Shadow Books

When I got the email from Amazon.com telling me that the latest book from Katharine Kerr was about to be published, I immediately pre-ordered it and then counted the days until it arrived. For the first few days I just studied every part of the cover, front, back, inside and out. Then I dove in and just a few days later I am about to finish. The Shadow Isle explores in more detail story threads started in earlier books. The characters have their flaws, they are so fleshed out, and have been over many years for some, that one can see real growth and development. This book is not filled with battles and dramatic magics, it takes a more leisurely pace to fill in gaps, and set the scene and to give us time to get to know more about the players. As usual my big problem with these books is that they are just not long enough, i.e. they end. I just want them to go on forever. Thank you Ms Kerr for never disappointing.

I won't go into all the details in the book but it was a great read. I don't think Kerr is recognized enough for this great series. Though it is different from most fantasy series it is a very intriguing story that I have enjoyed for over 12 years when I first discovered Daggerspell.

I was under the impression this was the last book in the Deverry setting but luckily I was wrong after reading the Author's note regarding the upcoming Silver Mage series.

My first reaction when seeing the note that The Shadowed Isle is not the last book in the great Deverry cycle was angst that I had to wait again for another book, then a great flood of relief, as I could not figure out how even the almighty Kit could have brought this series to a satisfactory ending in just one book after The Spirit Stone.

I wholeheartedly recommend the entire Deverry saga, and if you have not read them all, you are missing a great deal. It seems to me that DAW is trying to have the Silver Wyrm segment "stand alone" a bit, but that is practically impossible when you consider the lovely complexity of the entire set of works. The Shadow Isle is building up to another climax in a series that has already contained three impressive climaxes. Conflicts that span many lifetimes are coming to a head or being brought to a close, with new "knots" arriving in this novel that I certainly did not see coming, even having read and re-read every other book.

If you've read any of the other Deverry books, you already know you want this book - and probably pretty badly! If you have not read a Deverry book, start with Daggerspell and enjoy the journey. It's worth it.

The island of Haen Marn has been located off the coast of Albe for years. Its inhabitants have been waiting for it to move through the dimensional barrier once again and into the world of Deverry and the Westfolks. This happens as Angmar's eldest son Enj gives the ruined trumpet to the dragon Rori who gives it to a powerful dweomor user. Valanrdorio appeals to the spirit of the Lady of the North upon Earth to fix it which she does. Enj blows it and the island returns home.

Their world is a different place than the one Argmar left. Her husband Jori is a dragon who secures the inhabitants' lands to make sure the Horsekin don't lay seige to the populated towns in their religious zeal to convert everyone to the cult of the goddess Alshandra. Jori isn't sure he wants to be turned into a human and since the Horsekin plan to invade, the rulers can use an ally like him in his dragon form. People are fleeing their homes because they are not safe from Horsekin raids. The islanders wonder what will become of them in this new world with its war strategies, new alliances and the threat of the Horsekin invading their lands.

The third Silver Wyrm tale has many more subplots than written above as almost every character has something going on, which can overwhelm the reader with switching perspectives. Laz the thief is the most fascinating of the vast cast as he landed on the island to escape punishment for stealing magical gems. He has one chance left to make amends by righting wrongs and eliminating much of the bad karma he caused over several lifetimes. His chance for redemption depends on the choices he makes; readers will wonder which way he goes as Jori and the people of Haen Marn return home in THE SHADOW ISLE. Katherine Kerr has written a great epic fantasy.

Harriet Klausner

The author certainly did her research in the legal/investigative arena before writing this book. The events COULD have happened. As must occur in suspense novels, bad things happen to good people, but justice prevails. And the identity of the perpetrator took me by surprise, but the clues are there. Short chapters make it easy to put the book down if needed, but you will likely not want to do that.

Melody has written a fast paced murder / mystery with great suspense. A great write for those who enjoy surrounding themselves with almost true to life tragedies.

Carla Summers is a defense attorney with a sordid past. Nick Brunetti is the police detective who wants her to love him. What starts as a "simple" homicide case becomes a race to find the real killer before Carla becomes the next victim.

-RELIGIOUS CONTENT: Carla treats her legal practice as a ministry to help those who lack the funds to help themselves. She is mindful of God's will and His protection. In fact, there is an impressive web of Christian characters in this book. A former "escort" girl is led to Christ. A man who lost his faith when his devout mother died finds it again. A group of men and women pray around a man's hospital bed.

