A comprehensive guide with extensive coverage on concepts such as OOP, functional programming, generic programming, and STL along with the latest features of C++ Key Features * Delve into the core patterns and components of C++ in order to master application design * Learn tricks, techniques, and best practices to solve common design and architectural challenges * Understand the limitation imposed by C++ and how to solve them using design patterns Book Description C++ is a general-purpose programming language designed with the goals of efficiency, performance, and flexibility in mind. Design patterns are commonly accepted solutions to well-recognized design problems. In essence, they are a library of reusable components, only for software architecture, and not for a concrete implementation. The focus of this book is on the design patterns that naturally lend themselves to the needs of a C++ programmer, and on the patterns that uniquely benefit from the features of C++, in particular, the generic programming. Armed with the knowledge of these patterns, you will spend less time searching for a solution to a common problem and be familiar with the solutions developed from experience, as well as their advantages and drawbacks. The other use of design patterns is as a concise and an efficient way to communicate. A pattern is a familiar and instantly recognizable solution to specific problem; through its use, sometimes with a single line of code, we can convey a considerable amount of information. The code conveys: "This is the problem we are facing, these are additional considerations that are most important in our case; hence, the following well-known solution was chosen." By the end of this book, you will have gained a comprehensive understanding of design patterns to create robust, reusable, and maintainable code. What you will learn * Recognize the most common design patterns used in C++ * Understand how to use C++ generic programming to solve common design problems * Explore the most powerful C++ idioms, their strengths, and drawbacks * Rediscover how to use popular C++ idioms with generic programming * Understand the impact of design patterns on the program’s performance Who this book is for This book is for experienced C++ developers and programmers who wish to learn about software design patterns and principles and apply them to create robust, reusable, and easily maintainable apps.

Learn how to build complete machine learning systems with IBM Cloud and Watson Machine learning services Key Features * Implement data science and machine learning techniques to draw insights from real-world data * Understand what IBM Cloud platform can help you to implement cognitive insights within applications * Understand the role of data representation and feature extraction in any machine learning system Book Description IBM Cloud is a collection of cloud computing services for data analytics using machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). This book is a complete guide to help you become well versed with machine learning on the IBM Cloud using Python. Hands-On Machine Learning with IBM Watson starts with supervised and unsupervised machine learning concepts, in addition to providing you with an overview of IBM Cloud and Watson Machine Learning. You'll gain insights into running various techniques, such as K-means clustering, K-nearest neighbor (KNN), and time series prediction in IBM Cloud with real-world examples. The book will then help you delve into creating a Spark pipeline in Watson Studio. You will also be guided through deep learning and neural network principles on the IBM Cloud using TensorFlow. With the help of NLP techniques, you can then brush up on building a chatbot. In later chapters, you will cover three powerful case studies, including the facial expression classification platform, the automated classification of lithofacies, and the multi-biometric identity authentication platform, helping you to become well versed with these methodologies. By the end of this book, you will be ready to build efficient machine learning solutions on the IBM Cloud and draw insights from the data at hand using real-world examples. What you will learn * Understand key characteristics of IBM machine learning services * Run supervised and unsupervised techniques in the cloud * Understand how to create a Spark pipeline in Watson Studio * Implement deep learning and neural networks on the IBM Cloud with TensorFlow * Create a complete, cloud-based facial expression classification solution * Use biometric traits to build a cloud-based human identification system Who this book is for This beginner-level book is for data scientists and machine learning engineers who want to get started with IBM Cloud and its machine learning services using practical examples. Basic knowledge of Python and some understanding of machine learning will be useful.

