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The Mask of Mirrors (Rook & Rose #1)
by M. A. Carrick"For those who like their revenge plots served with the intrigue of The Goblin Emperor, the colonial conflict of The City of Brass, the panache of Swordspoint, and the richly detailed settings of Guy Gavriel Kay." —Booklist (starred review)The Mask of Mirrors is the unmissable start to the Rook & Rose trilogy, a darkly magical fantasy adventure in which a con artist returns to the city that betrayed her, determined to have her revenge—only to find that her fate might be to save it.This is your past, the good and the ill of it, and that which is neither . . .Arenza Lenskaya is a liar and a thief, a pattern-reader and a daughter of no clan. Raised in the slums of Nadezra, she fled that world to save her sister.This is your present, the good and the ill of it, and that which is neither . . .Renata Viraudax is a con artist recently arrived in Nadezra. She has one goal: to trick her way into a noble house and secure her fortune.This is your future, the good and the ill of it, and that which is neither . . .As corrupt nightmare magic begins to weave its way through the city of dreams, the poisonous feuds of its aristocrats and the shadowy dangers of its impoverished underbelly become tangled—with Ren at their heart. And if she cannot sort the truth from the lies, it will mean the destruction of all her worlds.Praise for The Mask of Mirrors:"Utterly captivating." —S. A. Chakraborty, author of The City of Brass"This novel will catch hold of your dreams and keep you from sleeping." —Mary Robinette Kowal, author of The Calculating Stars"Ushers you into the fascinating city of Nadezra, replete with complex politics, intricate magic, and mysteries that readers will be racing to unravel." —Andrea Stewart, author of The Bone Shard Daughter"A fantastically twisty read.&” —Fran Wilde, author of the Bone Universe trilogy"Lush, engrossing, and full of mystery and dark magic, The Mask of Mirrors is sure to please fantasy readers looking to dial up the intrigue." —BookPage"A tightly laced plot dripping with political intrigue. Carrick has built a strong foundation for things to come." —Publishers Weekly
The Mask: A powerful thriller of suspense and horror
by Dean KoontzWhen the girl from nowhere appeared, things started to go wrong... The Mask is another spine-chilling tale from the bestselling master of suspense Dean Koontz. Perfect for fans of Stephen King and Richard Laymon. 'Koontz hones his fearful yarns to a gleaming edge' - People Who was the girl behind the mask...?She had appeared out of nowhere... in the middle of traffic, on a busy day, in front of Carol's car. A teenager with no past, no family - and no memories. Carol and Paul were instantly drawn to her, this girl they named Jane - she was the daughter they never had. It was almost too good to be true.Then the hauntings began - ghastly sounds in the dark of night; a bloody face in the mirror; a dim but persistent sense of fear... and the déjà vu. Where had Jane come from? Was she just an orphan in need of love? Or was she hiding a more sinister purpose? What readers are saying about The Mask: 'It's a spooky story, intriguing and unnerving, character-driven as always and unfurling a mystery that threatens to engulf every character''This book had me captured instantly from the beginning''Classic Koontz, a superb read'
The Masque of the Red Death (Masque Of The Red Death Ser. #1)
by Bethany GriffinA sexy, post-Apocalyptic reimagining of Poe's gothic horror story of the same name.It's 1870 and a deadly virus has decimated the population of North America. Masked corpse-collectors roam the streets, removing the bodies before the contagion can spread. Though Araby tries to escape it all with drugs and parties, even at her most intoxicated she can't forget her brother's death - or her guilt for causing it.But things begin to change when William, the fascinating proprietor of The Debauchery Club where she searches for oblivion, and Elliott, nephew of the insane dictator, enter her life. One wants her heart, and the other her name. Convinced that he has won over his uncle's army, Elliott believes that having Araby on his arm will charm the populace into supporting a new government. After all, her father is the inventor of the mask which prevents the spread of the plague and saved civilisation - for those who can afford it...But Araby's greatest interest is that his plans will make protective masks available to all citizens and, in particular, to Will's young siblings, whom she has come to love despite herself. But nothing is what it seems. A new contagion called the Red Death is sweeping the city and a shocking revelation about the origin of the new virus puts Araby's life in danger. The mob wants her. The rebels want her. And both boys want her. In this superb two-book series, what and whom Araby chooses may just decide the fate of humanity...
