Spiders Hearts Knives

An old tale tells of one of the universe’s most prized treasures titled the Araknyd, which was the embodiment of the eight ultimate chakras of the universe. The chakras were represented by its eight legs, which were separated from it. Some said it would grant the user the aptitude to become the ultimate being, and some said it was able to give life as easily as it could take it away. The Araknyd was held inside a temple on a pedestal, dormant, waiting to be activated by all eight of its legs, which were each protected by an oracle, a part of a group called the 8-Legged Anatomy. Along with the treasure, there was a prophecy that spoke of a young man who was immune to poison. He could harness all eight chakras of the universe, and he would be the one that brought them all together. When a boy named Paul meets a ravishing spider named Roxy, she takes him to a place where he learns about the legend of the Araknyd. Before long, they also conjure a demon named Violet that gets added to the team. The three of them embark on a quest, defeating deities of anguish, making baneful decisions, and risking the fate of existence to retrieve those eight legs and not only awaken the power, but stop the completed Araknyd from falling into the wrong hands.

Sky Knife is a young man cursed with an unlucky name - a name his mother saw in a vision and pledged that her son would bear, to honor whatever destiny the gods had decreed. He hasn't the luck to take one of the usual paths charted for his people: farmer, soldier, merchant - all these roads are closed to him. The only hope for him lies in service at the King's Temple, where - he hopes - the gods will make clear his purpose in the world. But as a novice priest he has little hope of fulfilling his destiny. That is, until a human sacrifice goes horribly wrong, priests begin to die, and the skies fill with dangerous portents and visions. Magic of all sorts seems to cling to Sky Knife like a shroud, but if he is daring and lucky enough, he may just find out the answer - and, in doing so, win a place among his people. Sky Knife is a compelling and evocative portrait of ancient Mayan culture. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Deification is one hell of a nerf... So I'm a god, so what? I'm weaker than ever! I have no stats, no skills, and no physical stamina! In fact, the only thing I got out of this upgrade was...legs. But since I never have the energy to walk, the others have no choice but to haul me around like a piece of luggage. Can't we just get to the demon realm already?! We're so close! One final leap over the Mystic Mountains, and- Wait, what? There's a rampaging ogre killing everyone in sight? Greaaat. Of course there's a surprise boss battle right before the checkpoint. Work your OP magic, Demon Lord! ...Hey, wait a minute. I recognize that ogre!

It has been ten years since Roxanne Black left the Land. Ten years since Lord Earin followed her Ten years since the destruction of the Betrayer Ten years since Snake decided to let Commander Gabriel teach her to love, again In that time many changes have taken place. High Lord Brennen, exhausted by two battles with the Betrayer and years of service to the Land, has retired to the Silver Forest to live out the rest of his days in peace. Lord Anjalina has taken his place as High Lord of the Land; an excellent decision in all eyes for she has strength, wisdom, cunning, and incredible skills. Roxannes former page, Sage, has just completed his training as a Lord, training he began ten years ago when Roxie returned home. Sage has amazed all with his natural abilities and the speed and ease with which he mastered all the necessary training to become a Lord. All, but Shylark, the leader of the fairies. Shylark simply smiled knowingly whenever another fairy or Lord commented on Sages abilities. Sage not only completed the training in half the normal time; he has demonstrated powers and skills greater than any Lord who has come before him. He understands things with greater clarity than the others, manipulates spells by himself that normally require more than one Lord, and has an uncanny ability to know what those around him are thinking. There are those who whisper that this all has something to do with his relationship and closeness to Roxanne. Sage simply calls it synergy. Quain, who was one time High Lord Brennens page, has also been in training as a Lord. Though not as fast or naturally talented as Sage, Quain is determined and strong. The fairies feel that he may be the only one who can keep Sages magnificent gifts in balance. General Sabastian has also retired to the Silver Forest with his good friend former High Lord Brennen, leaving Commander Gabriel in control of all the military forces of the Land. It is rumored among his men that when General Sabastian gave Gabriel his new title of General, he smiled a cocky smile and said, I prefer the title Lord High Executioner, thank you. No one doubts the accuracy of this account. Gabriel has adopted another title as well in the last ten years. He is now known as daddy. Shortly after the end of the Betrayer, Snake discovered she was pregnant. Nine months later, Gabriel was the proud father of twins, a boy they named Cole, and a girl they named Natalia. To this day, Snake is still attempting to come to terms with her new role of mommy. It may well prove to be the one thing she cannot master. And then there is Snake Although it is whispered in dark corners that she is kinder and more forgiving these last ten years, there are none that would dare speak that thought in a voice she might hear. She is still a ghost with a past protected by walls that not even Gabriel himself has been able to penetrate. Not yet. On the other side of the cosmic gap between realities a mere ten weeks have passed for Roxanne and Lord Earin. Since their return to this reality, they have managed to win the lottery, with a little help from fairy magic, buy a plantation just outside of New Orleans so that Roxie can visit historical haunted places, and even get married. The pendant of the Chosen still hangs around Roxies neck. She never even tried to take it off after the destruction of the Betrayer. But, that has worked to her benefit, as she has been able to maintain a distant mental connection with Gabe and Snake, who still wear their pendants, too. They cant hold the detailed and colorful conversations of their past, but they can send and receive images. Roxie nearly fell over when she learned of the twins. Yes, in ten years or ten weeks, a lot of good things had come to pass. That would only make it that much more painful when evil returned with a vengeance