Leverage the power of MongoDB 4.x to build and administer fault-tolerant database applications Key Features * Master the new features and capabilities of MongoDB 4.x * Implement advanced data modeling, querying, and administration techniques in MongoDB * Includes rich case-studies and best practices followed by expert MongoDB developers Book Description MongoDB is the best platform for working with non-relational data and is considered to be the smartest tool for organizing data in line with business needs. The recently released MongoDB 4.x supports ACID transactions and makes the technology an asset for enterprises across the IT and fintech sectors. This book provides expertise in advanced and niche areas of managing databases (such as modeling and querying databases) along with various administration techniques in MongoDB, thereby helping you become a successful MongoDB expert. The book helps you understand how the newly added capabilities function with the help of some interesting examples and large datasets. You will dive deeper into niche areas such as high-performance configurations, optimizing SQL statements, configuring large-scale sharded clusters, and many more. You will also master best practices in overcoming database failover, and master recovery and backup procedures for database security. By the end of the book, you will have gained a practical understanding of administering database applications both on premises and on the cloud; you will also be able to scale database applications across all servers. What you will learn * Perform advanced querying techniques such as indexing and expressions * Configure, monitor, and maintain a highly scalable MongoDB environment * Master replication and data sharding to optimize read/write performance * Administer MongoDB-based applications on premises or on the cloud * Integrate MongoDB with big data sources to process huge amounts of data * Deploy MongoDB on Kubernetes containers * Use MongoDB in IoT, mobile, and serverless environments Who this book is for This book is ideal for MongoDB developers and database administrators who wish to become successful MongoDB experts and build scalable and fault-tolerant applications using MongoDB. It will also be useful for database professionals who wish to become certified MongoDB professionals. Some understanding of MongoDB and basic database concepts is required to get the most out of this book.

Create advanced applications with Python and OpenCV, exploring the potential of facial recognition, machine learning, deep learning, web computing and augmented reality. Key Features * Develop your computer vision skills by mastering algorithms in Open Source Computer Vision 4 (OpenCV 4)and Python * Apply machine learning and deep learning techniques with TensorFlow, Keras, and PyTorch * Discover the modern design patterns you should avoid when developing efficient computer vision applications Book Description OpenCV is considered to be one of the best open source computer vision and machine learning software libraries. It helps developers build complete projects in relation to image processing, motion detection, or image segmentation, among many others. OpenCV for Python enables you to run computer vision algorithms smoothly in real time, combining the best of the OpenCV C++ API and the Python language. In this book, you'll get started by setting up OpenCV and delving into the key concepts of computer vision. You'll then proceed to study more advanced concepts and discover the full potential of OpenCV. The book will also introduce you to the creation of advanced applications using Python and OpenCV, enabling you to develop applications that include facial recognition, target tracking, or augmented reality. Next, you'll learn machine learning techniques and concepts, understand how to apply them in real-world examples, and also explore their benefits, including real-time data production and faster data processing. You'll also discover how to translate the functionality provided by OpenCV into optimized application code projects using Python bindings. Toward the concluding chapters, you'll explore the application of artificial intelligence and deep learning techniques using the popular Python libraries TensorFlow, and Keras. By the end of this book, you'll be able to develop advanced computer vision applications to meet your customers' demands. What you will learn * Handle files and images, and explore various image processing techniques * Explore image transformations, including translation, resizing, and cropping * Gain insights into building histograms * Brush up on contour detection, filtering, and drawing * Work with Augmented Reality to build marker-based and markerless applications * Work with the main machine learning algorithms in OpenCV * Explore the deep learning Python libraries and OpenCV deep learning capabilities * Create computer vision and deep learning web applications Who this book is for This book is designed for computer vision developers, engineers, and researchers who want to develop modern computer vision applications. Basic experience of OpenCV and Python programming is a must.

Learn quick and effective techniques to get up and running with building blockchain including Ethereum and Hyperledger Fabric. Key Features *Understand the key concepts of decentralized applications and consensus algorithms *Learn key concepts of Ethereum and Solidity programming *Practical guide to get started with build efficient Blockchain applications with Ethereum and Hyperledger Book Description Blockchain is a technology that powers the development of decentralized applications.This technology allows the construction of a network with no single control that enables participants to make contributions to and receive benefits from the network directly. This book will give you a thorough overview of blockchain and explain how a blockchain works.You will begin by going through various blockchain consensus mechanisms and cryptographic hash functions. You will then learn the fundamentals of programming in Solidity – the defacto language for developing decentralize, applications in Ethereum. After that, you will set up an Ethereum development environment and develop, package, build, and test campaign-decentralized applications.The book also shows you how to set up Hyperledger composer tools, analyze business scenarios, design business models, and write a chain code. Finally, you will get a glimpse of how blockchain is actually used in different real-world domains. By the end of this guide, you will be comfortable working with basic blockchain frameworks, and develop secure, decentralized applications in a hassle-free manner. What you will learn *Understand how blockchain hashing works *Write and test a smart contract using Solidity *Develop and test a decentralized application *Build and test your application using Hyperledger Fabric *Implement business network using Hyperledger Composer *Test and interact with business network applications Who this book is for The book is for developers, analysts, or anyone looking to learn about Blockchain in a quick and easy manner.