The Masque of the Red Death: And Other Stories
by Edgar Allan PoeIn 'The Masque of the Red Death' and other tales of gothic horror, Edgar Allan Poe writes as no one else ever has of creeping, mounting terrors, of malevolent tormentors and of a mind's own sickening madness Outside the abbey's armoured walls, the common poor are ravaged by a grisly pestilence known as the 'Red Death', while within, safe and untroubled, the happy Prince Prospero hosts lavish entertainments. But, in their immodest comfort, the Prince and his guests are not as safe as they hope from the horrors of the outside world ...
The Master of Blacktower
by Barbara Michaels“[An] engrossing blend of romance and gothic mystery. The suspense is well done in a fine story line with plenty of unpredictable twists and turns.” —Midwest Book ReviewDamaris Gordon shuddered at the thought of working for the cruel and bitter Master of Blacktower—but her father’s death left her no choice. Suddenly her fate—her life itself—was in the black silk-gloved hands of Gavin Hamilton, a man scarred and tortured by an unspoken past, whose mocking laughter echoes through his ancient Scottish estate. Damaris has heard the whispers that accuse Gavin Hamilton of his wife’s death and his young daughter’s crippling injury. But the pain and sadness barely hidden behind his blazing dark stare touch Damaris deeply—and a courageous heart is luring her to the estate’s topmost tower in search of his dangerous secrets.Praise for New York Times–bestselling author Barbara Michaels“Barbara Michaels is a consummate storyteller.” —Mary Higgins Clark, #1 New York Times–bestselling author“This author never fails to entertain.” —Cleveland Plain Dealer“No one can match Barbara Michaels.” —Phyllis A. Whitney, New York Times–bestselling author
The Master of Dreams (The Dreamscape Trilogy #1)
by Mike ResnickOpening a new fantasy trilogy from Hugo award winner Resnick, this novel offers an adventure through space and time as Eddie Raven tries to outrun the dark forces pursuing him.Eddie Raven isn't quite sure what's happening to him--and he's in a race to find out before it kills him.His adventures begin with a shooting in a very strange shop in Manhattan--but soon he finds himself the owner of a very familiar bar in Casablanca. By the time he adjusts to that reality, he's suddenly become one of several undersized people helping a young woman search for a wizard. And after confronting the wizard, he somehow finds himself in Camelot.But as he rushes to solve the mystery of his many appearances, a larger threat looms. Because someone or something is stalking him through time and space with deadly intent....
The Maternal Gaze in the Gothic (Palgrave Gothic)
by Sara WilliamsThis monograph is an original project which plots the trajectory of the maternal gaze as a convention in the Gothic. It offers new directions for Gothic studies by exposing and challenging a critical and cultural myopia towards the capabilities of maternal desire, and in doing so engages with a range of texts from the Romantic to contemporary literary and visual cultures to locate a tyrannical maternal gaze in the genre. Compelling a seismic shift in the perception of the genre as the embodiment of patriarchy and the sexually violent male gaze, this is a new and unexplored area of both the Gothic and criticism of the genre, which has historically privileged the Oedipal paternal tyrant/female victim dynamic established in the Romantic Gothics of Walpole and Radcliffe. The monograph fills significant gaps in the Gothic academic publishing market. It is the first overview of the maternal gaze in the Gothic, it offers in-depth studies of previously neglected authors and their works, and it fundamentally changes how we see the Gothic mother/figure and child, both as a single entity and discrete tropes. The Maternal Gaze in the Gothic examines how articulations of maternal visual tyrannies in the Gothic—including kidnapping; incarcerating; gaslighting, hurting and killing the child under the guises of protection—are ignored by both the Gothic critical heritage and also feminist gaze theory. This book is a must read for those interested in the Gothic and Feminism alike.
The Matriarchs
by LouAnne Brickhouse Jennifer ReaThey look like us. They act like us. They feed on us. When two female researchers survive a mass prison riot and emerge unscathed, it threatens to reveal them for who they really are: an immortal race of women with superhuman abilities and a violent history of secrets they&’ve left buried with the dead. Racing to head off an impending threat to all men on the planet, they must confront their unforgivable pasts and resurrect the very worst of their demons to save us all.Written by LouAnne Brickhouse and Jennifer Rea making their dynamic comics debut, Matriarchs is a phenomenal look at the strength of women and the morals and value of all humankind.
