Это — 1999 год. Год, который должен был стать временем Апокалипсиса — но не стал. Или все-таки стал, только мы пока не заметили этого — и не заметим, пока не станет поздно? Это — 1999 год. Такой, каким увидели его величайшие из мастеров «литературы ужасов» нашего мира. Писатели, хорошо знающие: Апокалипсис начинается не с трубного гласа, поднимающего мертвых, но со Страха, живущего в душе у каждого из нас. Это — 999 глазами непревзойденного Стивена Кинга. И мчится по дороге Смерть… Это — 999 по Уильяму Питеру Блэтти. И те, что ушли, говорят с живыми… Это — 999 Бентли Литтла. И исчезает грань меж явью и кошмаром… Это — 999 год Дэвида Моррелла, Джойс Кэрол Оутс, Нэнси Коллинз. И еще многих из тех, кому нет равных в умении повергать читателя в черный, иррациональный Ужас…

BESTSELLING AUTHORS GO HOLMES--IN AN IRRESISTIBLE NEW COLLECTION edited by award-winning Sherlockians Laurie R. King and Leslie S. Klinger Neil Gaiman. Laura Lippman. Lee Child. These are just three of eighteen superstar authors who provide fascinating, thrilling, and utterly original perspectives on Sherlock Holmes in this one-of-a-kind book. These modern masters place the sleuth in suspenseful new situations, create characters who solve Holmesian mysteries, contemplate Holmes in his later years, fill gaps in the Sherlock Holmes Canon, and reveal their own personal obsessions with the Great Detective. Thomas Perry, for example, has Dr. Watson tell his tale, in a virtuoso work of alternate history that finds President McKinley approaching the sleuth with a disturbing request; Lee Child sends an FBI agent to investigate a crime near today's Baker Street--only to get a twenty-first-century shock; Jacqueline Winspear spins a story of a plucky boy inspired by the

Leibhaftige Götter in weißen Limousinen, ein alter Mann, der sich als Odin, der mythische Allvater, erweist, eine Münze, die Tote wiedererweckt, und eine monumentale Götterschlacht in der Mitte der USA – Neil Gaiman hat einen großen Roman über die Mythen Amerikas geschrieben. Die Originalausgabe erschien unter dem Titel American Gods bei HarperCollins, New York

Shadow si è fatto tre anni dentro. Sta per uscire ma proprio il giorno prima di tornare in libertà lo informano che sua moglie e il suo migliore amico sono morti in un misterioso incidente. Sull’aereo che lo riporta a casa, Shadow fa conoscenza con un enigmatico Mister Wednesday che gli offre di lavorare per lui. Shadow finisce per accettare: un lavoro gli risolve il problema di cosa fare della sua vita, anche se gli arriva da un vecchio bevitore di Jack Daniel’s dall’aria poco raccomandabile. Il contratto con il losco Mr Wednesday viene annaffiato da una bevuta di idromele, ma Shadow ci metterà ancora qualche tempo per capire chi siano in realtà il suo boss, i suoi compagni in affari, i suoi concorrenti, e ancora più tempo per capire in che gioco sia finito. Il vecchio baro corpulento, l’improbabile seduttore di ragazzine, il gran mangiatore e bevitore, l’uomo dall’eloquio torrenziale e dalla risata tonitruante è Odino, Votan, Grimnir, il Padre di ogni cosa, la somma divinità del pantheon nordico, arrivato in America secoli e secoli fa con una nave di vichinghi. Come lo slavo Chernobog, ridotto a vivere della pensione maturata negli anni di lavoro al macello di Chicago, come l’africano Anansi, come la celtica Easter e la mediterranea Bilqis che batte i marciapiedi di Hollywood, come tutte le divinità maggiori o minori, anche Odino tira a campare e conduce l’esistenza grama di un dio privo di adoratori, dimenticato, in un mondo che ne venera altri, più belli e nuovi. E’ per muovere battaglia contro i nuovi dèi americani, quelli dei mass-media, di Internet e delle carte di credito che Wednesday ha arruolato Shadow ed è per reclutare i compagni di lotta fra i colleghi del vecchio mondo che i due si metteranno ’on the road’ attraversando in lungo e in largo l’America più profonda, quella delle cittadine spopolate, dei motel persi nel nulla, delle riserve indiane degradate: un’America arciamericana ma al tempo stesso lontanissimada quella dei Nuovi Dèi. Alla fine di questo lungo vagabondaggio che ha tutte le caratteristiche di un viaggio iniziatico, ci sarà la battaglia di proporzioni epiche in cui si sfogherà un conflitto vecchio quanto l’uomo, una battaglia che ha per oggetto la conquista dell’anima stessa dell’America…

The Hugo Award Winner–2002 The Nebula Award Winner–2002 A master of inventive fiction, Neil Gaiman delves into the murky depths where reality and imagination meet. Now in American Gods, he works his literary magic to extraordinary results. Shadow dreamed of nothing but leaving prison and starting a new life. But the day before his release, his wife and best friend are killed in an accident. On the plane home to the funeral, he meets Mr. Wednesday—a beguiling stranger who seems to know everything about him. A trickster and rogue, Mr. Wednesday offers Shadow a job as his bodyguard. With nowhere left to go, Shadow accepts, and soon learns that his role in Mr. Wednesday’s schemes will be far more dangerous and dark than he could have ever imagined. For beneath the placid surface of everyday life a war is being fought—and the prize is the very soul of America

Mike Ainsell három évet töltött börtönben, ám a sorscsapások ezzel nem értek véget számára. Szabadulása előtt néhány nappal a felesége és a legjobb barátja meghal autóbalesetben, így azután első útja a temetésre vezet. Útközben találkozik egy furcsa idegennel, aki Szerda néven mutatkozik be, és munkát kínál Mike-nak. A büntetett előéletű férfinak nincs más választása: elfogadja az ajánlatot, nem sejtve, hogy ezzel különös, természetfölötti események sodrába kerül. Fokozatosan derül fény Szerda sötét tervére, és egyre nyilvánvalóbbá válik, hogy a mindennapi élet felszíne alatt különös háború dúl, amelynek tétje nem más, mint Amerika lelke…

