, to vengeful spirits and strange, sinister happenings, Ancient Japan was a country and culture that lived with between realms: the world of everyday and the world of supernatural. It was a time and place where men could be brought down by karmic forces or lured into deadly danger by ghostly apparitions, and where the land held sorrowful secrets or stories that long-awaited an opportunity to reveal them and seek reparation. The Snow Ghost and Other Tales brings together some of the best and scariest tales that endured across centuries of folk lore in one new beautiful hardback collection. Finally committed to writing during the turn of the twentieth century by a unique set of folklorists, the ghost stories presented in this new anthology will transport readers to a time of magic and mystery, and let them relish in the spine-tingling traditions of Japanese culture largely lost now to modernity. Rift by Seth C. Adams, Flame Tree Press, �12.95 / Can$21.95 / US$16.95, pbk, ISBN 978-1-787-58878-3
Estranged husband. Grieving father. A doorway through which the dead � or something else entirely � speak. How far would you go to see the ones you�ve lost, just one more time? Would you step through the rift? And, what if something else stepped out? The Flaw in the Crystal And Other Uncanny Stories by May Sinclair edited by Mike Ashley, British Library Publishing, �9.99 / Can$22.99 / US$16.99, pbk, ISBN 978-0-712-35477-6.
At that moment, in a flash that came like a shifting of her eyes, the world she looked at suffered a change... It was the same world, flat field for flat field and hill for hill; but radiant, vibrant, and, as it were, infinitely transparent. Tales of eternal damnation, love, sexuality, death and supernatural talents form the core of May Sinclair�s essential and groundbreaking oeuvre. Literary and still thrilling today, her stories explore the strangeness at the heart of human experience and relationships, where the mundane and the everyday meets lurking, otherworldly weirdness. Including the contents of the classic collections Uncanny Stories (1923) and The Intercessor and Other Stories (1931), this new volume also features two rare strange tales from a third, lesser-known book. Algernon Blackwood Horror Stories by Algernon Blackwood, Flame Tree Press, �20.00 / Can$40.00 / US$30.00, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-804-17709-9.
Blackwood, alongside M.R. James, is one of the pillars of the modern horror story. With an eye for a chilling detail he leaves the reader always casting nervously behind. Blackwood wrote story after story of haunted places, and long dark shadows, many of which feature in this stunning new collection, including �A Haunted Island�, �The Willows� and more. Spirits & Ghouls Short Stories edited by Ahmed Al-Rawi, Flame Tree Press, �20.00 / Can$40.00 / US$30.00, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-804-17586-6.
New stories from open submissions, by both emerging and established writers, mingle with the spirits of an older age, stretching back from the Victorian obsessions of M. R. James, Mary Elizabeth Braddon and Amelia Edwards, to the tales of the Arabian nights. The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown, Bantam, �16.99, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-787-63724-5.
New York bookseller Cassie Andrews is not sure what she's doing with her life. She lives quietly, sharing an apartment with her best friend, Izzy. Then a favourite customer gives her an old book. Full of strange writing and mysterious drawings, at the very front there is a handwritten message: This is the Book of Doors. Hold it in your hand, and any door is every door. Cassie is about to discover that the Book of Doors is a special book - a magic book. A book that bestows extraordinary abilities on whoever possesses it. And she is about to learn that there are other magic books out there that can also do wondrous - or dreadful and terrifying - things. Because where there is magic there is power and there are those who will stop at nothing to possess it. The Nameless by Ramsey Campbell, Flame Tree Press, �9.95 / Can$19.95 / US$16.95, pbk, ISBN 978-1-787-58767-0.
Barbara Waugh�s daughter Angela is kidnapped and a disfigured body turns up. Grieving, Barbara focuses on her work. Years later, she receives a phone call from Angela. Barbara�s investigations reveal that a brainwashing cult was responsible for the abduction. The more she learns, the less she can trust. Will she succumb to a murderous evil? Simul by Andrew Caldecott, Jo Fletcher Books, �14.99, trdpbk, ISBN 978-1-529-41548-3.
�Remember Simul� � the last words of a dying man, and the key to mankind�s survival. Words which will take Morag, Fogg and their friends on a wild ride where mythical beasts, legendary monster-hunters and the forces of a corrupt establishment lie in wait� while the weather-watchers look on and bide their time. It�s a race against extinction too� for nature herself is bent on vengeance. Those Who Dwell in Mordenhyrst Hall by Catherine Cavendish, Flame Tree Press, �12.95 / Can$21.95 / US$16.95, pbk, ISBN 978-1-787-58821-9.
Evil runs deep at Mordenhyrst Hall. But it is rooted far deeper than the foundations of the ancestral home. Its inhabitants and the entire village are infested with a legacy so evil, it transcends the laws of nature. In a world where nothing is as it appears to be, Grace and Coralie must seek out and find the truth � whatever the cost. The Malevolent Seven by Sebastien de Castell, Jo Fletcher Books, �10.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-529-42279-5.
Click on the title link for a standalone review. Billed by the publisher as Brandon Sanderson meets Deadpool. My name is Cade Ombra, and I used to be far more noble � until my employers changed that. Now I'm a war mage on the run � violent, angry, and forming a group to kill the seven deadliest mages on the continent. What could go wrong? Play of Shadows by Sebastien de Castell, Jo Fletcher Books, �14.99, trdpbk, ISBN 978-1-787-47146-7.
Damelas Chademantaigne picked a poor night to fleea judicial duel. He has precious little hope of escaping the wrath of the Vixen, the most feared duellist in the entire city, until he stumbles through the stage doors of the magnificent Operato Belleza and tricks his way into the company of actors. An archaic law provides a temporary respite from his troubles - until one night a ghostly voice in his head causes Damelas to fumble his lines, inadvertently blurting out a dreadful truth: the city�s most legendary hero may actually be a traitor and a brutal murderer. With only the help of his boisterous and lusty friend Bereto, a beautiful assassin whose target may well be Damelas himself, and a company of misfit actors who�d just as soon see him dead, this failed grandson of two Greatcoats must somehow find within himself the courage to dig up long-buried truths before a ruthless band of bravos known as the Iron Orchids come for his head. Oh, and there�s still that matter of the Vixen waiting to duel him� Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan, Orbit, �18.99, hrdbk, ISBN 978-0-356-52239-5.
