Karen M. McManus, the internationally bestselling YA thriller author of One of Us Is Lying, is back with a brand-new murder-mystery - you won't be able to resist Such Charming Liars. When mother-daughter con artists set out on their final heist before cleaning up their act, it's not long before the job turns deadly and they have a lifeless body to contend with . . . For all of Kat's life, it's been her and her mother, Jamie - except for 12 years ago, when Jamie was married for two days and Kat had a stepbrother, Liam. But all that ended in a swift divorce. Now Jamie is a con artist trying to go straight, but she has one last job, at a billionaire's 80th birthday party. Neither Kat nor her mother know about two surprise guests: Liam and his father, a serial scammer with his own sights set on Ross Sutherland's family. Kat and Liam are on a collision course to disaster, and when someone dies, the two teens realize they might be in the killer's crosshairs. They can't trust anyone except each other. Or can they? If there's one thing both of them know, it's how to be such charming liars . . . PRAISE FOR SUCH CHARMING LIARS 'The queen of mystery is back' - COSMOPOLITAN 'Hairpin twists and exploding bombshells catapult the tale to an electrifying close' - KIRKUS REVIEWS 'An unputdownable, deliciously twisty mystery' - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY PRAISE FOR ONE OF US IS LYING 'An exciting single-sitting thrillerish treat' - GUARDIAN 'Utterly irresistible' - HEAT 'Easily the YA thriller of the year' - ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY Karen M. McManus, Sunday Times Bestseller, August 2023

WINNER OF THE 2019 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR FICTION NATIONAL BESTSELLER "Electrifying" (People) . "Masterly" (The Guardian) . "Dramatic and memorable" (The New Yorker) . "Magic" (TIME) . " Ingenious" (The Financial Times) . "A gonzo literary performance" (Entertainment Weekly) . "Rare and splendid" (The Boston Globe) . "Remarkable" (USA Today) . "Delicious" (The New York Times) . "Book groups, meet your next selection" (NPR) In an American suburb in the early 1980s, students at a highly competitive performing arts high school struggle and thrive in a rarified bubble, ambitiously pursuing music, movement, Shakespeare, and, particularly, their acting classes. When within this striving "Brotherhood of the Arts," two freshmen, David and Sarah, fall headlong into love, their passion does not go unnoticed-or untoyed with-by anyone, especially not by their charismatic acting teacher, Mr. Kingsley. The outside world of family life and economic status, of academic pressure and of their future adult lives, fails to penetrate this school's walls-until it does, in a shocking spiral of events that catapults the action forward in time and flips the premise upside-down. What the reader believes to have happened to David and Sarah and their friends is not entirely true-though it's not false, either. It takes until the book's stunning coda for the final piece of the puzzle to fall into place-revealing truths that will resonate long after the final sentence. As captivating and tender as it is surprising, Susan Choi's Trust Exercise will incite heated conversations about fiction and truth, and about friendships and loyalties, and will leave readers with wiser understandings of the true capacities of adolescents and of the powers and responsibilities of adults.

Fans of S. J. Parris, Donna Leon, Steven Saylor and C. J. Sansom will absolutely love this gripping page-turner of a historical mystery from multi-million copy bestselling author Lindsey Davis. Full of twists, turns and tension - you'll be hooked from page one... 'Her research has been assiduous and detailed, her commitment to the subject is impressive, and the background detail is often eye-opening' -- Hilary Mantel, Observer 'One of the best writers in this field' -- Donna Leon, The Times 'Surely the best historical detective in the business' -- Daily Telegraph 'Every book in this series is a delight ... highly recommended' -- Library Journal 'Be careful, if you get the taste for this you'll end up reading them all... I can think of worse ways to pass the time' -- ***** Reader review 'This series is just SO addictive!' -- ***** Reader review 'I just could not put it down' -- ***** Reader review 'Engrossing' -- ***** Reader review ******************************************************************************** A NEW EMPEROR SEEKS AN EXPERIENCED AGENT Marcus Didius Falco is a private informer, the closest thing that first-century Rome has to a detective. A new emperor, Vespasian , has ascended to power. The tides of money and power are in flux, and Rome's vicious games swirl more ferociously than ever. When Falco rescues a young girl in trouble, he catapults himself into a dangerous game involving stolen imperial ingots, a dark political plot and, most hazardous of all, a senator's daughter connected to the traitors Falco has sworn to expose. The rule of law is tenuous for ordinary citizens of Rome. Only a man with a mind as sharp as a gladius can prevail.