Leverage Jira's powerful task management and workflow features to better manage your business processes Key Features * The book covers all major applications of Jira, which are Jira Software, Jira Core, Jira Service Desk. * Configure project workflows and the fields that will be used in the project with the help of Jira's features * Create tickets for issues and manage your projects using the Jira software Book Description Jira is an issue tracker and project management system. With their latest release, the Jira team has now expanded their user base to agile teams as well as business teams. This book provides a comprehensive explanation covering all major components of Jira, including Jira Software, Jira Core, and Jira Service Desk. This book starts with an introduction to Jira's unique features and how it can be used as an issue-tracking tool. It will then teach you about how a new project is created by a Jira administrator, what responsibilities there are, and using correct and relevant schemes in your project. You will then learn how to configure project workflows and fields for project screens. You will understand the various permissions used in projects and the importance of project roles in Jira. Then, the book talks about the concepts of versions acting as milestones and using components when handling issues in your projects. It will then focus on analysing data using built-in reports and creating dashboards in Jira. At the end, it will discuss various best practices for users as well as project managers or project administrators. What you will learn * Implement Jira as a project administrator or project manager * Get familiar with various functionalities of Jira * Configure projects and boards in your organisation's Jira instance * Understand how and when to use components and versions in your projects * Manage project configurations and Jira schemes * Learn the best practices to manage your Jira instance Who this book is for This book will be especially useful for project managers but it's also intended for other Jira users, including developers, and any other industry besides software development, who would like to use Jira for project management.

Your one-stop guide to blockchain technology and its business applications Key Features * Assimilate blockchain services such as Ethereum and Hyperledger to transform industrial applications * Know in and out of blockchain technology to understand various business use cases * Understand various common and not-so-common challenges faced in blockchain development Book Description Blockchain for Business 2019 is a comprehensive guide that enables you to bring in various blockchain functionalities to extend your existing business models and make correct fully-informed decisions. You will learn how decentralized applications are transforming numerous business sectors that are expected to play a huge role in the future. You will see how large corporations are already implementing blockchain technology now. You will then learn about the various blockchain services, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Hyperledger, and others to understand their use cases in a variety of business domains. You will develop a solid fundamental understanding of blockchain architecture. Moving ahead, you will get to grips with the inner workings of blockchain, with detailed explanations of mining, decentralized consensus, cryptography, smart contracts, and many other important concepts. You will delve into a realistic view of the current state of blockchain technology, along with its issues, limitations, and potential solutions that can take it to the next level. By the end of this book, you will all be well versed in the latest innovations and developments in the emerging blockchain space. What you will learn * Understand the fundamentals of blockchain and how it was developed * Gain a good understanding of economic concepts and developments * Develop a base for concepts such as cryptography, computer networking, and programming * Understand the applications of blockchain and its potential impact on the world * Become well versed with the latest developments in the blockchain space * Explore blockchain frameworks, including decentralized organizational structures, networks, and applications Who this book is for This book is for financial professionals, business executives, managers, and enthusiasts who are interested in getting well-versed with blockchain technology in various business domains. This book will help boost your existing business models using blockchain services. No prior experience of blockchain is required.

