Best Ancient Evil Awakens Books

The Hero of Ages

The Mistborn Saga • Book 3

by Brandon Sanderson

Sanderson concludes his Mistborn trilogy as Vin and Elend confront the world-ending Deepness while searching for the prophesied Hero of Ages who can save humanity.

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Sanderson concludes his Mistborn trilogy as Vin and Elend confront the world-ending Deepness while searching for the prophesied Hero of Ages who can save humanity.

A Game of Thrones

A Song of Ice and Fire • Book 1

by George R. R. Martin

Noble families fight for the Iron Throne while an ancient evil awakens beyond the Wall in a world where winters last for years. Martin subverts fantasy tropes with political complexity and shocking character deaths.

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Noble families fight for the Iron Throne while an ancient evil awakens beyond the Wall in a world where winters last for years. Martin subverts fantasy tropes with political complexity and shocking character deaths.

Heir of Fire

Throne of Glass • Book 3

by Sarah J. Maas

Maas splits her heroine between continents as Celaena trains in deadly Fae magic while her friends face political machinations and growing darkness in Rifthold.

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Maas splits her heroine between continents as Celaena trains in deadly Fae magic while her friends face political machinations and growing darkness in Rifthold.

Reaper

Cradle • Book 10

by Will Wight

Wight pushes his magic system to its limits as Lindon delves into Soulsmithing secrets while Monarchs scheme above and cosmic forces battle in realms beyond imagination.

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Wight pushes his magic system to its limits as Lindon delves into Soulsmithing secrets while Monarchs scheme above and cosmic forces battle in realms beyond imagination.

Dreadgod

Cradle • Book 11

by Will Wight

Ancient Dreadgods rampage across Cradle while Lindon becomes a target for Monarchs who see him as a threat. Old grudges dissolve as survival trumps politics in this climactic installment.

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Ancient Dreadgods rampage across Cradle while Lindon becomes a target for Monarchs who see him as a threat. Old grudges dissolve as survival trumps politics in this climactic installment.

Towers of Midnight

The Wheel of Time • Book 13

by Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson

Jordan and Sanderson accelerate toward the Last Battle as Perrin confronts his past and Mat faces the Tower of Ghenjei. Character arcs that have simmered for over a decade finally reach their crescendo with satisfying emotional payoffs.

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Jordan and Sanderson accelerate toward the Last Battle as Perrin confronts his past and Mat faces the Tower of Ghenjei. Character arcs that have simmered for over a decade finally reach their crescendo with satisfying emotional payoffs.

The Hunger of the Gods

The Bloodsworn Saga • Book 2

by John Gwynne

Lik-Rifa the dragon goddess awakens after three centuries of imprisonment, gathering all monsters to her cause while desperate mortals resurrect their own divine champions.

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Lik-Rifa the dragon goddess awakens after three centuries of imprisonment, gathering all monsters to her cause while desperate mortals resurrect their own divine champions.

Bloodline

Cradle • Book 9

by Will Wight

Lindon must evacuate his home valley before a mountain-sized Dreadgod destroys it, but ancient curses strip away his hard-won powers. Wight crafts a homecoming where godlike strength meets stubborn family pride and old wounds.

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Lindon must evacuate his home valley before a mountain-sized Dreadgod destroys it, but ancient curses strip away his hard-won powers. Wight crafts a homecoming where godlike strength meets stubborn family pride and old wounds.

Guards! Guards!

Discworld • Book 8

by Terry Pratchett

Captain Vimes and Ankh-Morpork's worst guards face a dragon summoned by secret societies seeking to crown a new king.

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Captain Vimes and Ankh-Morpork's worst guards face a dragon summoned by secret societies seeking to crown a new king.

The Fifth Season

The Broken Earth • Book 1

by N.K. Jemisin

Essun discovers her husband murdered their son and fled with their daughter on the same day their world-spanning empire crumbles—the apocalypse gets personal.

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Essun discovers her husband murdered their son and fled with their daughter on the same day their world-spanning empire crumbles—the apocalypse gets personal.

The Shadow Rising

The Wheel of Time • Book 4

by Robert Jordan

While Rand learns the devastating truth about Aiel history in the glass columns of Rhuidean, Perrin returns home to find Whitecloaks hunting him and the Two Rivers under siege by Trollocs.

