While Spartans get all the glory, no soldier-not even the legendary Master Chief-wins a war on his own. Gunnery Sergeant Edward Buck and his team of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODSTs) played a major role in saving Earth from all-out invasion at the end of the Covenant War-acts of bravery and ingenuity that did not go unnoticed by the United Nations Space Command.Now, after many Spartans have been killed in battle and the Master Chief is listed as MIA, the UNSC decides to create a new generation of Spartans to defend humanity from threats both outside-and within. When they come to Buck with an extraordinary proposition, he is forced to make a life-altering decision. With the Covenant War finally over, is it time for him to retire to the sidelines for a life he could only dream about ...or is he prepared to step up and become part of the military's new blood?

250 YEARS AGO, ASCALON BURNED ...Desperate to defend his land from advancing hordes of bestial charr, King Adelbern summoned the all-powerful Foefire to repel the invaders. But magic can be a double-edged sword - the Foefire burned both charr and human alike. While the charr corpses smoldered, the slain Ascalonians arose again, transformed by their king's rage into ghostly protectors and charged with guarding the realm...forever. The once mighty kingdom became a haunted shadow of its former glory. Centuries later, the descendants of Ascalon, exiled to the nation of Kryta, are besieged on all sides. To save humankind, Queen Jennah seeks to negotiate a treaty with the hated charr. But one obstacle remains. The charr legions won't sign the truce until their most prized possession, the Claw of the Khan-Ur, is returned from the ruins of fallen Ascalon. Now a mismatched band of adventurers, each plagued by ghosts of their own, sets forth into a haunted, war-torn land to retrieve the Claw. Without the artifact, there is no hope for peace between human and charr - but the undead king who rules Ascalon won't give it up easily, and not everyone wants peace!

An original novel set in the Halo Universe and based on the New York Times bestselling video game series! Molly Patel was only seven years old when the alien alliance known as the Covenant destroyed her homeworld and killed her family. As one of the few to escape the glassing of Paris IV, and despite the United Nations Space Command winning the war on behalf of humanity, Molly never forgot how much she had lost. Nine years later, when her adoptive parents-research scientists specializing in ancient Forerunner technology-are called to the mysterious and wondrous place known as Onyx, Molly vehemently objects. It's not so much that Molly's concerned about relocating to inside a spherical construct the diameter of an entire solar system, but the fact that she also has to live alongside members of the same alien species that murdered her family. And when the Servants of the Abiding Truth, a violent ex-Covenant sect under the guidance of the notorious Pale Blade, somehow makes its way inside this supposedly impregnable sphere, Molly is now forced to consider if she and her new parents have made a terrible and fatal mistake in coming here...

Just hours following their climactic battle on the Forerunner planet Genesis, the Spartans of Blue Team and Fireteam Osiris find themselves running for their lives from the malevolent machinations of the now-renegade artificial intelligence Cortana. But even as they attempt to stay one step ahead, new trouble seems to find Spartan Edward Buck no matter where he turns. A secret mission planned by the Office of Naval Intelligence could possibly help turn the tide, and has Buck reluctantly agreeing to reform his old team, Alpha-Nine. But if the band is really getting back together for this one, that means everybody-including the Spartan who Buck never wants to see again, the one who committed the ultimate betrayal of trust...

250 years ago, Ascalon burned . . .
Desperate to defend his land from advancing hordes of bestial charr, King Adelbern summoned the all-powerful Foefire to repel the invaders. But magic can be a double-edged sword--the Foefire burned both charr and human alike. While the charr corpses smoldered, the slain Ascalonians arose again, transformed by their king's rage into ghostly protectors and charged with guarding the realm . . . forever. The once mighty kingdom became a haunted shadow of its former glory.
Centuries later, the descendants of Ascalon, exiled to the nation of Kryta, are besieged on all sides. To save humankind, Queen Jennah seeks to negotiate a treaty with the hated charr. But one obstacle remains. The charr legions won't sign the truce until their most prized possession, the Claw of the Khan-Ur, is returned from the ruins of fallen Ascalon.
Now a mismatched band of adventurers, each plagued by ghosts of their own, sets forth into a haunted, war-torn land to retrieve the Claw. Without the artifact, there is no hope for peace between human and charr--but the undead king who rules Ascalon won't give it up easily, and not everyone wants peace

Learn the tragic origins of the wicked Arch-Illager in this official Minecraft novel, a prequel to Minecraft Dungeons! Brave heroes have banded together to take a perilous journey through the war-torn Overworld to defeat the Arch-Illager and his formidable army. But how did that army come to be? And just where did the Arch-Illager come from? The terrible truth behind the Arch-Illager is that he never asked for ultimate power. Known as Archie, this little Illager is bullied by his fellow Illagers and mistrusted by fearful Villagers. Archie only ever wanted a place to call home, but he finds himself shunned by all. As he wanders through deep forests and up craggy mountains, he stumbles upon a dark cavern-with a sinister secret waiting inside. Archie discovers an object that whispers to him promises of power: the Orb of Dominance. With it, Archie realizes he can wield incredible magic and reshape a world that turned its back on him. All he needs to do is exactly what it tells him . . . After all, it's called the Orb of Dominance for a reason, right? But is it named for the way Archie uses it-or is it using him?