Nīls Geimens Amerikāņu dievi Mūsu senči pielūdza auglības, nāves un negaisa dievus. Vai jums šķiet, ka tie uz mūžiem iemiguši sensenās upuru alās, putekļainu grāmatu sējumu lappusēs un tumšās muzeju zālēs? Vai jūs domājat, ka mūsu pasaule ir caurcaurēm racionāla? Jūs maldāties. SENIE DIEVI JŪS VĒRO ARĪ ŠOBRĪD. Nīla Geimena romāns "Amerikāņu dievi" (2001) ir dažādu literāro apbalvojumu rekordists un tiek dēvēts par visvairāk apspriesto grāmatu pēdējā desmitgadē. Fascinējošs, neparasts, asprātīgs, poētisks šis romāns ir aizrāvis lasītājus visā pasaulē un tulkots vairāk nekā 20 valodās. Noskannējis grāmatu un failu izveidojis Imants Ločmelis No angļu valodas tulkojušas Vanda Tomaševiča un Dace Rudzīte "Šī grāmata maina cilvēkus. Tie, kuri lasīšanai bija atmetuši ar roku, atkal kļūst par kaislīgiem lasītājiem. Tie, kuri raksta paši, lielā degsmē notrauš putekļus no savām aizsākto romānu un stāstu kladēm vai atver klēpjdatoru un ļaujas mūzai. Geimens liek noticēt, ka uzrakstīt ģeniālu darbu ir viegli. [..] Taču tik izcilu grāmatu, kāda ir "Amerikāņu dievi", neuzrakstīs neviens." Džo Hartlaubs, The Book Reporter Network  Saturīgi, vietām komiski, bieži vien baisi, pastāvīgā kustībā un izaicinoši… Romānu "Amerikāņu dievi" caurauž noslēpumi un brīnumainas vīzijas. Grāmata apburs visus, kam šķiet, ka pasaule nav tāda, kādai tai būtu jābūt. Spēcīgs un aizraujošs darbs, notikumu intensitāte dažkārt liek nolikt grāmatu un izbrīnā iesaukties. Jādomā, Geimena romāns apmierinās viņa jaunos lasītājus, bet uzticamos pārliecinās, ka rakstnieka rado­šais un profesionālais stils joprojām griež asi kā žilete. USA Today Aizraujošs stāsts… laiku pa laikam domīgs, pārgalvīgs, satraucošs, pacilājošs, baiss un baudāms dažkārt tas viss dīvaini neparastā veidā savijies. Tie, kas lasījuši Geimena iepriekšējos darbus, atradīs jauku pazīstamā autora pavedienu. Tie, kas lasa pirmoreiz, būs pārsteigti par viņa meistarību. St. Louis Post-Dispatch Geimens meistarīgi piņķerējas ar mitoloģiju. Labs un nepa­rasts stāstnieks. New York Times Book Review Grāmata "Amerikāņu dievi" zināmā mērā ir brīnums. Geimenam izdevies neparasti garu vēstījumu pasniegt tiešām satraucoši un ticami par spīti sižeta mītiskajam aspektam. Nozīmīgs, paliekošs darbs. Džonatans Kerols Ja "Gredzenu pavēlnieku" būtu sarakstījis Džeks Keruaks, tas, iespējams, atgādinātu Nīla Geimena jauno romānu. Spraigs, dinamisks vēstījums, kurā sīki apcerēta haosa nezūdamība un laikmetīgo uzskatu nestabilais pamats… Fantastisks trilleris, dziļāks, nekā varētu gaidīt. Orlando Sentinel Neparasti bieži godalgots… pārpārēm… spēcīgas tēlai­nības, meistarīgi veidotu raksturu pilns… Smalki izstrādāts, izcils un vērtīgs romāns ar dzejiskiem aprakstiem, asu kri­tiku un augstvērtīgu vēstījumu. Sagādā daudz prieka, izraisa apbrīnu, rosina domāt un paliek atmiņā. Cleveland Plain Dealer Saturīgs un aizraujošs alegorisks darbs… Valdzinošs ceļo­jums neizsmeļamajā Amerikas Savienoto Valstu izbijušo die­vību pasaulē… Geimens izveidojis kolorītu, intriģējošu tēlu galeriju. Portland Oregonian Baiss savā tiešumā. Star Tribune Mistērija, satīra, sekss, liriska proza "Amerikāņu dievos" liek lasītājam šķirt lapu pēc lapas… Ja jums patīk Džona Kraulija (fohn Crowley) "Mazais Lielais", Stīvena Kinga (Stephen King) "Pretošanās" vai Džonatana Kerola (Jonathan Carrol) smalko šausmu literatūra, nemaz nerunājot par paša Geimena "Smilšuvīru" vai Frenka Millera (Frank Miller) "Roninu", "Amerikāņu dievi" ir tieši laikā. Washington Post Book World Savdabīgi, aizraujoši un bezgala novatoriski. Gleznains ceļojums pa Ameriku ar varoņiem, kas ir vēl dīvaināki par tūristu atrakcijām ceļa malās. Džordžs R. R. Mārtiņš Brīnumaini mūslaiku "Haklberija Fina piedzīvojumi"… Grāmata pārsteidz mūs vai katrā lappusē, liekot noticēt ik vārdam. Lasīsiet līdz vēlai stundai, lai to pabeigtu, un nožēlo­siet, kad būs izlasīta. Tims Pauerss Romānā pārtvaicēta Amerikas būtība… Geimena darbi neieņem ērto stāsta vai fantāzijas nišu, lai gan "Amerikāņu dievos" ir gan viena žanra, gan otra žanra, tāpat arī trillera iezīmes, ceļojumi un Vidējo rietumu dzīves vinjetes. Viss ele­ganti sasaistīts piedzīvojumos, izmantojot mītus, kas veido Ameriku. Seattle Post-Intelligence Brīnišķīgi un neaprakstāmi… Stāsts, kurā absolūti neiespē­jamais konsekventi sastopas ar neizbēgamību, autoram liegi ložņājot cilvēka dvēseles labirintos. Diāna Gabaldona Fantastisks romāns! Grāmata "Amerikāņu dievi" ir patī­kami sarežģīta. [..] iepriecina arī tāpēc, ka novitātes sakārtotas labi organizētā struktūrā. Sižets tikšķ raiti kā pulkstenis un glāsmaini vijas gluži kā zīds vai siltā šokolāde. The Independent Komplicēti detalizēta tēlainība… Lasītājs gandrīz vai spēj aptaustīt un izbaudīt Nīla Geimena gleznotās ainas. Viņa pie­lūdzējiem noteikti patiks. San Antonio Express-News Caururbjoši vērīgi, robusti liriski, nežēlīgi laužot ceļu cauri mirušo dievu, mirušās naudas un mirušo jūtu kapsētām, romāns iezīmē ceļu atpakaļ uz rītausmu. Stīvs Eriksons Visas šī darba tiesības ir aizsargātas. Izdevumu reproducēt, kopēt vai citādi pavairot un izplatīt aizliegts bez apgāda rakstiskas atļaujas. Promesošajiem draugiem Ketijai Akerei un Rodžeram Zelaznijam, un visiem pārējiem. Viens jautājums mani allaž ir nodarbinājis: kur paliek pārdabiskās būtnes, kad imigranti atceļo šurp no tēvzemes? Amerikas īri atceras laumas, Amerikas norvēģi rūķus, Amerikas grieķi vrikolakas, bet tikai saistībā ar notikumiem, kas palikuši atmiņā no Vecās pasaules. Reiz, kad pajautāju, kāpēc šie dēmoni nav sastopami Amerikā, sarunu biedrs mulsi pasmaidīja un teica: Viņi baidās šķērsot okeānu, tas taču tik tālu, piebilzdams, ka Kristus un viņa apustuli arī nepārcēlās uz Ameriku. Ričards Dorsons, amerikaņu folklorists un vēsturnieks. Amerikāņu folkloras vēsture (Univcrsity of Chicaco Press, 1971) Paskaidrojums un brīdinājums ceļotājiem Jūsu priekšā nav vis ceļvedis, bet daiļdarbs. Lai gan Ameri­kas Savienoto Valstu ģeogrāfija nav gluži izdomāta daudzus orientierus grāmatā varat sameklēt, pārstaigāt takas un iezī­mēt kartē ceļus -, tomēr esmu atļāvies brīvību. Mazāku, nekā varat iedomāties, tomēr brīvību. Reālu vietu atveidei grāmatā atļauju nelūdzu, un neviens man to nedeva. Manuprāt, Roksitijas vai Klints mājas saim­nieki un mednieki, kam pieder motelis Amerikas centrā, būtu neizpratnē tāpat kā jebkurš cits, kas romānā ieraudzītu savu īpašumu. Dažu objektu atrašanās vietu gan esmu nomaskējis, pie­mēram, Leiksaidas pilsētu un lauku mājas ar osi stundas brau­ciena attālumā uz dienvidiem no Bleksburgas. Ja vēlaties, varat pameklēt! Varbūt pat atradīsiet. Un vēl: visi cilvēki dzīvie, mirušie un pārējie ir fantāzi­jas auglis vai ir attēloti izdomātā kontekstā. īsti ir tikai dievi

