A haunted castle. A journey beyond time. The darkness below holds the key to a future untold... It’s been a thousand years since Finn Oreah’anza last laid eyes on his ancestral home, the remote fortress known as Ith Ah'anza. Yet, upon his return with his newfound family—Evelyn, Aisling, Lorcan, and Naimh—they find the castle shrouded in darkness and despair. Haunted by the remnants of a long-forgotten civil war, both Finn and the land itself bear the scars of past atrocities, with corruption festering within the castle's very foundations. A corruption that must be cleared if Finn wants to reclaim the fortress as their home. But as they traverse Ith Ah'anza's ruined halls, they discover that it holds more than just memories. For deep below, another force stirs, whispering of forgotten prophecies and the resurgence of an ancient evil. An evil that Finn knows all too well… The Golden Shard, the second novel in the thrilling Tales of Lor’Iyslar series, is a tale of redemption, discovery, and the unyielding power of the past. Amidst lingering threats and ancient curses, Evelyn, Finn, and their friends venture into the dark ruins of Ith Ah'anza, only to find an astonishing revelation that changes everything…

The Newbery Medal-winning tale of an orphan boy whose dream of becoming a master potter leads to unforeseen adventure in ancient Korea. Tree-ear is an orphan boy in a 12th-century Korean village renowned for its ceramics. When he accidentally breaks a delicate piece of pottery, he volunteers to work to pay for the damage. Putting aside his own dreams, Tree-ear resolves to serve the master potter by embarking on a difficult and dangerous journey, little knowing that it will change his life forever. "Despite the odds against him, Tree-ear becomes courageous, brave and selfless, a hero as enduring as the porcelain Park so lovingly describes." (New York Times) “Intrigues, danger, and a strong focus on doing what is right turn a simple story into a compelling read. A timeless jewel.” (Kirkus starred review) *A broken piece of pottery sets events in motion as an orphan struggles to pay off his debt to a master potter. This finely crafted novel brings 12th-century Korea and these indelible characters to life." (School Library Journal starred review) "Tree-ear's determination and bravery in pursuing his dream of becoming a potter takes readers on a literary journey that demonstrates how courage, honor and perseverance can overcome great odds and bring great happiness. Park effectively conveys 12th century Korea in this masterful piece of historical fiction." (Kathleen Odean, chair of the Newbery Award Selection Committee)

Imagine for a moment that all the faerie tales you heard in the days of youth were true. That pixies and trolls and wizards really did roam the Earth in long ago days. You might wonder, "Where did they go?" They didn't go anywhere. In the shadows and hidden places of today's world, goblins sharpen their knives while ogres load their shotguns. Wizards ply their trade from the inner city, replacing lonely tower sanctums with towering skyscrapers. And humanity has no idea. Not until a man who does not come from the world we know stumbles across the unseen presence lurking outside common vision, prompting a pursuit that spans the globe to discover the mystery of the Nocnistu.

This book takes readers through the sensational history of blockchains and their potential to revolutionize database systems of the future. In order to demystify blockchains, the book capitalizes on decades of research and field testing of existing database and distributed systems and applies these familiar concepts to the novel blockchain system. It then utilizes this framework to explore the essential block platform underpinning blockchains, which is often misunderstood as a specific attribute of cryptocurrencies rather than the core of the decentralized system independent of application. The book explores the nature of these decentralized systems, which have no single owner and build robustness through a multitude of stakeholder contributions. In this way, blockchains can build trust into existing systems and thus present attractive solutions for various domains across both academia and industry. Despite this, high-impact and real-world applications of blockchain have yet to be realized outside of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. The book establishes how this new data system, if properly applied, can disrupt the sector in much the same way databases did so many years ago. The book explores the fundamental technical limitations that may be preventing blockchain from realizing this potential and how to overcome or mitigate them. Readers who are completely new to blockchains will find this book to be a comprehensive survey of the state of the art in blockchain technology. Readers with some experience of blockchains, for example through developing cryptocurrencies, will likely find the book’s database perspective enlightening. Finally, researchers already working with blockchain will learn to identify existing gaps in the design space and explore potential solutions for creating the next generation of blockchain systems.

The Shard of Eternity follows the journey of Lirael, an elf chosen by the ancient Well of Magic to carry the balance of light and darkness within her. As the Void King rises, threatening to consume the world in eternal shadow, Lirael is thrust into a battle not only for her people’s survival but for the very fabric of creation. Guided by the wisdom of the elven elders and supported by her steadfast companion, Elrion, Lirael faces a series of trials that test her ability to wield both creation and destruction. Along their perilous journey, they encounter powerful allies, ancient magic, and the harrowing forces of the void. In the final confrontation with the Void King, Lirael must make the ultimate sacrifice to restore balance to the world, facing the darkness within herself and unlocking the true potential of the Well's magic. The story is one of love, loyalty, sacrifice, and the eternal struggle to maintain the balance between light and darkness.

Mazael now bears the sword of a Knight Armiger, a magical weapon capable of destroying the cursed Wraithaldr and defeating the sinister Lord Razalis. But Razalis has labored for three thousand years to finish his mighty work of dark magic, and he will unleash his full power to destroy Mazael's army. Lucan Mandragon, once Mazael's mortal enemy, might be the only man able to stop Razalis. But the cost will be more than Lucan can imagine...