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The Hen Night Prophecies: Always the Bride
by Jessica FoxThis brilliant fifth and final book in the HEN NIGHT PROPHECIES series rounds them all up to reveal the bride's tale after she is told 'You will marry twice...'
The Hen Night Prophecies: Eastern Promise
by Jessica FoxEASTERN PROMISE is the second novel in this addictive new series, THE HEN NIGHT PROPHECIES, following the fortunes of five different girls, each given their own puzzling prophecy at a friend's hen night... Priya's prophecy, 'In love, mother knows best...' does not fit her fiercely independent, successful world. She's fed up of her disapproving Hindu family's constant meddling in her love-life. Distrusful of men ever since her betrayal by boss and ex-boyfriend Vic, she throws herself into work. When her new assignment leads her to India to document an ashram high in the hills, Priya hopes to find some much-needed serenity. But with mystery and secrets at its heart, she's soon convinced something sinister is afoot. And with her feelings for attractive tour guide Noah complicating things further, Priya can't help but wonder: is Noah really interested in her, or is he trying to distract her from finding out the truth?
The Hen Night Prophecies: Hard To Get
by Jessica FoxFate, hope and charity influence Charlotte's romantic destiny as the third prophecy in the addictive HEN NIGHT PROPHECIES series is revealed: 'Love will come through hope alone.'Communications officer Charlotte loves her job at the Arts Council - it's just a shame she has to share the office with her ex-husband, who also happens to be dating her boss. If there's one thing that Charlotte doesn't possess in her current romantic predicament, it's hope. So when she finds herself in the beautiful Yorkshire moors visiting the Council's current funded projects, including the aptly-named Hope Foundation, she can't resist a wry smile. But it's not long before Charlotte has three potential suitors to choose from: her repentant ex Richard, devoted single-parent Paul, and the notoriously dashing but ever-so-moody Heath. Perhaps Charlotte has reason to hope after all...
The Hen Night Prophecies: Unlucky in Love
by Jessica FoxThe fourth novel in this addictive series, THE HEN NIGHT PROPHECIES, following the fortunes of five different girls, each given their own puzzling prophecy at a friend's hen night, focuses on Libby,'A danger to men...' Risk-taker Libby Foster wishes she thought things through more - maybe then she'd avoid being humiliated at work over her reckless romantic attachments. So it's just as well that she's swearing herself off men and escaping to a Thai island to work on location casting for a romance-slash-action film. But is she really such a danger to the opposite sex? A series of bizarre events in the serene beach surroundings have Libby fretting, but could it be she's met her match in Craig, the daredevil martial arts instructor training her cast?
The Henry Game
by Susan DavisImagine meeting Henry VIII and finding he's madly in love with you!One lazy summer afternoon Abigail persuades Lauren and Marina to experiment with a homemade ouija board. The girls don't seriously expect the séance to work and are shocked when the glass starts moving, but that's nothing to the shock they get when they realise they have summoned up the spirit of a long-dead randy royal - Henry VIII. The trouble really begins when Henry declares his love for the sultry Marina and starts behaving in a seriously sinister manner. Jealous and possessive, Henry sets about controlling the girls' lives and making a right royal nuisance of himself...Friendship, first love and men behaving badly - this is a fantastically funny chick-lit read.
