The Headless Highwayman


Book Description

Over a million copies of Ian Irvine’s fantasy novels sold. It’s not easy to be a hero when your bum is the size of an airship and you’re bobbing around the ceiling, mocked by angry dwarves. The Fey Queen, Emajicka, is stealing the children of Grimmery for her Collection. She bathes in their nightmares to relieve her own. There is one nightmare she wants most of all. If Ike had stayed home that Tuesday, he would not have been expelled from school, betrayed a princess or robbed a murderous queen. He would not have been tied to an insane imp desperate to eat his liver. He certainly would not have floated across a strange land on an impossible rescue mission, powered by exploding manure. Nor would he have tried to escape via that disastrous troll-bum door. But can he ever escape the Nightmare Queen? Reviews of Grim and Grimmer “The funniest horror story you’ll read in a long while – Ian Irvine is a master of fantasy and this is the best yet.” Good Reading “An extraordinary fantasy world. Fast and furious and very funny.” Reading Time “A fun adventure for upper-primary readers. Recommended.” Bookseller and Publisher “The Grasping Goblin takes the two reluctant heroes on a very wild ride. A grand adventure.” Aussiereviews.com “I gasped and laughed my way through these three books.” Dee White, Kid’s Book Capers. “A wonderful tale. Delightfully dark and delicious.” Jacq Ellem, hittheroadjacq.com “The fun explodes off every page.” Richard Harland, multi-award winning author of Worldshaker. “Fantasy genius Ian Irvine manages to create a world which is believable, thrilling and funny all rolled into one.” Aussiereviews.com on The Headless Highwayman




Runcible Jones and the Backwards Hourglass


Book Description

Over a million copies of Ian Irvine’s fantasy novels sold. After every defeat, Lord Shambles comes back stronger than before, and more determined to punish humanity. Having crushed all resistance on magical Iltior, he moves the war to Earth, and so much power has been drained that the world is on the verge of collapse. Unfortunately, Earth’s weapons are useless against this enemy. Only Runcible Jones can stop him, though it’s an impossible battle – a fourteen-year-old boy against the most terrible sorcerer on two worlds.Runcible will need every bit of his courage and cunning to save Earth. But this time, someone close to him is going to die. Praise for the Series “A great book for rainy days and lazy afternoons.” John Cohen, Reading Time “A well written and exciting series.” Northern Daily Leader “A great read.” Book Bites




The Curse on the Chosen


Book Description

The allies are trapped on Mistmurk Mountain and the God-Emperor guards every way of escape. There’s only one chance left: for demure little Maelys to confess to a crime she has not committed, though if she does it must turn her friends against her. And even if they can escape through the perilous shadow realm, the God-Emperor’s armies will hunt them to the ends of the world. Nish, Flydd and Maelys have no choice but to trek to the Tower of a Thousand Steps, on the frozen Isle of Noom. There they must seek aid from the implacable sorcerer who has controlled the world for an unknown but terrible purpose for more than a century – the Numinator. But on that tragic journey they will uncover a deadly secret, a folly that has been shaping life and death in the Three Worlds for over three thousand years, and now threatens to consume them all. You won’t want to miss this ‘unflaggingly inventive’ fantasy series by million-selling author Ian Irvine. What reviewers say about the Three Worlds books “A compelling adventure in a landscape full of wonders.” – Locus “A page-turner of the highest order … Formidable!” – SFX on Geomancer “It is the most engrossing book I’ve read in years.” – Van Ikin, Sydney Morning Herald “Readers of Eddings, Goodkind and Jordan will lap this one up.” – Starlog “Utterly absorbing.” Stephen Davenport, Independent Weekly “For sheer excitement, there’s just no one like Irvine.” SFX on The Destiny of the Dead “As good as anything I have read in the fantasy genre.” – Adelaide Advertiser Reviews of The Song of the Tears trilogy “Hang on with both hands, because this story waits for no one.” Sandy Auden, SFX on The Fate of the Fallen. “The final payoff is fantastic. The most unflaggingly inventive storyteller we’ve seen in years.” Sydney Morning Herald on The Destiny of the Dead ‘Unbelievably, Irvine has managed to increase the pace of his story in this third and final volume – for sheer excitement, there’s just no one like Irvine around at the moment.’ SFX on The Destiny of the Dead. ‘This precise and beautifully crafted novel blooms from its ascetic opening to a resonant and rewarding climax. Makes what’s currently available on fantasy