The Measure of Sorrow: Stories
by J. Ashley-SmithShirley Jackson Award-winning author J. Ashley-Smith' s first collection, The Measure of Sorrow, draws together ten new and previously acclaimed stories of dark speculative fiction. In these pages a black reef holds the secret to an interminable coastal limbo; a father struggles to relate to his estranged children in a post-bushfire wilderness; an artist records her last days in conversation with her unborn child; a brother and sister are abandoned to the manifestations of their uncle' s insanity; a suburban neighbourhood succumbs to an indescribable malaise; teenage ravers fall in with an eldritch crowd; a sensitive New Age guy commits a terminal act of passive-aggression; a plane crash opens the door to the Garden of Eden; the new boy in the village falls victim to a fatal ruse; and a husband's unexpressed grief is embodied in the shadows of a crumbling country barn. Intelligent and emotionally complex, the stories in The Measure of Sorrow elude easy classification, lifting the veil on the wonder and horror of a world just out of true.
The Mediator #4: Darkest Hour (Mediator #4)
by Meg CabotWhen the nineteenth--century ghost of Maria de Silva wakes her up in the middle of the night, Suze knows this is no ordinary visitation -- and not just from the knife at her throat, either. In life, Maria was the fiancÉe of Jesse -- the same Jesse who was murdered a hundred and fifty years before. The same Jesse Suze is in love with. Maria threatens Suze: The backyard construction must cease. Suze has a pretty good idea what -- or rather, who -- Maria doesn't want found. But in solving Jesse's murder, will Suze end up losing him forever?
The Mediator #6: Twilight
by Meg CabotSuze has gotten used to ghosts. They wake her up in the middle of the night. They haunt her locker at school. She's even spotted a few down at Carmel Beach. Suze is a mediator, after all, and communicating with the dead is all in a day's work for her. The last thing she ever expected was to fall in love with one: Jesse, a nineteenth-century hottie. But when she and Paul Slater, himself a mediator of undeniable power (and dubious intent), discover that the powers they share aren't limited to helping ghosts resolve their earthly woes, but can also be used to determine whether or not they become ghosts in the first place, Suze can't help but freak. Not because she suddenly knows how to alter the course of history, but because Paul can, too. And Paul would like nothing better than to prevent Jesse's murder, keeping him from becoming a ghost and allowing him to live a natural life at last ... but in the nineteenth century. Meaning Jesse and Suze would never meet. Suddenly, Suze is faced with the most important decision of her life: allow the only guy she's ever loved to have the life he's always longed for ... or keep him anchored forever in half-life at her side. Will Jesse choose to live without her, or die to love her?
The Medusa Doll (Michael Dahl Presents: Scary Stories)
by Steve BrezenoffJason is so thrilled with the set of 12 mythological Greek god figures he receives for his birthday that he carries one with him to a local toy shop. Soon he discovers that a 13th doll—the Medusa Doll—was also made for his set. Surely this rare figure will be too expensive . . . or is it? Much to his surprise, the toy shop owner simply gives him the doll for free! At first, Jason can’t believe his luck. But then strange stone statues start appearing, and Jason discovers that the true price of the Medusa Doll is stone cold fear!
The Memento
by Christy Ann ConlinHaunting gothic elements are exquisitely re-imagined in this strange tale of madness, murder and dark secrets set on the rugged Bay of Fundy coast by the acclaimed author of Heave.The Memento tells the story of Fancy Mosher as she lives and works in the servants' quarters at Petal's End, a formerly illustrious private land surrounded by dense forest belonging to the famed Parker family. Since the Great War, the estate has been slowly crumbling at the same rate as the family's reputation. Fancy grows up listening to her family's ghost stories and watching the Parkers from a safe distance with her best friend, Art, but the summer she turns twelve she not only learns that her family has been hiding a terrifying truth about who she is and what she is capable of, she also begins to experience firsthand the magnitude of secrets and horrors held within the estate's walls and buried in its lush gardens--secrets and lies that come to haunt Fancy and the large, fabulous cast of Petal's End, all of whom refuse to move on from a dying way of life. Christy Ann Conlin gives us a lyrical and chilling meditation on human nature and the manner of recollection in this captivating ghost story where webs of memories haunt and distort reality and ultimately destroy those who weave them.
