Orcslayer

For thousands of years, five great fortresses have stood sentinel between the Borderlands and the rapacious orcs. But the orcs have allies and these allies are about to set a chain of events in motion that will lead to war... Heroes will rise to answer the call. Saethryth has just returned from the orc lands where he has been killing them for over twenty years. He is one of the last Orcslayers left alive. Melress is a half-elven Battle Mage, recently promoted to captain and sent to the fortress of Knight's Perch, where there are rumours of a traitor. Tierra has been sleeping with the enemy and now she wants revenge. And Bazak-Kul, well he just wants to get home alive. They, and others, will face the onslaught at Knight's Perch, but battle is the least of anyone's problems, because The Eighth God is on the rise and everything can change when the gods are playing.

'Personal and engaging . . . anyone who agrees that Star Wars was a defining moment of our collective childhood will love this book' - The Times 'Funny and affectionate' - Time Out 'Will have you hitching aboard the Millennium Falcon to a galaxy overflowing with infinite possibilities. ****' - Metro ************* In 1981, the eight-year-old Bob Fischer was entranced by Daleks, Vogons and crack Imperial Stormtroopers. Almost three decades later, Bob decides to rekindle the affair with a tour of the UK's sci-fi and cult TV conventions. Freewheeling from Doctor Who to Discworld, Star Wars to Star Trek and Robin of Sherwood to Red Dwarf, he combines misty-eyed memories with a terrifying travelogue of terrible, torturous . . . terror. Or something. In space, no one can hear you scream. And don't expect much sympathy in Peterborough, either.

An Alabama Story is based on the accounts a southern man living in Alabama related to the author - he will here be referred to as Billy Bob. When Hammarberg came across Billy Bob, he was able to share in captivating tales of Billy Bob's family life and how he and his family (here called the Hix) had interacted with their surrounding community. When Billy Bob let the author share in his tales, he made the author swear that he wouldn't let anyone else hear about them. Yet the author decided that these tales were simply too remarkable for the world to be denied them. Hence this book was written, a compilation of the tales Billy Bob had told the author about a year in the life of the Hix family. Hopefully Billy Bob will forgive Hammarberg for breaking his vow and publishing the book. Billy Bob insisted that even though many of his tales simply required the suspension of disbelief, every single one of them were absolutely true. But since the author doesn't want to jeopardize his good name by categorizing this work as non-fiction, in the case that some of them turn out not true, it sorts under Young-Adult Fiction. Inside the covers of this book, the reader will be treated to anecdotes like these from the Hix family life: The time the Hix burglarized a mansion as a family and brought home a hundred grand's worth of loot The time Billy Bob and one of his sons chased all the blacks out of the Birmingham welfare office How Billy Bob managed to prevent his lesbian daughter from marrying a 50-year-old woman The story of when Billy Bob ran for mayor of Birmingham How two of the family members became local heroes in the pro-wrestling circus During this year, the family ran into a number of celebrities as well, and these encounters are retold in full detail. Hopefully reading the book will bring many hours of enjoyment, and perhaps even spark a debate about freedom of speech. Speaking of free speech - prior to the publication of this novel, certain well-known voices in American public life demanded that their commentary on the book would be included with its distribution. The author had no problems with including them, and their messages are listed below: "Once again the white devil has put his racist sentiments on display for all of us to see. Peaceful activists such as myself are doing the best we can to let our nation heal the wounds it's suffered under white supremacist rule, then this book comes along and ruins it all!" /A. Sharpton "This book will singlehandedly set us back at least 50 years in the struggle for women's liberation. Not a single woman in this book has a career or works for a living; and even worse, the family's lesbian daughter is constantly bullied throughout the whole book!" /J. Fonda "This is an outrage! In spite of a lifetime spent fighting for civil rights, I'm being scoffed and ridiculed in the pages of this book! Us blacks need to picket the Capitol over this!" /J. Jackson "I fear that after this book has been widely circulated, even more young queers than today will make that tragic step into the great beyond by taking their own lives, tormented by homophobia. Before you buy this book, think of the children!" /D. Savage "I feel that the language and the narrative elements of this book are very racially divisive and that they're entirely inappropriate for 21st-century America. I'm especially appalled at the disrespectful references to me as a person and I urge you not to buy the book!" /B.H. Obama For more information, go to alabamastory.com.

It's not been a good morning for Thraxas. A vindictive judge has just fined him every guran he has, and two old enemies have threatened his life. And to cap it all, the rainy season has started and it's as wet as a mermaid's blanket in the magical city of Turai. He desperately needs a winner in the big chariot race. And he needs a job. But not even Thraxas with his sorcerous investigating skills could have predicted that his two requirements might just be connected in a strange and potentially disastrous way. For more information on this or any other Orbit book, visit the Orbit website at www. Orbitbooks.co.uk

Why are we all so hostile? So quick to take offence? Truly we are living in the age of outrage. A series of apparently random murders draws amiable, old-school Detective Mick Matlock into a world of sex, politics, reality TV and a bewildering kaleidoscope of opposing identity groups. Lost in a blizzard of hashtags, his already complex investigation is further impeded by the fact that he simply doesn’t ‘get’ a single thing about anything anymore. Meanwhile, each day another public figure confesses to having ‘misspoken’ and prostrates themselves before the judgement of Twitter. Begging for forgiveness, assuring the public “that is not who I am”. But if nobody is who they are anymore - then who the f##k are we? Ben Elton returns with a blistering satire of the world as it fractures around us. Get ready for a roller-coaster thriller, where nothing - and no one - is off limits.