Implement machine learning and deep learning methodologies to build smart, cognitive AI projects using Python Key Features * A go-to guide to help you master AI algorithms and concepts * 8 real-world projects tackling different challenges in healthcare, e-commerce, and surveillance * Use TensorFlow, Keras, and other Python libraries to implement smart AI applications Book Description This book will be a perfect companion if you want to build insightful projects from leading AI domains using Python. The book covers detailed implementation of projects from all the core disciplines of AI. We start by covering the basics of how to create smart systems using machine learning and deep learning techniques. You will assimilate various neural network architectures such as CNN, RNN, LSTM, to solve critical new world challenges. You will learn to train a model to detect diabetic retinopathy conditions in the human eye and create an intelligent system for performing a video-to-text translation. You will use the transfer learning technique in the healthcare domain and implement style transfer using GANs. Later you will learn to build AI-based recommendation systems, a mobile app for sentiment analysis and a powerful chatbot for carrying customer services. You will implement AI techniques in the cybersecurity domain to generate Captchas. Later you will train and build autonomous vehicles to self-drive using reinforcement learning. You will be using libraries from the Python ecosystem such as TensorFlow, Keras and more to bring the core aspects of machine learning, deep learning, and AI. By the end of this book, you will be skilled to build your own smart models for tackling any kind of AI problems without any hassle. What you will learn * Build an intelligent machine translation system using seq-2-seq neural translation machines * Create AI applications using GAN and deploy smart mobile apps using TensorFlow * Translate videos into text using CNN and RNN * Implement smart AI Chatbots, and integrate and extend them in several domains * Create smart reinforcement, learning-based applications using Q-Learning * Break and generate CAPTCHA using Deep Learning and Adversarial Learning Who this book is for This book is intended for data scientists, machine learning professionals, and deep learning practitioners who are ready to extend their knowledge and potential in AI. If you want to build real-life smart systems to play a crucial role in every complex domain, then this book is what you need. Knowledge of Python programming and a familiarity with basic machine learning and deep learning concepts are expected to help you get the most out of the book

Power up your network applications with Python programming Key Features * Master Python skills to develop powerful network applications * Grasp the fundamentals and functionalities of SDN * Design multi-threaded, event-driven architectures for echo and chat servers Book Description This Learning Path highlights major aspects of Python network programming such as writing simple networking clients, creating and deploying SDN and NFV systems, and extending your network with Mininet. You’ll also learn how to automate legacy and the latest network devices. As you progress through the chapters, you’ll use Python for DevOps and open source tools to test, secure, and analyze your network. Toward the end, you'll develop client-side applications, such as web API clients, email clients, SSH, and FTP, using socket programming. By the end of this Learning Path, you will have learned how to analyze a network's security vulnerabilities using advanced network packet capture and analysis techniques. This Learning Path includes content from the following Packt products: * Practical Network Automation by Abhishek Ratan * Mastering Python Networking by Eric Chou * Python Network Programming Cookbook, Second Edition by Pradeeban Kathiravelu, Dr. M. O. Faruque Sarker What you will learn * Create socket-based networks with asynchronous models * Develop client apps for web APIs, including S3 Amazon and Twitter * Talk to email and remote network servers with different protocols * Integrate Python with Cisco, Juniper, and Arista eAPI for automation * Use Telnet and SSH connections for remote system monitoring * Interact with websites via XML-RPC, SOAP, and REST APIs * Build networks with Ryu, OpenDaylight, Floodlight, ONOS, and POX * Configure virtual networks in different deployment environments Who this book is for If you are a Python developer or a system administrator who wants to start network programming, this Learning Path gets you a step closer to your goal. IT professionals and DevOps engineers who are new to managing network devices or those with minimal experience looking to expand their knowledge and skills in Python will also find this Learning Path useful. Although prior knowledge of networking is not required, some experience in Python programming will be helpful for a better understanding of the concepts in the Learning Path.

Perform advanced dashboard, visualization, and analytical techniques with Tableau Desktop, Tableau Prep, and Tableau Server Key Features * Unique problem-solution approach to aid effective business decision-making * Create interactive dashboards and implement powerful business intelligence solutions * Includes best practices on using Tableau with modern cloud analytics services Book Description Tableau has been one of the most popular business intelligence solutions in recent times, thanks to its powerful and interactive data visualization capabilities. Tableau 2019.x Cookbook is full of useful recipes from industry experts, who will help you master Tableau skills and learn each aspect of Tableau's ecosystem. This book is enriched with features such as Tableau extracts, Tableau advanced calculations, geospatial analysis, and building dashboards. It will guide you with exciting data manipulation, storytelling, advanced filtering, expert visualization, and forecasting techniques using real-world examples. From basic functionalities of Tableau to complex deployment on Linux, you will cover it all. Moreover, you will learn advanced features of Tableau using R, Python, and various APIs. You will learn how to prepare data for analysis using the latest Tableau Prep. In the concluding chapters, you will learn how Tableau fits the modern world of analytics and works with modern data platforms such as Snowflake and Redshift. In addition, you will learn about the best practices of integrating Tableau with ETL using Matillion ETL. By the end of the book, you will be ready to tackle business intelligence challenges using Tableau's features. What you will learn * Understand the basic and advanced skills of Tableau Desktop * Implement best practices of visualization, dashboard, and storytelling * Learn advanced analytics with the use of build in statistics * Deploy the multi-node server on Linux and Windows * Use Tableau with big data sources such as Hadoop, Athena, and Spectrum * Cover Tableau built-in functions for forecasting using R packages * Combine, shape, and clean data for analysis using Tableau Prep * Extend Tableau’s functionalities with REST API and R/Python Who this book is for Tableau 2019.x Cookbook is for data analysts, data engineers, BI developers, and users who are looking for quick solutions to common and not-so-common problems faced while using Tableau products. Put each recipe into practice by bringing the latest offerings of Tableau 2019.x to solve real-world analytics and business intelligence challenges. Some understanding of BI concepts and Tableau is required.

