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Harrow Lake
by Kat EllisA can't-put-down, creepy thriller about the daughter of a horror film director who's not afraid of anything--until she gets to Harrow Lake.Things I know about Harrow Lake:1. It's where my father shot his most disturbing slasher film.2. There's something not right about this town.Lola Nox is the daughter of a celebrated horror filmmaker--she thinks nothing can scare her.But when her father is brutally attacked in their New York apartment, she's quickly packed off to live with a grandmother she's never met in Harrow Lake, the eerie town where her father's most iconic horror movie was shot. The locals are weirdly obsessed with the film that put their town on the map--and there are strange disappearances, which the police seem determined to explain away. And there's someone--or something--stalking her every move.The more Lola discovers about the town, the more terrifying it becomes. Because Lola's got secrets of her own. And if she can't find a way out of Harrow Lake, they might just be the death of her."Atmospheric and chilling." --Mindy McGinnis, author of The Female of the Species"You're going to want to read this one with all the lights on." --Cat Winters, author of In the Shadow of Blackbirds "A thrilling mindbender." --BCCB"A sinister story that slowly builds to a heart-pounding climax." --Kirkus"Bound to give you jittery nightmares--when you can finally fall asleep." --Emma Berquist, author of Devils Unto Dust
Summer (Seasonal Quartet Ser. #4)
by Ali SmithFrom the Booker-shortlisted author of Autumn, as well as the Baileys Prize-winning How to Be Both, comes the last instalment in the remarkable, once-in-a-generation masterpiece, the Seasonal Quartet.Here is the exciting culmination of Ali Smith's celebrated Seasonal Quartet, a series of stand-alone novels, separate but interconnected (as the seasons are), wide-ranging in timescale and light-footed through histories.
The Burning Kingdoms (The Smoke Thieves #3)
by Sally GreenThe heart-pounding conclusion to the daring Smoke Thieves trilogy.In this conclusion to the epic Smoke Thieves trilogy, the world has erupted into all-out war. King Aloysius is mining powerful demon smoke and using it to fuel an unstoppable army of children. March, now banished for treason, has joined up with this boy army. Forbidden from ever seeing Edyon again, and overwhelmed by his own betrayal, March no longer cares if he lives or dies.Catherine--now queen of Pitoria--must find a way to defeat the boy army, while also grappling with her own troubles: her secret demon smoke addiction, and unresolved tension with her former lover, Ambrose. Catherine seeks military support from Calidor by reaching out to her illegitimate cousin Edyon, who has been proclaimed heir to the Calidorian throne. But Edyon has almost no power as he's entangled in the unfamiliar machinations and manipulations of the royal court, finding that being the claimed son of a prince may be no easier than being a bastard.With Catherine, his love, now married off and moving on, and his brother and sister tortured and executed before him, Ambrose doesn't know what his role in this world is any more. He leads an expedition into the demon world, hoping to destroy the boy army's stores of demon smoke. In this underground world, he runs into Tash, whom everyone had believed dead. She has survived in this new world using magical abilities that, prior to now, only demons had.Aloysius will send his demon smoke-powered boy army to kill them all, if he can. But what nobody knows is that there is more to the smoke than meets the eye...
The Artifact Hunters
by Janet FoxIsaac Wolf can travel through time. But he's also in a race against it.With tensions in Prague rising at the height of World War II, Isaac Wolf is forced to leave home with nothing more than a small backpack and a pendant in the shape of an eternity knot. His parents believe the pendant will keep him safe--if he can discover what it really means.This clue leads him to Rookskill Castle, home of the Special Alternative Intelligence Unit where gifted children can learn to harness their powers to support the Allies' cause. With the help of his new friends and an antique watch that allows him to travel through time, Isaac must unlock his own powers and uncover the true meaning of the eternity knot. The only way he can do that, though, is by hunting for a series of magical artifacts that are scattered throughout the past . . . and Isaac isn't the only artifact hunter. Soon he finds himself in a race against a threat just as deadly as the war itself--one that his parents had been trying to shield him from all along.
Once Upon a Unicorn
by Lou AndersA science-minded unicorn and a (literal) fiery horse team up in this fantasy adventure perfect for fans of Fablehaven and the Wizards of Once series.Have you ever heard of a unicorn who is more interested in science experiments than magic?Or a flaming horse who's a walking fire hazard?When a pumpkin-headed menace called Jack o' the Hunt and monsters untold threaten their home, this unlikely pair must team up to save all of the Whisperwood--and themselves!Award-winner Lou Anders delivers a fantasy adventure about friendship, fearlessness, and finding your true herd.
