Books in Ilyon Chronicles series

"Don't you know? Animals like you have no soul."Could God ever love a half-blood all of society looks upon with such fear and disdain? Jace once believed so, but when a tragic loss shatters the only peace he's ever known, his faith crumbles as the nagging doubts he's tried to put behind him descend on his grieving heart. With them come the haunting memories of the bloodstained past he longs to forget, but can never escape.Taken from home at a young age and raised to serve the emperor, Kyrin Altair lives every day under a dangerous pretense of loyalty. After her unique observation skills and perfect memory place her into direct service to the emperor, Kyrin finds herself in further jeopardy as it becomes increasingly difficult to hide her belief in Elôm, the one true God.Following the emperor's declaration to enforce the worship of false gods under the penalty of death, many lives are endangered. But there are those willing to risk everything to take a stand and offer aid to the persecuted. With their lives traveling paths they never could have imagined, Jace and Kyrin must fight to overcome their own fears and conflicts with society as they become part of the resistance.

How would you go about making a mummy? This beautifully illustrated and fascinating book transports young readers more than 3,000 years back in time so they can see how the ancient Egyptians created mummies—and why. Learn about Egyptian gods and legends, the embalming process that preserved the pharaohs’ bodily remains, and the way mummies were wrapped and buried. Fun “Did You Know?” questions will fascinate kids.

The gladiators were among the most celebrated figures in the Roman Empire, entertaining huge audiences by fighting wild animals—and each other—to the death. Now children can discover what their life was really like by following the fate of a Celtic warrior captured in Gaul and sent to compete as a gladiator in Rome. Detailed, foldout illustrations and fascinating text teach kids about the gladiator’s brutal world.

In the fourth installment of the Oz Chronicles, Oz Griffin continues his efforts to restore the world he destroyed. But, when Oz and his band of warriors are led to an abandoned Southern mansion, they encounter a serial killer and become infected with an almost uncontrollable urge to feed ... on each other. With only nine days to find the cure, Oz must travel to the Land of the Dead and follow in the serial killer's footsteps. Will Oz survive the journey?

Travel back in time to the year 1203, to the famous Castle of Chateau-Gaillard, built by King Richard the Lionheart. But King Richard is dead and John, England's new monarch, has offended the King of France. Now it's war! Will the castle hold? How will peasants survive? Learn all about medieval warfare in this tale of a real siege, based on the diary of Baron Roger de Lacy. Foldout flaps provide a detailed look inside the castle and its grounds, while tiny bound-in books show pages from the diary.

Would you have survived? In the Middle Ages, life was short and dangerous. Knights wore the finest armor, followed a strict code of chivalry, and swore an oath to the King. See what it took to become one of these nobles, from page to esquire to the final ceremony of anointing. Follow their training, examine their weapons and a full set of armor, and learn about the lavish jousts and other tournaments that were a regular part of a knight's life. The book contains: The Esquire's Handbook, a miniature guide to knight school and life, complete with lifesaving info; a tournament presented in split pages and foldout flaps; and another foldout that provides an insider's view of a castle under siege.

Oz and his intrepid warriors have survived their harrowing ordeal in the Biltmore House only to find themselves fighting for their lives in the surrounding mountains of North Carolina. Giant worms have evolved in the twisted world of the Storytellers, and they are hungry. A grizzled stranger provides the band of survivors refuge in his labyrinth of treetop walkways. But are they still fighting to return home or have they simply become pawns in a larger battle? Oz and company will see their numbers dwindle and a betrayal from within will see their hopes for ever making it back home virtually slip away.

Diek Wustapha is a normal shepherd boy-until a dark, evil magic instills him with the power to charm man and beast with his magic flute. When the ancient town of Illmoor is plagued by an infestation of giant rats, Diek offers to lead the rodents to their doom. But when the dim-witted Duke of Illmoor refuses to reward him, Diek seeks revenge by kidnapping the town's children. Just when it seems the children are gone for good, a team of misfit mercenaries-Groan, a buck-toothed Giant, Gordo, a wise-cracking dwarf, and Tambor, a has-been sorcerer-set out on a bumbling journey to stop Diek, and save the children. But will they be too late?

The cutthroat, ruthless world of pirates has stimulated readers' imaginations for years. In this fascinating guide, children can learn about the real figures behind legends such as Blackbeard: why they did what they did, how they got away with it, and what happened if they were caught. The detailed, fold-out illustrations and accessible text will immerse readers in the wild world of pirates.