Is Mercedes Strand living every tween girl's dream, or a sane person's nightmare?****This version is a combination of the first three books of the Evanescence series: Evanescence, The Mirror, and Soul Cannibal****For the girl who has everything, Mercedes Strand can't possibly ask for more. But more she will get. She's earned it after all. She's kind, altruistic, and a total whiz on the computer. What will her rewards entail? How about a hot vampire boyfriend? Yeah, nearly draining her dry of blood and informing her she's earned the wrath of an evil psychopath vampire doesn't usually happen on the ideal first date, but hey, who said love was predictable? Clouds and silver linings, no? Their love shall be everlasting.Surely Mercedes' rewards won't stop there? You bet your backside they won't. Even better than being the breath of life to a hot vampire, she soon catches the eye of Tarasque, the king of dragons himself. Blackmailed by a powerful enemy, he whisks her away to his kingdom of magnificent mountains and endless treasures. And she gets two rewards for the price of one when it's all up to her to convince Tarasque not to commit genocide against the vampires. Fortunately, he's enthralled with her beauty, wit, and sheer mystery to the point where he wishes to rip apart her beloved boyfriend who just so happens to be a…Huh.Well, clouds and silver linings people. Clouds and silver linings. Mercedes' rewards still don't stop there, no siree. How often does a human become so important to an evil Aztec god to the point where his plans can't come to fruition without her? With her pure angelic voice she can unite the cowardly sirens, the blind dragons, and the fanatical vampires against the forces of evil. They won't ignore her, beat her, or try to kill her…Huh.Maybe the term "rewards" is a bit on the loose side.

In a dismal future, the world's governments have exterminated most of the population. Aidan is one of the few left, who was not spared on purpose, but escaped before the End. She finds herself in a trap set by the government and then sent to a prison for the excess of society. She must find a way to break out before she's murdered like her family and friends before her. Time is ticking.In a grim, believable future, Aidan is alone. She's had to wander for the past five years. The world has been overturned, a consequence of a society unwilling to see that they had lost their freedom a long time ago. The world's governments have united to turn a world of billions into a world of less that ten million. With no one to turn to, Aidan has been forced to live a life of solitude, until she finds herself in a trap set by the government. She is captured and brought to a prison for the nation's excess, those who were supposed to die in the End, but survived.Things are bleak, but she finds herself in the company of new allies. Are they the key to escape? But at what cost?Vices is a tale of loss and doing everything in your power to take back what was once yours.

Mike is hanging out at a bar with friends one night when he runs into an old flame. A tragic short love story, set to a jukebox soundtrack.Every housewife needs an alias. Donna Stone has one--and it happens to be government-sanctioned.Oh sure, you need to be ruthless to take on Russian mafia bosses, rogue dictators, and terrorists set on destroying the world. But it takes real killer instincts to survive suburbia. Try juggling the fifth grade phone tree during a shootout with skinhead arms dealers, or driving carpool while being chased by Chinese double agents.Donna’s life wasn’t always this complicated. Five years earlier she was just another woman with two preschoolers, a baby bump, and an adoring husband: Carl, with whom she lived happily ever after in a McMansion in the Orange County, California community of Hilldale. But Donna’s life was changed forever the night she delivered her baby: Carl’s car blew up on the way to the hospital.Turns out Carl was a “hard man”—an assassin—for the black ops organization known as Acme Industries. The hit on Carl was carried out by the Quorum, a terrorist cell he was tracking. The Quorum’s motto: “Show me the money.” Governments and corporations do as they’re told—or suffer bloody consequences.Carl left something behind that the Quorum wants badly. To protect herself and avenge Carl’s death, Donna joined Acme. Whereas her hostessing skills rival Martha Stewart’s, her marksmanship is second to none.A good thing, too, because the Quorum has planted a sleeper cell in Hilldale. For Donna, that’s too close for comfort. Will she be able to save her family before the Quorum blows up Los Angeles?Acme’s way of flushing out the Quorum is by “bringing Carl back from the dead.” But terrorism makes strange bedfellows--and brings new meaning to that old adage “Honey, I’m home…”*Not her real name."Adorable is not usually the word that comes to mind with a title like The Housewife Assassin’s Handbook, but it was just what I needed to pull me out of my reading doldrums. From the handy little homemaker/assassin tips at the beginning of each chapter to the thankless job of being a single parent with catty neighbors, this book hits all the right notes. Donna works for the good guys, Acme Industries, undercover by taking down drug lords and terrorists with a matter-0f-fact attitude while worrying about making it to her carpooling duties.Granted, the book ended with a hook that made me want to immediately get the next one, which is always a smart move and I was excited to see that there are actually 11 books in the series (including a prequel). I now want a week at the beach to read them all. Think Alias meets Desperate Housewives meets The Scarecrow and Mrs. King. Live a little, add some spice to your life, give this little book a try and give yourself a reason to smile. I know I did and now I’m completely smitten." -- Barbara Vey, BarbaraVey.com

When Matt catches sight of beautiful girl from his window he couldn’t have possibly imagined what happened next. Matt desperately scrambles in an attempt to impress Sam, but does he need to or has he already done it? Matt collapses under the seemingly irrational emotions he feels towards Sam. Whenever he so much as sees her, he goes wild. But does Sam feel the same way?When Matt catches sight of beautiful girl from his window he couldn’t have possibly imagined what happened next. Matt desperately scrambles in an attempt to impress Sam, but does he need to or has he already done it? Matt collapses under the seemingly irrational emotions he feels towards Sam. Whenever he so much as sees her, he goes wild. But does Sam feel the same way?Follow the escapades of these two uncertain, frightened and young characters within the 'Matt and Sam' series by Kieran Nimmo. Silent Dreams is the debut novelette of teenage author Kieran Nimmo. Silent Dreams kicks off the ‘Matt and Sam ’ series, which will entail the story of Matt and Sam.

