Books with author Chris Wood

Empires rise, civilisations fall and one culture comes to subsume another. It's the way of the world . . . sometimes ways of life are improved, sometimes they are not. But the progression of change is huge and - usually - unstoppable.In this story, the Ossian way of life is fading and the Dachen way is taking its place and Aren is comfortable with that. Even when his parents are accused of treason he supports the establishment and maintains there's been some mistake . . . which is all it takes to get himself and his best friend arrested . . .Thrown into a prison mine they plan their escape - only to be overtaken by events when they're rescued, and promptly find themselves in the middle of an ambush. By the time they've escaped, they're unavoidably linked to Garric - their unwelcome saviour - and his quest to overturn to Dachen way of life.If they leave Garric now, they'll be arrested or killed by their pursuers. If they turn him in, Garric will kill them. If they stay with him, they'll be abetting a murderous quest they don't believe in. There are no good options - but Aren will still have to choose a path . . .Designed to return to classic fantasy adventures and values, from a modern perspective, this is a fast-moving coming-of-age trilogy featuring a strong cast of diverse characters, brilliant set-pieces and a strong character and plot driven story.

In the world of the Dominions, everyone has a power. Spirit-stones, implanted at birth by the mysterious Deliverers, grant strange abilities. Some can shape metal. Some can see into the past. Some can make people see you as you are not. The stones determine who you are and what your place is in the world.Ryushi and Kia, twin brother and sister, have grown up in the mountains on their father’s isolated wyvern stud. Ryushi’s stones let him command pure force; one day he will be able to turn a key in a lock as easily as he smashes a wall. Kia manipulates the earth, raising golems from the ground, opening doors where there are no doors. Every day they train in the fighting arts, and learn how to harness the powers they were gifted at birth.Soon they will find out why.The arrival of a strange, waifish girl at the stud sets into motion a chain of events that will pull the twins into a world they had never imagined. A world where strange machines, powered by the stones of Pilots, battle alongside airborne wyverns; where stalking horrors step out of mirrors, hunting traitors wherever they hide; where rebels plot against the king in a hidden city.And there is more. A shadow-world, a heartbeat away from their own. A mirror-land ruled by a despot. Kia and Ryushi will find themselves drawn into a battle for two worlds, and in doing so, they will discover the truth about who they are, what they want to be… and the very nature of the spirit-stones themselves. Broken Sky was an international hit upon its release in 1999, selling over 250,000 copies in the US alone, and was translated into over 15 languages. Now available on ebook for the first time, this epic fantasy for all ages is set to capture a new generation of readers.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy meets Guardians of the Galaxy in this intergalactic middle-grade adventure by Chris Wooding.If he had it his way, Jack would spend his days drawing aliens and epic space battles. But it seems Jack's daydreams of action and adventure will remain just that: daydreams.Until his 12th birthday, that is. That's when Thomas, the annoying kid from school, stumbles upon a weird machine that sends a beam of light into the sky. Suddenly, Jack's world is turned upside down when intergalactic beings appear on Earth and try to kill him. His only hope for survival is a ragtag team of alien bounty hunters: Boston Sark, Mazzy, Dunk, and Ilara. Through his new companions, Jack learns of the mysterious Gradius Clench, a precocious superspy and the universe's most wanted kid. And he looks just like Jack! Now, the race is on to find this elusive Gradius Clench -- through fantastic landscapes, seedy pirate hideaways, and worlds Jack could only imagine -- and maybe, just maybe, figure out how Jack fits into all of this...

Ryushi and Kia now stand at the forefront of the rebellion against the tyrant King Macaan. But it is his daughter, the Princess Aurin, that rules in the dark, sunless world of Kirin Taq, leader of a seemingly invincible army. As the rebels regroup, Aurin is hunting for them, and it’s only a matter of time before she tracks them down and wipes them out. Only the twins can stop her, if they can work together. But circumstances and matters of the heart are driving a rift between them, and they are no longer as close as they were. Can they overcome their differences long enough for the rebels to gather their strength and fight back?In this second part of the trilogy, old enemies return and new allies appear, and an ancient, long-forgotten race emerges out of the past, who might prove to be friend or foe.War is coming to Kirin Taq. Only one side will be left standing.Broken Sky was an international hit upon its release in 1999, selling over 250,000 copies in the US alone, and was translated into over 15 languages. Now available on ebook for the first time, this epic fantasy for all ages is set to capture a new generation of readers.

