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April 21, 1923. The SS Metagama is inching out of Stornoway harbor, Scotland. On board are Finlay and Mairead, young and hopeful, destined for Detroit.On the other side of the Atlantic, the effects of the Great Depression are inescapable. Prejudice and division are rife, and though they remain bound by a shared past, their lives soon diverge.In an adopted country that is tense with both opportunity and loss, can Mairead and Finlay keep their promises to one another to look only forward, and resist the constant pull of home?From the author of the prize-winning As the Women Lay Dreaming comes a poignant and deeply evocative novel of the 20th-century emigrant experience in the New World. With lyrical prose and masterful storytelling, Murray paints a vivid portrait of the resilient Hebrideans-in-exile who struggled between holding on and letting go.

In this, the eighth year of the Best of British Science Fiction anthology series, editor Donna Scott has outdone herself, scouring magazines, anthologies, webzines and obscure genre corners to discover the very best science fiction stories by British and British-based authors published during 2022. Two dozen stories, varying greatly in subject matter and style.Donna Scott is a director and former chair of the BSFA, as well as being a distinguished poet, writer, and stand-up comedian. Donna is also a free-lance editor who has worked behind the scenes for a number of major publishers over the course of several years.Contents:Introduction by Donna ScottA Moment of Zugzwang - Neil WilliamsonA Quickening Tide - Andrew Wilson and A J McIntoshIn the Weave - David WhitmarshThe Marshalls of Mars - Tim MajorThe Amelioration of Existence in Spite of Truth and Reconciliation - EM FauldsLast Bite at the Klondike - Liam HoganFor I Shall Consider My Cat J/FRY - Alice DrydenThe FenZone - Ian WhatesTranslation - Philip IrvingLong Live the Strawberries of Finsbury Park - Stephen OramEternal Soldier - L.N. HunterI Know What You Are - Matt ThompsonGortcullinane Man - Val NolanThe Spreads of Space and Endless Devastation - Stewart BakerCall of the Void - J.K. FultonRetirement Options for (Too) Successful Space Entrepreneurs - Brent BaldwinThe Memory Spider - Fiona MooreSunrunner - Robert BagnallAssets - Keith Brooke and Eric BrownThe Flamingo Maximizer - Dafydd McKimmWheel of Fortune - Ida KeoghThose We Leave Behind - Vaughan StangerJunk Hounds - Lavie TidharAbout the Authors

LONGLISTED FOR THE DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD 2024SHORLISTED FOR THE EDWARD STANFORD VIKING AWARD FOR FICTION 2024‘Perfect for the poolside or sitting outside a café with a pastis and olives’ The TimesPart swashbuckling adventure on the high seas and part modern-day love story set in the heart of Paris, An Astronomer in Love is an enchanting tale of destiny and the power of love from bestselling author Antoine Laurain.In 1760, Guillaume le Gentil, real-life astronomer to King Louis XV, sets out for the oceans of India to document the transit of Venus. The weather is turbulent, the seas are rough and his quest may be more complicated than initially thought. 250 years later, estate agent Xavier Lemercier chances upon Guillaume’s telescope in a property he's sold. As he looks out across the rooftops of Paris, he discovers an intriguing woman with a zebra in her apartment. Then the woman walks through the doors of his office, and his life changes forever . . .

Gotrek Gurnisson, the legendary Slayer, picks up a new accomplice – and faces a truly grotesque challenge in the disease-ridden spawn of the Plague God himself.

In this extraordinary third and final work in the Second DemonWars Saga, R. A. Salvatore weaves a diverse tapestry of characters and events from all the novels of the DemonWars Saga into an epic, unforgettable conclusion. Casting his inimitable spell of the human and supernatural, love and war, faith and faithlessness, Salvatore’s crowning work is centered on a dark young king, driven by a quest to remake humankind.

