The weather magic that holds the kingdom of Lur safe is failing, and the earth feels broken to those with the power to see. Among Lur's sorcerers only Asher has the skill to mend the antique weather map that governs the seasons, keeping the land from being crushed by natural forces. Yet when Asher risks his life to meddle with these dangerous magics, the crisis is merely delayed, not averted. Asher's son Rafel has inherited his father's talents, but has been forbidden to use them. Many died in the last Mage War and these abilities aren't to be loosed lightly into the world. But when Asher's last desperate attempt to repair the damage leaves him on this deathbed, Rafel's powers may not be denied. For his countrymen are facing famine, devastation and a rift in the very fabric of their land.
'The Innocent Mage is come, and we stand at the beginning of the end of everything'Being a fisherman like his father isn't a bad life, but it's not the one that Asher wants. Despite his humble roots, Asher has grand dreams. And they call him to Dorana, home of princes, beggars . . . and the warrior mages who have protected the kingdom for generations.Little does Asher know, however, that his arrival in the city is being closely watched by members of the Circle, a secret organisation dedicated to preserving an ancient magic. Asher might have come to the city to make his fortune, but he will find his destiny . . .The Innocent Mage is book one in the Kingmaker, Kingbreaker series.
Prince Gar now has the magic for weatherworking and is able to keep his enemies at bay, while Asher has become the most powerful Olken in the history of Lur. Peace and prosperity seem assured for the two of them. But Morg, the evil sorcerer mage, remains trapped inside a shattered body. He knows his time is running out and that desperate measures are called for.Unwittingly, Gar and Asher become caught up in a dangerous deception which threatens to tear apart the kingdom and destroy the fragile balance between Olken and Doranen.And no one, not even Dathne and her secret Circle, is prepared for the consequences when the Innocent Mage is revealed at last . . .
When a scrawny, unwanted child - so lowly that she does not even have a name - is sold into slavery, a chain of events is set in motion that will have a profound impact on all the civilised world.
The King of Ethrea is dying and his only surviving heir is the Princess Rhian, but if her enemies have their way, the kingdom will not be ruled by a Queen. Ethrea, a small island of strategic importance, is known for its ability to keep the secrets of its business partners. Now civil war threatens as men of ambition eye the empty throne, and the other nations are getting nervous ... and greedy. If Rhian cannot secure the crown, others will descend and conquer her lands. A toymaker and a mysterious exile from Mijak may be her only hope ...
In Ethrea, Rhian sits upon a precarious throne. Defiant noblemen who won't accept her rule threaten the stability of her kingdom, Zandakar, a man she thought was her friend, has been revealed as the son of a woman sworn to destroy her and her husband, King Alasdair, is increasingly unsure of her love.Rhian's most grave problem, however, lay outside the borders of her realm. The trading nations refuse to believe Mijak is a threat and promise reprisals if she dares to protect her realm. If she cannot unite the warring factions within her land, a move again Mijak might prove the end of her reign. Which is exactly what the empress of Mijak has planned. . .
It's been months since Rafel ventured over Barl's Mountains into the unknown, in a desperate bid to seek help. With his father's Weather Magic exhausted and Lur ravaged by polluting magics, there seemed no other hope. Now this too has died. Only Deenie believes Rafel still lives, sensing her brother in tortured dreams. She also knows she must try to find him, as only Rafel's talents could heal their land. The prospect terrifies Deenie, yet she sees no other choice. But she finds the lands beyond Lur blighted with lawlessness and chaos - and here Deenie and her companion Charis find the dark sorcerer Morg's deadly legacy. As they travel, they learn of a dangerous new power in the land. Deenie comes to suspect that not only is her brother involved, but that the evil their father destroyed is somehow reborn. And if she can't save Rafel then, through him, Morg's vast power could once again command their world.The Reluctant Mage is the sequel to The Prodigal Mage, and set in the same world as Karen Miller's bestselling debut The Innocent Mage. With her cast of unforgettable characters, and masterful storytelling, Karen Miller has once again created an irresistible drama of political intrigue and magical adventure.