The Heretic Royal: An Action Packed Novel of High Fantasy (The Scarred Earth Saga #3)
by G.A. AikenIn this riveting, feminist tale perfect for fans of Katee Robert and Nalini Singh, two sisters battle for a single throne, warring factions take up arms, a land is divided, and uncertain allies become very certain lovers. With subtle commentary on today&’s political polarization, this riveting epic celebrates strong female characters and champions the underdog with diverse, expert world building.Gods save the queen! Ainsley Farmerson has always planned to break free of the family business—and the family drama. But what was once farming, smithworking, and bickering over the dinner table has turned into open warfare between sisters. Sides have been taken, lives are on the line, and Ainsley has no doubt which sister must be queen. She&’ll do whatever is necessary to take down the soulless Beatrix. Even if that means joining forces with angry battle nuns, irritating monks, and overbearing centaurs. Gruffyn of the Torn Moon Clan has no time for human beings. And yet . . . there is something about the uncontrollable princess that he can&’t ignore. Maybe it&’s the way her eldest sisters underestimate her. Or her bravery facing down dragons and mad queens from distant lands. Whatever the reason, Gruff is willing to fight by this human&’s side. Not only for the entertainment value, but because she&’s right. Beatrix must never be queen. So whatever he has to do, whoever he has to destroy, Gruff will battle beside Ainsley. Fast. Hard. And with absolutely no mercy . . . &“The action speeds along and the dialogue pings among sarcastic dragons, earnest fathers and obnoxious siblings.&”– Bookpage
The Hero's Guide Complete Collection
by Christopher HealyIn the Hero's Guide books, readers discover that Prince Charming isn't one man--there are four of them: Liam, Frederick, Duncan, and Gustav. And they all have their own challenges to overcome as they try to grow from goofy, average-guy princes into impossibly perfect knights of legend. Joined by princesses Ella, Snow White, Briar Rose, Rapunzel, and Lila, they're off on adventures that they--and their kingdoms--can only hope to survive. Tween fans of Shrek and How to Train Your Dragon will love this fast-paced, funny series that's been applauded by the LA Times, the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus Reviews.This collection includes: The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle The Hero's Guide to Being an Outlaw
The Hero's Guide to Being an Outlaw: The Hero's Guide To Saving Your Kingdom, The Hero's Guide To Storming The Castle, The Hero's Guide To Being An Outlaw (Hero's Guide Ser. #3)
by Christopher HealyThe League of Princes returns in the hilariously epic conclusion to Christopher Healy's hit series, which Kirkus Reviews called "part screwball comedy, part sly wit, and all fun" in a starred review!Prince Liam. Prince Frederic. Prince Duncan. Prince Gustav. You think you know those guys pretty well by now, don't you? Well, think again. Posters plastered across the thirteen kingdoms are saying that Briar Rose has been murdered—and the four Princes Charming are the prime suspects. Now they're on the run in a desperate attempt to clear their names. Along the way, however, they discover that Briar's murder is just one part of a nefarious plot to take control of all thirteen kingdoms—a plot that will lead to the doorstep of an eerily familiar fortress for a final showdown with an eerily familiar enemy.
The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom: The Hero's Guide To Saving Your Kingdom, The Hero's Guide To Storming The Castle, The Hero's Guide To Being An Outlaw (Hero's Guide #1)
by Christopher Healy Todd HarrisPrince Liam. Prince Frederic. Prince Duncan. Prince Gustav. You've never heard of them, have you? These are the princes who saved Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel, respectively, and yet, thanks to those lousy bards who wrote the tales, you likely know them only as Prince Charming. But all of this is about to change. Rejected by their princesses and cast out of their castles, Liam, Frederic, Duncan, and Gustav stumble upon an evil plot that could endanger each of their kingdoms. Now it's up to them to triumph over their various shortcomings, take on trolls, bandits, dragons, witches, and other assorted terrors, and become the heroes no one ever thought they could be. Debut author Christopher Healy takes us on a journey with four imperfect princes and their four improbable princesses, all of whom are trying to become perfect heroes-a fast-paced, funny, and fresh introduction to a world where everything, even our classic fairy tales, is not at all what it seems.
The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle: The Hero's Guide To Saving Your Kingdom, The Hero's Guide To Storming The Castle, The Hero's Guide To Being An Outlaw (Hero's Guide Ser. #2)
by Christopher HealyYour favorite princes and princesses are back in the hilarious and action-packed sequel to the breakout hit The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by author Christopher Healy, which the New York Times selected as one of its best books of the year.Prince Liam. Prince Frederic. Prince Duncan. Prince Gustav. You remember them, don't you? They're the Princes Charming, who finally got some credit after they stepped out of the shadows of their princesses—Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White, and Briar Rose—to defeat an evil witch bent on destroying all their kingdoms. But alas, such fame and recognition only last so long. And when the princes discover that an object of great power might fall into any number of wrong hands, they are going to have to once again band together to stop it from happening—even if no one will ever know it was they who did it.
