New Releases by Vicky Alvear

From seven masters of historical fiction—including New York Times bestseller Kate Quinn—comes a richly imagined anthology of stories which bring the epic tale of the Trojan War to life. Troy: city of gold, gatekeeper of the East, haven of the god-born and the lucky, a city destined to last a thousand years. But the Fates have other plans—the Fates, and a woman named Helen. In the shadow of Troy’s gates, all must be reborn in the greatest war of the ancient world: slaves and queens, heroes and cowards, seers and kings . . . and these are their stories. A young princess and an embittered prince join forces to prevent a fatal elopement. A tormented seeress challenges the gods themselves to save her city from the impending disaster. A tragedy-haunted king battles private demons and envious rivals as the siege grinds on. A doomed hero launches a desperate plan to bring the war to a close. A grizzled archer and a desperate Amazon risk their lives to avenge their dead. A trickster conceives the greatest trick of all. A goddess’s son battles to save the spirit of Troy even as the walls are breached in fire and blood. Seven authors vividly recreate the Trojan War: its heroes, its villains, its survivors, its dead. Who will lie forgotten in the embers, and who will rise to shape the bloody dawn of a new age?

From seven bestselling authors, including New York Times bestseller Kate Quinn, comes a gripping and vividly imagined novel following an epic struggle of rebellion against the might of Rome. Britannia: land of mist and magic clinging to the western edge of the Roman Empire. A red-haired queen named Boudica led her people in a desperate rebellion against the might of Rome, an epic struggle destined to consume heroes and cowards, young and old, Roman and Briton . . . and these are their stories. A calculating queen foresees the fires of rebellion in a king’s death. A neglected slave girl seizes her own courage as Boudica calls for war. An idealistic tribune finds manhood in a brutal baptism of blood and slaughter. A death-haunted Druid challenges the gods themselves to ensure victory for his people. A conflicted young warrior finds himself torn between loyalties to tribe and to Rome. An old champion struggles for everlasting glory in the final battle against the legions. A pair of fiery princesses fight to salvage the pieces of their mother’s dream as the ravens circle. A novel in seven parts, overlapping stories of warriors and peacemakers, queens and slaves, Romans and Britons who cross paths during Boudica’s epic rebellion. But who will survive to see the dawn of a new Britannia, and who will fall to feed the ravens?

From six bestselling authors, including New York Times bestseller Kate Quinn, comes a vividly imagined novel following the lives of those in ancient Pompeii on the fateful day Mount Vesuvius erupts. Pompeii was a lively resort flourishing in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius at the height of the Roman Empire. When Vesuvius erupted in an explosion of flame and ash, the entire town would be destroyed. Some of its citizens died in the chaos, some escaped the mountain’s wrath . . . and these are their stories: A boy loses his innocence in Pompeii’s flourishing streets. An heiress dreads her wedding day, not knowing it will be swallowed by fire. An ex-legionary stakes his entire future on a gladiator bout destined never to be finished. A crippled senator welcomes death, until a tomboy on horseback comes to his rescue. A young mother faces an impossible choice for her unborn child as the ash falls. A priestess and a prostitute seek redemption and resurrection as the town is buried. Six authors bring to life overlapping stories of patricians and slaves, warriors and politicians, villains and heroes who cross each other’s paths during Pompeii’s fiery end. But who will escape, and who will be buried for eternity?

Learn all about Cleopatra, a far more capable and powerful ruler than people have thought, in this lively and informative biography. Most of what we''ve known about Cleopatra—and what crept into art, film, and literature—came from her enemies, the Romans. Ascending to the throne at young age of 17, Cleopatra proved to be a brilliant negotiator who forged alliances that kept her in power and in control of her kingdom. This book about Egypt''s last and most famous pharaoh features an inviting text, many sidebars, and excellent color illustrations: maps, photos of ancient artifacts, and artworks from many historical periods.

The true life stories of six little-known fierce ancient warrior queens are told with humor and vivid detail by an award-winning writer. For young readers seeking to be inspired by stories of strong women, this riveting book shines a light on six powerful ancient queens. Highlighting women warriors who ruled in ancient eras, like Hatshepsut in 1492 BCE Egypt, and Zenobia in 260 CE Palmyra, the stories span the globe to reveal the hidden histories of queens who challenged men and fought for the right to rule their queendoms. Award-winning author Vicky Alvear Shectar''s lively text and acclaimed illustrator Bill Mayer''s witty illustrations showcase these stories filled with history, power, and humor.

In Victorian England, a savvy spiritual medium must outsmart the most important client of her career: a scientist determined to expose frauds like her. But their game of wits has fatal consequences when a vengeful spirit answers their summons. If they cannot put aside their prejudices—and growing passion—and find a way to banish the ghost together, one of them could be its next victim. Get a sneak peek of The Haunting of Beatrix Greene by bestselling authors Rachel Hawkins, Ash Parsons, and Vicky Alvear Shecter. Learn more at serialbox.com.