Welcome to Tiankawi - shining pearl of human civilization and a safe haven for those fleeing civil unrest. Orat least, that's how it first appears. But in the semi-flooded city, humans are, quite literally, on top: peering down from shining towers and aerial walkways on the fathomfolk - sirens, sea witches, kelpies and kappas -who live in the polluted waters below. For half-siren Mira, promotion to captain of the border guard means an opportunity to help her downtrodden people. But if earning the trust and respect of her human colleagues wasn't hard enough, everything Mira has worked towards is put in jeopardy when Nami, a know-it-all water dragon - fathomfolk royalty - is exiled to the city. When extremists sabotage the annual boat race, violence erupts, as does the clampdown on fathomfolk rights. Both Nami and Mira must decide if the cost of change is worth paying, or if Tiankawi should be left to drown. Czech Folktales edited by Rajendra Chitnis, Flame Tree Press, �8.99 / Can$16.99 / US$12.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-804-17781-5.
This new collection will acquaint you with classic tales such as �The Three Roses� and �The Witch and the Horseshoes�. The lively stories of the Czech people are parables and moral fables � rich with satire they cling to the hope that all will come well in the end, that justice will be well served by truth. The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli, Magpie, �14.99, hrdbk, ISBN not provided.
In the aftermath of a devastating revolution, witches have been diminished from powerful rulers to outcasts ruthlessly hunted due to their waning magic, and Rune must hide what she is. Spending her days pretending to be nothing more than a vapid young socialite, Rune spends her nights as the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who rescues her kind from being purged. When a rescue goes wrong, she decides to throw the witch hunters off her scent and gain the intel she desperately needs by courting the handsome Gideon Sharpe � a notorious and unforgiving witch hunter loyal to the revolution. Gideon loathes the decadence and superficiality Rune represents, but when he learns the Crimson Moth has been using Rune�s merchant ships to smuggle renegade witches out of the republic, he inserts himself into her social circles by pretending to court her right back. He soon realizes that beneath her beauty is someone who feels like his perfect match. Except, what if she�s the very villain he�s been hunting? Elusive by Genevieve Cogman, Tor, �18.99, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-529-08377-4
Revolutionary France is full of blood and bite as vampires plot for power. Eleanor, once a lowly English maid, is now a member of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, known for their daring deeds and rescuing aristocratic vampires from the guillotine. This time, Eleanor and the League are investigating the disappearance of Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand, the notorious French statesman and diplomat. But they soon uncover two vampire parties feuding for power and learn Talleyrand�s disappearance is part of a bigger, more dangerous scheme that will throw France into bloody chaos. So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole, Atom, �9.99, pbk, ISBN 978-0-349-12544-2.
Faron Vincent can channel the power of the gods. Five years ago, she used her divine magic to liberate her island from its enemies, the dragon-riding Langley Empire. But now, at seventeen, Faron is all powered up with no wars to fight. She's a legend to her people and a nuisance to her neighbours. When she's forced to attend an international peace summit, Faron expects that she will perform tricks like a trained pet and then go home. She doesn't expect her older sister, Elara, forming an unprecedented bond with an enemy dragon-or the gods claiming the only way to break that bond is to kill her sister. As Faron's desperation to find another solution takes her down a dark path, and Elara discovers the shocking secrets at the heart of the Langley Empire, both must make difficult choices that will shape each other's lives,as well as the fate of their world. Indian Ghost Stories edited by Mithuraaj Dhusiya, Flame Tree 451, �8.99 / Can$16.99 / US$12.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-804-17594-1.
Featuring a wonderful range of ghost tales from South Asia, some extending back to early cultures of the Indus river. Stories include Life�s Secret, The Story of Prince Sobur, The Ghost-Brahman, The Origin of Rubies, The Match-Making Jackal, The Boy With the Moon on His Forehead, The Ghost Who Was Afraid of Being Bagged, The Field of Bones. Faebound by Saara El-Arifi, Harper Voyager, �16.99, hrdbk, ISBN not provided.
Influenced by West African lore, Faebound takes place in a world where Humans and Fae are long dead, survived only by the Elves that now rule and fight over the remaining lands. It tells the story of Yeeran Teila, a Colonel who becomes exiled, and her sister Lettle, a seer. A series of dramatic events leads to them being captured by a hidden tribe of Fae from which they have to escape if they are to warn their people of the Fae threat. The Weavers of Alamaxa by Hadeer Elsbai, Orbit, �9.99, pbk, ISBN 978-0-356-52050-6.
A feminist fantasy set in an Egyptian-inspired world. Shield Maiden by Sharon Emmerichs, Ad Astra � Head of Zeus, �20, hrdbk, ISBN not provided
Fryda has grown up hearing tales of her uncle, King Beowulf, and his spectacular defeat of the monstrous Grendel. Her one desire is to become a shield maiden, but a terrible accident during her childhood has thwarted this dream. Yet still, Fryda feels an uncontrollable inner power. A power that grows as foreign kings and chieftains descend upon her home to celebrate her uncle, and there is talk of a political marriage for Fryda, whose heart already belongs to someone else. At the same time Fryda�s untamed power is also awakening a fearsome dragon from her long, cursed sleep� Blackheart Ghosts by Laure Eve, Jo Fletcher Books, �9.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-529-41181-2.
Billed by the publisher as Bladerunner meets Camelot. Retired King's Champion Garad Gaheris may have uncovered a conspiracy amongst London�s elite, as the city�s godchildren, born with illegal magical abilities, have had enough of persecution and are willing to do whatever it takes to assure their ascension. Emily Wilde�s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett, Orbit, �20, hrdbk, ISBN 978-0-356-51915-9.
Emily Wilde is a genius scholar of faerie folklore, and has catalogued many secrets of the Hidden Folk in her encyclopaedia with her infuriatingly charming fellow scholar, Wendell Bamble by, by her side. But Bambleby is more than just a brilliant and unbearably handsome scholar. He's an exiled faerie king on the run from his murderous mother, in search of a door back to his realm. By lucky happenstance, Emily's new project, a map of the realms of faerie, will take them on an adventure tothe picturesque Austrian Alps, where Emily believes they may find the door to Bambleby's realm, and the keyto freeing him from his family's dark plans. But with new friendships for the prickly Emily to navigate and dangerous Folk lurking in every forest and hollow, Emily must unravel the mysterious workings of faerie doors, and of her own heart. Haunted House Stories edited by Hester Fox, Flame Tree 451, �8.99 / Can$16.99 / US$12.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-804-17593-4.