The Herring in the Library (The Ethelred and Elsie Mysteries #3)
by L.C. TylerFrom the author of Ten Little Herrings, murder is on the menu when a two-bit British crime writer and his sub-par agent dine at a country estate. Ethelred and Elsie are an unlikely duo: he&’s a deeply mediocre mystery writer, and she&’s his deeply nosy, chocolate-chomping agent. And yet they are stuck with one another, if only because their combined sleuthing abilities are much more impressive than anything either one of them can come up with alone. Tonight&’s agenda: dinner with Ethelred&’s pal &“Shagger&” Muntham and his titled wife. Elsie may not be overly fond of the Shag, but she wasn&’t exactly hoping someone would murder him in the library of his own stately home. However, now that someone has done the dastardly deed, would it kill Ethelred to take a little interest, show a little Sherlockian spirit for once?Praise for The Herring in the Library&“Biting social satire and loads of fun detective work.&” —Booklist&“A wonderful send up both of Christie's classic country house murder, and the so-called &“locked room&” mystery.&” —Reviewing the Evidence
The Herring-Seller's Apprentice (The Ethelred and Elsie Mysteries #1)
by L.C. TylerIn this Edgar-nominated cozy series opener, a second-rate British crime novelist and his quirky agent investigate his devious ex-wife&’s murder. A mediocre mystery-writer (and thus a purveyor of red herrings), Ethelred Tressider has even less interest in writing his books than his (dwindling) fan base has in reading them, and his agent—the pesky, nosy, vulgar, chocolate-chomping Elsie—has no interest in them at all. But with a name like Ethelred, things can always get worse, and when Ethelred&’s dishy ex-wife turns up dead, they do. The Case of the Dead Dish is the most exciting project Elsie&’s come across in years, but however much she bullies Ethelred he refuses to take much interest in the mystery. Chalk it up to some pathetic mid-life crisis? Maybe. But how much more interesting would it be to note that Ethelred&’s lack of interest raises what might be called some extremely interesting questions?Praise for The Herring-Seller&’s Apprentice&“Fans of comic mysteries will welcome British author Tyler&’s debut.&” —Publishers Weekly&“Tyler is a stylish writer, and his humor is both subtle and sly.&” —Booklist
The Hexologists (The Hexologists #1)
by Josiah BancroftThe first book in a wildly inventive and mesmerizing new fantasy series from acclaimed author Josiah Bancroft where magical mysteries abound and only one team can solve them: The Hexologists. &“Bancroft is a magician.&” — Madeline Miller, New York Times bestselling author of Circe&“Fantastic! The Hexologists fizzes eloquently with wit and elegance, but also has marvelous worldbuilding and an excellent plot - and a central pair of characters who I quite simply love. A cocktail of a book made with the very best champagne.&” — Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library The Hexologists, Iz and Warren Wilby, are quite accustomed to helping desperate clients with the bugbears of city life. Aided by hexes and a bag of charmed relics, the Wilbies have recovered children abducted by chimney-wraiths, removed infestations of barb-nosed incubi, and ventured into the Gray Plains of the Unmade to soothe a troubled ghost. Well-acquainted with the weird, they never shy away from a challenging case. But when they are approached by the royal secretary and told the king pleads to be baked into a cake—going so far as to wedge himself inside a lit oven—the Wilbies soon find themselves embroiled in a mystery that could very well see the nation turned on its head. Their effort to expose a royal secret buried under forty years of lies brings them nose to nose with a violent anti-royalist gang, avaricious ghouls, alchemists who draw their power from a hell-like dimension, and a bookish dragon who only occasionally eats people. Armed with a love toughened by adversity and a stick of chalk that can conjure light from the darkness, hope from the hopeless, Iz and Warren Wilby are ready for a case that will test every spell, skill, and odd magical artifact in their considerable bag of tricks."Bancroft is a wonder as ever! The Hexologists was a joyous delight on every page— buoyantly inventive, witty, poignant, gripping, and deeply satisfying." — Madeline Miller, New York Times bestselling author of Circe &“Josiah Bancroft&’s imagination will astound you. One of the most inventive fantasy authors out there.&” — Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga &“Bancroft has returned to the page in force, deploying his crystal prose and razored wit around a tale that mixes whimsy and threat in equal measure. He's a gift to the genre." — Mark Lawrence, author of The Book That Wouldn't Burn
The Heyday Of The Football Annual: Post-war to Premiership
by Ian PreeceThe Independent's Best Sports Book of the Year, 2015Christmas Day 1959 and legions of schoolboys up and down the country feverishly unwrapped the very first Topical Times Football Book. On the cover Bobby Charlton smacked a leather ball out of a pillar-box red background and, although this wasn't the first yearbook, it heralded the golden age of the Christmas football annual. As the sixties progressed, the shelves in Woolworth's and the local newsagent began to bulge with titles reflecting the expanding, exciting world of football - Charles Buchan's Soccer Gift Book nestled next to the International Football Book and the Midlands Soccer Annual.These annuals were educational and insightful, taking the reader into the changing rooms, the supporters' club lounges, and the manager's mind ahead of a tough season. Beautifully illustrated, they helped shape the football consciousness of a generation.In The Heyday of The Football Annual Ian Preece and Doug Cheeseman bottle the essence of these publications. They travel back in time to a world where Forfar Athletic and Doncaster Rovers had equal billing with Manchester United and Arsenal, where debate raged over the use of goal average, and Huddersfield v Carlisle was the main game on Match of the Day.Along the way, leading football writers Richard Williams, Jonathan Wilson, Patrick Collins and Derek Hammond, among others, share their memories - not only of 'soccer' annuals but of an era when the unveiling of Dundee's new stand was deemed worthy of a two-page spread, and Scunthorpe's pre-season tour to Ibiza merited a lengthy feature. This was a world where footballers grew chrysanthemums for a hobby, drank tea down the local café to pass the time, and Coventry City were the go-ahead club of the future. For better, and (certainly) for worse, it's a world long gone.