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While Rand learns the devastating truth about Aiel history in the glass columns of Rhuidean, Perrin returns home to find Whitecloaks hunting him and the Two Rivers under siege by Trollocs.

Abyss

Unbound • Book 7

by Nicoli Gonnella

After transforming Ahkestria's desert into an ocean, Felix confronts political power, noble interference, and a Primordial's Boon changing his very nature—Gonnella escalates on every front.

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After transforming Ahkestria's desert into an ocean, Felix confronts political power, noble interference, and a Primordial's Boon changing his very nature—Gonnella escalates on every front.

Threshold

Unbound • Book 5

by Nicoli Gonnella

Haarwatch's salvation proves temporary as Felix confronts the Archon's escape from his ancient prison, guided by a Territorial Quest toward an uncertain threshold.

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Haarwatch's salvation proves temporary as Felix confronts the Archon's escape from his ancient prison, guided by a Territorial Quest toward an uncertain threshold.

LastRock

The Immortal Great Souls • Book 3

by Phil Tucker

Victorious Scorio spurns hell's recruiters to venture into the underworld's untold depths, seeking the mysterious Herdsmen among terrifying new societies.

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Victorious Scorio spurns hell's recruiters to venture into the underworld's untold depths, seeking the mysterious Herdsmen among terrifying new societies.

Defiance of the Fall 4: A LitRPG Adventure

Defiance of the Fall • Book 4

by TheFirstDefier, Pavi Proczko, J.F. Brink

Underground riches meet advancing undead armies in this fourth installment that balances dungeon exploration with empire-level warfare. The subterranean setting creates fresh tactical challenges for familiar characters.

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Underground riches meet advancing undead armies in this fourth installment that balances dungeon exploration with empire-level warfare. The subterranean setting creates fresh tactical challenges for familiar characters.

The Obelisk Gate

The Broken Earth • Book 2

by N.K. Jemisin

The endless seismic apocalypse deepens while Essun hunts for her stolen daughter and grapples with the power to destroy worlds. Jemisin balances intimate family trauma against the collapse of civilization in this middle volume of her groundbreaking trilogy.

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The endless seismic apocalypse deepens while Essun hunts for her stolen daughter and grapples with the power to destroy worlds. Jemisin balances intimate family trauma against the collapse of civilization in this middle volume of her groundbreaking trilogy.

The Shepherd's Crown

Discworld • Book 41

by Terry Pratchett, Rob Wilkins

In Pratchett's final Discworld novel, young witch Tiffany Aching faces an invasion from Fairyland while dealing with death, duty, and growing up. A bittersweet conclusion that balances humor with genuine emotion.

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In Pratchett's final Discworld novel, young witch Tiffany Aching faces an invasion from Fairyland while dealing with death, duty, and growing up. A bittersweet conclusion that balances humor with genuine emotion.

Defiance of the Fall 11

Defiance of the Fall • Book 11

by TheFirstDefier, J.F. Brink

Ancient inheritances surface while enemies position for total war, pushing Zac toward revelations about his mysterious origins. The cultivation system reaches new complexity as political machinations threaten everything he's built.

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Ancient inheritances surface while enemies position for total war, pushing Zac toward revelations about his mysterious origins. The cultivation system reaches new complexity as political machinations threaten everything he's built.

The Eye of the World

The Wheel of Time • Book 1

by Robert Jordan

Three farm boys flee their village when they learn one of them might be the prophesied Dragon Reborn, destined to either save or destroy the world. Jordan builds a mythology so detailed it feels archaeological.

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Three farm boys flee their village when they learn one of them might be the prophesied Dragon Reborn, destined to either save or destroy the world. Jordan builds a mythology so detailed it feels archaeological.

Empire

Unbound • Book 10

by Nicoli Gonnella

Defeating one god only angered the rest—Felix learns that saving Pax'Vrell was just the opening move in a war against an entire pantheon bent on destroying the Unbound.

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Defeating one god only angered the rest—Felix learns that saving Pax'Vrell was just the opening move in a war against an entire pantheon bent on destroying the Unbound.