-ADULT LANGUAGE/CONTENT: The villain uses two crude, though not "swear," words to describe Carla. There are no other language problems. There isn't any sexual content in the book. In fact, the story goes so far as to say that one lonely bachelor wants a wife to come home to. Let me say that again. He wants a WIFE to whom he can come home. Not a girlfriend or "sexual partner." In this day and age, this is a novel . . . and WONDERFUL . . . idea!

-VIOLENT CONTENT: Though people die and a couple of people survive gunshot wounds, Ravert doesn't detail the gore.

-CONCLUSION: Shadow of Death is a refreshing change from formulaic courtroom suspense dramas. Highly recommended.

Everyone loves a good mystery, but when it mirrors the turmoil of real-life situations and emotions, the heart is truly gripped. This is such a tale. Does good always prevail over evil in society's world of law? Can one even recognize that evil? Where does that deep-down inspiration to find the truth come from? Read Shadow of Death and that becomes clear. A must read for mystery lovers!

Although I get the impression that the ABA choose this book for the general reader in order to cast some illumination on the criminal justice system, as a practicing prosecutor who enjoys this genre but finds little time to read it, I enjoyed this story very much and recommend it to the guild of prosecutors, especially assistant district attorneys. It is more in the style of Turow rather than Grisham, it is relatively short for the busy reader, and it treats the drug trial accurately, for I myself have tried drug possession cases and have dealt with the issue of knowing possession before a jury. I am going to recommend it to all my fellow prosecutors in my office.

The Shadow of Justice is a tantalizing beginning for a new author. One can hardly wait to turn the pages to find out what happens next to Judge Clark and his cohorts in the Miami legal scene. The interspersing of cultural nuances that are so mandatory to the flavor of the city only whet one's appetite for the story to follow. Full of surprises, this book had me interested from the beginning to the end. Can't wait for the next book.

Hirsch has written a wonderful legal thriller. In The Shadow of Justice, a Miami judge must confront the incomprehensible, violent crime of one dear friend and the awful corruption of another. The intelligent narrative works as an exceptionally fast-paced suspense novel and an excellent primer on criminal law. It's not often one gets an inside look into the seamy side of Miami from such a literate storyteller, one who quotes Tennyson and Proverbs with equal finesse. A terrific read!

A terrific novel. The main characters - the Miami trial judge who writes the first person narrative, a criminal defense lawyer whose moral ambiguity conflicts with his lawyerly competence and obligations, and a police officer (who, though dead as the novel begins, is brought to life through the recollections of the judge and attorney) - are as well crafted as the apparently simple plot, which leads to a complex moral dilemma and an unexpected, but understandable outcome. Equally well depicted are the tension between what law requires and justice demands, the scruffy not-quite-dignity of Miami's trial courts, and the course of a brief, "routine" drug possession trial, the intersection where the book's characters and themes collide. The book's lawyer-author clears away the resulting wreckage with skill and insight, while leading the reader to ponder what he would have done, had he been in the place of each of the three main characters as they chose the paths that the book has them follow.

In the past year I have read several books concerning the subject matter of bears and Mr. Payton's is not just a good book on bears, it is a well written book period. However, he is passionate about the subject without being overly sentimental. He travels the world seeking out encounters with endangered bears and their disappearing habitat. Many of the stories about bears are not first hand. The narrator is passing some of them along from the people he encounters in his quest. This only lends to the mystique that these creatures have.
Brian is also respectful and knowledgable of the different cultures that he encounters, giving the book a very exotic quality. There is enough focus on the bears and their plight to increase one's concern for these animal's and their habitat, which is after all, along with poaching and hunting, one of the biggest problems.
If you only read on bear book. Read this one. It should be a classic one day helping to define where we go right or wrong from this point.

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to others. For the past 10 years I have been involved with a bear education program focusing on the American Black Bear. Black Bears are the one species of bear that can live in close proximity to humans. I have read it more than once and have leant the book to others.

