A magical fantasy for older children set in another world and our world. With anti-bullying themes. All profits from this edition to the S.O.P.H.I.E Lancaster Foundation.

The fantasy land of Midkemia, already torn by dissent, faces a new crisis as demons prepare to invade it to obtain life energy for their kingdom. By the author of Rise of a Merchant Prince.

This book announces the new, interdisciplinary field of critical disaster studies. Unlike most existing approaches to disaster, critical disaster studies begins with the idea that disasters are not objective facts, but rather are interpretive fictions—and they shape the way people see the world. By questioning the concept of disaster itself, critical disaster studies reveals the stakes of defining people or places as vulnerable, resilient, or at risk. As social constructs, disaster, vulnerability, resilience, and risk shape and are shaped by contests over power. Managers and technocrats often herald the goals of disaster response and recovery as objective, quantifiable, or self-evident. In reality, the goals are subjective, and usually contested. Critical disaster studies attends to the ways powerful people often use claims of technocratic expertise to maintain power. Moreover, rather than existing as isolated events, disasters take place over time. People commonly imagine disasters to be unexpected and sudden, making structural conditions appear contingent, widespread conditions appear local, and chronic conditions appear acute. By placing disasters in broader contexts, critical disaster studies peels away that veneer. With chapters by scholars of five continents and seven disciplines, Critical Disaster Studies asks how disasters come to be known as disasters, how disasters are used as tools of governance and politics, and how people imagine and anticipate disasters. The volume will be of interest to scholars of disaster in any discipline and especially to those teaching the growing number of courses on disaster studies.

Plants have profoundly moulded the Earth's climate and the evolutionary trajectory of life. Far from being 'silent witnesses to the passage of time', plants are dynamic components of our world, shaping the environment throughout history as much as that environment has shaped them. In The Emerald Planet, David Beerling puts plants centre stage, revealing the crucial role they have played in driving global changes in the environment, in recording hidden facets of Earth's history, and in helping us to predict its future. His account draws together evidence from fossil plants, from experiments with their living counterparts, and from computer models of the 'Earth System', to illuminate the history of our planet and its biodiversity. This new approach reveals how plummeting carbon dioxide levels removed a barrier to the evolution of the leaf; how plants played a starring role in pushing oxygen levels upwards, allowing spectacular giant insects to thrive in the Carboniferous; and it strengthens fascinating and contentious fossil evidence for an ancient hole in the ozone layer. Along the way, Beerling introduces a lively cast of pioneering scientists from Victorian times onwards whose discoveries provided the crucial background to these and the other puzzles. This understanding of our planet's past sheds a sobering light on our own climate-changing activities, and offers clues to what our climatic and ecological futures might look like. There could be no more important time to take a close look at plants, and to understand the history of the world through the stories they tell. Oxford Landmark Science books are 'must-read' classics of modern science writing which have crystallized big ideas, and shaped the way we think.

The Way Of The Dragon Is The Way To Become Strong! XXXX, a man used and abused for general tasks by his adventuring party, finds himself on the verge of death in dragon territory in the Kugus Mountains after a party member stabs him in the back. Literally. Next time he opens his eyes, he’s in the nest of a red dragon named Kaphal whose egg was destroyed in a natural disaster. Having lost both his memories and his name, he turns instead into a young girl named Lushera. And apparently Kaphal plans to raise Lushera as her own daughter…? This is the story of the odd fate binding one dragon and one human, the story of an unconventional mother and daughter.

In a Deviant Future, the world has been reshaped. Humanity has been changed. Yet despite it all, one thing does survive—love. Three previously published novels that take place in a post-apocalypse future, where civilization has had to adapt to survive, and where mutations have given some magical powers. A dystopian society ruled by an elite class who are about to experience a shift in power. Toxic Dust: Laura knows nothing of the world outside the domes other than it is deadly. Everything she knows is upended when the marauder who kidnaps not only shows her how to survive, he makes her want a forbidden thing called love. Wasteland Treasure: New Earth isn’t a kind or gentle place, so Gunner isn’t entirely surprised when a freak windstorm leaves him blinded in a strange place. The problem is he’s not alone. Twisted Metal Heart: Riella has a special skill when it comes to working with metal and Titan knows she mustn’t fall in the wrong hands. Especially since she might hold the key to bringing down a corrupt Queen. genre: action and adventure, mad max romance, apocalyptic romance, post apocalypse, paranormal dystopian romance, end of the world, futuristic romance, paranormal romance, psychic romance, futuristic fantasy, magic and sorcery

The Knights of Emerald : This epic tale takes place in a forgotten world in a time of great unrest as Amecareth, the Dark Lord of the Insect People, attempts to take over the known universe. It is the story of Kira, the purple child, born of the rape of Queen Fan of Shola by the despicable Emperor, who will ultimately bring about his downfall, and of the brave Knights of Emerald entrusted with her safety. Book 1 of the saga The Knights of Emerald, Fire in the Sky : Upon learning that Amecareth is preparing to invade the continent once again, the King of Emerald, in an effort to protect all the Kingdoms of Enkidiev, revives an ancient knighthood. Chosen for their special gifts and endowed with mystical powers, six men and one woman become the new Knights of Emerald. Their training now completed, these magical soldiers are about to leave for battle when Queen Fan arrives at the castle requesting an audience with Emerald I. Pressed for time, she leaves in his care her two-year old daughter Kira, fully aware of the part she will be playing in the future of mankind. Wellan, the undisputed leader of the knights, falls in love with the beautiful queen. But the Kingdom of Shola is the first to fall and everyone is slaughtered, including Fan. Heartbroken, Wellan will nonetheless have to come up with a plan to defend Enkidiev and repel the forces of evil.