A platypus sets out across the Bass Strait towards the island state of Tasmania, aiming to recover part of the Ayerstone from the former convict prison of Port Arthur. This magical stone has caused certain animals to increase in size, and Preston soon finds many dangers and obstacles. Oceans are swarming with sharks, electric rays and giant squid, while Tasmania has been overrun with vicious devils who are causing havoc for quolls and other native marsupials, ruling from their base atop isolated Cradle Mountain. Half the island belongs to predatory thylacines, who emerged from forest hiding places years before, conquering the capital and surrounding lands. Both dasyurids have formed cruel extremist societies. Preston the platypus must find a way between these carnivores, using his skills at keeping undercover, while seeking new alliances and encountering other dangerous foes. The semi-aquatic platypus swims through highly contrasting waterways from the rough rapids of the Franklin, to the serenity of Lake Pedder beside its quartzite beach. He visits underwater shipwrecks full of seahorses, plus sponge gardens and kelp forests with weedy sea dragon lairs. Tasmania's beautiful rivers are also inhabited by crayfish, trout, handfish and galaxias, with their own motivations, instincts and agendas. Other odd and mysterious creatures dwell in remote locations, including velvet worms, pseudoscorpions, stygobites, crickets, tiger cats, owls and more unique birdlife which the platypus has to deal with in different ways. As Preston explores, he discovers the missing Ayerstone fragment may have caused a strange magic to affect wild places, such as an intricate labyrinth near Lake St. Clair and a bubbling cauldron on the Franklin River. His quest takes him to many scenic locations in remote wilderness: the rugged Overland Track, caves of shining glow worms at Marakoopa, forests of ancient Huon pines, and the lofty dolerite sea cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula. In several towns, human structures provide their own challenges and difficulties, like a deep abandoned gold mine or an apple crate warehouse on the wharf at Beauty Point. Also he searches the cities of Hobart and Launceston for clues, visiting structures taken over by animals: breweries, factories, sports grounds, the state parliament and other buildings. Finally he must scour the gaol complex at Port Arthur to achieve his goal of recovering the Ayerstone.

When a rogue assassin starts taking heads in the Hundred Halls, no one is safe, not even the teachers. Zayn leads his team as they investigate the gruesome deaths. The search draws them to dangerous places: the infamous Black Council and the opulent casino of pain run by the Diamond Court. As leads dry up, and heads roll, leaving them no closer to the truth, Zayn must make a terrible choice involving the people who he cares about most. Season One of the Hundred Halls Universe THE HUNDRED HALLS Series Trials of Magic Web of Lies Alchemy of Souls Gathering of Shadows City of Sorcery THE RELUCTANT ASSASSIN Series The Reluctant Assassin The Sorcerous Spy The Veiled Diplomat Agent Unraveled The Webs That Bind GAMEMAKERS ONLINE Series The Warped Forest Gladiators of Warsong Citadel of Broken Dreams Enter the Daemon Pits Plane of Twilight ANIMALIANS HALL Series Wild Magic Bane of the Hunter Mark of the Phoenix Arcane Mutations Untamed Destiny STONE SINGERS HALL Series Song of Siren and Blood House of Snake and Tome Storm of Dragon and Stone Sonata of Shadow and Thorn Well of Demon and Bone THE ORDER OF MERLIN Trilogy The Order of Merlin Infernal Alliances Tower of Horn and Blood What Readers Are Saying: I just found my new book to talk peoples ears off about! I could not put this book down and have told all of my friends to get a copy to read. I can't wait for the rest of the series!!! It was a fun refreshing take on magic and creatures. The characters are so captivating. I am glad to see a magic related series that is more female based and has more of the "Supernatural" feel to it.- L. Coffing Added to my collection of urban fantasy beautifully written – Tevin I've read other things by this author, but this one stands head and shoulders above the others! Fast paced, fascinating characters, twists and turns, loved it all and am so happy I could dive right into the second. Keep them coming - don't want to go into withdrawals! – Tami Cowles This is a well-structured and exciting tale, with a magical system that any Fantasy lover would die for. This inspiring first novel shows a promising start to a series and kept a firm grasp on my attention throughout. Trials of Magic makes for an addictive read. Many times, I even found myself shouting at the characters, praying either for their safety or for them to succeed in their endeavors. A true work of fiction with great artistic flair. There is a lot of heart embedded within these pages. Trials of magic is a five-star read and a real credit to Mr. Thomas Carpenter. – Dax Munro TRA I've always enjoyed coming-of-age novels and this one is fantastic. It is Well written, well plotted, and gripping. The characters and plot do not let you go. -PRBC I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The characters are all interesting, I couldn't predict what would happen (which I LOVE), and I can hardly wait to find out what happens next. (I also appreciate that I want more, but that the book actually ended very well, and not in a cliffhanger.) Thomas Carpenter is a new favorite author for me! – Skipperdo Loved this new book. It's amazing how real Carpenter makes this world and all the people in it. – Sharon Brigham Spratt Animalians I really love how quickly you fall head over heels for the Animalian Hall. – Yorkiemom The Animalians series is easily one of the most enjoyable reads I have had in the past year. Filled with a relatable heroine, strong character building and equal doses of magic and action, the series starts strong and only gets better. – amazon customer This is an excellent series. Fun and amazing characters with each a great separate plot. – Zippy Inger This is one of the most amazing, spellbound series I have read in a long time. Loads of action, adventure, suspense and supernatural creatures. A must read series!- Liza van der Pluym Gamemakers- Fast paced and spot on descriptions will keep you turning pages well into the night. If you adore Jordan and Martin, Thomas Carpenter and his Hundred Halls series are MUST READS as sci-fantasy of today! – Lynda C. If you want lots of interesting action and characters, this book has it. – J Krug LitRPG has become very formulaic as a genre. The warped Forest steps beyond those norms and explores character development and world exploration/design in excellent ways. – Scott Reimers Stone singers I have treasured each and every one of the Hundred Halls stories. Tom Carpenter has a unique style of writing which is always brilliantly researched, detailed for easy visualization and reads like you have a master storyteller in your head. – Lynda C It’s a well written, enthralling read that grabs you from the get go. The world building is incredible, the storyline, action packed and fast paced and the characters intriguing. Thrust into a world of soul swapping, magic, music, secrets and so much more, this had me on the edge of my seat and I could not put it down. – Debbie Like all the other hundred hall series this one does not disappoint. Very unique scenarios and most unsuspecting plots. Fall in love with Minerva and follow her on her path of survival. – Liza van der Pluym KEYWORDS: contemporary fantasy, coming of age, fae, complete series, bestselling, urban fantasy, action adventure, academy, new adult, university, dark fantasy, family, young adult, YA fantasy, wizard, mage, witch, dragon, supernatural, supernatural suspense, fantasy series, fantasy series for adults, paranormal mystery, magical worlds, modern fantasy, occult, paranormal, enemies to friends, legend, folk tale, elite, dark magic, thrilling, college, hero, power, privilege, hundred halls, thomas k. carpenter, forbidden magic, strong female lead, orphans, alternate worlds, class differences, badass women, binge read, loners and outcasts, found family, enemies to lovers, sword, spellbinding, magical heist, sprawling series, assassins, spies, diplomacy, rune spells, demonology, shape changing, soul magic, arcane, divination, harry potter, magicians, hundred halls, multi-series, epic adventure, animal companion, fantastic families, magical academies Similar Authors: Christopher Nuttal, L. Jagi Lamplighter, Katie Cross, Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, Naomi Novik, Garth Nix, Tamora Pierce, Jane Yolen, Rachel E. Carter, Richelle Mead, Holly Black, Rachel Hawkins, Lev Grossman, J.K. Rowling, Brent Weeks, Rick Riordan, Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti, Barbara Hartzler, S.W. Clarke, Marie Mackay, Alexa B. James, Lexi C. Foss, Lucia Ashta, Elisa Hennessy, G.K. DeRosa, Violet Fox, Michael Pierce, Jen L. Grey