Thorn Castle


Book Description

Over a million copies of Ian Irvine’s fantasy novels sold. The orphan Tamly and his best friend Kym are as different as fire and snow. Kym has magic coming out of her fingers, and Tamly has none at all. When their village is threatened by bad magic this unlikely pair will need to use their combined talents to steal the Book of Spells from the evil sorcerer Lord Harshax. Fantastically illustrated by DM Cornish. Reviews and Honours for The Sorcerer’s Tower Shortlisted for the 2008 Aurealis Award, Best Children’s Series “A new series by two of Australia’s best. It has all the things that turn reluctant readers into avaricious readers – fast moving plot, big gribbly monsters and really cool illustrations.” Reading Time “A thrilling bedtime chapter book for parents to read to children five years and older.” The Courier Mail on Thorn Castle “Fast moving fantasy adventure, brought to life by Cornish’s distinctive illustrations.” Good Reading “A fast-paced, easy reading book for middle primary school.” The Ballarat Courier “This exciting story is likely to appeal to young readers who like their adventures action-packed, but also to slightly older, reluctant readers.”Sunday Tasmanian “Children as young as six will enjoy this fast paced novel. Non-stop fantasy action with humour and colourful detail.” The Courier Mail on Black Crypt “Beautifully crafted with magic, excitement, surprises, chases and fights all the way.” Aurealis “From one of Australia’s masters of fantasy, this action-packed series is a wonderful introduction to the genre for readers aged nine and over. Perfect for the reluctant or younger reader.” Aussiereviews.com




Geomancer


Book Description

The war has been raging for a hundred years … and humanity is close to defeat. Santhenar is locked in conflict with the lyrinx – intelligent, winged predators from the Void who are desperate to gain their own world. And despite the development of mechanical battle clankers, and mastery of the crystals that drive them, humanity is losing. The enemy is destroying its nodes of magical power, one by one. Tiaan, a clever but naïve crystal worker in a clanker manufactory, is testing a new kind of crystal when she overhears an enchanting young man, Minis, speaking from far away. The crystal has woken her gift for geomancy, the most powerful of all the Secret Arts, and the most perilous. It is a talent that both humanity and its enemies are desperate to control. Falsely accused of sabotage by Irisis, a malicious rival, Tiaan flees for her life. But soon she is stalked by the outcast, wingless lyrinx, Ryll, who plans to use her in his dreadful flesh-forming sorcery. From afar, Minis advises and guides Tiaan and she now sees him as more than a friend. Aching for him, Tiaan follows his instructions all the way to Tirthrax, the tallest mountain in all the Three Worlds, where a nightmare awaits her … You won’t want to miss this edge-of-the seat epic fantasy series by a million-selling author. What reviewers say about the Three Worlds books “A compelling adventure in a landscape full of wonders.” – Locus “A page-turner of the highest order … Formidable!” – SFX on Geomancer “It is the most engrossing book I’ve read in years.” – Van Ikin, Sydney Morning Herald “Readers of Eddings, Goodkind and Jordan will lap this one up.” – Starlog “Utterly absorbing.” Stephen Davenport, Independent Weekly “For sheer excitement, there’s just no one like Irvine.” SFX on The Destiny of the Dead “As good as anything I have read in the fantasy genre.” – Adelaide Advertiser Reviews and Honours for The Well of Echoes Scrutator, Honourable Mention, 2003 Aurealis Award for best fantasy novel, and listed in the Sydney Morning Herald’s BEST BOOKS OF 2003. Chimaera listed in the Sydney Morning Herald’s BEST BOOKS OF 2004. 'Ian Irvine is arguably the most inventive fantasy author to emerge in recent years. A page-turner of the highest order ... Irvine can now consider himself comfortably ranked next to the works of Robert Jordan and David Eddings and, more appropriately, the mighty Anne McCaffrey. Formidable!' SFX 'This is, attractively, grimmer and grittier than most fantasy novels with a real sense of industrial squalor and a society in paranoid melt-down – and with a neatly unpleasant set of twists at the end.' Roz Kaveney, Amazon.uk 'Ian Irvine has produced one of those rarities in the fantasy genre, and that is a unique, well-thought-out world coupled with a well-written storyline. A gripping read.' Enigma 'Irvine imagines the epic landscape through which the characters move in persuasive detail and describes it powerfully. The misery of the manufactory's oppressed children and fearful adults is effectively communicated and elaborated. Driven by fear and inadequacy ... they cheat, lie and betray others in the cause of their own ambition, but are nonetheless sympathetically portrayed.' Australian Book Review.




