The Western Wizard


Book Description

When Odin breathed life into the mortal realms, he also created the Cardinal Wizards: the Northern Wizard as the representative of Good, the Southern as master of Evil, and the Western and Eastern as the keepers of the balance between Good and Evil, each neutral, both sharing the burden of holding their fellow magic wielders in check. But now the days decreed in ancient prophecy have come upon the mortal realms. The Great War has been fought and a Renshai has proven its Champion. Yet even as the war's heroes struggle to place the rightful king of Bearn upon his throne, and the also true Renshai seeks to train a new generation of his warrior race, the word is carried forth on falcon's wings that the Western Wizard is no more. And unless Shadimar, the Wizard of the East, can find the one mortal with any hope of surviving the challenge of the Seven Tasks of Wizardry, the worlds of gods and mortals alike will fall....




Child of Thunder


Book Description

The final book in Mickey Zucker Reichert’s acclaimed, bestselling epic fantasy Renshai Trilogy—an intricate world of Norse mythology, slashing swordplay, and devastating sorcery. Colbey’s duties in the world of mortals were seemingly done—the Renshai were safely established in a community of their own, and Sterrane was ruling peacefully in the kingdom of Bearn. Now Colbey must face the Seven Tasks of Wizardry and learn whether he is truly the new Western Wizard, keeper of neutrality. But Colbey is about to discover that there is an Eighth Task far more dangerous not only to himself, but to the worlds of humans and gods alike. And even if he survives to take on that eighth challenge, there are those among the gods, Wizards, and mortalkind ready to make loyal allies into weapons to use against Colbey. For with Ragnarok looming over all the worlds, both those sworn to law and those promised to chaos will unite to stop the Wizard-warrior by any means—though their very actions against Colbey may become the catalyst for mutual destruction.




The Great Wizards of Antiquity


Book Description

A Guided Tour through the Untamed Territories of Magic Book 1 of the Great Wizards of History Trilogy The history of wizardry comes alive with dozens of unique portraits capturing the most remarkable and infamous practitioners of magic and alchemy. Combining up-to-date historical scholarship and his own keen interpretations of primary texts, Guy Ogilvy develops a fascinating saga of magical thought and practice. The story begins with the prehistoric culture of the Lion Man and moves on to Orpheus and the great figures of myth. Discover the unparalleled influence of Pythagoras and the pre-Socratics as they experience the mysterious glories of Apollo's touch. Behold the leading alchemists of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance as they carry forth the surviving wisdom of the ancients, working their unique magic even as powerful social and political forces align against them. Magic is a vital element of history. The Great Wizards of Antiquity weaves together the loose threads of magic to form a comprehensive tapestry, challenging the ideas brought forth by peddlers of the mundane and returning a sense of enchantment to its rightful place in the human spirit. In this book, you will discover the beliefs and teachings of sorcerers, healers, philosophers, alchemists, and mythological figures, including: The Lion Man Animal magic & the modern mind Orpheus Incantations & the magic of music Dionysus Wild rites & the gift of wine Pythagoras Metempsychosis & the wisdom of the cave dwellers Pherekydes Open secrets & the immortality of souls The Pythia The oracle at Delphi & ecstatic prophecy Epimenides Sacred caves & the unknown gods Abaris The golden arrow & the Hyperborean Apollo Zalmoxis Thrace & the Celtic connection Hermotimus Astral travel & the preeminence of psyche Aristeas The form of a raven & the wonders of Apollo Parmenides The man who knows & the nightmare ride to hell Empedocles Bronze sandals & the four elements Zosimos Transmutation & inner purification J?bir ibn ?ayy?n Islamic alchemy & the theory of balance Jan Baptista Van Helmont The stranger & the projecting powder The Comte de Saint-Germain Universal medicine & the elixir of life Paracelsus Legendary cures & the open book of nature James Price The Royal Society & the Philosopher's Stone




The Wizards of Once: Knock Three Times


Book Description

From the author of How to Train Your Dragon: Two young heroes fight to save their beloved homes in the next thrilling installment of the internationally bestselling Wizards of Once series. Xar and Wish are heroes with a huge task ahead -- confronting the Nuckalavee is not for the fainthearted. But with Magic and Iron together, they might just have a chance of saving their beloved homes from those who seek to destroy everything they hold dear. The third electrifying book in The Wizards of Once series fizzes with magic and introduces us to a host of glorious new characters: bears and piskies and magical pins and needles to name but a few. Beloved bestselling author Cressida Cowell once again brings her trademark wit and stunning combination of action, adventure, humor, and incredible artwork to this epic new adventure, sure to transport and enchant readers. Stunningly written, magnificent in scope, hilarious and thrilling, Knock Three Times immerses you in a world you won't ever wish to leave.




