142 results for "Fantasy"

Pebble in the sky

Asimov, Isaac
Two minutes before he disappeared forever from the face of the Earth he knew, Joseph Schwartz was strolling down the pleasant streets of a Chicago suburb, thinking about his family, He was a simple man, a kind man, a practical man not given to wild flights of imagination. So when he saw the old Raggedy Ann doll lying in his path, he merely smiled and lifted his foot to step over it... That was the only thing he remembered. He did not know that it marked the last act of his life on this earth - and the beginning of a terrifying journey into a strange new world where the twentieth century was already ancient history.
Fawcett 1971 191 pages

Blue light

Mosley, Walter
"In 1965, a mysterious beam of blue light descended from space, illuminating Northern California. This extraterrestrial beam possessed strange powers, causing those it touched to either die, go mad, or gain a unique, extraordinary ability. This newfound power represented the full actualization of human potential, bestowing strengths, understandings, and communication abilities far beyond normal human capacities. Those affected by the light were soon dubbed "Blues" and were segregated from society due to their superhuman abilities. United by their shared experiences, the Blues began searching for their purpose in the universe. However, an evil force known as the "Gray Man" soon emerged, setting the stage for a battle between good and evil. The Gray Man, originally Horace LaFontaine, was a character struck by the light at the moment of his death, revivified as a demon with a mission to annihilate the Blues. Once the Blues discovered their nemesis, they took refuge in the forests outside Northern California. Despite their efforts to hide, the Gray Man learned of their location through inside sources. Determined to confront their enemy, the Blues decided to declare war on the Gray Man. This epic battle, which takes place at the novel's climax, showcases the Blues utilizing their extraordinary powers to ultimately destroy the Gray Man. After their victory, the Blues settled into small cities in Northern California, integrating and living normal lives alongside the other residents of California"--
Black Classic Press 2024-12-10 385 pages

Iron Man

Peter David
THE ORIGINAL HEAVY METAL HERO Millionaire industrialist Tony Stark’s genius for designing and building high-tech, ultradestructive weapons for America’s armed forces has inspired critics to dub him the modern-day Leonardo da Vinci–as well as “merchant of death,” a moniker he embraces with cool arrogance. But when he’s ambushed and kidnapped in the middle of a war zone, Stark comes face-to-face with his own mortality . . . and his true destiny. Now, thanks to him, enemy forces are about to meet their maker. And the world of warfare is about to meet its future–a weapon of mass destruction that walks and talks. When man and machine unite, it can only mean one thing: It’s time to stand ready or stand back–but don’t stand in the way, or else risk the mighty metallic fury of . . .
Random House Publishing Group 2008-04-04 320 pages

Law & Order: Crime Scenes

Dick Wolf,Dick Wolfe,Jessica Burstein
NBC’s Emmy award-winning hit series Law & Order is television’s longest-running drama. Like the series, Law & Order: Crime Scenes walks a thin line between reality and fantasy, presenting gritty crime scene photographs. Producer Dick Wolf discusses how he came up with the idea for the crime drama and describes each of the years’ main characters, accompanied by pictures. Aficionados will particularly delight in Wolf’s revelations about the characters’ personal lives. A postmortem commentary by photographer Jessica Burstein features thumbnails of the pictures, noting which episode each is from, with anecdotal information, and a brief synopsis of the crime scene.
Pocket Books 2003-09-01 176 pages

Fantasy Hall of Fame

Silverberg, Robert
Trouble with water / H. L. Gold --Nothing in the rules / L. Sprague de Camp --Fruit of knowledge / C. L. Moore --Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius / Jorge Luis Borges --Compleat werewolf / Anthony Boucher --Small assassin / Ray Bradbury --Lottery / Shirley Jackson --Our fair city / Robert A. Heinlein --There shall be no darkness / James Blish --Loom of darkness / Jack Vance --Man who sold rope to the gnoles / Margaret St. Clair --Silken-swift / Theodore Sturgeon --Golem / Avram Davidson --Operation afreet / Poul Anderson --That hell-bound train / Robert Bloch --Bazaar of the bizarre / Fritz Leiber --Come lady death / Peter S. Beagle --Drowned giant / J. G. Ballard --Narrow valley / R. A. Lafferty --Faith of our fathers / Philip K. Dick --Ghost of a Model T / Clifford D. Simak --Demoness / Tanith Lee --Jeffty is five / Harlan Ellison --Detective of dreams / Gene Wolfe --Unicorn variations / Roger Zelazny --Basileus / Robert Silverberg --Jaguar Hunter / Lucius Shepard --Buffalo gals, won't you come out tonight / Ursula K. Le Guin --Bears discover fire / Terry Bisson --Tower of Babylon / Ted Chiang.
Harper Prism 2000-01-01

A City in Winter

Mark Helprin
Driven to avenge the murder of her royal parents & reclaim her lost kingdom, a daring young heroine & would-be queen journeys to the besieged city on the plain to seek out its evil conqueror, the Usurper. Helprin's spellbinding tale reveals a city veiled in snow, at once divine & deadly. Evocatively told & beautifully rendered, it will enchant readers of all ages. Stunning color illustrations by Chris Van Allsburg capture the exhilaration of the story -- from the pulse of the masses in the palace square to the wrath of the bloodthirsty Usurper who scours the city streets after curfew, to the opulence of an intimate dinner party set for a thousand guests.
Viking/Penguin 1996-04-01 147 pages