In book two of the DemonWars Saga, Elbryan and Pony—soul mates from childhood who grew even closer over time—fervently hope that the tide of darkness is at last receding from the land of Corona. Yet if evil is on the retreat, why are hordes of goblins and bloody-capped powries slashing their way ever-deeper into civilized lands

In book three of the DemonWars Saga, with the demon dactyl and its foul minions defeated, the war-weary citizens of the kingdom of Honce-the-Bear wish only to begin rebuilding their broken lives. Yet the specter of civil war haunts the ravaged land —and a specter more fearsome still.

In The Demon Awakens, #1 New York Times best-selling author R. A. Salvatore creates an astonishing new world for listeners to explore - and an intrepid hero to lead the way: Elbryan Wynden, who must confront the dark tides of destiny in his epic search for justice and peace.

"When Mark Hawkins is found dead in a seedy motel, police deem it an accidental overdose. But billionaire computer genius Avery Turner suspects there might be more to the story. Her old friend was on the trail of the legendary General's Gold, and now Avery is determined to pick up where he left off... Teaming up with Carter Mosley, a deep-sea shipwreck diver and adrenaline junkie turned social media sensation, Avery embarks on a dangerous quest for the treasure--and the truth. From Florida to Maine, and from the mountains of Virginia to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, they face treacherous gangs, man-eating sharks, and a world of deception and double-crosses. As they navigate hidden clues and uncertain allies, Avery and Carter must outwit their deadly adversaries and unravel the mystery surrounding the General's Gold. But in this high-stakes game, losing the treasure could cost them their lives."--

A plucky, sardonic con artist must “prophesize” her way out of peril—discovering along the way that power and politics are nothing more than stories sold as truth.Kalyna’s family has the Gift: the ability to see the future. For generations, they traveled the four kingdoms of the Tetrarchia selling their services as soothsayers. Every child of their family is born with this Gift—everyone except Kalyna.So far, Kalyna has used informants and trickery to falsify prophecies for coin, scrounging together a living for her deteriorating father and cruel grandmother. But Kalyna’s reputation for prophecy precedes her, and poverty turns to danger when she is pressed into service by the spymaster to Rotfelsen.Kalyna is to use her “Gift” to uncover threats against Rotfelsen’s king, her family held hostage to ensure her good behavior. But politics are devious; the king’s enemies abound, and Kalyna’s skills for investigation and deception are tested to the limit. Worse, the conspiracy she uncovers points to a larger threat, not only to Rotfelsen but to the Tetrarchia itself. Kalyna is determined to protect her family and newfound friends, but as she is drawn deeper into palace intrigue, she can no longer tell if her manipulations are helping prevent the Tetrarchia’s destruction—or if her lies will bring about its prophesized downfall.

Set during the Golden Age of Pirates and the shadowy aftermath of the Salem witch trials, this vivid literary debut is inspired by the captivating true story of real-life pirate Samuel Bellamy, combining high seas adventure, star-crossed longing, surprisingly timely questions about social justice and freedom, and the emotionally satisfying tale of one strong-willed young woman determined to choose her own path."If the Tide Turns weaves together two fascinating worlds in a page-turning story of love, friendship, and self-discovery. It transports the reader to the time of witch trials and piracy, shrugging off popular caricatures and exploring real-life people—the hardships they faced and the hope that sustained them. A stirring and luminous read!" —Amanda Skenandore, author of The Nurse's Secret1715, Eastham, Massachusetts: As the daughter of a wealthy family, Maria Brown has a secure future mapped out for her, yet it is not the future she wants. Young, headstrong, and restless, Maria has no desire to marry the aging, mean-spirited John Hallett, regardless of his fortune and her parents’ wishes. As for what Maria does want—only one person has ever even asked her that question.Samuel Bellamy, an orphaned sailor searching for work, meets Maria by chance, enthralling her with talk of far-flung places and blasphemous ideals. But neither is free from the social order into which they were born. When Sam is banished from Maria’s parents’ home after asking for her hand, he vows to return a wealthy man, and Maria promises to keep the faith until then.Sam is drawn into piracy and discovers a brotherhood more equal and fulfilling than any on land, despite its dangers. Beguiled by the chance to both fight for justice and make a fortune to bring home to Maria, Sam is torn between duty to his crew and his desire to return. Separated by more than just the ocean, time slips by as Sam and Maria cling to their love for each other. Maria is determined to stay strong in her conviction in Sam, but as rumors swirl and her position in Eastham turns perilous, Maria is forced into an impossible decision.Now, on a journey no less treacherous and eventful than Sam’s, Maria draws on every shred of her courage and resilience not merely to survive, but to honor her own yearning for freedom . . .