The Memory Eater
by Rebecca Mahoney&“An eerie tale offering equal measures of fright, angst, and emotional catharsis.&” —Kirkus, starred reviewA teenage girl must save her town from a memory-devouring monster in this piercing exploration of grief, trauma, and memory, from the author of The Valley and the Flood.For generations, a monster called the Memory Eater has lived in the caves of Whistler Beach, Maine, surviving off the unhappy memories of those who want to forget. And for generations, the Harlows have been in charge of keeping her locked up—and keeping her fed.After her grandmother dies, seventeen-year-old Alana Harlow inherits the family business. But there&’s something Alana doesn&’t know: the strange gaps in her memory aren&’t from an accident. Her memories have been taken—eaten. And with them, she&’s lost the knowledge of how to keep the monster contained.Now the Memory Eater is loose. Alana&’s mistake could cost Whistler Beach everything—unless she can figure out how to retrieve her memories and recapture the monster. But as Alana delves deeper into her family&’s magic and the history of her town, she discovers a shocking secret at the center of the Harlow family business and learns that tampering with memories always comes at a price.
The Memory Garden
by Mary Rickert"A potent brew of guilty secrets and tragic histories, but also of enduring friendship and love. Add a pinch of the botanical. Serve on a luminous night faintly reminiscent of a Midsummer Night's Eve. A totally charming, totally engaging story told by Rickert, a magus of the first order. Magic in every line."--Karen Joy Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves and The Jane Austen Book Club Bay Singer has bigger secrets than most. Not that she knows about them. Her mother, Nan, is sure that the burden of those secrets would be too much, and that's why she never told anyone the truth, not even Bay. There's a lot that Nan's kept quiet over the years, especially those times with Mavis and Ruthie--times that were dark and full of guilt. But some secrets have a power all their own, and Nan realizes she needs Mavis and Ruthie now more than ever. When the three meet again in Nan's garden, their reunion has spellbinding effects that none of them could have imagined, least of all Bay... "Mary Rickert's debut novel is absolutely stunning. An emotionally complex story bridges the divide between the past and the present, between generations, and between age-old friendships compromised by a web of secrets and lies. Be prepared to fall under this novel's strange and sensuous spell."--Christopher Barzak, author of One for Sorrow
The Memory Theater: A Novel
by Karin Tidbeck***One of Buzzfeed's 21 Fantasy Books to Get Excited About This Winter*** ***One of Tor's 30 Most Anticipated SFF Books of 2021***From the award-winning author of Amatka and Jagannath—a fantastical tour de force about friendship, interdimensional theater, and a magical place where no one ages, except the young In a world just parallel to ours exists a mystical realm known only as the Gardens. It&’s a place where feasts never end, games of croquet have devastating consequences, and teenagers are punished for growing up. For a select group of masters, it&’s a decadent paradise where time stands still. But for those who serve them, it&’s a slow torture where their lives can be ended in a blink. In a bid to escape before their youth betrays them, Dora and Thistle—best friends and confidants—set out on a remarkable journey through time and space. Traveling between their world and ours, they hunt for the one person who can grant them freedom. Along the way, they encounter a mysterious traveler who trades in favors and never forgets debts, a crossroads at the center of the universe, our own world on the brink of war, and a traveling troupe of actors with the ability to unlock the fabric of reality. Endlessly inventive, The Memory Theater takes us to a wondrous place where destiny has yet to be written, life is a performance, and magic can erupt at any moment. It is Karin Tidbeck&’s most engrossing and irresistible tale yet.