Po trzech latach spędzonych w więzieniu Cień ma wyjść na wolność. Ale w miarę jak do końca odsiadki pozostają tygodnie, godziny, minuty, sekundy, czuje narastający niepokój. Na dwa dni przed zakończeniem wyroku, jego żona, Laura, ginie w wypadku samochodowym w tajemniczych okolicznościach — wszystko wskazuje na zdradę małżeńską. Oszołomiony Cień powraca do domu, gdzie spotyka tajemniczego Pana Środę, twierdzącego, iż jest uchodźcą wojennym, byłym bogiem i królem Ameryki. Razem wyruszają oni w niesamowitą podróż przez Stany, rozwiązując zagadkę morderstw, które co zimę są dokonywane w małym Amerykańskim miasteczku. Jednak podąża za nimi ktoś, z kim Cień musi zawrzeć pokój…W swojej niepokojącej, wciągającej i bardzo osobliwej powieści Neil Gaiman, wyrusza w podróż w poszukiwaniu duszy Ameryki. Książka otrzymała nagrodę Hugo 2002 w kategorii Najlepsza Powieść Roku

Das Buch  Eines Abends fällt der Vater des Londoner Workaholics Charlie auf einer Karaokebühne tot um. Erst bei der Beerdigung seines Vaters erfährt Fat Charlie, dass sein Vater der afrikanische Spinnengott Anansi war. Wenig später taucht sein bislang unbekannter Bruder Spider auf. Zu allem Überfluss hat dieser Eigenschaften des tiergöttischen Vaters geerbt. Als Spider Charlie schließlich besucht, verliert der Workaholic sowohl seinen Job als auch seine Verlobte. »Sie werden von dieser brillanten Mischung aus Realem und Fantastischem bestens unterhalten.« Publishers Weekly »Einige Bücher wollen wir lesen, einige müssen wir lesen, und manche verschlingen wir. Ich habe Anansi Boys von Neil Gaiman verschlungen …« LOCUS Magazine Der Autor Der Engländer Neil Gaiman, 1960 geboren, arbeitete zunächst in London als Journalist und wurde durch seine Comic-Serie Der Sandmann bekannt. Neben den Romanen Niemalsland, Der Sternwanderer und American Gods schrieb er zusammen mit Terry Pratchett Ein gutes Omen und verfasste über seinen Kollegen und Freund Douglas Adams die Biographie Keine Panik!. Er lebt seit einigen Jahren mit seiner Familie in Minneapolis, in den USA. Copyright © 2005 by Neil Gaiman Copyright © 2007 dieser Ausgabe by Wilhelm Heyne Verlag, München

When Fat Charlie’s dad named something, it stuck. Like calling Fat Charlie “Fat Charlie.” Even now, twenty years later, Charlie Nancy can’t shake that name, one of the many embarrassing “gifts” his father bestowed—before he dropped dead on a karaoke stage and ruined Fat Charlie’s life. Mr. Nancy left Fat Charlie things. Things like the tall good-looking stranger who appears on Charlie’s doorstep, who appears to be the brother he never knew. A brother as different from Charlie as night is to day, a brother who’s going to show Charlie how to lighten up and have a little fun… just like Dear Old Dad. And all of a sudden, life starts getting very interesting for Fat Charlie. Because, you see, Charlie’s dad wasn’t just any dad. He was Anansi, a trickster god, the spider-god. Anansi is the spirit of rebellion; he is able to overturn the social order, create wealth out of thin air, baffle the devil, and cheat Death himself. Exciting, scary, and deeply funny, Anansi Boys is a kaleidoscopic journey deep into myth, a wild adventure, and a fierce and unstoppable farce, as Neil Gaiman shows us where gods come from, and how to survive your family

Who will come to the aid of beleaguered King Hrothgar, whose warriors have become the prey of the vengeful outcast monster Grendel? A grand and glorious story that has endured for centuries, the ageless classic adventure takes on a breathtaking new life in a remarkable new version for a modern era. Brilliantly reimagined by acclaimed, award-winning author Caitlín R. Kiernan, based on the screenplay by #1 New York Times bestseller Neil Gaiman and Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Roger Avary, it is the tale of a noble liege and a terrible creature who has cursed his kingdom with death, blood, and destruction—and of the great hero, Beowulf, who is called to a land of monsters to triumph where so many have failed…or to die as so many of the brave before him. Caitlín Rebekah Kiernan (born May 26, 1964 in Skerries, Dublin, Ireland) is the author of many science fiction and dark fantasy works, including six novels, many comic books, more than one hundred published short stories, novellas, and vignettes, and numerous scientific papers

This sixth anthology in the adult fairy-tale series by acclaimed editors Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling presents another diverse collection of stories and poems loosely based on folklore traditions around the world. Readers familiar with previous books in the series will recognize the names of many regular contributors, including Tanith Lee, Jane Yolen, Esther Friesner, and Joyce Carol Oates, as well as works from Neil Gaiman, Charles de Lint, and others. Tanith Lee's "Rapunzel" opens the collection with a charmingly simple reconstruction of that classic fairy tale. Esther Friesner's "Big Hair" takes the same theme into the present with less cheerful results. Greg Costikyan considers the fate of an ensorcelled sleeping beauty dug up by archaeologists centuries later in "And Still She Sleeps," while Jane Yolen's "Snow in Summer" turns the tables on Snow White's evil stepmother with a deep-dish apple pie and a fry pan. Scott Bradfield's "Goldilocks Tells All" is especially memorable for its Jerry Springer-like portrayal of the ultimate dysfunctional family. Leah Cutter considers the loneliness of living under a curse in her Texas two-step story "The Red Boots." Severna Park's feminist "The Golem" revives a Jewish folktale, while Bryn Kanar's haunting "Dreaming Among Men" draws on Native American legend. Howard Waldrop's "Our Mortal Span" is perhaps the most unique story here, a surprising blend of black comedy, killer-robot story, and fairy tale. While on the whole this collection isn't as strong as previous volumes, it still delivers a fine array of thoughtful writing on some of the best-known-and yet unknown-stories we love.  — Charlene Brusso

When the government wields its power against its own people, every citizen becomes an enemy of the state. Will you fight the system, or be ground to dust beneath the boot of tyranny? In his smash-hit anthologies Wastelands and The Living Dead, acclaimed editor John Joseph Adams showed you what happens when society is utterly wiped away. Now he brings you a glimpse into an equally terrifying future — what happens when civilization invades and dictates every aspect of your life? From 1984 to The Handmaid’s Tale, from Children of Men to Bioshock, the dystopian imagination has been a vital and gripping cautionary force. Brave New Worlds collects 33 of the best tales of totalitarian menace by some of today’s most visionary writers. From Huxley's Brave New World, to Orwell's 1984, to Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, dystopian books have always been an integral part of both science fiction and literature, and have influenced the broader culture discussion in unique and permanent ways. Brave New Worlds brings together the best dystopian fiction of the last 30 years, demonstrating the diversity that flourishes in this compelling subgenre. This landmark tome contains stories by Ursula K. Le Guin, Cory Doctorow, M. Rickert, Paolo Bacigalupi, Orson Scott Card, Neil Gaiman, Ray Bradbury, and many others

An anthology of stories edited by John Joseph Adams. From Dracula to Buffy the Vampire Slayer; from Castlevania to Tru Blood, the romance between popular culture and vampires hearkens back to humanity’s darkest, deepest fears, flowing through our very blood, fears of death, and life, and insatiable hunger. And yet, there is an attraction, undeniable, to the vampire archetype, whether the pale European count, impeccably dressed and coldly masculine, yet strangely ambiguous, ready to sink his sharp teeth deep into his victims’ necks, draining or converting them, or the vamp, the count’s feminine counterpart, villain and victim in one, using her wiles and icy sexuality to corrupt man and woman alike… Edited by John Joseph Adams (Wastelands, The Living Dead), By Blood We Live gathers together the best vampire literature of the last three decades from many of today’s most renowned authors of fantasy, speculative fiction, and horror

