New Releases by Sean Williams

In Music at the Threshold from the Sacred to the Dangerous, author Sean Williams explores the connection of liminality to musical culture by focusing on how performance practices tend to occur at liminal places and times, and often by potentially marginalized people who are, in fact, central to the expression of cultural identity. Williams highlights issues of access and interdisciplinarity and shows how people use music to facilitate transformation in culturally bound ways. Featuring themes of access to the unknown, dual faith, erotic power, longing for home, transgression, and resistance, each chapter draws from an array of musical settings and cultural traditions that, considered on their own, might not be as remarkable without seeing the greater picture. Rather than focus on a single genre in a single place, this meta-ethnography casts a wide thematic net across genres, regions, and people. The erotic allure of the female-coded being who sings men to a watery death differs from the nostalgic allure evoked in the hearts and minds of immigrants by the music and foods of home, but an internal ache exists regardless. From sounds and rituals used to connect to the ancestors with music used by those who practice more than one religion, the sacred looms large in both vernacular and mainstream practices. The twin dangers of transgression and resistance-whether by musically thriving while being both queer and Black or performing hip hop in an endangered language-bring to light acts that celebrate strength and honor cultural practices. Liminal moments, or lifetimes, that are sacred, alluring, or dangerous appear again and again to remind us of the centrality of music in our lives.

The dark side could not seduce him. The Empire could not control him. Death could not defeat him. And now, nothing can stop him from seizing his destiny. As ruthless apprentice to Darth Vader, Starkiller was mercilessly schooled in the ways of the dark side, commanded to exterminate the last of the purged Jedi Order, and groomed for the ultimate Sith power play: assassination of the Emperor. He served without question, killed without remorse, and lost his heart without warning to beautiful Imperial fighter pilot Juno Eclipse, never suspecting that he was just a tool in the schemes of his masters—until it was too late to escape their lethal betrayal. Juno mourned Starkiller as dead . . . but now he is back, purged of all memories and programmed to kill. And as fate brings Juno and Starkiller closer to reuniting, with Darth Vader determined not to lose his assassin a second time, they will both have to make a stand. The prize is freedom. The punishment for failing will be eternal enslavement to the dark side of the Force. . . .

Darth Vader’s young Sith apprentice will forge an unlikely alliance with a ruined Jedi Master seeking redemption as he ventures to destroy Emperor Palpatine. “The Sith always betray one another. . . . I’m sure you’ll learn that soon enough.” The overthrow of the Republic is complete. Absolute power now rests in the iron fist of Darth Sidious–the cunning Sith Lord better known as Emperor Palpatine.But more remains to be done. Pockets of resistance in the galaxy must still be defeated and missing Jedi accounted for . . . and dealt with. These crucial tasks fall to the Emperor’s ruthless enforcer, Darth Vader, who in turn has groomed a lethal, nameless Sith apprentice to secretly dispatch the last of his masters’ enemies. Since childhood, Vader's nameless agent has known only the cold, mercenary creed of the Sith. His past is a void; his present, the carrying out of his deadly orders. But his future beckons like a glistening black jewel with the ultimate promise: to stand beside the only father he has ever known, with the galaxy at their feet. But there is one, in control of his master, that stands in the way. This acolyte’s journey will take him across the far reaches of the galaxy and test him with shattering revelations that strike at the very heart of all he believes, stirring within him long-forgotten hopes of reclaiming his name . . . and changing his destiny.