Emerald Blaze: A Hidden Legacy Novel (Hidden Legacy #5)
by Ilona AndrewsIlona Andrews, #1 New York Times bestselling author, continues her spellbinding series set in the Hidden Legacy world where magic controls everything…except the hearts of those who wield it. <P><P>As Prime magic users, Catalina Baylor and her sisters have extraordinary powers—powers their ruthless grandmother would love to control. Catalina can earn her family some protection working as deputy to the Warden of Texas, overseeing breaches of magic law in the state, but that has risks as well. When House Baylor is under attack and monsters haunt her every step, Catalina is forced to rely on handsome, dangerous Alessandro Sagredo, the Prime who crushed her heart. <P><P>The nightmare that Alessandro has fought since childhood has come roaring back to life, but now Catalina is under threat. Not even his lifelong quest for revenge will stop him from keeping her safe, even if every battle could be his last. Because Catalina won't rest until she stops the use of the illicit, power-granting serum that's tearing their world apart. <P><P><b>A New York Times Bestseller</b>
Shadow School #2: Dehaunting (Shadow School #2)
by J. A. WhiteReturn to Shadow School for the second installment of the spooky middle-grade series from J. A. White, the acclaimed author of Nightbooks and The Thickety series.Cordelia Liu’s first year at Shadow School was a success. She studied hard and made friends. She also sent hundreds of ghosts into the afterlife, because Shadow School isn’t a normal school, and Cordelia Liu isn’t a normal girl.But her second year is already different. Ghosts are refusing to move on, the teachers are acting weird, and Cordelia’s best friends, Benji and Agnes, aren’t as interested in rescuing the ghosts as they used to be. Benji is busy hanging out with the girl he befriended over the summer, while Agnes spends all her time building a machine that might be capable of dehaunting the school forever.Cordelia is the only one who believes that something sinister is happening right under their noses. But what if it’s even worse than she could imagine?Praise for Shadow School #1 Archimancy:“Just the right balance of humor, mystery, and scariness. Readers will be eager to see more of this smart and spunky trio in further spooky adventures.” —Kirkus“The story balances the spookier elements with the humorous and difficult going-ons of middle school. An easy quick pick for a just creepy enough read.”—BCCB“A well-paced thriller. Tension builds to a crescendo, and the ending promises more adventures to come for Cordelia and her friends.”—Booklist
Unusual Attention
by B.G. ThomasUntil recently, Adam Brookhart has led what he considers a relatively uneventful life. His biggest problem is that he can’t let his guard down and allow himself to get close to anyone, emotionally or physically—until he meets Shane Farmer. Shane lives in a small town many miles from Adam and is his complete opposite. In fact, he’s just about the last person Adam can imagine himself in a relationship with. But Adam is drawn to the man, and neither distance nor their differences can keep him away. Late one night, while driving home from Shane’s house, something very strange happens. Adam loses two hours of time and has no idea how or why. But as he digs for clues, the answers he finds are totally crazy… and the man he is falling in love with might be crazy as well.
Season of the Wolf (The Legend of All Wolves #4)
by Maria ValeIn a world of danger and uncertainty, the Alpha has enough to worry about without him...For Alpha Evie Kitwanasdottir, things are never easy. The Great North Pack has just survived a deadly attack. Evie is determined to do whatever is necessary to keep her Pack safe, especially from the four Shifters who are their prisoners.Constantine lost his parents and his humanity on the same devastating day. He has been a thoughtless killer ever since. When Constantine is moved to live under Evie's watchful eye, he discovers that taking directions and having a purpose are not the same thing.Each moment spent together brings new revelations to Constantine, who begins to understand the loneliness of being Alpha. He finds strength and direction in helping Evie, but there is no room for a small love in the Pack, so Constantine must work harder than ever to prove to Evie he is capable of a love big enough for the Great North Pack itself.The Legend of All Wolves Series:The Last Wolf (Book 1)A Wolf Apart (Book 2)Forever Wolf (Book 3)Season of the Wolf (Book 4)Praise for Maria Vale:"Prepare to be rendered speechless."—Kirkus Reviews for Forever Wolf"Pushes boundaries, and keeps you at the edge of your seat."—TERRY SPEAR, USA Today bestselling author, for The Last Wolf"Wonderfully unique and imaginative. I was enthralled!"—JEANIENE FROST, New York Times bestselling author, for The Last Wolf"Raw, wild, and intense—captivating to the final page."—AMANDA BOUCHET, USA Today bestselling author, for The Last Wolf"Enthralling and exciting...the intricate culture and social mores of the Pack elevate Vale's series."—Booklist for A Wolf Apart"A brilliant job of developing werewolf culture...Vale's nuanced exploration of werewolf concepts elevates this work above others in the genre."—Publishers Weekly for A Wolf Apart