Enhance your programming skills by learning the intricacies of object oriented programming in C# 8 Key Features * Understand the four pillars of OOP; encapsulation, inheritance, abstraction and polymorphism * Leverage the latest features of C# 8 including nullable reference types and Async Streams * Explore various design patterns, principles, and best practices in OOP Book Description Object-oriented programming (OOP) is a programming paradigm organized around objects rather than actions, and data rather than logic. With the latest release of C#, you can look forward to new additions that improve object-oriented programming. This book will get you up to speed with OOP in C# in an engaging and interactive way. The book starts off by introducing you to C# language essentials and explaining OOP concepts through simple programs. You will then go on to learn how to use classes, interfacesm and properties to write pure OOP code in your applications. You will broaden your understanding of OOP further as you delve into some of the advanced features of the language, such as using events, delegates, and generics. Next, you will learn the secrets of writing good code by following design patterns and design principles. You'll also understand problem statements with their solutions and learn how to work with databases with the help of ADO.NET. Further on, you'll discover a chapter dedicated to the Git version control system. As you approach the conclusion, you'll be able to work through OOP-specific interview questions and understand how to tackle them. By the end of this book, you will have a good understanding of OOP with C# and be able to take your skills to the next level. What you will learn * Master OOP paradigm fundamentals * Explore various types of exceptions * Utilize C# language constructs efficiently * Solve complex design problems by understanding OOP * Understand how to work with databases using ADO.NET * Understand the power of generics in C# * Get insights into the popular version control system, Git * Learn how to model and design your software Who this book is for This book is designed for people who are new to object-oriented programming. Basic C# skills are assumed, however, prior knowledge of OOP in any other language is not required.

A hands on approach to learning ReasonML from the perspective of a web developer. Key Features * Hands on learning by building a real world app shell that includes client-side routing and more. * Understand Reason’s ecosystem including BuckleScript and various npm workflows. * Learn how Reason differs from TypeScript and Flow, and how to use it to make refactoring less stressful. Book Description ReasonML, also known as Reason, is a new syntax and toolchain for OCaml that was created by Facebook and is meant to be approachable for web developers. Although OCaml has several resources, most of them are from the perspective of systems development. This book, alternatively, explores Reason from the perspective of web development. You'll learn how to use Reason to build safer, simpler React applications and why you would want to do so. Reason supports immutability by default, which works quite well in the context of React. In learning Reason, you will also learn about its ecosystem – BuckleScript, JavaScript interoperability, and various npm workflows. We learn by building a real-world app shell, including a client-side router with page transitions, that we can customize for any Reason project. You'll learn how to leverage OCaml's excellent type system to enforce guarantees about business logic, as well as preventing runtime type errors.You'll also see how the type system can help offload concerns that we once had to keep in our heads. We'll explore using CSS-in-Reason, how to use external JSON in Reason, and how to unit-test critical business logic. By the end of the book, you'll understand why Reason is exploding in popularity and will have a solid foundation on which to continue your journey with Reason. What you will learn * Learn why Reason is exploding in popularity and why it's the future of React * Become familiar with Reason's syntax and semantics * Learn about Reason's ecosystem: BuckleScript and JavaScript interoperability * Learn how to build React applications with Reason * Learn how to use Reason's type system as a tool to provide amazing guarantees * Gain a solid foundation on which to continue your journey Who this book is for The target audience of this book is web developers who are somewhat familiar with ReactJS and who want to learn why ReasonML is the future of ReactJS.