Hop, flip, and jump your way to victory in Leaping Frogs! from Petit Collage. In this ribbiting twist on the classic game of tiddlywinks, use the springboard to flip your froggy friend into the pond to earn points. Where you land determines your score, but you should always aim for the best spot in the pond: the golden lily pad! The player with the most points after five rounds wins. Perfect for 2–4 players, ages 4+, this game furthers communication skills, encourages cognitive development, and deepens a child’s understanding of cause and effect. Inside the box, you’ll find four wooden frog characters, two sheets of point tokens, a wooden lily pad, wooden springboard, gameboard, and English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, and Spanish instructions. AIM OF THE GAME: Flip your froggy friend into the pond to earn the most points! HOW TO PLAY : Position the springboard and golden lily pad at opposite ends of the pond gameboard. Balance your frog on the springboard, then press down quickly and firmly to catapult your character onto the pond! The closer you land to the lily pad, the more points you score—unless you overshoot and reach the bank. Take the same number of tokens as points scored, reset the board, and play again. The player with the most point tokens after five rounds wins. WHO IT'S FOR : Perfect for 2–4 players, ages 4 and up. WHAT'S INSIDE: 4 wooden frog characters, 36 point tokens, a wooden lily pad, wooden springboard, gameboard, and English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, and Spanish instructions.

Hop, flip, and jump your way to victory in Leaping Frogs! from Petit Collage. In this ribbiting twist on the classic game of tiddlywinks, use the springboard to flip your froggy friend into the pond to earn points. Where you land determines your score, but you should always aim for the best spot in the pond: the golden lily pad! The player with the most points after five rounds wins. Perfect for 2–4 players, ages 4+, this game furthers communication skills, encourages cognitive development, and deepens a child’s understanding of cause and effect. Inside the box, you’ll find four wooden frog characters, two sheets of point tokens, a wooden lily pad, wooden springboard, gameboard, and English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, and Spanish instructions. AIM OF THE GAME: Flip your froggy friend into the pond to earn the most points! HOW TO PLAY : Position the springboard and golden lily pad at opposite ends of the pond gameboard. Balance your frog on the springboard, then press down quickly and firmly to catapult your character onto the pond! The closer you land to the lily pad, the more points you score—unless you overshoot and reach the bank. Take the same number of tokens as points scored, reset the board, and play again. The player with the most point tokens after five rounds wins. WHO IT'S FOR : Perfect for 2–4 players, ages 4 and up. WHAT'S INSIDE: 4 wooden frog characters, 36 point tokens, a wooden lily pad, wooden springboard, gameboard, and English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, and Spanish instructions.

Karen M. McManus, the internationally bestselling YA thriller author of One of Us Is Lying, is back with a brand-new murder-mystery - you won't be able to resist Such Charming Liars. When mother-daughter con artists set out on their final heist before cleaning up their act, it's not long before the job turns deadly and they have a lifeless body to contend with . . . For all of Kat's life, it's been her and her mother, Jamie - except for 12 years ago, when Jamie was married for two days and Kat had a stepbrother, Liam. But all that ended in a swift divorce. Now Jamie is a con artist trying to go straight, but she has one last job, at a billionaire's 80th birthday party. Neither Kat nor her mother know about two surprise guests: Liam and his father, a serial scammer with his own sights set on Ross Sutherland's family. Kat and Liam are on a collision course to disaster, and when someone dies, the two teens realize they might be in the killer's crosshairs. They can't trust anyone except each other. Or can they? If there's one thing both of them know, it's how to be such charming liars . . . PRAISE FOR SUCH CHARMING LIARS 'The queen of mystery is back' - COSMOPOLITAN 'Hairpin twists and exploding bombshells catapult the tale to an electrifying close' - KIRKUS REVIEWS 'An unputdownable, deliciously twisty mystery' - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY PRAISE FOR ONE OF US IS LYING 'An exciting single-sitting thrillerish treat' - GUARDIAN 'Utterly irresistible' - HEAT 'Easily the YA thriller of the year' - ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY Karen M. McManus, Sunday Times Bestseller, August 2023