Gothic mansions, haunted estates, houses over-run by phantoms: this new collection of classic tales will keep you entertained in the long watches of the night, with neck-tingling tales from E.F. Benson, Algernon Blackwood, M.R. James, Edith Wharton and more. Lost Atlantis Short Stories edited by Jennifer Fuller, Flame Tree Press, �20.00 / Can$40.00 / US$30.00, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-804-17585-9.
Packed with intriguing stories from new submissions and ancient visionaries. Atlantis began with Plato but the idea of a perfect society lost to the world haunted the speculative mind for over 2000 years, with the tales of Francis Bacon, the Utopian explorations of Thomas More, Samuel Butler and in modern times, TV series and short stories galore. The Queen of the Dawn edited by Allison Galbraith & J. K. Jackson, Penguin, �10.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-804-94589-6.
Cassia Greythorne has survived battles with gods and monsters and the crown is in her grasp. But the power of the dark god Malaphar grows ever stronger, threatening the future of their world before her reign has even begun. Still there is hope: a way to banish him forever has been revealed. It will take Casia and her friends into a strange new realm, where they must face old enemies and race to decipher a bewildering ancient magic. But time is short. Chaos spreads throughout the empires and the bonds between allies begin to fray. With every bloody battle, the cost of saving their world becomes clearer. Dawn is coming. But will they survive to see the new day? Scottish Folk & Fairy Tales edited by Allison Galbraith & J. K. Jackson, Flame Tree Press, �20.00 / Can$40.00 / US$30.00, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-804-17590-3.
From the clash of swords between knights and clan leaders to the exploits of brownies, bogles and the enchanting �fair folk�, this collection of tales captures the essence of Scotland�s ancient and vibrant mythic tradition � including tales and characters from a shared heritage with Ireland, alongside a variety of uniquely Scottish stories. An Education In Malice by S. T. Gibson, Orbit, �20, hrdbk, ISBN 978-0-356-51932-6.
Deep in the forgotten hills of Massachusetts stands Saint Perpetua's College. Isolated and ancient, it is not a place for timid girls. Here, secrets are currency, ambition is lifeblood, and strange ceremonies welcome students into the fold. On her first day of class, Laura Sheridan is thrust into an intense academic rivalry with the beautiful and enigmatic Carmilla. Together, they are drawn into the confidence of their demanding poetry professor, De Lafontaine, who holds her own dark obsession with Carmilla. But as their rivalry blossoms into something far more delicious, Laura must confront her own strange hungers. Tangled in a sinister game of politics, bloodthirsty professors and dark magic, Laura and Carmilla must decide how much they are willing to sacrifice in their ruthless pursuit of knowledge. A Dawn Of Onyx by Kate Golden, Jo Fletcher Books, �9.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-529-43404-0.
To save her brother, Arwen promises her freedom and her healing magic to the vicious Onyx King. She must navigate infuriating but charming prisoners, dark betrayals and her own powers to escape with her life� and hopefully her heart. A Promise of Peridot by Kate Golden, Jo Fletcher Books, �14.99, trdpbk, ISBN 978-1-529-43406-4.
Arwen Valondale is sailing for the mysterious Kingdom of Citrine after the battle of Siren�s Bay. Reeling from shocking revelations and her newfound powers, Arwen directs all of her pain and rage toward the man who betrayed her: King Kane Ravenwood. Kane�s presence is unavoidable as he travels with Arwen and her friends to seek the Blade of the Sun, a legendary weapon inextricably tied to her fate and the future of the realm. Even an uneasy truce proves difficult as Arwen fights against her unresolved feelings for Kane, who is willing to become darkness itself to protect her. As Arwen faces creatures, foes, and magic beyond her wildest imaginings, she must discover the secrets of her past to defeat the monstrous Fae King Lazarus. But finding the light within might mean the death of her and everyone she loves. The Physics of Sorrow by Georgi Gospodinov, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, �9.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-399-62313-1.
Translated from Bulgarian by Angela Rodel. A new novel from the International Booker Prize-winning author of Time Shelter (2022). In a radical reimagining of the Minotaur myth, a narrator named Georgi constructs the story of his life like a labyrinth, meandering through the past to find the child at the centre of it all. Spanning from antiquity to the Anthropocene, he catalogues curious instances of abandonment; recounts a turbulent boyhood in 1970s Bulgaria; and even has a bizarre run-in with an eccentric fl�neur named Gaustine. The Gauntlet and the Broken Chain by Ian Green, Ad Astra � Head of Zeus, �20, hrdbk, ISBN not provided
Final book in the Rotstorm trilogy, a demon-dark fantasy that opens in a world wracked by the aftermath of an ancient conflict. Climate catastrophe, animist gods and a legion of monsters. And one woman against them all. The land is gripped in a claw winter. The rotstorm has breached the walls of Undal City. The children of the storm have claimed the Northern Marches. The deathless mage has been unchained. The dead god hunts again. And Floré will raise her gauntlets against them all. Ancient Ghost Stories. edited by Camilla Grudova, Flame Tree 451, �8.99 / Can$16.99 / US$12.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-804-17595-8.
The stories of ghosts here can be found in the retold literature of ancient peoples, including �Khonsemhab and the Ghost� from Ancient Egypt, �Philinnion and Machates� from Ancient Rome, spirits featured in Homer�s Odyssey, and tales of Babylonian demons and the netherworld. The Burning Land by David Hair, Jo Fletcher Books, �14.99, trdpbk, ISBN 978-1-529-42286-3.
Billed by the publisher as Brandon Sanderson meets Joe Abercrombie. The Falcons are knights of the Vestal Order, pledged to use their powers to protect the Empire of Talmont from the cruel Vyr and the carnage they unleash. However, when they learn that the Empire�s worst enemy may be the Vestal Order itself, they go rogue, embarking on a desperate quest for answers. Can the Falcons evade capture and discover the truth before time runs out? Slay by Laurell K. Hamilton, Headline, �25, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-035-40642-5.
I was marrying a vampire. To them I might as well be marrying a demon straight out of hell. If they ever met a demon they'd understand the difference�. Medea by Rosie Hewlett, Transworld, �16.99, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-787-63729-0.