The end of the world is coming. If King Macaan can’t rule the Dominions, he’ll destroy them. Key to his plan is the Citadel, the fortress of the Machinists, who built the mysterious technology that the Dominions run on. But the rebels are exhausted, Kia is gone, and they have scarcely had time to recover from saving one world before they must save another.In the vast deserts of the east, princes battle sand-ghouls, seeking for a woman who has no past. Ryushi, now bonded with his wyvern Araceil, has joined the rebel air force for one last desperate attempt to defeat the King. It’s all or nothing in this final instalment of the trilogy, because failure will mean certain death for the Dominions.Something is coming from sea. Something terrible that will destroy them all. When the final battle is over and silence reigns, will there be anyone left to tell the tale?Broken Sky was an international hit upon its release in 1999, selling over 250,000 copies in the US alone, and was translated into over 15 languages. Now available on ebook for the first time, this epic fantasy for all ages is set to capture a new generation of readers.

A big slice of non-stop, action-packed, wise-cracking fun from the Ketty Jay, and Captain Darien Frey.Things are finally looking good for Captain Frey and his crew. The Ketty Jay has been fixed up good as new.They've got their first taste of fortune and fame. And, just for once, nobody is trying to kill them.In fact, she's offered them a job - one that will take them deep into the desert heart of Samarla, the land of their ancient enemies. To a place where the secrets of the past lie in wait for the unwary. Even Trinica Dracken, Frey's ex-fiancée and long-time nemesis, has given up her quest for revenge. Secrets that might very well cost Frey everything.Join the crew of the Ketty Jay on their greatest adventure yet: a story of mayhem and mischief, roof-top chases and death-defying races, murderous daemons, psychopathic golems and a particularly cranky cat. This time, Frey's in a race against the clock for the ultimate prize: to save his own life.

Part novel. Part comic. Total thriller!Everyone knows the rumors - if you gather the right things and say the right words, you'll be taken to Malice, a world that exists within a terrifying comic book.Seth managed to escape from Malice, but it meant leaving his best friend, Kady, trapped there. And he's not sure whether he should try to take down the Malice comic from his own world or go back with an artifact he thinks can help from within.Meanwhile, Kady has her own battles to fight. She's trying to find Havoc, a rebel group of kids who want to fight Tall Jake, Malice's cruel overlord. But she can't help feeling that someone's watching her and that Tall Jake knows what her plans are before she puts them into action.Malice is spreading. Tall Jake is gaining influence on the world outside the comic. Seth and Kady think that if they gather the right objects and find the right people, they'll be able to defeat Tall Jake once and for all. The only question is . . . how?

Perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman and Tim Burton, this is no ordinary fairy tale. When Poison's baby sister is stolen by phaeries, Poison sets off on an incredible and dangerous journey to get her sister back from the Phaerie Lord. But as Poison travels to the Realm of Phaerie, she discovers that her story - and her destiny - is not in her control, and that she will need all her wits about her to survive. A fantasy where the power of story maybe the only thing that will save you, and where imagination knows no bounds.

The Alienest meets Dracula in this gripping, gothic-horror thriller from young UK phenom Chris Wooding.Thaniel, just seventeen, is a wych-hunter. Together, he and Cathaline - his friend and mentor - track down the fearful creatures that lurk in the Old Quarter of London. It is on one of these hunts that he first encounters Alaizabel Cray. Alaizabel is half-crazed, lovely, and possessed. Whatever dreadful entity has entered her soul has turned her into a strange and unearthly magnet - attracting evil and drawing horrors from ever dark corneer. Cathaline and Thaniel must discover its cause - and defend humanity at all costs.

A big slice of non-stop, action-packed, wise-cracking fun from the Ketty Jay, and Captain Darien Frey.Things are finally looking good for Captain Frey and his crew. The Ketty Jay has been fixed up good as new.They've got their first taste of fortune and fame. And, just for once, nobody is trying to kill them.In fact, she's offered them a job - one that will take them deep into the desert heart of Samarla, the land of their ancient enemies. To a place where the secrets of the past lie in wait for the unwary. Even Trinica Dracken, Frey's ex-fiancée and long-time nemesis, has given up her quest for revenge. Secrets that might very well cost Frey everything.Join the crew of the Ketty Jay on their greatest adventure yet: a story of mayhem and mischief, roof-top chases and death-defying races, murderous daemons, psychopathic golems and a particularly cranky cat. This time, Frey's in a race against the clock for the ultimate prize: to save his own life.