Thirteen-year-old Silas fears the day when guards come and remove his memories leaving him an empty shell. He is trapped in a human farm and knows escape is not possible, but he can’t stop thinking about it. Especially when his older sister Malina is terrified her time will be coming. He has to help her escape. If he fails he could lose everything he loves.Thirteen-year-old Silas fears the day when guards come and remove his memories leaving him an empty shell. He is trapped in the Cartiam, a human farm, and knows escape is not possible, but he can’t stop thinking about it. Especially when his older sister Malina is terrified her time will be coming soon. Ever since he was separated from his parents, Malina has taken care of him and now it’s Silas’ turn to protect her. He has to escape and take her with him.But when the owner comes to visit, things go from bad to worse. Jamar, the owner’s son singles Silas out and the extra attention brings Silas under the owner’s microscope. The other kids in the Cartiam are unhappy with the way they are treated and rising emotions threaten to ruin all of Silas’ plans. Yet worst of all, Malina herself isn’t sure she wants to hang on. It is up to Silas to figure out the escape and fast. If he fails he could lose everything he loves.

On Minas, jobs are created to fulfil people. Each colonist has a shard, a unique talent which gives them a rush of endorphins to practice. The native 'fireflies' constantly encroach on the colony, and it's Gal's job--her shard--to keep them at bay.Until her shard snaps. No place in the world, no rush of endorphins. Is Gal's salvation at the end of the world, or is it closer to home?Is Francis Napier a man or a woman? William Stephens, a young lawyer, is about to depart New Zealand to serve in the First World War when he is seconded to investigate the strange claims of a draft dodger. His interrogation of the mercurial prisoner leads William into a world of doubt that jeopardises his engagement to Edith, a budding artist, and his future in liberal Wellington. This novella weaves historical fact, imaginative fiction and allusions to Greek myth to show how things might prove otherwise for William. It is at once a fractured love story and a reflection on the nature of gender.

Fifteen year old Caryn Tobin is willing to sacrifice her life to save the world, and to atone for her part in the death of a friend. Kai Garrett will risk everything to discover his past and why he was abandon. When their paths join, they form an unlikely friendship that could change everything. The fate of the world hangs in the balance. This is a YA Dystopian Sci-fi novel.From the day 15-year-old Caryn Tobin watched her best friend drown, she has carried two weights: a fear of water and the responsibilities of the oldest candidate in the Compound, a leading power on Beta Earth. Caryn is determined to live up to her friend’s memory, even if it means forcing herself to train in the water every day in order to protect the other girls so they can live and dream. After nearly 3,000 years on the first colonized planet, there is still a deadly toxin in the air poised to wipe out the world’s population and it is the Compound’s purpose to train candidates from birth to gather the underwater cure. All the candidates compete for the chance to save the world, but only one can win and the winner will not survive collecting the cure. Caryn has to win. It is the price she must pay to atone for her part in the drowning. Yet moments after sealing her own fate, Caryn is offered an opportunity to see the planet and leave the Compound for three days. In the city she meets Kai, a 16-year-old street kid, who is searching for answers to his past. They form an unlikely friendship and Caryn realizes she has dreams of her own. Her decision is further complicated when she discovers the Compound has been experimenting on the very people they are sworn to cure. Now she must choose between her sense of duty and her heart, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.

Katie Hart doesn't know what she wants. When her boyfriend of four years mentioned marriage, Katie freaked out and said she wasn’t ready. Yet now Katie thinks she might've been too hasty. She loves David and wants to spend the rest of her life with him, but he may not ask again. Katie decides it is up to her to make the next move, if she can keep from changing her mind.Peta has been living in London and having a great time. Then she finds herself heading home to Australia, as her parents have gone missing whilst bush walking near the town of Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains.Unsure what to do, as the search continues for her parents, Peta does manage to uncover some very interesting information about her family and finds out that, people are not always what they seem.

Allia Washington watches as another Compound candidate is wheeled to the morgue. Now a new position is open and the first in line is Allia's young son. She knows the program will kill her son, but protecting him will take more than solving why all of the candidates die too soon. She may be forced to do anything to save her son, even if she has to defy the Compound itself. This is a short story.Allia Washington watches as another young Compound candidate is wheeled into the science lab for emergency care. The boy is only 12 years old and will not survive to see another sunrise. This means a new position will open in the candidate program and the Compound will be looking for new applicants, the first of which is Allia's four-year-old son. She knows the program will kill her son and she has to find a way to keep him out of it. But protecting her son will take more than solving the mystery that kills all of the candidates too soon. She may be forced to do something drastic, anything to save her son, even if it means she has to defy the Compound itself. This is a short story prequel to The White Lilac a YA dystopia sci-fi novel.