The Hiccup
by Ingrid SissungThe hiccups are annoying. They come on quickly and refuse to go away. Just ask Elliot. There he was, having a nice picnic with his cousin Lutz, when he accidentally ate too fast. <P><P>Now, he's stuck hiccupping around the forest, and Elliot's unbearable situation couldn't be any funnier to Lutz. As Elliot wanders around the forest, all the animals try giving him advice on how to get rid of his hiccups. Maybe holding his breath will do the trick? Or drinking lots of water? Or maybe doing a headstand? No luck. Just when Elliot has all but given up, Lutz unexpectedly stumbles upon the cure. But will Lutz learn his lesson about not making fun of his friend's hiccups?Ingrid Sissung's humorous story and vibrant illustrations in The Hiccup remind readers of all ages to show sympathy to others in a tough situation, because what goes around comes around.
The Hiccupotamus
by Aaron ZenzCalamity ensues when an elephant, a centipede, and a rhinoceros try finding a cure for hippo's colossal case of hiccups. Cast Bios The part of the Hiccupotamus was played by veteran hippo actor Hank Polowski. Due to a paralyzing fear of fish, some of his scenes in this book were performed by a crew of stunt doubles. Bartholomew Poppins has appeared in over 100 roles in his picture book career. He still dreams of landing a leading part, but is proud of his work in The Hiccupotamus and his cameo as "something squishy" in Mr. Binkers Steps in Something Squishy. Many considered it a risk casting an unknown in the significant elephant role. But it would appear that pachyderm Katie McMurphy has a promising career ahead of her. Following a serious allergic reaction, however, she is currently turning down all parts that involve the use of frosting. Samu Ti speaks no English, which created occasional confusion during his work on The Hiccupotamus. Author Aaron Zenz recalls the time the script called for the centipede to pour cement, but instead Samu began purring like a cat. "The more I shouted 'Pour! Pour!' the louder he'd purr!" This is the final role for Dennis Flott. He is retiring to a small bee-keeping community in North Western Idaho. Good luck, Dennis! We wish you all the best. The part of the buffalo was played by a ground squirrel named Arlo. It took 14 hours in the make-up chair to get him ready each day. Unfortunately, that continually made for a very short window of opportunity to use him in costume.
The Hidden Power of F*cking Up
by The Try Guys Keith Habersberger Zach Kornfeld Eugene Lee Yang#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERThe Try Guys deliver their first book—an inspirational self-improvement guide that teaches you that the path to success is littered with humiliating detours, embarrassing mistakes, and unexpected failures.To be our best selves, we must become secure in our insecurities. In The Hidden Power of F*cking Up, The Try Guys - Keith, Ned, Zach, and Eugene - reveal their philosophy of trying: how to fully embrace fear, foolishness, and embarrassment in an effort to understand how we all get paralyzed by a fear of failure. They’ll share how four shy, nerdy kids have dealt with their most poignant life struggles by attacking them head-on and reveal their - ahem - sure-fail strategies for achieving success.But they’re not just here to talk; they’re actually going to put their advice to work. To demonstrate their unique self-improvement formula, they’ll each personally confront their deepest insecurities. A die-hard meat-lover goes vegan for the first time. A straight-laced father transforms into a fashionista. A perpetually single sidekick becomes the romantic lead. A child of divorce finally grows more intimate with his family. Through their insightful, emotional journeys and surprising, hilarious anecdotes, they’ll help you overcome your own self-doubt to become the best, most f*cked up version of yourself you can be!
