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The Faber Music Women Composers Piano Anthology is an essential collection of music by women from across the centuries. Beautifully presented with Vanessa Bell's A Conversation" (1913-1916) on the cover, this timeless collection features over 50 works suitable for intermediate pianists by composers including Clara Schumann, Florence Price, Imogen Holst, Cassandra Miller, and Hania Rani. The Faber Music Piano Anthology series has been created for pianists to enjoy and return to again and again. All the pieces have been expertly transcribed for piano solo and are presented in beautiful, sewn-bound books."

Oil and gas operations have some of the most unique accounting issues found in any industry. Oil & Gas Accounting delves into acquisition, exploration, development, and production activities, covering many industry-specific accounting issues. Topics covered include the successful efforts method, full cost method, reserve reporting, the unit of production method, severance taxes, take-or-pay arrangements, transfers of mineral interests, and joint interest accounting, as well as industry-specific controls that should be installed. In short, this book is the essential oil and gas desk reference for the accountant.

The compelling and long-awaited new action epic from ONE, the author of One-Punch Man and Mob Psycho 100! Humanity cowers in fear in a world ruled by demons...but a brigade of humanity's 47 strongest heroes band together in a final attempt to wrest the world back!Centuries ago, humanity’s natural enemy, Demons, invaded the world and defeated humanity. The Great Demon Lord and his generals have since dominated the world, while the human race lives on in fear. In desperation, a group of 47 people gathered from around the world undertake a last-ditch effort to save humanity from ultimate annihilation. These heroes swear to defeat the demon army and win back humanity’s freedom, but they have no idea the desperate measures that this battle will drive them to embrace...

Join Pip and Sammy as they travel the world, listening to the most famous pieces of Christmas music. Meet the composers who dreamed them up and set the tone for Christmas for hundreds of years. From the exciting Sleigh Ride, to the reflective Sankta Lucia in Sweden, to the exhaultant Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, beautiful sound clips bring the orchestra, choirs and Wassailers into vivid life at the touch of a button in this beautiful book, perfect for the run up to Christmas.This is a perfect, first gentle story book to introduce little ones to the sounds and songs of Christmas.

In her detailed monochromatic art, Melpomeni takes you on a dream voyage in this new book in her colouring series. Venture into unknown worlds and discover new realms as you colour fantasy creatures and magical scenes. Prepare to be transported to the land of dreams, where whales gracefully glide through the night sky and a mythical dragon emerges out of an egg planet into its own mystical universe.A mixture of full-page designs and self-contained pieces, Dream Voyage takes you on a magical colouring journey. Also by Melpomeni Chatzipanagiotou:Circle of Life 9781912785278Nature Mandalas 9781912785520Enchanted Earth 9781912785803

"It has proven track records of innovative product development from concept to high volume production with specialization in state-of-the-art coherent silicon photonics integrated circuit (Si-PIC) chip optical engine from design, fabrication, processes, integration to verification, digital and analog high speed (>100Gbps) long reach coherent optical transceivers, DSP, SFP+/XFP/QSFP28/QSFP-DD optical transceivers, DFB/FP/VCSEL lasers, APD/PD receivers, passive optical devices including thinfilm filter, fiber Bragg grating (FBG), DWDM and OADM devices, EDFA, MEMS, LCoS, ROADM, WSS, MCS, precision photonics IC chip engineering, hardware and firmware designs, optical line cards, and DWDM optical system engineering. "

Count down to Christmas with all your favourite Disney and Pixar friends!Perfect for little readers, unwrap 24 simple and engaging stories in the run-up to Christmas.

Don't miss this stunning special edition hardcover of #1 NYT bestselling author Rebecca Yarros's "beautiful, immersive" (Publishers Weekly) love story. This deluxe hardcover will feature designed edges, foiled case, custom end-papers, and more. A true collectible. "The Last Letter is a haunting, heartbreaking and ultimately inspirational love story."―InTouch Weekly Beckett, If you're reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn't. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have. I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride. My little sister Ella's raising the twins alone. She's too independent and won't accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It's too much for anyone to endure. It's not fair. And here's the kicker: there's something else you don't know that's tearing her family apart. She's going to need help. So if I'm gone, that means I can'