Ballistic Kiss: A Sandman Slim Novel (Sandman Slim #11)
by Richard Kadrey"I loved where Kadrey started with this series, but I love where he's going even more."-- NYT Bestselling author Cory DoctorowSandman Slim is back in Los Angeles and kicking more supernatural ass in this inventive, high-octane page-turner—the next to last volume in the popular and acclaimed fantasy adventure series from New York Times bestselling author Richard Kadrey.As the battle between warring angels continues, James Stark is focused on seemingly simpler matters now that he’s resurfaced on earth: an invasion of ghosts. L.A.’s Little Cairo neighborhood has suddenly been overrun by violent spirits, and Thomas Abbott knows if anyone can figure out why they’ve appeared—and how to get rid of them—it’s Stark. Armed with the Room of Thirteen Doors, Stark quickly learns that the answer may reach back to the 1970s and the unsolved murder of small-time actor, Chris Stein. As he begins to dig into the cold case, another area of Stark’s life takes an unexpected turn when he becomes entangled with Janet, a woman he saved during the High Plains Drifter zombie attack. Janet’s brush with the living dead hasn’t quenched her thirst for danger. She’s an adrenaline junkie and a member of The Zero Lodge—a club that promises “there’s zero chance you’ll get out alive.” The Lodge attracts thrill seekers who flock to perilous events such as night walks through the LA Zoo—with its deadliest animals uncaged. Joining the lodge to be with Janet, Stark makes a pair of crucial discoveries that could decide the fate of LA and Heaven itself.To prevent the Little Cairo haunting from consuming the city, Stark must piece together the connections between the Lodge and a missing angel last seen in a Hollywood porn palace. But while he may dispatch the ghosts, Stark knows that without his help, the bloody war in Heaven could rage forever.
The Nemesis (The Diabolic #3)
by S. J. KincaidIn the heart-pounding conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Diabolic series, the Empire teeters on the edge of destruction as rumors spread that Nemesis is still alive.Three years ago, Tyrus Domitrian shocked the galaxy by killing the woman he swore to love forever. The woman for whom he upended the Empire. The woman with whom he wanted to build a new and brighter future. Now, the once-idealistic heir apparent has become the cruel Emperor Tyrus, wielding his authority with an iron fist, capable of destroying planets with a single word, controlling all technology with a simple thought. He has bent the Grandiloquy to their knees, and none has the power to stand against him. But there is a muttering among the Excess. They say that Nemesis is not truly gone. They whisper of her shadow spotted in distant star systems. They say that Nemesis lives. That she will rise, and rally the people to topple the man who was once her truest love—and is now her fiercest enemy.
The Creature in Room #YTH-125 (Franken-Sci High #5)
by Mark YoungThe science at Franken-Sci High gets even madder in this fifth book in a wacky series created with the Jim Henson Company.There&’s a school field trip coming up, and most Franken-Sci High students can&’t wait to venture off the school campus. But Newton Warp&’s roommate, H.G. &“Higgy&” Vollington, only wants to go if he can find a way to look human. Higgy usually flaunts the green goo he is made of, but when he lived out in the real world, regular people always stared at him. Newton, Shelly, and Theremin try various ways of making him less green, but nothing works. They need to go to the enemy for help: Mimi Crowninshield is a genius when it comes to inventing creepily-realistic cosmetics. She agrees to help Higgy if the friends tell her Newton&’s big secret. Newton doesn&’t know the answer to the mystery of where he came from, but now he has more reason than ever to figure it out! TM & © 2020 The Jim Henson Company
The Frightened Ones: A novel
by Dima Wannous**Finalist for the 2018 International Prize for Arabic Fiction**A timely and haunting novel from an exciting new voice in international literature, set in present-day Syria In her therapist's waiting room in Damascus, Suleima meets a strange and reticent man named Naseem, and they soon begin a tense affair. But when Naseem, a writer, flees Syria for Germany, he sends Suleima the unfinished manuscript of his novel. To Suleima's surprise, she and the novel's protagonist are uncannily similar. As she reads, Suleima's past overwhelms her and she has no idea what to trust--Naseem's pages, her own memory, or nothing at all? Narrated in alternating chapters by Suleima and the mysterious woman portrayed in Naseem's novel, The Frightened Ones is a boundary-blurring, radical examination of the effects of oppression on one's sense of identity, the effects of collective trauma, and a moving window into life inside Assad's Syria.
