Nimbus Shards

Welcome to a world where reality transcends the bounds of the ordinary. In the vast expanse of our universe, there exists a phenomenon both awe-inspiring and mysterious—floating rocks. These enigmatic formations, found not only in the reaches of space but also within the depths of our oceans and on the surface of our own planet, captivate the imagination and challenge our understanding of the natural world. In this exploration, we embark on a journey to unravel the secrets of these floating rocks, delving into their origins, their significance, and the profound implications they hold for science, culture, and human civilization. From the towering icebergs of Antarctica to the ethereal landscapes of distant celestial bodies, we encounter a diverse array of floating rocks, each with its own unique story to tell. Through scientific inquiry, cultural mythology, and firsthand accounts, we seek to illuminate the mysteries that shroud these captivating phenomena. As we venture deeper into the realms of Earth, space, and the oceans, we discover the interconnectedness of these seemingly disparate domains. We learn of the delicate balance that sustains life on our planet, the cosmic forces that shape our universe, and the enduring quest of humanity to explore the unknown. But beyond the realm of science lies a realm of wonder and imagination—a realm where floating rocks become symbols of resilience, beauty, and the boundless possibilities of the human spirit. Through literature, art, and folklore, we glimpse into the collective imagination of humanity, where the extraordinary becomes the ordinary and the mundane is transformed into the miraculous. In the pages that follow, we invite you to join us on this extraordinary odyssey—a journey through the realms of Earth, space, and the oceans in search of the floating rocks that defy gravity and challenge our understanding of the universe. It is a journey that promises to inspire, to enlighten, and to expand the horizons of our imagination. So, dear reader, prepare to embark on an adventure unlike any other. Prepare to explore the floating rocks of Earth, space, and oceans—a world where reality is stranger than fiction, and the wonders of the cosmos await at every turn.

Shard Cinema tells an expansive story of how moving images have changed in the last three decades and how they changed us along with them, rewiring the ways we watch, fight, and navigate an unsteady world. With a range that spans film, games, software, architecture, and military technologies, the book crosses the twentieth century into our present to confront a new order of seeing and making that took slow shape: the composite image, where no clean distinction can be made between production and post-production, filmed and animated, material and digital. Giving equal ground to costly blockbusters and shaky riot footage, Williams leads us from computer-generated “shards” of particles and debris to the broken phone screen on which we watch those digital storms, looking for the unexpected histories lived in the interval between.

Alex Verus faces his dark side in this return to the bestselling urban fantasy series about a London-based mage. To protect his friends, Mage Alex Verus has had to change--and embrace his dark side. But the life mage Anne has changed too, and made a bond with a dangerous power. She's going after everyone she's got a grudge against--and it's a long list. In the meantime, Alex has to deal with his arch-enemy, Levistus. The Council's death squads are hunting Alex as well as Anne, and the only way for Alex to stop them is to end his long war with Levistus and the Council, by whatever means necessary. It will take everything Alex has to stay a step ahead of the Council and stop Anne from letting the world burn.

The poems in A Portrait To Paint celebrate two journeys: the career in New York City that Andréa Suarez Hill had in print, broadcast and photo journalism until 1987; as well as the life she and her husband made when they moved to Down East Maine and created a salt water farm on a bay near the ocean. The poetry reflects these two very different rural and urban lifestyles. The section titled “We,” as a metaphor for the family of man, captures daily news from across the globe: climate change, social injustice, the Covid pandemic, political issues and more. In the chapter titled “You,” Suarez-Hill writes about her relationships with horses, wild animals, people and places both in New York and Maine. The last part of the book, “Me,” expresses her inner world, feelings about aging as well as about her childhood, family and friends. A reader feels the wonder Andréa Suarez Hill experiences across the years wherever she lives and looks.

Focusing on the Roman west, this book examines the rituals of cursing, their cultural contexts, and their impact on the lives of those who practised them. A huge number of Roman curse tablets have been discovered, showing their importance for helping ancient people to cope with various aspects of life. Curse tablets have been relatively neglected by archaeologists and historians. This study not only encourages greater understanding of the individual practice of curse rituals but also reveals how these objects can inform ongoing debates surrounding power, agency and social relationships in the Roman provinces. McKie uses new theoretical models to examine the curse tablets and focuses particularly on the concept of 'lived religion'. This framework reconfigures our understanding of religious and magical practices, allowing much greater appreciation of them as creative processes. Our awareness of the lived experiences of individuals is also encouraged by the application of theoretical approaches from sensory and material turns and through the consideration of comparable ritual practices in modern social contexts. These stimulate new questions of the ancient evidence, especially regarding the motives and motivations behind the curses.

“I’ll have what is mine . . .” With Velda overthrown and the Storm Laws abolished, hundreds of young Storm Weavers will be reunited with their stolen clouds. But the very first cloud taken belonged to Tamar’s last apprentice – the sea witch. When Heather returns, seeking to lay the past to rest, the first person she turns to is Stella. But how far can you trust a sea witch? Is she seeking redemption, or plotting her final revenge? With the Teran rising from the deep and the island in his icy grip, Stella and her friends will have to fight to save weather as we know it.