"Orphia dreams of something more than the warrior crafts she's been forced to learn. Hidden away on a far-flung island, her blood sings with poetry and her words can move flowers to bloom and forests to grow... but her father, the sun god Apollo, has forbidden her this art. A chance meeting with a young shield-maker, Eurydicius, gives her the courage to use her voice. After wielding all her gifts to defeat one final champion, Orphia draws the scrutiny of the gods. Performing her poetry, she wins the protection of the goddesses of the arts: the powerful Muses, who welcome her to their sanctuary on Mount Parnassus. Orphia learns to hone her talents, crafting words of magic infused with history, love and tragedy. When Eurydicius joins her, Orphia struggles with her desire for fame and her budding love. As her bond with the gentle shield-maker grows, she joins the Argonauts on their quest for the Golden Fleece. Facing dragons, sirens and ruthless warriors on the voyage, Orphia earns unparalleled fame, but she longs to return to Eurydicius. Yet she has a darker journey to make - one which will see her fight for her love with all the power of her poetry"--

"It begins with a massacre. A crime so brutal and bloody, the local sheriff isn't smart enough to solve it. But when young deputy Dan Caine sees the slaughter for himself, an entire family murdered, he can't let it go. Especially when the eldest daughter is missing. Right there and then, Caine makes a fateful decision: throw away his badge, form a vigilante team, and go after the killers"--

In the fantasy story Trials of Baromir, Baromir spends two weeks out of his farming life visiting the continenthe lives on. From Helva province he travels to Lagosia province and ends up in the city of Dormir. Along the way,he encounters a female mage, a dragon disguised as a commoner, and a dwarf who can't mind his business searchingfor the ultimate fight. As he spends time in Dormir city, he encounters thugs, criminals, and a prince out to get a dragonto stop eating his magical cows.

Imagine being caught in a firestorm in the Alaskan wilderness with only your instincts to guide you. Could you survive the flames to find love under a midnight sun?Firefighter Raynie Atwood has worked hard to become a respected leader in the world of wildland firefighting-until a hotshot firefighter storms into her life, questioning her leadership. Grieving loss and betrayal by a man she once loved, Raynie sets her sights on a top command post for wildland fire. But when extended drought, high heat, and beetle-killed forests add up to the perfect firestorm, her skills are pushed to the limit.Cohen Tremblay adds fuel to the fire, testing Raynie at every turn when they work together to train the Aurora Crew to be a hotshot firefighter crew-the Delta Force of wildland fire. As Raynie races time to rescue sled dogs and Iditarod musher's kennels in a cataclysmic wildfire, a deadly threat from her past has her fearing for her life-and she has nowhere to turn.When Raynie's world goes up in flames, Cohen may be the only one she can lean on...hard to do when she can't trust any man, least of all one she loathes. Resisting attraction, she constructs an impenetrable containment line around her heart...but fire is unpredictable, and so is love. Will her spark get extinguished before it has a chance to blaze?Romance, fire, and betrayal...another deadly mix!