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! An NPR Best Book of 2022 "The questions throughout What If? 2 are equal parts brilliant, gross, and wonderfully absurd and the answers are thorough, deeply researched, and great fun. . . . Science isn’t easy, but in Munroe’s capable hands, it surely can be fun." —TIME The #1 New York Times bestselling author of What If? and How To answers more of the weirdest questions you never thought to ask The millions of people around the world who read and loved What If? still have questions, and those questions are getting stranger. Thank goodness xkcd creator Randall Munroe is here to help. Planning to ride a fire pole from the Moon back to Earth? The hardest part is sticking the landing. Hoping to cool the atmosphere by opening everyone’s freezer door at the same time? Maybe it’s time for a brief introduction to thermodynamics. Want to know what would happen if you rode a helicopter blade, built a billion-story building, made a lava lamp out of lava, or jumped on a geyser as it erupted? Okay, if you insist. Before you go on a cosmic road trip, feed the residents of New York City to a T. rex, or fill every church with bananas, be sure to consult this practical guide for impractical ideas. Unfazed by absurdity, Munroe consults the latest research on everything from swing-set physics to airliner catapult–design to answer his readers’ questions, clearly and concisely, with illuminating and occasionally terrifying illustrations. As he consistently demonstrates, you can learn a lot from examining how the world might work in very specific extreme circumstances.

When the ancient scriptures are uttered.....you never know what might happen under the blinding light of a full moon. She was born in darkness, under the shadow of a full moon during a solar eclipse, with a mysterious black dagger at her side. As a child, Olivia James witnessed her mother's gruesome murder. As an adult, her godfather has trained her to be a skilled fighter. But when Olivia's boyfriend betrays her and threatens her life, setting off a string of events that catapults her back in time from 21st century Seattle into 3rd century Rome, the secrets of her past begin to unravel. The discovery that she is a Timeborne, one with the ability to travel across time, is just the beginning. Soon Olivia finds herself under the protection of-and owned by-Roman Alexander, a former gladiator and bodyguard to the emperor. Torn between his duty to his emperor, a desire for vengeance, and a longing to search for his lost twin brother, Roman now has the added complication of protecting this strange woman from the depravity of ancient Rome. Worse, he finds himself falling for her, despite accusations that she is an enemy spy. But even Roman is no match for the dark shadow that has pursued Olivia into the past. A fighter in her own right, she's forced to work with Roman to find a way back to her own time. Do the ancient scriptures on her dagger hold the key? Can she trust Roman with her secrets? And can she fight her enemies and protect her heart at the same time? Timeborne is the first book in the Blade of Shadows series. Begin your adventure now!

Are you about to graduate and begin your job search? Or are you a young professional trying to choose the right field or looking for that perfect position that will catapult your career? Figuring out a career and getting a great job has never been more difficult. On top of that, today's graduates are looking for not only good jobs but positions that will help them launch careers in which they can grow and prosper. But knowing what to look for and how to actually land a great job is exceptionally challenging when you're trying to get an interview, make enough money, and position yourself for advancement. Based on an in-depth survey of thousands of graduates and young professionals, and hundreds of interviews with the world's top business and nonprofit leaders-not to mention James Citrin's decades of experience as a senior partner at the premier executive search firm Spencer Stuart-The Career Playbook offers recent graduates and aspiring young professionals actionable advice for excelling. From his practical tips on generating valuable introductions, nailing interviews, and negotiating compensation to strategic advice on the arc of a career, the importance of relationships, how to cultivate a mentor, and knowing when to change jobs or industries, Citrin provides an invaluable guide to the most urgent questions that are at the heart of every person's career deliberations. Packed with first-person advice from graduates and young professionals themselves, as well as the perspectives of seasoned CEOs, entrepreneurs, leaders, and experts, such as Virgin's Sir Richard Branson, Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg, Third Point Advisors' Daniel Loeb, author Malcolm Gladwell, and US Navy SEALs' Admiral Eric Olson, The Career Playbook is an essential resource for landing, launching, and thriving in your career.