Siden tvillingeparret Jack og Jaide Shield flyttede til Portland, er der sket mange mærkelige ting for dem. Tvillingerne har opdaget deres egne magiske kræfter – og har set, hvor grueligt galt det kan gå, når de bruger dem. De har mødt katte, der kan tale, og mennesker med dybe, mørke hemmeligheder. Og de har indledt deres kamp mod en dødelig kraft, bedre kendt som Ondskaben. Men Jack og Jaide har ikke mødt Portlands særeste indbygger endnu. Det er et væsen, som kun kommer frem om natten, et uhyre, som overgår enhver menneskelig fantasi. Jaide og Jack har aldrig set det før ... men det kommer de til nu. Og når de gør, lurer ødelæggelse og ulykke lige i nærheden. Bogen udkom første gang i 2011 og er anden del af historien om Jaide og Jack. Kaostvillinger Kaostvillinger - Monsteret er andet bind i de anerkendte forfattere Garth Nix og Sean Williams hæsblæsende fantasyserie. Den australske forfatter Garth Nix (f. 1963) er kendt og elsket for sine fantasifulde universer. Han har vundet flere priser, blandt andet The Aurealis Award for bedste fantasyroman i 1995. Han er oversat til 28 sprog og ligger på bestsellerlisterne i flere lande. Nix står bag de store fantasyserier Det gamle rige (også kendt som Abhorsentrilogien) samt Rigets nøgler. Sean Williams (f. 1967) regnes ligesom Nix for en af Australiens mest originale science fiction- og fantasyforfattere. Han har vundet adskillige priser for sit forfatterskab, blandt andet The Aurealis Award for bedste novellesamling i 2007. Kaostvillinger er hans debut på dansk.

"”Der er noget på vej op af havet,” advarede han sin søster. ”Noget rigtig stort.” Jaide så ud. Til at starte med kunne hun ikke se noget, men så kom strålen fra fyrtårnet fejende forbi og oplyste kortvarigt en enorm, monstrøs form, der var ved at trække sig selv op af det frådende hav for at komme op ad klippen. Tredive meter lange tentakler blev fulgt af en enorm oval krop på størrelse med en fisketrawler." Tvillingeparret Jack og Jaide er to helt almindelige børn i en helt almindelig forstad. Da deres far en dag vender hjem fra en af sine mange forretningsrejser, rører de ved et tilfælde en mystisk genstand i hans kuffert. Pludselig er der noget efter dem. Noget ondt. Og fra den dag er intet, som det var engang. Børnene er nødt til at flytte hjem til deres mystiske bedstemor i den lille kystby Portland. Her går det op for dem, at de ikke er som alle andre. Deres familie tilhører en hemmelig orden, der beskytter vores verden mod en ældgammel ondskab, og de to tvillinger besidder utæmmede magiske kræfter. Dem får de brug for nu, for ondskaben er fulgt efter dem til den lille by. "Kaostvillinger" udkom oprindeligt i 2011. Kaostvillinger Kaostvillinger er første bind i de anerkendte forfattere Garth Nix og Sean Williams hæsblæsende nye fantasyserie. Den australske forfatter Garth Nix (f. 1963) er kendt og elsket for sine fantasifulde universer. Han har vundet flere priser, blandt andet The Aurealis Award for bedste fantasyroman i 1995. Han er oversat til 28 sprog og ligger på bestsellerlisterne i flere lande. Nix står bag de store fantasyserier Det gamle rige (også kendt som Abhorsentrilogien) samt Rigets nøgler. Sean Williams (f. 1967) regnes ligesom Nix for en af Australiens mest originale science fiction- og fantasyforfattere. Han har vundet adskillige priser for sit forfatterskab, blandt andet The Aurealis Award for bedste novellesamling i 2007. Kaostvillinger er hans debut på dansk.

The first book in internationally bestselling author Sean Williams' Broken Land trilogy. Set in the same dark fantasy world as his award-winning Books of the Change series, where the deserts are red, the coastlines long and, as young Ros finds, families sacrifice their own children for water. Escape is his only option, and he manages it on a stolen camel-but what next? If he can learn to control the force known as 'the Change', he might have a chance... 'In a smashed and parched land so reminiscent of the back-slopes of the Mt Lofty Ranges in summer, the beautifully grim and driving narrative had me hooked, deeply anxious to learn Ros' fate. Sean Williams is an acknowledged master of adult stories, and in The Changeling he proves that wonderful and terrible tales for younger folk are well within the ambit of his prodigiously talented and prolific pen.' - David Cornish First published in 2008, The Changeling was shortlisted for an Aurealis Award for Excellence in Australian Speculative Fiction that same year.

