There are infinite mysteries on this earth, secrets untold, and ancient beings who forever remain unseen. One of these entities is known as the Wanderer, an immortal being tasked with roaming our realm indefinitely. There is no way of knowing their true purpose or what they could do if given the chance. But one thing is certain: they are a silent watcher, observing humanity from the shadows, unseen and unknown. Their influence on our lives is limited, but no less impactful. They have aided us as we evolved, stood by as pestilence shook humanity, and even when wars threatened to end entire civilizations. Would you care to join this ancient being on its journey?

Bounty hunters Frinks and Sally are true professionals. So professional that no one even thought to hire them for what's possibly the most lucrative job of the decade: apprehend an elven blacksmith turned murderer. Unfortunately, as it turns out, the elf has been dead for weeks already, leaving the two of them in a shoddy tavern in the middle of nowhere, with neither fame nor fortune. It is only a small solace, then, when a drunk stranger offers to regale them with the full tale of what happened before their belated arrival. Or at least ... his version of it. Which is definitely, absolutely, unquestionably true.

In a world hidden from the eyes of the kingdoms, a mysterious meeting unfolds - the secret gambling ring. Unaware of their true identities, the "Mystic Wanderer" and "King's Ace" become entangled in a high-risk game that goes beyond wealth and power. As secrets are revealed, alliances formed and forbidden desires ignite, their fates intermingle in a dancing shadow. But is it all just a game?

A decadent rock star. A deeply religious radio host. A disgraced scientist. And a teenage girl who may be the world’s last hope. From the mind of Chuck Wendig comes “a magnum opus . . . a story about survival that’s not just about you and me, but all of us, together” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). NOMINATED FOR THE BRAM STOKER AWARD • ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, NPR, The Guardian, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Polygon Shana wakes up one morning to discover her little sister in the grip of a strange malady. She appears to be sleepwalking. She cannot talk and cannot be woken up. And she is heading with inexorable determination to a destination that only she knows. But Shana and her sister are not alone. Soon they are joined by a flock of sleepwalkers from across America, on the same mysterious journey. And like Shana, there are other “shepherds” who follow the flock to protect their friends and family on the long dark road ahead. For as the sleepwalking phenomenon awakens terror and violence in America, the real danger may not be the epidemic but the fear of it. With society collapsing all around them—and an ultraviolent militia threatening to exterminate them—the fate of the sleepwalkers depends on unraveling the mystery behind the epidemic. The terrifying secret will either tear the nation apart—or bring the survivors together to remake a shattered world. In development for TV by Glen Mazzara, executive producer of The Walking Dead • Look for the sequel, Wayward, now available! “This career-defining epic deserves its inevitable comparisons to Stephen King’s The Stand.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) “A suspenseful, twisty, satisfying, surprising, thought-provoking epic.”—Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Run Away “A true tour de force.”—Erin Morgenstern, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Circus “A masterpiece with prose as sharp and heartbreaking as Station Eleven.”—Peng Shepherd, author of The Book of M “A magnum opus . . . It reminded me of Stephen King’s The Stand—but dare I say, this story is even better.”—James Rollins, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Crucible “An inventive, fierce, uncompromising, stay-up-way-past-bedtime masterwork.”—Paul Tremblay, author of A Head Full of Ghosts and The Cabin at the End of the World “An American epic for these times.”—Charles Soule, author of The Oracle Year

The “extraordinary” novel of a teenage gang in the 1960s Bronx, by the New York Times–bestselling author of Clockers and The Whites (Newsweek). The basis for the feature film, The Wanderers tells the story of teenagers on the streets of New York City, coming of age and drifting apart. Tormented by cold-hearted girls and cold-blooded ten-year-olds, maniacal rivals and murderous parents, they are caught between juveniles and adults in a gritty novel filled with “switchblade prose” and “dialogue [that] has the immediacy of overheard subway conversation”—from an award-winning author renowned for his writing on HBO’s The Wire and The Night Of, as well as such modern-day classics as Lush Life and Bloodbrothers (Newsweek). “A kind of teenage Godfather with its own tight structure of morality, loyalty, survival, and reprisal.” —Los Angeles Free Press “The flip side of American Graffiti . . . an amalgam of sex, violence, and humor, glued together with superb dialogue and unsentimental sensitivity.” —Rolling Stone “A superbly written book . . . insights that allow us—at times force us—to feel closer to other human beings whether we like and approve of them or not.” —The New York Times Book Review

From two of the greatest imaginations of our time comes a magnificent novel of adventure and magic...SHADOW MOON: First in the Chronicles of the Shadow War. The genius of Star Wars(r) creator George Lucas and the vision of Chris Claremont, the author of the phenomenally bestselling The Uncanny X-Men adventures, merge in what must be the fantasy event of the year. In Shadow Moon, war and chaos have gripped the land of Tir Asleen. An ancient prophecy reveals one hope: a savior princess who will ascend to the throne when the time is right. But first, a Nelwyn wanderer must face forces of unimaginable malevolence and dangerous, forbidden rites of necromancy that could bring back a powerful warrior from soulless sleep. George Lucas reshaped filmmaking in the '70s and '80s with his Star Wars and Indiana Jones films. When Bantam Books asked Lucas if he had any stories he would like to develop as novels rather than as films, Lucas turned to his 1988 fantasy film, Willow. "When I wrote the story for Willow, I began with the pre-story," Lucas said, "but the full story was yet to be told." Now, Lucas's vision is being fulfilled with the talented help of Chris Claremont. Having previously taken the reins of what was for a decade the bestselling comic in the western hemisphere (The Uncanny X-Men) Claremont assumes the reponsibility of foster parent to Lucas's creation. On sale in hardcover now, and available on BDD Audio Cassette as well, SHADOW MOON is a momentous new adventure for readers looking to spend part of this summer in a fantastic world. SHADOW MOON is one of Bantam Spectra's most exciting publishing events in 1995, the year we celebrate our 10th Anniversary as the premiere publishing imprint of books of speculative fiction.