Robert de Niro and Al Pacino have acted opposite each other once, and that was in Heat, Michael Mann's operatic 1995 heist thriller. De Niro is Neil McCauley, a skilled professional thief at the centre of a tight-knit criminal team; Pacino is Vincent Hanna, the haunted, driven cop determined to hunt him down. Boasting a series of meticulously orchestrated setpieces that underline Mann's sense of scale and architecture, Heat is also a rhapsody to Los Angeles as Hanna closes in on his prey. For Nick James, the pleasures and virtues of Heat are mixed and complex. Its precise compositions and minimalist style are entangled with a particular kind of extravagant bombast. And while its vision of male teamwork is richly compelling it comes close to glorifying machismo. But these complexities only add to the interest of this hugely ambitious and accomplished film, which confirmed Mann's place in the front rank of American film-makers.

A devastated Earth's last hope is found in Pearls: small, mysterious orbs that fall from space, and are capable of supplying enough energy to power entire cities. Battling to control the Pearls are the Skyship dwellers—political dissidents who live in massive ships in the Earth's stratosphere—and the corrupt Surface government.

Jesse Fisher, a Skyship brat, and Cassius Stevenson, a young Surface operative, cross paths when they both venture into forbidden territory in pursuit of Pearls. Their chance encounter triggers an unexpected reaction, endowing each boy with remarkable—and dangerous—abilities that their respective governments would stop at nothing to possess.

Enemies thrust together with a common goal, Jesse and Cassius make their way to the ruins of Seattle to uncover the truth about their new powers, the past they didn't know they shared, and a shocking secret about the Pearls.

Our best-selling sci-fi series continues Pearlbreaker Jesse Fisher is on a mission to free as many Drifters as he can—ignoring the direct orders of Captain Alkine. When a mysterious red pearl sets Jesse free from the Skyship brig, he uses it as an opportunity to rescue Cassius from Theo, Madame’s newest protégé. With Skyship agents in hot pursuit, Cassius and Jesse learn they are the children of Haven rebels, sent to Earth to continue the battle against Haven’s totalitarian regime. Outnumbered, their only hope for survival rests on an uneasy alliance with Madame and their other Earth-bound enemies. About the AuthorNick James grew up in the small island town of Anacortes, Washington. He graduated from Western Washington University and currently works as a substitute teacher in Bellingham. Inspired by the big drama and dialogue of comic books and graphic novels by Brian K. Vaughan and Brian Michael Bendis, James began writing at a young age. His love of fast-paced storytelling led to his debut, Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars, an action-packed science fiction novel for young adults.

Two brothers battle for one planet's fateAs the alien Authority's invasion begins, mankind stands on the brink of annihilation. Cassius Stevenson and his brother Jesse Fisher—descendants of the planet Haven's resistance forces—must forge alliances with the embittered factions on Earth to defend against the brutal attack.But the Authority has only begun to fight. When their terrible new weapon sends Earth's fragile coalition into turmoil, humanity's last chance at survival lies in the hands of the two brothers, whose fates are linked more closely than they ever imagined.Praise for the previous books in the Skyship Academy series:"A fast-paced adventure that delivers solid action sequences throughout."—Publishers Weekly"Skyship Academy is the perfect book for teens that like science fiction."—SLJTeen"A definite must-read!" —James Dashner, New York Times bestselling author of The...