The availability of packaged clustering programs means that anyone with data can easily do cluster analysis on it. But many users of this technology don't fully appreciate its many hidden dangers. In today's world of "grab and go algorithms," part of my motivation for writing this book is to provide users with a set of cautionary tales about cluster analysis, for it is very much an art as well as a science, and it is easy to stumble if you don't understand its pitfalls.Indeed, it is easy to trip over them even if you do! The parenthetical word usually in the title is very important, because all clustering algorithms can and do fail from time to time. Modern cluster analysis has become so technically intricate that it is often hard for the beginner or the non-specialist to appreciate and understand its many hidden dangers. Here's how Yogi Berra put it, and he was right:In theory there's no difference between theory and practice.In practice, there is ~Yogi BerraThis book is a step backwa

This series helps young readers discover the world and its mysteries with Mr. Water and his friends. MR. WATER'S BEAUTIFUL COLORS Carl the Painter teaches Mr. Water about the magical colors. Latter when Carl's city is covered in black smoke, Mr. Water helps give the city back its colors. Read the story compete the activities, and try out the projects with Mom & Dad!

A magical keepsake pop-up of Swan Lake - perfect for gifting!"One of the swans rose up on its legs, stretched its wings and thrust its neck towards the sky. It turned once on the spot, and then Siegfried found himself looking at the most beautiful young woman he had ever seen."When Prince Siegfried goes into the forest, he discovers a group of young women living under the spell of a wicked sorcerer. They are cursed to live as swans, only returning to their true form by night.The only thing that can break the spell is true love. A classic story of magic, moonlight and the power of friendship and love to overcome all. This beloved tale, immortalised by Tchaikovsky's ballet, is brought to life with intricate artwork and inventive pop-ups!Also available:The NutcrackerThe Snow Queen

For more than two decades, artist Antonio López dragged his painting gear up and down a high tower to finish his panoramic painting of Madrid. It is typical of the Spaniard: the painting process is a way of getting to know the world better, he thinks. By measuring everything extensively and always staying close to his subject, López manages to flawlessly copy reality.But his work never becomes distant or cold. Although López was once described as "the greatest realist artist" by American art critic Robert Hughes back in the 1980s, his fame in the Netherlands has not yet achieved anything. Until now.This book serves as a Dutch introduction to the life and work of López. We get to know him personally in an interview and find out more about his technique in articles by various Dutch and Spanish authors.

常玉：生平與油畫全集第一卷SANYU: His Life and Complete Works in Oil Volume One常玉：生平與油畫全集第二卷SANYU: His Life and Complete Works in Oil Volume Two語言 中 / 英 / 法三種Languages Chinese / English / French《常玉：生平與油畫全集》第一卷，透過檔案資料、照片書信，以及常玉友人的描述來追溯常玉的一生——從他早年在中國和日本的生活，一直到他在巴黎窮困潦倒，不幸離世。常玉從1920年初抵巴黎，鑽研真人模特兒速寫，到開始探索油畫，餘生全心投入；從持續參加沙龍展和各種展覽，希望取得他始終無緣的成功；再到旅居紐約，最後返回巴黎，在種種難以克服的困境下，成為一個更成熟的藝術家。Volume One of Sanyu: His Life and Complete Works in Oil draws upon archival material, photographs, letters, and stories recounted by people who knew him to trace Sanyu’s life from his early years in China and Japan to his tragic death in Paris, impoverished and forgotten. We follow him from his journey in 1920 to Paris, where he delved into the world of sketching from live models, to his exploration of and lifelong commitment to painting in oil, to his continued participation in Salon and other exhibitions, hoping for the success that was never to be, to his experiences in New York, and back to Paris, where he matured as an artist

"The Funniest Book You'll Ever Eat!"Take a moment to Imagine, what it would be like if your school was made of chocolate and every room was filled with the tastiest treats. From chocolate-covered corridors to candy-coated classrooms, this story will take your imagination on a wild and sugary ride. But be careful-you may never want to leave once you enter this sweet adventure! With a sprinkle of Seuss-like rhymes and a dash of Willy Wonka's whimsy, this fully illustrated book is perfect for kids who dream big and love a good laugh. Get ready for the funniest, yummiest adventure you'll ever read (or eat)!