In casa di Coraline ci sono tredici porte che permettono di entrare e uscire da stanze e corridoi. Ma ce n’è anche un’altra, la quattordicesima, che dà su un muro di mattoni. Cosa ci sarà oltre quella porta? Un giorno Coraline scopre che al di là della porta si apre un corridoio scuro, e alla fine del corridoio c’è una casa identica alla sua, con una donna identica a sua madre. O quasi

In Coraline's family's new flat are twenty-one windows and fourteen doors. Thirteen of the doors open and close. The fourteenth is locked, and on the other side is only a brick wall, until the day Coraline unlocks the door to find a passage to another flat in another house just like her own. Only it's different... At first, things seem marvelous in the other flat. The food is better. The toy box is filled with wind-up angels that flutter around the bedroom. But there's another mother, and another father, and they want Coraline to stay with them and be their little girl. They want to change her and never let her go. Other children are trapped there as well, lost souls behind the mirrors. Coraline is their only hope of rescue. She will have to fight with all her wits if she is to save the lost children, her ordinary life, and herself

The award-winning team of Jones and Sutton once again push the boundaries of fear in this new collection of horror and dark fantasy. Drawing from both sides of the Atlantic, Dark Terrors 3 features stories by some of the genres' biggest names as well as their rising stars, including Ray Bradbury, Poppy Z. Brite, Pat Cadigan, Ramsey Campbell, Christopher Fowler, Neil Gaiman, Julian Rathbone, Mark Timlin, and Michael Marshall Smith. An anthology that will take you to the furthest reaches of your imagination — and beyond. British Fantasy Award winner 1998, World Fantasy Award nominee 1998

Sex. Gewalt. Schneewittchen. Cthulhu. Neil Gaiman ist einer jener ganz seltenen Autoren, denen kein Thema und keine stilistische Kapriole fremd ist. In einer gerechten Welt würden Lexika unter dem Stichwort "Vielseitigkeit" auf ihn verweisen. Als Szenarist der Comicserie Sandman wurde er in den 80er-Jahren zum Kultautor. Seine Romane Niemalsland und Sternenwanderer gehören zur Grundausstattung jeder fantastischen Bibliothek. Und mit Die Messerkönigin liegen nun auch seine gesammelten Erzählungen, Balladen, Parabeln und Fabeln in deutscher Sprache vor. Neil Gaiman erzählt von einem Mann, der dem Liebhaber seiner Verlobten einen Berufskiller auf den Hals hetzen möchte, und schließlich den Untergang der Welt heraufbeschwört. Ein Bühnenzauberer lässt eine nette alte Dame verschwinden -- für immer. Ein kleiner Junge entdeckt während eines Picknicks ein Einhorn und wünscht sich doch nichts sehnlicher, als dass seine Eltern zu streiten aufhören. Alltägliches und Fantastisches verbinden sich in diesen Geschichten zu einer Einheit, die das Gefühl entstehen lässt, das eine könnte ohne das andere nicht existieren. Die Messerkönigin ist ein gleichermaßen liebevolles und leidenschaftliches Buch. Ob Sie sich eher für epische Fantasy oder für knallharte Horror-Stories begeistern -- diesen Lesegenuss sollten Sie sich auf keinen Fall entgehen lassen. --Hannes Riffel Über den Autor Der Engländer Neil Gaiman, 1960 geboren, arbeitete zunächst in London als Journalist und wurde durch seine Comic-Serie "Der Sandmann" bekannt. Neben den Romanen "Niemalsland" und "Der Sternwanderer" schrieb er zusammen mit Terry Pratchett "Ein gutes Omen" und verfasste über seinen Kollegen und Freund Douglas Adams die Biographie "Keine Panik!". Er lebt seit einigen Jahren mit seiner Familie in den USA, in Minneapolis. Die Originalausgabe   SMOKE AND MIRRORS  erschien 1998 bei Avon Books

Pewnej nocy młody Tristran Thorn obiecuje swej narzeczonej gwiazdkę z nieba. Jednak, by ją zdobyć musi udać się do magicznej krainy elfów wróżek i gobinów, z której nikt jeszcze nie powrócił. Jest to pozycja dla czytelników kochających niesamowite przygody i zdrowy, czarny humor

Nim is een ongewone jongen op een ongewone plaats. Hij is de enige levende bewoner van een kerkhof. Hij leert oude gewoonten kennen, van toen zijn spookachtige beschermers nog leefden, maar hij leert ook hoe hij zichzelf kan laten verdwijnen. En dat komt hem goed van pas! Maar kan een jongen, opgevoed door geesten, de wonderen en verschrikkingen van zowel de wereld van de levenden als van de doden aan? En dan zijn er ook nog gruwels en nachtmergels, demonen die noch bij de levenden, noch bij de doden horen… Met illustraties van Chris Riddell

Joey Harker nie jest bohaterem. W istocie potrafi się zgubić nawet we własnym domu. Lecz pewnego dnia Joey naprawdę się gubi. Ze swego świata przechodzi do innego wymiaru. Wędrówka między światami ściąga na niego uwagę dwóch straszliwych potęg. Armie magii i nauki zrobią wszystko, byle zdobyć jego moc, umożliwiającą podróże między wymiarami. Odkrywszy, jak wielkie zło czynią obie potęgi, Joey dołącza do armii, złożonej z różnych wersji samego siebie, pochodzących z alternatywnych Ziemi i bez wyjątku dysponujących podobną mocą. Razem gotowi są walczyć w obronie wszystkich światów

Nils Geimens Kapsētas grāmata Tumšzaļo koku un efeju biežņu iežogo augsts mūris. Te ir sena kapsēta. Bet tā nav parasta kapsēta, un arī Nevs nav parasts zēns. Vai gan kuru katru adoptē spoku pāris? Vai kurš katrs ir draugos ar draisku raganu? Turklāt Nevs griežas raibā notikumu virpulī: nonāk kapenēs pie seno ķeltu gara, dejo ar Lēdiju Pelēkā, tik tikko izkuļas no nepatikšanām baisā pazemes pilsētā. Nevs arī apgūst ābeci un kādu laiku iet skolā, bet galvenā mācība zēnam ir viena: lai kur tu dzīvotu, lai kas būtu tavi vecāki un tu pats, dzīvē vissvarīgākais ir ģimenes siltums un mīlestība. Iemīļotā britu stāstnieka nīla geimena "kapsētas grāmata" līdz 2010. gadam ir ieguvusi 16 literatūras balvas. Lai grabinām kaulus Pret grīdu un sienām, Jo šis tikai nabags, Kas nerūp nevienam. Tradicionāls skaitāmpantiņš Krisa Ridela ilustrācijas No angļu valodas tulkojusi Daina Ozoliņa Noskannējis grāmatu un failu izveidojis Imants Ločmelis

