Books with author Steven Novak

It has been 10 years since the police had charged him with the murder of his wife, an accusation that almost destroyed Jason’s life before finally being declared innocent. Now, all he wants is to retire, and disappear into oblivion.Jason liked his plan, and it should have worked. Then, a strangely dressed man blew up his plan and sent him to training – Warlock training. Jason didn’t want to go; becoming a Warlock looked like a fast track to being murdered. But when paid assassins try to kill him and his family, becoming a Warlock is his only way to keep everyone he loves alive.Jason finds Warlock training is less about learning magic and more of a boot camp where surviving each day is goal number one. Things go from bad to worse when he saves his friend Weston from a magical beast. The beast is now out for his blood and will track him across any realm.Jason must now use his new skills against foes much more dangerous than he could have ever imagined. Foes with plans greater than just killing him.

It has been 10 years since the police had charged him with the murder of his wife, an accusation that almost destroyed Jason’s life before finally being declared innocent. Now, all he wants is to retire, and disappear into oblivion.Jason liked his plan, and it should have worked. Then, a strangely dressed man blew up his plan and sent him to training – Warlock training. Jason didn’t want to go; becoming a Warlock looked like a fast track to being murdered. But when paid assassins try to kill him and his family, becoming a Warlock is his only way to keep everyone he loves alive.Jason finds Warlock training is less about learning magic and more of a boot camp where surviving each day is goal number one. Things go from bad to worse when he saves his friend Weston from a magical beast. The beast is now out for his blood and will track him across any realm.Jason must now use his new skills against foes much more dangerous than he could have ever imagined. Foes with plans greater than just killing him.

Cowles never hated the Archen, yet now he was leading a war against them--and he still didn't know why. He and the other kids like him had become the torchbearers for a cause none of them understood and no one could explain with anything other than "the Archen rule men, and only men should rule men". So here he was, alongside a couple hundred teenagers, standing before a hundred thousand men with hammers and clubs, ready to face the Archen.Yet Rollins--their ring-leader, self-proclaimed mentor, and manipulator--seemed unconcerned. He didn't care that the Archen Wardens flew on flying discs or controlled thousands of seemingly indestructible mechanical warriors. He was more than willing to place "his children" at the forefront of his assault that was meant to obliterate the Archen and destroy their ancient city. And so far, he was succeeding; not because the Archen were weak, or because he had two hundred kids who could control and negate Archen technology, but because the Wardens inexplicably refused to dispatch Rollin's only true weapon. Where Rollins was undoubtedly capable of stomaching the sight of his children being hacked and blasted, the Archen apparently were not.As Cowles stood before the Archen home, listening to Rollins rally the Army of Men to sack the ancient capital, he knew Rollins was right about one thing: it was time for the rise of men."The Rise of Men" is a story revealing the inevitable demise of intellectual and social oppression, between cultures and generations. It is told from the perspective of a young man who learns that true independence is in making one's own decisions.

'A fantastic compendium of skeptical thinking and the perfect primer for anyone who wants to separate fact from fiction.' Richard Wiseman, author 59 Seconds'Thorough, informative, and enlightening... If this book does not become required reading for us all, we may well see modern civilization unravel before our eyes.' Neil deGrasse Tyson, author of Astrophysics for People in a HurryIn this tie-in to their popular 'The Skeptics Guide to the Universe' podcast, Steven Novella, along with 'Skeptical Rogues' Bob Novella, Cara Santa Maria, Jay Novella and Evan Bernstein explain the tenets of skeptical thinking and debunk some of the biggest scientific myths, fallacies and conspiracy theories (anti-vaccines, homeopathy, UFO sightings, and many more.) They'll help us try to make sense of what seems like an increasingly crazy world using powerful tools like science and philosophy. The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is your guide through this maze of modern life. It covers essential critical thinking skills, as well as giving insight into how your brain works and how to avoid common pitfalls in thinking. They discuss the difference between science and pseudoscience, how to recognize common science news tropes, how to discuss conspiracy theories with that crazy colleague of yours, and how to apply all of this to everyday life.As fascinating as it is entertaining, this page turner is your essential guide to seeing through the fake news and media manipulation in our increasingly confusing world.

The world had order. The Archen ensured it. Through conceded technological and intellectual superiority, Archen Wardens had bridled the vicious nature of men. A thousand years of peace had endured. And now, humanity has had enough. Through a dramatic and carefully staged demonstration, a cabal of men reveals the latent power of humanity. Hundreds of children in dozens of cities show the unimaginable ability to control Archen technology. The myth of inferiority is shattered, and humans demand a new world order. Archen arrogance prevents acceptance of human equality, and Archen nobility prevents simply dispatching the special children. Ultimately the Archen must choose to embrace human savagery or protect their ancient nobility by sacrificing their hierarchal place in the world. Caught in their own confrontation, the gifted human children must choose to follow new masters or break from their manipulative handlers to usher in the true rise of men.

We all know a Cousin Albert from our childhood, and likely our kids do, too. Albert takes us down the bumpy path of tricks and trouble as he finds himself stuck in the mud, eating everything in the house, floating on air - and wreaking general havoc. Paul Wood is best known for his two previous books of poetry, The Traveling Heart and Tales of Nomadic Socks. His first children's story about Cousin Albert is written in rhyme, a stanza to a page, and is accompanied by the illustrations of Steven Novak, who illustrated Forts: Fathers and Sons and the upcoming Forts: Liars & Thieves. Geared to ages 4 through 8, Albert has received excellent reviews from elementary teachers and children's librarians.