'The Black Bird Oracle gives us everything we've come to expect and love from Deborah Harkness's All Souls series. More magic, more lore, more politicking and discovery' 5* READER REVIEW'I cannot put into words how much I LOVED this book' 5* READER REVIEW'What a BOOK. Exactly what I needed in prep for witchy season' 5* READER REVIEW____'Haunting in every way. A story thick with family secrets, human heartache, and the kind of deep magic only Harkness can conjure. You will be enchanted' LEIGH BARDUGO 'Harkness's lush prose makes a fantastical world real enough to touch' JODI PICOULTThe first shadows fall on a Friday afternoon when a single, dying raven delivers an invitation to the witch, Diana Bishop. It calls her home to the hallowed ground of Ravenswood, to a place and a family she has never known.And when Diana and her husband Matthew Clairmont learn that their seven-year-old twins must have their magical powers tested, Diana decides to forge a new future for her family, hoping to find answers at the Proctor ancestral home.There, Diana becomes her great aunt Gwyneth's pupil in Higher Magic. And as Diana walks an unknown path, she must journey to some of the darkest places within her family history - and herself - if she is to unlock greater power.An instant Sunday Times bestseller, The Black Bird Oracle returns to the world of All Souls, sweeping readers back to the Salem Panic to shine a light on the intertwined legacy of the Bishop and Proctor families.____Discover for yourself why readers have fallen under the spell of Deborah Harkness's All Souls series . . .'Bewitches you and doesn't set you free' 5* READER REVIEW'It was so good to be back in the world of Diana and Matthew . . . as captivating as ever!' 5* READER REVIEW'My favourite book of all time' 5* READER REVIEW 'Absolutely phenomenal . . . It was completely spellbinding' 5* READER REVIEW'A masterpiece' 5* READER REVIEW Read more

Jofis is dead. Manos has joined the rebellion.But as the Executioner and the leader of the Deathsquad Hunters, it is hard for him to earn the trust of the rest of the rebellion. So Salvos brings Manos with her to take down Chordus and the rest of the remaining legions of the Demon King's forces in the Expanse to prove that he is trustworthy. However, can he truly be trusted?Meanwhile, in the Mortal Realm, the Centinel invasion of Mavos Academy continues as both Rachel and Edithe try to find a solution in their own ways. Unfortunately, stopping the Matriarch Centinel of the Bloodied Gulf will prove to be more difficult than they thought...Check out this exciting continuation of the Salvos series in Book 14! Read more

This new and improved edition of the Harry Potter Quidditch Collectible Set features a Golden Snitch (now removeable!), Bludgers, Quaffle, and all-new illustrated playbook. Perfect for fans of Quidditch and the Wizarding World!- Specifications: Officially licensed replica of the Quidditch Trunk as seen in the Harry Potter films; includes 1 Quaffle (2-5/8 inches), 2 Bludgers (1-5/8 inches), and 1 removeable Golden Snitch (3/4 inch)- Keepsake Trunk: Packaged in keepsake box modeled after the Quidditch trunk seen in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, complete with closing latch- Book Included: A 24-page 5 x 7 inch playbook features information about Quidditch and full-color images from the movies- Perfect Present: This trunk is a perfect gift or self-purchase for Harry Potter fans- Officially Licensed: Authentic Harry Potter collectibleCopyright © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment. WIZARDING WORLD characters, names, and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. WB SHIELD: © & ™ WBEI. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s23) Read more