Welcome to Blackwell Academy is an in-universe book from the Life is Strange video game franchise from Dontnod Entertainment and Square Enix. This detailed book takes the form of a student guide to Blackwell Academy and the town of Arcadia Bay. Overlaid onto the pages is graffiti: notes, doodles, sketches and photographs from the Blackwell students themselves, including contributions from the beloved protagonists Max and Chloe. Welcome to Blackwell Academy includes information on the staff and facilities of Blackwell Academy, the people and locations of Arcadia Bay, overlaid with funny, irreverent and poignant comments from the students.

Super Hero. Leader. Avenger. One of Marvel Comics most inspiring characters is all this and so much more. With a foreword by the equally legendary Stan Lee, Captain America: The Ultimate Guide: New Edition celebrates the 80th Anniversary of the iconic Captain America. Delve into the long and storied history of the First Avenger, from his service in World War II through to the earth-shattering events of the Infinity Wars and Empyre. Discover the origins of Captain America and how he joined the Avengers. Learn about his first encounters with his courageous allies, including Peggy Carter, Winter Soldier, and Falcon, and his epic clashes with villains such as Baron Zemo and Red Skull. Iconic, brave, and principled, Captain America has become one of Marvel Comics' most beloved Super Heroes. Expertly written and lavishly illustrated, no Marvel or Captain America fan will want to miss this indispensable guide. (c) 2021 MARVEL

Industry Talk is a collection of two previously published columns by Jennifer Brozek, Dice and Deadlines and The Making of an Anthology. The collection also contains brand-new content including step-by-step instructions on how to pitch an anthology and advice on managing a freelance career. "Want to write for games? Want to navigate the dark labyrinths and endless mazes of freelancing? Let Brozek be your guide." - Chuck Wendig, game designer and author of 500 Ways to be a Better Writer "If you're going to make that leap, though, and come over to the freelance side to join us, don't go blind. Do your research. Ask questions. Read this book." - Matt Forbeck, game designer and author of Amortals and Vegas Knights "To those looking to save hours of field research into two highly specialized and hard-to-crack fields, Jennifer Brozek's pragmatic, down-to-earth advice serves as an essential clue-dispenser." - Robin D. Laws, game designer and author of Hamlet's Hit Points As Brozek says, "Freelancing for the RPG author is an active thing. You need to look for (or make) the opportunities and grab them." The first opportunity you should grab is this book. It will give you the information you need to decide whether you're dedicated enough to become a freelance RPG writer or anthology editor, and if you decide you are, then it will tell you how to go about it. Take Brozek's advice to heart. She knows what she's talking about." - Angel Leigh McCoy, writer for Guild Wars 2 and editor of Wily Writers Podcast

Imagine: A fantasy world, but not one based on Medieval/Dark Ages European culture and myth, but rather on the tropes of the Spaghetti Western and Chinese Wuxia. Add steampunk elements. Mix well.
A fantasy world that mixes the inspirations of "Django" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.".. "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly "and "House of Flying Daggers.".. "Fistful of Dollars" and "Fist of Legend."
A fantasy world that's explored through a book series, a constantly-updated website, a tabletop role-playing game, comics, artwork, webseries and much, much, more.
This is FAR WEST.
Tales of the Far West is the first book in Adamant Entertainment's Wuxia-Western mash-up, featuring a dozen all-new tales written by critically-acclaimed and award-winning fantasy, science-fiction, horror and adventure authors, including:
"He Built The Wall To Knock It Down" by Scott Lynch: A master teaches an unforgettable lesson in the pursuit of excellence in all things.
"In Stillness, Music" by Aaron Rosenberg: A wandering musician is all that stands between a village and a cattle baron.
"Riding The Thunderbird" by Chuck Wendig: A herd of giant, flightless birds, a young girl, and a sudden lesson.
"Purity of Purpose" by Gareth-Michael Skarka: Who seeks the secret of the Unsurpassed Weapons?
"Paper Lotus" by Tessa Gratton: A strange girl tasks a wounded man to deliver a crucial message.
"In the Name of the Empire" by Eddy Webb: A sheriff is charged with the murder of an Imperial Magistrate.
"Errant Eagles" by Will Hindmarch: A gunslinger faces the consequences of his past.
"Railroad Spikes" by Ari Marmell: A bandit finds that he's robbed the wrong train.
"The Fury Pact" by Matt Forbeck: An inventor's son faces the responsibility of his name.
"Seven Holes" by T.S. Luikart: An apprentice learns the true nature of demons.
"Local Legend" by Jason L. Blair: Red Phoenix was dead, and the bounty hunter tells the tale.
"Crippled Avengers" by Dave Gross: A band of fighters seek to take revenge on the steam baron who crippled them.