Ember Spark and the Thunder of Dragons

Ember Spark and the Thunder of Dragons
Author: Abi Elphinstone
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 192
Release: 2024-05-09
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1398500704

A magical NEW story filled with adventure, wonder and edge-of-your-seat excitement, set in a world of daring dragons and magical maladies by the best-selling author of Sky Song, Abi Elphinstone . . . ‘This new fantasy series for younger readers is bubbling with action and imagination… A joy.’ The Daily Mail 'Elphinstone has the confidence to embrace fantasy's most popular tropes - unicorns, dragons, dark-hearted villains - and make them thoroughly her own.' TheTelegraph Rusty Fizzbang, vet to magical beasts, needs an apprentice. Ember Spark, looking for adventure, is his newest recruit - and together with an unlikely friend, Arno, she is sent to help a baby dragon whose parents have gone missing. But keeping magical beasts a secret isn’t an easy task, especially with arch-villain, Jasper Hornswoggle, hot on their heels and keen to derail them… Praise for Ember Spark ‘A total masterclass in high-action, high-stakes, high-fun adventure.’ Emma Carroll, author of Letters from the Lighthouse ‘Quirky and magical, this wonderful adventure proves what everyone should know – Abi Elphinstone is a writer to be cherished.’ Phil Earle, author of When the Sky Falls ‘Ember Spark herself is a wonderful heroine – she’s brave, curious and always up for an adventure.’ Katie Tsang, author of the Dragon Realm series ‘I adored Ember Spark. Abi is a master storyteller . . . she’s created a thrilling adventure fizzing with heart and magic and wonder.’ Zohra Nabi, author of The Kingdom over the Sea ‘Kids are going to go wild for this joyful, moving, thrill-ride of a book, guaranteed to leave you smiling. Every word is magic.’ Lauren St John, author of The White Giraffe series ‘Sure to ignite any reader’s imagination and warm their heart. Wonderful and wonder-filled!’ Andy Shepherd, author of The Boy who Grew Dragons 'Utterly charming, wonderfully wild and sprinkled with gutsy characters, dastardly villains & magical creatures galore . . .' Jo Clarke, author of The Travelling School Mysteries 'Ember Spark is bursting with adventure, magic & that very special Abi Elphinstone sparkle . . .' Mel Taylor-Bessent, author of The Christmas Carrolls

Italian Sword and Sandal Films, 1908-1990

Italian Sword and Sandal Films, 1908-1990
Author: Roy Kinnard
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 257
Release: 2017-03-07
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 1476662916

Produced in Italy from the turn of the 20th century, "sword and sandal" or peplum films were well received in the silent era and attained great popularity in the 1960s following the release of Hercules (1959), starring Mr. Universe Steve Reeves. A global craze for Bronze Age fantasy-adventures ensued and the heroic exploits of Hercules, Maciste, Samson and Goliath were soon a mainstay of American drive-ins and second-run theaters (though mainly disparaged by critics). By 1965, the genre was eclipsed by the spaghetti western, yet the 1960s peplum canon continues to inspire Hollywood epics. This filmography provides credits, cast and comments for dozens of films from 1908 through 1990.