Jonathan Oliver – författare

In the cavern-like darkness of the arcade, the neon phosphor-glow of the screen beckons you close. Drawn to the dancing pixels like a moth to a flame, digging deep in your pocket you pull out a shiny coin and thumb it into the slot as the electronic siren sings the fanfare that marks your arrival. One hand on the joystick, the other splayed across the control buttons, your pulse begins to quicken. Ready Player One Press Start You’ve barely begun but suddenly the discordant bleeps are trumpeting your failure as your 8-bit adventure comes to an abrupt end. At least in the world of the video arcade you get a second chance. But what is the true price you pay when you make a pact with the digital demon? There’s always another coin, an extra life to be earned, a second chance… Isn’t there? GAME OVER A dozen stories of creeping dread and savage horror inspired by the humble amusement arcade and the classic coin-ops of yesteryear. Twelve tales to chill your blood by twelve masters of the malevolent and the macabre. Just keep reminding yourself, it’s only a game… Isn’t it?

Sharks – the ultimate predators, masters of their watery domain, a world that is entirely alien and inhospitable to man. So many aspects of the shark are associated with humankind’s most primal fears. The tell-tale dorsal fin slicing through the water, the dead eyed-stare, the gaping jaws full to unforgiving teeth, the remorseless drive to kill and feed… Inspired by such classic pulp movies as Jaws and Deep Blue Sea – as well as such ludicrous delights as Sharknado and Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus – the stories contained within are rip-roaring page-turners and slow-build chillers that celebrate all things savage, pulp and selachian. Covering the whole range of speculative fiction genres, from horror and Steampunk, through to SF and WTF, these are stories with bite! Come on in. The water’s fine…

For three years, war has lurked in the south of Chevaladin. When one of their holy generals was assassinated, the Auris Empire laid blame at the feet of their neighbors to the north, claiming the Monarchy of Montiamon was infested by dark powers. And while their crusade marched inexorably forward, the remaining nations of the south worried if they might be next. Now the Empire turns their gaze westward; not for conquest, but for peace. With their war taking longer than anticipated, the Auran emperor demands an audience with the Western Alliance for his own inscrutable purposes and as the nearest nation of the alliance, the Monarchy of Tycortua is forced to play host. But the Aurans are not the only ones with eyes on Tycortua. Dark forces, naught but the herald of dread threats long forgotten, turn their gaze to the ancient nation. Their agents stalk the fogs that descended upon Tycortua''s capital.

In this first book of the Ember King''s Inheritance fantasy series, discover a story featuring multiple protagonists as the retainers of Tycortua''s crown princess work to uncover and stop a secret plot lurking beneath the peace talks between the Auris Empire and the Western Alliance. Allard Fortunata, squire to the elite Crownguard knight, always dreamed of adventure, but the harrowing hunt of an undead monster was not quite the adventure he imagined. Erica Greenmaiden, apprentice mage and research assistant of the princess, only ever wanted to use her magic to protect those she cared about, but schemes in human minds are not the kind of thing magic can defend against. Yet monsters and malicious plots both are nothing compared to the looming threat of an ancient evil long dead but poised to return. As Chevaladin enters the second millennia since the fall of the evil Dusk Tyrant, the heroes and villains from the pages of myth and legend may well become more and more real with every day that passes.