A re-telling of the epic Jason and the Golden Fleece by an author who has a BA degree in Classical Literature and Civilisation. Medea longs for a different life. Since childhood, she has been separated from her sister, shunned by her mother, and persecuted and tormented by her brother and father. All because of a unique and dangerous gift: witchcraft. But when a dashing young hero, Jason, arrives to claim the famed Golden Fleece that her father protects, Medea sees her opportunity to escape. Her offer to help Jason overcome the trials set by her father sets in motion a journey that will test every ounce of her strength, magic and loyalty; a journey that will see her battle monsters, dethrone kings and fall in love. But when faced with the ultimate betrayal, Medea is driven to an act of desperation so brutal it rips apart the lives of everyone involved... The authors self-published debut, Medusa, won the Rubery Book of the Year award in 2021. Silent Key by Laurel Hightower, Flame Tree Press, �12.95 / Can$21.95 / US$16.95, pbk, ISBN 978-1-787-58854-7
After losing her husband under mysterious circumstances, former detective Cam Ambrose must learn how to keep her young daughter safe from a world of the supernatural she never knew existed. She sets out to solve a decades-old mystery entangling the machinations of an obsessed killer, her husband�s mistress, and a series of deadly hauntings. Song of the Huntress by Lucy Holland, Macmillan, �22, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-529-07740-7.
Two women walk on a knife-edge as war looms in ancient Britain. One is immortal and cursed. The other is a mortal warrior, doomed to a loveless marriage. But they must work together as dangers mount, or they'll both be as lost as the realms they call home. Britain, 60AD. Hoping to save her lover, land and her people from the Romans, Herla makes a desperate pact with the king of the Otherworld. But years pass unheeded in his realm, and she escapes to find everyone she loved long dead. Cursed to wield his blade, she becomes Lord of the Hunt. And for centuries, she rides, reaping wanderers� souls. Until the night she meets a woman on a bloody battlefield � a Saxon queen with ice-blue eyes. Queen Aethelburg of Wessex is a proven fighter. But when she leads her forces to disaster in battle, her husband�s court turns against her. Yet King Ine needs Aethel more than ever: the dead kings of Wessex are waking, and his own brother seeks to usurp him. Ine�s only hope is to master the magic that�s lain dormant in his bloodline since ancient days� William Hope Hodgson Horror Stories by William Hope Hodgson, Flame Tree Press, �20.00 / Can$40.00 / US$30.00, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-804-17796-9.
Hodgson, in the company of Algernon Blackwood, Bram Stoker, H.P. Lovecraft, M.R. James, Edgar Allan Poe, Arthur Machen, Arthur Conan Doyle and many other distinguished authors of the late Victorian era, created the foundations of the modern short story, the weird, the dark and the delightful, the supernatural, the fantastic and the imaginative. The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle by T. L. Huchu, Tor, �9.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-529-09774-0
Ghostalker and magician-in-training Ropa Moyo is stoked to be attending an important magical convention. But her sleuthing skills will be put to the test when a magician is murdered. Suddenly, everyone is a suspect � and someone has betrayed their group. Serbian Folktales edited by Jake Jackson, Flame Tree Press, �8.99 / Can$16.99 / US$12.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-804-17783-9.
This collection gathers together classic tales of the proud, poetic South Slavs, such as �He Who Asks Little Receives Much�, �The Maiden Wiser Than the Tsar, �The Biter Bit�, �Good Deeds Never Perish� �The Three Suitors� and �The Ram With the Golden Fleece�. Bittershore by V. V. James, Gollancz, �14.99, trdpbk, ISBN 978-1-399-61726-0.
The only thing stronger than a witch�s promise is a mother�s vengeance� Sarah loved and trusted no one in her close-knit coven more than her oldest friend, Abigail. Then Abigail�s son was found dead at a house party and Sarah�s daughter, Harper, was accused of murdering him. Sarah and Harper lost everything but their lives. This is a fearless portrait of the hatred and hysteria that can corrode a community consumed by bigotry. A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen, Del Rey, �16.99, trdpbk, ISBN 978-1-529-91644-7.
A shield maiden blessed by the gods battles to unite a nation under a power-hungry king � while also fighting her growing desire for his fiery son � in this Norse-inspired fantasy romance from the bestselling author of the TikTok sensation 'The Bridge Kingdom' series. Bound in an unwanted marriage, Freya spends her days gutting fish, but dreams of becoming a warrior. And of putting an axe in her boorish husband�s back. Freya�s dreams abruptly become reality when her husband betrays her to the region�s jarl, landing her in a fight to the death against his son. To survive, Freya is forced to reveal her deepest secret: she possesses a drop of a goddess�s blood, which gives her magic capable of repelling any attack. A magic that was foretold would unite the fractured nation of Skaland beneath a king � the one who controls the shield maiden�s fate. The Principle of Moments by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson, Gollancz, �16.99, trdpbk, ISBN 978-1-473-23420-8.
Biled as Star Wars meets Doctor Who in an epic adventure where Black protagonists dismantle empires, travel through time and save worlds. Asha knows she�s just another cog in the vast machine of the Thracin Empire. When she discovers she has a sister in the bowels of the imperial prison, she risks everything. Obi knows he has to cure the sickness he caught when he split his soul. When his path tangles with Asha�s, they realise they are pawns in a prophecy, destined to thwart an interdimensional apocalypse. Sunbringer by Hannah Kaner, Harper Voyager, �16.99, hrdbk, ISBN not provided.
The godkiller is dying. Having plunged into the sea�s depths to save Elo, Inara and Skedi from the fire god, her only chance of survival is to put her life in the hands of yet another god: Osidisen, god of the sea, for whom she is named. But no godkiller wants to be at the mercy of a god, and if she lives it will be to continue her quest to destroy all she comes across. Meanwhile, Elo searches for people to take up his call of rebellion and join his cause to destroy the man he once called friend and still calls king. A king whom once devoted himself to destroying all gods throughout the land, but has now entered into an unholy pact with the most dangerous of them all. And where once his heart beat, a god now burns. The Third Love by Hiromi Kawakami, Granta, �14.99, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-783-78887-3.