Get ready for a wild ride into the early years of King Arthur's life! From getting dunked in pig slop by giants to learning the lessons that would one day make him a great king, these short tales are full of adventure and excitement. But that's not all - you'll also get to experience the magic of Merlin the Magician as he helps shape Arthur into the legend he's destined to become. Don't miss out on this fun-filled journey through Arthurian lore!

What Wouldn't You Do To Catch A Criminal?At the end of the 24th Century, Special Inspector Michael Pedroni pursues Jax Marlin, a beautiful and elusive vigilante. It's a wild cat and mouse chase that will take him from Earth to the Bacchus Dome and beyond. Jax Marlin is not your average criminal. She seeks out evil-doers and law-breakers, doling out justice in whatever way she sees fit. But lately, she finds she's been gift-wrapping criminals specially for her favorite copper. Four of the world's leading criminals are lining up to form an alliance. Jax is determined to stop them. Hot on her heels, Inspector Pedroni finds himself questioning the difference, if any, between her justice and his. More than that, he wonders why, when he'd had her in his grasp, he was unable to slap on the restraints and bring her in.

An arrow slices the air, a projectile of fate from Jenna's bow, finding its mark in Roesha during the throes of the Second Rebellion. The stakes have never been higher. The illustrious Jaha Palace, once a symbol of regality, has now morphed into a bloody warzone. A mirror of Dun, a world gripped by a relentless viral onslaught.Yet, the planetary labyrinth of Dun holds secrets on the cusp of unfurling. Mysteries that have slumbered in its interstellar heart for eons are now stirring, ready to reveal themselves.An age-old art collector finds herself in the throes of burgeoning supernatural abilities, a bewildering gift, or possibly a curse. The Governor, intoxicated with power and blinded by his reign over Dun's captive throne, remains oblivious to the rising tide of rebellion.The G5, infected with a potent venom teetering on the brink of lethality, whisper prayers to the cosmos. A plea for a final shot at redemption. A last chance to restore their planet from the precipice of ruin.Will Roesha outlast her wounds long enough to reclaim the throne? Who among them will still be standing once she returns…if she ever does?Unearth the concealed secrets of Dun and their impact on its quarantined cosmos in the epic tale, Dun Wars: Galaxy Wars. Venture into this forbidden universe where the fate of a world hangs in the balance.

The Savage brothers are now in South Africa! Chaz and Des have been asked to help their cousins, Christina and Aurora, track down a young woman who has been kidnapped. But once again they get more than they bargained for. From Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg to Tel Aviv to the Caribbean, their escapades put them in the middle of a billion-dollar cryptocurrency heist, the South African mafia, and the global trafficking of human organs. Even the French Secret Service! Join in the fun and bedlam as the Savage Brothers attempt to discover the missing heiress and help recover the missing billions in the process.Strap in for another adventure with surprises and mayhem at every turn.

In a world threatened by the imminent death of its sun, young Yama lives a relatively happy and peaceful life as the daughter of the chief of the village. But everything changes the day a sword of glass falls from the sky, just as the prophecy had announced.

In 1848, Cord Bennett, leaving his family behind to stake his claim in California, arrives in the gold-rich canyon of Rio Oro, controlled by deadly and ruthless criminals, where he discovers in a land of opportunity, not all that glitters is gold.

Hadrian Marlowe, a man revered as a hero and despised as a murderer, chronicles his tale in the galaxy-spanning debut of the Sun Eater series, merging the best of space opera and epic fantasy.It was not his war.The galaxy remembers him as a hero: the man who burned every last alien Cielcin from the sky. They remember him as a monster: the devil who destroyed a sun, casually annihilating four billion human liveseven the Emperor himselfagainst Imperial orders.But Hadrian was not a hero. He was not a monster. He was not even a soldier.On the wrong planet, at the right time, for the best reasons, Hadrian Marlowe starts down a path that can only end in fire. He flees his father and a future as a torturer only to be left stranded on a strange, backwater world.Forced to fight as a gladiator and navigate the intrigues of a foreign planetary court, Hadrian must fight a war he did not start, for an Empire he does not love, against an enemy he will never understand.