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! An NPR Best Book of 2022 "The questions throughout What If? 2 are equal parts brilliant, gross, and wonderfully absurd and the answers are thorough, deeply researched, and great fun. . . . Science isn't easy, but in Munroe's capable hands, it surely can be fun." -TIME The #1 New York Times bestselling author of What If? and How To answers more of the weirdest questions you never thought to ask The millions of people around the world who read and loved What If? still have questions, and those questions are getting stranger. Thank goodness xkcd creator Randall Munroe is here to help. Planning to ride a fire pole from the Moon back to Earth? The hardest part is sticking the landing. Hoping to cool the atmosphere by opening everyone's freezer door at the same time? Maybe it's time for a brief introduction to thermodynamics. Want to know what would happen if you rode a helicopter blade, built a billion-story building, made a lava lamp out of lava, or jumped on a geyser as it erupted? Okay, if you insist. Before you go on a cosmic road trip, feed the residents of New York City to a T. rex, or fill every church with bananas, be sure to consult this practical guide for impractical ideas. Unfazed by absurdity, Munroe consults the latest research on everything from swing-set physics to airliner catapult-design to answer his readers' questions, clearly and concisely, with illuminating and occasionally terrifying illustrations. As he consistently demonstrates, you can learn a lot from examining how the world might work in very specific extreme circumstances.

Karen M. McManus, the internationally bestselling YA thriller author of One of Us Is Lying, is back with a brand-new murder-mystery - you won't be able to resist Such Charming Liars. Now in bright pink with a matching sprayed edge and an exclusive bonus short story inside! When mother-daughter con artists set out on their final heist before cleaning up their act, it's not long before the job turns deadly and they have a lifeless body to contend with . . . For all of Kat's life, it's been her and her mother, Jamie - except for 12 years ago, when Jamie was married for two days and Kat had a stepbrother, Liam. But all that ended in a swift divorce. Now Jamie is a con artist trying to go straight, but she has one last job, at a billionaire's 80th birthday party. Neither Kat nor her mother know about two surprise guests: Liam and his father, a serial scammer with his own sights set on Ross Sutherland's family. Kat and Liam are on a collision course to disaster, and when someone dies, the two teens realize they might be in the killer's crosshairs. They can't trust anyone except each other. Or can they? If there's one thing both of them know, it's how to be such charming liars . . . PRAISE FOR SUCH CHARMING LIARS 'The queen of mystery is back' - COSMOPOLITAN 'Hairpin twists and exploding bombshells catapult the tale to an electrifying close' - KIRKUS REVIEWS 'An unputdownable, deliciously twisty mystery' - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY PRAISE FOR ONE OF US IS LYING 'An exciting single-sitting thrillerish treat' - GUARDIAN 'Utterly irresistible' - HEAT 'Easily the YA thriller of the year' - ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY Karen M. McManus, Sunday Times Bestseller, August 2023.