“I'm not going to lie to you. There are no secret handshakes or rules that will get you on your particular dream-path. If there was, we'd all be on our own already. If you want to be a successful writer, be prepared to have to make up most of it as you go along.” In these essays, Sean Williams—the best-selling author of over 120 short stories and fifty novels—shares his thoughts on the aspects of writing craft and the publishing business that young authors should know. Drawn from essays, keynotes, and presentations delivered over a decades-long career, Eyes on the Stars: Writing Science Fiction & Fantasy features Williams’s thoughts on balancing passion and professionalism, understanding the new writer’s career path, embracing the delicate art of writing media tie-ins, and reaching for the stars with your writerly ambitions. Whether you’re looking for writing advice from one of the preeminent writers of Science Fiction and Fantasy working in Australia today, or you’re a fan of William’s work who’d like to capture a slice of his creative philosophies, this chapbook is chock full of advice from a veteran of the Australian genre scene. ESSAYS IN THIS COLLECTION · A Day In The Life Of… · The Writer's Career Path · The Delicate Art of Media Tie-Ins · Reach for the Stars

Sci-fi and fantasy of tomorrow . . . . . . selected by masters of today. Where can you find the hottest new talent all in one book? Right here. This year’s winning stories include a diverse collection of brilliantly realized worlds of dystopian politics, magical realism, post-apocalyptic adventure, and romance, dark fantasy and more. You’ll love this anthology because these writers push the boundaries—and break beyond them . . . these illustrators envision the impossible—and render it real . . . these stories challenge the way we see ourselves—and present the world in a new way. Buy Writers of the Future Volume 36. 24 Award-winning Authors and Illustrators Bonus short stories by: L. Ron Hubbard • Katherine Kurtz • Jody Lynn Nye • Nnedi Okorafor Art and writing tips by: Echo Chernik • L. Ron Hubbard • Mike Perkins • Sean Williams Edited by: David Farland 16-page color Gallery of Artwork Cover art by: Echo Chernik Soar to new heights of Science Fiction & Fantasy. Get to know tomorrow’s brightest creative talents chosen by some of today’s bestselling authors and celebrated artists including Kevin J. Anderson, Orson Scott Card, Larry Elmore, Brandon Sanderson, Dan dos Santos, and Robert J. Sawyer. The future of science fiction and fantasy is in your hands. Anthology includes: 12 award-winning stories, 16 full-color illustrations, 4 bonus stories, and 4 articles offering art and writing tips. ___________________________ 4 bonus short stories: “Borrowed Glory” by L. Ron Hubbard: For a single day of glory and the settlement of a dispute among immortals, a life can be a satisfactory price. “The Green Tower” by Katherine Kurtz: The magic is strong in the Green Tower, and two young girls struggle to discover its secrets. “The Phoenix’s Peace” by Jody Lynn Nye: The Phoenix has always been the guardian of Dembia. Now there’s trouble in the land, and mysteriously, the Phoenix has left two golden eggs. “The Winds of Harmattan” by Nnedi Okorafor: A young woman seeks her destiny in the African winds of Harmattan. ___________________________ Art and writing tips: “The Illustrators of the Future Contest and the Art of This Anthology” by Echo Chernik: As a successful advertising and publishing illustrator, Contest Coordinating Judge, and art director, Echo gives the story behind the cherished art included in this anthology. “Steps in the Right Direction” by L. Ron Hubbard: In this interview, Ron describes the practical philosophy and energetic disciplines he applied with such telling success to his own career as a professional author. “Breaking In” by Mike Perkins: Marvel and DC artist for Captain America, Thor, and Spider-Man shares valuable advice for anyone wanting to make it as a professional artist and illustrator. “Making Collaboration Work for You or Co-writing with Larry and Sean” by Sean Williams: New York Times bestselling author, provides insight on the pitfalls and advantages of collaborating with another author. “These are the people who are going to be creating trends.” —Brandon Sanderson