The Way Between the Worlds


Book Description




A Christmas Wish


Book Description

As the snow begins to fall, will all her dreams come true? Flora Phillips has an excuse for everything; she was abandoned as a baby on a doorstep, wrapped in nothing but a towel. Her philosophy is simple: if your mother doesn't want you – who will? Now thirty, with no boyfriend, career or home, it's time to find out who she really is. So, whilst everyone else enjoys their Christmas Eve traditions, Flora heads off to seek a special doorstep. Her doorstep. There she finds more than her life story. She finds friends, laughter, someone to love. Because once you know where you come from, it's so much easier to know where you're going. A story of love, romance and Christmas dreams-come-true.




Chimaera


Book Description

In a few minutes of overwhelming violence, the Council’s air-dreadnought fleet has destroyed Fiz Gorgo’s defences. Flydd, Irisis and their small band of rebels are to be executed in a brutal aerial spectacle designed to reinforce Chief Scrutator Ghorr’s power and majesty. Nish is their one remaining hope. But Nish is trapped in a burning watchtower, and hunted by both the scrutators and his tormented former lover, Ullii, whose twin brother he accidentally killed. Before Nish can hope to rescue his friends, he must convince Ullii to spare him, then overcome the most powerful cabal of wizards in the world – as well as the Council’s four hundred crack guards. Yet even if he succeeds, to win the war the rebels still have to defeat the scrutators and overthrow Nennifer, the corrupt Council’s dread bastion, before the rampaging lyrinx overwhelm all Santhenar. You won’t want to miss this edge-of-the seat epic fantasy series by a million-selling author. What reviewers say about the Three Worlds books “A compelling adventure in a landscape full of wonders.” – Locus “A page-turner of the highest order … Formidable!” – SFX on Geomancer “It is the most engrossing book I’ve read in years.” – Van Ikin, Sydney Morning Herald “Readers of Eddings, Goodkind and Jordan will lap this one up.” – Starlog “Utterly absorbing.” Stephen Davenport, Independent Weekly “For sheer excitement, there’s just no one like Irvine.” SFX on The Destiny of the Dead “As good as anything I have read in the fantasy genre.” – Adelaide Advertiser Reviews and Honours for The Well of Echoes Scrutator, Honourable Mention, 2003 Aurealis Award for best fantasy novel. Also listed in the Sydney Morning Herald’s BEST BOOKS OF 2003. Chimaera listed in the Sydney Morning Herald’s BEST BOOKS OF 2004. “Ian Irvine has produced one of those rarities in the fantasy genre, and that is a unique, well-thought-out world coupled with a well-written storyline. A gripping read.” Enigma “Irvine mixes in plenty of interesting characters of uncertain moral fibre to create a compelling adventure in a landscape full of wonders.” Locus. "The final payoff is fantastic. The most unflaggingly inventive storyteller we've seen in years. Chimaera brings his Well of Echoes saga to a spectacular and satisfying conclusion, confirming his reputation for first-rate fantasy page turners." Van Ikin, Sydney Morning Herald. “A page-turner of the highest order ... Irvine can now consider himself comfortably ranked next to the works of Robert Jordan and David Eddings and, more appropriately, the mighty Anne McCaffrey. Formidable!” SFX “A story that is begging to be filmed. Very enjoyable. The action doesn’t flag.” – Sue Davies, SF Crowsnest.




