***1st place Reader Views Literary Award 2010 winner in the Young Reader category*** Lord Arkus of Blackriver Castle readily admits that he is a villain and sees no reason why it should stop him from being the protagonist of this book. After all, Prince Kellemar, an aspiring hero, has defeated him in a rather questionable way. Bent on revenge, Arkus attempts to capture a powerful evil spirit who would make him nearly invincible, but a last-minute mistake leaves him with a Sparkling instead-"a goody-goody spirit that helps heroes, watches over little children, and messes up villains' plans."...

His father killed in war before he was three, his mother unexpectedly dying when he was eight, Jecosan Tarres is young and poor, yet he has something not many men have: a faithful heart, a strong spirit, and the knowledge of truth taught to him by his mother and the priest Shaledan. Alone for a year, but later befriended by a blacksmith, Dalian, he has already beaten the odds of being destitute and forgotten, but clearly something or someone is at work in his life. With his faithful dog Gart, and his friend Dalian, he sets out on a life defining journey after a messenger visits him with a...

The old legend says that a merman's kiss will make a girl pretty and bring her luck. One poor working girl is desperate enough to try it. She is warned that she must do everything exactly as she is told... but never warned about the effect it might have on the merman.

Having completed his difficult journey, Jecosan makes it to his destination - the king's palace - but so does his enemy, whom he is yet to discover. Jecosan enters in service to the king as a kitchen worker, proving himself worthy of the task and more. Still, he has much to learn while looking to fulfill his purpose. Although court life is luxurious and splendid, it is also complicated, with its hidden laws and unspoken rules. King Alvard III is a young and ambitious monarch whose hot temper is only restrained by one fearless lord, and in the presence of his sister, Princess Arvelina. Seeking...

Having done his best to fulfill the commission given him by a supernatural messenger, yet apparently having failed to do so, Jecosan finds himself running for his life from the wrath of King Alvard III. When the king pays dearly for his mistake, the nine-year-old Princess Arvelina is elevated to a position she could not have anticipated. While the Meorian army marches toward Tirgan to destroy the Book of Light as originally planned by Alvard, it seems all hope is lost to stop a war between the two nations as the Tirganians have begun moving their troops in response. Disobedience, although...

How far would a villain go to help a friend? Lord Arkus of Blackriver Castle thinks doing three heroic deeds is a bit too far. Not only it's plain detestable, it can ruin his reputation and get him in trouble with the Villains League. On the other hand, it's not like he's got friends to spare. And losing the League's membership isn't the end of the world, one can always work independently.