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The epic saga of Norway’s greatest hero concludes as the legendary Viking conqueror-king Harald Hardrede pursues his dreams of empire to the shores of England Young Norseman Harald Hardrede eagerly followed the hand of destiny around the world, learning much of the methods of conquerors and kings. Throughout history there have been great and lauded champions who achieved far less than the towering Viking who now rightly rules Norway. But the crown sits heavily upon Harald’s head, for the throne he occupies rests on shaky ground: Treachery is brewing in the lands of a one-time ally in the North and the conquest of Denmark remains an elusive dream. The enduring sadness of his beloved wife pains him, and the sons he sired with his tempestuous mistress remain to him perplexing mysteries. As the middle years take their toll on the greatest of all Norse champions and a magnificent era approaches its end, destiny once again summons the “Lightning of the North.” Ahead lies the king’s final adventure, one last opportunity to man the dragon-prowed ships and sail across an ocean for the prize he has coveted above all others: the fortified island called Britannia. With The Sign of the Raven, Poul Anderson, one of the acknowledged greats of fantasy and speculative fiction, concludes his enthralling Last Viking Trilogy. Employing his exceptional storytelling skills to create a masterwork of historical fiction, he brings the eleventh-century to breathtaking life, blending action and color, poignancy and power in his chronicle of the glorious and tragic final years of Norway’s most illustrious hero.
A gothic delight from Karen Maitland, author of the bestselling and much-loved Company of Liars, that will enchant readers of Kate Mosse's The Burning Chambers or fans of Deborah Harkness seeking a new, dark fix. 'An atmospheric and dark story' The Times Never trust your secrets to a Raven when you are not its true master... 1224. Langley Manor, Norfolk. Lord Sylvain has been practising alchemy in hiding for years and now only the Apothecary's niece can help him with final preparations to forge the Philosopher's Stone. Alchemy calls for symbols - and victims - and when a man in possession of an intricately carved raven's head arrives at the Manor in a clumsy attempt at blackmail, Sylvain has both symbol and victim within easy reach. But the White Canons in nearby Langley Abbey are concealing a crucial, missing ingredient... Regulus, a small boy with a large destiny. What readers are saying about The Raven's Head: 'An intriguing and exciting dark tale about power and intrigue in politics, but most of all about the power and fear of the main ingredient of the book - almighty alchemy!' 'Full of stories, witchcraft, alchemy, suspicion and suspense. Fantastic book' 'As well as being a suspenseful tale that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, the book illustrates that the Middle Ages had a dark edge. The writing is beautiful, and the novel is crafted in a masterful way'
Like their Western and Chinese counterparts, Native Americans developed an astrological system for understanding the world and envisioning harmony in the universe. Based on animals and clans--and with corresponding trees, stones, and colors--it’s broken into 12 moons similar to the 12 signs in Western astrology. In fascinating detail, and with magnificent artwork throughout, this new entry in the Simply series explores an exciting and little known aspect of Native culture. In addition to providing analyses of all the signs, symbols, and seasonal associations, there are illuminating charts, explanations of the medicine wheel, and practical ideas for using Native astrology as an oracle.
Lady Selene is the heir to the Great House of Ravenwood and the secret family gift of dreamwalking. As a dreamwalker, she can enter a person's dreams and manipulate their greatest fears or desires. For the last hundred years, the Ravenwood women have used their gift of dreaming for hire to gather information or to assassinate. As she discovers her family's dark secret, Selene is torn between upholding her family's legacy--a legacy that supports her people--or seeking the true reason behind her family's gift. Her dilemma comes to a head when she is tasked with assassinating the one man who can bring peace to the nations, but who will also bring about the downfall of her own house. One path holds glory and power, and will solidify her position as Lady of Ravenwood. The other path holds shame and execution. Which will she choose? And is she willing to pay the price for the path chosen?