Shadow of the Bear brought to light the plight of all bears and the impact it has on our lives.
For me it was a quick read and quite informative. The way Mr. Payton told the story it was both entertaining and enlighting. As I read I felt like I was with him through his adventures. As he discussed each species we also learned about the culture of the geographic area where that species can be found. Politics also plays a role in bear survival and how bears are dealt with. Mr Payton demonstrates his book just how much human actions has contributed to the endangerment of wildlife. This book should be read by those interested in bears, travel, environment and life. Hopefully as more read the book, they too will understand the importance of conserving these beautiful animals.

Bears have had many, many books written about them and have been long celebrated: so why the need for yet another? Brian Payton here travels the world in search of the eight remaining bear species, from Asia and Canada to South America. His blend of natural history and travelogue examines human interactions with and beliefs about bears at all levels of society, offering up a warm interaction of bear and human encounters. "Shadow of the Bear" is especially recommended for school and community library Pets & Wildlife collections.

A very entertaining and interesting book on bears. As the owner of a large bear library, I really appreciate when a new bear book comes along that tells me things that I do not know. I was especially fascinated by the sloth bear section. The sloth bear's scientific study pales in comparison to the grizzly or black bear, so I really appreciated Mr. Payton's insight into these sometimes very aggresive and violent bears. The author also did and outstanding job of giving a sense of adventure to the book with great tales from remote parts of the world. On the serious side of things, the author points out correctly, that habitat destruction is the main cause of a decreasing bear population in much of the world, while poaching adds to the losses within some bear populations. Great book and an interesting read!

This book was very, very well written! Tanner has taken all of his readers on a rollercoaster ride through the life of a young elven child named Ky. Unlike most books where the heroes have no flaws, Ky is young and has much to learn. He is a lovable character, a perfect base for a story like this.

Excellent work!

Your friend,

Matthew Reade, author of John: Son of a Commander

I just finished reading the Shadow of the Ghost. I have never read a book that kept me wanting to return to it until it was done. I loved the way it was written and of course - Ky. I have come to love the little guy.

I know that I will find myself picking up the book and re-reading parts of it from time to time.

You did a great job creating Ky, and I am sure that it will be read by many, many readers over the years.

An astounding adventure! Easy to read, yet full of substance "Shadow of the Ghost" tells a tale urging readers to see the influence of friendships, loyalty, justice, and most importantly - family. Set in a world not too different from our own, it is easy to be swept up in the magic and warmth of a young elf searching for family while bound to the constraints of the chaos around him that is not his own. "Shadow of the Ghost" is a tale wonderfully told for a decent price. If you have any hesitation in purchasing...buy it! The story is well-worth the investment.

My understanding of "fantasy" novels was that they were detached from the reality of a world in which I live, and so, I had avoided them. This book showed me how wrong I have been. Cast in other worlds and places, "Shadow of the Ghost" constructs an intreaguing plot, and a series of fascinating adventures while skillfully developing characters whom one comes to think of as one's friends. The emotional content and the true to life emotional and intellectual dilemas are reflective of the human (as well as elven) world. I recommend the book without reservation.

I enjoyed this novel so much I went back and re-read the other four books in this series.

This story is set before the other novels in the Celaeno series and it is not necessary to have read any of the previous novels, but it totally entertaining if you have, as some of the characters in this novel are also in the other novels.

Really enjoyed the suspense and intrigue carried through the entire book. The characters are in-depth, the setting is fascinating and dialogue keeps you turning the pages. Tremendously interesting ending.

Don't miss the other books in this series

The Rangers at Roadsend
The Temple at Landfall
The Walls at Westernfort
Dynasty of Rogues

From the publisher's website - Militia rookie Ellen Mittal is well aware that the world cannot be reduced to simple questions of black and white, but she has no idea of just how complex and dangerous her life is about to become. The most vicious gang in the Homelands, led by the infamous Butcher, is extending its operations to Roadsend. By her oath as a member of the Militia, Ellen is sworn to uphold the rule of law, no matter what the cost to herself. But as the body count starts to rise, Ellen finds her task made all the harder by a wall of silence from ordinary citizens, a commanding officer with her head in the sand, and the attentions of an attractive young farmer who is probably not who she claims to be.

Ellen must work out who to trust, because if she gets it wrong she might easily lose her heart, or her life.

Another action packed sci-fi adventure/romance in the Celaeno series, a 2005 Lambda Literary Award Finalist.