The Memory Thief: A Novel
by Emily ColinIn Emily Colin's exquisite debut novel, perfect for the fans of Kristin Hannah, one man's vow to his wife sparks a remarkable journey that tests the pull of memory and reaffirms the bonds of love. Before Madeleine Kimble's mountaineer husband, Aidan, climbs Mount McKinley's south face, he makes her a solemn vow: I will come back to you. But late one night, Maddie gets the devastating news that Aidan has died in an avalanche, leaving her to care for their son--a small boy with a very big secret. The call comes from J.C., Aidan's best friend and fellow climber, whose grief is seasoned with survivor's guilt . . . and something more. J.C. has loved Maddie for years, but he never wanted his chance with her to come at so terrible a cost. Across the country, Nicholas Sullivan wakes from a motorcycle crash with his memory wiped clean. Yet his dreams are haunted by visions of a mysterious woman and a young boy, neither of whom he has ever met. Convinced that these strangers hold the answers he seeks, Nicholas leaves everything behind to find them. What he discovers will require a leap of faith that will change all of their lives forever. "Dazzlingly original and as haunting as a dream, Emily Colin's mesmerizing debut explores the way memory, love, and great loss bind our lives together in ways we might never expect. From its audacious opening to its knockout last pages, I was enthralled."--Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Pictures of You"In The Memory Thief, love itself is a character, able to transcend all natural boundaries to find its way home, or learn to let go. Emily Colin writes about loss with heartbreaking conviction, and yet there is a knowing sweetness at the core of this richly emotional tale. Here is a lovely, self-assured debut from a writer to watch."--Joshilyn Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty
The Memory Wood: the chilling, bestselling Richard & Judy book club pick – this year’s must-read thriller
by Sam LloydTHE MUST-READ RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK. Chilling, moving and unputdownable, The Memory Wood is a thriller like no other. 'Beautifully told, with two superbly drawn young protagonists, Lloyd is a rare new thriller talent' Daily Mail'Superbly creepy, with an unexpected twist' Guardian*************Elijah has lived in the Memory Wood for as long as he can remember. It's the only home he's ever known.Elissa has only just arrived. And she'll do everything she can to escape.When Elijah stumbles across thirteen-year-old Elissa, in the woods where her abductor is hiding her, he refuses to alert the police. Because in his twelve years, Elijah has never had a proper friend. And he doesn't want Elissa to leave.Not only that, Elijah knows how this can end. After all, Elissa isn't the first girl he's found inside the Memory Wood.As her abductor's behaviour grows more erratic, chess prodigy Elissa realises that outwitting strange, lonely Elijah is her only hope of survival. Their cat-and-mouse game of deception and betrayal will determine both their fates, and whether either of them will ever leave the Memory Wood . . .*************Praise for Sam Lloyd'An intense, atmospheric, and truly original thriller' Shari Lapena, author of The Couple Next Door'Remarkable. Stunning prose and compulsive reading. It's undoubtedly the best thriller I've read in a long, long time' Lesley Kara, author of The Rumour'I haven't read anything quite this exciting since Room. You think all the stories have been told, then something like this comes along' Emma Curtis, author of The Night You Left'Brilliant writing, a terrifying story, and characters so real it feels like you know them. If you enjoy dark, twisty thrillers that stay with you, read this book' Samantha Downing, author of My Lovely WifeReaders love The Memory Wood 'A very clever psychological thriller. Dark, creepy and intense.' *****'Deliciously dark... fresh and imaginative.' *****'The twists and turns in The Memory Wood will astound. This book is undoubtedly the best I've read this year.' *****__________**** THE RISING TIDE, Sam Lloyd's electrifying new thriller, is available now****
The Memory of You Lingers
by Robert T. Jeschonek Ben BaldwinBaird the convicted rapist knows no peace. Ten years of haunting by the digital ghost of his victim, Frieda, have left him a basket case...but freedom awaits. If he can just make it till tomorrow, his sentence will end, and the digital ghost will become vaporware. But Frieda has no intention of leaving quietly, and the going-away present she has in store for Baird could be far worse than the digital nightmare he has already endured.Don't miss this story by award-winning Star Trek and Doctor Who writer Robert Jeschonek, a master of unique and unexpected science fiction that really packs a punch. Reviews"Robert Jeschonek is the literary love child of Tim Burton and Neil Gaiman." - Adrian Phoenix, critically acclaimed author of The Maker's Song series and Black Dust Mambo"Jeschonek´s stories are delightfully insane, a pleasure to read..." - Fabio Fernandes, Fantasy Book Critic"Robert Jeschonek is a towering talent." - Mike Resnick, Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author.
