In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed. Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

In these twenty-eight magnificent tales, which include two Nebula Award winners, Jane Yolen puts a provocative spin on familiar storybook worlds and beloved fairy tale characters One of the most acclaimed and honored authors in science fiction and fantasy, Jane Yolen has been called “the Hans Christian Andersen of America” for her brilliant reimagining of classic fairy tales. In her first collection of short stories written for an adult audience (after Tales of Wonder and Dragonfield), Yolen explores themes of freedom and justice, truth and consequence, and brings new life to our most cherished fables and myths. Here are storybook realms rendered more contemporary, and cautionary tales made grimmer than Grimm: Snow White is transported to Appalachia to match wits with a snake-handling evil stepmother and Beauty’s meeting with the Beast takes a twisty, O. Henry–esque turn; in Yolen’s Nebula Award–winning “Lost Girls,” a feminist revolt rocks Peter Pan’s Neverland and in the collection’s glorious title story—also a Nebula winner—the poet Emily Dickinson receives some unexpected and otherworldly inspiration. Sometimes dark, sometimes funny, and always enthralling, Sister Emily’s Lightship is proof positive that Yolen is truly a folklorist of our times. This ebook features a personal history by Jane Yolen including rare images from the author’s personal collection, as well as a note from the author about the making of the book.

A whacky tale about the creation of a cult tv show.Amateur actor Humvat Virit doesn't ask for much from life. All he wants is the chance to escape his impoverished third world existence and make it big in Hollywood. He's convinced it's that simple, and all he needs to turn his dream into reality is a ticket to California. His long suffering girlfriend could tell him that it helps to have the right ticket. His drama school colleagues would add that a bit of talent goes a long way as well. He could definitely do without his picture being all over those wanted posters, or the screaming mobs who want to separate him from his limbs as soon as they can catch him. And don't even get him started on that hit TV show starring the mysterious Larry character who threatens to completely ruin his life. How on earth could something so simple get to be so complicated? Well, take a seat, make yourself comfortable and get ready to be entertained by the tale of Humvat's quest as he doggedly pursues his dream.

When a thoughtship and its pilot finally reach Avani, they barely have a chance to marvel at its sapphire forests before they are ambushed by an enemy far beyond their understanding.Tumbling down to the planet's surface, an ice-covered continent to the south is the only viable landing site. Lucky for them, what hides beneath may give them the chance to escape before isolation drives them mad.When a thoughtship and its pilot finally reach Avani, the shimmering gem of the western spiral arm, they barely have a chance to marvel at its sapphire forests before they are ambushed by an enemy far beyond their understanding.In the midst of the attack, a fragment is sliced off of the ship causing them to tumble out of control, down to the planet's surface. An ice-covered continent to the south is the only viable landing site. Lucky for them, what hides beneath may give them the chance to escape before isolation drives them mad.This short story is a prequel to the fast-paced Transcendental SF novel "The Truth Beyond the Sky." Heavily inspired by ancient mythology and Joseph Campbell's work, this first book kicks off the THE EPIC OF ARAVINDA series, now available in all major ebook stores.What Top Reviewers Say..."It is a helpful setup...very solid and engaging, which is enough to get me to come back and try more." --Pop Bop, Top-500 Reviewer"Great little book - mixes eastern mysticism with sci-fi. Awesome!" --FlyingRequin, Reviewer"It's the perfect carrot to lure you in. The personalities of pilot and machine are firmly established and very likable." --Jeri A. Ramirez, Reviewer"One of the best science fiction stories I have read in the last year." --Russ, Reviewer

A humorous short story.Just when Wilburn G. Walsh thinks his destiny as an accountant is set in stone, a high-ranking Gnome official gives him an offer he can't refuse.A humorous short story.Just when Wilburn G. Walsh thinks his destiny as an accountant is set in stone, a high-ranking Gnome official gives him an offer he can't refuse.With a chance to be the hero, Wilburn sets off on a grand adventure to find the elixir, the nectar to save all Gnome-kind.

Sir Ian Peters - A novel suited for mid teens to senior citizens, exploring memoirs of the late Samuel Johnson. Sam tells of visits in his youth by a mysterious unearthly entity jokily naming himself ‘Sir Ian Peters.’ Sam is trapped in an intensely realistic dream, reaching a place of great beauty and utmost tranquillity. But Sam still has a long life to live, if only he can get back to earth...Sir Ian Peters - A novel suited for mid teens to senior citizens, exploring the memoirs of the late Doctor Samuel Johnson, who passed on in 2007 aged 107. Sam tells us in his own honest, detailed and descriptive style how he was visited in his youth by a mysterious unearthly entity jokily naming himself ‘Sir Ian Peters.’ Despite the fact supremely intelligent Ian enjoys playing silly, childish jokes on Sam, it becomes apparent the enigmatic spirit has another motive for being on earth, which he doesn’t care to share. Following some strange events, Sam becomes trapped in an intensely realistic dream, taking on a ghostly, spiritual form and floating around a weird plane of existence. Soon he reaches a place of great beauty and utmost tranquillity. It would be easy to stay, enjoying the infinite delights of such a rare world, but Ian has foretold Sam has a long, happy life to live back on earth, if only he can get back there...

