Sinister Magic

A tough, snarky heroine and an aloof dragon shifter must work together to save Seattle in this new urban fantasy series.

After helping my steady dragon Zav with his family problems, I thought life would get back to normal. As normal as it can be when you're a hit woman responsible for hunting down bad guys.That was before a strange artifact showed up in a bog and turned my ancient dwarven sword into a magical beacon. Now my enemies can sense it from hundreds of miles away. More than that, every club-toting, over-muscled orc, ogre, and troll who would like a magic sword can sense it.Usually, fighting off opportunists wouldn't be a problem (they don't call me Ruin Bringer without reason), but even I can only handle so many attacks at a time. And Zav isn't as much help as you'd think, since he's busy on a quest for a ring.No, it's not a Lord of the Rings kind of quest. My boss put it in Zav's head that since we're mated in the dragon way, we should also be married in the human way. Now, he's off to find the perfect engagement ring. Given his taste in human footwear, I may be in trouble for more reasons than my marked sword.Not only is there no chance of my life getting back to normal any time soon, but if I can't figure out how to fix my sword, I'll be dead long before I can get married.

A frail, fatherlessl boy, whose mother is ill , goes to stay unwillingly with cousins. There he finds his strength, makes unusual friends,and discovers magic talents, using them to save the world from falling into the hands of the pink witch The author has created characters, both human and other, together with gripping adventure, which will enthrall and entertain The story weaves situations in childhood encompassing fears, tears, humour, achievements, dawning wisdom and sheer wonder. Delightful! Inspirational! Unforgettable!. Grown-ups can also enjoy reading 'Castle Magic' Pamela Koutroulides As a child, I had bad health and spent 3 years in hospital totally separated from my Mum and Dad. Visits were few. I retreated into my own world as there was no adult to share with. I learnt to read and read avidly. Sometimes I told stories to other children. I didnt mix with ordinary children until I came out of hospital at 8. I was rather clumsy at it When I grew up I became a social worker, wife, mother and grandmother, chesty illnesses following me throughout.. I often spent holidays in a flat in an English castle. It was there that the seeds of this story grew. In my fifties, I journeyed into my imagination and began painting, using pattern and bright colour. During this time Stephen, the hero of Castle Magic, was born in my imagination. In my sixties I began writing, slowly discovering my own true voice, and began the greatest adventure of my life. Stephens talents, like mine were enhanced by his circumstances, sensitivity revealing the magic and wonder of the world around. There is magic also within and Stephen wants to encourage everyone to find it. www.annepoltera.com 50% profits from this book go to 'Demelza', a charity providing hospice care for children. See inside

In Michigan in the mid-1950s, Lewis Barnavelt is convinced that the series of accidents he and his uncle are experiencing are the result of a curse by a mysterious, hooded figure that may be part of his uncle's past.

Inspired by the work of eminent scholar Richard Kieckhefer, The Sacred and the Sinister explores the ambiguities that made (and make) medieval religion and magic so difficult to differentiate. The essays in this collection investigate how the holy and unholy were distinguished in medieval Europe, where their characteristics diverged, and the implications of that deviation. In the Middle Ages, the natural world was understood as divinely created and infused with mysterious power. This world was accessible to human knowledge and susceptible to human manipulation through three modes of engagement: religion, magic, and science. How these ways of understanding developed in light of modern notions of rationality is an important element of ongoing scholarly conversation. As Kieckhefer has emphasized, ambiguity and ambivalence characterize medieval understandings of the divine and demonic powers at work in the world. The ten chapters in this volume focus on four main aspects of this assertion: the cult of the saints, contested devotional relationships and practices, unsettled judgments between magic and religion, and inconclusive distinctions between magic and science. Freshly insightful, this study of ambiguity between magic and religion will be of special interest to scholars in the fields of medieval studies, religious studies, European history, and the history of science. In addition to the editor, the contributors to this volume are Michael D. Bailey, Kristi Woodward Bain, Maeve B. Callan, Elizabeth Casteen, Claire Fanger, Sean L. Field, Anne M. Koenig, Katelyn Mesler, and Sophie Page.

