Books published by Guardbridge Books

22 science fiction and fantasy stories, including two new, never-before published pieces, from the award-winning Argentinian author Gustavo Bondoni.Set in corners of the world oft forgotten, these stories will take you from the Namib desert, to the Amazon rainforest, to the far side of the moon.When you dare step Off the Beaten Path, the results could be catastrophic, but the possible rewards are great. Can a small band of of scientists use robotics to save the the last of an endangered New Zealand parrot from a genetically engineered menace? A student journalist desperately tries to save the world from a malevolent spirit using a recording of a dying old woman's last words. A firefighter at Chernobyl finds comfort from an unexpected source. Can an ageing musician calm the vengeful ghost of his old friend? Were fairies responsible for humanity's oldest story?Some of these stories will shock you with a horrifying twist; others will tug at your heartstrings with their emotional resonance. But all will intrigue and move you.

A mysterious artefact.The power to reach across the galaxy.The power to change lives. Jonan's indulgent life on Earth is upturned when he meets Yerudit, a remarkable woman from a distant colony. After an intense affair, Yerudit leaves Jonan to pursue a pilgrimage across the galaxy. He finds himself following her on his own journey of self-discovery: encountering enigmatic artefacts, haunted by a shadowy figure, and discovering a life he never realised he was missing. This novel combines romance with philosophy, strange alien vistas with quiet mindfulness, star travel technology with simple self-reliance. Through it all stands the Pillar, an inexplicable object that gives those who encounter it a glimpse of knowledge beyond human understanding.

A woman with no memory wakes up in a city with no history.The city is alive. Among skyscrapers of flesh and bridges of bone, rogue trains consume their passengers, prophetic Buddhas grow out of sidewalks, and the night is lit up with walking neon signs.The city is under siege from famine victims turned ravenous monsters, while the city's own flesh begins to mutate.Somehow, the woman is the key in an eternal struggle pitting city against country, corruption against starvation, a power-crazed madman against a dying infant.Hunted as a pawn by several factions, she alone may have the power to end the conflict, if she dare unlock her terrible memories. But she has to choose: between the country and the city; between the lost boy-next-door and the man who is not human; between survival and self-sacrifice.This dark fantasy novel - at times wondrous, at others horrific - will amaze and haunt you. "an interesting read... It starts in an empty hotel. A woman, waking, dreaming of food, her memory gone. A mystery... Here the fascination begins. She has a mission yet to be discovered, but within a city that is itself living... Half the enjoyment is simply in the exploration, a magical journey surrounded by wonders, but also indications of tension, perhaps even war. And always avoiding the zombie-like "Hungry Ones" of the book's title. Fascinating." --James Dorr, Bram Stoker Award nominee for The Tears of Isis"an exquisitely complex and unique story...the ending just walloped me. Very, very impressive!" --Laurie Hilburn, Clicking Keys

Werewolves are kept as slaves. Exploited to perform dangerous labour, or kept as exotic pets by rich sadists who want a status symbol, werewolves have no rights.When Crystal's brother is bitten by a rogue werewolf, her family is advised to think of him as dead. But she refuses to forget him.Looking for news from within the werewolf community leads her to purchase Thomas, a rebellious werewolf with a string of abusive former owners. Crystal and Thomas must learn to trust each other enough to help solve each other's problems. Together, they can work to build a movement aimed at bringing rights and justice to all.This is an urban fantasy, paranormal romance with a difference. It teems with intersectional issues of race, gender, and sexual identity. This is a story of injustice and anger, of love and compassion, of rebellion and hope.

Beyond the familiar tropes of kings and castles, elves and dragons, there is a whole world of possibilities for fantasy literature. This anthology collects fantasy stories whose inspiration lies beyond the traditional medieval European basis. It brings exciting new stories and overlooked voices into the fantasy genre.This volume contains stories set in imaginative other-worlds where society can take many different patterns. Stories by: Tanith Lee, Neil Williamson, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Phenderson Djeli Clark, Megan Hutchins, Tom Fletcher, Melissa Mead, and more.• A girl stows-away on a ship sailing on a lava sea battling to get scarce water.• As dark forces destroy his city, a man has visions of a different life in a peaceful world. Which is the dream and which reality?• Can an island woman negotiate a dangerous deal with death mages to silence the volcano that threatens her people?• A shaman's young assistant is poisoned for discovering a dangerous secret.• An investigator tries to decipher the message from assassins who use very aggressive flower arranging.Enjoy nineteen stories of fantasy, adventure, and magic set in unique lands beyond the edge of the known world.

Beyond the familiar tropes of kings and castles, elves and dragons, there is a whole world of possibilities for fantasy literature. This anthology collects fantasy stories whose inspiration lies beyond the traditional medieval European basis. It brings exciting new stories and overlooked voices into the fantasy genre.This volume contains stories based on real cultures (or their magical analogues) from all over our world. Stories by: Tade Thompson, Mary Anne Mohanraj, Lyn McConchie, Daniel Heath Justice, Dilman Dila, Daniel Ausema, and more.• A Chinese ex-soldier is confronted by the ghost of a young man he killed in battle.• African gods roam modern Britain following an immigrant family.• A blind Japanese girl journeys through the woods to tend her grandparents' grave and encounters a nefarious fox spirit.• How does an Indian noble girl learn to cope after becoming untouchable?• A Nigerian boy catches a magical fish the local magicians would love to eat. But is it worth more to him alive?• A girl from the Caucasus mountains is set to marry a young man from the valley, when an invasion of Cyclopses interrupts the wedding.Enjoy nineteen stories of fantasy, adventure, and magic from around the world.