Focus: Irish Traditional Music, Second Edition introduces the instrumental and vocal musics of Ireland, its diaspora in North America, and its Celtic neighbors while exploring the essential values underlying these rich musical cultures and placing them in broader historical and social context. With both the undergraduate and graduate student in mind, the text weaves together past and present, bringing together important ideas about Irish music from a variety of sources and presenting them, in three parts, within interdisciplinary lenses of history, film, politics, poetry, and art: I. Irish Music in Place and Time provides an overview of the island’s musical history and its relationship to current performance practice. II. Music Traditions Abroad and at Home contrasts the instrumental and vocal musics of the "Celtic Nations" (Scotland, Wales, Brittany, etc.) and the United States with those of Ireland. III. Focusing In: Vocal Music in Irish-Gaelic and English identifies the great songs of Ireland’s two main languages and explores the globalization of Irish music. New to this edition are discussions of those contemporary issues reflective of Ireland’s dramatic political and cultural shifts in the decade since first publication, issues concerning equity and inclusion, white nationalism, the Irish Traveller community, hip hop and punk, and more. Pedagogical features—such as discussion questions, a glossary, a timeline of key dates, and expanded references, as well as an online soundtrack—ensure that readers of Focus: Irish Traditional Music, Second Edition will be able to grasp Ireland's important social and cultural contexts and apply that understanding to traditional and contemporary vocal and instrumental music today.

From New York Times bestselling authors Garth Nix and Sean Williams comes this funny, exciting fantasy adventure about two friends and a couple of swords with attitude. Odo and Eleanor are excited to be knights. Only ... they're stuck at home waiting for something bigger to come along. That 'something bigger' comes to them in the form of an old man named Egda, a warrior named Hundred and an ancient legend about a sleeping dragon. Odo, Eleanor, and their trusty and talkative swords, Biter and Runnel, are plunged into a quest that will take them (as all good quests must) to unfamiliar lands, where they will fight unseen enemies and unlock unbelievable secrets in order to prevent an unbearable impostor from taking the crown. Also, they will need to keep an eye out for dragons. As they did with Have Sword, Will Travel, fantasy masters Garth Nix and Sean Williams have crafted a tale full of fire, laughs and twists for adventurous readers of all ages.

In this "fast-paced, tongue-in-cheek adventure" from New York Times–bestselling authors, best friends journey with a magical sword to save their kingdom ( Publishers Weekly). It is strange enough that Odo and Eleanor have stumbled upon a sword in a dried-up river outside their village. It is even stranger that Odo is able to remove it from where it's buried. And it's remarkably strange when the sword starts to talk. Odo and Eleanor have unearthed Biter, a famous fighter from earlier times. By finding Biter, Odo instantly becomes a knight—a role he is exquisitely unsuited for. Eleanor, however, would make a perfect knight—but she's not the one with the sword. Finding Biter is only the start—boy, girl, and sword must soon go on a quest to save their kingdom from threats in both human and dragon form, in this new fantasy triumph from Garth Nix and Sean Williams.

The Future Is Ourselves The world is rapidly changing. We surf future-shock every day, as the progress of technology races ever on. Increasingly we are asking: how do we change to live in the world to come? Whether it’s climate change, inundated coastlines and drowned cities; the cramped confines of a tin can hurtling through space to the outer reaches of our Solar System; or the rush of being uploaded into cyberspace, our minds and bodies are going to have to drastically alter. Multi-award winning editor Jonathan Strahan brings us another incredible volume in his much praised science-fiction anthology series, featuring stories by Madeline Ashby, John Barnes, James S.A. Corey, Gregory Benford, Benjanun Sriduangkaew, Simon Ings, Kameron Hurley, Nancy Kress, Gwyneth Jones, Yoon Ha Lee, Bruce Sterling, Sean Williams, Aliette de Bodard, Ramez Naam, An Owomoyela and Ian McDonald.

I Erdas råder balans och det finns en särskild länk mellan den mänskliga världen och den djuriska. Conor, Abeke, Meilin och Rollan har speciella gåvor som de kan använda för att bevara länken mellan människor och djur. Men erövrarna försöker förstöra balansen i Erdas och de har redan förstört flera städer - bland annat Meilins hem. Nu vill Meilin hämnas och hon ger sig av, in i fiendeland, tillsammans med sitt andedjur, en panda som heter Jhi. Hennes vänner är inte de enda som försöker hitta henne, fienden finns överallt. Blodsband är tredje delen i bokserien Spirit Animals. De tidigare titlarna är Vild och Jagad.