Nils Geimens Koralīna Britu autora Nīla Geimena pirmais darbs visu vecuma grupu lasītājiem, tomēr vislielāko prieku tas sagādās jaunajiem lasītājiem. N. Geimens ir viens no vadošajiem britu komiksu autoriem. Literāro biogrāfiju enciklopēdijā (Dictionary of Literary Biography) viņš nosaukts par vienu no 10 izcilākajiem post-modernajiem autoriem. Grāmata „Koralīna” publicēta 26 valodās, guvusi milzīgu kritikas atzinību visā pasaulē un saņēmusi vairākas godalgas. Pēc grāmatas motīviem tapusi arī filma „Korelaina” ar grupas They Might Be Giants mūziku. 2009. gadā uz filmas pamata izveidota video spēle, un Ņujorkas MCC Theater pēc šī stāsta uzvests mūzikls. Kādu dienu savā jaunajā mājā Koralīna atklāj aizslēgtas durvis. Taču, kad mazā meitene durvis atslēdz, viņa atrod ieeju citā mājā uz citu dzīvokli, kas ir ļoti līdzīgs viņas mājoklim. Nākamajā dienā pēc ievākšanās šajā namā Koralīna devās pētīt… Jaunajā dzīvokli ir divdesmit viens logs un četrpadsmit durvis. Trīspadsmit durvis veras gan vaļā, gan ciet. Bet četrpadsmitās ir aizslēgtas, un aiz tām ir tikai ķieģeļu siena. Taču, kad meitene atslēdz šīs durvis, viņa atrod ieeju citā mājā uz citu dzīvokli, kas ir ļoti līdzīgs viņas mājoklim. Tomēr ir arī atšķirības… Sākumā viss šķiet lieliski. Ēdiens ir gardāks. Rotaļlietu kaste ir pilna. Bet tur ir cita māte, cits tēvs, un tie grib, lai Koralīna paliek pie viņiem un ir viņu mazā meitiņa. Viņi grib Koralīnu pārveidot un nekad neļaut meitenei atgriezties mājās. Britu rakstnieks Nils Geimens guvis kritiķu atzinību un saņēmis vairākus literāros apbalvojumus. "KORALĪNA" ir viņa pirmais romāns visu vecuma grupu lasītājiem, tomēr vislielāko prieku tas sagādās jaunajiem lasītājiem. "Tā ir pati oriģinālākā, dīvainākā un biedējošākā grāmata, ko esmu lasījusi, bet pārpilna ar ko tādu, kas ļoti patīk bērniem." Diāna Vinna Džounsa "Šīs grāmatas vēstījums ir tik aizraujošs un biedējošs, ka izbijos vai līdz sirdstriekai. Ja jūs negribat slēpties zem gultas ar dziļi mutē iebāztu īkšķi, trīcot no bailēm un klusi kunkstot, es silti iesaku ļoti piesardzīgi pameklēt sev citu izklaidi…" Lemonijs Snikets, "Nelaimīgo notikumu sērijas" autors Deiva Makkīna ilustrācijas No angļu valodas tulkojis Normunds Pukjans Redaktore Gundega Ločmele Noskannējis grāmatu un failu izveidojis Imants Ločmelis 2009 Es iesāku rakstīt šo grāmatu kā veltījumu Holijai, bet pabeidzu kā veltījumu Medijai Pasakas ir vairāk nekā patiesas: ne jau ar vēstījumu, ka pasaulē ir pūķi, bet arī ar apgalvojumu, ka tos iespējams uzveikt. Dž. K. Čestertons

Książka opowiada historię Nikta Owensa (dla przyjaciół Nik), który od małego dorasta na cmentarzu. Po tym jak jego rodzice i siostra zostali zamordowani przed tajemniczego mężczyznę o imieniu Jack, Nik zostaje adoptowany przez państwa Owens. Nie byłoby w tym nic dziwnego gdyby nie fakt, że nie żyją oni od ponad 200 lat. Nikt zostaje obdarzony swobodą cmentarza, pozwalająca mu na mieszkanie i dorastanie wśród zamieszkałych tu duchów i zjaw. Poznaje nie tylko ich historie i zwyczaje, ale i umiejętności znane tylko im, takie jak Znikanie, Strach czy Wędrówka w snach. Będący pod czujnym okiem swych nowych rodziców i tajemniczego opiekuna Silasa młody chłopiec dorasta z wiedzą, że kiedyś będzie musiał stawić czoła tajemniczemu prześladowcy. W 2009 roku powieść została uhonorowana nagrodą Hugo

Nils Geimens, Terijs Prečets Labas zīmes Pasaules gals, ja vēlaties zināt, pienāks sestdien. Nākamsestdien. Pēcpusdienā. Tā vismaz apgalvo Jaukie un precīzie Agneses Nateres pareģojumi, pasaulē vienīgā absolūti nekļūdīgā pareģojumu grāmata, kas sarakstīta 1655. gadā. Labo un Ļauno spēku armijas jau pulcējas... šķiet, ka viss notiek saskaņā ar dievišķo plānu. Vienīgi kāds izklaidīgs eņģelis un dzīves baudītājs dēmons īsti nepriecājas par gaidāmo apokalipsi, jo labprāt vēl padzīvotu šinī pasaulē... Turklāt arī pasaules gala izraisītājs Antikrists vispirms liekas pazudis bez vēsts, bet, kad atrodas... tad tik iet elle vaļā! no angļu valodas tulkojusi Vanda Tomaševiča Noskanējis Jānis Jans  Pasaulē iemīļoto fantāzijas žanra autoru Nīla Geimena un Terija Prečeta kopdarbs, komiskais romāns “Labas zīmes” kopš tā publicēšanas 1990. gadā piedzīvojis jau 80 izdevumus, ticis nominēts Pasaules Fantāzijas balvai (World Fantasy Award) un Locus balvai par gada labāko fantāzijas romānu, sajūsminājis un sasmīdinājis dažādu vecumu lasītājus visā pasaulē. Romāns “Labas zīmes” ir meistarīgi savērpts izklaidējošs stāstījums, kas parodē neskaitāmus populārus pasaules gala scenārijus, un vienlaikus intelektuāls saldēdiens visiem, kas atpazīs tekstā iešifrētās atsauces uz pasaules kultūras ikonām. “Nepārspējami jautra grāmata. Prečets un Geimens ir pārdrošākais un drūmākais duets kopš Džekila un Haida laikiem. Ja tāds būs Armagedons, es arī piedalos.” Džeimss Herberts “Debešķīga grāmata, smiesieties uz velna paraušanu!” Time Out LABAS ZĪMES ir pārgalvīgs, ar dīvainām zemsvītras piezīmēm un ekscentriskiem raksturiem pārpilns, taču vienlaikus humāns un inteliģents darbs. Spraigo sižetu meistarīgi papildina Tibetas, Amerikas, Atlantidas un citu svešu, nepazīstamu būtņu fons. Ja tiešām tuvojas pasaules gals, tad Prečets un Geimens mūs līdz tam aizvadīs stilīgi. Ločus Neganti jautri! Time Out Nebēdnīgās Prečeta burvestības, rūdītas ar Geimena drūmi dzelžaino stilu: vai var būt vēl labāka kombinācija? Fear Ne tik baisi kā pašu autoru fotoportreti. The Times Nepārspējami jautra grāmata. Prečets un Geimens ir pārdrošākais, drūmākais duets kopš Džekila un Haida laikiem. Ja tāds būs Armagedons, es arī piedalos. Džeimss Herberts Zvaigzne ABC, 2014 Labas zīmes : romāns / Nīls Geimens, Terijs Prečets ; ; redaktore Bārbala Simsone ; Artūra Bērziņa vāka dizains

Taking both inspiration and naming convention from Ray Bradbury's R Is for Rocket and S Is for Space, Gaiman's first YA anthology is a fine collection of previously published short stories. Although Gaiman's prose skill has improved markedly since the earliest stories included here, one constant is his stellar imagination, not to mention his knack for finding unexpected room for exploration in conventional story motifs. Jill Dumpty, sister of the late Humpty, hires a hard-boiled detective to look into her brother's tragic fall; the 12 months of the year sit around in a circle, telling each other stories about the things they've seen; an elderly woman finds the Holy Grail in a flea market and takes it home because of how nice it will look on her mantelpiece. Collectors will be pleased to note the inclusion of several stories that were previously published in the now-hard-to-find collection Angels & Visitations. Also of note is fan favorite How to Talk to Girls at Parties, which has been nominated for a Hugo Award for 2007. Though Gaiman is still best known for his groundbreaking Sandman comic book epic, this volume is an excellent reminder of his considerable talent for short-form prose. Ages 10-up