Karen M. McManus, the internationally bestselling YA thriller author of One of Us Is Lying, is back with a brand-new murder-mystery - you won't be able to resist Such Charming Liars. Now in bright pink with a matching sprayed edge and an exclusive bonus short story inside! When mother-daughter con artists set out on their final heist before cleaning up their act, it's not long before the job turns deadly and they have a lifeless body to contend with . . . For all of Kat's life, it's been her and her mother, Jamie - except for 12 years ago, when Jamie was married for two days and Kat had a stepbrother, Liam. But all that ended in a swift divorce. Now Jamie is a con artist trying to go straight, but she has one last job, at a billionaire's 80th birthday party. Neither Kat nor her mother know about two surprise guests: Liam and his father, a serial scammer with his own sights set on Ross Sutherland's family. Kat and Liam are on a collision course to disaster, and when someone dies, the two teens realize they might be in the killer's crosshairs. They can't trust anyone except each other. Or can they? If there's one thing both of them know, it's how to be such charming liars . . . PRAISE FOR SUCH CHARMING LIARS 'The queen of mystery is back' - COSMOPOLITAN 'Hairpin twists and exploding bombshells catapult the tale to an electrifying close' - KIRKUS REVIEWS 'An unputdownable, deliciously twisty mystery' - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY PRAISE FOR ONE OF US IS LYING 'An exciting single-sitting thrillerish treat' - GUARDIAN 'Utterly irresistible' - HEAT 'Easily the YA thriller of the year' - ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY Karen M. McManus, Sunday Times Bestseller, August 2023.

"Catapults you into a future scenario that cannot be ignored" The Age of Decay (revised edition) is a thought-provoking exploration of how demographic shifts - particularly aging populations and declining birth rates - could unravel the very fabric of modern civilization. Investment analyst Shamil Ismail argues that the real threat lies not just in fewer people, but in the fast-shrinking pool of essential workers-those who keep society functioning, from healthcare and agriculture to logistics and infrastructure. As these roles become harder to fill in developed countries, the consequences could be catastrophic: crumbling cities, disrupted supply chains, and economic stagnation. The book dismantles popular solutions like automation, robots, AI, and raising the retirement age, showing how these strategies fail to address the human-centric nature of essential work. Instead, Ismail emphasizes the need for a radical rethink of immigration policies, as countries will increasingly compete for labor to sustain their economies. Sifting through the latest data, trends and forecasts, Ismail answers these intriguing questions, allowing us to prepare for the daunting future that lies ahead.When are we likely to see the first major signs of this new reality? Which countries will be most impacted, and by when? How will companies and investment markets be affected? Can this path to decay be avoided, and what can we do? The Age of Decay is a wake-up call for investors, policymakers, and business leaders. It is indispensable for strategic planning. Tautly written and backed by meticulous research, the author blends hard data with occasional fictional scenes to make the future feel alarmingly real. A must-read for anyone interested in how the future could unfold.

A massive cultural phenomenon, made even bigger by the hit anime based on it. To this day, "Ashita no Joe" remains one of the most important manga of all time, and now it will finally see the light of day in English for the first time! A BRIEF, BLINDING FLAME.. The stunning end to his epic fight with Carlos Rivera catapults Joe into the limelight, but what will he give up to spend his youth under that blinding glare? Boxing is everything to him, leaving no room for love or other distractions—all he wants is to burn bright and leave behind nothing but pure white ash. And now, an appearance by world champion José Mendoza means Joe's sights are set on an even bigger stage...! This universally acclaimed classic is much more than a sports manga: it is a cultural touchstone and a realist masterpiece, perhaps the most prominent series ever to eschew any hint of the superhuman or supernatural, yielding a keenly observed human drama that captured the hearts of an entire generation on its way to becoming a runaway bestseller. Serialized from 1968-1973, Ashita no Joe made a particular impact on college students and the working class, who saw their own experience reflected in Joe's struggle. To this day, it remains one of the most important manga ever published, and this landmark omnibus edition marks its first appearance in English translation. Hitmaker Asao Takamori was arguably the biggest manga author of his day, while the massively influential Tetsuya Chiba was awarded the prestigious Order of Culture by the Japanese government in 2024, the first manga artist ever to receive that honor.