The second installment of a two-book Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker adventure, set against the backdrop of the Clone Wars! Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are trapped on the Separatist controlled planet Lanteeb, on the run from General Lok Durd and his droid army. After being forced to abandon their jerry-rigged groundcar they continue on foot, hunted, as they try to find a safe place to hide and regroup before escaping the planet altogether. Eventually they seek shelter in a remote Lanteeban village, but the Separatists track them down. Now they're under siege...and the little time they've bought themselves is running out.
The first installment of a two-book Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker adventure, set against the backdrop of the Clone Wars! Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are on a secret mission to one of the many worlds caught in the middle of the struggle between the Republic and the Separatists. A pastoral planet, Lanteeb wants only to be left alone to survive -- but it is the source of what could be one of the most devastatingly destructive weapons ever. If this potential weapon were to fall into the hands of the Separatists, uncounted worlds would fall. But should the Republic succeed in destroying it first, one world that needs it to survive will be annihilated. A frightening dilemma that Obi-Wan and Anakin will have to untangle, if they can get in and out of the occupied planet alive...
The Clone Wars have exploded across the galaxy as Republic forces and Separatists struggle to gain the upper hand. But while the Jedi generals work tirelessly to defeat Count Dooku and his rebels, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine is hatching his own dark victory plans.The Separatists have launched a sneak attack on Coruscant. Obi-Wan Kenobi, wounded in battle, insists that Anakin Skywalker and his rookie Padawan Ahsoka leave on a risky mission against General Grievous. But when Senator Bail Organa reveals some explosive intelligence that could turn the tide of war in the Republic's favor, the Jedi Master agrees to accompany him to an obscure planet on the Outer Rim to verify the facts. What Obi-Wan and Bail don't realize is that they're walking into a deadly trap concocted by Palpatine. And by the time they find out, escape may not be an option.
Inspired by the full-length animated feature film Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the brand-new TV series, these thrilling adventures are filled with provocative, never-before-revealed insights into the characters of Obi-Wan, Anakin, Padme, Yoda, Count Dooku, and many other Star Wars favourites.
Hundreds of years before the great Mage War, a land lies, unknowing, on the edge of catastrophe . . .Barl is young, impulsive and wants to explore her raw magical potential. But Dorana's rigid class system means that only those with the right pedigree are trained. Desperate to learn, Barl lets her eagerness lead her to rebellion and disgrace. She faces the possibility of never using her powers again - until she meets Morgan Danfey, who sits on the Mage Council itself.Together, they realise they can create an extraordinary new magic. But the lure of this great power reveals a darkness in Morgan which will bring their land to its knees.A Blight of Mages is set in the world of Karen Miller's Bestselling debut The Innocent Mage.
EVERY CROWN IS TARNISHED BY THE BLOOD OF AMBITION.
In a divided kingdom, some will do anything to seize the crown.A BASTARD LORD, rising up against his tyrant cousin, sheds more blood than he bargained for.A ROYAL CHILD, believed dead, sets his eyes on regaining his father's stolen throne.A DUKE'S WIDOW, defending her daughter, defies the ambitious lord who'd control them both.And TWO BROTHERS, divided by ambition, will learn the true meaning of treachery.All of this will come to pass, and nothing will remain as it once was. Royal houses will fall, empires will be reborn, and those who seek the Falcon Throne will pay for it in blood.WITH THE FALCON THRONE, A MAJOR NEW EPIC FANTASY BEGINS.
Au royaume de Lur, tous les chemins mènent à Dorana, la flamboyante capitale où la magie règne sans partage. Comme d'autres avant lui, Asher, un jeune fils de pêcheur, s'y rend en quête d'aventures. Il est introduit à la cour par le prince Gar, avec lequel il a noué une amitié inattendue. Or naviguer dans les hautes sphères s'avère loin d'être simple, et les pièges sont nombreux pour un garçon qui n'a pas la langue dans sa poche. Asher va se retrouver confronté à d'inquiétants secrets de magie noire et une prophétie sinistre, annonçant le déclin du royaume... à moins qu'un mage inconnu parvienne à s'y opposer.
