A gift of life, or a curse beyond death? Bestselling author Fiona McIntosh's most popular fantasy title -- discover the world of the Quickening. Life for Myrren should be good - she's a beautiful young woman with bewitching eyes; one grey, the other green. But those entrancing colours are likely to be her downfall, for many believe only a witch could have mismatched eyes. Wyl Thirsk possesses the good habits and wise judgment that have helped the Thirsk family remain leaders for generations. These virtues will serve him well as he finds himself companion to the king's wayward son and though the prince is arrogant and cruel, Wyl is duty-bound to protect him. When Myrren crosses paths with Wyl, she is grateful for his compassion and decides to give him an extraordinary gift. It is both powerful and astonishing - but also devastating. Bestselling author Fiona McIntosh weaves a gripping story of action and intrigue in this magnificent opening to the much-loved Quickening series. 'Fiona McIntosh is a seductress. I have not moved from the sofa for three days, beguiled by Myrren's Gift' Sydney Morning Herald 'Fantasy fans will welcome Australian author McIntosh's gripping first installment in her Quickening trilogy, a tale of the eternal struggle between good and evil filled with magic, blood and jealousy ... delightful and fast-moving story' Publishers Weekly 'Excellent' Bookseller & Publisher

When Wyl Thirsk, General of the Morgravian Legion, is forced to watch the torture of Myrren, a young woman accused of witchcraft, it seems little enough comfort to speed her passing. But Myrren is grateful for even this small mercy and promises Wyl a gift. He thanks her but dismisses the notion - what could this poor, doomed girl have to give him? It is only years later that Wyl, shorn of his friends and allies, betrayed by his king, and forced to make an impossible choice, remembers the dying words of the young woman about to burn for the crime of witchcraft. As his enemy's sword draws closer, Wyl finally understands the meaning of Myrren's dying words, and he wonders: had he known what that one act of kindness would bring, would he have behaved otherwise? Gripping the reader from the very first page, Myrren's Gift marks Fiona McIntosh as one of fantasy fiction's most gifted storytellers.

Once a captive of merciless desert slave traders, Lazar fought his way to freedom—and to an exalted role as Spur of Percheron, guardian of his adopted city, and confidant and protector of the Zar, Joreb. But now the Zar is dead and his fifteen-year-old heir, Boaz, must assume the mantle of leadership—guided by trusted advisor Lazar, the "mad" dwarf jester Pez . . . and Boaz's cruel, ambitious mother, who truly holds the reins of power. In the midst of roiling court intrigue, a young girl arrives to fill a space in Boaz's harem—and inflames unexpectedly strong feelings in both Boaz and Lazar. But the odalisque, Ana, will not be satisfied by the closeted, stifling world of the harem. And, unbeknownst to all, the gods themselves are rising up in cyclical battle—as the struggle begins within and beyond the palace walls for the imperiled soul of Percheron.

Wyl Thirsk, former general of the Morgravian army and bearer of the curse known as Myrren's gift, is running out of time. Marriage between his beloved Queen Valentyna and his sworn enemy, the despotic King Celimus, is imminent; yet, despite the impending nuptials, war looms between the two nations, while the threat from the Mountain Kingdom grows stronger. Trapped in a body not his own, with his friends and supporters scattered throughout the realm, Wyl is as desperate to prevent the wedding as he is to end Myrren's "gift" -- a magic that will cease only when he assumes the throne of Morgravia. Clinging to an ominous suggestion from his young friend Fynch, an increasingly powerful mage, Wyl must walk his most dangerous path yet -- straight into the brutal clutches of Celimus in a desperate attempt to save his nation, his love, and himself.

The gripping second novel in the Quickening trilogy, following the bestselling MYRREN'S GIFT. 'The fast pace, deft touches of humour and the characterisation are as strong as ever' - Robin Hobb Wyl Thirsk has seen his best friend murdered and his sister imprisoned by King Celimus of Morgravia. Now the king has turned his attention to the neighbouring realm of Briavel - and the woman Wyl loves. Wyl is desperate to return to Valentyna and prevent her marriage to Celimus, but fate has other plans. Trapped by a magical enchantment, Wyl must first track down the elusive Manwitch - the only person who can help him break the Quickening.

MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR DCI Jack Hawksworth is back, working on a high-profile case breaking in London. A calculating serial killer is on the loose, committing the most gruesome of murders as he ‘trophies’ the faces of his victims. With each new atrocity, the public and police force are getting more desperate for results. Hawk pulls together a strong and experienced taskforce, who soon find themselves caught up in a murky world of illegal immigrants and human organ trading. As he struggles to find any sort of link between the victims, Jack identifies something unique about the most recent corpse, and things suddenly get very personal. From the seedy underbelly of London’s back streets and New Scotland Yard to the dangerous frontiers of modern medicine, this is a gripping crime thriller from a powerhouse Australian author. "A master of her craft." Better Reading ______________________________ Discover more thrilling cases with DCI Jack Hawksworth in this unmissable series: Bye Bye Baby Beautiful Death Mirror Man Dead Tide

Marla Wolfblade of Hythria is determined to restore her family's great name, but conspirators surround her: the Sorcerers' Collective, the Patriots -- even members of her own family. She must make sure her son Damin lives to be old enough to restore the Wolfblade name to its former glory. Elezaar the Dwarf is a small man with big secrets -- but that doesn't matter to Marla Wolfblade. Her brother is the High Prince of Hythria, and, in this fiercely patriarchal society, her fate will be decided on his whim. She needs someone politically astute to guide her through the maze of court politics -- and Elezaar the Dwarf knows more than he lets on. As Elezaar teaches Marla the Rules of Gaining and Wielding Power, Marla starts on the road to becoming a tactician and a wily diplomat -- but will that be enough to keep her son alive? The Hythrun Chronicles Demon Child: Medalon / Treason Keep / Harshini Wolfblade: Wolfblade / Warrior / Warlord / Short Story: "Elezaar's Rules of Gaining and Wielding Power" War of the Gods: The Lyre Thief / Retribution / Covenant / Brakandaran the Halfbreed At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.