When the ancient scriptures are uttered.....you never know what might happen under the blinding light of a full moon. She was born in darkness, under the shadow of a full moon during a solar eclipse, with a mysterious black dagger at her side. As a child, Olivia James witnessed her mother's gruesome murder. As an adult, her godfather has trained her to be a skilled fighter. But when Olivia's boyfriend betrays her and threatens her life, setting off a string of events that catapults her back in time from 21st century Seattle into 3rd century Rome, the secrets of her past begin to unravel. The discovery that she is a Timeborne, one with the ability to travel across time, is just the beginning. Soon Olivia finds herself under the protection of-and owned by-Roman Alexander, a former gladiator and bodyguard to the emperor. Torn between his duty to his emperor, a desire for vengeance, and a longing to search for his lost twin brother, Roman now has the added complication of protecting this strange woman from the depravity of ancient Rome. Worse, he finds himself falling for her, despite accusations that she is an enemy spy. But even Roman is no match for the dark shadow that has pursued Olivia into the past. A fighter in her own right, she's forced to work with Roman to find a way back to her own time. Do the ancient scriptures on her dagger hold the key? Can she trust Roman with her secrets? And can she fight her enemies and protect her heart at the same time? Timeborne is the first book in the Blade of Shadows series. Begin your adventure now!

Karen M. McManus, the internationally bestselling YA thriller author of One of Us Is Lying, is back with a brand-new murder-mystery - you won't be able to resist Such Charming Liars. Now in bright pink with a matching sprayed edge and an exclusive bonus short story inside! When mother-daughter con artists set out on their final heist before cleaning up their act, it's not long before the job turns deadly and they have a lifeless body to contend with . . . For all of Kat's life, it's been her and her mother, Jamie - except for 12 years ago, when Jamie was married for two days and Kat had a stepbrother, Liam. But all that ended in a swift divorce. Now Jamie is a con artist trying to go straight, but she has one last job, at a billionaire's 80th birthday party. Neither Kat nor her mother know about two surprise guests: Liam and his father, a serial scammer with his own sights set on Ross Sutherland's family. Kat and Liam are on a collision course to disaster, and when someone dies, the two teens realize they might be in the killer's crosshairs. They can't trust anyone except each other. Or can they? If there's one thing both of them know, it's how to be such charming liars . . . PRAISE FOR SUCH CHARMING LIARS 'The queen of mystery is back' - COSMOPOLITAN 'Hairpin twists and exploding bombshells catapult the tale to an electrifying close' - KIRKUS REVIEWS 'An unputdownable, deliciously twisty mystery' - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY PRAISE FOR ONE OF US IS LYING 'An exciting single-sitting thrillerish treat' - GUARDIAN 'Utterly irresistible' - HEAT 'Easily the YA thriller of the year' - ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY Karen M. McManus, Sunday Times Bestseller, August 2023.

"Catapults you into a future scenario that cannot be ignored" The Age of Decay (revised edition) is a thought-provoking exploration of how demographic shifts - particularly aging populations and declining birth rates - could unravel the very fabric of modern civilization. Investment analyst Shamil Ismail argues that the real threat lies not just in fewer people, but in the fast-shrinking pool of essential workers-those who keep society functioning, from healthcare and agriculture to logistics and infrastructure. As these roles become harder to fill in developed countries, the consequences could be catastrophic: crumbling cities, disrupted supply chains, and economic stagnation. The book dismantles popular solutions like automation, robots, AI, and raising the retirement age, showing how these strategies fail to address the human-centric nature of essential work. Instead, Ismail emphasizes the need for a radical rethink of immigration policies, as countries will increasingly compete for labor to sustain their economies. Sifting through the latest data, trends and forecasts, Ismail answers these intriguing questions, allowing us to prepare for the daunting future that lies ahead.When are we likely to see the first major signs of this new reality? Which countries will be most impacted, and by when? How will companies and investment markets be affected? Can this path to decay be avoided, and what can we do? The Age of Decay is a wake-up call for investors, policymakers, and business leaders. It is indispensable for strategic planning. Tautly written and backed by meticulous research, the author blends hard data with occasional fictional scenes to make the future feel alarmingly real. A must-read for anyone interested in how the future could unfold.