Los pasos perdidos (Literatura Alfaguara Ser. #Vol. 17)
by Alejo Carpentier&“Hace dos días que andamos sobre el armazón del planeta, olvidados de la Historia y hasta de las oscuras migraciones de las eras sin crónicas. […] Lo que se abre ante nuestros ojos es el mundo anterior al hombre.&”Huyendo de una existencia vacía y rutinaria en la ciudad de Nueva York, un compositor viaja con su amante hasta un poblado perdido en las profundidades de una selva en Sudamérica en busca de instrumentos primitivos. El protagonista remonta el río Orinoco hasta sus orígenes y va descubriendo los estratos temporales de la humanidad, mediante una regresión en el tiempo en la que al mismo tiempo irá descubriéndose a sí mismo. Allí tendrá que decidir si quiere permanecer en un mundo primitivo, carente de bienes materiales pero donde ha encontrado la felicidad, o retornar a la civilización.Los pasos perdidos es una profunda reflexión sobre el mundo moderno y el estado de la humanidad vista a través del lente del realismo mágico y narrada en un estilo barroco que Carpentier lleva al límite, como ningún otro escritor podría. Una obra maestra. &“En esencia, el protagonista de la novela ha enfrentado el drama eterno de la toma de una decisión que implica la ejercitación de su albedrío, el gran desafío que entraña la práctica de la libertad del individuo… La singularidad del valor de lo artístico radica en que esa conclusión y encrucijada sigan siendo pertinentes para los que hoy leemos la novela…&” Del prólogo de Leonardo Padura
Dream Keeper (The Dark Dreamer Trilogy #1)
by Amber R. DuellThe Sandman is seventeen-year-old Nora’s closest friend and best-kept secret. He has to be if she doesn’t want a one-way ticket back to the psychiatrist. It took her too long to learn not to mention the hooded figure in her dreams to her mother, who still watches Nora as if she’ll crack. So when Nora’s friends start mysteriously dying gruesome deaths in their sleep, she isn’t altogether surprised when the police direct their suspicion at her. The Sandman is the only one she can turn to for answers. But the truth might be more than she bargained for…For the last five years, the Sandman has spent every night protecting Nora. When he hid the secret to the Nightmare Lord’s escape inside her dreams, he never expected to fall in love with her. Neither did he think his nemesis would find her so quickly, but there’s no mistaking his cruel handiwork. The Nightmare Lord is tired of playing by the rules and will do anything to release his deadly nightmares into the world, even if that means tormenting Nora until she breaks. When the Nightmare Lord kidnaps Nora’s sister, Nora must enter enemy territory to save her. The Sandman is determined to help, but if Nora isn’t careful, she could lose even more than her family to the darkness.
Stolen (The Stolen Series #1)
by Marlena FrankIt’s difficult taking care of a delusional father by yourself. Sixteen-year-old Shaleigh Mallet would rather explore and photograph dilapidated buildings than cater to her father’s dark episodes. But when she’s kidnapped by a creature who carries her atop a flying bicycle into another world, she realizes this wasn’t the escape she wanted. In a kingdom known as the Garden, where minotaurs pull carriages and parties are held in hot air balloons, Madam Cloom and her faerie servant, Teagan, rule over the land with incredible but terrifying magic. Shaleigh must prove that she is the reincarnation of a long-dead ruler, not because she believes it, but because it’s her only chance to survive. With the help of a trespassing faerie, a stoatling, and a living statue, Shaleigh hopes to outwit everyone. She aims to break the bonds of servitude and finally make her way home. What she doesn’t realize, however, is that she’s playing right into the hands of a far worse enemy...
Uncaged (Unspoken #2)
by Celia McMahonNot every queen needs a crown. After escaping Stormwall, Izzy and Fray have finally crossed through the Archway and into The Old Kingdom in search of allies. But finding a place within Fray’s former pack is harder than they imagined. When Izzy’s father warred with the Gwylis, it made a lifelong enemy of the Rowan name. Fray’s betrayal of siding with Aquarius in the war makes him no less an enemy to the pack. Izzy struggles to understand her newfound magic and build a relationship with her new family, but when the new king’s soldiers arrive in The Old Kingdom, Izzy must fight to secure the protection of her new home. With war looming once again, Izzy is thrust back into the life she tried to leave behind. As danger mounts, past, present, and future collide between kingdoms, and the lines of allegiances are drawn. Izzy must decide who she is willing to fight for, and where her loyalties truly lie. UNCAGED is the stunning sequel to Celia McMahon’s debut UNSPOKEN, the first in her fantasy trilogy set in a world of curses, wolves, and war.