Translated from the Japanese by Ted Goossen. A novel that moves between Japan past and present to tell a time-bending story about desire and destiny. Having married her childhood sweetheart, Riko now finds herself trapped in a relationship that has been soured by infidelity. One day, she runs into her old friend Mr Takaoka, who offers an unusual escape: he teaches her the trick of living inside her dreams � dreams that transport her back through history and towards her future love. The Heart of Winter by Shona Kinsella, Flame Tree Press, �12.95 / Can$21.95 / US$16.95, pbk, ISBN 978-1-787-58636-9
When Brigit is faced with a forced marriage to Aengus, god of Summer, she flees into the Highlands, searching for the Cailleach, Queen of Winter. Determined to make her own way, she seeks tutelage from the Queen. Caught between two gods, she�ll be tested to her limits and will form unlikely friendships until she finds her true place in the world. Heartsong by T. J. Klune, Tor, �22, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-035-00221-4
Set in the dreamy backwoods of Oregon, Heartsong is a queer, paranormal romance of love and pack loyalty, and is the third book in the Green Creek series. All Robbie Fontaine ever wanted was a place to belong. After the death of his mother, he bounces around from pack to pack, forming temporary bonds to keep from turning feral. It�s enough � until he receives a summons from the wolf stronghold in Caswell, Maine. Life as the trusted second to Michelle Hughes � the Alpha of all � and the cherished friend of a gentle old witch teaches Robbie what it means to be pack, to have a home. But when a mission from Michelle sends Robbie into the field, he finds himself questioning where he belongs and everything he�s been told. Whispers of traitorous wolves and wild magic abound � but who are the traitors and who the betrayed? More than anything, Robbie hungers for answers, because one of those alleged traitors is Kelly Bennett � the wolf who may be his mate. The truth has a way of coming out. And when it does, everything will shatter. In the Lives of Puppets by T. J. Klune, Tor, �9.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-529-08804-5
A heart-warming, queer retelling of the Pinocchio story, In the Lives of Puppets is a standalone fantasy adventure. Hades by Mark Knowles, Ad Astra � Head of Zeus, �9.99, pbk, ISBN not provided
The third and final instalment in the 'Blades of Bronze' trilogy, a unique re-telling of the story of Jason and the Argonauts by a Cambridge Classicist who happens to be an extremely gifted storyteller. Decades after the voyage of the fabled Argo, the last remaining Argonauts are scattered to the corners of the Greek world, old men living on past glories. The great victory at Troy is a memory. The gods have abandoned Greece. The Age of Heroes is dead. The Sea People are coming...Only one young man can rise up, channel the spirit of the Argonauts, and inspire and renew the heroism of old: Xandros, callow grandson of the great Jason. His mission is a desperate one, and it may yet be too late. Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff, Harper Voyager, �22, hrdbk, ISBN not provided.
Gabriel de Leon has saved the Holy Grail from death, but his chance to end the endless night is lost. After turning his back on his silversaint brothers once and for all, Gabriel and the Grail set out to learn the truth of how Daysdeath might finally be undone. But the last silversaint faces peril, within and without. Pursued by children of the Forever King, drawn into wars and webs centuries in the weaving, and ravaged by his own rising bloodlust, Gabriel may not survive to see the truth of the Grail revealed. A truth that may be too awful for any to imagine. The Silverblood Promise by James Logan, Jo Fletcher Books, �14.99, trdpbk, ISBN 978-1-529-43281-7.
Lukan Gardova is a cardsharp, academy dropout, and the disgraced heir to an ancient noble house. However, when Lukan discovers that his estranged father has been murdered, he finds fresh purpose, vowing to unravel the mystery behind his father�s death. His search for answers leads him to Saphrona, fabled city of merchant princes, where everything has a price � but the price of truth is the deadliest of all. Spitting Gold by Carmella Lowkis, Transworld, �16.99, hrdbk, ISBN 978-0-857-52946-6.
This is a genre adjacent offering. This is set in 19th century Paris, following two con-artist sisters who pose as gifted mediums to pull off one last job� Paris, 1866. When Baroness Sylvie Devereux receives a house-call from Charlotte Mothe, the sister she disowned, she fears her shady past as a spirit medium has caught up with her. But with their father ill and Charlotte unable to pay his bills, Sylvie is persuaded into one last con. Their marks are the de Jacquinots: dysfunctional aristocrats who believe they are haunted by their great aunt, brutally murdered during the French Revolution. Sylvie and Charlotte will need to deploy every trick to terrify the family out of their gold � until they experience inexplicable horrors themselves. The sisters start to question if they really are at the mercy of a vengeful spirit. And what other deep, dark secrets threaten to come to light...? Gwain and the Green Night by Alan Lupack, Flame Tree Press, �8.99 / Can$16.99 / US$12.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-804-17783-5.
Gawain is a treasure of medieval literature, brought to life in the 2021 movie Green Knight starring Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander and Joel Edgerton. An Arthurian legend of note it revels in its Celtic origins, playing with the mysteries of chivalric romance, the warrior hero and the deeper truths of eternal life. Relight My Fire by C. K. McDonnell, Transworld, �18.99, hrdbk, ISBN 978-0-857-50535-4.
A new standalone novel in the 'The Stranger Times' series, that is Manchester-set revolving around the investigations of The Stranger Times newspaper into the weird and the supernatural! Stella is enjoying life as an almost student, or at least she is until a man falls from the sky right in front of her, leaving a big old hole in the pavement for Manchester Council to fill. The obvious question of how he ended up in the sky in the first place has no obvious answers, which is where The Stranger Times come in. But this isn't just the hunt for another story. Dark powers think Stella might have been involved and the only way she and the team can prove her innocence is to find out what the hell is really going on. And what have dodgy gear, disturbed graves and a decommissioned rock star got to do with all this? Arthur Machen Horror Stories by Arthur Machen, Flame Tree Press, �20.00 / Can$40.00 / US$30.00, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-804-17795-2.
Alongside M.R. James, H.P. Lovecraft, Algernon Blackwood and Bram Stoker, Arthur Machen wrote powerful, chilling and thought-provokling stories. His supernatural tales draw their power from the long nights and dark lanes of the Welsh countryside that raised him surrounded as he was by the remains of Roman forts and Iron Age archaeology. House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas, Bloomsbury, �22, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-408-88444-7.