Nowy zbiór opowiadań przeznaczony jest nie tylko dla dorosłych ale również dla młodszych czytelników. Neil Gaiman tak mówi o swojej nowej książce: W zebranych tu opowiadaniach spotkacie twardego detektywa ze świata dziecięcych bajek i grupę ludzi, którzy lubią jadać najróżniejsze rzeczy, znajdziecie też wiersz o tym, jak się zachować, gdy traficie do magicznego świata, i historię o chłopcu, który spotyka pod mostem trolla i dobija z nim targu. Jest tu też opowieść, która stanie się częścią mojej następnej książki dla dzieci, “Księgi cmentarnej” o chłopcu, który mieszka na cmentarzu, wychowywany przez umarłych, a także opowiadanie, które napisałem w młodości, zatytułowane “Jak sprzedać Most Pontyjski”, historia fantasy zainspirowana przez autentycznego człowieka, “Hrabiego” Victora Lustiga, który naprawdę sprzedał wieżę Eiffla, mniej więcej w taki właśnie sposób (po czym w kilka lat później zmarł w więzieniu Alcatraz). Jest tu kilka nieco strasznych historii, kilka innych raczej zabawnych, a także parę nie należących do żadnej z tych kategorii. Mam jednak nadzieję, że i tak się wam spodobają. Gdy byłem chłopcem, Ray Bradbury wybrał ze swoich wcześniejszych zbiorów opowiadania, które, jak uznał, przypadną do gustu młodszym czytelnikom i wydał je w książkach “R jak rakieta” i “K jak kosmos”. Skoro zdecydowałem się na to samo, spytałem Raya, czy miałby coś przeciw temu, gdybym zatytułował ten zbiór “M jak magia”. (Nie miał.) M naprawdę jest jak magia, podobnie jak wszystkie litery, jeśli złoży się je razem jak należy. Można z nich tworzyć magię i sny. A także, mam nadzieję, kilka niespodzianek

Michael Cunningham, Francine Prose, Aimee Bender, Kelly Link, Jim Shepard, and more than thirty other extraordinary writers celebrate fairy tales in this thrilling new volume. Inspire by everything from Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen" and "The Little Match Girl" to Charles Perrault's "Bluebeard" and "Cinderella" to the Brothers Grimm's "Hansel and Gretel" and "Rumpelstiltskin" to fairy tales by Goethe and Calvino and from China, Japan, Vietnam, Russia, Norway, and Mexico, here are stories that soar into boundless realms, filled with mischief and mystery and magic, and renewed by the lifeblood of invention. Although rooted in hundreds of years of tradition, they chart the imaginative frontiers of the twenty-first century as powerfully as they evoke our earliest encounters with literature

Nils Geimens Nekadiene Kopš 1992. gada viņš dzīvo Adamsu ģimenes stila mājā netālu no Mineapoles Minesotas štatā ASV. Ričards Meihjū ir vienkāršs, labsirdīgs puisis, kurš dzīvo parastu dzīvi, kas līdz nepazīšanai pārvēršas uz visiem laikiem taja dienā, kad viņš apstājas, lai palīdzētu uz ielas pa­kritušai asiņojošai meitenei. Kopš šā brīža viņš nonāk pa­saulē, par kuras eksistenci līdz šim pat nebija nojautis tum­šā Apakšlondonā, kas krāšņi plaukst un zeļ pamestajās metro stacijās un kanalizācijas tuneļos zem pilsētas. Si pasaule ir daudz dīvaināka un bīstamāka par to, kuru viņš bija pazinis līdz šim. Neil Gaiman Neverwhere Nīls Ričards Geimens dzimis 1960. gada 10. novembri Porčesterā,  Anglija uzņēmēja un farmaceites ģimenē. 1984. gadā sācis strādāt par žurnālistu. 1986. gadā kļuvis par komiksu scenāristu. Viņš ir pirmais komiksu scenārists, kas saņēmis VVorld Fantasy godalgu 1991. gadā par šausmu komiksu sērijas «Salīd­umu19. izlaidumu. Romānu «Nekadiene» (1996) Nils Geimens uzrakstījis pēc sava televīzijas seriālā scenārija motīviem. Romāns bijis nominēts British Fantasy, Ābrama Stokera un Mythopoeic godalgai. Par romānu «Amerikāņu dievi» (2001) Nils Geimens saņēmis Ābrama Stokera, Lielbritānijas Zinātniskās fantastikas asociācijas, Hugo un Ne­bula godalgu. Noskannējis gramatu un failu izveidojis Imants Ločmelis Izdevniecība AGB 2005 Direktors Andris Bloks No angļu valodas tulkojusi Ingmāra Balode Māksliniece Eliza Vanadziņa Lenijam Henrijam, draugam un kolēģim, kurš mani uzmundrināja visā darba garumā, un Merilijai Heifecai, draudzenei un aģentei, kura allaž visu izdara, kā labāk. Nekad neesmu bijis Sentdžonsvudā. Neuzdrošinos. Man ir bail no neskaitāmajiem egļu kareivjiem, baidos ierau­dzīt asins sārtuma pilnu trauku un izdzirdēt Ērgļa spār­nu švīkstus. «Notinghilas Napoleons» G. K. Čestertons

Sotto le vie di Londra c’è un mondo che la maggior parte delle persone non riesce neppure a immaginare. Una città di mostri e di santi, di assassini e di angeli, cavalieri in armatura e pallide ragazze in velluto nero: questa è la Londra di chi è precipitato tra le fenditure. Richard Mayhew è un giovane uomo d’affari che sta per scoprire l’altra città: un singolo atto di generosità lo catapulta fuori dalla sua tranquilla e prevedibile esistenza e lo fa entrare in un mondo che è al tempo stesso stranamente familiare e incredibilmente bizzarro. C’è una ragazza di nome Porta e delle persone che vogliono ucciderla. C’è un angelo che si chiama Islington che vive in un salone illuminato dalle candele, e Old Bailey, che abita sui tetti. Ci sono ratti intelligenti e il signor Parla-coi-Ratti, e un Conte che tiene il proprio seguito sulla carrozza di un treno della metropolitana. Un ponte nella notte sta a guardia della perigliosa via verso Knightsbridge, dove vivono le persone delle fogne, la Bestia nel labirinto, e si scoprono pericoli e piaceri che superano la più fervida immaginazione. E Richard, che vorrebbe solo tornarsene a casa, troverà ad attenderlo uno strano destino. Laggiù, sotto le strade della sua città, in quel luogo chiamato Nessun

Das Buch Völlig arglos liest der junge Banker Richard Mayhew ein junges, verletztes Mädchen in den Straßen Londons auf, und von da an gerät sein Leben vollkommen aus den Fugen. Das Mädchen namens Door ist nämlich in Wahrheit eine vierhundert Jahre alte Gräfin. Sie vermag Türen durch bloße Berührung zu öffnen und wird von zwei teuflischen Meuchelmördern verfolgt. Unter den Straßen Londons, in verlassenen U-Bahnhöfen, Geisterzügen, endlosen Katakomben und Kanälen entdeckt er eine unbekannte Welt voll verlorener und vergessener Seelen, die mit dem uns allen bekannten London nur einige U-Bahn-Stationen gemeinsam hat. Als Richard in sein altes Leben zurückkehren will, muß er feststellen, daß ihn keiner mehr kennt: seine Kreditkarten sind ungültig, Bekannte sehen an ihm vorbei und in seine Wohnung ziehen bereits neue Mieter ein. Er kehrt zurück ins ›Niemalsland‹ und macht sich gemeinsam mit dem Mädchen Door auf die Suche nach den Mördern der Familie des Mädchens und nach einem geheimnisvollen Schlüssel, der Rettung verspricht ... In seinem modernen Großstadtmärchen schickt Gaiman die Leser auf eine Odyssee durch eine parallele Gegenwelt zum Londoner U-Bahn-Netz. Der wüste, amüsante Roman ist eine tolle Mischung aus Märchen, Horror, Fantasy und Wirklichkeit. Der Autor Neil Gaiman,1960 geboren, machte sich als Comicautor und als Journalistbei der Londoner Trendzeitschrift »Face« einen Namen. Seine Arbeiten, darunter »Die schwarze Orchidee« und der »Sandman«, besitzen Kultcharakter. Für seine Geschichten wurde Gaiman mit zahlreichen Preisen ausgezeichnet. Die Originalausgabe   NEVERWHERE  erschien bei BBC Books, London Copyright © 1996, 1997 by Neil Gaiman

