World Mythology

During his journeys around Japan, Smith recorded ancient Japanese myths and legends in his personal diaries. The result is a fascinating collection of historical legends from all over Japan, with themes including ghosts, unrequited love, Shinto landscape, tree and ocean spirits, samurai culture and tales driven by Bushido and Buddhist ethics. Gordon Smith's writing combines a realist style with supernatural elements, resulting in an anthology of 'magic realist' tales which will bewitch and captivate listeners.

One day in 1872, self-taught Assyriologist George Smith was sifting through a pile of clay tablets when he realized he was reading about "a flood, storm, a ship caught on a mountain, and a bird sent out in search of dry land". This is the riveting story of the discovery of the world's first literary epic, the "Epic of Gilgamesh".

A celestial entity sets out on an extraordinary quest to breathe life into a barren planet, weaving the foundations of existence itself. But as creation takes shape, unforeseen challenges arise, testing the limits of its power and purpose. "What a great fiction book about the cosmos! From the very first page, the story immerses you in the fascinating life of the cosmic builder, whose ability to create planetary life for the first time is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The vivid descriptions and imaginative storytelling by the author immediately draw you into this cosmic realm, making you ...

Servant to the God of Death, now a prisoner of war. Keres' chains are in the hands of her enemy and he’s bringing her to heel. As twists of fate entangle her, she must learn to play the strings or become the spell-bound puppet. The bargain for freedom, a bond forged in darkness. The deadly game between Gods and mortals has only just begun. ADVANCE PRAISE: "Anastasia King has a wicked and creative mind and I was beside myself for numerous parts of this read. Looking forward to more installments of this series and I cannot recommend this enough. The writing is immaculate. The plot is very ...

A girl born of fire and ash with no memories of her past. A stoic warden sworn to contain her, yet undeniably drawn to her power. A forbidden bond that could save their world… or shatter it completely. Kaela is a weapon. Discovered in the heart of a raging inferno, she possesses a terrifying and uncontrollable magic. To the Wardens, she is a threat to be neutralized, a monster to be caged. And the most disciplined of them all, Corvan, is tasked with being her jailer. But the closer he gets to the enigmatic woman, the more he questions everything he’s ever been taught. Corvan is a man of...

Never step in a fairy ring. Those sweet little mushroom rings that seem so harmless are actually patches of Fairy bleeding over into our world. Under Council Law, these rings are pieces of Fairy, and anything that happens within them are outside of Extinguisher jurisdiction. So, when humans start disappearing and a connection is made to fairy-rings, the Human Council's hands are tied. The Extinguishers can't protect humans who willingly enter Fairy... but Ambassador Seren Firethorn can. Seren is called in to investigate, and what begins as a case of missing persons progresses into something...

MYSTERY, FORBIDDEN LOVE, AND GRAND ADVENTURE. The legendary Hall of Records waits, undiscovered since ancient Egypt... Young Gavin's afflicted life has never involved deciphering illusions concealed in shadow and light, unearthing the dead, or exhuming sunken tombs in crocodile-infested waters. Yet Gavin often dreams of what could have been–if only a consuming disease didn't restrict his aspirations. Instead, fear caused him to pursue what others deemed appropriate, and he committed an unforgivable mistake. But after receiving a letter from his deceased father, Gavin needs to escape. ...

Voted Book Hippo's Best Paranormal Romance of 2014, the Godhunter Series continues! Is the Godhunter becoming a god? Vervain Lavine finally has a moment to relax. She's defeated Aphrodite, reclaiming the magic that the goddess stole from humans. Now the Godhunter holds the powers of Love, Sex, War, and Victory inside her but she's not really sure if that makes her a goddess. She is fairly certain that she's still mortal, but her new immortal boyfriend, Thor, doesn't seem to be worried about it. What he is worried about is Vervain's bond to a werewolf Prince, and the fact that said Prince is...

On March 8, 1421, the largest fleet the world had ever seen set sail from China. Its mission was to "proceed all the way to the ends of the earth to collect tribute from the barbarians beyond the seas" and unite the whole world in Confucian harmony. When it returned in October 1423, the emperor had fallen, leaving China in political and economic chaos. The great ships were left to rot at their moorings and the records of their journeys were destroyed. Lost in China's long isolation that followed was the knowledge that Chinese ships had reached America 70 years before Columbus.