Blood and Brume
by Maki MorrisSixteen-year-old Ellie Porter is done with life. When one of her mom's boyfriends tries to rape her, Ellie runs away, determined never to return. But Sam, Ellie's only friend, is not about to let her end up another runaway living on the streets. He takes Ellie to an abandoned house, the perfect hideout, or so they think until a series of frightening experiences cause Ellie to regret ever stepping into the house in the first place. She is consumed with fear when two young men in 19th-century costume appear at the house claiming to be its owners. Ellie's initial assumption of them being Steampunk enthusiasts quickly proves wrong when she learns that they are ghosts. The encounter marks the beginning of unimaginable changes in Ellie's life. As the portal opens between the flesh and spirit world, Ellie awakens to the profound realization that unresolved life can transcend time and space. There will be no peace until it is rectified.
The Infernal Machine
by C. W. SnyderArthur White lived a simple life tending the dead in a quiet cemetery, until meeting a mysterious stranger known only as Mr. Black. In a few short hours, the stranger turns the groundskeeper’s life upside down, burdening Arthur with an immortal clockwork heart. Over the course of years, Arthur works as Mr. Black’s right hand, doing the things the old warlock cannot dirty his hands with. The death of a mutual friend and the discovery of Lucifer’s cast-off heart catalyze them into action, setting off a global chase to recover the artifact and open the door to death. Along the way, Arthur struggles with evils he’s committed, dreams of loss that plague him, and desperate loneliness that may be cured by the appearance of a mysterious new companion, Ava. But before they can get to know one another, they must confront a cult out to steal the heart for their own ends. Before it’s over, Arthur, Ava, and Mr. Black will have to face who they are and what they’ve done, or perish in a brutal new world. Whatever remains from the ashes may be their only hope.
Sons of Fire
by Tracy AuerbachWhen Keegan’s father, the Demon King of Fire, attempted to produce an heir, a surge of light energy interrupted the process. One tiny piece of the newly forming demon broke off. That piece is Keegan. For years, he has attempted to lay low, watching from the shadows while his monstrous brother Aidan, the true Prince of Fire, is groomed for the throne. Keegan’s shaky status quo is shattered when one of his father’s power-plays goes horribly wrong. He is cast to Earth and forced to work with a suddenly powerless Aidan. The two brothers must cooperate to complete an impossible task and avoid being cast forever into the abyss. As if having to spend time with his beastly other half wasn’t bad enough, Keegan must adapt to living on Earth, wielding his new human vessel, and dealing with his demonic appetite without harming the human creatures for whom he has always cared. As Keegan and Aidan work to save themselves, questions arise. What exactly was the King of Fire up to, that sparked their Master’s interest enough to cast them from the Demon Realm? Can Aidan be trusted in his new human form, complete with emotions, or is he the same unfeeling creature he’s always been? And why are so many demons suddenly invested in the outcome of the brothers’ trial? The only thing Keegan knows for certain is that whether he succeeds or fails at the task, the consequences for the Demon Realm and for Earth itself will be catastrophic.
AstroNuts Mission Two: The Water Planet (AstroNuts #2)
by Jon ScieszkaAstroNuts Mission Two: The Water Planet is the second book in the laugh-out-loud series by children's literature legend Jon Scieszka.The book follows a new mission, where AstroWolf, LaserShark, SmartHawk, and StinkBug must find a planet fit for human life after we've finally made Earth unlivable. After they splash-land on the Water Planet, they find power-hungry clams, a rebellious underwater force, and a world full of too-good-to-be-true. Can this aquatic world really be humans' new home? And why are these clams so eager to swap planets?• A can't-put-it-down page-turner for reluctant readers• Complete with how-to-draw pages in the backAstroNuts Mission Two is full of laugh-out loud humor with a thoughtful commentary on the reality of climate change at the core of the story.Eager and reluctant readers alike ages 8 to 12 years old will be over the moon about this visually groundbreaking read. • Creatively illustrated, full-color action-packed space saga• Perfect for fans of Dog Man, Big Nate, Wimpy Kid, and Captain Underpants• Great for parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians, and educators who are looking to introduce STEM and environmental topics to children• You'll love this book if you love books like The Bad Guys in Superbad by Aaron Blabey, The 104-Story Treehouse: Dental Dramas & Jokes Galore! by Andy Griffiths, and The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka.