Discover the world of Night Raven College with Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Official Art Book. The Disney Twisted-Wonderland mobile game features an original concept inspired by classic Disney Villains and reimagined by renowned manga artist Yana Toboso, creator of the series Black Butler. This deluxe book features gorgeous character and card art from the hit game, including stunning Groovy card images. A section featuring sketches and handwritten notes provides fans of the series with a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the striking character designs for every character in the series, including Malleus Draconia, Azul Ashengrotto, Riddle Rosehearts, Leona Kingscholar, and more.

從宇宙大爆炸、古埃及文明，到AI技術與Taylor Swift——Britannica's Encyclopedia for Children 以時間為軸，串起地球、動物、太空、歷史與STEM知識。打破傳統A到Z編排，邀請讀者走入一場跨越古今未來的知識之旅。全書由百位專家撰寫、經過嚴謹審核，搭配千幅插圖與實景照片，兼具視覺美感與可信內容，適合親子共讀，也滿足自學探索的需求。Fully updated edition of Britannica's landmark children's encyclopedia, with up-to-the-minute facts, figures and images, featuring everything from supernovas to Taylor Swift, and from ancient Egypt to artificial intelligence.Earth, Space, Animals, History, STEM: This landmark encyclopedia from Britannica has them all! With more than 400 pages of up-to-the-minute information, including the very latest facts and figures, cutting-edge expert insights, and over 1,000 illustrations, photographs, and maps, this gorgeous compendium will satisfy even the most curious minds. Unlike old encyclopedias that are structured from A to Z, this encyclopedia will take you on a journey from the beginning of time to the present day and even into the future! Meanwhile, 100 experts from around the world, and a whole team o

Scholars have sometimes maintained that the study of the history of African religions is an impossible endeavor. Some have contended that African religions do not have a history unto themselves, apart from their interaction with the newer religious traditions of Islam and Christianity. Others concede that such a history exists, but believe the source materials are insufficient to reconstruct such a history. This book speaks directly to these critics. The history of African religions becomes in many ways like a pentathlon, expecting the scholar who conducts such research to work with written texts, to learn African languages, to live within a community where these religious traditions are practiced, to study material culture, both sacred and mundane, and a variety of archaeological sources from tree rings to stone circles and gravesites. By relying on the existing corpus of written texts, oral traditions, linguistic analyses, descriptions based on participant observation, and various ty

Since its inauguration in 1960, Brazil's capital city, Bras?lia, has become an internationally recognized center for eclectic forms of modern mysticism. Among the dozens of New Age, Spiritist, esoteric, and occult communities that have sprouted in the city and its environs, the most spectacular is the Valley of the Dawn (Vale do Amanhecer). Equal parts religious movement, enchanted city, utopian vision, and theatrical spectacle, the Valley of the Dawn is a unique psychic ecosystem. Community members consider themselves the spiritual descendants of an ancient race of extraterrestrials originally sent to galvanize humanity's cultural and spiritual evolution. Wearing dazzling garments that reference their past lives in different cultural eras, adherents perform daily ceremonies for karmic redemption and offer spiritual healing services free of charge to the public. The Valley of the Dawn was founded by a charismatic spirit medium called Aunt Neiva, a widowed mother of four who came to Bra

This hilarious picture book of a strong-willed rabbit perfectly relates to the everyday struggles of parents. Rabbit is happy doing his own thing, thank you. He doesn't want to have to listen to anyone else! Not when Mom says to get up, not when Mom says to get dressed, not when Mom says to have breakfast, play outside, come inside, and least of all--have a bath! Then Mom makes a suggestion that Rabbit simply can't resist...and maybe Rabbit is ready to listen after all! Debut author-illustrator Marjoke Henrichs delivers a laugh-out-loud tale for both parent and child, with a loving and reassuring ending that makes for excellent for bedtime reading.