Plus que jamais, les quatre élus, Conor, Abéké, Meilin et Rollan doivent s'entraîner ensemble et consolider leur lien avec leur animal totem pour devenir plus forts. Car le Dévoreur et son armée de Conquérants ont commencé à envahir le monde d'Erdas, et ils gagnent petit à petit du terrain. Aidés de Tarik, le fidèle Cape-Verte qui les accompagne dans leur quête, ils partent vers le Kho Kensit, une région reculée du Zhong. Leur but : convaincre Dinesh l'éléphant, une nouvelle Bête Suprême, de leur confier son talisman. Seulement, les Conquérants les talonnent, et il devient difficile de circuler sans se faire repérer...

Spannend, los te lezen, derde deel in de Spirit Animals-serie over vier kinderen die ieder een eigen totemdier krijgen om de wereld te redden. Een fantasierijk verhaal (10+) voor fans van De Grijze Jager. ‘Ik zál een uitweg vinden,’ fluisterde Meilin. ‘Ik zál in Zhong komen. Ik zál het tegen de Verslinder en onze vijanden opnemen.’ Maar daardoorheen herhaalde een stemmetje heel zachtjes een wanhopige gedachte in haar hoofd. Ik ben verdwaald. Verdwaald in een reusachtig doolhof van bamboe... Het overkomt Meilin als ze op zoek gaat naar haar vader. Hoe komt ze hier ooit weer uit? Conor, Rollan en Abeke reizen Meilin achterna. Want alleen samen – en met hulp van hun magische dieren – hebben ze een kans om de wereld te redden van de Veroveraars. Maar Meilins land is in oorlog en overal dreigt gevaar. Zijn vier kinderen wel opgewassen tegen verraad, giftige pijlen en de vele andere gevaren die wachten in de meedogenloze jungle? TEST: Wat is jouw Spirit Animal? Doe de test op www.spiritanimalstest.nl

Spirit Animals aneb máš také své spirituální zvíře?Conor, Abeke, Mej-lin a Rolan patří k hrstce vyvolených, kteří ho mají. S tímto výjimečným poutem získali nadlidské schopnosti, ale i velkou zodpovědnost.Roky, kdy v Erdasu vládla rovnováha, jsou minulostí. Dobyvatelé se snaží Erdas zničit. Rozpoutali válku a obsazují celá města a země – a s nimi i Mej-linin domov. Dívka už nechce jen čekat a cvičit se v boji, a tak se společně se svým spirituálním zvířetem, pandou Dží, vydává na území sužované válkou. Přátelé jí budou na blízku – ale nejen oni. Nepřítel totiž číhá všude...

Mit Jaide und Jack auf tolldreister Monster-Jagd Seit die Zwillinge Jaide und Jack bei ihrer exzentrischen Großmutter in Portland wohnen, ist jeder Tag ein unglaubliches Abenteuer. Denn Jaide und Jack sind Troubletwisters. Sie haben magische Fähigkeiten – und müssen eine abgrundtief böse Macht besiegen! Doch das BÖSE hat viele fürchterliche Gesichter. In Portland geistert es als fiese Kreatur ausschließlich nachts herum. Jaide und Jack haben das Monster noch nie gesehen, aber sie wissen, dass es da ist. Und dass sie ihm begegnen werden. Doch sind sie schon stark genug, sich dem Grauen zu widersetzen?