The third book in the 'Crescent City' series. Bryce Quinlan is stranded in a strange new world. She�s going to need all her wits about her to get home again and return to everything she loves. But that�s no easy feat when she has no idea who to trust. Meanwhile, Hunt Athalar is back in the Asteri�s dungeons. Stripped of his freedom and the happiness he�d fought so hard for, he�s without a clue as to Bryce�s fate. Hunt is desperate to help his Mate, but until he can escape the Asteri�s chains, his hands are quite literally tied. As Midgard is brought to the brink of collapse, the fate of the world rests on the hope of rebellion. But the fight for survival, freedom and love may cost everything Bryce and Hunt have. Celtic Weird: Tales of Wicked Folklore and Dark Mythology by Johnny Mains, British Library Publishing, �15.99 / Can$33.99 / US$24.99, pbk, ISBN 978-0-712-35432-5.
In this volume, Johnny Mains dives into the archives to unearth a hoard of twenty-one enthralling tales imbued with elements of Celtic folklore, ranging from the 1820s to the 1980s and including three weird lost gems translated from Gaelic. From the shorelines, hills and towns of ancient lands, tales of twisted creatures, sins against nature and pagan revenants have been passed down from generation to generation. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, folklore from Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Cornwall, Brittany and the Isle of Man inspired a new strain of strange short stories, penned by writers of the weird and fantastic including masters of the form such as Arthur Machen, Edith Wharton and Robert Aickman. The Murmurs by Michael J. Malone, Orenda Books, �9.99 / Can$22.99 / US$16.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-914-58582-1.
A young woman starts experiencing terrifying premonitions of people dying, as it becomes clear that a family curse known only as The Murmurs has begun, and a long-forgotten crime is about to be unearthed� On the first morning of her new job at Heartfield House, a care home for the elderly, Annie Jackson wakens from a terrifying dream. And when she arrives at the home, she knows that the first old man she meets is going to die. How she knows this is a terrifying mystery, but it is the start of horrifying premonitions. The Island of Mists and Miracles by Victoria Mas, Transworld, �16.99, hrdbk, ISBN 978-0-857-52936-7.
In 1830 a young novice called Catherine Labouré was granted a vision of the Virgin Mary. Nearly 200 years later, Sister Anne is also waiting for a sign. Which is why she accepts a mission to go to a tiny community on an island just off the coast of Brittany. Her only companion there is a sceptical, chain-smoking older nun who just wants to be left in peace. On the island she meets Hugo, the son of a devout family who prefers to look for the meaning of life amid the stars; Madenn, a grandmother whose daughter was killed in a crash and who finds meaning in routine; Isaac, Madenn's grandson, an otherworldly teenager who doesn't fit in but who befriends Hugo, and Julia, a sickly child. If anyone needs a miracle, it is her. But it is not Sister Anne who receives a vision. Instead it is Isaac who is found on a promontory, transfixed, unable to utter more than the words 'I see'. The event soon becomes headline news and the world descends on the small island, opening old wounds and unleashing a chain of events none of them could have foreseen. Shadows on the Water Short Stories edited by Steve Mentz, Flame Tree Press, �20.00 / Can$40.00 / US$30.00, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-804-17778-5.
The mysteries of the rivers, the secrets of the lochs, the whispers across the vast stretches of the ocean, there are so many stories from the beginnings of civilisation, through myth and folklore, to the dark fantasies and ghostly tales of the modern storyteller. An entertaining, chilling collection of supernatural tales. They Stalk the Night by Brian Moreland, Flame Tree Press, �12.95 / Can$21.95 / US$16.95, pbk, ISBN 978-1-787-58857-8
In the Minnesota wilderness, the inhabitants of a remote town hold dark secrets. Retired police chief Sam Larsen knows what abomination stalks the forbidden woods atop Buckhead Hill. His worst nightmare becomes real when a pipeline company destroys a sacred barrier, unleashing an ancient enemy. Now, evil returns to feed again. Darkness Beckons edited by Mark Morris, Flame Tree Press, �12.95 / Can$21.95 / US$16.95, pbk, ISBN 978-1-787-58729-8
The fourth volume in the ABC of Horror, a non-themed series of entirely original stories, showcasing the very best short fiction that the genre has to offer, and edited by Mark Morris. One Eye Opened in That Other Place by Christi Nogle, Flame Tree Press, �9.95 / Can$19.95 / US$16.95, pbk, ISBN 978-1-787-58836-3.
Christi Nogle�s best weird and fantastical stories are collected here, each focusing on liminal spaces and the borders between places and states of mind. Within its pages you�ll travel across thresholds, and arrive at other times and places that are by turns disquieting, terrifying, and wonderful. Make sure to bring your special glasses! African Ghost Short Stories edited by Nuzo Onoh, Divine Che, Neba, & Chinelo Onwualu, Flame Tree Press, �20.00 / Can$40.00 / US$30.00, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-804-17797-6.
A deluxe edition of new writing and tales rooted in ancient culture, this volume explores the deep-seated supernatural element in African storytelling: from the spirits and ancestors of folklore to the vibrantly modern ghosts of today�s horror. New and contemporary stories from African voices complement poignant folktales from around the continent. Moonstone by Laura Purcell, Magpie, �16.99, hrdbk, ISBN not provided.
Young adult novel. A gothic retelling of a folklore favourite� werewolves! A dark regency fantasy shot through with magic and love that will keep you up all night. Billed by the publisher as perfect for fans of Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Silvia Moreno Garcia, this is a sparkling gothic story of forbidden love with real bite� Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross, Harper Fiction, �14.99, hrdbk, ISBN not provided.
Two weeks have passed since Iris Winnow returned home bruised and heartbroken from the front, but the war is far from over. Her enemy-turned-lover Roman has been captured, and the city continues to dwell in a state of disbelief and ignorance. When given another chance to report from the frontline, she takes the opportunity and heads towards the danger. As the days grow darker, inevitably drawing Roman and Iris closer together, the two of them will risk their very hearts and futures to change the tides of the war. What If... Loki Was Worthy? by Madeleine Roux, Del Rey, �22, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-529-91433-7.