Fable for the end of the world

Reid, Ava
By encouraging massive accumulations of debt from its underclass, a single corporation, Caerus, controls all aspects of society. Inesa lives with her brother in a half-sunken town where they scrape by running a taxidermy shop. Unbeknownst to Inesa, their cruel and indolent mother has accrued an enormous debt, enough to qualify one of her children for Caerus's livestreamed assassination spectacle : the Lamb's Gauntlet. Melinoe is a Caerus assassin, trained to track and kill the sacrificial Lambs. The product of neural reconditioning and physiological alteration, she is a living weapon, known for her cold brutality and deadly beauty. She has never failed to assassinate one of her marks. When Inesa learns that her mother has offered her as a sacrifice, at first she despairs, the Gauntlet is always a bloodbath for the impoverished debtors. But she's had years of practice surviving in the apocalyptic wastes, and with the help of her hunter brother she might stand a chance of staying alive. For Melinoe, this is a game she can't afford to lose. Despite her reputation for mercilessness, she is haunted by painful flashbacks. After her last Gauntlet, where she broke down on livestream, she desperately needs redemption. As Mel pursues Inesa across the wasteland, both girls begin to question everything : Inesa wonders if there's more to life than survival, while Mel wonders if she's capable of more than killing. And both wonder if, against all odds, they might be falling in love.
Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 2025-03-04 371 pages

Nine (Ensemble Version)

Arthur Kopit,Maury Yeston
Celebrated but impetuous film director Guido Contini succumbing to the pressures of filming his latest film epic (a musical version of the Casanova story) suffers a midlife crisis. One by one women from his past and present - including his mother his wife his mistress and his leading lady - haunt instruct scold seduce and encourage him until he finally learns to grow up. This new Ensemble version of the hit Broadway musical has an updated score and offers more flexible casting for productions featuring fewer performers. Nine was also adapted into a major motion picture from Rob Marshall the acclaimed director of the 2002 film version of Chicago. Of the Broadway musical Marshall said it is "a sumptuous and emotional work that translates naturally to the film musical genre because of its seamless relationship between fantasy and reality." Composer and lyricist Maury Yeston worked on the film adaptation and created three new songs for the movie musical which was released in December 2009.
Concord Theatricals 2022-07-29 84 pages

Dream Story (Translated, Annotated, & Illustrated) (aka Traumnovelle, Rhapsody, Eyes Wide Shut): Ovid Publishing Edition

Schnitzler, Arthur
This new edition of Dream Story by Arthur Schnitzler offers readers a new translation from the original German text and a comprehensive exploration of the acclaimed novella, originally published as Traumnovelle in 1926 and adapted into the movie Eyes Wide Shut. Set in early 20th-century Vienna, Schnitzler's narrative delves into the psychological complexities of desire, marriage, and the blurred lines between fantasy and reality. His background in psychiatry, provides a nuanced examination of the human psyche that remains strikingly relevant today. This edition is enriched with: Illustrations depicting key scenes Chapter-by-chapter footnotes A detailed study guide with chapter summaries Ten-question test for each chapter Also included are seven essays: Class Analysis in "Dream Story" by Arthur Schnitzler From Page to Screen: A Comparative Analysis of Schnitzler's "Dream Story" and Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut" From Assimilation to Antisemitism: Understanding Jewish Identity in Schnitzler's Works Arthur Schnitzler's Use of Stream of Consciousness and Internal Dialogue Arthur Schnitzler and Sigmund Freud: A Comparative Analysis Desire and Identity: Arthur Schnitzler and the Cultural Tapestry of Fin-de-Siècle Vienna Controversy and Censorship Surrounding the Works of Arthur Schnitzler Ideal for both newcomers and scholars, this edition provides a deep dive into one of the most influential novellas of the 20th century, offering readers the tools to unpack its enduring themes and cultural significance.
Independently published 2024-09-19 217 pages

Powerless

Harry Turtledove
In a society where lies are law, a simple act of honesty can become the ultimate rebellion. When does silent compliance with an oppressive regime become unbearable? For Charlie Simpkins, the manager of a small vegetable shop in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley, part of the West Coast People's Democratic Republic, the breaking point comes when he is asked to display a meaningless propaganda poster in his shop window. It is a seemingly insignificant act in a lifetime of obedience. But Charlie just can't bring himself to doing it. This minor act of defiance, however, show too much independent thinking on Charlie's part, setting off a chain of escalating consequences for Charlie and his wife and two children. Powerless is a haunting dystopian tale of how even the smallest act of defiance can spiral into disaster in a society that demands total conformity. It serves as a chilling reminder of how easily standing up for one's principles can lead to crushing consequences, erringly echoing the challenges we face today for speaking our truth, even in societies that claim to uphold freedom. While the novel draws original inspiration from Alexander Dubček's 1968 vision of "socialism with a human face" in Czechoslovakia (the reformist movement sought to humanize authoritarian rule), it will resonate with many who fear that individual freedoms are under attack in many parts of the world. In Powerless, Charlie Simpkins' growing disillusionment mirrors the psychological toll experienced by many today as political stress and uncertainty become ever more pervasive. As Charlie seeks out others who share his dissatisfaction, his increasingly deliberate and risky actions symbolize the quiet acts of defiance that offer hope and resistance in a society where the powerful suppress dissent. Powerless serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences that can arise when standing up for one's principles in an environment that demands conformity.​
CAEZIK 2025-07-15 290 pages

Krispos of Videssos

Turtledove, Harry
Against all expectations, Krispos had won the crown of Videssos. But how long could he hope to keep head and crown together? For trouble was brewing in every, quarter. Civil war erupted under Petronas, the late Emperor's uncle. A brilliant general and a canny politician, Petronas had a very personal score to settle against the upstart Krispos. And even as rebel troops took the field against the untried Emperor, outland raiders swept down from the northlands in a tide of carnage. The power stemmed from foulest sorcery, and Videssos' wizards could not counter its evil curse. Krispos reign showed every sign of being brief -- and very bloody...
Del Rey 1991 355 pages