Sal and his friend Shilly have been joined by a third refugee, Skendar, by the time they make their way to the remote island that is the home of the famous, feared Haunted City, home of the Sky Wardens. Sal's great aunt, the Syndic, is also there, and she is determined to keep Sal under control, even if she has to imprison him to do it. But there are greater threats even than that. The ghosts that live behind the ancient glass of the City are restless. No one can say why they are stirred up and no one has any idea what they can do if they act. The golem is determined to make Sal do its bidding and will not stop short of murder to obtain his obedience. It appears that the Weavers have plans as well, yet no one knows, or will admit knowing, whether the legendary Weavers even exist or what they are. Beset on all sides by dangerous powers and controlling agendas, Sal must find a way to choose his own path . . . or submit to a fate not of his own making.

Sal's life has been thrown into turmoil and he is on the run, from more than one pursuer, it appears. He is accompanied by his newfound friend Shilly and he is not entirely sure where he wants to go—but Shilly is. She wants to find her teacher Lodo's old teacher, the Mage Van Haasteren, which means they must head north to the Interior, where Sal's mother was born. The journey is over rugged, mountainous country on the Old Line and it is dangerous. The Sky Warden Shom Behenna is after them and they must risk all to reach the Divide and get across to the other side, not even knowing if the Stone Mages will help them.

Morgan Roche is a renegade, fleeing the agents she used to work for in the Commonwealth of Empires. Her quest to understand Adoni Cane has led her to a terrible truth. He is one of a breed of genetically enhanced warriors that once terrorized the galaxy. And there might be more of them, waking up to begin fighting anew. AN INTERSTELLAR TRAP: A whole solar system has disappeared, wiped from the universe in an attempt to snare just one super-soldier like Cane. In an attempt to come to grips with her enemy, Morgan Roche and The Box travel willingly into the trap, but find themselves ensnared in ever-thicker tangles of deception and intrigue. Who is The Box, and is what its agenda, really? The answer will rock Roche's world right down to the foundations. "I'm not sure what an Evergence is, but finding out promises to provide hours of fun." --Locus "Genre-savvy and capably written, full of adventure and Asimovian imperial vistas" --Asimov's "Full of adventure of Asimovian imperial vistas. Delivers tons of action...Offers wide-screen baroque plotting never out-of-control. With echoes of vintage Jack Williamson and Poul Anderson, as well as Niven, Asimov, and Vinge, Williams and Dix proudly continue a vital tradition in SF." --Analog Nominated for the Aurealis Award

Morgan Roche, commander in the intelligence arm of the Commonwealth Empires, has been charged with protecting the AI known as The Box on a secret voyage across the galaxy. But en route her ship is ambushed by the Dato Bloc, and she is forced to crash-land on a nearby prison planet. MAROONED ON SCIACCA'S WORLD: Battling deadly inmates and treacherous guards, she fights her way through a hostile environment toward her only hope of escape, the mysterious Adoni Cane at her side. A genetically enhanced warrior with a past not even he can fathom, he could be the savior of the human race, or its downfall--but either way, Morgan Roche won't survive without him... "THE PRODIGAL SUN is a close-knit personal story told on a galaxy-sized canvas. Filled with action as well as intriguing ideas." --Kevin J Anderson "With echoes of vintage Jack Williamson and Poul Anderson, as well as Niven, Asimov and Vinge, Williams and Dix proudly continue a vital tradition, proving SF as diverse a field as ever." --Asimov's "[A] very satisfying classic Golden Age-style yarn.... strongly recommended" --Locus "Space opera of the ambitious, galaxy-spanning sort... fast and furious action." --New York Review of SF

The ruins of Sol System have been empty for thousands of years. A place of death and mystery, it is shunned by all--until now. DEADLINE TO DESTRUCTION: Renegade intelligence agent Morgan Roche arrives hot on the heels of the clone warriors--enemies she has been charged by the High Humans to stop before they destroy everything. What she finds--the largest fleet assembled in half a million years, with no central authority, no-one in charge--threatens to stretch her resources beyond their limit. There, under the light of the star called Sol, Morgan Roche will uncover the final truth about the AI called The Box, about the man called Adoni Cane, and about the High Human called the Crescend. That truth will cost her dearly... "Space opera of the ambitious, galaxy-spanning sort" --New York Review of SF "Space opera, like its grand musical cousin, couldn't exist without duplicity, ambition, lust, stupidity, and greed, and by the time the fat lady sings, whole worlds can be laid waste - and, oddly enough, it's this recognition of pain and evil as the generating forces of adventure that make A Dark Imbalance so satisfying." --Locus "A story that twists and turns back on itself and keeps the reader always off-balance. There is danger, adventure and a labyrinth of loyalties. Excellent." --SF Site Winner of the Aurealis Award. (Formerly published as A DARK IMBALANCE)