Loki and Valkyrie seek redemption in the first adventure of an epic new multiversal series that re-imagines the origins of iconic Marvel heroes. Thor � Son of Odin, God of Thunder, wielder of the hammer Mjolnir � is dead. And Loki is responsible. It was only meant to be a joke � but Loki�s harmless prank spiralled out of control, unleashing death and destruction on New York City and the heroes sworn to protect it. Furious and heartbroken, the All-Father banishes Loki to Earth for his crime. Loki finds himself in a realm of boxed wine, instant noodles, and some sort of regional performance troupe known as the �Buffalo Bills�. Yet, he cannot even endure his exile in peaceful isolation. A Valkyrie barges into his trailer-home with his brother�s final words from the beyond: a plea to find a certain Dr Jane Foster and pass on Mjolnir to its rightful heir. And as Asgard looks to Loki for salvation, he must answer the question: Am I truly worthy? Bored Gay Werewolf by Tony Santorella, Atlantic, �14.99 / Can$33.99 / US$24.99, trdpbk, ISBN 978-1-838-95701-8.
Brian, an aimless slacker, works doubles at his shift job, forgets to clean his room and lays about with his friends Nik and Darby. He's been struggling to manage his transition to adulthood almost as much as his monthly transitions to a werewolf. Really, he is not great at the whole werewolf thing, and his recent murderous slip-ups have caught the attention of Tyler, a Millennial were-mentor determined to take the mythological world by storm. Tyler has got a plan, and weirdly his self-help punditry actually encourages Brian to shape up and to stop accidentally marking out guys who ghosted him on Grindr as potential monthly victims. But as Brian gets closer to Tyler's pack, and alienated from Nik and Darby, he realizes that Tyler's expansion plans are much more nefarious than a little lupine enlightenment... A Feather So Black by Lyra Selene, Orbit, �18.99, hrdbk, ISBN 978-0-356-52237-1.
In a kingdom where magic has been lost, Fia is a rare changeling, left behind by the wicked Fair Folk when they stole the High Queen's daughter and locked the gates to the Otherworld. The Queen treats Fia as a daughter and trains her to be a spy. Meanwhile, the true princess Eala is bound to Otherworld, cursed to become a swan by day and only returning to her true form at night. When a hidden gate to Otherworld is discovered, Fia is tasked by the High Queen to retrieve Eala and break her curse. But she doesn't go alone: with her is prince Rogan, Eala's betrothed and Fia's childhood best friend. As the two journey into a world where magic winds through the roots of the trees and beauty can be a deadly illusion, Fia's mission is complicated by her feelings for the prince. . . and her unexpected attraction to the dark-hearted fae lord holding Eala captive. Irian might be more monster than man, but he seems to understand Fia in a way no one ever has. Holy Ghosts: Classic Tales of the Ecclesiastical Uncanny edited by Fiona Snailham, British Library Publishing, �9.99 / Can$22.99 / US$16.99, pbk, ISBN 978-0-712-35413-4.
A couple witnesses a ghostly procession from centuries past; a tourist confesses her sins to a priest long since dead; cursed statues torment a sinning Archdeacon. Churches, monasteries and convents have long been associated with sanctuary: sacred spaces should offer protection from evil in all its forms. This new anthology raises questions about the protection offered by faith, bringing together a collection of tales in which holy places are filled with horror; where stone effigies come to life and believers are tormented by terrifying apparitions. In a host of uncanny stories published between 1855 and 1935, Holy Ghosts uncovers sacrilegious spectres and the ecclesiastically eerie. Reincarnating forgotten authors, from Mrs Henry Wood to Ada Buisson, Robert Hichens to M R James; Amelia B Edwards to Vernon Lee, the anthology exhumes stories buried deep in the British Library stacks. Central African Folktales edited by Enongene Mirabeau Sone, Flame Tree Press, �8.99 / Can$16.99 / US$12.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-804-17780-8.
Modern national boundaries complicate the origins of the stories still told in the DRC, the Republic of the Congo, Cameroon and more but many can be traced back to the Sao civilization of the 6th Century BCE. Robert Louis Stevenson Collection by Robert Louis Stevenson, Flame Tree Press, �20.00 / Can$40.00 / US$30.00, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-804-17710-5.
Universally known for his masterpiece The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson was a supreme storyteller of many dark and monstrous tales that tease at the duality of human nature. This gorgeous new collection gathers together �The Body Snatcher�, �A Lodging for the Night�, �The Isle of Voices� and many other chilling stories. The Uncanny Gastronomic edited by Zara-Louise Stubbs, British Library Publishing, �9.99 / Can$22.99 / US$16.99, pbk, ISBN 978-0-712-35428-8.
A brush with the mushroom devil whets the appetite. The meat at the werewolf�s table is a dish to relish. Dessert with London�s cannibal club may be the cherry on top. From fairy tales and folklore focused on magical foods and strange eating came an enduring tradition of writers playing with food and the uncanny. In the fiction of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries this tradition thrived, with themes of supernatural consumption, weird transformation and sensual euphoria as key ingredients. Raiding this dark pantry of writing, this new collection presents a feast of sixteen classic tales, two poems and one essay, with choice morsels by masters of the macabre including Shirley Jackson, Franz Kafka, Angela Carter and Roald Dahl. The Trials of Empire by Richard Swan, Orbit, �22, hrdbk, ISBN 978-0-356-51647-9.
The third in the 'Empire of the Wolf' series. Gulliver�s Travels by Jonathan Swift, Flame Tree Press, UK �8.99 / Can$15.99 / US$11.99, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-804-17789-1.
The unabridged text of this edition is accompanied by a Glossary of Victorian and Literary Terms produced for the modern reader. Tales from the Celestial Kingdom by Sue Lynn Tan, Harper Voyager, �16.99, hrdbk, ISBN not provided.
The collection gathers material both seen and new, illustrated throughout, making this the perfect complement to this majestic series. These fantastical stories are set in the enriched world of The Celestial Kingdom duology � filled with magic, adventure, and friendship. With stories that take place before and after the two novels, this collection includes the tales of Chang�e, the Moon Goddess, and Houyi, the Sun Warrior, from special editions, as well as a neverbefore- read epilogue to the duology, another story of Chang�e and Houyi, and stories from both Liwei and Wenzhi�s perspective. Each story will be illustrated, illuminating the text and adding richness to Sue Lynn Tan�s wonderful prose. With romance and heartache, mistakes and amends, this collection takes the Celestial Kingdom duology to new heights. High Vaultage by Chris Sugden & Jen Sugden, Gollancz, �22, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-399-60416-1.