« Un indispensable du genre ! » - Waterstone's Books Quarterly
« Karen Miller est incontestablement très douée. Ses personnages sont exemplaires de nuance et de sensibilité, et son sens de l'action est viscéral. » - SFX
« De la Fantasy de haut niveau par une pointure dans son domaine. » - SFFWorld
Asher n'était qu'un simple fils de pêcheur, pourtant le destin a fait de lui l'ami du prince Gar au côté duquel il a défendu le royaume contre son pire ennemi. Une confrontation héroïque, mais à quel prix ? Après le tragique accident de la famille royale, Gar a hérité de la couronne mais semble perdre ses pouvoirs. Alors que Morg prépare son attaque finale contre le royaume, le seul espoir du jeune roi est son meilleur ami Asher au risque de s'exposer à la terrible Prophétie des Derniers Jours...
« Un indispensable du genre ! » - Waterstone's Books Quarterly
« Karen Miller est incontestablement très douée. Ses personnages sont exemplaires de nuance et de sensibilité, et son sens de l'action est viscéral. » - SFX
« De la Fantasy de haut niveau par une pointure dans son domaine. » - SFFWorld
How often have we heard complaints like these?
“Why don’t my kids do what I say?”
“Who made the mess in here?”
“When will my teen make better choices?”
These are the kinds of questions that parents ask that lead not only to complaining, but to victim thinking, procrastination, and blaming. The solution: Learn to parent the QBQr way – and bring personal accountability to life within our families.
Based on the same concepts that have made John Miller’s signature work, QBQ: The Question Behind the Question, an international bestseller over the last decade, Raising Accountable Kids provides the tool called the QBQ or The Question Behind the Question that will help every parent look behind questions such as “Why won’t my kids listen?” or “When will they do what I ask?” to find better ones--QBQs--like “What can I do differently?” or “How can I improve as a parent?” This simple but challenging concept turns the focus – and responsibility – back to parents and to what they can do to make a difference.
With thoughtful commentary, observation, and advice, illustrated with engaging and memorable anecdotes that are the hallmarks of John Miller’s previous books, Raising Accountable Kids provides all moms and dads with the means and inspiration to be more effective parents – as well as teach their children how to practice their own brand of personal accountability – to create a happy, healthy family for a lifetime.
Combining humor, honesty, and plainspoken advice, Momma Zen distills the doubts and frustrations of parenting into vignettes of Zen wisdom.
Drawing on her experience as a first-time mother, and on her years of Zen meditation and study, Miller explores how the daily challenges of parenthood can become the most profound spiritual journey of our lives.
This compelling and wise memoir follows the timeline of early motherhood from pregnancy through toddlerhood. Momma Zen takes readers on a transformative journey, charting a mother's growth beyond naive expectations and disorientation to finding fulfillment in ordinary tasks, developing greater self-awareness and acceptance--to the gradual discovery of "maternal bliss," a state of abiding happiness and ease that is available to us all.
In her gentle and reassuring voice, Karen Miller convinces us that ancient and authentic spiritual lessons can be as familiar as a lullaby, as ordinary as pureed peas, and as frequent as a sleepless night. She offers encouragement for the hard days, consolation for the long haul, and the lightheartedness every new mom needs to face the crooked path of motherhood straight on.
This book tackles the ethical problems of the "Fourth Industrial Revolution" (4IR) and offers readers an overview of the ethical challenges connected to Artificial Intelligence (AI), encryption and the finance industry. It specifically focuses on the situation of females in these industries, from women lawyers, judges, attorneys-at-law, investors and bankers, to portfolio managers, solicitors and civil servants. As the 4IR is more than "just" a technology-driven transformation, this book is a call to policymakers and business leaders to harness new technologies in order to create a more inclusive, human-centered future. It offers many practical cases of proactive change agents, and offers solutions to the ethical challenges in connection with implementing revolutionary disruptive products that often eliminate the intermediary. In addition, the book addresses sustainable finance in startups. In this context, education, training, agility and life-long learning in financial literacy are some of the key solutions highlighted here. The respective contributors supply a diverse range of perspectives, so as to promote a multi-stakeholder approach.