On the brink of extinction, a suicide mission is humanity's last hope. The Gifts of an alien race called the Spinners gave Peter Alander hope for the future of humanity. All the Gifts did, though, was draw down the wrath of the Starfish, another alien race apparently intent on wiping out all forms of competition. Caught between the two, humanity faces the hard decision of evolving into something else entirely simply to survive. As their new alien allies prepare to leave human space forever, a handful of survivors band together to make one last attempt to communicate with their enemies. A single ship will leap into the very heart of the Starfish fleet, attempting to find reason where none exists... "Space opera can be a very comforting, cozy mode, with its interstellar empires and royalty and guilds. But when dramatic Darwinian forces are brought into play, as here, space opera can become a kind of bracing, near-apocalyptic tale." —Paul di Filippo "A melodramatic (or space-operatic) take on Stapledon, a grittier, bleaker take on Clarke.... a vision very different from the triumphalism of traditional SF adventure, but its darkness seems entirely appropriate to the twenty-first century we actually inhabit." —Locus Nominated for the Aurealis Award.

Named one of New York Times Top-20 Cookbooks of 2006. Have you ever wanted to host a full evening of Indian food, culture, and music? How about preparing a traditional Balinese banquet? Or take a trip to Cairo and enjoy an Egyptian feast? The Ethnomusicologists' Cookbook takes you around the world on a culinary journey that is also a cultural and social odyssey. Many cookbooks offer a snapshot of individual recipes from different parts of the world, but do nothing to tell the reader how different foods are presented together, or how to relate these foods to other cultural practices. For years, ethnomusicologists have visited the four corners of the earth to collect the music and culture of native peoples, from Africa to the Azores, from Zanzibar to New Zealand. Along the way, they've observed how music is an integral part of social interaction, particularly when it's time for a lavish banquet or celebration. Foodways and cultural expression are not separate; this book emphasizes this connection through offering over thirty-five complete meals, from appetizers to entrees to side dishes to desserts and drinks. A list of recommended CDs fills out the culinary experience, along with hints on how to present each dish and to organize the overall meal. The Ethnomusicologists' Cookbook combines scholarship with a unique and fun approach to the study of the world's foods, musics, and cultures. More than just a cookbook, it is an excellent companion for anyone embarking on a cultural-culinary journey.

New York Times–Bestselling Authors: Magically gifted twins must find a treasure before it falls into the wrong hands in a tale with "plot twists aplenty" ( Booklist). Jack and Jaide Shield are troubletwisters—gifted with magic and cursed by The Evil, a force that will stop at nothing to destroy their world. Now an old man in an even older house has died mysteriously. The house holds something very important to The Evil—and Jack and Jaide must race to find it, even though they don't know what it looks like or where it is. But Jack and Jaide aren't the only ones searching for the treasure. And as the mystery gets bigger and bigger, they're not sure who they can trust. Even friends are beginning to act suspicious. And their father, who should be their strongest ally, is leading them into treacherous territory. At the heart of all magic is mystery, and at the heart of this mystery is nothing less than the key to controlling magic. It's going to take the two troubletwisters to the edge of their Gifts in order to figure this one out. "Exploring the ideas of secrets, self-identity, and trust, and with plot twists aplenty and intriguing new characters, this one delivers." — Booklist

Tassaa Bareesh, la matriarche du cartel du crime hutt, organise une mystérieuse vente aux enchères. Des représentants de la République et de l'Empire s'y pressent, ainsi que des invités incognito plutôt disparates parmi lesquels : un Padawan, une ancienne de l'Escouade républicaine Blackstar, un contrebandier et un énigmatique Mandalorien. Par-dessus le marché, l'émissaire de la République n'est pas celui qu'il prétend être et la délégation impériale compte une impitoyable Apprentie Sith dans ses rangs. Aucun de ces protagonistes n'a réellement l'intention de participer aux enchères. Tous projettent de voler le butin : deux morceaux de métal fondu d'un vaisseau qui proviendrait d'un monde inconnu, riche de ressources insoupçonnées. Mais ce trésor se révèle potentiellement mortel. Aussi, Sith et Jedi, Empire et République, devront accomplir l'impensable : s'allier pour vaincre une menace capable de détruire la galaxie...