Billed by the publisher as Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett meet Charles Dickens in this hilarious new murder mystery. 1887. London, but not as you know it. The Industrial Revolution went further than anyone could have imagined, and Even Greater London spreads across southern England. Archibald Fleet and Clara Entwhistle hoped things would pick up quickly for their new enterprise. No one is taking them seriously, but their break will come soon. When a woman witnesses a kidnapping, Fleet-Entwhistle Private Investigations is the only place she can turn for help. But things go deeper than they could ever have anticipated� Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufons by Wole Talabi, Gollancz, �14.99, trdpbk, ISBN 978-1-399-61566-2.
A supernatural heist novel that goes deep into the heart of the British Museum Shigidi is a disgruntled nightmare god in the Orisha Spirit Company, reluctantly answering the prayers of his few remaining believers to satisfy the demands of the company board. When he meets Nneoma, everything changes. Together, they attempt to break free and live on their own terms. But the elder gods have other plans for Shigidi, and the Orisha Spirit Company is not so easy to leave. The chairman has a final job for Shigidi and Nneoma. The Night Alphabet by Joelle Taylor, Riverrun, �14.99, trdpbk, ISBN 978-1-529-43094-3.
A woman walks into a tattoo parlour. But this is no ordinary woman, and this is Hackney in 2233. Jones� body is covered in tattoos but she wants to add one final inking to her gallery � a thin line of ink mixed with blood that connects her body art together, creating a unique map. As the two artists set to work, Jones tells them the story behind each tattoo. As Jones is no ordinary woman, these are no ordinary stories: each one represents a doorway to a life Jones fell into, a �remembering�. Some of these lives were in the past, others in the future, some are sideways, but each of them connects Jones to the two tattoo artists in some way, though they are unaware of it. We visit the dystopian cities of the Quiet Men, the coal mines of 19th century Lancashire, join a gang of vigilante sex workers, enter the world of an INCEL murderer, haunt the old Maryville gay bar, and uncover plans to genetically modify female children. Each of the stories brings us closer to Jones� truth, and how her life is intricately interwoven with that of the women tattooing her body. Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne, Tor, �22, hrdbk, ISBN 978-1-035-03099-6
They wanted to open a cosy bookshop. They discovered a world of adventure. Reyna and Kianthe dream of opening a friendly book shop together, serving the very best tea and cakes. Worn wooden floors, plants on every table, firelight drifting between the rafters � all complemented by love and good company. But Reyna is an elite bodyguard to a vengeful queen, and Kianthe is the most powerful mage in existence. Leaving their lives behind seems impossible. Yet they flee to Tawney, a town nestled in the icy peaks of dragon country. There, they open the bookstore they'd always wanted. What follows is a tale of mishaps, mysteries, dragons, and a murderous queen throwing the realm�s biggest temper tantrum. And two women will discover what they mean to each other � and their world. The Curious Affair of the Missing Mummies by Lisa Tuttle, Jo Fletcher Books, �10.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-529-42275-7.
What appears to be a minor theft from the British Museum may just mask secret organisations and individuals of London eager to acquire ancient Egyptian magic. As the death toll mounts, the detectives wonder if the madness is really the curse of the museum�s new mummy? Chinese Folktales edited by Wang & Chuanji Hu, Flame Tree Press, �8.99 / Can$16.99 / US$12.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-804-17782-2.
A new introduction highlights the exquisite stories within this collection of classic Chinese folk and fairy tales, including �The King of the Ants�, �The Ghost Who Was Foiled�, �A Night on the Battlefield�, �The Lady of the Moon� and �The Flower Elves�. Stories of gods, heroes and creatures vie with the curious, poetic delights of ancient China. Someone You Can Build A Nest In by John Wiswell, Jo Fletcher Books, �14.99, trdpbk, ISBN 978-1-529-43134-6.
Billed by the publisher as Beauty and the Beast meets The Shape of Water by the Nebula-award winning author of the short story �Open House on Haunted Hill�. Shesheshen has made a fatal mistake for a monster: she�s fallen in love. Shesheshen is a shape-shifter, who usually resides as an amorphous lump in the swamp of a ruined manor, unless impolite monster hunters invade intent on murdering her. Through a chance encounter, she meets a different kind of human, warm-hearted Homily, who mistakes Shesheshen for a human in turn. Shesheshen is loath to deceive, but just as she�s about to confess her true identity, Homily reveals she�s hunting the shape-shifting monster that supposedly cursed her family. Shesheshen didn�t curse anyone, but to give them both a chance at happiness, she must figure out why Homily�s twisted family thinks she did. And the bigger challenge remains: surviving her toxic in-laws long enough to learn to build a life with the woman she loves. Japanese Ghost Stories edited by Hiroko Yoda, Flame Tree 451, �8.99 / Can$16.99 / US$12.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-804-17592-7.
Japan has a long and ancient custom of sharing stories of the supernatural, brought to fashionable prominence in the Kaidan literature of the Edo period. This new collection brings together the fantastic tales of vengeful spirits, mountain-dwelling phantoms, man-eating oni, haunted trees, and child-rearing ghosts. Lord of the Feast by Tim Waggoner, Flame Tree Press, �12.95 / Can$21.95 / US$16.95, pbk, ISBN 978-1-787-58636-9
Twenty years ago, a malevolent cult failed in their attempt to create their own god: The Lord of the Feast, forging instead a horrible, misbegotten creature, so the cultists destroyed it, trapping each piece in scattered, mystic nightstones. Now, Ethan plans to resurrect the god, and fulfil its ancient promise. Dragonlance: Dragons of Fate by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman, Penguin, �10.99, pbk, ISBN 978-1-804-94693-0.
The second new Dragonlance novel. Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White by Amélie Wen Zhao, Harper Fiction, �16.99, hrdbk, ISBN not provided.
Years ago, the Elantian colonizers invaded Lan�s homeland and killed her mother in their search to uncover the Last Kingdom�s greatest secret the location of its legendary four Demon Gods. Lan�s mother devoted her life to destroying the Demon Gods, and Lan is determined to finish her mission. Yet, there are others searching for the gods, too. Zen knew his soul was forfeit the moment he made a deal with the Demon God known as the Black Tortoise, but he�s willing to lose himself if it means saving the Kingdom � and the girl � he loves. But to crush the colonisers who have invaded his land he needs more power than even a single Demon God can provide. He needs an army. And he knows exactly where he can find it � in the undead army his great grandfather lead decades ago. |
