Books with author Mark Stary

Two powerful mages. One steeped in privilege, the other bound by a moral code. Their world is thrown into chaos by the end of magic.Rosheen Katell is a wandering mage and, with Anzu her griffin, she’s worked hard to build a reputation as a trustworthy truth seer. She never lies, never kills. Sander Bree is a royal mage. He lives an easy life advising the king on matters of court and politics, but dreams of an apocalypse are giving him massive anxiety attacks. Very soon, their magic will be gone. A cataclysmic event will change their lives and world forever. Sander must keep a promise to save the life of a young girl that would have been difficult enough with magic, but is a suicide mission without it. Rosheen is forced to side with a murderous warlord, and her once-solid principles are tested and found wanting. Both will be set against one another in a war unlike anything the world has seen before, in this sweeping fantasy of magic’s ending.A stand alone fantasy novel for readers of Joe Abercrombie and Scott Lynch* "The sort of book you give to people who say “prove to me why I should read fantasy”… A simply terrific read." – James Barclay, author of the Legends of the Raven series"Mark Stay paints his world and characters with deft, confident and dark strokes." – RJ Barker, author of the Wounded Kingdom Trilogy"The sort of book you give to people who say “prove to me why I should read fantasy”… A simply terrific read." – James Barclay, author of the Legends of the Raven series"Takes the tropes of high fantasy and uses them to wield an original, compelling and intricately plotted story… exactly the kind of fantasy that we need more of." – Gavin G. Smith, author of the Veteran series"Stay does for George RR Martin what Pratchett did for Tolkien." - Julian Barr, author of The Way Home"Like Game of Thrones without the boobs!" ★★★★★ - Amazon UK Reviewer"This was a blast, hints of Joe Abercrombie’s books and his dark humour, but presented in a world in chaos." ★★★★★ - Amazon UK Reviewer"The most fun I've had reading a fantasy novel since Red Country by Joe Abercrombie." ★★★★★ - Amazon UK Reviewer"This book grabbed me in the first couple of pages... Couldn’t stop. Really want more!" ★★★★★ - Amazon UK Reviewer"I may never forgive the author for that (spoiler) death scene... *When you read it you’ll understand* Rarely have I shed tears so early on in a book." ★★★★★ - Amazon UK Reviewer

The lagoon at Sea Devil Island is an idealistic place for a colony of fish to live and raise a family … peaceful and quiet. A little too quiet for young Jack Herron, who yearns to explore the world beyond his lagoon. But it is forbidden for junior fish to venture outside the lagoon. So when Jack stumbles across a secret passage to the outside world, he sneaks out and leads his three closest friends on an adventure of discovery. Unfortunately, they discover more than they bargain for. Caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, Jack is framed for a crime he did not commit and the whole colony suffers a terrible curse as a result.To lift the curse, Jack and his friends must set sail on the high seas and find the evidence to prove their innocence. But this will not be easy. Standing in their way is an evil squid intent on world domination and the gruesome Scourge stingray clan. Their only allies? A not so bright pelican called Dave, a hollowed out coconut, scuba gear and a whole lot of luck.Can Jack, Lilly, Alex and Jonesy find the missing heir in time to save their colony? Or will the devious Krillanger end up ruling the world with the Scourge. Buckle up me hearties, for the Coconut Rebellion is about to begin!

The lagoon at Sea Devil Island is an idealistic place for a colony of fish to live and raise a family … peaceful and quiet. A little too quiet for young Jack Herron, who yearns to explore the world beyond his lagoon. But it is forbidden for junior fish to venture outside the lagoon. So when Jack stumbles across a secret passage to the outside world, he sneaks out and leads his three closest friends on an adventure of discovery. Unfortunately, they discover more than they bargain for. Caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, Jack is framed for a crime he did not commit and the whole colony suffers a terrible curse as a result.To lift the curse, Jack and his friends must set sail on the high seas and find the evidence to prove their innocence. But this will not be easy. Standing in their way is an evil squid intent on world domination and the gruesome Scourge stingray clan. Their only allies? A not so bright pelican called Dave, a hollowed out coconut, scuba gear and a whole lot of luck. Can Jack, Lilly, Alex and Jonesy find the missing heir in time to save their colony? Or will the devious Krillanger end up ruling the world with the Scourge. Buckle up me hearties, for the Coconut Rebellion is about to begin!