Furyborn meets A Curse So Dark and Lonely in this thrilling fantasy about two powerful girls coming together to protect their beloved kingdom—from the author of Grace and Fury. Annalise may be cousin to the prince, but her past isn't what she claims, and she possesses a magic so powerful it takes all her strength to control it. Evra is a country girl, and has watched as each friend and family member came into their own magic, while hers remains dormant. But everything changes after Annalise loses control of herself and Evra begins experiencing the debilitating visions of a once-in-a-generation clairvoyant meant to serve the crown. Thrown together at court, Evra and Annalise find that they have the same goal: to protect their kingdom from the powerful men who are slowly destroying it. But neither is quick to trust the other—Evra's visions suggest a threat to royal rule, and Annalise worries that her darkest secrets will be revealed. Their magic at odds, the young women circle each other, until the truth must come out. Full of intrigue, romance, and shocking twists, this gorgeously immersive fantasy will keep readers spellbound until the very last page.

This #1 New York Times bestseller is the first book in a new series set in Chris Colfer's Land of Stories universe, perfect for both new and longtime fans! When Brystal Evergreen stumbles across a secret section of the library, she discovers a book that introduces her to a world beyond her imagination and learns the impossible: She is a fairy capable of magic! But in the oppressive Southern Kingdom, women are forbidden from reading and magic is outlawed, so Brystal is swiftly convicted of her crimes and sent to the miserable Bootstrap Correctional Facility. But with the help of the mysterious Madame Weatherberry, Brystal is whisked away and enrolled in an academy of magic! Adventure comes with a price, however, and when Madame Weatherberry is called away to attend to an important problem she doesn't return. Do Brystal and her classmates have what it takes to stop a sinister plot that risks the fate of the world, and magic, forever? Fall in love with an all-new series from Chris Colfer, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Land of Stories, filled with adventure, imagination, and wonderfully memorable characters both familiar and new. A #1 New York Times bestsellerAn IndieBound bestseller A USA Today bestseller A Wall Street Journal bestseller Don't miss: A TALE OF WITCHCRAFT...

A pack of paints, a set of pens, and unlimited creativity throw two friends into an enchanted, fast-paced adventure. ZuZu's first summer without her best friend is looking pretty grim, until she meets new kid Andrew at a visit to the historic Mapleton Mansion. Together they stumble upon some enchanted art supplies and discover that the shapes they draw and paint can come to life. Their creations are harmless—but ZuZu and Andrew aren't the only ones with access to magic. Soon, nightmarish half-machine, half-living creatures begin appearing around town, controlled by a power-hungry "caster" with a sinister mission. It's up to ZuZu and Andrew to use their newfound abilities to protect their community. "There are deliciously chilling descriptions of scuttling, otherworldly creations and resurrections gone awry, but there is also delight to be found in enchanted artwork and blossoming friendships. A thrilling introduction to a newfangled magic."—Booklist "A satisfying, compelling adventure with an original magical construct and bright, appealing protagonists."—Kirkus Reviews "The magical rules created by Voskuil feel exciting . . . . This creative fantasy will move well with fans of Tae Keller's When You Trap a Tiger."—School Library Journal

If you think having one dragon around messes up your life, imagine what it's like when a second one shows up. I'm Val Thorvald, assassin of magical bad guys and tenuous ally to the dragon lord Zav. He still calls me a mongrel and thinks I'm a criminal, but he healed my wounds after we fought those dark elves together. That's progress, right? Maybe one day, he'll deign to use my name. Not that this is my primary concern. I'm busy with a new assignment. Nin, the awesome lady who makes my magical weapons, has a werewolf problem. Specifically, sleazy loser werewolf competitors who want to drive her out of business. Or worse. Normally, a couple of werewolves wouldn't be a big deal, but these ones have powerful allies. And then there's that new dragon. It turns out he's one of Zav's enemies, and he wants to use me against him. I don't know why he's picking on me--it's not like I mean something to Zav--but somehow I've gotten stuck in the middle of dragon politics. If you think that sounds like a nightmare, you're right. If I can't figure out a way to help my friend with the werewolves while keeping these dragons from tearing me apart, we're both going to end up flatter than the deck chairs when Zav lands on the roof of my apartment building.

Three children visiting relatives in Scotland become involved in the plans of a diabolical wizard.