The Winona dilemma / Lois Beardslee -- No word for goodbye / Mary TallMountain -- About the contributors.

Lending support to the search for the roots of the Altaic language family and pushing forward the field of Altaic mythologies and related topics, this comprehensive study of the early beliefs of China’s Altaic peoples is the first thorough, systematic academic treatment in this, as yet, underdeveloped research field. While discussing nine types of Altaic mythologies, A Comparative Study of Altaic Mythologies in China uses primary sources in several languages to explore Altaic myths’ origins, development over centuries, lineage relationships, and external influences. For this purpose, it compares the mythologies of various ethnic groups within the Altaic language family, Altaic mythologies with those of other cross-language and cross-cultural ethnic groups having direct, indirect or even no cultural exchanges with them in history, as well as Altaic mythologies with folklore, religion and other interdisciplinary domains of Altaic Studies by applying the theories and methods of comparative literature studies, comparative folklore studies and comparative mythology to a vast collection of mythological materials. As wide-ranging as it is deeply researched, this serious exploration of Altaic Studies breaks the boundaries of the previously closed research model, expands theoretical horizons, broadens the research scope, introduces a new mechanism for understanding myths and co-cultures of the Altaic language family, and offers insight toward the reconstruction of Proto-Altaic Mythology.

In Sika Longtooths line of work, the potential for risk is always present no matter how simple the job. And those risks are often downwind of himout of range for even his keen nostrils. As the young beaver ambles along the trails in the Great Forest, he has no idea that an evil force lurks in the shadows. In a time when the world is different and the creatures in the forest are close to all the mysteries, Sika is suddenly whisked away from the only life he knows andto protect his forestis forced into battle with a fierce enemy. Used to living within the predictable and ordinary, Sika now must move from one dangerous situation to another while in the company of a slow-talking porcupine, an excitable skunk, and two spirited squirrels. If Sika is to survive and ultimately save the Great Forest, he must first endure perils that no beaver has before. From one unexpected turn of events to the next, an unlikely hero emerges. Now he must determine who is friend and who is foe before the forest disappears forever.

Magic, Demons & High School Drama All Lucille ever wanted was a normal high school experience: learn cool stuff, make new friends, and maybe flirt with a guy or two. But her hometown doesn’t do normal. Not when her hand erupts into flames, her new friends are obsessed with magic, and the cute boys might be the monsters her grandma always warned her about. Lucille discovers she’s a witch. In fact, she’s one of the chosen ones. Together with her friends, she must defend the city against blood-thirsty vampires, rabid werewolves, and possessive demons. All while juggling school, dating, and family drama. But when tragedy strikes the town, Lucille begins to realise that exchanging normalcy for magic might just cost her her life. The Ashuan Greed boxset is an ensemble-led, action-packed YA urban fantasy series with teenage monster hunters, supernatural creatures, and wondrous magic. If you liked Buffy’s wit and snarky one-liners, the magic of Charmed, or the supernatural drama of the Vampire Diaries, you’ll love this magical adventure. Join Lucille and her friends on the hunt today with the first three Ashuan books in one set. This box set includes the complete Ashuan Greed trilogy. The adventure continues in Ashuan Lust.

Mild-mannered suburban mom Riva Konneva is more than she seems. Riva, a warrior woman from an alternate reality, has come to the planet of the pen-pushers to give her daughter the kind of education that she never had back home. It meant that she had to learn a whole new way of fighting, with paper rather than with the weapons to which she was accustomed. The pen, as they say, is mightier than the sword. On the other hand, there are times - especially when old enemies arrive out of nowhere, intent on slaughtering one's children - when paper alone just won't do the job...