After weeks of waiting, Dan is finally able to be in the live audience of his favorite show. It should be a normal episode, yet as Dan watches the contestants he notices one girl in particular. Dan becomes convinced that the show plans to kill her. Yet what can he do from way up in the stands and who would listen to him if he did? Also includes a sample of The White Lilac, a YA dystopian novel.After weeks of waiting, Dan is finally able to be in the live audience of his favorite show. His seat is near the top of the bleachers, but the huge screens and the atmosphere are worth it. It should be a normal episode, yet as Dan watches the contestants he sees some discrepancies. One girl in particular stands out. Normally he wouldn’t have noticed her, but he becomes convinced that the show plans to kill her. Yet what can he do from way up in the stands and who would listen to him if he tried. The Stadium is slightly futuristic, but has a contemporary feel. Also included is the first chapter of The White Lilac, a YA dystopian sci-fi.

It has been twenty-four years since the Peak Oil, and fourteen – since the world-wide economic collapse (and the Peak Everything.) No, there are no nuclear fall-outs and no zombies on the streets! The Civilization lives on. But: it is a very strange new world. In some ways – similar, and in some ways – totally different from our own. What does the future hold for us?This novel is both a classic police detective and a social science fiction. Or, you may call it a dystopian warning. As the name suggests, the action happens in not-so-distant future. The detective part is thrilling: an FBI Special Agent follows a serial killer case. In the science fiction part, the reader will not find any robots, or flying cars, or super-computers. The end of our world does not come from zombies raised from the graves (although one “zombie” is positively present.) There are no viruses that kill a person in under thirty seconds (although, there are viruses that positively can kill.) There are no continent-size volcanoes, asteroid showers and aliens from the outer space, and no Noah's Flood (although one flood is positively present, but very local.) Does not sound too scary to be a good read? Well, the global catastrophe described in the book is presently on-going! The world created by the author's imagination is remarkably similar and at the same time - remarkably dissimilar to our own, and yet – believable.

Adelaide Hunter is a vampire. Only she doesn't know it yet. When she wakes up to find one of her clients ripped to shreds and her body covered in his blood, her life starts spiraling out of control. With no memory of what happened, she's in trouble. The police are after her, she's got the hots for the detective on her case, and there's a mysterious, handsome vampire who wants to help her.Adelaide Hunter is a vampire. Only, she doesn't know it yet.A high class escort for some of the city's wealthier businessmen, she doesn't have any delusions about what she does. She gets paid for sex, and she's well paid.But when one of her clients winds up dead after a wild, kinky night with her, she's in trouble. She's pretty sure she killed him, but she can't remember a thing. Can she figure things out before her new powers consume her? Or will the police close in before she even has a chance?

God save me from making prophecies, because I am not qualified. Can I predict that Ebola virus not only finds its way to Europe and America, but also learns how to defeat the WHO protective suits protocols? Hey, who cares about Ebola? I fail to foresee that our Commander-in-Chief is going to introduce those new coffee-cup military salutes!Back in 2009, the beta-readers of Houston, 2030: The Year Zero asked me: Mike, are you sure this 'Meltdown' thingy of yours is going to happen? This year, two beta-readers asked independently: Mike, how do you know it will be called 'the Meltdown'? I have to admit, I have no idea how 'this thingy' is going to be called. Perhaps, 'the Meltdown'. Perhaps, 'GFC-3'. Or 'the Great Depression-2'. Or 'Peak Everything'. Further on, I have no idea if the 'Holy crap! This thingy is here!' event is going to happen exactly in 2016. In Eastern and Southern Europe, the energy crisis is presently on-going (my 'Houston, 2030: The Year Zero' has been a little bit of a prophecy, after all!) If we are very lucky, the energy system collapse in the United States will be delayed till the mid-twenties. Or it may come in 2015. How about tomorrow, after lunch?Perhaps, you are telling yourself the author is paranoid. Perhaps, I am. In such case, dear reader, pick a nice fantasy novel, with elves and goblins (yes, I like those too!) Your sword will be sharp and quick, your arrows will fly true and strong! And the Meltdown – Oh, holy crap! – will come totally unexpected.

Jason Dawds was a good husband, father and overall man. But does any of this matter if you are killed? This book explores possibilities and ideas.Book 1 - Brotherhood of the Throne -When Duke Thorold murders her mother,indentured servant Brenna Trewen flees to Kingsreach. Forced to live in the shadows, she’s caught stealing from the Church of the One-God and comes to the attention of Kane Rowse. But Kane is more than the Captain of the Kingsguard, he’s also a senior member of the Brotherhood of the Throne, a secret society that follows the old gods and was formed generations ago to safeguard the bloodline of the first king.And with the childless king dying, the Brotherhood is convinced that Brenna is the one prophesied – the one they have waited two millennia for. Despite her new-found magical abilities, Brenna doesn’t believe in the Brotherhood’s prophecy. But when the Church of the One-God tries to kill her, she’s forced to accept their offer of a safe haven. After stealing her mother’s knife from Duke Thorold, Brenna realizes that it is made of the same old steel as the ancient weapons of the Brotherhood. Is she really the one prophesied? And can the Brotherhood keep her safe from both Duke Thorold and the Church of the One-God?

