Getting An Heir

The need for heirs in any traditional society is a compelling one. In traditional China, where inheritance and notions of filiality depended on the production of progeny, the need was nearly absolute. As Ann Waltner makes clear in this broadly researched study of adoption in the late Ming and early Ch'ing periods, the getting of an heir was a complex, even paradoxical undertaking. Although adoption involving persons of the same surname was the only arrangement ritually and legally sanctioned in Chinese society, adoption of persons of a different surname was a relatively common practice. Using medical and ritual texts, legal codes, local gazetteers, biography, and fiction, Waltner examines the multiple dimensions of the practice of adoption and identifies not only the dominant ideology prohibiting adoption across surname lines, but also a parallel discourse justifying the practice.

Perfect for fans of Robert Beatty and Shannon Hale comes a magical new middle grade fantasy series about a young shapeshifter trying to save her family. Deep within an enchanted forest lies a castle where a set of triplets and their sorceress mother have lived for years--safe from the decades-long war for the Raven Throne that rages in the kingdom. Cordelia, one of the triplets, has the power to become any animal with just a thought, and she yearns to discover more about the world outside her castle. But one day, the world comes to her, when the eldest of the triplets becomes the newest heir to the throne. Knowing that being named heir means certain death, Cordelia's mother hid the truth about which child is the eldest when she hid them in the forest. When her family is captured, it's up to Cordelia to use her powers to keep her siblings hidden and discover the truth about the Raven Heir--before it's too late. From the author of The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart comes a thrilling new fantasy full of magic, adventure, and the power of family. Acclaim for The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart A Kids' Indie Next List Pick An Amazon Best Book of the Month A Mighty Girl Best Book of the Year A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year A VOYA Top Shelf Pick

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Read the complete Heir Chronicles in this omnibus edition! Three boys, three talismans, one destiny. In this page-turning collection featuring The Warrior Heir, The Wizard Heir, The Dragon Heir, The Enchanter Heir, and The Sorcerer Heir, Cinda Williams Chima explores what it means to be different, what's worth fighting for, and what's worth dying for.... Dark forces are after a boy who is heir to a dangerous legacy. A girl grapples with evil within. A seventeen-year-old is a deadly assassin, and a wild child uncovers a mystery. The Wizards and Warriors, Seers, Enchanters, and Sorcerers must keep their fragile peace despite all that would break it. The answers they need lie buried in the tragedies of the past -- the question is whether they can survive long enough to unearth them.

"How to kick off a great summer in the Hamptons: snag a gorgeous rental on the beach--check. Get a job at a trendy summer haunt--check. How to screw up a great summer in the Hamptons: fall for the guy with a dark leather jacket, scruff on his face, and intense eyes that doesn't fit in with the rest of the tony looking crowd. A guy you can't have when you'll be leaving at the end of the season"--Back cover.

One stolen night with the sultan… Virginal Gracie Jones longs for adventure—and one incredible evening in Rome, she finds it in the arms of charismatic Malik al Bahjat. But morning reveals he's next in line to Alazar's throne! Driven away by his royal family, Gracie discovers too late that their forbidden night left her pregnant… When Malik learns the truth a decade later, he explodes back into Gracie's life. He sweeps her from her small hometown to his splendid kingdom, where, kiss by scorching kiss, he's intent on legitimizing his heir—and satisfying his cravings—by crowning Gracie his desert queen!

Sayid al Kadar was trained from childhood to be a warrior. He's fought, he's conquered—but was never meant to rule… Thrust reluctantly to the throne, Sheikh Sayid is shocked to discover a child who is his country's true heir, and he'll do anything to protect him, even if it means taking on the child's aunt! Chloe James might behave like a tigress protecting her cub, but this trained soldier can see her weak spot. Taking Chloe as his bride would appease the people of his kingdom, and provide the perfect outlet for the blistering chemistry between them….

A SWORD... In the impoverished outer town of a kingdom where fae outrank humans, Faythe, an orphan with a talent for swordplay, knows the importance of keeping her head down around the fae patrol. She and best friend Jakon long for a better life, and her desire to swing her sword in combat may bring the purpose and coin she's yearned for. A DREAM... When she draws the attention of royal guard Nik, she soon learns that her mortal nature isn't the only reason to remain out of sight. Nik is a Nightwalker, a silent assassin of the mind with the power to enter others' dreams, and whether she trusts him or not, he's about to awaken abilities in Faythe that shouldn't exist in a human. Nightmarish abilities. Deadly abilities. Abilities that will teach Faythe blood really does run thicker than water...and if she doesn't trust in higher powers soon, blood will run indeed. AN HEIR... For this is no battle Faythe can fight with steel. Within the city walls, suspicions are arising, and here in the outer town she has deeper bonds to protect. It seems everyone will die with a dark secret to tell, but what if one unlikely human girl was born harboring the darkest secret of all...? In a clash of steel, a mortal body may fall. But in a clash of dreams, a powerful heir may rise. Fans of THRONE OF GLASS and RED QUEEN will enjoy this first instalment in a gripping new fantasy series that portrays the unbreakable strength of friendship, the struggle for honor, and the ache of sacrifice.  *Exclusive bonus chapter in hardback edition.