This latest title in the hugely popular Anthology series is a treasure-trove of Christmassy facts from the natural world - each with their unique story to tell - from why the traditional Christmas tree is usually a pine, spruce or fir to the Yule Goat, a lively character found throughout Scandinavia who likes to demand gifts! Stunning photography and gorgeous illustrations complement storybook descriptions about each example, and children can uncover hundreds of fascinating facts as they read. Did you know that the custom of kissing under the mistletoe originates from Norse mythology, or that the Christmas wreath has its origins from ancient times when people hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows? With foil on the cover, gilded edges, and a ribbon for keeping your place, An Anthology of Christmas makes an attractive gift for any child who can't get enough of the festival of Christmas, but with a unique, quirky approach - and it's perfect for young readers to explore by the

The debut graphic novel set in seminal medieval fantasy MMORPG RuneScape expands on the fan-favorite God Wars Dungeon questline in a never-before-seen epic.Filled with vibrant characters, daring adventure, and mysterious magicks, this debut graphic novel is one you wont want to miss!Delve into the Temple of Lost Ancients during the catastrophic and iconic God Wars, as four warring armies fight for control of the Godsword: the only weapon capable of killing a deity. Trapped in the center of the conflict is the undead Maro, who dreams of breaking free of his master''s clutches. But escaping from the necromancers clutches leads to a twisting, thrilling journey for Maro when he finds allies and enemies across the front lines.RuneScape: Untold Tales of the God Wars collects issues 1-4 of the comic series, plus the Free Comic Book Day 2023 Special, which explores the lore behind the Temple of Lost Ancients, and the 4 Generals, and the Godsword blade!

Daniel is the new kid in town, having moved with his parents from bustling Boston to a quaint house in Washington State. He’s navigating a new school, settling into a fresh bedroom, and exploring a huge backyard—all with his two loyal cats by his side.But this isn't just any house. Unbeknownst to Daniel, their new home is a portal between this world and the next, and his cats are its mystical guardians, tasked with guiding wayward spirits. When one particularly stubborn spirit refuses to move on, the cats reveal their secret world to Daniel, enlisting him as their chief helper in this otherworldly mission.As Daniel delves deeper into this magical realm, he encounters various spirits, each with their own stories and lessons. These encounters help him discover more about himself, forging new friendships and finding his place in this new town. Through it all, he realizes that the most special thing of all is his loving family.

Life has seasons, and you can discern when your life is entering a time of change.Do you feel a longing, an unfulfilled purpose, or an inner yearning to pursue a higher call? Do you have a sense of dissatisfaction with your current circumstances or an enigmatic optimism for your future? The Holy Spirit is working in your heart for a time of change. Life is in a perpetual state of altering circumstances.This book aims to help you gain that awareness of the transformative process happening in your life, similar to what the Heavenly Father did as He guided men and women of faith in the Scriptures. These pages study seven Old and New Testament personalities on how the hand of the Lord influenced and managed each of their transitional phases.May you be inspired to embrace the changes happening with an anticipation of what God will do in and through you for this next season of your life.

What if there was a uniquely safe place to put your money that also earned the best long-term returns?In this new and updated edition of Only the Best Will Do, master investor Peter Seilern reveals everything you need to know to practise the art of quality growth investing: finding the companies that can reliably deliver steady and strong growth for the long term.These are shares that can be safer than bank deposits or government bonds. They also upend conventional wisdom on the merits of diversification, and reveal typical index-hugging fund management as even more self-serving and unjustified than many thought.Quality growth businesses are the ultimate assets for those serious about making their investments work for them over the long term while minimising the risk of permanent loss of capital. You don't even need to worry too much about overpaying. All quality growth investing requires is patience, independent thinking, and the special golden rules - revealed here in detai

Now back in print: two volumes of Polaroids taken by the iconic cinematographerKnown for his pioneering camerawork and virtuoso lighting, Robby Mler (1940-2018) was one of the most important cinematographers in modern film history. His special vision imprinted itself in modern cinema over the course of a long, illustrious career marked by Mler's long-term collaborations with directors such as Wim Wenders, Jim Jarmusch and Lars von Trier. As he worked, Mler maintained his own working archive, keeping Polaroid photographs, letters, notes from directors, and his own musings and photographs from set. In 2016, this material was presented in a major exhibition at the EYE Film Museum Amsterdam, accompanied by the premier publication of the Polaroids. Now back in print for the third time, Polaroid is a two-volume slipcased set of Mler's Polaroids, divided into Exterior and Interior, which offers the opportunity to reassess his photographic work, characterized by the same poetic aesthetic t