In a protection camp where everything is regulated, afternoon escapades are the only thing keeping Simone sane. When an impromptu game with her best friend takes them further into the forest and uncovers the ivory tower, all their thoughts of protection and rules are shattered. With the tower’s history of danger and death, Simone has to decide how much she is willing to risk to find out the truth.Christopher J. A. Saint Germain is a traveler, poet, photographer, songwriter, mechanic and US Army Photojournalist. His travels have taken him around the world to experience many cultures. Each of these cultures has had a profound effect on Christopher's Psyche. My Muse is a select collection of Christopher's written work.Christopher invites you to travel with him through triumph and heartache as we journey through this life together.

In the outliers of the Turinth Galaxy, Talia Boone embarks on a tedious, mindless mission to repair outpost communication buoys. Talia likes her solo expeditions - no micromanagement, no small talk, and no one to share her hidden stash of vodka. But when the mission goes awry and her cruiser malfunctions, isolation can have deadly consequences.On a lonely dark road in Ireland, drenched and cold from the lashing rain, Nan, a tough Irish grandmother and Jack her companion search frantically for their old dog who has mysteriously disappeared from the back of their campervan on their way to the Airport. Panic grips a tearful Jack like a coiled snake around her throat and she makes a disastrous decision that drives them into a deep ditch hindering their search even further.A dramatic search continues for Bendog in the following weeks, involving neighbours, radio appeals, local adverts and false leads. The family are devastated as no-one has seen nor heard of him.They do not give up hope and leave an outside light on, just in case.3 months later during a family holiday in Spain, out of the blue a stray dog approaches the family as they are leaving for the beach. She is the image of Bendog, although smaller and much younger. The children, Matt 10 years old and his sister Lucy 8 years old are delighted and comforted by the resemblance to their old Bendog. Lucy believes she can ‘talk dog’ and begins speaking secret messages into the little dog’s ears.They return from their days outing to find an awesome discovery of lost treasure sitting outside their gate. Great jubilations are abundant as Lucy’s resolve of being able to ‘talk dog’ gather momentum and are ushered quickly into the garden to meet ‘The Nan’ before falling foul to rotten tomatoes etc. hurtling through the warm air from retired neighbors as they cling to their precious siesta time.A plan is hatched to take our new arrival around the neighbourhood in case she is recognised and reunited with her owner. We drop into the local bar for refreshments and pass the perky peacocks on our route home. Lucy is delighted that no-one has recognised her and we decide to take her to the vets to see if she is micro chipped, which may lead to an address. Information is obtained from the vet and much to the dismay of Lucy an address is located.Meantime to help cheer Lucy up Nan dresses the dog and Lucy in Spanish costumes and the little furry sweetheart sports a Sombrero. As we parade around the village square, all Spanish eyes smiling as we walk by.We are just about to leave when we are approached by two boys who tell Nan and I that they know who owns the dog. Lucy, upset at this news insists that we all follow the boys to their friends address, just in case they have wanted the cute pup for themselves.But, it's true,she really does have a home and we are greeted by the boys’ mother and two sets of twin toddler’s. The mother explains that she can’t manage the dog and all the children and amazingly offers ‘Milly’ to us to look after. Lucy is ecstatic and delighted and re-names her ‘Millylilly’.Unfortunately their is just one snag. The mother is not sure the father will agree to letting Milly-Lilly go? And she won’t have a definite answer until after the weekend. We agree to return first thing Monday to find out and Lucy whispers into Millylilly’s ears another secret message before jumping back into the campervan.At 9am on the Monday morning we roooooorrrred up to the door to find the mother, stern faced waiting on the step, and no sign of Milly. Our hearts plummeted and Lucy’s tears started to fall down her face. But…just then the door opened slightly and out ran Millylilly up into the arms of Lucy, followed by the elder boy carrying her bed and a large bag of food.“But how will we take her back to England?” asked Matt’“No problem, replied Nan, we'll bring her back in the campervan all the way through Europe”.But then, that’s another story.

The Shadow Club starts simply enough: the kids who are tired of being second-best get together and, for the first time, talk about how they feel. But soon the members decide to play practical jokes on the first-place winners they envy, and things begin to spin dangerously out of control. "This is a provocative novel . . . The plot is ingeniously simple and the course of events compelling. Brisk enough to snag a popular audience, but forceful in impact, it will leave readers thinking." (Booklist, starred review)

Talon lives Downside, that is, underneath New York City. There is a strict code of secrecy among the Downsiders. However, when Talon accidentally meets a young woman named Lindsay, who is a Topsider (from above the ground), the two worlds inevitably collide. They become friends and love blossoms. The punishment for Talon's lack of discretion could be death. What will happen to them? Will the entire Downsider community be discovered?

The uproarius companion to "The Schwa was Here" and "Antsy Does Time"In honor of Old Man Crawley's eightieth birthday, the Bonano family has been invited to celebrate with a weeklong cruise to the Caribbean aboard the world's largest, grandest ship. But whether on land or at sea, Antsy can't manage to stay out of trouble: He quickly finds himself the accomplice of stowaway and thief Tilde, whose self-made mission it is to smuggle onto the ship and across the U.S. border illegal immigrants from her native Mexico. When Antsy steps in to take the fall for Tilde, he becomes the focus of a major international incident and the poster child for questionable decisions.Equal parts clever and riotous, Ship Out of Luck brings back the beloved cast of characters from Neal Shusterman's acclaimed The Schwa Was Here and Antsy Does Time.

