Penguin Books strana 24 z 485

Step into the enchanting world of Hans Christian Andersen with this collection of timeless Christmas tales, capturing both the magic and melancholy of the season. This selection brings together Andersen’s most beloved works, from the magical journey of ‘The Snow Queen’ to the heart-breaking ‘The Little Match Girl’, and the tender reflections on the passage of time in ‘The Fir Tree’. Together these stories show how Andersen transformed the traditional fairy tale with his unique ability to blend exuberant whimsy and profound insight.

Dark, dangerous, delicious. The third book in a dark mafia romance series from the TikTok sensation, New York Times and international bestselling author. Heir to a notorious mafia clan, Dante Maroni has been trained as a weapon since birth. A silent rebel in the shadows, he has learned to hide his ruthlessness under a cloak of charm, his brutality under suits, and his obsession with one woman under silence. Daughter of the Maroni's housekeeper, Amara has loved Dante for longer than she's known it. So when he finally notices her, nothing will break their bond. But Amara has a secret. So dark that she almost loses the will to live. So dark that she can't share it with Dante. The world of the mob threatens to destroy them. Can their love save them? Tropes: -Childhood friends to lovers - Dark romance - Mafia romance - Forbidden love - Secret romance The Dark Verse: The Predator - She'll never escape him. The Reaper - He'll follow her to the ends of the world. The Emperor - She was always his destiny. The Finisher - His love could destroy her. The Annihilator - He'll burn the world for her. The Syndicator - It ends where it begins.

This is the story, in their own words, of a band that came to define a generation. Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run tells the madcap history of Paul McCartney and his newly formed band, from their humble beginnings in the early 1970s to their dissolution barely a decade later. Drawn from over 500,000 words of interviews with McCartney, family and band members, and other key participants, Wings recounts the musical odyssey taken by a man searching for his identity in the aftermath of The Beatles’ breakup. Soon joined by his wife – American photographer Linda McCartney – on keyboard and vocals, drummer Denny Seiwell and guitarist Denny Laine, McCartney sowed the seeds for a new band that would provide the soundtrack to the decade. Organised chronologically around McCartney, RAM and nine Wings albums, the narrative begins when a twenty-seven-year-old superstar, rumoured to be dead, fled with his new wife to a remote sheep farm in Scotland amid a sea of legal and personal rows. Being there gave McCartney time to create and was where this new band emerged. Wings then follows the group as they play unannounced shows at university halls, tour in a sheared-off double-decker bus with their children, survive a robbery on the streets of Nigeria, and eventually perform blockbuster stadium shows on their world tour, all while producing some of the most enduring music of the time. With extraordinary recollections collected by Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville and edited into a genre-defining oral history by Ted Widmer, Wings transports the reader to the grit and glamour of the 1970s. Introduced with a heartfelt foreword by McCartney, Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run contains 150 black-and-white and colour photographs, many previously unseen, as well as timelines, a gigography and a full discography, in an art form all its own.

In this keenly awaited new collection, Zadie Smith brings her unique skills as an essayist to bear on a range of subjects which have captured her attention in recent years. She takes an exhilaratingly close look at artists Toyin Ojih Odutola, Kara Walker and Celia Paul. She invites us along to the movies, to see and to think about T r, and to Glastonbury to witness the ascendance of Stormzy. She takes us on a walk down Kilburn High Road in her beloved North West London and invites us to mourn with her the passing of writers Joan Didion, Martin Amis, Hilary Mantel, Philip Roth and Toni Morrison. She considers changes of government on both sides of the Atlantic and the meaning of the commons in all our lives. Throughout this thrilling collection, Zadie Smith shows us once again her unrivalled ability to think through critically and humanely some of the most urgent preoccupations and tendencies of our troubled times.