Test, fuzz, and break web applications and services using Burp Suite’s powerful capabilities Key Features * Master the skills to perform various types of security tests on your web applications * Get hands-on experience working with components like scanner, proxy, intruder and much more * Discover the best-way to penetrate and test web applications Book Description Burp suite is a set of graphic tools focused towards penetration testing of web applications. Burp suite is widely used for web penetration testing by many security professionals for performing different web-level security tasks. The book starts by setting up the environment to begin an application penetration test. You will be able to configure the client and apply target whitelisting. You will also learn to setup and configure Android and IOS devices to work with Burp Suite. The book will explain how various features of Burp Suite can be used to detect various vulnerabilities as part of an application penetration test. Once detection is completed and the vulnerability is confirmed, you will be able to exploit a detected vulnerability using Burp Suite. The book will also covers advanced concepts like writing extensions and macros for Burp suite. Finally, you will discover various steps that are taken to identify the target, discover weaknesses in the authentication mechanism, and finally break the authentication implementation to gain access to the administrative console of the application. By the end of this book, you will be able to effectively perform end-to-end penetration testing with Burp Suite. What you will learn * Set up Burp Suite and its configurations for an application penetration test * Proxy application traffic from browsers and mobile devices to the server * Discover and identify application security issues in various scenarios * Exploit discovered vulnerabilities to execute commands * Exploit discovered vulnerabilities to gain access to data in various datastores * Write your own Burp Suite plugin and explore the Infiltrator module * Write macros to automate tasks in Burp Suite Who this book is for If you are interested in learning how to test web applications and the web part of mobile applications using Burp, then this is the book for you. It is specifically designed to meet your needs if you have basic experience in using Burp and are now aiming to become a professional Burp user.

From Democratic Party rising star Jane Kleeb, an urgent and stirring road map showing how the Democratic Party can, and should, engage rural AmericaThe Democratic Party has lost an entire generation of rural voters. By focusing the majority of their message and resources on urban and coastal voters, Democrats have sacrificed entire regions of the country where there is more common ground and shared values than what appears on the surface.In Harvest the Vote, Jane Kleeb, chair of Nebraska’s Democratic Party and founder of Bold Nebraska, brings us a lively and sweeping argument for why the Democrats shouldn’t turn away from rural America. As a party leader and longtime activist, Kleeb speaks from experience. She’s been fighting the national party for more resources and building a grassroots movement to flex the power of a voting bloc that has long been ignored and forgotten.Kleeb persuasively argues that the hottest issues of the day can be solved hand in hand with rural people. On climate change, Kleeb shows that the vast spaces of rural America can be used to enact clean energy innovations. And issues of eminent domain and corporate overreach will galvanize unlikely alliances of family farmers, ranchers, small business owners, progressives, and tribal leaders, much as they did when she helped fight the Keystone XL pipeline. The hot-button issues of guns and abortion that the Republican Party uses to wedge voters against one another can be bridged by putting a megaphone next to issues critical to rural communities.Written with a fiery voice and commonsense solutions, Harvest the Vote is both a call to action and a much-needed balm for a highly divided nation.

Fan favorite author Kasie West delivers an effervescent story about chasing your dreams and following your heart, perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Huntley Fitzpatrick. Lacey Barnes has dreamed of being an actress for as long as she can remember. So when she gets the opportunity to star in a movie alongside one of Hollywood’s hottest actors, she doesn’t hesitate to accept the part.But Lacey quickly learns that life in the spotlight isn’t as picture perfect as she imagined. She’s having trouble bonding with her costars, her father has hired the definition of a choir boy, Donavan Lake, to tutor her, and somewhere along the way she’s lost her acting mojo. And just when it seems like things couldn’t get any worse, it looks like someone on set is deliberately trying to sabotage her. As Lacey’s world spins out of control, it feels like the only person she can count on—whether it’s helping her try to unravel the mystery of who is out to get her or snap her out of her acting funk—is Donavan. But what she doesn’t count on is this straight-laced boy becoming another distraction.With her entire future riding on this movie, Lacey knows she can’t afford to get sidetracked by a crush. But for the first time in her life Lacey wonders if it’s true that the best stories really do happen when you go off script.