Tesla's Attic is the first book in a brilliantly imagined and hilariously written trilogy that combines science, magic, intrigue, and just plain weirdness, about four kids who are caught up in a dangerous plan concocted by the eccentric inventor Nikola Tesla. After their home burns down, fourteen-year-old Nick, his younger brother, and their father move into a ramshackle Victorian house they've inherited. When Nick opens the door to his attic room, he's hit in the head by a toaster. That's just the beginning of his weird experiences with the old junk stored up there. After getting rid of the odd antiques in a garage sale, Nick befriends some local kids-Mitch, Caitlin, and Vincent-and they discover that all of the objects have extraordinary properties. What's more, Nick figures out that the attic is a strange magnetic vortex, which attracts all sorts of trouble. It's as if the attic itself has an intelligence . . . and a purpose. Ultimately Nick learns that the genius Nikola Tesla placed the items-his last inventions-in the attic as part of a larger plan that he mathematically predicted. Nick and his new friends must retrieve everything that was sold at the garage sale and keep it safe. But the task is fraught with peril-in addition to the dangers inherent in Tesla's mysterious and powerful creations, a secret society of physicists, the Accelerati, is determined to stop Nick and alter destiny to achieve its own devious ends. It's a lot for a guy to handle, especially when he'd much rather fly under the radar as the new kid in town. Fans of intrigue, action, humor, and nonstop surprises are guaranteed a read unlike any other in Tesla's Attic, Book One of the Accelerati Trilogy.

Both Nick and the Accelerati have learned that the strange objects Nikola Tesla left in Nick’s attic are pieces of a Far Range Energy Emitter, capable of transmitting “free energy” to the globe. Some components of the contraption are still missing, but the objects themselves seem to be leading Nick to their current owners. Each piece is with the person who needs it the most. But there are plenty of obstacles: Nick finds his judgment impaired by Caitlin’s intoxicating closeness, not to mention her ex-boyfriend Theo’s jealous sabotage; Mitch has to choose between pleasing Petula or helping Nick; and Vince, who gets his hands on some light-absorbing drapes, is so taken by the darkness, he can’t let them go. The Accelerati, meanwhile, are still around every corner, and they manage to beat Nick to a few more objects. They use the few pieces of Tesla’s technology they've recovered to create a storm and convince local officials that the Tesla F.R.E.E. is hazardous.The objects are confiscated by the Accelerati as the town brings in a wrecking ball to demolish Nick’s house. The Accelerati transport the objects back to their lab, hidden under the Edison Museum in Menlo Park, New Jersey. Nick knows that is where he’ll find his destiny.

In this conclusion to The Star Shards Chronicles, powerful and terrifying invaders have arrived from a parallel dimension, and only the Star Shards can prevent the destruction of the human race. Six children were conceived at the exact moment that the star Mentaras-H went supernova, and the explosion transformed their souls into living star fragments. Now the Star Shards face the ultimate battle—and the true purpose of their gifts be revealed, for it is no accident they have these powers. Once despised for their “deformities,” the Star Shards are now worshiped and feared as gods. Their power is unlimited, as is the temptation to abuse it. But a new and terrifying force has torn a wound in the universe, infecting it like a deadly, intelligent virus. Only one power exists that could conceivably prevent the extermination of the human race: the Star Shards. But only if they can put aside their titanic egos and join forces one final time. Acclaimed author Neal Shusterman’s “talent for depicting superhuman characters with human strengths and weaknesses lends depth and immediacy to a tale of cosmic proportions” (School Library Journal) in this stunning conclusion to a visionary trilogy. *Originally published by Tor Fantasy in 2002. *

The Shadow Club doesn't exist anymore.  The group of second-best kids used to play anonymous practical jokes on their rivals, until things spiraled out of control. Now Jared and the ex-Shadow Club members are having a hard time shaking their reputation. And when the new golden boy at school is the victim of a series of nasty pranks, everyone's convinced Jared is to blame.  Determined to prove his innocence, Jared soon becomes wrapped up in a nightmare worse than anything the Shadow Club ever caused.

Cara is so ugly, mirrors would rather break than show her reflection. Not even her own parents can deny her ugliness, and nothing can make up for the cruelty of her schoolmates. Tormented and tortured by the shallow people of Flock's Rest, Cara's life is miserable. Then Cara receives a shimmering note from some exotic place suggesting that there's more to her than meets the eye. Cara wonders if her destiny has something to do with her recurring dreams of a beautiful green valley where the people are so accepting, her ugliness doesn't matter. Soon, Cara discovers that her valley of dreams is real. It's a place where the ugliest of ducklings can become swans. A swan, however, can have a serious taste for revenge . . . deadly revenge.

