The gods, makers of worlds, seek to create balance—between matter and energy; and between mortals who strive toward the transcendent, and the natural perils they must tame or overcome. But one of the gods fashions a world filled with hellish creatures far too powerful to allow balance; he is condemned to live for eternity with his most hateful creations in that world''s distant Bourne, restrained by a magical veil kept vital by the power of song. Millennia pass, awareness of the hidden danger fades to legend, and both song and veil weaken. And the most remote cities are laid waste by fell, nightmarish troops escaped from the Bourne. Some people dismiss the attacks as mere rumor. Instead of standing against the real threat, they persecute those with the knowledge, magic and power to fight these abominations, denying the inevitability of war and annihilation. And the evil from the Bourne swells…. The troubles of the world seem far from the Hollows where Tahn Junell struggles to remember his lost childhood and to understand words he feels compelled to utter each time he draws his bow. Trouble arrives when two strangers—an enigmatic man wearing the sigil of the feared Order of Sheason and a beautiful woman of the legendary Far—come, to take Tahn, his sister and his two best friends on a dangerous, secret journey. Tahn knows neither why nor where they will go. He knows only that terrible forces have been unleashed upon mankind and he has been called to stand up and face that which most daunts him—his own forgotten secrets and the darkness that would destroy him and his world.One of Library Journal''s Best SF/Fantasy Books of 2011

The second title in the Vault of Heaven series, Peter Orullian''s Trial of Intentions is a mesmerizing fantasy epic that turns the conventions of the genre on its head The gods who created this world have abandoned it. In their mercy, however, they chained the rogue god—and the monstrous creatures he created to plague mortalkind—in the vast and inhospitable wasteland of the Bourne. The magical Veil that contains them has protected humankind for millennia and the monsters are little more than tales told to frighten children. But the Veil has become weak and creatures of Nightmare have come through. To fight them, the races of men must form a great alliance to try and stop the creatures. But there is dissent. One king won''t answer the call, his pride blinding him even to the poison in his own court. Another would see Convocation fail for his own political advantage. And still others believe Convocation is not enough. Some turn to the talents of the Sheason, who can shape the very essence of the world to their will. But their order is divided, on the brink of collapse. Tahn Junell remembers friends who despaired in a place left barren by war. One of the few who have actually faced the unspeakable horde in battle, Tahn sees something else at work and wonders about the nature of the creatures on the other side of the Veil. He chooses to go to a place of his youth, a place of science, daring to think he can find a way to prevent slaughter, prevent war. And his choices may reshape a world . . . .

A Tor.Com Original short story set in the world of Peter Orullian''s Vault of Heaven seriesIn wartime, what price honor, when the odds are against you, the enemy is remorseless, and it is the eleventh hour? A Sheason who lives to help his people faces a terrible choice on the battlefield when all defenses have failed and the only choice seems to be to do the one thing that separates him from his most hated adversary.At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

A Tor.Com Original short story set in the world of Peter Orullian''s Vault of Heaven seriesPalamon was part of the collective that formed the world, made its mountains, its people, its rules. When the fledgling world is threatened, only he will do whatever it takes to save it.At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Peter Orullian''s epic fantasy debut The Unremembered has been critically acclaimed, earning starred reviews and glowing praise. But now it gets even better. In anticipation of the second volume in Orullian''s epic series, and for one of the few times in our publishing history, we at Tor are choosing to relaunch a title with an author''s definitive edition. In addition to stunning updates to the original text, we''re also including an exclusive short story set in the world of Vault of Heaven as well as a sneak preview of the sequel, Trial of Intentions, and a glossary to the universe. The gods who created this world have abandoned it. In their mercy however, they sealed the rogue god-and the monstrous creatures he created to plague mortal kind-in the vast and inhospitable wasteland of the Bourne. The magical Veil that protected humankind for millennia has become weak and creatures of nightmare have now come through. Those who stand against evil know that only drastic measures will prevent a devastating invasion. Tahn Junell is a hunter who''s unaware of the dark forces that imperil his world, in much the same way his youth is lost to memory. But an imperious man who wears the sigil of the feared Order of Sheason and a beautiful woman of the legendary Far have shared with Tahn the danger. They''ve asked him, his sister, and his friends to embark with them on a journey that will change their lives . . . and the world . . . forever. And in the process, he''ll remember . . .At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