Thraxas, the biggest star of comic fantasy in every sense, bounces back with a troublesome case of Elvish fever ... When Thraxas receives a message from an old friend in trouble, he has to act quickly. A terrible crime has been committed on the Elvish Isles, and Thraxas is definitely the right man for the job. The ale there is legendary. When theft turns to murder, however, Thraxas suddenly finds himself in serious demand. The elves have no experience in investigating, and Thraxas is only too happy to help out. And with Thraxas on the case what began as a terrible mess soon turns into a complete nightmare. More information on this book and others can be found on the Orbit website at www.orbitbooks.co.uk

A cat and her sorcerer, a beautiful dream weaver, an evil voodoo priest, a bunch of man-sized rats, an army of really big bugs, a crazed randy rabbit, some dwarves, dragons and angry three-toed sloths, New York City, the woods of Maine, the sands of Arabia and the mythic lands of Avalon all come together for the wildest most epic adventure you ve ever read!!!!

Honor is just a word. Throughout fiction, there have always been heroes who have fallen from grace. Champions of honor, decency, and order who have become villains through some traumatic event or a deep personal flaw. Blackest Knights is a collection of 19 tales by some of independent fantasy's best authors that follow a collection of those heroes who fell to temptation. From tales of bloody-handed hypocrites to space pirates, you'll find some truly fascinating works within. Contains fiction by: David Niall Wilson, C. T. Phipps, James Alderdice, M. L. Spencer, Paul Lavender, Ulff Lehman, A. M. Justice, Matthew Johnson, Frank Martin, Allan Batchelder, Martin Owton, Richard Writhen, Jesse Teller and Michael Suttkus.

Magic to make the sanest man go mad. Dark wizardry. Witchcraft. Curses. Hexes. Evil Sorcerers. Fantasy has a long history of people wielding the forces of darkness for nefarious ends. Blackest Spells is a collection of eighteen short stories and novelettes detailing stories of shadowy figures wielding unholy power. The sequel to the Blackest Knights anthology contains stories ranging from the machinations of the fae to wishes gone wrong to wicked plots in space. Contains fiction by: Michael R. Baker, Allan Batchelder, C.H. Baum, Matthew P. Gilbert, S.D. Howarth, Matthew Johnson, Christopher Keene, Paul Lavender, Ulff Lehmann, Frank Martin, Richard Nell, Martin Owton, C.T. Phipps, Michael Pogach, Jesse Teller, Damien Wilder, and David Niall Wilson

A richly illustrated, encyclopedic deep dive into the history of roleplaying games. When Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson released Dungeons & Dragons in 1974, they created the first roleplaying game of all time. Little did they know that their humble box set of three small digest-sized booklets would spawn an entire industry practically overnight. In Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground, Stu Horvath explores how the hobby of roleplaying games, commonly known as RPGs, blossomed out of an unlikely pop culture phenomenon and became a dominant gaming form by the 2010s. Going far beyond D&D, this heavily illustrated tome covers more than three hundred different RPGs that have been published in the last five decades. Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground features (among other things) bunnies, ghostbusters, soap operas, criminal bears, space monsters, political intrigue, vampires, romance, and, of course, some dungeons and dragons. In a decade-by-decade breakdown, Horvath chronicles how RPGs have evolved in the time between their inception and the present day, offering a deep and gratifying glimpse into a hobby that has changed the way we think about games and play. The deluxe edition will include a foil-stamped cover and slipcase with a cloth binding, a ribbon, gilded edges, and an 8.5x11-inch card stock poster of the regular edition.

A richly illustrated, encyclopedic deep dive into the history of roleplaying games. When Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson released Dungeons & Dragons in 1974, they created the first roleplaying game of all time. Little did they know that their humble box set of three small digest-sized booklets would spawn an entire industry practically overnight. In Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground, Stu Horvath explores how the hobby of roleplaying games, commonly known as RPGs, blossomed out of an unlikely pop culture phenomenon and became a dominant gaming form by the 2010s. Going far beyond D&D, this heavily illustrated tome covers more than three hundred different RPGs that have been published in the last five decades. Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground features (among other things) bunnies, ghostbusters, soap operas, criminal bears, space monsters, political intrigue, vampires, romance, and, of course, some dungeons and dragons. In a decade-by-decade breakdown, Horvath chronicles how RPGs have evolved in the time between their inception and the present day, offering a deep and gratifying glimpse into a hobby that has changed the way we think about games and play.