""Any deep, committed relationship can be a springboard for your liberation or a prison that traps you. The power to make it one or the other always lies within you." That's the fifth rule of Ten. Tenzing Norbu and his fiancee, Julie, eagerly await the arrival of Ten's best friends, Yeshe and Lobsang, his boyhood chums who have since become the Head Abbots at Ten's former monastic home in India. Ten has helped Yeshe and Lobsang organize a fund-raising event sponsored by the Los Angeles Buddhist temple where Tenzing first taught years ago--before shedding his robes to pursue a career as a cop. The fund-raiser's big attraction is the unveiling of a sacred sand-painted mandala that the monks have constructed in the center of the temple. At the premiere, however, a group of hooligans commit an outrageous act that catapults the story into action. To complicate matters, one of the novice lamas--a brilliant protege of Lobsang's--goes missing at the event's culmination. Soon a series of strange crimes besets the city. Each crime is unique--some physical, some cyber--but all are mysteriously interconnected. Ten's attempts to crack the case pull him into a dark mirror-world of his sacred Tibetan Buddhist tradition; soon he's engaged in a life-and-death battle with a powerful shadow presence. He joins forces with Yeshe; Lobsang; his ex-partner Bill; and his hack-tivist buddy, Mike, to track down the Patient Zero of this epidemic of criminal chaos. Finally, he must face the truth: the source of the evil, and the solution, are a lot closer to home than he ever imagined"--

When the ancient scriptures are uttered.....you never know what might happen under the blinding light of a full moon. She was born in darkness, under the shadow of a full moon during a solar eclipse, with a mysterious black dagger at her side. As a child, Olivia James witnessed her mother's gruesome murder. As an adult, her godfather has trained her to be a skilled fighter. But when Olivia's boyfriend betrays her and threatens her life, setting off a string of events that catapults her back in time from 21st century Seattle into 3rd century Rome, the secrets of her past begin to unravel. The discovery that she is a Timeborne, one with the ability to travel across time, is just the beginning. Soon Olivia finds herself under the protection of-and owned by-Roman Alexander, a former gladiator and bodyguard to the emperor. Torn between his duty to his emperor, a desire for vengeance, and a longing to search for his lost twin brother, Roman now has the added complication of protecting this strange woman from the depravity of ancient Rome. Worse, he finds himself falling for her, despite accusations that she is an enemy spy. But even Roman is no match for the dark shadow that has pursued Olivia into the past. A fighter in her own right, she's forced to work with Roman to find a way back to her own time. Do the ancient scriptures on her dagger hold the key? Can she trust Roman with her secrets? And can she fight her enemies and protect her heart at the same time? Timeborne is the first book in the Blade of Shadows series. Begin your adventure now!

A massive cultural phenomenon, made even bigger by the hit anime based on it. To this day, "Ashita no Joe" remains one of the most important manga of all time, and now it will finally see the light of day in English for the first time! A BRIEF, BLINDING FLAME.. The stunning end to his epic fight with Carlos Rivera catapults Joe into the limelight, but what will he give up to spend his youth under that blinding glare? Boxing is everything to him, leaving no room for love or other distractions—all he wants is to burn bright and leave behind nothing but pure white ash. And now, an appearance by world champion José Mendoza means Joe's sights are set on an even bigger stage...! This universally acclaimed classic is much more than a sports manga: it is a cultural touchstone and a realist masterpiece, perhaps the most prominent series ever to eschew any hint of the superhuman or supernatural, yielding a keenly observed human drama that captured the hearts of an entire generation on its way to becoming a runaway bestseller. Serialized from 1968-1973, Ashita no Joe made a particular impact on college students and the working class, who saw their own experience reflected in Joe's struggle. To this day, it remains one of the most important manga ever published, and this landmark omnibus edition marks its first appearance in English translation. Hitmaker Asao Takamori was arguably the biggest manga author of his day, while the massively influential Tetsuya Chiba was awarded the prestigious Order of Culture by the Japanese government in 2024, the first manga artist ever to receive that honor.