Introducing an instant classic--master storyteller Neil Gaiman presents a dazzling version of the great Norse myths. Neil Gaiman has long been inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction. Now he turns his attention back to the source, presenting a bravura rendition of the great northern tales. In Norse Mythology, Gaiman fashions primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds; delves into the exploits of the deities, dwarves, and giants; and culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and the rebirth of a new time and people. Gaiman stays true to the myths while vividly reincarnating Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin's son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki, the son of giants, a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator. From Gaiman's deft and witty prose emerges the gods with their fiercely competitive natures, their

Odd’s luck has been bad so far. He lost his father on a Viking expedition, his foot was crushed beneath a tree, and the winter seems to be going on forever. But when Odd flees to the woods and releases a trapped bear, his luck begins to change. The eagle, bear and fox he encounters reveal they’re actually Nordic gods, trapped in animal form by the evil Frost Giants who have conquered Asgard, the city of the gods. Can a twelve-year-old boy reclaim Thor’s hammer, outwit the Frost Giants and release the gods?

This second volume of the Alien Sex anthology series brings together authors Neil Gaiman, Robert Silverberg, Samuel R. Delany, Joyce Carol Oates, Elizabeth Hand, and many others to explore the mysteries of sex, alien and human alike. From an alien spy who falls in love with one of the earthlings he’s monitoring, to a woman whose souvenir dream-catcher calls to her bedroom more than she bargained for, to a genetically engineered sex object aboard a space station, these thought-provoking tales of alien sex open up new worlds for fantastical exploration

Os Filhos de Anansi, obra prima que estreiou em primeiro lugar na lista dos mais vendidos do New York Times. O livro conta a história de Fat Charlie, um tímido americano que escolheu ter uma vida pacata e sem-graça como contador numa empresa londrina. Ao ir ao funeral de seu pai, Sr. Nancy, Fat Charlie ouve uma velhinha, amiga do pai há anos, dizer que ele na verdade era o deus Anansi, uma divindade trapaceira e brincalhona da mitologia africana. A partir desse episódio, sua vida vira de cabeça para baixo. Os Filhos de Anansi mistura mitologia com toques xamanistas, elementos do folclore afro-americano e uma deliciosa descrição do mundo interior de um homem muito tímido mas, acima de tudo é uma história sobre algo bastante comum: as conturbadas relações entre pais e filhos.Tudo isso envolto num humor discreto capaz de fazer o leitor rir com uma única linha. A obra é a continuação do consagrado escritor Neil Gaiman para sua saga a respeito de deuses modernos

Futures and Pasts, Fearless and Frightening. This is a must-read collection for all fans of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror. A celebration of legacy and endurance. • Bizarre remains of a lost civilisation emerge from the ice. • The ghosts of a drowned town wait to be awakened. • A witch with a dragon problem. • What Elvis will do to protect his fellow artists from annihilation. • An ancient spaceship carries the last, fragmented memories of Earth. • Broken souls of the dead are passed on to the new-born. These and many more tales showcase the hopes, remnants, and fears of humanity. Having been diagnosed with terminal cancer, Aiki Flinthart reached out for works from as many of her favourite authors as would answer the call. And many did. Between these pages you’ll find stories by some of the world’s best science fiction, fantasy, and horror writers. Find new favourite authors and re-join old friends. Their fabulous works are threads woven with a sure hand into a tapestry of the weird, the worrying, and the wonderful that make up mankind

If you’re a fan of fiction that is more than just black and white, this latest story collection from #1 New York Times bestselling author George R.R. Martin and award-winning editor Gardner Dozois is filled with subtle shades of gray. Twenty-one all-original stories, by an all-star list of contributors, will delight and astonish you in equal measure with their cunning twists and dazzling reversals. And George R.R. Martin himself offers a brand-new A Game of Thrones tale chronicling one of the biggest rogues in the entire history of Ice and Fire. Follow along with the likes of Gillian Flynn, Joe Abercrombie, Neil Gaiman, Patrick Rothfuss, Scott Lynch, Cherie Priest, Garth Nix, and Connie Willis, as well as other masters of literary sleight-of-hand, in this rogues gallery of stories that will plunder your heart—and yet leave you all the richer for it

What do you imagine when you hear the name… Bradbury? You might see rockets to Mars. Or bizarre circuses where otherworldly acts whirl in the center ring. Perhaps you travel to a dystopian future, where books are set ablaze… or to an out-of-the-way sideshow, where animated illustrations crawl across human skin. Or maybe, suddenly, you're returned to a simpler time in small-town America, where summer perfumes the air and life is almost perfect… almost. Ray Bradbury—peerless storyteller, poet of the impossible, and one of America's most beloved authors—is a literary giant whose remarkable career has spanned seven decades. Now twenty-six of today's most diverse and celebrated authors offer new short works in honor of the master; stories of heart, intelligence, and dark wonder from a remarkable range of creative artists

Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes is among the most famous literary figures of all time. For more than a hundred years, his adventures have stood as imperishable monuments to the ability of human reason to penetrate every mystery, solve every puzzle, and punish every crime. For nearly as long, the macabre tales of H. P. Lovecraft have haunted readers with their nightmarish glimpses into realms of cosmic chaos and undying evil. But what would happen if Conan Doyle’s peerless detective and his allies were to find themselves faced with mysteries whose solutions lay not only beyond the grasp of logic, but of sanity itself. In this collection of all-new, all-original tales, twenty of today’s most cutting edge writers provide their answers to that burning question

Prepare to be seduced by powerful magic — the sorcery of lust, need, and sensuality. Multiple award-winners Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling have gathered together twenty-two tales of unearthly temptations wickedly concocted by some of today's most potent literary conjurers — including Neil Gaiman, Jan Yolen, Michael Swanwick, and Joyce Carol Oates. Here are stories of incubi and succubi, of forbidden fruits harvested in erotic gardens, of pleasures that persist beyond death. So heed the sirens' song. Lie back, relax, and submit to the darkest delights you have ever experienced

In this star-studded cross-genre anthology, seventeen of the greatest modern authors of fantasy, science fiction, and romance explore the borderlands of their genres with brand-new tales of ill-fated love. From zombie-infested woods in a postapocalyptic America to faery-haunted rural fields in eighteenth- century England, from the kingdoms of high fantasy to the alien world of a galaxy-spanning empire, these are stories of lovers who must struggle against the forces of magic and fate. Award-winning, bestselling author Neil Gaiman demonstrates why he’s one of the hottest stars in literature today with “The Thing About Cassandra,” a subtle but chilling story of a man who meets an old girlfriend he had never expected to see. International blockbuster bestselling author Diana Gabaldon sends a World War II RAF pilot through a stone circle to the time of her Outlander series in “A Leaf on the Winds of All Hallows.” Torn from all he knows, Jerry MacKenzie determinedly survives hardship and danger, intent on his goal of returning home to his wife and baby—no matter the cost. New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher presents “Love Hurts,” in which Harry Dresden takes on one of his deadliest adversaries and in the process is forced to confront the secret desires of his own heart. Just the smallest sampling promises unearthly delights, but look also for stories by New York Times bestselling romance authors Jo Beverley and Mary Jo Putney, and by such legends of the fantasy genre as Peter S. Beagle and Tanith Lee, as well as many other popular and beloved writers, including Marjorie M. Liu, Jacqueline Carey, Carrie Vaughn, and Robin Hobb. This exquisite anthology, crafted by the peerless editing team of George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, is sure to leave you under its spell. Discover the many realms of the heart with this extraordinary cast of acclaimed authors: PETER S. BEAGLE JO BEVERLEY JIM BUTCHER JACQUELINE CAREY DIANA GABALDON NEIL GAIMAN YASMINE GALENORN M.L.N. HANOVER ROBIN HOBB CECELIA HOLLAND TANITH LEE MARJORIE M. LIU MARY JO PUTNEY LINNEA SINCLAIR MELINDA SNODGRASS LISA TUTTLE CARRIE VAUGHN