In a world of rules and reputations, Rosalie plays for her own pleasure. FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND TIKTOK SENSATION COMES A SPICY WHY CHOOSE ROMANCE When Rosalie Harrow found herself plunged into the middle of a house party of society ladies in pursuit of the hand of the Duke of Norland, though she was near destitute, she had no desire to be caged by marriage. Yet, by evening's end, she'd captivated not one, but three gentlemen . . . James Corbin, Viscount Finchley, has a dual mission. First, guarantee that his debaucherous brother, George, the Duke, goes through with his upcoming marriage. Second, ensure that his best friend, Burke, does not get married . . . at least not to the living, breathing gorgon that is Lady Olivia Rutledge. Burke is fully in agreement. Together with their friend, Lieutenant Renley, the gentlemen concoct an elaborate ruse to set Burke free. But as George's wedding day nears, secrets from the past emerge that threaten ruin upon each gentleman's future. Fortunately, it's Rosalie to the rescue . . . Rosalie has plans of her own, not only to save Burke from the altar, but to save Renley from the ghosts that haunt him-and to save James from himself. Meanwhile, to win her, each gentleman will try anything, risk anything, and be anything she needs. As for Rosalie, she can't help but wonder, why choose?

THE DARK HAS COME ALIVE . . . Six years ago, vicious creatures began to crawl out of the dark crevices of the world, and with it Sascia's fascination with the darkness was born. Now that fascination has become an obsession, and while exploring an area known for its connection to the Darkworld, Sascia - impossibly - pulls out a person from the shadows. But Nugau is no ordinary person, they're the heir to the Darkworld, with one mission . . . to kill Sascia. Except, the second time they meet, Nugau is younger and doesn't recognise Sascia. And the third time, Nugau stumbles out of the darkness with poison running through their veins, expressing their undying love for her. Piecing together the puzzle, Sascia makes two shocking discoveries: the timelines of her world and Nugau's are not linear, and she is inexplicably entangled in a war between humanity and the Dark. But with their worlds at battle, is it worth fighting for each other . . . ?

Sudoku just got deadly. Solve the grid. Find the killer. The perfect gift for puzzle lovers?discover the immersive puzzle book that mixes murder mysteries with sudoku-like logic, featuring 80 clever and colourful crimes to solve! Step into the shoes of a police detective as you reconstruct each crime scene in these visually addictive puzzles, combining the simplicity of sudoku with the mystery of Cluedo and the storytelling of classic logic puzzles. Analyse the clues, find each suspect’s exact position and reveal who was alone with the victim. Do you have the wits to solve the case? Or will you send an innocent bystander to jail? Explore 80 unique crime scenes including a cozy coffee shop, a luxury beachside condo, an abandoned demolition site, a crowded opera house, a bookshop and more! A fresh twist on Sudoku. Using grid-based logic, every puzzle follows one elegant rule: each suspect is in a different row and column. Illustrated in full colour. Every puzzle features a cast of vibrant hand-drawn characters and rich crime scenes, including a wide range of objects and even animals. No two cases look the same! Addictive fun for everyone from logic puzzle beginners to seasoned brain-teaser masters, with difficulty levels ranging from beginner to expert to keep you hooked. Do you have what it takes to become a master detective and crack all 80 cases? The first crime scene awaits . . .

Shogun meets Sherlock Holmes! Over 24 million copies have been sold of this beloved samurai adventureIt has been half a year since Akiyama Daijiro became a samurai; half a year since he left his father Kohei – once the most skilled swordsman in the land – to set up his own blade school by the cool of the river. Ever since, amid the swaying bamboo groves, he waits patiently for his first disciple. But his serenity is soon disrupted by the visit of a mysterious samurai with an unhonourable offer: in exchange for a vast sum of gold, he must attack and injure the daughter of the Shogun’s most senior counsellor. Troubled by the proposal, Daijiro, alongside his father and Mifuyu, a female warrior without match, soon set out into the underworld of Edo-era Japan to uncover the conspiracy, before quickly finding themselves embroiled in a series of increasingly perilous adventures . . . Widely considered to be the greatest work by Shotaro Ikenami, the master of Japanese historical fiction, The Samurai Detectives is a twisting, page-turning portrayal of one of the most intriguing, evocative periods in the history of Japan.