The most acclaimed writer in comics history, Alan Moore, joins his late mentor Steve Moore (no relation) for one last graphic grimoire: a sprawling and stunning introduction to magic in all its timeless forms, brought to life by five wondrous and whimsical artists.Splendid news for enquiring minds, and guaranteed salvation for humanity! Messrs. Steve and Alan Moore, current proprietors of the celebrated Moon and Serpent Grand Egyptian Theatre of Marvels (sorcery by appointment since circa 150 AD), have produced a clear and practical grimoire of the occult sciences that offers endless necromantic fun. Exquisitely illuminated by a host of adepts including Kevin O’Neill, John Coulthart, Steve Parkhouse, Rick Veitch, and Ben Wickey, this marvellous and unprecedented tome promises to provide all that the reader could conceivably need in order to commence a fulfilling new career as a diabolist.Its contents include profusely illustrated instructional essays upon this ancient sect’s theories of magic, notably the key dissertation “Adventures in Thinking,” which gives reliable advice as to how entry into the world of magic may be readily achieved. Further to this, a number of “Rainy Day” activity pages present lively and entertaining things to do once the magical state has been attained, including such popular pastimes as divination, etheric travel, and the conjuring of a colourful multitude of spirits, deities, dead people, and infernal entities from the pit, all of whom are sure to become your new best friends.Also contained within this extravagant compendium of thaumaturgic lore is a history of magic from the last ice age to the present day, told in a series of easy-to-absorb pictorial biographies of fifty great enchanters and complemented by a variety of picture stories depicting events ranging from the Palaeolithic origins of art, magic, language, and consciousness to the rib-tickling comedy exploits of Moon and Serpent founder Alexander the False Prophet (“He’s fun, he’s fake, he’s got a talking snake!”).In addition to these manifold delights, the adventurous reader will also discover a series of helpful travel guides to mind-wrenching alien dimensions that are within comfortable walking distance, as well as profiles of the many quaint local inhabitants that one might bump into at these exotic resorts. A full range of entertainments will be provided, encompassing such diverse novelties and pursuits as a lavishly decorated, decadent pulp tale of occult adventure recounted in the serial form. Completing this almost-unimaginable treasure trove is a lengthy thesis revealing the ultimate meaning of both the Moon and the Serpent in a manner that makes transparent the much-obscured secret of magic, happiness, sex, creativity, and the known Universe, while at the same time explaining why these lunar and ophidian symbols feature so prominently in the order’s peculiar name. (Manufacturer’s disclaimer: This edition does not, however, reveal why the titular cabal of magicians consider themselves to be either grand or Egyptian. Let the buyer beware.) A colossal and audacious publishing triumph of three hundred and fifty-two pages, beautifully produced in the finest tradition of educational literature for young people, The Moon and Serpent Bumper Book of Magic will transform your lives, your reality, and any spare lead that you happen to have lying around into the purest and most radiant gold.Book design by John Coulthart. Co-published by Knockabout &Top Shelf Productions(US). Read more

A world infested by demons. An Academy designed to train Heroes to save humanity from annihilation. A new student’s power could make all the difference. Humans have been pushed to the brink of extinction by an ever-evolving demonic threat. Portals are opening faster than ever, Towers bursting into the skies and Dungeons being mined below the last safe havens of society. The demons are winning.Quest Academy stands defiantly against them, as a place to train the next generation of Heroes. The Guild Association is holding the line, but are in dire need of new blood and the powerful abilities they could bring to the battlefront. To be the saviors that humanity needs, they need to surpass the limits of those that came before them.In a war with everything on the line, every power matters. With an adaptive enemy, comes the need for a constant shift in tactics. A new age of strategy is emerging, with even the unlikeliest of Heroes making an impact.Salvatore Argento has never seen a demon. He has never aspired to become a Hero. Yet his power might be the one to tip the odds in humanity’s favor. Read more

BLACKWELL'S CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024'It’s great to have this wonderful writer back on our shelves.' DAVID ALMONDAfter five happy years, Meggie, her father Mo and the fire-eater Dustfinger, along with a host of new friends, feel safe and settled.But arch-villain Orpheus has found an unexpected way to wreak his revenge on the Inkworld!He has corrupted an artist to create bewitched portraits that will see the heroes fade to grey – Dustfinger, his brave stepson, Jehan, and his enigmatic friend Lilia, must come together to find a way to save them all!This is the Colour of Revenge . . .A brilliant new stand-alone novel that returns to the beloved world of the Inkheart trilogy – over 14 million copies sold worldwide!Features gorgeous new illustrations from Cornelia Funke herself. Cornelia Funke is the critically-acclaimed, internationally bestselling author of Dragon Rider and The Thief Lord.Inkheart is a major feature film from the makers of The Lord of the Rings, starring Andy Serkis, Paul Bettany and Brendan Fraser!PRAISE FOR THE INKHEART SERIES: 'I don’t think I’ve ever read anything that conveys so well the joys, terrors and pitfalls of reading’ DIANA WYNNE JONES, author of Howl's Moving Castle'One of the outstanding children’s novels of the year.' THE TIMES'A breathtakingly fast-moving tale.' THE INDEPENDENT'… a rollicking good tale that pulls you swiftly through its pages.’ THE TELEGRAPH Read more