Star-crossed lovers, meddling immortals, feigned identities, battles of wits, and dire warnings: these are the stuff of fairy tale, myth, and folklore that have drawn us in for centuries. Fifteen bestselling and acclaimed authors reimagine the folklore and mythology of East and South Asia in short stories that are by turns enchanting, heartbreaking, romantic, and passionate. Compiled by We Need Diverse Books’s Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman, the authors included in this exquisite collection are: Renée Ahdieh, Sona Charaipotra, Preeti Chhibber, Roshani Chokshi, Aliette de Bodard, Melissa de la Cruz, Julie Kagawa, Rahul Kanakia, Lori M. Lee, E. C. Myers, Cindy Pon, Aisha Saeed, Shveta Thakrar, and Alyssa . A mountain loses her heart. Two sisters transform into birds to escape captivity. A young man learns the true meaning of sacrifice. A young woman takes up her mother’s mantle and leads the dead to their final resting place.From fantasy to science fiction to contemporary, from romance to tales of revenge, these stories will beguile readers from start to finish. For fans of Neil Gaiman’s Unnatural Creatures and Ameriie’s New York Times–bestselling Because You Love to Hate Me.

This thrilling YA retelling of Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai features a girl tasked with saving the world from eternal darkness. Perfect for fans of Six of Crows and Marie Lu.Seventeen-year-old Kira Fujikawa has never had it easy. She’s bullied by the popular girls in school. Her parents ignore her. And she’s also plagued with a secret: She can see yokai, the ghosts and demons that haunt the streets of Kyoto.But things accelerate from bad to worse when she learns that Shuten-doji, the demon king, will rise at the next blood moon to hunt down an ancient relic and bring the world to a catastrophic end. Not exactly skilled at fighting anything, much less the dead, Kira enlists the aid of seven powerful death gods to help her slay Shuten-doji. They include Shiro, a kitsune with boy-band looks who is more flirtatious than helpful, and O-bei, a regal demon courtier with reasons of her own for getting involved.As the confrontation with Shuten-doji draws nearer, the fate of Japan hangs in the balance. Can Kira save humankind? Or will the demon king succeed in bringing eternal darkness upon the world?

"纽约时报畅销奇幻小说《Everless》续集。《纽约时报》畅销书作者斯蒂芬妮?加伯评价《Everless》：“萨拉 ? 霍兰德是个讲故事的能手。 《Everless》赋予了‘时间不多’这个短语新的可怕意义。” 在 Sempera 王国，时间就是货币——从血液中萃取，与铁结合在一起，消耗之后可以延长寿命。 富有的贵族如格林家族，便对穷人课以重税，使自己的寿命延长了几个世纪。 十年前，女主人公朱尔斯和父亲是格林家富丽堂皇的庄园 Everless 的佣人，一场事故迫使他们在深夜逃离。 但朱尔斯发现自己的父亲寿命所剩不多，她不得不回到Everless庄园与主人做交易，以换回父亲的生命。但是回到 Everless 所带来的危险和诱惑超出了朱尔斯的想象。很快，她陷入了一场场阴谋之中，她的心也在两个人之间撕裂。这也使她下决心改变自己的命运，以及时间本身。 续集《Evermore》中，朱尔斯从小就听说过关于邪恶炼金术师和善良女巫的古老传说，而她就是那个炼金术师，她的朋友兼宿敌卡洛则是女巫。两人在过去有着几世的命运纠葛，而现在她要拼凑自己的过去来拯救现在。 The New York Times bestselling series!Jules Ember confronts the girl who is both her oldest friend and greatest enemy in the highly anticipated sequel to Everless, praised by New York Times bestelling author Stephanie Garber as “an intoxicating blend of blood, secrets, and haunting mythology.” Jules Ember was raised hearing legends of the ancient magic of the wicked Alchemist and the good Sorceress. But she has just learned the truth: She is the Alchemist, and Caro—a woman who single-handedly murdered the Queen and Jules’s first love, Roan, in cold blood—is the Sorceress.The whole kingdom believes that Jules is responsible for the murders, and a hefty bounty has been placed on her head. And Caro is intent on destroying Jules, who stole her heart twelve lifetimes ago. Now Jules must piece together the stories of her past lives to save the person who has captured her heart in this one.Perfect for fans of Victoria Aveyard, Kiera Cass, and Kendare Blake, Evermore is the high-stakes, star-crossed follow up to the New York Times bestselling Everless that fans have been waiting for.

