The story of how humanity first came to the Witch World—and almost doomed themselves as they discovered the dangers of their new home. Long ago, after the Elder People deserted the place known as Witch World, a portal opened from another realm, bringing the people of Hallack to colonize the abandoned lands. But although the old inhabitants had gone, the Old Gods still existed to confound the new mortals beneath them. This is the story of the first ones: Elron the Clanless and Gathea the Wise Woman, who sought their own separate fates in this new mountainous country; Iynne of Garn whose clan ventured into an unknown land of power and was seduced by sinister magic; and Gunnora, the Amber Lady, and her fight against Raidhan, Lady of the Dark Moon. For any fan of the Witch World novels by Science Fiction Writers of America Grand Master Andre Norton, this is the must-have origin story for the adventures that have gripped lovers of sword and sorcery for generations. Horn Crown is the 5th book in the Witch World: High Hallack Cycle, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Humans enter the Witch World through the open cosmic gate and discover a land deserted by its inhabitants, but still ruled by the powerful Old Gods

Named one of the best books of 2017 by NPR, the Huffington Post, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe, the Horn Book Magazine, the News & Observer, BookPage, Chicago Public Library, and more The barbershop is where the magic happens. Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads, and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty. That crisp yet subtle line makes boys sharper, more visible, more aware of every great thing that could happen to them when they look good: lesser grades turn into As; girls take notice; even a mother’s hug gets a little tighter. Everyone notices. A fresh cut makes boys fly. This rhythmic, read-aloud title is an unbridled celebration of the self-esteem, confidence, and swagger boys feel when they leave the barber’s chair—a tradition that places on their heads a figurative crown, beaming with jewels, that confirms their brilliance and worth and helps them not only love and accept themselves but also take a giant step toward caring how they present themselves to the world. The fresh cuts. That’s where it all begins. Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut is a high-spirited, engaging salute to the beautiful, raw, assured humanity of black boys and how they see themselves when they approve of their reflections in the mirror.

After stepping into a ghost circle Thorn is urged to locate the Crown of Horns, and sets off on a quest with Fone Bone to traipse through the sacred grounds of dragons, with the hope of returning with the only thing that can save everyone and everyth