This is a delightful continuation of the Celaeno series. There is a lot of action and turmoil throughout the entire book. I have yet to finish it, so I won't spoil it for you. I was very pleased to see Jane return to this increadibly ritch world she created to do another story. By far, this is one of my favorite series and I can't wait to see it continue.

Jane Fletcher's latest addition to the Celaeno series is very welcome indeed. If you've read the series, you're familiar with the fact that this society is entirely female. Most of you are familiar that the society as split into two factions, one of them being "the heretics," and most of the previous novels have dealt with that particular group of women.

This book, however, focuses on the other group.

It takes place earlier than any of the other books written so far. It details the story of Ellen, a Militiawoman, just finishing her probationary period. She learns of a group of thieves, the Knives, who are led by the Butcher. She works with the Rangers to gather information on the thieves, and during her investigation, meets and falls head over heels for Hal, a woman who claims to be a local farmer.

Is Hal who she claims to be? That's for you to determine. And, like the other reviewers have stated, this is not a happy book. This is an edgy book focusing on loyalty, thievery, vengeance, and family.

Fletcher balanced things out very well. Her writing gets better and better. In fact, after finishing this book at 2:00 A.M., I dug out one of her earlier Celaeno novels, "The Walls of Westernfront." Why? In "Shadow of the Knife," we briefly meet a young Ash O'Neil, a character featured more prominently in the "Walls" novel. I needed to touch base with Ash again.

Great character development, emotional depth, erotic scenes, and divided loyalties make for an exciting read. Buy this one...you won't regret it.

Warning, this is not a happy, feel good book. But I loved it anyway. The writing was tight and grabbed you and pulled you into the action. It's a gritty book that keeps you thinking, long after the last page has been turned, about the price we pay for honour and for the choices we make in our lives. I really love it when our lesbian writers find that they have more to tell than a simple, sweet romance. Jane Fletcher is growing with each book she writes. I can hardly wait for the next one.

Bollas is a beautiful writer. This early book introduces the main themes of his writing, while avoiding the postmodern obtuseness of his some his more recent writings. A compassionate and wise observer of the human soul, he here relates his knowledge, as it has been won through the mystery and misery he has encountered.

It would prove very difficult to over-praise this wonderful book. Bollas writes with such lucidity and wit about every topic he touches that I find myself returning to these pages just to re-experience his prose. If you value psychoanalysis performed in the Winnicottian mode, then you owe it to yourself to read this book.

At once amusing and heartbreakingly honest, Christopher Bollas has the ability to cut completely through the fog of ego and object attachment and promote understanding, awareness, acceptance and curiosity. This book is on my list of Life-Changing Must Haves.

Bollas is one of the most important figures in contemporary psychoanalysis and this book is the place to start. The book teems with new discoveries and striking ideas. Most important, it functions as only the best psychoanaltyic books do: it opens the reader to the discovery of their own psyche.

Imagine for a moment you are a young warrior captured by an enemy tribe. You are enslaved, tortured and humiliated by your captors, then offered an opportunity to escape; which would mean personal freedom, but could also lead to the annihilation of your people and the desecration of the earth. What would you choose? This is the dilemma faced by Sequannah, the youthful protagonist of this action-packed fantasy/adventure Shadow of the Serpent A Coyote Moon Story. James Joseph weaves together a poignant coming-of-age story with the earth-centered teachings of Native American spirituality into an engaging and entertaining first novel. --Patricia A. Burke, editor, The Hungry Soul: An Online Literary Magazine

If someone asked me to review this book with just one word, I think "great" wouldn't be enough. It was an enthralling experience to learn more about the Native American ways and wisdom through such a fantastic story. Also, the narrative is quite elegant and detailed and the story never loses its pace. In the story, we are introduced to the Mineccou clan, a peaceful, yet strong tribe that are pushed into war when a powerful enemy nearly wipes out all the other clans in the area and enslaves the survivors. Sequannah, a young Mineccou warrior is also captured and enslaved, but soon he finds that he will play a very important role in his tribe's struggle. For he will have to fight not only for his own freedom, but also for the freedom of his clan's ways. A story full of wisdom that makes us think about our own ways.

