Science Fiction and Fantasy Books


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Science Fiction and Fantasy Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Science Fiction and Fantasy
Defenders of the Dead (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice)
Published in School & Library Binding by Rebound by Sagebrush (2000-05)
Author: Jude Watson
List price: $13.25

Average review score:

The planet Melida/Daan is under constant war
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-02-06
The planet Melida/Daan is under constant war. Living in the past, they take constant vengance for things that happened 100 years ago. A band of children led by 13 year olds Nield and Cerasi known as the Young are revolting against the Elders trying to save their planet. The fight has become personal to the Jedi's Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon and they're on different sides...

I liked the Defenders of the Dead because it's about fighting for a cause you believe in even if it costs you everything. It also has strong well-developed characters as well as a great plot and of course the fact that it's set in the Star Wars universe all these things combine to make it a great book.

This book would be great for almost anyone. Its story is flexible and could please fans of many genres. The person I would most recommend this book to is the Sci-fi/Adventure fan as those are the most prominent genres in this or any other Star Wars book. I give Defenders of the Dead 8 out of 10 stars.

great for kids or SW fans
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-02
This entire series is a great children's series. Even though I'm an adult, I still love these books. Set before Episode I, they follow Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn through their early years together as master and apprentice. If you like Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, or the master/apprentice relationship in general, you'll love these books.

A amazing book even for adults
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-09-28
Obi-Wan is on Melida/Dan. A planet steeped with violence for as long as anyone can remeber.Jedi should not take sides Qui-gon tells Obi-Wan but he ends up taking sides with a group named the Young who are fighting against there parent to stop the war. Debate rages between Obi-wan and Qui-gon and ..... well you will see what heppens.It includes Obi-Wan getting kicked out of the Jedi Order and staying to help the Young read the next books to see if Qui-gon will except Obi-wan as his apprentice again. I [16] found this to be a great book when i was younger and still do! now that iv finished the NJO series the clone wars series and the Jedi Apprentice series i cant wait for a new one . You will love this book guarenteed.If you dont well i cant give you your money back..... but you would have to be insane not to like it.

Watson Rolls On
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-09-01
Another truly great story from Jude Watson. These books bridge the gap left vacant before Episode 1.
Jude watson has a great gift for fleshing out all the characters we've come to know on a much deeper level.
This particular series gives us the early adventures of Obi-Wan and Quinn -Jon and shows us the development of the two as the later indepent thinking Jedi they become.

Best Jedi Apprentice book
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-27
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan go to Melida/Daan to rescue Tahl, the Jedi peacekeeper who went there. She was gravely wounded and captured by the Melida, and so Yoda dispatches more Jedi to rescue her.
Young Obi-Wan Kenobi is a Jedi apprentice, he's not supposed to become emotionally involved in a conflict. But when he meets Cerasi and Nield, the young and charismatic leaders of the Young on the planet of Melida/Daan, he is immediately swept up in their just cause. The Elders of the planet are nothing more than defenders of the dead, willing to sacrifice whole generations to get back at each other for past battles. No one remembers the original grievances, just that the Melida are evil or the Daan are evil, depending on who they are. The only ones striving for peace are the Young. They're proud to announce that they're everyone, both Melida and Daan children who want to rebuild their war-torn planet.
The Young help rescue Tahl, but they need the Jedi's help. Though forbidden to do so, Obi-Wan's heart tells him he must help the young save their planet.

Science Fiction and Fantasy
Faeries
Published in Paperback by Bantam (1979-10-01)
Author: Brian Froud
List price: $22.00
New price: $9.00
Used price: $3.50
Collectible price: $39.99

Average review score:

great artwork, interesting text
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-16
I totally love fantasy, folklore, and mythology, so this book was naturally of great interest to me. The pictures of various classes of mythical creatures were absolutely wonderful, and the text that described the myths upon which the pictures are based was interesting and fun to read. I would highly recommend this book for someone interested in a book about fairy folklore that's not overly academic.

TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVARSARY EDITION FAERIES
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-03
I LOVE THIS BOOK ABOUT FAERIES. I READ IT OVER AND OVER.
THANK YOU
PEGGY BOND

Faeries (25thAnniversary Edison)
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-27
I've begun a bit of Faery book collecting and this was a great selection to sort of tie my many books together. The book is just like new and I saved quite a bit on the price. I am very faery happy!

Beautiful!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-09
The illustrations are hauntingly beautiful and the whole book just flows wonderfully. Really lets you feel as if you know all about the fairies...both good and bad!

Faeries the deceptive book
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-08
This particular book is highly reviewed by many people. It is a love/hate kind of book. Either you love the story and lore, or you hate the imagery. If you want a book with a light hearted story and fluffy lore with beautiful pixies/faeries; this is NOT the right book. The ads for this book deceptively illustrated a different set of contents. So please check the negitive reviews too!