A heartfelt and powerful debut novel for fans of Erin Entrada Kelly and John David Anderson, That’s What Friends Do is a book for anyone learning how to have the hard conversations about feelings, boundaries, and what it means to be a true friend. Samantha Goldstein and David Fisher have been friends ever since they met on their town’s Little League baseball team. But when a new kid named Luke starts hanging out with them, what was a comfortable pair becomes an awkward trio. Luke’s comments make Sammie feel uncomfortable—but all David sees is how easily Luke flirts with Sammie, and so David decides to finally make a move on the friend he’s always had a crush on.Soon things go all wrong and too far, and Sammie and David are both left feeling hurt, confused, and unsure of themselves, without anyone to talk to about what happened. As rumors start flying around the school, David must try to make things right (if he can) and Sammie must learn to speak up about what’s been done to her.

"美国畅销科幻系列小说《Gone/消逝》后一本《Hero》出版，简单的形容这个故事就是《蝇王》式的架构和斯蒂芬?金式的恐怖，斯蒂芬?金也评价说“我很喜欢这个系列”。 故事讲述忽然有一天，所有的大人都消失了，世界上只剩下了青少年。社会停摆，熟悉的生活全部消失，孩子们面临着饥饿，死亡的威胁。在这个新世界中，有正在变异的可怕动物，潜伏在黑暗中准备肆虐的瘟疫，以及变化莫测的人心，恶霸恃强凌弱，强者弱肉强食，除非做出改变，否则无法存活。 《Hero》是从第7本《Monster》开始的三部曲的结尾，同时也是整个系列的收官。新人类被外星陨石中携带的病毒感染，并变异出了超能力，而孩子们也发现，在于邪恶势力作斗争的过程中，他们常常处于道德的灰色地带，要想拯救他人，就必须做出艰难的决定。而到底什么才能称作“英雄”？美国图书馆协会评价子系列《Monster》——增加了更多动作场面和复杂的人物性格，是一部令人回味无穷、情节错综复杂的姐妹系列。" The mind-blowing conclusion to the Monster trilogy and the final installment in the Gone series from science fiction and fantasy master Michael Grant is perfect for superhero and Stephen King fans alike.After the fall of Perdido Beach dome, a new set of humans developed mutant powers from the rock infected with alien virus. They are the Rockborn Gang: Dekka, Shade, Cruz, Malik, Armo, and Francis. With their superpowers, they have defended the earth from other rockborn who used their powers for evil, like Dillon Poe.When another rock carrying the virus strikes New York, a new foe, Bob Markovic, rises with a horrifying and nearly unstoppable ability. Markovic’s unending ambition and lack of a moral compass made him unbearable before the virus. And that was before he was a swarm of plague-ridden insects, with the power and means to take over the city—and maybe the world.As the Rockborn Gang try to defeat their latest villain, they will find themselves on morally gray grounds and have to make tough decisions if they want to save the world.In this pulse-pounding finale to the saga more than ten years in the making, Michael Grant delivers an unforgettable conclusion while asking: What does it take to be a hero?Praise for Monster:“Ratchets up the gore and action, and features a diverse cast of characters. An evocative, intricately plotted companion series.” –ALA BooklistRead the entire series:GoneHungerLiesPlague Fear LightMonster Villain Hero

An Indie Next List Pick!In his first contemporary teen novel, critically acclaimed author and two-time Edgar Award finalist Lamar Giles spotlights the consequences of societal pressure, confronts toxic masculinity, and explores the complexity of what it means to be a “real man.”Del has had a crush on Kiera Westing since kindergarten. And now, during their junior year, she’s finally available. So when Kiera volunteers for an opportunity at their church, Del’s right behind her. Though he quickly realizes he’s inadvertently signed up for a Purity Pledge.His dad thinks his wires are crossed, and his best friend, Qwan, doesn’t believe any girl is worth the long game. But Del’s not about to lose his dream girl, and that’s where fellow pledger Jameer comes in. He can put in the good word. In exchange, Del just has to get answers to the Pledgers’ questions…about sex ed.With other boys circling Kiera like sharks, Del needs to make his move fast. But as he plots and plans, he neglects to ask the most important question: What does Kiera want? He can’t think about that too much, though, because once he gets the girl, it’ll all sort itself out. Right?