Stunned by the death of their chief, Beliza and the remaining members of the Council must take care of their communities while hunting for the traitorous former council member, Tadjana. Treated as the interim leader, Beliza has to take on the responsibility despite her lack of experience. While her instincts are beset with premonitions of impending doom, Beliza is comforted by the presence of their powerful elemental guides. After a sudden attack wreaks havoc in their community and hobbles the elemental guides, the council's coalition is in danger of fracturing. Soon, Beliza and her friends face decisions they have no idea how to make, and evil entities they weren’t trained to fight against. A riveting fantasy adventure set in a world inspired by Filipino folklore and mythology, THE LAIR OF SHADOWS AND LIGHT is the second book in The Katalonan Chronicles series by Oz Mari G. and S.J. Powell.

The stars fall from heaven and the very earth trembles in pain. With Gaborn's kingdom of Mystarria in ruins, four powerful kings march to claim its spoils, even as a vast army of reavers sallies forth from the underworld, intending to put an end to mankind. In one last-ditch effort to heal the earth, the wizardborn Averan leads the Earth King, Gaborn Val Orden, far below the surface to the Lair of Bones, to face the leader of the reaver hordes. There Gaborn must confront an ancient evil - before the world is torn apart. . .

This richly informed study analyzes how various cinematic tools and techniques have been used to create horror on screen--the aesthetic elements, sometimes not consciously noticed, that help to unnerve, frighten, shock or entertain an audience. The first two chapters define the genre and describe the use of pragmatic aesthetics (when filmmakers put technical and budgetary compromises to artistic effect). Subsequent chapters cover mise-en-scene, framing, photography, lighting, editing and sound, and a final chapter is devoted to the aesthetic appeals of horror cinema. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

In a land where magic is feared and mages are hunted, "The Last Mage" takes readers on a spellbinding journey through the mystical realm of Erenor. This riveting first book in The Chronicles of Erenor series introduces Lysandra, a young mage grappling with her identity and the dark legacy of her ancestry. Born of demon blood and wielding potent elemental magic, she is the last hope against a rising darkness threatening to engulf her world. "Embark on an epic journey with Lysandra in 'The Last Mage,' the thrilling first installment of The Chronicles of Erenor. In a world where magic is feared and outlawed, Lysandra, a skilled swordswoman and hidden mage, discovers her destiny is intertwined with the fate of Erenor itself. When her powers become apparent, she faces the wrath of the oppressive King Draven with the help of her devoted black wolf, Shadow. Lysandra sets out on a dangerous quest to recover Erenor's lost magic with the help of the wise Master Elarion, Aerin, a hunter looking for redemption, and Feyla, a creative inventor. Their journey takes them from the oppressive streets of Tyrannis to the mystical Sifren Deor Forest and the treacherous Iron Mountains. As they confront sinister Shadow Hounds and a corrupted dragon known as The Harrow, Lysandra must learn to balance the light and darkness within her, being the last descendant of the First Mage. In a world teetering on the brink of chaos, can she overcome the shadows of her lineage and become the beacon of hope Erenor desperately needs? With elements of fantasy, mythical creatures, unexpected love, and loyal companionship, 'The Last Mage' promises an unforgettable adventure that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in The Chronicles of Erenor." From bustling cities to enchanted forests and treacherous mountains, readers will be immersed in a richly detailed world filled with danger, ancient secrets, and mythical creatures. As Lysandra battles external threats and inner darkness, she discovers unexpected love and the true meaning of companionship. Perfect for epic fantasy and magical adventure fans, 'The Last Mage' delivers a spellbinding tale of bravery, self-discovery, and the eternal struggle between light and shadow."

Not all evil hides in the dark. World War II veteran Jeff Blanchard got the call before he got the letter. His new daughter-in-law, Angie, has chilling news—his son Mike suddenly disappeared from their motel in Mexico. Then, the letter arrives. Sent just before his abduction, Mike’s note is shocking. An old army friend of Jeff’s, Darrell Kinney—believed to be dead for almost 30 years—is very much alive and has been following the newlyweds through Mexico. The plane crash that let Kinney fake his own death was good luck, finding the fugitive Nazi was destiny. SS Officer Ernst von Schoenwald struck an expensive bargain for his life that day. Since then, he’s been hiding in plain sight, in a lavish Mexican compound, sitting on millions of dollars of stolen art. It’s been decades since they made that deal, and Kinney is tired of waiting for his share. Kinney thought his luck had run out when he spotted Mike in Guadalajara. But Mike was exactly the catalyst Kinney needed to set off a twisted life-and-death game of avarice and bloodlust designed to overthrow von Schoenwald and claim his spoils. Now, Blanchard, with the help of Angie and an attractive American teacher, must begin the frantic hunt to find his son before it’s too late.

Three dragons from a clutch of thirteen, spawned by the white firedrake in the frozen mountains of the island continent of Ockland, bring doom and pestilence into the kingdom of Clovis. These evil drakespawn steal a venerated relic from the heart of King Patrick's fortress of Tantangel, revealing other dark secrets threatening the Ocklanders with what remains of the Sand King's curse. Patrick's quest to recover the treasure, the Drakestone, leads him and his company of knights to Erilan across a vast sea, where their adventures entwine with many heroes opposing the malevolent Shadow, more perilous than the Sand King, arising in the east to menace all the lands. Four such heroes are Ronan, Hart, Ash, and Blackthorn, reunited in their commitment to aid the Croe in their defense of the Twilight Wood against the swarms of daemons and necromantic horrors sworn to Ghul's conquest. Yet the Daemon King's triumph seems inevitable over the Croe and their few allies, the great forest only the first step in his path to dominion over the whole of Erilan. Sequel to Arcana, Drakespawn is the second book in the Rings of Silver cycle that concludes with Daemon Glaive, expanding the depth and intricacy of the epic fantasy set within the magical realm of Erilan.

A missing king, a ferocious dragon and a diabolical goblin wizard; how can a thirteen year old from Chicago deal with such troubles? For his birthday James Montgomery receives an old-fashioned tape recorder and a single tape from his long dead father. He is told that when he inserts the tape and presses the record button, he will participate in a fantastic story of adventure. Follow James in his first tape, as he must become a hero to save the fantasy kingdom of Agreloth from an army of goblins. First he must somehow destroy a dragon the size of three school buses!

As the Crusades are ending, a knight enters a magical realm to bring about a new age for humanity.

Close-up and macro photography is one of the most popular types of photography among digital photographers today. After the big-range zoom, a macro lens is typically one of the next purchases considered by serious outdoor photographers and amateur photographers looking for close-up capability in all zoom lenses. Yet hobbyist photographers struggle. Many macro shots just don’t make it–not sharp, confusing backgrounds, muddled compositions, misplaced sharpness, and distracting light. Even more advanced photographers find challenges working with depth of field, dealing with light, and using different focal lengths up close. You need a book that goes beyond the camera manuals to teach you how to select and use various lenses to take great macro shots. This guide by pro photographer Rob Sheppard will help you conquer the fundamentals and capture stunning pictures. Sheppard starts with the basics. He discusses factors such as depth of field, perspective, and compression and which types of lenses are right for your style of shooting. You will have a better understanding of your equipment and understand your choices for investing in lenses. Beautifully illustrated with large, compelling photos, this book teaches you how to take control of your photography to get the image you want every time you pick up the camera.