A teen attempts to forgive the unforgiveable in this stunning novel ("VOYA") based on a tragic true story from the author of the "New York Times" bestselling Unwind dystology. Preston Scott was only twelve years old when his father killed his mother. He never saw it coming. Despite his parents constant fighting, Preston always thought they were perfect together. He never dreamed his father would be capable of murder. Then again, who could ever predict something like this? Fast forward: Preston is now fourteen. His father has just been released from jail and is moving near his grandparents house, where Preston and his younger brother Tyler have been living. His grandparents forgave his dad long ago for killing their daughter, and although Preston tries to feel the same kind of forgiveness, it s not easy: he ll never see his mother again, and yet, he still loves his father. How is that possible? Will Preston ever be able to reconcile his dueling feelings for his father, and move past this tragedy? "Chasing Forgiveness "was originally published in 1991 as "What Daddy Did.""

Nick Slate, in order to protect his father and little brother, reluctantly must help the Accelerati complete Tesla's great device. Their power-mad leader wants nothing less than to control the world's energy--but there are still three missing objects to track down. Nick's friends can't help him, as they are spread across the globe grappling with their own mysteries--with Vince in Scotland, Caitlin and Mitch on their way to New Jersey, and Petula's whereabouts unknown. On his own, Nick must locate Tesla's final inventions-- which are the most powerful of all, capable of shattering time and collapsing space. Praise for Tesla's Attic "...Shusterman and Elfman have crafted a plot more devious, characters far quirkier, climaxes (yes, there are two) more breathless, and a narration much, much funnier than recent mad-science offerings. Sticking with a third-person narration frees the authors to be as wryly and sophisticatedly witty as they please without compromising the veracity of their middle-school cast, resulting in storytelling as delightful as the story being told." -Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books (starred review) "Lively, intelligent prose elevates this story of teenagers versus mad scientists, the third-person point of view offering a stage to various players in their play of galactic consequence. A wild tale in the spirit of Back to the Future, with a hint of Malamud's The Natural tossed in."--Kirkus Reviews "This collaboration between Shusterman and Elfman tempers the scarier elements of Nick's quest with deft, humorous writing and plenty of the ordinary adventures of a new kid in school finding his niche. Hand this one to fans of Rick Riordan's Kane Chronicles or Kenneth Oppel's Airborne."--Booklist 2014 VOYA Magazine Top Shelf Honoree A Junior Library Guild Selection

Bored with life, 14-year-old Parker Bear perks up when a new girl arrives in town. Tara always wears designer sunglasses. When Parker realizes Tara's 'friends' at school are developing strange quirks, he is too embroiled in his own cravings to stop her.

In a one-of-a-kind collaboration, seventeen of the most recognizable YA writers—including Shaun David Hutchinson, Neal and Brendan Shusterman, and Beth Revis—come together to share the viewpoints of a group of students affected by a school shooting.It took only twenty-two minutes for Kirby Matheson to exit his car, march onto the school grounds, enter the gymnasium, and open fire, killing six and injuring five others. But this isn’t a story about the shooting itself. This isn’t about recounting that one unforgettable day. This is about Kirby and how one boy—who had friends, enjoyed reading, playing saxophone in the band, and had never been in trouble before—became a monster capable of entering his school with a loaded gun and firing on his classmates. Each chapter is told from a different victim’s viewpoint, giving insight into who Kirby was and who he’d become. Some are sweet, some are dark; some are...

In this second entry in Neal Shusterman's Dark Fusion series, he twists the familiar fairy tale "Red Riding Hood" into a brooding story about a city plagued by gangs. Red, a boy famous for cruising around in a bloodcolored Mustang, takes on the Wolves after they rob his grandmother. He decides to beat them by joining them, to learn their weaknesses. After a while, however, he finds himself drawn to the pack. At the next full moon, will Red take up their murderous ways, or will he take them down? Ingenious twists and turns come fast and furious in this urban thriller.

Six teens struggle to discover the source of their strange and horrific abilities in this first book of The Star Shards Chronicles. Dillon has the terrifying power to create massive amounts of destruction with the slightest tweak of his will. Deanna is so consumed by fear, it has become like a black hole, drawing to her the very things that terrify her. Then, when the glare of a supernova sixteen light-years away illuminates the night sky, they have a vision: There are six of them out there, all teenagers, and all suffering from supernatural afflictions that disfigure their bodies and souls. Only by finding one another will the six ever be strong enough to defeat these mysterious forces that, bit by bit, are devouring their souls from the inside out.

They say if you stare at him long enpigh. you can see what's written on the wall behind him. They say a lot of things about the Schwa, but one thing's for sure: noone ever noticed him. Except me. My name is Antsy Bonano- and I can tell you what's true and what's not 'cause I was there. I was the one who realized the Schwa was functionaly invisible and used it to make some big bucks. But I was also the one that caused him more grief than a friend should. So if you all just shut up and listen, I'll spill everything. Unless of course, the Schwa-effect wipes him out of my brain before I'm done...

Rowan has gone rogue, and has taken it upon himself to put the Scythedom through a trial by fire. Literally. In the year since Winter Conclave, he has gone off-grid, and has been striking out against corrupt scythes—not only in MidMerica, but across the entire continent. He is a dark folk hero now—“Scythe Lucifer”—a vigilante taking down corrupt scythes in flames. Citra, now a junior scythe under Scythe Curie, sees the corruption and wants to help change it from the inside out, but is thwarted at every turn, and threatened by the “new order” scythes. Realizing she cannot do this alone—or even with the help of Scythe Curie and Faraday, she does the unthinkable, and risks being “deadish” so she can communicate with the Thunderhead—the only being on earth wise enough to solve the dire problems of a perfect world. But will it help solve those problems, or simply watch as perfection goes into decline?