Blackbird Summer (Blackbird #1)
by Em ShotwellDanger arises when twenty-one-year-old from a magical family falls in love in this dark, Southern Gothic, new adult fantasy series debut.When the world fears you, being Gifted is a curse. Tallulah Caibre knows this all too well.In the cornerstone of the rural south, Brooklyn, Mississippi, no one dares make eye contact with the strange Caibre family. Until the rewards are worth the cost. The townsfolk come, cash in hand, always at night, to pay for services only a Gifted can provide.No matter the Gifts prevalent in her family, at twenty-one, Tallulah is expected to follow the path laid out for her: marriage, babies, and helping her mama teach the family home school program. She&’s resigned to live the quiet life and stay out of trouble…until she meets Logan.An outsider and all-around rebel, Logan doesn&’t care about her family&’s reputation. Yet after a tragic loss wreaks havoc on the crumbling relationship between the Caibres and the townsfolk, Tallulah must decide if love and freedom are worth risking everything.&“Blackbird Summer harkens to a time of mysticism and magic, painting old world beliefs and mindsets onto a contemporary palette. The depth of emotion and atmosphere created in the story is nothing short of amazing.&”—Award-winning author Tina Moss
Love and the Intern
by Emily CarringtonAfter a decade, Renée is thrown into the stormy seas of love when her erstwhile fiancée reappears in her life. Both women vow to stay away from each other, but circumstances at their job throw them together.Their project? Seek out the maniacal ways of dragons and show the proof of their machinations. But when Renée turns up more than anyone expected, how far will the dragons go to protect their secrets? Will Jenny and Renée live long enough to rekindle their affections?
The Werewolf and His Boy
by Warren RochelleTheir leap of faith could unleash magic ... or plunge them into darkness.Henry Thorn has worked at Larkin's since graduating high school. He likes it -- especially when he can use his secret skill of hiding inside shadows so his boss can't find them. Without that talent, he would never had survived growing up different.When a hire enters the store, Henry's other latent talent kicks in. He can smell an emotional response even before he lays eyes on the redhead.Jamey Currey came out, and his conservative parents promptly kicked him out. He, too, is different -- he senses Henry's attraction the moment they met. The first time they kiss, torrential rains fall from skies split by lightning.Their kiss also awakens the Watchers, diabolical hunters who will stop at nothing -- even extermination -- to keep magic suppressed. With the help of a friendly coven of friendly witches, the boys embark on a quest to discover an ancient key to restoring magic to the world, and to understand mysteries of their own hearts.The question is, will this quest cost them their lives?
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.: A Novel
by Neal Stephenson Nicole GallandFrom bestselling author Neal Stephenson and critically acclaimed historical and contemporary commercial novelist Nicole Galland comes a captivating and complex near-future thriller combining history, science, magic, mystery, intrigue, and adventure that questions the very foundations of the modern world.When Melisande Stokes, an expert in linguistics and languages, accidently meets military intelligence operator Tristan Lyons in a hallway at Harvard University, it is the beginning of a chain of events that will alter their lives and human history itself. The young man from a shadowy government entity approaches Mel, a low-level faculty member, with an incredible offer. The only condition: she must sign a nondisclosure agreement in return for the rather large sum of money. Tristan needs Mel to translate some very old documents, which, if authentic, are earth-shattering. They prove that magic actually existed and was practiced for centuries. But the arrival of the scientific revolution and the Age of Enlightenment weakened its power and endangered its practitioners. Magic stopped working altogether in 1851, at the time of the Great Exhibition at London’s Crystal Palace—the world’s fair celebrating the rise of industrial technology and commerce. Something about the modern world "jams" the "frequencies" used by magic, and it’s up to Tristan to find out why.And so the Department of Diachronic Operations—D.O.D.O. —gets cracking on its real mission: to develop a device that can bring magic back, and send Diachronic Operatives back in time to keep it alive . . . and meddle with a little history at the same time. But while Tristan and his expanding operation master the science and build the technology, they overlook the mercurial—and treacherous—nature of the human heart.Written with the genius, complexity, and innovation that characterize all of Neal Stephenson’s work and steeped with the down-to-earth warmth and humor of Nicole Galland’s storytelling style, this exciting and vividly realized work of science fiction will make you believe in the impossible, and take you to places—and times—beyond imagining.