gods and goddesses

Strong female mystical beings from far and wide came to specialize in or stand for a wide range of major themes from nature and society. Among the more common were war, death, love, healing, wisdom, and marriage. In whichever manner the tales of supernatural females came about, one thing cannot be denied. Namely, these stories never fail to fascinate, and sometimes inspire, members of each new human generation.

In past human societies around the globe, major themes from nature and human society-such as love, death, wisdom, and war-became associated with specific gods. This is not surprising. Indeed, all human societies, no matter where and when they have existed, have recognized certain universal questions, experiences, concerns, and needs.

"Rui has one goal in mind, honing her magic to avenge her mother's death. Yiran is the black sheep of an illustrious family. The world would be at his feet, had he been born with magic. Nikai is a Reaper, serving the Fourth King of Hell. When his master disappears, the underworld begins to crumble, and the human world will be next if the King is not found. When an accident causes Rui's power to transfer to Yiran, everything turns upside down. Without her magic, Rui has no tool for vengeance. With it, Yiran finally feels like he belongs. That is, until Rui discovers she might hold the key to the missing death god and strikes a dangerous bargain with another King. As darkness takes over, three paths intersect in the shadows. And three lives bound by fate must rise against destiny before the barrier between worlds falls and all Hell breaks loose, literally"--OCLC.

In the magic-soaked capital city of Oluwan, Small Sade needs a job?preferably as a maid, with employers who don?t mind her unique appearance and unlucky foot. But before she can be hired, she accidentally binds herself to a powerful being known only as the Crocodile, a god rumored to devour pretty girls. Small Sade entrances the Crocodile with her secret: she is a Curse Eater, gifted with the ability to alter people?s fates by cleaning their houses. The handsome god warns that their fates are bound, but Small Sade evades him, launching herself into a new career as the Curse Eater of a swanky inn. She is determined to impress the wealthy inhabitants and earn her place in Oluwan City . . . assuming her secret-filled past?and the revolutionary ambitions of the Crocodile God?don?t catch up with her. But maybe there is more to Small Sade. And maybe everyone in Oluwan City deserves more, too, from the maids all the way to the Anointed Ones.

In this epic new saga about the Norse gods, warrior god Odin, chief of Aesir, travels the Nine Worlds in search of knowledge and discovers that nothing is learned without sacrifice.

The Aleke is cruel. The Aleke is clever. The Aleke is coming. 500 years after the events of The Lies of the Ajungo, the City of Truth stands as the last remaining free city of the Forever Desert. A bastion of freedom and peace, the city has successfully weathered near-constant attacks from the Cult of Tutu, who have besieged it for three centuries, attempting to destroy its warriors and subjugate its people. Seventeen-year-old Osi is a Junior Peacekeeper in the City. When the mysterious leader of the Cult, known only as the Aleke, commits a massacre in the capitol and steals the sacred God's Eyes, Osi steps forward to valiantly defend his home. For his bravery he is tasked with a tremendous responsibility--destroy the Cult of Tutu, bring back the God's Eyes, and discover the truth of the Aleke.

"Heroes die, cowards live. Daughter of a conquered world, Ruying hates the invaders who descended from the heavens long before she was born and defeated the magic of her people with technologies unlike anything her world had ever seen. Blessed by Death, born with the ability to pull the life right out of mortal bodies, Ruying shouldn't have to fear these foreign invaders, but she does. Especially because she wants to keep herself and her family safe. When Ruying's Gift is discovered by an enemy prince, he offers her an impossible deal: If she becomes his private assassin and eliminates his political rivals--whose deaths he swears would be for the good of both their worlds and would protect her people from further brutalization--her family will never starve or suffer harm again. But to accept this bargain, she must use the powers she has always feared, powers that will shave years off her own existence"--Provided by publisher.

"Zephyr, now a god in a warrior's body, faces challenges as she strives to support her lordess Xin Ren in a tumultuous political landscape, and is determined to overcome fate and make her enemies pay, even when confronting a revelation about Crow's true allegiance"--OCLC.

On a trip to visit her grandparents in Japan, Tessa Miyata inadvertently releases the spirit of an evil samurai god who wants to destroy Tokyo, and stumbles upon a hidden part of the city where gods and mythological creatures walk among humans.

"Meet Moana's crew. They will help her on a new journey!"--Provided by publisher.