The Hidden Witch: A Graphic Novel (Witch Boy (Graphix/Scholastic))
by Molly Knox OstertagFrom the creator of the acclaimed graphic novel The Witch Boy comes a new adventure set in the world of magic and shapeshifting -- and ordinary kids just trying to make friends.Aster and his family are adjusting to his unconventional talent for witchery; unlike the other boys in his family, he isn't a shapeshifter. He's taking classes with his grandmother and helping to keep an eye on his great-uncle whose corrupted magic wreaked havoc on the family.Meanwhile, Aster's friend from the non-magical part of town, Charlie, is having problems of her own -- a curse has tried to attach itself to her. She runs to Aster and escapes it, but now the friends must find the source of the curse before more people -- normal and magical alike -- get hurt.
The High Moments: 'Addictive, hilarious, bold' Emma Jane Unsworth, author of Adults
by Sara-Ella Ozbek&‘I read this in less than a day . . . A must-read for everyone who had ever dreamt of being a somebody&’ Laura Jane Williams, author of Our Stop 'Brilliantly highlights the insecurities of being a young woman . . . It made me feel uncomfortable, and made me laugh - a sign of a good book' Emma Gannon, author of Olive and Ctrl Alt Delete 'Scarlett is the perfect heroine for our times' Sarra Manning author of The Rise and Fall of Becky Sharp *Scarlett makes mistakes – over and over again. She&’s not perfect, she has a tricky relationship with her mother and is desperate for people to like her.She repeatedly goes back to the people that hurt her, no matter how badly. She moves to London with no plan (of course), but manages to land a job at a modelling agency. Finally, she&’s getting her life on track, but the fashion industry is a murkier place than she had imagined. She changes herself to please others. Just as she starts to find her place, Scarlett&’s life begins to spiral. But at least people know her, she is starting to become someone. And surely it&’s better to be someone – even if it&’s someone you hate?With a vein of dark humour at its core, The High Moments offers an astute, often stark look at the fashion industry and the issues you can face as a woman in your twenties - fans of Emma Jane Unsworth's Animals and shows like Girls will love this. Why readers love The High Moments . . . ?'One of the most seductive and accomplished debuts I have ever read . . . I was obsessed with the insight into the murky world of modelling, and the way Sara-Ella explores the feelings of "other" that can consume so much of our twenties' Laura Jane Williams 'Brilliantly highlights the insecurities of being a young woman and not feeling like you've 'become' anything yet - it also shows the darkness and toxicity that can linger behind a so-called 'dream' job' Emma Gannon 'A beautiful, messed-up mash-up of The Devil Wears Prada and Fleabag. Set in the seedy underbelly of the high octane world of fashion, modelling and Instagram influencers, Scarlett is the perfect heroine for our times. Essential reading for anyone relieved to be done with their twenties and a cautionary tale for those who are still living them!' Sarra Manning 'An exhilarating, edgy, roller coaster of a story from start to finish. The High Moments is a fascinating window into the bright lights - and underbelly - of the fashion industry . . . A complete thrill to read!' Helly Acton, author of The Shelf
The High Moments: 'Addictive, hilarious, bold' Emma Jane Unsworth, author of Adults
by Sara-Ella OzbekWith a vein of dark humour at its core, The High Moments is a filthier, more sordid The Devil Wears Prada, offering an astute, often stark look at the fashion industry and the issues you face as a woman in your twenties - fans of Girls and Emma Jane Unworth's Animals will love this.
The High-Impact Infidelity Diet
by Lou Harry Eric PfeffingerA WHOLE NEW WAY TO CHEAT ON YOUR DIET Meet Brin and Martin, Cheryl and Doug, Dierdre and Randy. Three normal married couples who share a common problem: all of the husbands weigh over 300 pounds--and not much of that's muscle. The concerned wives concoct a plan and offer up a deal. Each guy who scales down to 210 pounds gets a free pass to spend an evening with a beautiful hooker Brin just happens to know from college. Of course, there's no such hooker. The wives only hope that the incentive will help their men lose a few inches off their guts. Unfortunately, Brin, Cheryl, and Dierdre underestimate the power of the male competitive drive. As the men begin to shed pounds, the women find themselves on a frantic search to find the perfect prostitute. Follow along on a hilarious journey as three marriages, six friendships, 300 pounds of fat, and one saucy hooker endure the ups and downs of the worst weight-loss plan ever.