SPY, MY PRETTIES! Y'know...understanding the reason for your existence, learning the ultimate truth of the world, and attaining godhood would give most people a lot to think about. But me? I've got better things to do, like making mini-spider clones! Look at this one-isn't she precious?! There's a LOT more where she came from, and I've sent them all over the world to act as my eyes and ears. I bet the Demon Lord will find the info I've gathered super useful for dealing with the impending demonic rebellion. Oh, did I not mention that before...? 'Cause that's totally a thing.

'Let Spider draw you into his web - you won't regret it' Sun The 8th, 9th and 10th thrillers in Stephen Leather's bestselling Spider Shepherd series, available in one all-action collection, including FAIR GAME, FALSE FRIENDS and TRUE COLOURS. Fair Game When Somali pirates seize the crew of a yacht off the coast of Africa, they bite off more than they can chew. One of the hostages has friends in high places and Spider Shepherd is put on the case. But as Shepherd closes in on his quarry he realises that there's much more at stake than the lives of the hostages and that the pirates are involved in a terrorist plot that will strike at the heart of London. False Friends The most wanted man in the world is dead. Now those loyal to him seek revenge. When Navy Seals track down and kill Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan, al-Qaeda realise they have a traitor in their midst. After the false friends are revealed to be two British students, Malik and Chaudhry, Dan 'Spider' Shepherd must teach the pair how to survive undercover. True Colours The Russian oligarchs are the world's new elite. They treat the world as their plaything, travelling without borders and living lives of unimaginable luxury without fear or restraint. But when an assassin starts killing off some of the world's richest men, an oligarch with friends in high places seeks the protection of MI5. And Spider Shepherd is placed in the firing line.

Following a shattering and all-too-public personal tragedy, Antonia Weston has come to the sleepy town of Amberwood seeking peace and anonymity. But that peace is soon threatened by a series of disturbing incidents--incidents that eerily echo a past she's trying to forget. As she struggles to rebuild her life, Antonia becomes drawn to the town's macabre history: the abandoned mill, Twygrist, with its brooding darkness, and the now-vanished Latchkill Asylum. Antonia's fascination with the linked histories of Latchkill and Twygrist has alerted someone from her own past. Someone who knows all about Twygrist's darkness. Someone prepared to use that knowledge in the most horrifying way.

“One of the most intriguing heroines in the genre” returns in the “extraordinary series” from the New York Times–bestselling author of Black Widow (RT Book Reviews, Top Pick). Keep your friends close but your enemies within stabbing distance. One important lesson I’ve learned in the assassination business is that to be the best you have to roll with the punches. Now that I’m queen of Ashland’s underworld—by default, not by choice—a lot more punches are being thrown my way. But I suppose that’s the price of victory for taking down some of the underworld’s top dogs. Good thing I have my Ice and Stone magic to help me survive my volatile new position. Just when I think things are finally settling down, someone tries to murder me during a hush-hush underworld meeting. But the real surprise is how strangely familiar my shadowy assailant seems to be. My job is to maintain order among killers, crooks, and thieves, and soon I’m embroiled in a bloody game where the ability to keep secrets could be the greatest superpower of all. My enemies have all sharpened their knives and laid their traps, waiting for me to fall. But this Spider weaves her own webs of death . . . “Quirky . . . the central mystery and the interpersonal relationships are well crafted.” —Publishers Weekly “Nonstop action, great characters, humor, and even some moments where your heart is in your throat.” —Dark Faerie Tales