What if a seventh grader could have everything he wanted? He'd make ice-cram cones materialize out of nowhere and zap up every video game he'd ever wanted, right? But what if he was also tired of being bullied and all it took to change that was to put on a pair of sunglasses? Kevin Midas's new look is more than just for style -- he's out for revenge!

In the New York Times bestselling Unwind Dystology—Unwind, UnWholly, UnSouled, and UnDivided—Neal Shusterman thrilled readers with the story of a society that deals with its out-of-control teens by “unwinding” them—transplanting more than 99% of their bodies into other people. In the latest installment of this sequence, Shusterman—along with collaborators Terry Black, Michelle Knowlden, Brendan Shusterman, and Jarrod Shusterman—explores even more aspects of a world that has accepted the unacceptable. These short stories examine the world of unwinding in a way we haven’t seen before, providing a fresh framework, new characters, and a different take on some events. With UnBound, Shusterman’s fans can continue to get caught up in the world he has created in this “gripping, brilliantly imagined futuristic thriller” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

Thou shalt kill. A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery. Humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control. Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.

Imagine being trapped forever in someone else’s nightmare, with no means of escape. Or caught on one of the most terrifying roller coasters of all time, when suddenly the tracks ahead just disappear. Enter the world of Darkness Creeping, where hollow-eyed skulls arrive in the mail and nothing is as it seems. Boston Globe–Horn Book Award winner and beloved author Neal Shusterman walks on the dark side with this classic collection of masterfully creepy stories so horrifying, you may have to read them twice to remind yourself they’re not real.

Teens control the fate of America in the fourth and final book in the New York Times bestselling Unwind dystology by Neal Shusterman. Proactive Citizenry, the company that created Cam from the parts of unwound teens, has a plan: to mass produce rewound teens like Cam for military purposes. And below the surface of that horror lies another shocking level of intrigue: Proactive Citizenry has been suppressing technology that could make unwinding completely unnecessary. As Conner, Risa, and Lev uncover these startling secrets, enraged teens begin to march on Washington to demand justice and a better future. But more trouble is brewing. Starkey’s group of storked teens is growing more powerful and militant with each new recruit. And if they have their way, they’ll burn the harvest camps to the ground and put every adult in them before a firing squad—which could destroy any chance America has for a peaceful future.

Fueled by friendship and sympathy, Antsy Bonano signs a month of his life over to his dying classmate Gunnar Umlaut. Soon everyone at school follows suit, giving new meaning to the idea of living on borrowed time. But does Gunnar really have six months to live, or is news of his imminent death greatly exaggerated? When a family member suffers a heart attack after donating two years to Gunnar, Antsy wonders if he has tempted fate by playing God. Fans of the Schwa will welcome favorite and new characters in this wholly fresh tale, which is as touchingly poignant as it is darkly comical.

A group of monumentally powerful teens must face an ancient, soul-eating foe in this second book of The Star Shards Chronicles. A cataclysmic explosion has given earthly teens astronomical powers—when the star Mentarsus-H went supernova at their conceptions, the teens absorbed the shattered soul of the star and inherited unimaginable abilities. Now the Star Shards have become like gods, drunk on their own power—and ripe for manipulation by The Bringer, a creature who would turn them against one another and transform the planet into his own personal feeding ground. But who is more dangerous: The Bringer or the Star Shards? Acclaimed author Neal Shusterman presents “a story which is grippingly unexpected” (The Bookwatch) that sets the stage for the riveting conclusion to The Star Shards trilogy. *Originally published by Tor Fantasy in 1999. *

National Book Award and Golden Kite Award Winner A captivating novel about mental illness that lingers long beyond the last page, Challenger Deep is a heartfelt tour de force by New York Times bestselling author Neal Shusterman. Caden Bosch is on a ship that's headed for the deepest point on Earth: Challenger Deep, the southern part of the Marianas Trench. Caden Bosch is a brilliant high school student whose friends are starting to notice his odd behavior. Caden Bosch is designated the ship's artist in residence to document the journey with images. Caden Bosch pretends to join the school track team but spends his days walking for miles, absorbed by the thoughts in his head. Caden Bosch is split between his allegiance to the captain and the allure of mutiny. Caden Bosch is torn. Challenger Deep is a deeply powerful and personal novel from one of today's most admired writers for teens. Laurie Halse Anderson, award-winning author of Speak, calls Challenger Deep "a brilliant journey across the dark sea of the mind; frightening, sensitive, and powerful. Simply extraordinary."

Jason is having a bad day. The kind of day when you just don't feel like yourself. Only for Jason, it's not just a feeling. He really isn't himself. Not any more. Who is he? That's the problem. Jason isn't sure. And it's not just him. Everyone in town is acting weird. His friends. His parents. Everyone. Billington is usually such a normal town. As Jason is about to discover, nothing will ever be normal again.