This is Sixth in a series of short stories based in the same world as the book series A Life in After World. Instead of telling the life story of one character, these stories tell the story of one day in the life of a person in After World.Farsid is on his way to the top and he does not care if he leaves brainless bodies trailed behind him as he goes. Farsid is a witch and uses his mental powers to exert his influence on people and sometimes even to scrape their brains for knowledge which generally leaves the victim with something akin to scrambled eggs afterward. His only problem is that he cannot concentrate to his full potential without a crutch. And his crutch has just been stolen.

The Emerald Thief holds your gaze, turning your thoughts into her own. There's no stopping the string of robberies that follow her. Until she meets Rebecca, a detective, someone with the same emerald green eyes as her. She can't understand why Rebecca's trying to help her and not just arresting her like she should. What are Rebecca's plans for Emerald Thief ? Will she survive them?For nearly three decades Rick Sanders has been trapped in the church where he died at the hands of his best friends brother. Everyday he is forced to relive the events that lead to his death, reliving the pain, and constantly questioning if things could have been different had he not gone on a ghost hunt.

A Treasure of Bone & Promises is the first novella in a fantasy series, The Winter King. Each story forms together into a plot arc but can be read as stand-alone books.A Treasure of Bone & Promises is the first novella in a fantasy series, The Winter King. Each story forms together into a plot arc but can be read as stand-alone books.A dark fairytale fantasy following the young heroine Caewen on a journey through wild mountains and dark forests, finally to meet the charmed and eerie Wisht Folk, where she will find that what seemed to be a straightforward quest is not quite as simple as those around her may want her believe...

Daisi Malone lives in the Presidio in Newtown, Sydney Australia. It's a strange place with vampires, jugglers, faerie psychologists and ghosts. But this story is not about Daisi, it's about her love birds. Meep and Moop lived a quiet life until they became embroiled in a situation beyond their control. Can they solve their dilemma with the help of Daisi or will they be forever lost?Daisi Malone lives in the Presidio in Newtown, Sydney Australia. It's a strange place with vampires, jugglers, faerie psychologists and ghosts. But this story is not about Daisi, it's about her love birds. Meep and Moop lived a quiet life until they became embroiled in a situation beyond their control. Can they solve their dilemma with the help of Daisi or will they be forever lost?

Isobel has unintentionally just started a war. Captured and imprinted as a traitor, she finds herself rescued by a mysterious woman, through whom Isobel learns that she must leave Landgraevan to territories East of the vast Pythean mountains. Traveling by ways of the ancient and abandoned underground railways she encounters more than dragons; She faces the peculiar nature of her own being.Isobel Phaelan has unintentionally just started a war and manages to lose her best friend to the draft in the process. Captured by a brain probing orbital and imprinted as a traitor, she finds herself rescued by a mysterious woman, through whom Isobel discovers that she is no longer safe in Landgraevan, an empire contained within a holographic, mind controlling bubble. Now Isobel must return to her place of birth, the territories east of the vast, ice capped Pythean mountain range, Moredea. It is a land very different than Landgraevan, a land of brilliant sun drenched fields and cobalt seas and a not so apparent ancient mystic ruling elite as dark as the darkest, starless Landgraevan hologram night. Traveling by ways of the ancient and abandoned underground railway tunnels, Isobel encounters more than mythical beasts and cursing dragons; she faces the peculiar nature of her own being. Along the way, she'll befriend a boy and his dog, striking up a friendship that will endure unimaginable revelations, a friendship that, in time, will prove that most cliché of sentiments to be true: Love indeed conquers all. Set in a world devastated by violent meteor storms centuries earlier, Book One of the Emergent series is the story of Isobel and her journey home.

Is this just a child's nightmare? There is a darkness that hides in the night, like all monstrous things just out of sight. Its just a nightmare you start to shake, still it comes for you asleep or awake. Nowhere to run or hide, from the night monster always at your side.What William wants, William takes. He doesn't need to ask for permission. He wasn't raised to accept rejection. And yet, his promised fiancee dares to turn him down and betray him. But William's obsession with her has turned unhealthy at best, and he's not about to let her go so easily.

New York Times best-selling author Jack Campbell's epic series, The Pillars of Reality, reaches its exciting conclusion. The Great Guilds, fearing the loss of their control of the world of Dematr, have gathered their power and joined it with the relentless legions of the Empire. The full might of that host will fall upon the fortress city of Dorcastle. If Dorcastle falls, the revolt led by Master Mechanic Mari and Mage Alain will fail, and their world will soon descend into chaos. Only Mari, believed to be the daughter of an ancient prophecy, can inspire the people and lead the defense of Dorcastle. The prophecy says she has a chance to win, but it doesn't say she will survive. Alain will stand by her, both willing to die for the other, but neither one knows if their sacrifices will mean victory. As they battle the Imperial legions and see friends fall, Mari and Alain face their greatest challenges. And if they somehow win in the face of impossible odds, neither...

A young girl trapped in a flooding Lighthouse begins to wonder why her parents left...A short story originally published in the collection: It's Dark Inside.Seek the treasure in the temple of light but be prepared to find something worth more value than gold.