The Tunnels Beneath

The Aldoran Chronicles • Book 4

by Michael Wisehart

Everything Ayrion believed about his ancestry crumbles when ancient secrets surface, forcing him to return to the Lost City and convince his people of an inconceivable heritage.

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Everything Ayrion believed about his ancestry crumbles when ancient secrets surface, forcing him to return to the Lost City and convince his people of an inconceivable heritage.

Beyond the Shadows

Night Angel • Book 3

by Brent Weeks

Cenaria crumbles under a usurper queen while the Godking's death triggers northern civil wars, forcing assassin Kylar Stern to make impossible choices about power and friendship. Weeks concludes his Night Angel trilogy with brutal political maneuvering.

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Cenaria crumbles under a usurper queen while the Godking's death triggers northern civil wars, forcing assassin Kylar Stern to make impossible choices about power and friendship. Weeks concludes his Night Angel trilogy with brutal political maneuvering.

Age of Empyre

The Legends of the First Empire • Book 6

by Michael J. Sullivan

Dragons advance as the Fhrey leader's terrible price for victory becomes clear, leaving a mystic and Keeper as the last hope while time runs out.

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Dragons advance as the Fhrey leader's terrible price for victory becomes clear, leaving a mystic and Keeper as the last hope while time runs out.

The Four-Part Key

The Aldoran Chronicles • Book 3

by Michael Wisehart

An ancient proverb guides Ty's search for four missing relic pieces needed to restore the legendary wizard fortress of Aero'set. Wisehart builds his fantasy around archaeological mystery and magical reconstruction.

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An ancient proverb guides Ty's search for four missing relic pieces needed to restore the legendary wizard fortress of Aero'set. Wisehart builds his fantasy around archaeological mystery and magical reconstruction.

Tower of Silence

Saga of the Forgotten Warrior • Book 4

by Larry Correia

With the Great Extermination threatening all casteless people, the fallen Protector Ashok Vadal must escape his island prison and cross demon-infested seas to return to those who need him most.

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With the Great Extermination threatening all casteless people, the fallen Protector Ashok Vadal must escape his island prison and cross demon-infested seas to return to those who need him most.

Dragons and Demons

King's Dark Tidings • Book 5

by Kel Kade

Every kingdom Rezkin touches crumbles, but from the ruins he forges something new - until mysterious ancient powers steal him from his path. Kade delivers shocking revelations about Rezkin's identity while expanding the series' mythology.

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Every kingdom Rezkin touches crumbles, but from the ruins he forges something new - until mysterious ancient powers steal him from his path. Kade delivers shocking revelations about Rezkin's identity while expanding the series' mythology.

American Gods

American Gods • Book 1

by Neil Gaiman

Old gods brought by immigrants clash with new deities of technology and media across America's highways and forgotten towns.

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Old gods brought by immigrants clash with new deities of technology and media across America's highways and forgotten towns.

American Gods. TV Tie-In

American Gods • Book 1

by Neil Gaiman

Newly released convict Shadow becomes bodyguard to mysterious Mr. Wednesday and discovers gods walk among us, fighting for believers. Gaiman explores American identity through the lens of competing mythologies and fading faiths.

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Newly released convict Shadow becomes bodyguard to mysterious Mr. Wednesday and discovers gods walk among us, fighting for believers. Gaiman explores American identity through the lens of competing mythologies and fading faiths.

Elantris

Elantris • Book 1

by Brandon Sanderson

Once-divine Elantrians now suffer as leper-like creatures after their magic failed, and three characters must uncover why their radiant city fell into ruin.

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Once-divine Elantrians now suffer as leper-like creatures after their magic failed, and three characters must uncover why their radiant city fell into ruin.

The Priory of the Orange Tree

The Roots of Chaos • Book 1

by Samantha Shannon

Ancient dragons stir as Queen Sabran struggles to conceive the heir needed to protect her realm from destruction. Shannon weaves Eastern and Western dragon mythology into an epic standalone fantasy exploring duty, sacrifice, and the cost of power.

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Ancient dragons stir as Queen Sabran struggles to conceive the heir needed to protect her realm from destruction. Shannon weaves Eastern and Western dragon mythology into an epic standalone fantasy exploring duty, sacrifice, and the cost of power.