One day in the distant future, Thor, the Norse god of thunder, is destined to battle the giant snake that threatens to devour the world. Until then, mortals of Middle Earth look to Thor and his magic hammer for protection from evil. In this third volume of the Secrets of the Ancient Gods series, Thor takes time from his duties to lead readers through the mythological Norse realms, those mysterious worlds that are home to gods, giants, elves, and monsters. He also delves into the age of the Vikings and reveals how they lived and what they believed. Using Thor as her humorous narrator, author Vicky Alvear Shecter provides a well-researched and unconventional nonfiction introduction to Norse mythology. Includes a glossary, bibliography, and index.

Hades, god of the dead, welcomes readers on a dangerous tour of his underworld kingdom, filled with monsters, furies, giants, and vampire demons. Along the way, he reveals ancient death rites and sinister curses, tells hair-raising stories, and cracks jokes to die for. With his witty voice and ghoulish sense of humor, Hades is the perfect guide through this fresh and imaginative work of nonfiction that reads like a novel. Includes a glossary, bibliography, and index.

When your world blows apart, what will you hold onto? TAG is a medical slave, doomed to spend his life healing his master''s injured gladiators. But his warrior''s heart yearns to fight in the gladiator ring himself and earn enough money to win his freedom.LUCIA is the daughter of Tag''s owner, doomed by her father''s greed to marry a much older Roman man. But she loves studying the natural world around her home in Pompeii, and lately she''s been noticing some odd occurrences in the landscape: small lakes disappearing; a sulfurous smell in the air. . . . When the two childhood friends reconnect, each with their own longings, they fall passionately in love. But as they plot their escape from the city, a patrician fighter reveals his own plans for them -- to Lucia''s father, who imprisons Tag as punishment. Then an earthquake shakes Pompeii, in the first sign of the chaos to come. Will they be able to find each other again before the volcano destroys their whole world?

Roman historique

Who better than Anubis, the jackal-headed god of mummification, to serve as a guide through the dreaded Land of the Dead? In this fresh and imaginative approach to nonfiction, the first title in the Secrets of the Ancient Gods series, Anubis steers the reader through the Egyptian dark lands. Along the way, they meet fearsome gods and gruesome monsters. And they witness the battle of the gods against Apophis, the giant demon-snake trying to devour the world. With ghoulish humor and lots of attitude (he is a god, after all), Anubis introduces readers to ancient Egyptian beliefs and rituals—including the secrets of mummification—with panache and, if he does say so himself, drop-dead humor. Includes glossary, bibliography, and index.

Cleopatra Selene, the only surviving daughter of Cleopatra and Marc Antony, recalls her life of pomp and splendor in Egypt and, after her parents'' deaths, capitivity and treachery in Rome.

Alessandria d''Egitto, 34 a.C. Cleopatra Selene è l''unica figlia della regina Cleopatra e del generale romano Marco Antonio. È cresciuta tra gioielli, privilegi e servitori, e il suo unico sogno è diventare una grande regina, come la madre. I suoi genitori sono belli e potenti, quasi delle divinità, e adorano i figli. Purtroppo, dopo gli esiti disastrosi della battaglia di Azio e la morte cruenta di entrambi i genitori, il nuovo imperatore di Roma, Ottaviano, la porta in patria come prigioniera, insieme ai due fratelli. Ora Cleopatra Selene deve difendersi da umiliazioni, intrighi politici, continui attentati alla sua vita e a quella dei suoi fratelli, e il suo desiderio di vendetta aumenta di giorno in giorno. Presto la giovane principessa inizia a manifestare le sue doti di manipolatrice e di libera pensatrice, il suo istinto di ribellione e una forte sensualità, che associati alla bellezza diventano un''arma micidiale contro i suoi nemici. Cleopatra Selene vuole tornare in Egitto da regina, ma la vita le insegnerà che le certezze possono sgretolarsi da un momento all''altro, lasciando posto alla paura, l''incertezza e la solitudine. Riuscirà a trovare la sua strada? L''amore la farà deviare dal suo desidero di riscatto oppure la aiuterà a ottenerlo? I suoni, gli scorci e i profumi di questo romanzo riportano in vita il fascino del mondo classico e la forte personalità di una giovane donna indipendente e appassionata, capace di perseguire i suoi obiettivi con determinazione, nonostante i colpi avversi del destino.

Kleopatra Selene ist die einzige Tochter der berühmten ägyptischen Herrscherin Kleopatra. Sie lebt in Saus und Braus im elterlichen Palast - und bereitet sich darauf vor, später einmal in die Fußstapfen ihrer Mutter zur treten. Doch dann erklärt der römische Kaiser Augustus Ägypten den Krieg, Selene verliert ihre Eltern und wird nach Rom verschleppt. In der Fremde findet sie sich bald zwischen zwei Männern hin- und hergerissen. Und sie muss sich entscheiden, für wen ihr Herz schlägt ...

Describes the life and accomplishments of the military ruler who conquered ancient Persia and Egypt and united many cultures with one ruler, one language, and one currency.