This fast-paced YA debut novel has it all: smart, savvy characters making their way through an eerily dystopian society, with all the requisite action, adventure and romance characteristic of the genre vividly and at times, chillingly, portrayed. In a wild and lawless future, where life is cheap and survival is hard, eighteen-year-old Saba lives with her father, her twin brother Lugh, her young sister Emmi and her pet crow Nero. Theirs is a hard and lonely life. The family resides in a secluded shed, their nearest neighbour living many miles away and the lake, their only source of water and main provider of food, gradually dying from the lack of rain. But Saba's father refuses to leave the place where he buried his beloved wife, Allis, nine years ago. Allis died giving birth to Emmi, and Saba has never forgiven her sister for their mother's death. But while she despises Emmi, Saba adores her twin brother Lugh. Golden-haired and blue-eyed, loving and good, he seems the complete opposite to dark-haired Saba, who is full of anger and driven by a ruthless survival instinct. To Saba, Lugh is her light and she is his shadow, he is the day, she is the nighttime, he is beautiful, she is ugly, he is good, she is bad. So Saba's small world is brutally torn apart, when a group of armed riders arrives five day's after the twin's eighteenth birthday snatch Lugh away. Saba's rage is so wild, that she manages to drive the men away, but not before they have captured Lugh and killed their father. And here begins Saba's epic quest to rescue Lugh, during which she is tested by trials she could not have imagined, and one that takes the reader on breathtaking ride full or romance, physical adventure and unforgettably vivid characters, making this a truly sensational YA debut novel. From the Hardcover edition.

Saba thought her world would return to normal after they defeated the Tonton and rescued her kidnapped brother Lugh. The family head west for a better life and a longed-for reunion with Jack. But a formidable enemy is on the rise. What is the truth about Jack? And how far will Saba go to get what she wants?

Part Benjamin Button, part Harold and Maud, part Brian Selznick and part Neil Gaiman, this is a unique, magical story that will draw readers in and make them fall in love with both characters. Davy David is a thirteen-year-old orphan, who lives in the bushes in a town ruled by a strict minister, Reverend Fall. A talented artist, Davy loves to draw pictures of angels in the dirt, in the early hours of the morning before the townspeople are awake. He spends his days on his own, except for a small dog, who has attached himself to Davy, often going to the library to find inspiration for his pictures of angels. One day, after chasing after a ball for some of the town's boys, he finds himself in the yard of the old boarded-up museum, now rumoured to be the home of a witch. The witch is Miss Elizabeth Flint, an elderly woman who has a proposition for Davy: drive her to her childhood home, where, it turns out, she has made the decision to die.

The much-anticipated, thrilling conclusion to Moira Young's Dust Lands trilogy.       When the star reader, Auriel Tai, challenged Saba to seize her destiny and defeat DeMalo and the Tonton, Saba was confident in her purpose. Then she met DeMalo and he confounded all expectations with his seductive vision of a healed earth, a New Eden. DeMalo and Saba had an intense and passionate encounter - physical, emotional and psychic - that changed her life, and now he wants Saba to join him, in life and work, to create and build a healthy, stable, sustainable world...for the chosen few.       Jack's choice is clear: to fight DeMalo and try to stop his dangerous New Eden project. Still uncertain, her connection with DeMalo a secret, Saba commits herself to the fight. Joined by her brother Lugh, anxious for the land in New Eden, Saba leads an inexperienced guerilla band against the powerfully charismatic DeMalo, in command of his settlers and the Tonton militia.       What chance do they have? Saba must act. And be willing to pay the price. From the Hardcover edition.

Author Dan Wells is back with the sequel to the sci-fi blockbuster Partials, which Pittacus Lore called a "thrilling sci-fi adrenaline rush, with one of the most compelling and frightening visions of Earth's future I've seen yet." After discovering the cure for RM, Kira Walker sets off on a terrifying journey into the ruins of postapocalyptic America and the darkest desires of her heart in order to uncover the means—and a reason—for humanity's survival. Dan Wells extends his richly imagined, gritty world and introduces new memorable characters in this second installment in the Partials Sequence.

Los Angeles in 2050 is a city of open doors, as long as you have the right connections. One of those connections is a djinni—a smart device implanted right in a person’s head. In a world where virtually everyone is online twenty-four hours a day, this connection is like oxygen—and a world like that presents plenty of opportunities for someone who knows how to manipulate it. Marisa Carneseca is one of those people. She might spend her days in Mirador, the small, vibrant LA neighborhood where her family owns a restaurant, but she lives on the net—going to school, playing games, hanging out, or doing things of more questionable legality with her friends Sahara and Anja. And it’s Anja who first gets her hands on Bluescreen—a virtual drug that plugs right into a person’s djinni and delivers a massive, non-chemical, completely safe high. But in this city, when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is, and Mari and her friends soon find themselves in the middle of a conspiracy that is much bigger than they ever suspected.

Just when Fredrick Whithers thought his life couldn't get any more complicated, he is asked to arrange a funeral for a man who is very much not dead. In the companion to A Night of Blacker Darkness, Frederick must balance the arts of necromancy and magic while managing to run a funeral home.

Kira, Samm, and Marcus fight to prevent a final war between Partials and humans in the gripping final installment in the Partials Sequence, a series that combines the thrilling action of The Hunger Games with the provocative themes of Blade Runner and The Stand. There is no avoiding it—the war to decide the fate of both humans and Partials is at hand. Both sides hold in their possession a weapon that could destroy the other, and Kira Walker has precious little time to prevent that from happening. She has one chance to save both species and the world with them, but it will only come at great personal cost.