Mark of the Fool 10

Mark of the Fool • Book 10

by J.M. Clarke

Alex Roth has become an archwizard, overcome the Mark of the Fool, and empowered his companions—now he must break the Ravener's cycle of victory and horror that has defined Thameland for generations.

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Alex Roth has become an archwizard, overcome the Mark of the Fool, and empowered his companions—now he must break the Ravener's cycle of victory and horror that has defined Thameland for generations.

The Lions of Al-Rassan

Sarantine Universe • Book 4

by Guy Gavriel Kay

Kay reimagines medieval Spain as three friends - Christian, Jewish, and Muslim - watch religious fundamentalism destroy their tolerant civilization. Friendship collides with faith in an impossible war.

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Kay reimagines medieval Spain as three friends - Christian, Jewish, and Muslim - watch religious fundamentalism destroy their tolerant civilization. Friendship collides with faith in an impossible war.

Lords and Ladies

Discworld • Book 14

by Terry Pratchett

Granny Weatherwax faces her most dangerous opponents yet: actual elves who view humans as playthings. Pratchett subverts fairy tale expectations while delivering Morris dancers, mayhem, and surprising darkness.

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Granny Weatherwax faces her most dangerous opponents yet: actual elves who view humans as playthings. Pratchett subverts fairy tale expectations while delivering Morris dancers, mayhem, and surprising darkness.

The Shadow of the Gods

The Bloodsworn Saga • Book 1

by John Gwynne

Gods are dead, their war shattered the world, and now mortals fight among the ruins in this brutal Norse-inspired fantasy.

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Gods are dead, their war shattered the world, and now mortals fight among the ruins in this brutal Norse-inspired fantasy.

Fermentation

Battle Mage Farmer • Book 4

by Seth Ring

John stopped the apocalypse but sort of poisoned the world in the process — now he's juggling farm work, valley development, and a mysterious interdimensional door.

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John stopped the apocalypse but sort of poisoned the world in the process — now he's juggling farm work, valley development, and a mysterious interdimensional door.

Wizard's First Rule

Sword of Truth • Book 1

by Terry Goodkind

Woods guide Richard Cypher becomes the Seeker of Truth when the mysterious Kahlan reveals his true heritage and the urgent need to stop Darken Rahl from obtaining the three boxes of Orden.

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Woods guide Richard Cypher becomes the Seeker of Truth when the mysterious Kahlan reveals his true heritage and the urgent need to stop Darken Rahl from obtaining the three boxes of Orden.

Age of Myth

The Legends of the First Empire • Book 1

by Michael J. Sullivan

Sullivan upends traditional fantasy by making the gods real people with superior technology, until one human's desperate act proves they're not immortal. Epic fantasy that questions the nature of divinity itself.

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Sullivan upends traditional fantasy by making the gods real people with superior technology, until one human's desperate act proves they're not immortal. Epic fantasy that questions the nature of divinity itself.

An Echo of Things to Come

The Licanius Trilogy • Book 2

by James Islington

Davian races north as the Boundary weakens, his time-manipulation powers growing stronger while ancient enemies prepare their final assault on reality itself, escalating Islington's complex magical mythology.

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Davian races north as the Boundary weakens, his time-manipulation powers growing stronger while ancient enemies prepare their final assault on reality itself, escalating Islington's complex magical mythology.

The Last Ballad of Hope

A Time of Dragons • Book 3

by Philip C. Quaintrell

Evil returns from shadow and madness in this epic conclusion, manifesting as something death could never hold in Quaintrell's sweeping fantasy finale.

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Evil returns from shadow and madness in this epic conclusion, manifesting as something death could never hold in Quaintrell's sweeping fantasy finale.

The Silmarillion

The Lord of the Rings

by J. R. R. Tolkien

Long before Sauron, Morgoth the first Dark Lord battled the High Elves for possession of the Silmarils—three jewels containing the light of creation itself.

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Long before Sauron, Morgoth the first Dark Lord battled the High Elves for possession of the Silmarils—three jewels containing the light of creation itself.

Shattersoul

The Ripple System • Book 4

by Kyle Kirrin

Strange towers bring reality fragments to EBO as the Possibility King's invasion escalates, awakening something dangerous within Frank. Kirrin expands his Ripple System world with reality-bending consequences.