Performing Magic on the Western Stage


Book Description

Performing Magic on the Western Stage examines magic as a performing art and as a meaningful social practice, linking magic to cultural arenas such as religion, finance, gender, and nationality and profiling magicians from Robert-Houdin to Pen& Teller.




The Wizards of Once


Book Description

In the first book of a new series by the bestselling author of How to Train Your Dragon, the warring worlds of Wizards and Warriors collide in a thrilling and enchanting adventure. Once there were Wizards, who were Magic, and Warriors, who were not. But Xar, son of the King of Wizards, can't cast a single spell. And Wish, daughter of the Warrior Queen, has a banned magical object of her own. When they collide in the wildwood, on the trail of a deadly witch, it's the start of a grand adventure that just might change the fabric of their worlds. With Cressida Cowell's trademark wit, and the same stunning combination of action, adventure, heart, humor, and incredible artwork that made How to Train Your Dragon a beloved bestselling franchise, The Wizards of Once will transport and bewitch readers.




The Last of the Renshai


Book Description

The Last of the Renshai is the first volume of a sword-and-sorcery saga that is enormous in conception, and full of complex and arresting fantasy detail. The adventure arises from the trials of a lone warrior, a champion driven to avenge the genocide of his race. The magic lies with the immortal realms: this is a world controlled by four wizards whose strife not only presages the conflicts and wars of humans, it also threatens consequences and destruction on a world- wide scale. And the last Renshai is doomed to take on all - he will be the key for humans, wizards and gods alike. Throw in a fabulously detailed, rich fantasy world, and you have a tremendous, value-for-money, page turning epic




Wizardology


Book Description

Merlin the wizard challenges readers to become wizards like himself by deciphering clues hidden in his guide to wizardry.




Wizard of the Grove


Book Description

Now available in one volume, the novels which began Tanya Huff's career. Child of the Grove and The Last Wizard form a powerful fantasy duology about the last wizard ever to be born into the world. It is the saga of Crystal, a daughter of Power whose destiny is to put an end to the war between wizards and the mortal world. Now this magical tale is collected in one volume as Wizard of the Grove, featuring new cover art by Yvonne Gilbert.




Return of the Wizard King: The Wizard King Trilogy Book One


Book Description

Get in. Get out. Get paid. That was the plan. Instead, these reluctant mercenaries uncover some hidden agendas and ancient power struggles centuries in the making. The last wizard king seeks a return to Tralodren after nearly eight centuries of exile. But doing so requires the manipulation of a band of mercenaries oblivious to his goals. The gladiator sold his soul for revenge. The knight's a bigot. The dwarf only cares about regaining his honor. Even the wizardess seems too bookish for anyone's good. But they've all been hired by a blind seer and his assistant to retrieve some forgotten knowledge long hidden away in a jungle-strangled ruin. Betrayal, madness, adventure, and magic fill this first volume of the Wizard King Trilogy, introducing readers to a world rich in history, faith, and tales of adventure--of which this story is but one of many. ". . . this promising series opener will leave many readers curious to know what comes next."--Publishers Weekly "Here be roaring monsters to be fought, characters who come vividly to life, and fell magic . . . A wild ride. Highly recommended."--Ed Greenwood, New York Times bestselling author and creator of the Forgotten Realms "With Return of the Wizard King, Chad Corrie delivers a very promising start to an exciting epic fantasy saga filled with intriguing characters and unexpected twists."--Richard Knaak, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author "Corrie uses his diverse cast . . . to guide the reader through the narrative, winding through dark paths and brutal action scenes . . . effectively mak[ing] the reader feel like a participant."--Rogues Portal