After watching my mother succumb to a mysterious illness, I promised myself two things: I'd find the cure for what ravaged her-and leave the godforsaken city where she abandoned me. Four years later, I receive an acceptance letter from Dracadia University, a secluded, prestigious school on an island off the coast of Maine. Legends say it's haunted by the exiled souls of long-dead patients. But the ghosts aren't even its most daunting peculiarity. Devryck Bramwell, known on campus as Doctor Death, is my devastatingly handsome professor. He loathes first-years like me-yet his dark gaze tells me all the ways he'd devour me if given the chance, and his stolen kisses burn with forbidden jealousy. Together, we're a toxic disaster waiting to be exposed. And when the truth surfaces, we may be the ones to resurrect Dracadia's most depraved secret.

An urgent, indispensable guide to why Taiwan matters - for China, the West and everyone's future When the bloody Chinese Civil War concluded in 1949, two Chinas were born. Mao's Communists won and took China's mainland; Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists fled to Taiwan island. Since then, China and Taiwan have drifted into being separate political and cultural entities. Taiwan is now a flourishing democracy and an economic success story: just one of its companies produces over 90 per cent of the semiconductors that power the world's economy. It is a free and vibrant society. For the United States and the West, the island is a bastion of freedom against China's assertive presence in the region. And yet China, increasingly bellicose under Xi Jinping, insists Taiwan is part of its territory and must be returned to it. Should China blockade the island and mount an invasion, it would set off a chain reaction that would pitch it against the US - escalating a regional war into a global one. Taiwan is thus a geopolitical powder keg. The Taiwan Story helps us understand how and why we've arrived at this dangerous moment in history. With unparalleled access to Taiwan's political leaders and a deep understanding of the island's history and culture, Professor Kerry Brown provides a new reading of Taiwan, its twenty-three million people, and how they navigate being caught in this frightening geopolitical standoff. This is the essential book delving into Taiwan's unique story, buried beneath the headlines, told in an accessible, expert and urgent way.

Dark, dangerous, delicious. The second book in a dark mafia romance series from TikTok sensation, New York Times and international bestselling author. Morana Vitalio now knows what connects her to Tristan 'The Predator' Caine, one of the Tenebrae mob's most prized members. And despite the fact Caine works for her family's rival clan, Morana is determined to break down the walls that surround his heart. So when Tristan is called back to his outfits' turf in Tenebrae, Morana follows. Now, she is in enemy territory and the list of those who want her dead only grows. As dangerous secrets threaten both of their lives, they must band together for survival. But can Morana truly trust both her life and her heart to the man who has wanted to kill her for twenty years? Tropes: - Dark romance - Mafia romance - Found family - Possessive MMC The Dark Verse: The Predator - She'll never escape him. The Reaper - He'll follow her to the ends of the world. The Emperor - She was always his destiny. The Finisher - His love could destroy her. The Annihilator - He'll burn the world for her.

Queer love story meets true crime thriller in the dream factory of 1970s cinema, from the award-winning, bestselling author. Perfect for readers of André Aciman's Call Me By Your Name and Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr Ripley. SHORTLISTED FOR BLACKWELL'S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2025 A NEW YORK MAGAZINE TOP TEN BOOK OF THE YEAR 2025 'Sublime' The New York Times 'It is dangerous to want someone this much. He has always known it, from the very first night.' It is September 1974. Two men meet by chance in Venice. One is a young English artist, in panicked flight from London. The other is Danilo Donati, the magician of Italian cinema, the designer responsible for realising the spectacular visions of Fellini and Pasolini. Donati is in Venice to produce sketches for Fellini's Casanova. A young - and beautiful - apprentice is just what he needs. He sweeps Nicholas to Rome, into the looking-glass world of Cinecitta, the studio where Casanova's Venice will be ingeniously assembled. Then in the spring, the lovers move together to the set of Salo, Pasolini's horrifying fable of fascism. But Nicholas has a secret and in this world of constant illusion, his real nature passes unseen. Amidst the rising tensions of Italy's 'Years of Lead', he acts as an accelerant, setting in motion a tragedy he didn't intend. Stylish and seductive, The Silver Book is an absorbing fictional account of real things, and an investigation into the difficult relationship between artifice and truth, illusion and reality, love and power.