I spent hours reading the book,absorbed by the writing technique of James Joseph. The book starts in early and keeps dragging you in deeper after every chapter. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel by James Joseph. He is a promising author

SHADOW OF THE SERPENT is a thrill-packed and emotionally-charged epic adventure which beckons those of us on the "war path" to follow a better Way. I had a sense of being irresistably drawn through misty woods into mysterious caverns, only to hear the whisperings of shamans sharing the wonders of ancient Truth: Go back and live in the Light. Henceforth, whenever I see patterns of yellow and black, I will be unable to ignore the metaphorical warning. Read this important mystical work. --Dan Gallagher

This is another exciting romp through a world that's not so different from the one we know, but enough so that we can't help but eagerly demand, "What next?"

This novel continues the saga of George Custer Jr., estranged son of the President of the United States, in a slightly different late nineteenth century America. See reviews of earlier books in this series for more details. In this new story, we gain much more insight into what makes father and son tick, but not at the expense of sweeping adventure. This is still very much a thrill ride that will keep you turning pages long after a sensible person would have turned out the lights.

I eagerly anticipate Giambastiani's next tale of adventure set in the wonderful world he has created.

It is flattering when your ideas are incorporated in future literary work, even if the author has never actually read them. It generally shows that your evaluations and thoughts are on the right track. Personal feelings aside, there are many reasons why this Book 3 of the series should be considered the best of the three written so far.

One: More detailed character development. My main complaint about "The Spirit of Thunder" was that the plot was moving too quickly, which took away from painting a deeper psychological picture of the main characters. In "Shadow of the Storm," the progress of time slows down considerably, and details such slowdown allows to incorporate make the book a vivid read.

Two: Improved writing depth. While previous installments were perfectly readable, "Shadow" goes one step further. It reads like a Hollywood epic, with characters and events flashed out to such a degree the readers can actually see them in their mind's eye. For example, the scene of Indian cavalry maneuvers in a San Francisco corrida arena is nothing less than "The Gladiator" transferred in all its glory from the movie screen to paper.

Three: Stronger emphasis on human drama. While the first two books touched on George Custer Jr.'s emotional struggle with conflicting allegiances, "Shadow" brings it to a climax, but not on the inaccessible level of national politics, but rather on a very close, and thus painfully real, personal level. The tone for the most important question of the book - what constitutes family and what role blood connection plays in it - is set from Chapter 1 and is brought to a heartrending climax with the novel's final scene.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. While I will await the next installment with impatience, a certain degree of trepidation will also be there. Mr. Giambastiani has set the bar of my expectations pretty high with "Shadow." Will he be able to reach it with Book 4? Only time will tell...

I really enjoy the books in this series, particularly because I love the opportunity to spend time with the Cheyenne characters that the author has developed so well - both individual personalities as well as insights into the culture. However, this third book in the series moves the saga forward in very dramatic ways with lots of new thought-provoking ideas and adventures. And the dinosaurs are back. I thought they were a bit of an afterthought in the second book, but Mr. Giambastiani brings them back as key characters in the story. The author also demonstrates a growing talent in his writing as he narration shifts effortlessly between the different characters perspectives on the action. I eagerly await book 4.

Shadow of the Storm is the third novel in the Fallen Cloud series, following The Spirit of Thunder. In the previous volume, George has lost a great deal of gold to a French trader, but finds another way to obtain weapons. He is severely wounded during the attack on Fort Assurance and Storm Arriving is also wounded while setting demolition charges on the railroad bridge over the Missouri. News of the bridge's destruction reaches Washington before the election, but is suppressed.

In this novel, George Armstrong Custer, Senior, wins re-election to his second term as President of the United States. Not everybody is pleased, to say the least, and trouble is brewing between the labor unionists and the industrialists. The common people, however, are mostly pleased at the prospect of free land made available with the Homestead Act, property in the lands of the Cheyenne Alliance.

In Little Italy, Cesare Uccido tries to protect his twin sister, Fortuna, from the hustlers and pimps, but is unsuccesful. In despair for the hard life of her family, Fortuna agrees to couple with a rich man for a golden coin, yet Cesare finds her with the man and tries to take her away, but the man attacks him and Cesare fights back, finally taking out all his rage on the man, killing him thoroughly. Afterward they flee, to find themselves with the man's clothes containing a large amount of cash and coin. With this money, the Uccido family flees to the frontier to stake out a homestead.