Smart. Funny. Fearless."It's pretty safe to say that Spy was the most influential magazine of the 1980s. It might have remade New York's cultural landscape; it definitely changed the whole tone of magazine journalism. It was cruel, brilliant, beautifully written and perfectly designed, and feared by all. There's no magazine I know of that's so continually referenced, held up as a benchmark, and whose demise is so lamented" --Dave Eggers. "It's a piece of garbage" --Donald Trump.

The Homer Simpson-esque stereotype has been a persistent trope in cartoons since programming aimed directly at children and adolescents began. Young viewers are exposed to the incapable and incompetent "hapless father" archetype on a regular basis, causing both boys and girls to expect the bare minimum of fathers while mothers hold the responsibility for all domestic and parenting work. Cartoons rely heavily on toxic stereotypes for ratings, when in fact, healthy representations of fathers are just as successful in maintaining viewership. Eleven essays, written by scholars from around the world, investigate the topic of fatherhood as it is represented in children's animated television shows. Main themes that emerge include absent and negligent fathers, single fathers, generational shifts within families, and raising the standard of fathering by creating secure bonds between father and child. The authors uncover problematic fathers, imperfect yet redemptive fathers, and fathers who embody idealized parenting traits through some of our most beloved animated dads. This collection demonstrates the impact that media representations of father figures have on young viewers and argues for better role models.

"...Features tons of tidbits on toys and games, mysteries of history, robots and reptiles, sports and spies, wacky words, and so much more!"--T.p. verso.

This may be the most honest book ever written about Jesus. As a veteran pastor in the United Church of Christ, Dr. Watson shares his thoughts on the timeless topic of Christology--the doctrine of Christ--with new and creative insights, informative and accessible theology, personal anecdotes, and lively wit. Nothing is off-limits in this no-holds-barred contribution to the Jesus genre. Big Jesus is not another theological "spin" on the identity and nature of Jesus of Nazareth, nor is it a sentimental fairytale for those who prefer their Christology to be served up on Sunday mornings with fluffy sheep, little children, and footprints in the sand. This book is for Christian adults with a sense of humor.

A spy mission gone terribly wrong causes Agent P to disappear! Will Perry ever make it back home? Or will Phineas and Ferb never see their pet platypus again? This illustrated storybook retells Part 1 of the two-part cliffhanger Phineas and Ferb episode, Where's Perry?