The Highland Countess (The Changing Fortunes Series #6)
by M. C. BeatonAn innocent Scottish widow desires the love of a worldly lord in this Regency romance by the bestselling author of the Hamish Macbeth mysteries.Morag Fleming, the Countess of Murr, had been bride to the most lecherous lord in Scotland—yet the ravishingly lovely girl had never been touched. So it was that Morag had never borne a child—yet as a young widow, she arrived in London with a fine son in tow. Her background had left her ignorant of the follies and fopperies of fashion—yet soon all of society was at her feet. Most incredible of all, she knew so little about the ways and wiles of love—yet set her heart upon none other than the devastatingly handsome, charming, and wealthy Lord Toby Freemantle, who could have any woman he wanted, and was clearly not interested in her . . .ABOUT THE COLLECTION What could be more engaging than the women who rise from the commoner classes and minor nobility to triumph in the unforgiving high society of London. Read about women who have lost their fortunes, country girls at their first season, and new wives who can&’t resist temptation in the nine titles of the Changing Fortunes Collection.
The Highs and Lows of Being Mia: The Princess Diaries, Volumes III & IV
by Meg CabotThis two-in-one volume contains Cabot's #1 "New York Times" bestselling books that continue the story of Princess Mia of Genovia: Volume 3: "Princess in Love" and Volume 4: "Princess in Waiting."
The Hike: A Novel
by Drew Magary"The Hike is Cormac McCarthy's Alice in Wonderland--gritty and terrifying but with deliriously surreal twists and turns." --Jeffrey Cranor, New York Times bestselling cowriter of Welcome to Night Vale"It's kind of a more cynical version of The Phantom Tollbooth mixed with a game of Dungeons & Dragons." --Wired, chosen as one of "This Summer's 14 Must-Read Books"From the author of The Postmortal, a fantasy saga unlike any you've read before, weaving elements of folk tales and video games into a riveting, unforgettable adventure of what a man will endure to return to his family When Ben, a suburban family man, takes a business trip to rural Pennsylvania, he decides to spend the afternoon before his dinner meeting on a short hike. Once he sets out into the woods behind his hotel, he quickly comes to realize that the path he has chosen cannot be given up easily. With no choice but to move forward, Ben finds himself falling deeper and deeper into a world of man-eating giants, bizarre demons, and colossal insects. On a quest of epic, life-or-death proportions, Ben finds help comes in some of the most unexpected forms, including a profane crustacean and a variety of magical objects, tools, and potions. Desperate to return to his family, Ben is determined to track down the "Producer," the creator of the world in which he is being held hostage and the only one who can free him from the path. At once bitingly funny and emotionally absorbing, Magary's novel is a remarkably unique addition to the contemporary fantasy genre, one that draws as easily from the world of classic folk tales as it does from video games. In The Hike, Magary takes readers on a daring odyssey away from our day-to-day grind and transports them into an enthralling world propelled by heart, imagination, and survival.From the Hardcover edition.
The Hills Have Spies (Valdemar: Family Spies #1)
by Mercedes LackeyIn this new series, set in the bestselling world of Valdemar, Heralds Mags and Amily must continue to protect the realm of Valdemar while raising their children and preparing them to follow in their footsteps.Mags, Herald Spy of Valdemar, and his wife, Amily, the King’s Own Herald, are happily married with three kids. The oldest, Peregrine, has the Gift of Animal Mindspeech—he can talk to animals and persuade them to act as he wishes. Perry's dream is to follow in his father's footsteps as a Herald Spy, but he has yet to be Chosen by a Companion. Mags is more than happy to teach Perry all he knows. He regularly trains his children, including Perry, with tests and exercises, preparing them for the complicated and dangerous lives they will likely lead. Perry has already held positions in the Royal Palace as a runner and in the kitchen, useful places where he can learn to listen and collect information. But there is growing rural unrest in a community on the border of Valdemar. A report filled with tales of strange disappearances and missing peddlers is sent to Haven by a Herald from the Pelagirs. To let Perry experience life away from home and out in the world, Mags proposes that his son accompany him on an expedition to discover what is really going on. During their travels, Perry’s Animal Mindspeech allows him to communicate with the local wildlife of the Pelagirs, whose connection to the land aids in their investigation. But the details he gleans from the creatures only deepen the mystery. As Perry, Mags, and their animal companions draw closer to the heart of the danger, they must discover the truth behind the disappearances at the border—before those disappearances turn deadly.