An epic, coming-of-age adventure set in a frozen fantasy land of myths and legends. When Bjorn returned victorious over the invading draugr, he knew that the battle was only just beginning. Twice now, dark forces from the mystic land of Utguard had crossed the mountains, and twice they had been driven back. The third strike would be coming, and he wanted to be ready. Bjorn is only able to unravel a small portion of the mystery, though, when the province of Essetoft blockades the only trade route between the two nations. Fearing an invasion, Bjorn and Astrid leave with a small army, ready to...

From the ancient indigenous narratives of "The Dreamtime" in Australia to the classical founding tales of some of the greatest empires of Western antiquity, these accounts are at once creative works of art as well as valuable sources of early history and sociology. Terri-ann White has brought together a range of fascinating stories from around the world. Each reflects familiar and universal themes such as humor, fear, lust, familial love, romantic love, mortality, a reverence for the divine, and a preoccupation with the meaning of life.

Aimed towards students and enthusiasts alike, Greek and Roman Myths and Legends will provide you with a detailed survey of the spiritual beliefs and fascinating tales of the world's most intriguing ancient societies.

Uncover the fascinating and complex women from mythology and folklore with this collection of stories profiling powerful goddesses, mighty queens, and legendary creatures. Get inspired with 50 fascinating stories of powerful female figures from mythologies around the world. From heroines and deities to leaders and mythical creatures, this collection explores figures of myth who can inspire modern listeners with their ability to shape our culture with the stories of their power, wisdom, compassion, and cunning.

Time can be a killer. At the battle for Dvārakā, Nyx and her friends were defeated, and now, she wants revenge. She's convinced a god of time to help her, and they intend to change the past. As Nyx's nefarious plan unfolds, the Godhunter is tossed through time with only her instincts and a couple of sassy Consciousnesses to guide her. Will it be enough to get her back to her proper present, or will this time belong to Nyx?

More than 2,000 years ago, the Greek city-states, led by Athens and Sparta, laid the foundation for much of modern science, the arts, politics, and law. But the influence of the Greeks did not end with the rise and fall of this classical civilization. As historian Roderick Beaton illustrates, over three millennia Greek speakers produced a series of civilizations that were rooted in southeastern Europe but again and again ranged widely across the globe.

A man in his forties wakes in a park in San Diego with no memory of his name, his past, or how he got there. He finds a cowboy hat, black boots, an e-bike, and a gold medallion that talks. Who is he? Where did he come from? Ride north, the medallion tells him. Visit the old missions one by one. At each, carry out a mysterious ritual. When you reach Sonoma, your memories will be restored, including those of a mysterious past. You will know who took them and why. Refuse, and I will stop your heart. As he journeys, encountering a persistent assassin, meeting reanimated gods in his dreams, ...

As you study the African myths, legends, and folklore through this guide, you will find that there are so many gods and goddesses, and so many different versions of certain stories, that it will blow your mind. The intricate myths in this book have been lined up and collected to help you understand some of the earliest, most ancient beliefs from those living on the African continent. Some have been influential in our day, and some have been completely forgotten except for vague traditions that have been passed on from one generation to the next.

The Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda are our oldest written sources for Norse mythology. When it comes to the norse myths, they are the closest thing we have to listening these stories as the vikings actually told them, around those ancient campfires so long ago. It is my hope that you will enjoy this collection, and that the two books will work in tandem to broaden and deepen your appreciation for these epic and mystical stories, and the enigmatic culture that spawned them.

Fairies are being turned to stone! Seren is faced with a ruthless enemy who seems to have discovered a way to steal magic from fairies. All evidence points to Lana Clach—ex-queen of the Colorado Underground—but the Councils aren't convinced. Can Ambassador Seren prove Lana's guilt before it's too late? Or is the future already etched in stone?

Dreams and destiny in the land of the Great Goddess. Perfect for fans of Madeline Miller, Jennifer Saint and Natalie Haynes. Four thousand years ago, Crete is a land of contrasts. The mountains are wild and forbidding and people live and toil there vulnerable to disaster and sudden death. Yet on the coast, a new world is arising. As a young woman in the high mountains, Talita knows nothing of the opulent and sophisticated civilisation developing in the cities of the coast. Yet when her uncle sells her and she is taken to the city of Mulia she seizes the chance of a new life. Mulia is famous...