A Wizard's War and Other Stories


Book Description

Over a million copies of Ian Irvine’s Three Worlds novels sold. A collection of original short and long stories, and novellas, set in Ian Irvine's internationally bestselling Three Worlds epic fantasy universe. The Price of Freedom. Tensor leads his troubled people to Santhenar to attack his Charon enemies. But can the Twisted Mirror show true? Or will it betray him? A long short story. The Harrows. Dare Lita open the box at the bottom of the pool? And if she does, will it save her people – or harrow them again? A short story. A Wizard's War. During the devastating Clysm, the first meeting of the two greatest wizards on Santhenar sets up a thousand years of conflict. Here, in Mendark’s own words, is the story of the worst deed of his life … and the deed that made him. A long short story. Darkness Visible. A young Karan goes to Carcharon to investigate her father’s death, and wishes she hadn’t. A short story. The Professional Liar. Llian, brilliant creator of the monumental Tale of the Mirror, is a tormented man, racked by guilt. Can he save himself – or is it too late? A long short story. The Seventh Sister. Aviel, the unluckiest girl in the world, finds a dying man dumped in the Sacrifice Tree. Can she solve the riddle of his murder and turn her miserable life around, or will the thumbless killer get her too? A novella. One Throw of the Die. The war has been lost and the surviving allies flee for their lives, pursued by Jal-Nish, who now holds all the magic in the world. Then Flydd's dying friend, Troist, begs him to save his twin daughters from the tyrant. It’s a suicide mission but Flydd cannot refuse. Can he rescue Liliwen and Meriwen, or will Jal-Nish destroy them all? A long novella. What reviewers say about the Three Worlds books “A compelling adventure in a landscape full of wonders.” – Locus “A page-turner of the highest order … Formidable!” – SFX on Geomancer “It is the most engrossing book I’ve read in years.” – Van Ikin, Sydney Morning Herald “Readers of Eddings, Goodkind and Jordan will lap this one up.” – Starlog “Utterly absorbing.” Stephen Davenport, Independent Weekly “For sheer excitement, there’s just no one like Irvine.” SFX on The Destiny of the Dead “As good as anything I have read in the fantasy genre.” – Adelaide Advertiser More reviews "In a world full of epic fantasy clones, this stands out as a world-building labour of love with some truly original touches." – Locus on A Shadow on the Glass “Hugely ambitious – an epic, tragic tale of history’s implacable impact on the present, full of driven, often unlikeable and inept characters, and betrayal. Interest and originality there is aplenty – and action.” – Starburst, UK, on The View from the Mirror quartet. “A page-turner of the highest order … Arguably the most inventive fantasy author to emerge in recent years, Irvine can now consider himself comfortably ranked next to the works of Robert Jordan and David Eddings and, more appropriately, the mighty Anne McCaffrey. Formidable!” – SFX on Geomancer. ‘It is the most engrossing book I’ve read in years, the lucid prose unfolding an action-and-suspense storyline featuring wonderfully credible characters.’ – Van Ikin, Sydney Morning Herald on Scrutator. “Hang on with both hands, because this story waits for no one.” Sandy Auden, SFX on The Fate of the Fallen. “The final payoff is fantastic. The most unflaggingly inventive storyteller we’ve seen in years.” Sydney Morning Herald on The Destiny of the Dead ‘Unbelievably, Irvine has managed to increase the pace of his story in this third and final volume – for sheer excitement, there’s just no one like Irvine around at the moment.’ SFX on The Destiny of the Dead. ‘This precise and beautifully crafted novel blooms from its ascetic opening to a resonant and rewarding climax. Makes what’s currently available on fantasy shelves seem hackneyed and formulaic. Utterly absorbing.” Stephen Davenport, Independent Weekly on The Destiny of the Dead.




Runcible Jones and the Gate to Nowhere


Book Description

Over a million copies of Ian Irvine’s fantasy novels sold. In a world terrified of magic, a boy is abandoned to the worst school in the world – Grimdgrim. A place designed to crush all magic out of him. But Runcible Jones has to learn magic, to uncover the truth about his father’s death on another world. Hurled through a gate to magical Iltior, Runcible’s arrival begins a war that will spread to Earth. But why is Lord Shambles, the blackest sorcerer on Iltior, hunting him? To uncover the truth, Runcible must fight the dreadful sorcerer, but even if he wins, nothing will ever be the same again. After every defeat, Lord Shambles comes back stronger than before, and more determined to punish humanity. Having crushed all resistance on magical Iltior, he moves the war to Earth, and so much power has been drained that the world is on the verge of collapse. Unfortunately, Earth’s weapons are useless against this enemy. Only Runcible Jones can stop him, though it’s an impossible battle – a fourteen-year-old boy against the most terrible sorcerer on two worlds. Runcible will need every bit of his courage and cunning to save Earth. Praise for the Series “A great book for rainy days and lazy afternoons.” John Cohen, Reading Time “A well written and exciting series.” Northern Daily Leader “A great read.” Book Bites