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • SHORTLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD • NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR SO FAR FOR 2024 BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW • A newly sober, orphaned son of Iranian immigrants, guided by the voices of artists, poets, and kings, embarks on a remarkable search for a family secret that leads him to a terminally ill painter living out her final days in the Brooklyn Museum. Electrifying, funny, and wholly original, Martyr! heralds the arrival of an essential new voice in contemporary fiction.“Kaveh Akbar is one of my favorite writers. Ever.” —Tommy Orange, Pulitzer Prize–nominated author of There There“The best novel you'll ever read about the joy of language, addiction, displacement, martyrdom, belonging, homesickness.” —Lauren Groff, best-selling author of Matrix and Fates and FuriesCyrus Shams is a young man grappling with an inheritance of violence and loss: his mother’s plane was s

A cat-and-dog whodunnit reminiscent of the great detective Sherlock Holmes!Crimes are sweeping the neighbourhood: sofas torn to shreds, muddy pawprints on the beds, poo left on the kitchen floor . . . all the evidence points towards the culprits being DOGS, and Inspector Keyhole is quick to arrest every last one. But the great cat detective Purrlock Jones thinks she knows who the real villain is. It must be the feline mastermind and her arch enemy Moggiarty . . .

From finding out how tall you are in food tins to how much electricity your body can generate,Measuring Meincludes plenty of relatable and exciting ways to explore the concepts of measuring.Bright and lively artwork by Nicola Kent presents the topic of measuring in an exciting and personal way, encouraging little learners to engage in this important concept. Includes a pull-out height chart!Discover more about the human body in this book that is all about YOU!

Mr. Fire and Mr. Water are good friends, but there are times when Mr. Water needs to control his friend. Mr. Fire can be difficult and can make sparks fly. You need to be very careful around him.

Explore the world of Genshin Impact in this stunning keepsake showcasing hundreds of illustrations. Genshin Impact is a free-to-play open-world adventure RPG that brings players to the visually stunning world of Teyvat. Take on the role of the mysterious "Traveler," who sets off on a journey to discover the fate of their lost sibling and unveils unique cultures, stories, and vast surrounding landscapes, as well as the mysterious secrets of Teyvat along the way. Genshin Impact: The Official Art Book Vol. 2 features beautiful artwork that celebrates moments, characters, and storylines from Version 2 to Version 2.8 of the hugely successful game. Packed full of character designs, promotional art, character trailer art, and commemorative illustrations, this book is perfect for Genshin Impact fans.

A dramatization in one set of Louisa M. Alcott's novel, Little Women, a story that never will grow old for its treatment of a mother's love for her children and their appreciation. Who can forget tom boy Jo and her sacrificing her glorious hair to help finance her mother's trip to Washington, when the telegram arrived saying her father was dying? Of her writing "The Christmas Play," rehearsing Amy in the fainting scene and then the playing of the drama on the fateful night when everything went wrong. Her beautiful scenes with Little Beth when they both knew the Angel of Death was hovering near? Of her going to New York, meeting Professor Bhaer in Mrs. Kirk's rooming house, their comedy courtship and ultimate marriage?

Obstetrics by Ten Teachers is well established as a concise, yet comprehensive, guide within its field. The 21st Edition has been thoroughly updated by its latest team of 'teachers', integrating clinical material with the latest scientific developments that underpin patient care. Each chapter is highly structured, with learning objectives, definitions, aetiology, clinical features, investigations, treatments and key point summaries and additional reading where appropriate. A key theme for this edition is 'professionalism' and information specific to this is threaded throughout the text.

The summer is over and Mr. Water’s friends are gone. Join Mr. Water as he searches for his friends! How does he move over the land, and what happens when the seasons change? It’s a long journey for Mr. Water.

Alex and Pino are studying geography, but the best way to learn is to travel! Mr. Globe takes them on a journey across the world to explore jungles, deserts, mountains, and forests. Along the way, they find their friend Mr. Water there too!

Dr. Martin Dysart, a psychiatrist, is confronted with Alan Strang, a boy who has blinded six horses in a violent fit of passion. This very passion is as foreign to Dysart as the act itself. To the boy's parents, it is a hideous mystery; Alan has always adored horses. To Dysart, it is a psychological puzzle that leads both doctor and patient to a complex and disturbingly dramatic confrontation. This international success reached new acclaim in London and on Broadway when revived in 2008.