When the body of Thaddeus Grainger’s rival turns up stabbed to death in an alley just hours after their inconclusive duel, only one suspect comes to mind. Charged with murder, Grainger’s fate is sealed before his trial even begins. A young gentleman of means but of meaningless pursuits, Grainger is cast into the notorious Bellstrom Gaol, where he must quickly learn to survive in the filthy, ramshackle prison. The “Bells”—where debtors, gaolers, whores, thieves, and murderers all mix freely and where every privilege comes at a price—will be the young man’s home for the rest of his life unless he can prove his innocence. But his friends, the journalist William Quillby and Cassie Redruth, the poor young girl who owes Grainger a debt of gratitude, refuse to abandon him. Before they can win his freedom, however, they must decode the meaning behind the crude wax seal that inspires terror in those who know its portent and contend with forces both inside and outside the prison determined to keep Grainger behind bars. Set against the urban backdrop of late 18th-century England, The Raven’s Seal unravels a tale of corruption, betrayal, murder, and—ultimately—redemption and love. Praise for The Raven’s Seal: “Baltakmens captures the flavor and scope of classic British fiction.” —Kirkus Reviews “This atmospheric, character-driven, and plot-twisty bildungsroman is a worthy paean to Oliver Twist and Great Expectations.” —Booklist “Baltakmens gives readers of The Raven’s Seal all of the history and the mystery his subtitle promises. The mood, color, details, and dialogue come across as very authentic . . . [his] characters would not be out of place in a work of DeFoe or Thackeray. In fact, there is much of the latter’s Barry Lyndon here, with its plots and duels and confidence games, as well as deft touches of the former’s Moll Flanders, with its bawdy wenches, prison intrigues, and period squalor.” —ForeWord “The author’s exquisite prose rushes along full of surprises, shadows, betrayal, and squalid situations where the high-born and criminals intermix. A superb mystery with vibrant characters.” —Historical Novels Review
I have always been haunted by the notion of hatred which not only looks unjustifiable in my view, but also encourages people to commit murder, a crime which has mostly been preceded by hatred and incitement. I have never believed in the saying without hatred, humanity would not have known love or passion. This saying proved to be futile in reality. To prove this, all monotheistic religions came to promote tolerance and spread love among human beings. Personally I still tend to believe that man is born to love, however, over time people have been taught to hate. Up to this moment my belief has never changed that love is the core of humanity, while hatred is an acquired value. In some cases, though, hatred might be justified; the fear instinct, for instance, may drive one to hate the source of that fear. You may like a lion when it is inside the cage. However, once that cage is open the lion becomes a threat to your life. But for a human being to hate another human being or even an animal for no reason other than what has been said in some old books is, from my point of view, a misfortune. Some hatred is based on unfounded narrations which could be no more than witchcraft. However, the world still lives with the results of that terrifying growing hatred; Entire peoples hate each other without even examining the real reasons behind that hatred. In our Arab region where nations of many origins co-exist, we tend to get rid of what we hate forever, be it human being or animal which could cause civilization disruption and psychological shock. I found out that the raven could be used to symbolize this idea. Not only is this bird so peaceful but also friend to peasants and environment. It has good social behaviors and embraces collaboration and team spirit. It learns from its own mistakes through error & trail, and has high IQ. Furthermore, it was mentioned in monotheist books as the bird which taught human beings how to bury their dead (the story of Abel and Cain). Despite all this, the raven is hated more than any other bird by Arabs and Muslims and some peoples of the East. It is, for many, the source of evil omen. The ravens voice is considered one of the roughest sounds on earth. What is even more catastrophic is that some consider the raven as an epidemic that must be eradicated by killing. This book does not literally defend the raven as a bird; it goes deep in hatred, a notion which increasingly controls people's stances and behaviors regardless of their origin, color or tongues.
Loner Vivi Deveraux is thrilled to join Westerly College's Kappas, who are secretly witches, until she meets perfect, polished Scarlett Winter, who will stop at nothing to be the sorority's next president.
There?s a legend in Providence ... and there's only one way to find out if it's real. Once every ten years there's a secret party - based entirely on this legend. An event so exclusive - the invitation is by word of mouth - with strict rules that must-be-followed. According to legend, the hosts of this gathering are supposed to be vampires ... So what happens when your best friend is invited and practically begs you to go along with her? You go, of course! Stepping over the edge of darkness and deep into the secret world of vampires, twins, Elizabeth and Melinda discover that their friend, Fiona was right: the legend is real.--P. [4] of cover.