Back in New York, the new Ambassador from New Spain takes on his duties after the degraded death of his predecessor in a house of ill-repute. On his introductory visit to the White House, he overhears the President disparaging the Spanish government and leaves angrily. Since the Ambassador has a prior hatred for Custer, he looks for a way to pay back the President for his misdeeds.

Among the Cheyenne, George Armstong Custer, Junior, called One Who Flies by his Cheyenne family, is still trying to stop the slaughter of his adopted people. He is still weak from his wounds, but agrees to leave early with Mouse Roads and Picking Bones Woman to join Storm Arriving and Speaks While Leaving for the birth of their baby. One Who Flies is happy to travel early since he wants to ask Storm Arriving for permission to court Mouse Roads. Before he can be answered, the death of Picking Bones Woman causes the family to leave for the deathgrounds on the shore of the Big Salty, the Nebraska Sea.

All these elements converge on Washington for a major confrontation between the US and the Cheyenne.

This novel is well written and enjoyable, not only for the plot, but for the details on the lives of the Cheyenne people. The twists and turns of the plot are frustrating to the reader as well as the main character, but are necessary to sustain the story. After all, a peaceful life is boring to most readers, yet most of the really good sections were just everyday life among the Cheyenne.

Recommended for Giambastiani fans and anyone who enjoys tales of exotic people and international intrigue in a fantasy setting.

Lianne Lopes' SHADOW OF THE WOLF was my very first e-book purchase. Money well spent. Ms. Lopes kept me glued to my computer from the very first page. Fast-paced. Suspenseful. Riveting characters--and not just the hero and heroine. All of the characters were well drawn and realistic. The historical detail was great. I did not get to sleep until well past my bed time.

SHADOW OF THE WOLF
Lianne Bruynell Lopes

Anna Strayer flees America and the humiliation of a broken engagement to visit her Aunt and Uncle in Germany. Never in her wildest dreams could she imagine the whirlpool of events she is about to be sucked into. A mere two days after her arrival in Germany - Kristallnacht - the night of broken glass occurs. The enchanted country is suddenly enveloped in an evil cloud of darkness.

Anna agrees to aid her Uncle in his covert efforts to help Jews fleeing the ensuing holocaust. Her risky midnight excursions soon endanger her own life when she has a run in with a hard-nosed Gestapo agent.

Lieutenant Ricard Von Heimer is infatuated with the feisty young woman staying with his close friends. Despite his efforts to woo her, she remains cold and obstinate towards him--and her late night excursions after curfew deeply concern him.

Against her will, Anna finds her attraction to the handsome German officer growing. His gentle side is such a contrast to the cold, steel-eyed soldier, and her Uncle constantly reminds her things are not always as they seem.

When tragedy strikes and Anna is arrested, Ricard comes to her aid. In their hasty escape, he confesses his love and Anna realizes that she returns his affection. But their escape is short-lived when Ricard is shot and Anna is captured and sent to a concentration camp. Forsaken in the isolation chamber, Anna turns her heart to God and finds peace, but her questions remains unanswered. Will she live through this nightmare and see her parents in America again? Is it possible that Ricard could still be alive? Will she ever see his smiling green eyes again?

Like a tiny match lighting a stick of dynamite, the chemistry between Ricard and Anna is explosive. I couldn't help wanting Anna to fall for Ricard and yet hating him at the same time for what he represented. Lianne Bruynell Lopes expertly portrays the horrors of the Nazi regime and Anna's wretched life in the concentration camp. Shadow of the Wolf is a powerful message of love and faith in the midst of unimaginable circumstances. This gripping love story will grab your interest from page one.

Reviewed by: Vickie McDonough
Reviewer for: The Word on Romance, Christian Writers Web Community, and Women on Writing

This is absolutely one of my favorites in inspirational romantic/suspense. SHADOW OF THE WOLF is an edge-of-your-seat page-turner. All the better if you're a WW2 buff. This author knows her stuff! Lianne Bruynell Lopes, takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride through Nazi occupied Europe. The unforgettable hero and heroine, Anna and Ricard, keep a tenuous hold on one another, while Anna holds fast to her faith in God. Touching and real. Highly recommended.

Wonderful story-- I stayed up half the night to finish it!