The full-color manhua (comic) adaptation of the hit danmei/Boys' Love novel--and in the same universe asLegend of Exorcism: Tianbao Fuyao Lu!A historical fantasy set in an ancient China where magic has been nearly extinguished, and two young men must work together to prevent the destruction of all life.It has been three hundred years since magic disappeared from the Divine Land. Chen Xing is the last Great Exorcist—a young man with a tenuous grip on magic whose life is destined to end on his twentieth birthday. As whispers about the return of the demonic entity known as Mara echo across the land, Chen Xing is burdened with a daunting task: to seek out his fated counterpart, the Protector Martial God, and together, to save the world.Enter Xiang Shu, a condemned man with a haunted past. Accused of unspeakable atrocities, Xiang Shu is an enigma—handsome, skilled, and facing execution for crimes he claims he didn't commit. As their destinies intertwine, Chen Xing and Xiang Shu embark toget

The third and penultimate book in the New York Times bestselling Moonfall series from thriller-master James Rollins, A Dragon of Black Glass is a tale of relentless adventure and the struggle for survival in a harsh world that hangs by a thread.A Most Anticipated Book by Gizmodo | Men''s Health | Reactor | Winter is Coming | The Nerd DailyWhat will they risk to save the world?With the apocalyptic threat of moonfall looming ever closer, Nyx and her allies must venture into the eternally sunblasted lands to search for an ancient weapon buried untold millennia ago. All the while, enemies close upon her flanks, and a greater danger lurks ahead. For beneath a desert turned to glass, hidden from the scorching heat, life thrives—both wondrous and monstrous. But a more fearsome menace lies even deeper, where an ancient army has been seeded to protect a secret from any who dare seek it out.Yet, can Nyx truly trust those at her side? Or even herself? For while her gifts grow ever stronger, so do

Celebrate the holidays and Wicked with this official advent calendar loaded with exclusive Wicked surprises inspired by the film. From patches to keychains, buttons, magnets, stickers, and more, this advent calendar is a magical way to celebrate the holidays.Start every day with a gift from the Land of Oz as you make your way through the holiday season! 25 DAYS OF SURPRISES: Count down to the holidays or any other special occasion and receive 25 days of Wicked–themed collectibles by opening a pocket each day. COLLECTIBLE PRIZES: This 25-day advent calendar features high-quality collectible items—patches, magnets, coasters, washi tape, laptop stickers, and more—that are designed to last so that you can show off your love for Wicked year-round. PERFECT FOR FANS: With items inspired by Shiz University, The Emerald City, Elphaba Thropp, Glinda Upland, and more, this advent is a must-have for any fan of Wicked who dreams of visiting the Land of Oz. ADD TO YOUR COLLECTION: Add more Wicked–in

Join the Big Bad Wolf as he debunks your favourite fairy tales with SCIENCE! Written by the hilarious Catherine Cawthorne and illustrated by award-winning Sara Ogilvie.*A Waterstone's Best Book of 2024**A BookTrust Great New Book of 2024-2025**Longlisted for the UKLA book awards 2025**Shortlisted for Peters Children's Book of the Year: Non-Fiction 2025*Join the Big Bad Wolf as he debunks your favourite fairy tales with SCIENCE! Written by the hilarious Catherine Cawthorne and illustrated by award-winning Sara Ogilvie.Did a princess really feel a tiny pea through a mountain of mattresses? And could a pumpkin actually turn into a carriage to carry Cinderella to the ball? Of course not! It’s all a load of fairytale NONSENSE! Or is it . . . ? The Big Bad Wolf is on a mission to find the truth behind these tales, and clear his name in the process.Combining STEM topics with classic stories children know and love, this hilarious non-fiction picture book is perfect for inquisitive children alw

From acclaimed fantasy author Mindee Arnett comes an epic, adventurous story of a young mercenary magic-user trying to escape the oppressive island of Riven--and a young noblewoman trying to change it forever.Mars Darksvane wants out. Out from under the thumb of Una, the crime boss who pulled him off the streets as a child and trained him as an assassin; out from the island country of Riven, where magic, in the form of a dangerous material called Ice, allows the rich to live in luxury and keeps the poor in thrall.Mars is a secret adept--a person born with the ability to channel the magic that flows beneath Riven--and while his power gives him abilities useful to an assassin, it also makes him a target. And when his last mission ends in tragedy, Mars finally decides it's time to escape to the mainland. No magic, no history, a new life on his own.But Una has other ideas. If Mars wants his freedom, he's going to have to perform a final job: protecting Fura Torvald--the heiress of the rich