I am vengeance. Fury. Power. Layered with devastating revelations and twisty romance, this heart-pounding sequel to Nightweaver will leave readers racing toward the truth about Aster and her destiny. Seventeen-year-old pirate Aster Oberon faces a stunning new reality, gifted with magical ability that she's struggling to master. Worse, both she and Will-the Nightweaver who has captured her heart-have been cursed. In mere weeks, they will become ferocious Underlings, creatures forced to serve the evil Queen Morana. The only way to break the curse is by procuring Morana's blood. To track down the cure, Aster teams up with both Will and Titus, the infuriatingly handsome prince of the Eerie who secretly aims to overthrow his royal family's tyrannical reign. The trio's journey takes them to Castle Grim where danger is around every corner, and no one is who they seem. Between deadly dinners, extravagant balls, and shifting desires toward Will and Titus, Aster will have to keep her daggers at the ready and determine who she can trust before the ticking clock of her curse runs out.

Get ready to fall in love with the cosy new small town Christmas romance set in The Lakes from the Sunday Times bestselling author, the perfect festive holiday read for fans of Laurie Gilmore and Sarah Morgan. At Ravendale Castle, nestled in the snowy heart of the Lake District, Lara is busy preparing for the Winter Spectacular - a glittering light trail that will fill the grounds with the magic of Christmas. It's the perfect distraction from her recent heartbreak until Flynn, the ruggedly handsome technical manager, arrives and sparks start to fly. Flynn is determined to prove he's worth taking a chance on. But just as Lara begins to believe in love again, someone from Flynn's past arrives at the castle, bringing a secret that could tear them apart. As Christmas draws closer, can Lara and Flynn take a leap of faith toward the happily ever after they've always wanted?

Can they save themselves? Or will they destroy each other? Ruby’s worst nightmare has come true, and now Oxford and all her dreams are at risk. And everything points to James as the one responsible. She thought that she had met the real James, that he had finally let her in. But, after an explosive fight between the two, they discover a terrible truth. While Ruby fights to graduate, James tries to clear her name at school. But that means once again James must challenge his father. Ruby and James must ask themselves if the worlds they live in are perhaps too different after all, or if they can finally find a way back to each other…?

She survived the wreck. Now she's bound to a ship that shouldn't exist - and a captain she can't resist… "Dickson's novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats with morally gray characters, action, and wonderful worldbuilding; perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Erin Morgenstern." Library Journal, starred review Don't miss out on the stunning DELUXE LIMITED EDITION while supplies last. This breathtaking collectible is only available on a limited first print run, a must-have gift for any book lover. - A war-scarred mage. A sentient ship. A secret that could drown empires. When Ensign Bluemage Honor Renn is rescued from the wreckage of her first naval post, she expects death or disgrace. Instead, she wakes aboard the Touchstone, a mythic vessel whispered of in dockside ballads and royal war rooms alike. With a crew of misfits. A mysterious, elven captain. And a mission tied to the Dreadwall, the crumbling barrier that has kept the Overland and Nethersea from open war for a hundred years. But the tragedy that sank her last ship didn't just take lives. It left something behind. Now Renn carries a secret everyone wants. A magik that's chimeric, arcane...and slowly killing her. But the captain's mission may be her only chance to survive, even if he still doesn't trust her. Caught between privateers, princes, and spies, Renn knows each choice could sink her future?or set the sea on fire. Ship of Spells is perfect for readers who crave the raw grit of Arya Stark, the world-building of Samantha Shannon, and the slow-burn tension of enemies who should never trust or want each other. Tropes: Enemies to Lovers Slow-Burn High-Stakes Quest Found Family Forced Proximity 'In this jam-packed nautical romantasy, Dickson conjures up an intricate world of seaborne wonders and terrors, populated by colorful characters and maritime' Publishers Weekly