An adept student with a powerful mentor. A diabolical witch huntress . Two friends working to avert a tragic twist of fate. Dalia and her dragon’s quest for the histories of magic and humanity, and a long lost dragon tribe, lead them to Texas. While building her magical reserves, and satiating the dragon’s need for knowledge, they stumble across a powerful hex. A curse that could cost her everything she loves. Battling an unknown enemy, Dalia wonders if she can find the answers before time runs out. Finding enemies close and new allies in unexpected places it comes down to a battle of magics. Will the more powerful witch retain the upper hand, building on her generations of training? Or will Dalai’s faith in others be the end of her?

Celebrating 50 years of Tove Jansson's classic, bestselling novel Featured in the BBC 2 Between the Covers Bookclub Special (Eurovision series 2023) 'Distils the essence of summer' Robert Macfarlane 'Magical, life-affirming' Elizabeth Gilbert The Worldwide Classic about a tiny island and larger love. An elderly artist and her six-year-old grand-daughter while away a summer together on a tiny island in the gulf of Finland. As the two learn to adjust to each other's fears, whims and yearnings, a fierce yet understated love emerges - one that encompasses not only the summer inhabitants but the very island itself. Written in a clear, unsentimental style, full of brusque humour, and wisdom, The Summer Book is a profoundly life-affirming story. Tove Jansson captured much of her own life and spirit in the book, which was her favourite of her adult novels. With a foreword by Esther Freud and an afterword by Sophia Jansson (on whom the child 'Sophia' is based) who returns to the island during the pandemic at the point of becoming a grandmother herself. Includes a 15pp epilogue by Tove's niece Sophia Jansson - the inspiration for 'Sophia' - on a personal and moving return to the island. 'Eccentric, funny, wise, full of joys and small adventures. This is a book for life.' Esther Freud 'Tove Jansson was a genius. This is a marvellous, beautiful, wise novel, which is also very funny.' Philip Pullman

In this first comprehensive handbook of the earth's sinks for greenhouse gases, leading researchers from around the world provide an expert synthesis of current understanding and uncertainties. It will be a valuable resource for students, researchers and practitioners in conservation, ecology and environmental studies.

A group of authors from the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute in St Petersburg, Russia, have all achieved individual doctoral theses on various aspects of Arctic and Antarctic research. This book is written by experienced group of researchers and authors.

Now in its fourth edition, Rediscovering the Golden State: California Geography examines this unique state’s incredibly diverse landscapes, and how geography and geographic change influences everything from the state’s natural systems and cycles, to its agriculture and more advanced industries, to human migration, cultures, and urban planning. Exploring California through a geographic lens reveals how the field has evolved to cross traditional boundaries, connect local and global issues, and provide the insights that lead to practical solutions to problems new and old. Challenging the reader to look beyond stereotypes and assumptions, this book encourages active participation in planning the state’s dynamic future. And this project makes teaching and learning about the geography of California more convenient, exciting, and rewarding for instructors and students. Going beyond a scientific analysis of natural features and environmental processes, this book illustrates how social, political, and economic divides can be bridged through the study of geography and the connections it brings to light. From geology, weather and climate, biogeography, and hydrology, we cover the state’s physical geography. And from demography and migration, to cultures and economies, to rural and urban geography, we monitor the state’s human geography pulse and then make the vital connections. California continues to lead the nation in population, economics (5th largest in the world), agriculture, natural and cultural diversity, and a host of other categories. This powerful state has earned this powerful publication. This timely and versatile book will prove useful to Californians in business, education, government, and to concerned citizens and curious readers seeking to learn more about the Golden State.

One week to fall in love. Seven months apart. A summer to make it right. 'An emotional rollercoaster of a read. I cried with joy and sadness' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review 'So gripping and heartbreaking . . . Read if you like One Day' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review ___________ 1993. When Kit meets Summer on the backpacking trip of a lifetime, he falls head over heels in love, certain that what they have is much more than just a holiday romance. On returning home, Kit is confident he'll be able to find the magical girl he met. But when he follows the clues Summer told him about her life, the person he thought he knew doesn't seem to exist. Heartbroken that she lied to him, and with no way of contacting her, Kit moves to the Suffolk coast for a fresh start. Little does he know that Summer is living just a few miles away - and is incapable of forgetting Kit too. But as the months pass, Kit and Summer's paths never collide. Their lives move on, and a hazy, sun-drenched summer begins. By the time they meet, will it be too late to start again? ___________ Perfect for fans of One Day by David Nicholls and Every Summer After by Carley Fortune, this is a sweeping summer love story about sliding doors and heart-breaking near misses. 'Loved this so much - I read it all in one, on tenterhooks' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review 'Highly recommended this beautiful book to absolutely everyone' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review

For more than 20 years, Network World has been the premier provider of information, intelligence and insight for network and IT executives responsible for the digital nervous systems of large organizations. Readers are responsible for designing, implementing and managing the voice, data and video systems their companies use to support everything from business critical applications to employee collaboration and electronic commerce.