Si la vitesse de la lumière constitue une barrière infranchissable, il est fort possible que les immenses distances qui séparent les étoiles et autres contraintes physiques, biologiques et psychologiques rendront impraticables les voyages interstellaires par des êtres en chair et en os. Dans cette nouvelle, l'auteur envisage une autre solution : l'envoi des versions numérisées de personnalités humaines capables de survivre pendant des décennies pour arriver à destination. Ces « engrammes », stockés dans des unités informatiques à bord des sondes relativement petites, passent le temps du parcours dans des environnements virtuels. Malheureusement, suite à une collision avec un grain de poussière à haute vitesse, l'une de ces sondes se retrouve avec le moteur en panne, sur un mauvais cap et coupé de tout contact avec la Terre. Mais la pire menace à laquelle les membres de l'équipage doivent faire face est logée au coeur même de leur programmation : l'ennui existentiel. Une ébauche intéressante d'une idée que Sean Williams a développé par la suite avec Shane Dix dans leur trilogie, Les Orphelins de la Terre.

The second of a mass-market original trilogy charting the beginning of the galaxy's victory over the dreaded Yuuzhan Vong alien invaders. Under the leadership of Luke Skywalker and a combined Jedi-government council, the newly formed Galatic Federation of Free Alliances is doggedly fighting back--and winning. Luke is on a quest for a legend, in hope of bringing back the ultimate answer to the war. And a mysterious prophet has risen among the Yuuzhan Vong lower castes to turn Yuuzhan Vong culture on its ear. This adventure includes major storylines for favorite characters, both old and new.

Mit Star Wars: The Old Republic präsentieren BioWare und LucasArts - Schöpfer des erfolgreichen Videospiels Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - ein neuartiges Multiplayer-Online-Rollenspiel, das es den Spielern ermöglicht, ihr eigenes Star Wars Abenteuer 3500 Jahre vor dem Aufstieg Darth Vaders zu erleben. New York Times Bestsellerautor Sean Williams erweckt das Spiel mit seinem neuesten Roman Star Wars: The Old Republic: Eine unheilvolle Allianz zum Leben. Tassaa Bareesh, eine Matriarchin des Hutt- Verbrecherkartells, lädt zu einer Auktion, die in der ganzen Galaxis Aufmerksamkeit erregt. Sowohl Abgesandte der Republik als auch des Sith Imperiums werden auf den Plan gerufen, um Nachforschungen anzustellen. Darunter auch ein Jedi-Padawan, der wild entschlossen ist, das Richtige zu tun, eine ehemalige Soldatin der republikanischen Eliteeinheit Blackstar, die ihren Namen reinwaschen will und ein geheimnisvoller Mandalorianer mit einer ganz persönlichen Agenda. Keiner dieser Gäste hat allerdings die Absicht an der Versteigerung teilzunehmen. Ihr Ziel liegt verborgen in einer nahezu unerreichbaren Schatzkammer. Die verkohlten Reste eines explodierten Sternkreuzers enthalten den Schlüssel zum Reichtum einer ganzen Welt. Doch der Schatz birgt tödliche Gefahren. Am Ende werden Sith und Jedi, Republik und Imperium zu einer historischen Entscheidung gezwungen. Eine Entscheidung, zu der sie kein Vermittler - egal ob helle oder dunkle Seite der Macht - jemals hätte zwingen können. Sie müssen zusammenarbeiten, um eine Bedrohung aufzuhalten, die die gesamte Galaxis zerstören könnte.