A Tor.Com Original short story set in the world of Peter Orullian''s Vault of Heaven seriesLayosah has lost five sons and her husband to her kingdom''s endless wars; all she has left is an infant daughter and a dangerous idea.At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

"In a culture where ritualized torture is used to teach its people strength through long-suffering, a foreign sufferer unintentionally teaches them something stronger . . . something gentler."At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Some heroes don''t carry blades or go to war. Some heroes are fathers desperately trying not to fail their sons. At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

New York Times bestselling author Orson Scott Card founded the online magazine Intergalactic Medicine Show in 2006. It has been a big success, drawing submissions from well-known science fiction and fantasy writers, as well as fostering some amazing new talents. This collection contains some of the best of those stories.

There is fiction from David Farland, Tim Pratt, and David Lubar, among others, and four new Ender Universe stories by Card himself. This collection is sure to appeal to Card’s fans and will serve as a great ambassador to them for these other talented writers.

The contents are:

Foreword by Orson Scott CardIntroduction: The Story behind the Stories by Edmund R. Schubert“In the Eyes of the Empress’ Cat” by Bradley F. Beaulieu“Mazer in Prison” by Orson Scott Card“Tabloid Reporter to the Stars” by Eric James Stone“Audience” by Ty Franck“The Mooncalfe” by David Farland“Cheater” by Orson Scott Card“Dream Engine” by Tim Pratt“Hats Off” by David Lubar“Eviction Notice” by Scott M. Roberts“To Know All Things That Are in the Earth” by James Maxey“Beats of Seven” by Peter Orullian“Pretty Boy” by Orson Scott Card“Respite” by Rachel Ann Dryden“The Box of Beautiful Things” by Brian Dolton“Taint of Treason” by Eric James Stone“Call Me Mr. Positive” by Tom Barlow“A Young Man with Prospects” by Orson Scott Card“Ender’s Homecoming” by Orson Scott Card – a special audio-only bonus

The gods, makers of worlds, seek to create balance—between matter and energy; and between mortals who strive toward the transcendent, and the natural perils they must tame or overcome. But one of the gods fashions a world filled with hellish creatures far too powerful to allow balance; he is condemned to live for eternity with his most hateful creations in that world''s distant Bourne, restrained by a magical veil kept vital by the power of song. Millennia pass, awareness of the hidden danger fades to legend, and both song and veil weaken. And the most remote cities are laid waste by fell, nightmarish troops escaped from the Bourne. Some people dismiss the attacks as mere rumor. Instead of standing against the real threat, they persecute those with the knowledge, magic and power to fight these abominations, denying the inevitability of war and annihilation. And the evil from the Bourne swells…. The troubles of the world seem far from the Hollows where Tahn Junell struggles to remember his lost childhood and to understand words he feels compelled to utter each time he draws his bow. Trouble arrives when two strangers—an enigmatic man wearing the sigil of the feared Order of Sheason and a beautiful woman of the legendary Far—come, to take Tahn, his sister and his two best friends on a dangerous, secret journey. Tahn knows neither why nor where they will go. He knows only that terrible forces have been unleashed upon mankind and he has been called to stand up and face that which most daunts him—his own forgotten secrets and the darkness that would destroy him and his world.One of Library Journal''s Best SF/Fantasy Books of 2011

The second title in the Vault of Heaven series, Peter Orullian''s Trial of Intentions is a mesmerizing fantasy epic that turns the conventions of the genre on its head The gods who created this world have abandoned it. In their mercy, however, they chained the rogue god—and the monstrous creatures he created to plague mortalkind—in the vast and inhospitable wasteland of the Bourne. The magical Veil that contains them has protected humankind for millennia and the monsters are little more than tales told to frighten children. But the Veil has become weak and creatures of Nightmare have come through. To fight them, the races of men must form a great alliance to try and stop the creatures. But there is dissent. One king won''t answer the call, his pride blinding him even to the poison in his own court. Another would see Convocation fail for his own political advantage. And still others believe Convocation is not enough. Some turn to the talents of the Sheason, who can shape the very essence of the world to their will. But their order is divided, on the brink of collapse. Tahn Junell remembers friends who despaired in a place left barren by war. One of the few who have actually faced the unspeakable horde in battle, Tahn sees something else at work and wonders about the nature of the creatures on the other side of the Veil. He chooses to go to a place of his youth, a place of science, daring to think he can find a way to prevent slaughter, prevent war. And his choices may reshape a world . . . .