Today, in order to honor the magnificent career of Jack Vance, one unparalleled in achievement and impact, GEORGE R.R. MARTIN and GARDNER DOZOIS, with the full cooperation of Jack Vance, his family, and his agents, suggest a Jack Vance tribute anthology called Songs of the Dying Earth, to encourage the best of today's fantasy writers to return to the unique and evocative milieu of The Dying Earth, from which they and so many others have drawn so much inspiration, to create their own brand-new adventures in the world of Jack Vance s greatest novel. Half a century ago, Jack Vance created the world of the Dying Earth, and fantasy has never been the same. Now, for the first time ever, Jack has agreed to open this bizarre and darkly beautiful world to other fantasists, to play in as their very own. To say that other fantasy writers are excited by this prospect is a gross understatement; one has told us that he'd crawl through broken glass for the chance to write for the anthology, another that he'd gladly give up his right arm for the privilege that's the kind of regard in which Jack Vance and The Dying Earth are held by generations of his peers

In the sleepy English countryside, at the dawn of the Victorian Era, life moves at a leisurely pace in the tiny town of Wall, so named for an imposing stone barrier that divides the village from an adjacent meadow. Armed sentries guard the sole gap in this wall, in order to keep the curious from wandering through. Here in Wall, young Tristran Thorn has lost his heart to beautiful Victoria Forester. But Victoria is cold and distant—as distant, in fact, as the star she and Tristran see fall from the sky on a crisp October evening. For the coveted prize of Victoria’s hand, Tristran vows to retrieve the fallen star and deliver it to his beloved. It is an oath that sends the lovelorn swain over the ancient wall, and propels him into a world that is strange beyond imagining. But Tristran is not the only one seeking the heavenly jewel. There are those for whom it promises youth and beauty, the key to a kingdom, and the rejuvenation of dark, dormant magics. And a lad compelled by love will have to keep his wits about him to succeed and survive in this secret place where fallen stars come in many guises—and where quests have a way of branching off in unexpected directions, even turning back upon themselves in space and in time

Im England der Königin Victoria liegt das Dörfchen Wall, hinter dem eine geheimnisvolle hohe Mauer verläuft, die Grenze zum Feenreich. Nur alle neun Jahre einmal, wenn Markttag ist, öffnet sich die streng bewachte Pforte. Dann mischen sich seltsame Fabelwesen unter die Dorfbewohner, und man kann die wunderlichsten Dinge kaufen. An so einem Tag wurde der träumerische Tristran gezeugt. Er wächst auf und verliebt sich in die schöne, aber kühle und abweisende Victoria. Sie will Tristran nur erhören, wenn er ihr einen Stern bringt, der vom Himmel gefallen ist. Ohne Zögern macht sich Tristran auf den abenteuerlichen Weg durchs Feenreich. Aber er ist nicht der einzige Sternsucher – und die zahlreichen Konkurrenten haben magische Kräfte! Die Originalausgabe erschien unter dem Titel Stardust bei Spike Books, New York. Copyright © 1999 by Neil Gaiman

An anthology of stories The Devil is known by many names: Serpent, Tempter, Beast, Adversary, Wanderer, Dragon, Rebel. His traps and machinations are the stuff of legends. His faces are legion. No matter what face the devil wears, Sympathy for the Devil has them all. Edited by Tim Pratt, Sympathy for the Devil collects the best Satanic short stories by Neil Gaiman, Holly Black, Stephen King, Kage Baker, Charles Stross, Elizabeth Bear, Jay Lake, Kelly Link, China Mieville, Michael Chabon, and many others, revealing His Grand Infernal Majesty, in all his forms. Thirty-five stories, from classics to the cutting edge, exploring the many sides of Satan, Lucifer, the Lord of the Flies, the Father of Lies, the Prince of the Powers of the Air and Darkness, the First of the Fallen… and a Man of Wealth and Taste. Sit down and spend a little time with the Devil

From legendary editor Ellen Datlow, Tails of Wonder collects the best of the last thirty years of science fiction and fantasy stories about cats from an all-star list of contributors

The first bite is only the beginning. Twenty of today's favorite writers explore the intersections between the living, dead, and undead. Their vampire tales range from romantic to chilling to gleeful — and touch on nearly every emotion in between. Neil Gaiman's vampire-poet in "Bloody Sunrise" is brooding, remorseful, and lonely. Melissa Marr's vampires make a high-stakes game of possession and seduction in "Transition." And in "Why Light?" Tanith Lee's lovelorn vampires yearn most of all for the one thing they cannot have — daylight. Drawn from folk traditions around the world, popular culture, and original interpretations, the vampires in this collection are enticingly diverse. But reader beware: The one thing they have in common is their desire for blood

“The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.” This statement was true when H. P. Lovecraft first wrote it at the beginning of the twentieth century, and it remains true at the beginning of the twenty-first century. The only thing that has changed is what is unknown. With each passing year, science, technology, and the march of time shine light into the craggy corners of the universe, making the fears of an earlier generation seem quaint. But this “light” creates its own shadows. The Best Horror of the Year, edited by Ellen Datlow, chronicles these shifting shadows. It is a catalog of terror, fear, and unpleasantness, as articulated by today’s most challenging and exciting writers. The best horror writers of today do the same thing that horror writers of a hundred years ago did. They tell good stories — stories that scare us. And when these writers tell really good stories that really scare us, Ellen Datlow notices. She’s been noticing for more than a quarter century. For twenty-one years, she coedited The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror, and for the last six years, she’s edited this series. In addition to this monumental cataloging of the best, she has edited hundreds of other horror anthologies and won numerous awards, including the Hugo, Bram Stoker, and World Fantasy awards. More than any other editor or critic, Ellen Datlow has charted the shadowy abyss of horror fiction. Join her on this journey into the dark parts of the human heart. either for the first time. or once again

An anthology of stories edited by Jonathan Strahan

DISTANT WORLDS, TIME TRAVEL, EPIC ADVENTURE, UNSEEN WONDERS AND MUCH MORE! The best, most original and brightest science fiction and fantasy stories from around the globe from the past twelve months are brought together in one collection by multiple award winning editor Jonathan Strahan. This highly popular series now reaches volume nine and will include stories from both the biggest names in the field and the most exciting new talents. Previous volumes have included stories from Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, Cory Doctorow, Stephen Baxter, Elizabeth Bear, Joe Abercrombie, Paolo Bacigalupi, Holly Black, Garth Nix, Jeffrey Ford, Margo Lanagan, Bruce Sterling, Adam Robets, Ellen Klages, and many many more

This is a story called "The Case of Four and Twenty Blackbirds". It was first published in 1984, in KNAVE and was my third published short story. It was reprinted in 1993 ANGELS AND VISITATIONS (although I didn't put it into Smoke and Mirrors) and it's been collected in anthologies a few times since then. --NG

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy-an ancient Indigo Man beneath the hill, a gateway to a desert leading to an abandoned city of ghouls, the strange and terrible menace of the Sleer. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod's family. . . . Beloved master storyteller Neil Gaiman returns with a luminous new novel for the audience that embraced his New York Times bestselling modern classic Coraline. Magical, terrifying, and filled with breathtaking adventures, the graveyard book is sure to enthrall readers of all ages