We use software every day to perform all kinds of magical, powerful tasks. It's the force behind stunning CGI graphics, safe online shopping, and speedy Google searches. Software drives the modern world, but its inner workings remain a mystery to many. How Software Works explains how computers perform common-yet-amazing tasks that we take for granted every day. Inside you'll learn: –How data is encrypted –How passwords are used and protected –How computer graphics are created –How video is compressed for streaming and storage –How data is searched (and found) in huge databases –How programs can work together on the same problem without conflict –How data travels over the Internet How Software Works breaks down these processes with patient explanations and intuitive diagrams so that anyone can understand—no technical background is required, and you won't be reading through any code. In plain English, you'll examine the intricate logic behind the technologies you constantly use but never understood. If you've ever wondered what really goes on behind your computer screen, How Software Works will give you fascinating look into the software all around you.

A girl named Nikita is supposedly a queen in the parallel universe of earth on a planet called Galdarth. And when she reaches there, she is encountered by many monsters of the Dark Ages. Galdarth is a parallel world, which is ruled by the warriors called the Knights. But they do not have swords or shield for weapons; instead, they have superhuman strength that can crush mountains. Nikita has two knights who will escort her to Kingslograd, the capital of the knights. And throughout the journey, she and her guardian knights have to fight monsters and demons from the Dark Ages who want to kill her. The monsters in this world are stronger, faster, and over a hundred times deadly than monsters that were in our world.

Warm, entertaining, and above all thought-provoking, Daemon Voices provides a remarkable insight into the mind of one of our greatest writers. He explains which storytellers have meant the most to him, including William Blake and John Milton, why their work has resonated with him, and how it has inspired his own thinking.In over 30 essays, written over 20 years, Philip Pullman reveals the narratives that have shaped his vision, his experience of writing, and the keys to mastering the art of storytelling.

It was your average kinda day in Turai. Elves were murdering Orcs, Orcs were murdering Elves, everyone was murdering Dwarves and anything that wasn't nailed to the floor had been stolen, fenced and then stolen again. Yep, business was booming - except for me. My last case was a bust, the bills were as high as a dragon's toupee and the only guys beating a path to my door wanted gold - or else it wouldn't be the path they'd be beating. My name's Thraxas, and I'm a P.I. So when the word hit the street that the Sorcerers Guild were holding their convention downtown I felt as happy as a crab in a whorehouse . Don't get me wrong - I do magic like the next guy - but as far as Sorcerers go, well, two's company and three's a crime-spree ... For more information on this or any other Orbit book, visit the Orbit website at www.orbitbooks.co.uk

The dwarves have gone to battle and they have been victorious. But outside the realm, dark forces are working . . . A secret army of Orcs, made immortal by the hidden powers of the Black Water, now marches towards Girdlegard, set to unleash its fury upon the kingdom. Sooner than they realise, Tungdil and his comrades will need to summon all their courage to do battle against this bloodthirsty horde. The Orcs are not the only threat. An unspeakable new power is growing and threatens the very existence of the dwarves. But both enemies have forgotten one very important truth: a dwarf is never more dangerous than when total obliteration seems inevitable . . . The international bestselling fantasy epic continues. Other books by Markus Heitz: The Dwarves The Revenge of the Dwarves The Fate of the Dwarves The Triumph of the Dwarves Righteous Fury Devastating Hate Dark Paths Raging Storm Aera book's one to ten

Jane Carver, a hell-raising, redheaded biker chick from Coral Gables, Florida, had found a new life and love on Waar, a savage planet of fearsome creatures and swashbuckling warriors. Until the planet’s high priests sent her back to Earth against her will. But nobody keeps Jane from her man, even if he happens to be a purple-skinned alien nobleman. Against all odds, she returns to Waar, only to find herself accused of kidnaping the Emperor’s beautiful daughter. Allying herself with a band of notorious sky-pirates, Jane sets out to clear her name and rescue the princess, but that means uncovering the secret origins of the Gods of Waar–and picking a fight with the Wargod himself. Good thing Jane is always up for a scrap . . . . Swords of Waar is the wildly entertaining sequel to Jane Carver of Waar, and continues the raucous adventures of science fiction’s newest and most bad ass space heroine.

Monsters are on the rise and gods walk the streets of Ashen Falls in seven stories that serve as a prelude to The Eighth God. Melress and The Fading Man A young half-elven boy is kidnapped by a children's nursery rhyme. The Dove's Head Inn Someone wants to get their hands on The Dove's loot, but they have to get past two bouncers to do it. Melress Investigates Something is killing residents of Ashen Falls, and a young Melress is found standing next to a body. Can the battle mage find the real culprit? The Scarecrow It's a foggy night in Ashen Falls, and soon monsters walk the streets led by a man with one thing on his mind - revenge! The Black Bastle Melress and Beatrice stumble upon a nest of bandits. The Wedge 'O Cheese Why is everyone in Ashen Falls avoiding this triangular cheese shop? One street urchin is keen to find out. Pock and Cock vs. The Necromantic Circle Not all elves are happy about the rise of humans and half-elves...and tonight they are going to do something about it!

The World Fantasy Award-winning author presents two cases under investigation by the overweight, uncouth private investigator Thraxas from the city of Turai, where sorcerers and assassins ply their wares, the rulers are corrupt, and the politicians are worse. Original.