The 20th anniversary edition of the fantasy classic, with an introduction by V E SchwabOver 4 million copies sold'The book I wish I'd written' R F Kuang'Susanna Clarke writes with an intelligence and beauty that seems at times miraculous' Katherine Rundell'A modern masterpiece' Spectator'One of my all-time favourite books' Ann Patchett1806. England is beleaguered by the long war, and centuries have passed since magicians faded from view. But one remains: the reclusive Mr Norrell. Proceeding to London, he raises a woman from the dead and summons an army of ghostly ships to terrify the French.Yet the cautious Norrell is challenged by the emergence of another magician. Young, handsome and daring, Jonathan Strange is his very antithesis. So begins a dangerous battle between these two great men – which overwhelms that between England and France. And soon their own secret dabblings with the dark arts are going to cause more trouble than they can imagine…'Like Hilary Mantel, Clarke has made the very notion of genre seem quaint' Guardian Read more

A gorgeous edition of the first book in Cornelia Funke's internationally celebrated trilogy – magical, thrilling and mesmerising.Pre-order Cornelia Funke's highly-anticipated return to the Inkworld: The Colour of Revenge, coming in October 2024.'I don't think I've ever read anything that conveys so well the joys, terrors and pitfalls of reading.' Diana Wynne Jones, author of Howl's Moving Castle'One of the outstanding children's novels of the year.' The Times'A breathtakingly fast-moving tale.' The IndependentMeggie loves stories, but her father, Mo, hasn't read to her since her mother disappeared.When a stranger knocks at their door, Mo is forced to reveal an extraordinary secret – when he reads aloud, words come alive, and dangerous characters step out of the pages.Suddenly Meggie is living the kind of adventure she has only read about in books, but this one will change her life for ever ...A thrilling and magical adventure about stories and the imagination they inspire.Cornelia Funke is the critically-acclaimed, internationally bestselling author of Dragon Rider and The Thief Lord.Also a major feature film from the makers of The Lord of the Rings, starring Andy Serkis, Paul Bettany and Brendan Fraser!The adventure continues in Inkspell, Inkdeath and a brand new adventure set in the Inkworld, The Colour of Revenge! Read more

A propulsive tour through a fantastical London, where history and myth collide, murder stalks the streets and the mundane becomes very magical indeed.The year is 1949, the city London. Amidst the smog of the capital is Dennis Knuckleyard, a hapless eighteen-year-old employed by a second-hand bookshop. One day, on an errand to acquire books for sale, Dennis discovers a novel that simply does not exist. It is a fictitious book, a figment from another novel. Yet it is physically there in his hands. How?Dennis has stumbled on a book from the Great When, a magical version of London beyond time and space, where reality blurs with fiction and concepts such as Crime and Poetry are incarnated as wondrous, terrible beings. But this other, magical London must remain a secret: if Dennis cannot find a way to return this book to where it belongs, he risks bizarre and disastrous repercussions, such as his body being turned inside out (or worse).So begins a journey delving deep into the city's occult underbelly and tarrying with an eccentric cast of sorcerers, gangsters, and murderers - some from legend, some all too real, and all with plans of their own. Soon Dennis finds himself at the centre of an explosive series of events that may alter and endanger both Londons forever.Thrilling, lyrical and sparkling with dark humour, The Great When is the first book in a new series by Sunday Times-bestseller and icon, Alan Moore.'A breathless time-travelling classic. Savage, humane, comic, terrifying' Iain Sinclair'Brilliant and so powerfully imaginative' Adam Curtis'A weird book and a complete joy' Mariana Enríquez'A masterful step from one of our very best, uncompromising storytellers; Moore peels back the layers of London and reveals not only the history we know, but the histories that could have been, and, underneath it all, both the dark and beautiful truths about who we are as a nation.' Heather Parry Read more

Derren Brown's television and stage performances have entranced and dumbfounded millions. His baffling illusions and stunning set pieces - such as The Seance, Russian Roulette and The Heist - have set new standards of what's possible, as well as causing more than their fair share of controversy. Now, for the first time, he reveals the secrets behind his craft, what makes him tick and just why he grew that beard. Tricks of the Mind takes you on a journey into the structure and pyschology of magic. Derren teaches you how to read clues in people's behaviour and spot liars. He discusses the whys and wherefores of hypnosis and shows how to do it. And he investigates the power of suggestion and how you can massively improve your memory. He also takes a long hard look at the paranormal industry and why some of us feel the need to believe in it in the first place. Alternately hilarious, controversial and challenging, Tricks of the Mind is essential reading for Derren's legions of fans, and pretty bloody irresistible even if you don't like him that much... Read more

Family and friends will enjoy hours of entertainment while viewing the amazing 3D illustrations found in this #1 New York Times bestseller.Embedded within each image of Magic Eye: A New Way of Looking at the World is an enchanting 3D object or scene that materializes before the viewer's eyes. Simple viewing instructions and a solution key are included. Read more