Introduction to Machine Learning with Applications in Information Security provides a class-tested introduction to a wide variety of machine learning algorithms, reinforced through realistic applications. The book is accessible and doesn’t prove theorems, or otherwise dwell on mathematical theory. The goal is to present topics at an intuitive level, with just enough detail to clarify the underlying concepts. The book covers core machine learning topics in-depth, including Hidden Markov Models, Principal Component Analysis, Support Vector Machines, and Clustering. It also includes coverage of Nearest Neighbors, Neural Networks, Boosting and AdaBoost, Random Forests, Linear Discriminant Analysis, Vector Quantization, Naive Bayes, Regression Analysis, Conditional Random Fields, and Data Analysis. Most of the examples in the book are drawn from the field of information security, with many of the machine learning applications specifically focused on malware. The applications presented are designed to demystify machine learning techniques by providing straightforward scenarios. Many of the exercises in this book require some programming, and basic computing concepts are assumed in a few of the application sections. However, anyone with a modest amount of programming experience should have no trouble with this aspect of the book. Instructor resources, including PowerPoint slides, lecture videos, and other relevant material are provided on an accompanying website: http://www.cs.sjsu.edu/~stamp/ML/. For the reader’s benefit, the figures in the book are also available in electronic form, and in color. About the Author Mark Stamp has been a Professor of Computer Science at San Jose State University since 2002. Prior to that, he worked at the National Security Agency (NSA) for seven years, and a Silicon Valley startup company for two years. He received his Ph.D. from Texas Tech University in 1992. His love affair with machine learning began in the early 1990s, when he was working at the NSA, and continues today at SJSU, where he has supervised vast numbers of master’s student projects, most of which involve a combination of information security and machine learning.

STAY IN YOUR HOMES. YOU ARE UNDER QUARANTINE.Three years ago, Earth was conquered by a force of robots from a distant world. This was their one rule.Ignore the order to self-isolate and you're sure to be vaporised by a massive robot Sentry, or a crawling Sniper, or a flying Drone. That's if the vast Cube doesn't incinerate you first.But Sean Flynn is convinced that his father - an RAF pilot who fought in the war - is still alive. And when he and his gang figure out a way to break the robots' curfew, they begin an adventure that will pit them against the might of the ROBOT OVERLORDS.This fast-paced, thrilling novelisation is based on the hit British film starring Sir Ben Kingsley (IRON MAN THREE), Gillian Anderson (THE X-FILES) and Callan McAuliffe (THE GREAT GATSBY). A perfect companion to the movie, it expands on the story with additional action, characters, and a special peek behind the scenes. This is the perfect book to let your mind escape these days of self isolation.

Two powerful mages. One steeped in privilege, the other bound by a moral code. Their world is thrown into chaos by the end of magic.Rosheen Katell is a wandering mage and, with Anzu her griffin, she’s worked hard to build a reputation as a trustworthy truth seer. She never lies, never kills.Sander Bree is a royal mage. He lives an easy life advising the king on matters of court and politics, but dreams of an apocalypse are giving him massive anxiety attacks.Very soon, their magic will be gone. A cataclysmic event will change their lives and world forever. Sander must keep a promise to save the life of a young girl that would have been difficult enough with magic, but is a suicide mission without it. Rosheen is forced to side with a murderous warlord, and her once-solid principles are tested and found wanting. Both will be set against one another in a war unlike anything the world has seen before, in this sweeping fantasy of magic’s ending.A stand alone fantasy novel for readers of Joe Abercrombie and Scott Lynch"The sort of book you give to people who say “prove to me why I should read fantasy”… A simply terrific read." – James Barclay, author of the Legends of the Raven series"Mark Stay paints his world and characters with deft, confident and dark strokes." – RJ Barker, author of the Wounded Kingdom Trilogy"Takes the tropes of high fantasy and uses them to wield an original, compelling and intricately plotted story… exactly the kind of fantasy that we need more of." – Gavin G. Smith, author of the Veteran series"Stay does for George RR Martin what Pratchett did for Tolkien." - Julian Barr, author of The Way Home"The writing is excellent: vivid images, clear voice, and well-rounded characters." ★★★★★ - Amazon.com reviewer"Be prepared to laugh, to cry, and to get paper cuts from all the page-turning!" ★★★★★ - Amazon.com reviewer"An excellent read for fans of Terry Pratchett and great British comedy." ★★★★★ - Amazon.com reviewer"What was truly unique is that Mark Stay has given us a novel in the fantasy genre, but taken away the magic a quarter of the way through. What transpires is gut wrenching, heart breaking and grisly." ★★★★★ - Amazon.com reviewer"This was a blast, hints of Joe Abercrombie’s books and his dark humour, but presented in a world in chaos." ★★★★★ - Amazon UK Reviewer"The most fun I've had reading a fantasy novel since Red Country by Joe Abercrombie." ★★★★★ - Amazon UK Reviewer"This book grabbed me in the first couple of pages... Couldn’t stop. Really want more!" ★★★★★ - Amazon UK Reviewer"I may never forgive the author for that (spoiler) death scene... *When you read it you’ll understand* Rarely have I shed tears so early on in a book." ★★★★★ - Amazon UK Reviewer