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Strange towers bring reality fragments to EBO as the Possibility King's invasion escalates, awakening something dangerous within Frank. Kirrin expands his Ripple System world with reality-bending consequences.

Lost Gods

by Brom

Ex-convict Chet ventures into Purgatory to save his pregnant wife and unborn child in this darkly illustrated fantasy. Brom reimagines the afterlife as a decaying bureaucratic nightmare.

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Ex-convict Chet ventures into Purgatory to save his pregnant wife and unborn child in this darkly illustrated fantasy. Brom reimagines the afterlife as a decaying bureaucratic nightmare.

The Light of Life

The Cycle of Galand • Book 4

by Edward W. Robertson

Justice against Gladdic unleashes something worse—the White Lich, an ancient evil that threatens to enslave all of Tanar Atain. Dante and Blays must strike fast before he regains full power.

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Justice against Gladdic unleashes something worse—the White Lich, an ancient evil that threatens to enslave all of Tanar Atain. Dante and Blays must strike fast before he regains full power.

Endfall

The Kingfall Histories • Book 5

by David Estes

Estes concludes his Kingfall saga with massive scope, as ancient invaders finally make their move and heroes face the ultimate choice between light and darkness. Epic fantasy delivered.

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Estes concludes his Kingfall saga with massive scope, as ancient invaders finally make their move and heroes face the ultimate choice between light and darkness. Epic fantasy delivered.

Eldritch

The Eating Woods • Book 2

by Keri Lake

Ancient eldritch magic turns the mortal world cold and hungry, spawning flesh-eating monsters as Maevyth and Zevander fight to break Zevander's curse. Lake's sequel darkens the fantasy romance with apocalyptic horror elements.

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Ancient eldritch magic turns the mortal world cold and hungry, spawning flesh-eating monsters as Maevyth and Zevander fight to break Zevander's curse. Lake's sequel darkens the fantasy romance with apocalyptic horror elements.

Son of the Black Sword

Saga of the Forgotten Warrior • Book 1

by Larry Correia

After the War of Gods cast demons into the world, one hero's magical sword becomes humanity's last hope against extinction. Correia crafts mythology that feels both ancient and immediate.

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After the War of Gods cast demons into the world, one hero's magical sword becomes humanity's last hope against extinction. Correia crafts mythology that feels both ancient and immediate.

A Wizard of Earthsea

The Earthsea Quartet • Book 1

by Ursula K. Le Guin

Sparrowhawk's hunger for magical knowledge releases a terrible shadow upon the world, forcing him into exile across the islands of Earthsea. Le Guin crafts a mythic coming-of-age tale about confronting the darkness within ourselves and accepting responsibility for our actions.

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Sparrowhawk's hunger for magical knowledge releases a terrible shadow upon the world, forcing him into exile across the islands of Earthsea. Le Guin crafts a mythic coming-of-age tale about confronting the darkness within ourselves and accepting responsibility for our actions.

New Spring

The Wheel of Time

by Robert Jordan

Before becoming the legendary Warder-Aes Sedai pair, young Lan and freshly raised Moiraine pursue Black Ajah conspirators through a city near the Blight. Jordan's prequel reveals how their legendary partnership began while delivering classic Wheel of Time intrigue and action.

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Before becoming the legendary Warder-Aes Sedai pair, young Lan and freshly raised Moiraine pursue Black Ajah conspirators through a city near the Blight. Jordan's prequel reveals how their legendary partnership began while delivering classic Wheel of Time intrigue and action.

Secret of the Dragon

Dragon Riders of Elantia • Book 6

by Jasmine Walt

Zara and Lessie wake up in Muza's secret lair after escaping the Hellmouth, stumbling upon the key to freeing dragons from their slavery bonds. But the thwarted Dragon God wants revenge, and their discovery makes them prime targets.

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Zara and Lessie wake up in Muza's secret lair after escaping the Hellmouth, stumbling upon the key to freeing dragons from their slavery bonds. But the thwarted Dragon God wants revenge, and their discovery makes them prime targets.

Silver on the Tree

The Dark Is Rising • Book 5

by Susan Cooper