In the peaceful realm of Tequende, all second-born children at the age of fifteen must journey to the Alcazar to fulfill the mandate of the Oath of Guilds. There they train to earn a place among the queen's legendary Second Guard, or work as indentured servants. Talimendra has always wanted to join the Guard, but there are dark rumors in the queendom that she may not be ready for. Rumors that whisper of greed, traitors, and war. There is very little time and too many unanswered questions, but one thing is for certain: if there is a traitor among the Second Guard, then everyone???including the queen???is in grave danger.

In the peaceful realm of Tequende, all second-born children at the age of fifteen must journey to the Alcazar to fulfill the mandate of the Oath of Guilds. There they train to earn a place among the queen's legendary Second Guard, or work as indentured servants. Talimendra has always wanted to join the Guard, but there are dark rumors in the queendom that she may not be ready for. Rumors that whisper of greed, traitors, and war. There is very little time and too many unanswered questions, but one thing is for certain: if there is a traitor among the Second Guard, then everyone???including the queen???is in grave danger.

All is not well in Tequende. The Earth Guild, frequently looked down upon by the Sun and Moon guilds, is beginning to demand fairer treatment by the queen, and whispers of revolution are spreading like wild fire. Brindl Tacora of the Zipa Mines, an earth guilder and now Master of Messages for the Princess, might have to choose sides: join the rebellion, or stay loyal to the crown. But their true enemy remains hidden, and Brindl may be the only one who can help unite the rebels against their foe before it's too late.

A thousand years have passed since The Fortunate were imprisoned beneath the cold and ice of Heldig Fengsel, and their freedom is now at hand. All that stands against them, and their gluttonous subjugation of the land, are the Lion of Forson, her Hammer, and her Spear—three heroes with near-supernatural abilities. Legend says they will come forth when the time is ripe and lead the people of the One Nation into battle against the Fortunate to ensure that never again will they be relegated to The Lesser. Even with these heroes, plans will need to be drawn and alliances strengthened, if they are to have any hope of prevailing against a force with far superior numbers and a wrath that has been building for a millennium. With assistance from their comrades in arms, twin brothers Edouard and Alton—presumed by many to be the prophesized Hammer and Spear— will have to survive mortal danger around every turn as they endeavor to prepare their people, and the Lion of Forson, for a battle that threatens to end their way of life and change the face of the One Nation forever. The Second Wave is the second book of the Hammer and Spear Trilogy, following The Last Line (2021), and like its predecessor, will keep readers teetering on the edge of their seats.

The Second Edmond Hamilton MEGAPACK collects 15 more classic fantasy and science fiction stories by the master of space opera. From the confines to Earth to the edges of the galaxy, this is a far-ranging collection of some of his most exciting and action-packed tales. Here are: THE STAR-STEALERS THE SEA HORROR OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSE THE LIFE-MASTERS THE COMET-DRIVERS THE UNIVERSE WRECKERS FORGOTTEN WORLD CITIES IN THE AIR COPYRIGHT INFORMATION COME HOME FROM EARTH TRANSURANIC BATTLE FOR THE STARS CITADEL OF THE STAR LORDS THE KNOWLEDGE MACHINE REQUIEM THE STAR-STEALERS If you enjoyed this ebook, search your favorite ebook store for "Wildside Press MEGAPACK" to see more than 400 other volumes in the best-selling series. Accept no substitutes or cheap imitations! Wildside's MEGAPACK® collections are always terrific values, covering science fiction, fantasy, mystery, western, horror, classic -- and much, much more.

In order to become a Blood Guard, Ronan and his friends are sent to compete in the "Glass Gauntlet," a series of dangerous tests against ruthless opponents where no one is as they seem.