Although aimed at young teens, readers of all ages are urged to check out this entertaining adventure with its informative bits of historical fiction. +++ "So if you've got a real bastard to work on," Aaron put in, seeing what their mentor was getting at, "this file is the one to use." "Bingo," affirmed Charlie with a wink. +++ The adventure begins when brothers Aaron and Kyle Gardner find a steel file while hiking in the Carolina Blue Hills. Who had brought it to this wilderness and why? The mystery takes a back seat when the two stumble upon a girl who is staying at a nearby camp with her parents. For Aaron, it was love at first sight. +++ Interspersed with interesting characters and humorous moments, the tale takes the reader back in time to the Georgia gold rush and the Cherokee Trail of Tears; early 1800's events with present day ramifications for the brothers and their new friend. What begins as a hunt for long hidden gold turns into a race to save a man's life. Will the brothers find him in time?

17-year-old Jack Turner is the son of a small town Wisconsin mayor, the captain of the football team, and is dating Mindy Flanders, the hottest girl in school. All of that is turned on its head when he saves Chuck Fredrickson from a flash flood. Fredrickson, reclusive and strange, is despised throughout town as the man who got away with committing a serious crime 20 years ago. But through subsequent interaction, Jack learns there is another side to him that nobody knows about, including what may have really happened. While Jack wades through disillusionment and embraces a new worldview, he also faces the social execution that comes along with it, not the least of which comes from his very own father.

A boy must defy an empire to find his father in this tie-in novel to the British film starring Gillian Anderson, Ben Kingsley, and Callan McAuliffe Three years ago, Earth was conquered by a force of robots from a distant world. They have one rule: STAY IN YOUR HOMES. Step outside and you get one warning before you're vaporized by a massive robot Sentry, or a crawling Sniper, or a flying Drone. That's if the vast Cube doesn't incinerate you first. But Sean Flynn is convinced that his father—an RAF pilot who fought in the war—is still alive. And when he and his gang figure out a way to break the robots' curfew, they begin an adventure that will pit them against the might of the robot overlords. This fast-paced, thrilling novelization is based on the hit British film. A perfect companion to the movie, it expands on the story with additional action, characters, and a special peek behind the scenes.

‘What will you do when the magic is gone?’Sander Bree is a royal mage. Steeped in privilege, he lives a cushy life advising the king on matters of court and politics, yet still complains that he's stuck in a rut.Rosheen Katell is a freelance mage and, with Anzu her griffin, she’s worked hard to build a reputation as a trustworthy truth seer. She never lies, never kills. The source of their power is the Lapis Moon in orbit above. Very soon, that magic will be gone, changing their lives and their world forever. Sander must keep a promise that would have been difficult enough with magic, but is a suicide mission without it. Rosheen is forced to side with a murderous warlord, and her once-solid principles are tested and found wanting. Both will be set against one another in a war unlike anything the world has seen before, in this sweeping fantasy of magic’s ending.** ‘Mark Stay paints his world and characters with deft, confident and dark strokes.’ – RJ Barker, author of the Wounded Kingdom Trilogy‘The sort of book you give to people who say “prove to me why I should read fantasy”… A simply terrific read.’ – James Barclay, author of the Legends of the Raven series‘Takes the tropes of high fantasy and uses them to wield an original, compelling and intricately plotted story… exactly the kind of fantasy that we need more of.’ – Gavin G. Smith, author of the Veteran series

Although aimed at young teens, readers of all ages are urged to check out this entertaining adventure with its informative bits of historical fiction. "So if you've got a real bastard to work on," Aaron put in, seeing what their mentor was getting at, "this file is the one to use." "Bingo," affirmed Charlie with a wink. The adventure begins when brothers Aaron and Kyle Gardner find a steel file while hiking in the Carolina Blue Hills. Who had brought it to this wilderness and why? The mystery takes a back seat when the two stumble upon a girl who is staying at a nearby camp with her parents. For Aaron, it was love at first sight. +++ Interspersed with interesting characters and humorous moments, the tale takes the reader back in time to the Georgia gold rush and the Cherokee Trail of Tears; early 1800's events with present day ramifications for the brothers and their new friend. What begins as a hunt for long hidden gold turns into a race to save a man's life. Will the brothers find him in time?