The second book in Cornelia Funke's internationally celebrated trilogy – magical, thrilling and mesmerising.Pre-order Cornelia Funke's highly-anticipated return to the Inkworld: The Colour of Revenge, coming in October 2024.'I don't think I've ever read anything that conveys so well the joys, terrors and pitfalls of reading' Diana Wynne JonesAlthough a year has passed, not a day goes by without Meggie thinking of the extraordinary events of Inkheart, and the story whose characters strode out of the pages, and changed her life for ever.But for Dustfinger, the fire-eater, torn from his world of words, the need to return has become desperate.When he finds a crooked storyteller with the magical ability to read him back, he sets in motion a dangerous reversal that sees the characters of Inkheart transported to a charmed Inkworld, about to be fought over by rival rebels and princes ...A thrilling and magical adventure about stories and the imagination they inspire.Cornelia Funke is the critically-acclaimed, internationally bestselling author of Dragon Rider and The Thief Lord.Book one is a major feature film from the makers of The Lord of the Rings, starring Andy Serkis, Paul Bettany and Brendan Fraser!The adventure continues in Inkdeath and a brand new adventure set in the Inkworld, The Colour of Revenge! Read more

LIKE LOCKED-ROOM MYSTERIES? YOU'LL LOVE TOM MEAD'S JOSEPH SPECTOR SERIES!An enthralling locked-room murder mystery inspired by Golden Age Crime Fiction, Death and the Conjuror is the critically acclaimed debut novel by Tom Mead. 1936, London. A celebrity psychiatrist is discovered dead in his locked study. There seems to be no way a killer could have escaped unseen. There are no clues, no witnesses, and no evidence of the murder weapon. Puzzled, Inspector Flint of Scotland Yard calls on retired stage magician turned part-time sleuth Joseph Spector. Spector has a knack for explaining the inexplicable, but even he finds more to this mystery than meets the eye. As Spector and the Inspector interview the colourful cast of suspects, they uncover no shortage of dark secrets... or motives for murder. And when a second impossible death occurs, they realise the cuplrit will not cease in their deadly mission unless they are caught.Readers love Death and the Conjuror: one of the Mysteries of the Year for both Publishers Weekly and the Guardian.'Pure escapism and an excellent puzzle, ingeniously expounded' The Times'Splendidly tricksy' Guardian'An intricate "impossible" crime that completely fooled me' Peter Lovesey'A real treat for mystery fans' Ragnar Jónasson 'A beautiful, dark, atmospheric story' Victoria DowdRead all the perfectly puzzling Spector Locked-Room Mysteries from Head of Zeus:#1 Death and the Conjuror#2 The Murder Wheel#3 Cabaret Macabre#4 The House at Devil's Neck Read more

Change is coming to Quest Academy. Can Sal rise to the occasion?When the second years nearly lose their lives in a failed excursion, it’s the first years that pay the price. The curriculum is being radically altered to challenge the students, which means the stakes just got a lot higher.Salvatore’s worst nightmare is taking on a demon, but if he wants to stay at Quest Academy, how will he prove to himself and everyone else that he can succeed? He’s going to have to take on an entire floor of a demonic tower before the first semester comes to a close.That’s the least of Sal’s problems as he navigates through his first student mission away from the school. Sal is more comfortable at the crafting table, but he needs to survive in a reclaimed zone, outside of the academy, with the worst team of misfits you could possibly imagine.It’s time to push the limits of Mythcrafting… Read more

What happens when you face the final boss after doing every single side quest?When the world ended, Damien found himself living for the first time in his life.The entire population of Earth was thrown into a bloody tutorial which resulted in the death of billions over the course of ten years, and those who reached the end were transported to the multiverse of Lautum.While most rushed their way through the tutorial, hoping to find sanctuary from this bloodbath as quickly as possible, Damien decided to take the completionist route: he explored the tutorial in its entirety and found every hidden boss, grinding and gaining levels to fully prepare himself for the final boss.Because he welcomed this challenge. He thrived in this brand new ruthless world. Where others found fear and terror, he found excitement. That was how he survived. That was how he became a [Legendary Brawler].But when he reached the end of the tutorial, Damien discovered that he had accidentally gotten too strong for his own good, and now, even the final boss was weak compared to him. There were no longer any threats for him to face, nor were there challenges for him to overcome.And so Damien departs the tutorial to scour the multiverse of Lautum to find someone strong enough to give him a real challenge— to feel alive once again.Check out this epic litrpg apocalypse novel with an overpowered main character! Perfect for fans of He Who Fights With Monsters, Primal Hunter, and Overlord! Read more