A Tor.Com Original short story set in the world of Peter Orullian''s Vault of Heaven seriesIn wartime, what price honor, when the odds are against you, the enemy is remorseless, and it is the eleventh hour? A Sheason who lives to help his people faces a terrible choice on the battlefield when all defenses have failed and the only choice seems to be to do the one thing that separates him from his most hated adversary.At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

A Tor.Com Original short story set in the world of Peter Orullian''s Vault of Heaven seriesPalamon was part of the collective that formed the world, made its mountains, its people, its rules. When the fledgling world is threatened, only he will do whatever it takes to save it.At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Peter Orullian''s epic fantasy debut The Unremembered has been critically acclaimed, earning starred reviews and glowing praise. But now it gets even better. In anticipation of the second volume in Orullian''s epic series, and for one of the few times in our publishing history, we at Tor are choosing to relaunch a title with an author''s definitive edition. In addition to stunning updates to the original text, we''re also including an exclusive short story set in the world of Vault of Heaven as well as a sneak preview of the sequel, Trial of Intentions, and a glossary to the universe. The gods who created this world have abandoned it. In their mercy however, they sealed the rogue god-and the monstrous creatures he created to plague mortal kind-in the vast and inhospitable wasteland of the Bourne. The magical Veil that protected humankind for millennia has become weak and creatures of nightmare have now come through. Those who stand against evil know that only drastic measures will prevent a devastating invasion. Tahn Junell is a hunter who''s unaware of the dark forces that imperil his world, in much the same way his youth is lost to memory. But an imperious man who wears the sigil of the feared Order of Sheason and a beautiful woman of the legendary Far have shared with Tahn the danger. They''ve asked him, his sister, and his friends to embark with them on a journey that will change their lives . . . and the world . . . forever. And in the process, he''ll remember . . .At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

A Tor.Com Original short story set in the world of Peter Orullian''s Vault of Heaven seriesLayosah has lost five sons and her husband to her kingdom''s endless wars; all she has left is an infant daughter and a dangerous idea.At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

"In a culture where ritualized torture is used to teach its people strength through long-suffering, a foreign sufferer unintentionally teaches them something stronger . . . something gentler."At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Some heroes don''t carry blades or go to war. Some heroes are fathers desperately trying not to fail their sons. At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

New York Times bestselling author Orson Scott Card founded the online magazine Intergalactic Medicine Show in 2006. It has been a big success, drawing submissions from well-known science fiction and fantasy writers, as well as fostering some amazing new talents. This collection contains some of the best of those stories.

There is fiction from David Farland, Tim Pratt, and David Lubar, among others, and four new Ender Universe stories by Card himself. This collection is sure to appeal to Card’s fans and will serve as a great ambassador to them for these other talented writers.

The contents are:

Foreword by Orson Scott CardIntroduction: The Story behind the Stories by Edmund R. Schubert“In the Eyes of the Empress’ Cat” by Bradley F. Beaulieu“Mazer in Prison” by Orson Scott Card“Tabloid Reporter to the Stars” by Eric James Stone“Audience” by Ty Franck“The Mooncalfe” by David Farland“Cheater” by Orson Scott Card“Dream Engine” by Tim Pratt“Hats Off” by David Lubar“Eviction Notice” by Scott M. Roberts“To Know All Things That Are in the Earth” by James Maxey“Beats of Seven” by Peter Orullian“Pretty Boy” by Orson Scott Card“Respite” by Rachel Ann Dryden“The Box of Beautiful Things” by Brian Dolton“Taint of Treason” by Eric James Stone“Call Me Mr. Positive” by Tom Barlow“A Young Man with Prospects” by Orson Scott Card“Ender’s Homecoming” by Orson Scott Card – a special audio-only bonus