Loki and Valkyrie seek redemption in the first adventure of an epic new multiversal series that reimagines the origins of iconic Marvel heroes.So many worlds, so little time. Infinite possibilities, creating infinite realities. Long have I watched the trickster god sow chaos. But . . . what if Loki saved Asgard from Tony Stark’s revenge? Thor—Son of Odin, God of Thunder, Wielder of Mjolnir—is dead. And Loki is responsible.  It was meant to be only a joke—tampering with the Destroyer, changing Thor’s course to Midgard—a bit of mischief with a chance of maiming. But Loki’s harmless prank spiraled out of control, unleashing death and destruction on New York City and the heroes sworn to protect it. The city was saved, at the cost of Thor’s life.  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.” It’s a meager existence, far from Asgard’s grand courts, but he finds his new friend, Brian the Gecko, a much more engaging companion than the sycophants back home. It’s a true meeting of the minds.  Loki is the God of Mischief—but he knows, deep down, that he never truly deserved to stand next to their father’s golden child, Thor, as two true sons of Odin. Yet he cannot endure his exile in peaceful isolation. A Valkyrie—Hel-bent on carrying out her oath to Thor—barges into Loki’s trailer home with his brother’s final words from the beyond: a plea to find a certain Dr. Jane Foster and pass the hammer Mjolnir on to its rightful heir. While Loki struggles to fulfil his brother’s last request, the far-reaching consequences of his fatal prank return to haunt him. Blinded by grief over those he lost in the chaos wrought by Asgard, Iron Man vows revenge on those who consider themselves gods. Determined to protect Earth from the might of this unpredictable alien power, Stark forges Asgard’s own weaponry into a lethal suit of armor, set on eradicating any tether between their worlds—consequences be damned. When Asgard looks to Loki for salvation, he must answer the question: Am I truly worthy?

"A novel set in French Polynesia and New York City about three characters--a fifteen-year-old girl toggling between her mother, a marine biologist studying coral reefs on an island off the coast of Tahiti, and her father, a surgeon in Manhattan--who undergo massive transformation over the course of a single year"--

"It's 1914, and World War I is ceaselessly churning through thousands of young men on both sides of the fight. The violence of the front feels far away to Henry Gaunt, Sidney Ellwood and the rest of their classmates, all of whom are safely ensconced in their idyllic boarding school in the English countryside. They receive weekly dispatches from The Preshutian, their school newspaper, informing them of older classmates killed or wounded in action. Their heroic deaths only make the war more exciting. Gaunt, half-German, is busy fighting his own private battle- an all-consuming infatuation with his best friend, the gorgeous, rich, charming Ellwood-not having a clue that Ellwood is pining for him in return. Meanwhile, Gaunt's German mother and twin sister ask him to enlist as an officer in the British army to protect the family from the anti-German attacks they're already facing. Gaunt signs up immediately, relieved to escape his overwhelming feelings for Ellwood. The front is horrific, of course, and though Gaunt tries to dissuade Ellwood from joining him on the battlefield, Ellwood soon rushes to join him, fueled by his education in Greek heroics and romantic wartime poetry. Before long, most of their classmates have followed suit. Once in the trenches, the boys become intimately acquainted with the harsh realities of war. Ellwood and Gaunt find fleeting moments of solace in one other, but their friends are all dying, often in front of them, and no one knows when they'll be next"--

Set before and during the Great War, Birdsong captures the drama of that era on both a national and a personal scale. His life goes through a series of traumatic experiences, from the clandestine love affair that tears apart the family with whom he lives, to the unprecedented experience of the war itself.

An explosive new, dystopian romantasy YA, perfect for fans of TheHunger Games, The Atlas Six and Leigh Bardugo, based on where Jaygrew-up, focussed on themes of poverty, class divide and addiction.