Umbertouched

With their cover blown and their identities revealed, Zivah and Dineas are on the run. Not only did they fail to bring down the emperor, but their betrayal has brought the full might of Ampara against their people. Now their only choice is to rejoin their kin and prepare for the oncoming war. As armies mobilize and fortifications rise, Zivah and Dineas grapple with the aftermath of their fateful mission. Dineas’s fellow Shidadi no longer trust him after his time in Ampara. And with his constant flashbacks—and lingering feelings of loyalty toward his former comrades—Dineas wonders if his kinsmen might be right. Meanwhile, Zivah faces growing pressure to betray her healer’s vows. Is it worth honoring the Goddess’s wishes if it means the destruction of all she knows? On top of that, she’s having flashes of fever—signs that her illness is returning to claim her. As the world around them threatens to collapse, Zivah and Dineas must decide how they feel about each other. Was the love and friendship they shared in Sehmar City an illusion, or is it strong enough to save them all?

This smart, sweeping fantasy with a political edge and a slow-burning romance will capture fans of The Lumatere Chronicles and An Ember in the Ashes. A healer who cannot be healed... When Zivah falls prey to the deadly rose plague, she knows it's only a matter of time before she fully succumbs. Now she's destined to live her last days in isolation, cut off from her people and unable to practice her art—until a threat to her village creates a need that only she can fill. A soldier shattered by war... Broken by torture at the hands of the Amparan Empire, Dineas thirsts for revenge against his captors. Now escaped and reunited with his tribe, he'll do anything to free them from Amparan rule—even if it means undertaking a plan that risks not only his life but his very self. Thrust together on a high-stakes mission to spy on the capital, the two couldn't be more different: Zivah, deeply committed to her vow of healing, and Dineas, yearning for vengeance. But as they grow closer, they must find common ground to protect those they love. And amidst the constant fear of discovery, the two grapple with a mutual attraction that could break both of their carefully guarded hearts.

An exceptional thief… Kyra specializes in nighttime raids, using her sharp senses and uncanny agility to plunder Forge’s wealthiest homes. Then she meets James, the deadly but intriguing Head of the Assassin’s Guild. He has a job for Kyra: infiltrate the impenetrable Palace compound. The pay is good, and the challenge appealing. But as Kyra establishes herself in the Guild, things start to unravel. Her assignments become increasingly violent, demanding more than Kyra is willing to give. And as she grows closer to the darkly attractive James, she can’t shake the feeling that his plans run deeper than he claims. A knight sworn to vengeance… When Tristam’s best friend is killed by Demon Riders—barbarians riding vicious wildcats—he vows to defeat them. The young knight throws himself into his quest, only to find his efforts thwarted by a mysterious and very talented thief. When a twist of fate throws Kyra and Tristam together, they realize that Forge faces greater dangers than either of them had imagined. They must make a choice: continue to fight each other, or work together to unravel the truth. Then, as sinister forces close in, Kyra and Tristam discover a shocking secret that will change their lives forever.

From New York Times bestselling author Livia Blackburne and illustrator Julia Kuo, here is I Dream of Popo. This delicate, emotionally rich picture book celebrates a special connection that crosses time zones and oceans as Popo and her granddaughter hold each other in their hearts forever. I dream with Popo as she rocks me in her arms. I wave at Popo before I board my flight. I talk to Popo from across the sea. I tell Popo about my adventures. When a young girl and her family emigrate from Taiwan to America, she leaves behind her beloved popo, her grandmother. She misses her popo every day, but even if their visits are fleeting, their love is ever true and strong. A New York Public Library Best Book of 2021 A Booklist Editors' Choice Winner for 2021

She brought honor on the battlefield. Now comes a new kind of war... The war is over. Now a renowned hero, Mulan spends her days in her home village, training a militia of female warriors. The peace is a welcome one, and she knows it must be protected. When Shang arrives with an invitation to the Imperial City, Mulan's relatively peaceful life is upended once more. The aging emperor decrees that Mulan will be his heir to the throne. Such unimagined power and responsibility terrifies her, but who can say no to the Emperor? As Mulan ascends into the halls of power, it becomes clear that not everyone is on her side. Her ministers undermine her, and the Huns sense a weakness in the throne. When hints of treachery appear even amongst those she considers friends, Mulan has no idea whom she can trust. But the Queen's Council helps Mulan uncover her true destiny. With renewed strength and the wisdom of those that came before her, Mulan will own her power, save her country, and prove once again that, crown or helmet, she was always meant to lead. This fierce reimagining of the girl who became a warrior blends fairy-tale lore and real history with a Disney twist.

James is skilled, efficient, and deadly, a hired blade navigating the shifting alliances of a deteriorating Assassin’s Guild. Then he meets Thalia, an alluring but troubled dancing girl who offers him a way out—if he’ll help her kill a powerful nobleman. With the Guild falling apart, it just might be worth the risk. But when you live, breathe, and love in a world that’s forever flirting with death, the slightest misstep can be poison. Poison Dance is a short story of approximately 14,000 words long (54 printed pages). The ebook also includes several deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes blog posts about the writing process for this novella.

Kyra walks a precarious line. Though she’s captured James and thwarted his schemes, she’s keenly aware that she remains an outsider in the Palace. Her past taints everything she hopes for, including her budding relationship with Tristam, whose highborn pedigree could not be more different from her own. As Kyra struggles to find her footing, new dangers arise. An unfamiliar Demon Rider clan crosses the mountains, threatening not just Kyra but those she holds most dear. Meanwhile, power struggles within the Council highlight Forge’s class divisions. As injustice after injustice are brought to light, Kyra wonders if she’s chosen the wrong side. The assassin James, though imprisoned in the dungeon, still seems to wield power. And Kyra finds herself drawn back to him. Then there’s the secret she dares not tell, the truth of her heritage that tempts and frightens her at the same time. Kyra’s Demon Rider blood calls to her, but does she dare awaken it? As enemies stalk Forge from within and without, Kyra must decide once and for all where her loyalties lie, what she’ll fight for, and how far she’ll go to save those she loves.

When Liliya is chosen to serve the God of Time, she sees a chance to forget the horrors of her past. Her new life at the temple is full of mysteries, from a globe that displays the future to a handsome young palanquin bearer who makes her smile. But though life is easier amongst the gods, it is also fraught with danger. And soon the threads of time ensnare Liliya in a web she may not be able to escape. Lord of Time is a short story of 4000 words, or roughly 16 printed pages.