The Merciless II: The Exorcism of Sofia Flores (The Merciless #2)
by Danielle VegaDanielle Vega--YA's answer to Stephen King--once again brings major scares in the spine-tingling sequel to horror hit The Merciless, which MTV calls "Mean Girls meets The Exorcist." Sofia is still processing the horrific truth of what happened when she and three friends performed an exorcism that spiraled horribly out of control. Ever since that night, Sofia has been haunted by bloody and demonic visions. Her therapist says they're all in her head, but to Sofia they feel chillingly real. She just wants to get out of town, start fresh someplace else . . . until her mother dies suddenly, and Sofia gets her wish. Sofia is sent to St. Mary's, a creepy Catholic boarding school in Mississippi. There, seemingly everyone is doing penance for something, most of all the mysterious Jude, for whom Sofia can't help feeling an unshakeable attraction. But when Sofia and Jude confide in each other about their pasts, something flips in him. He becomes convinced that Sofia is possessed by the devil. . . . Is an exorcism the only way to save her eternal soul? Readers won't be able to look away from this terrifying read full of twists and turns that will leave them wondering, Is there evil in all of us? From the Hardcover edition.
The Merciless III: Origins of Evil (The Merciless #3)
by Danielle VegaHorror queen Danielle Vega finally reveals the sinister mystery of how a teen girl named Brooklyn became the epitome of evil in this terrifying prequel to the series MTV calls "Mean Girls meets The Exorcist." Brooklyn knows that there’s no good without evil, no right without wrong. And when a helpless girl calls her teen helpline, whispering that someone is hurting her, Brooklyn knows that she needs to save her anonymous caller, even if it means doing something bad. Her parents and friends assure her the call was probably a prank—but Brooklyn has always had a tendency to take over, whether someone has asked for help or not. She discovers the call came from Christ First Church and finds herself plunged into the cultish community of its youth group. She's especially drawn to Gavin, the angelic yet tortured pastor's son. Torn between an unstoppable attraction to Gavin and her obsession with the truth, Brooklyn is forced to make a devastating choice to rid Christ Church of evil once and for all. . . . But the devil has plans for Brooklyn’s soul.From the Hardcover edition.
The Merciless IV: Last Rites (The Merciless #4)
by Danielle VegaThe fourth book of the scream-worthy cult series The Merciless combines Stephen King-level terror with true crime stories like the Amanda Knox case.The ropes tighten on Berkley Hubbard's wrists. Blood drips down her fingers and lands with a smack on the cold floor of the church basement. She's trapped, bound, and petrified by fear. A knife punctures her fragile skin as Berkley's captors search for the mark of the devil on her body. They say they want to save her--drive the devil away and cleanse her soul--but will she make it out alive?When Berkley arrived in Italy a week ago, the last thing she expected was that she'd end up fighting for her life. After spending six months at the Institute, confined to a room with the dangerous-yet-alluring Sofia Flores, Berkley was certain that a vacation in Italy with her two best friends would be the perfect getaway. But Berkley is hiding a terrible secret, one that threatens to undo everything. As she's forced to face her wicked past, she learns that the devil is always watching, and no one is coming to save her.
The Merciless: The Exorcism of Sofia Flores (The Merciless #1)
by Danielle VegaDanielle Vega delivers blood-curdling suspense and terror on every page of this thrilling debut novel. Fans of Asylum by Madeleine Roux and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will devour this terrifying series. Brooklyn Stevens sits in a pool of her own blood, tied up and gagged. No one outside of these dank basement walls knows she’s here. No one can hear her scream. Sofia Flores knows she shouldn’t have gotten involved. When she befriended Riley, Grace, and Alexis on her first day at school, she admired them, with their perfect hair and their good-girl ways. They said they wanted to save Brooklyn. They wanted to help her. Sofia didn’t realize they believed Brooklyn was possessed. Now, Riley and the girls are performing an exorcism on Brooklyn—but their idea of an exorcism is closer to torture than salvation. All Sofia wants is to get out of this house. But there is no way out. Sofia can’t go against the other girls...unless she wants to be next. By the shockingly twisted end, readers will be faced with the most haunting question of all: Is there evil in all of us?
The Merman's Children
by Poul AndersonThe last of the merfolk scour Earth for a new home to call their own The underwater city of Liri has thrived off the coast of Denmark for generations. But now, as Europe&’s medieval age comes to a close, the efforts of zealous priests and the destructive ringing of church bells are causing the city to crumble. An ageless people who thrived apart from the cruelty of human existence on land, the merfolk are poetic speakers, loving and loyal, nearly impervious to death but with one great deficiency: They lack souls. Their numbers dwindling, the merpeople scatter. Some abandon their home for the coast of Dalmatia in the Adriatic Sea, while others—the half-human, half-seaborn children of the great merfolk king Vanimen—decide to scout alien territory on land for adventure, treasure, and clues to their lost human heritage.