An entertaining and engrossing collection of British customs, superstitions and legends from past and present.An entertaining and engrossing collection of British customs, superstitions and legends from past and present. Did you know, in Cumbria it was believed a person lying on a pillow stuffed with pigeon’s feathers could not die? Or that green is an unlucky colour for wedding dresses? In Scotland it was thought you could ward off fairies by hanging your trousers from the foot of the bed, and in Gloucestershire you could cure warts by cutting notches in the bark of an ash tree.You’ve heard about King Arthur and St George, but how about the Green Man, a vegetative deity who is seen to symbolise death and rebirth? Or Black Shuck, the giant ghostly dog who was reputed to roam East Anglia?In this beautifully illustrated book, Dee Dee Chainey tells tales of mountains and rivers, pixies and fairy folk, and witches and alchemy. She explores how British culture has been shaped by the tales passed between generations, and by the land that we live on.As well as looking at the history of this subject, this book lists the places you can go to see folklore alive and well today. The Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival in Cambridgeshire or the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance in Staffordshire for example, or wassailing cider orchards in Somerset. Read more

On 20 August 1612, ten people from Pendle were executed before a vast crowd at Lancaster's Gallows Hill. The condemned and their associates had endured six months of accusations, imprisonment and torture; their treatment was such that one of the group died in Lancaster Castle's dungeons, while awaiting trial. Today, a thriving tourism industry exists in and around Pendle, the former home of the so-called witches, yet virtually everything we know about the case originates from a single source: Thomas Potts' Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches, hurriedly published in 1613 and distinctly skewed in favour of the prosecution. Until now...Sunday Times bestselling author Carol Ann Lee brings an entirely fresh perspective to the story by approaching it as true crime. Having worked in the genre for more than a decade, her research leads to revelatory discoveries, transforming our knowledge of those shadowy figures behind ill-famed names, and the terrible events that befell them. After four centuries of superstition and surmise, the two central, warring families - each headed by a fiercely independent widow working as 'cunning women' - emerge fully formed, as the book uncovers the reality of their lives and their alleged crimes before exploring the trial and executions. Along the way, we uncover the truth behind some of the story's most enduring mysteries: the legend of Malkin Tower and the final resting place of the Pendle witches. This is a ground-breaking book that will take the reader on a spellbinding journey into the dark heart of England's largest and most notorious witch trial. Read more

Fire your imagination with these fun storytelling cards. Reviving the Victorian craze for ‘myrioramas’, the 20 picture cards can be placed in any order to create seamless scenes. Almost infinite combinations of cards provide endless storyscaping possibilities. Traverse an enchanted landscape as you build a perpetual panorama inhabited by fire-breathing dragons, magical unicorns and sinister shadow figures. With many games to play and millions of stories to tell, each turn of the card is a new adventure. Where will the story take you? There are over two quintillion storyscaping possibilities, and you can build a seamless panoramas stretching up to 170cm! Read more

Enjoy Wales's rich heritage of myth and fairy tales, re-told for young readers.From magical Welsh dragons that destroy a castle night after night, to a princess made out of flowers and a fairy changeling bother; from loyal hunting hound Gelert, to a boy who asks questions and goes on to become the greatest Welsh bard ever known... This book includes traditional favourites and classic myths and legends from Welsh folklore.18 Welsh fairy tales, myths and legends in a perfect, child-friendly packageBeautiful new edition of retellings - including the story of the Welsh flag came to have a red dragon on it, and other home-grown magical myths and legendsScholastic Classics: introducing generations of book lovers to timeless stories, repackaged especially for young readersLook out for the others in the series: Irish Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends, Scottish Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends, and Stories From Around the World Read more

A revelatory new account of the magus - the learned magician - and his place in the world of Renaissance EuropeAt the heart of the extraordinary ferment of the High Renaissance stood a distinctive, strange and beguiling figure: the magus. An unstable mix of scientist, bibliophile, engineer, fabulist and fraud, the magus ushered in modern physics and chemistry while also working on everything from secret codes to siege engines to magic tricks.Anthony Grafton's wonderfully original book discusses the careers of men who somehow managed to be both figures of startling genius and - by some measures - credulous or worse. The historical Faust, Marsilio Ficino, Pico della Mirandola, Johannes Trithemius and Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa are all fascinating characters, closely linked to monarchs, artists and soldiers and sitting at the heart of any definition of why the Renaissance was a time of such restless innovation. The study of the stars, architecture, warfare, even medicine: all of these and more were revolutionized in some way by the experiments and tricks of these extraordinary individuals.No book does a better job of allowing us to understand the ways that magic, religion and science were once so intertwined and often so hard to tell apart. Read more