Science Fiction and Fantasy
Magic the Gathering: Arena Vol. 1
Published in Mass Market Paperback by HarperEntertainment (1994-11-01)
Authors: William R. Forstchen and (none)
List price: $5.99
New price: $5.00
Used price: $0.67
Collectible price: $12.99

Average review score:

Arena is a book you can keep coming back to
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-25
Ah yes, Magic the Gathering. The child of Richard Garfield, run through dark magic and incest by the terrifying and evil Wizards of the Coast. I still play Magic, but it will never be like the old days, before Wizards of the Coast became huge. This book was written during the old days, and I reread it every couple years to remind myself of how cool the CCG world was back then.

Arena tells us a story of Garth One-Eye, a mysterious fighter who can control the flow of mana, as he plays a game of cat and mouse (where he's the mouse) in a city ready to tear him apart. Anyone who has seen a Clint Eastwood film will get numerous rushes of recognition. The basic plot of the book follows A Fistful of Dollars, with Garth playing the ruling houses of the city against each other.

So it's a rehash of a familiar plot. Does that make it bad? No. For one thing, it's a familiar plot, but we have to admit it was an entertaining plot as well. And there are twists and turns in this story that go off on their own (albiet Magic the Gathering inspired) direction. But don't be surprised if you start imagining Garth with that Clint sharpness in his voice.

Why read this book? First of all, if you're a fan of the old Magic the Gathering editions, you have to read it, just so you can say you have. Second of all, even if you're not a fan of magic, while it will lose about 10% of its goodness, it's still a great read, easy to pick up and hard to put down.

Any complaints? Only a couple. One, the sequels (by a different author) follow completely different characters and while a couple from Arena appear in later books, the cameos don't quite do them justice. Another downside is that one of the characters, Kirlen, was a potential gold mine of development and plot that only barely gets used.

But I reccomend Arena, especially if it's as cheap as I think it is these days. Pick it up before your next airplane flight or bus ride. It will keep you thouroughly entertained. And it may even make you want to play Magic again.

One of my top five favorite books!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-24
Although the book is obviously part of the MTG series and world. It really is by far a great stand alone sci-fi fantasy book. This book single handedly intrigued me enough to go out and buy MTG cards and additional MTG books in the series. The card game is ok to play and the rest of the MTG books are not worth the money. However this book is an incredible read, it is no Thomas Paine or Thoreau, obviously, but it is a very entertaining little book. I highly recommend it if you enjoy sci-fi books.

Still a Favorite..A decade later
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-19
I read this book when it first came out. And still to this day I remember it being a great read and I just recently purchased it again and re-lived the experience. This is one of my 10 ten favorite books.

A step above today's fantasy
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-06-05
The main question on your mind right now has got to be "But isn't this just using a name to sell books?"

And I can tell you no. They could have easily just slapped together some drivel, put the Magic logo on it with the card offer, and it would have sold probably just as well. While you may appreciate its connections to the card game, it's not necessary to enjoy the book. The author adds much to a, at the time, thin background to realize a whole city and a system of magic.

The story does seem to come down to the childish, but not too often, and not enough to distract me from the rest of the book. The best part is learning about the different schools of magic and the people that head them!

The worst of these, let's call them childish asides, is that they put in some PG-13 stuff in that takes up all of a page. During the rest of the book the only reference to it is the phrase "It meant nothing", which comes out more than once. Which is true of the story as well, it meant nothing. It's just added as an afterthought I'm sure, to tantalize the younger reader. As I said however, the main story grabbed me unrelentlessly in such a manner that I could overlook such things.

This is a stand-alone book and, as I understand, does not have any direct connection to the rest of the series (new or old).

Lots of Action - No Substance Underneath
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2006-04-28
It's an unfortunate curse that all popular franchises have. You know what I'm talking about - that horrid thing known as over marketing. You start with one thing that that's pretty cool on its own, like a trading card game, or a video game, or even a book. Then someone realizes that there is so much more money to be made by the unsuspecting masses, who are oblivious to the fact that they are about to be bombarded with some of the most ridiculous drivel ever conceived of by mankind. Before you know it, what was once just a really great game, is now an abominable never ending landslide of action figures, T.V. shows, DVD series, full movie theatrical releases, clothing lines, coffee mug sets, and backpacks! Who could possibly live without those awesome new Pokemon sandals? The price for them is unbelievably low - it just costs the tattered remains of your dignity!

The curse has spread to Magic: The Gathering in the form of the novel "Arena". Now we've got an unending series of books that follows all the new releases of the different card sets (which will continue until people realize "Hey, I've spent the majority of the money I've ever made on more and more new cards trying to make a non-existant perfect deck. I need to accept that I have an addiction and quit"). What we've got here is a book that should be absolutely freaking awesome - I mean come on, the entire universe of Magic is already pre-made for the author, William Forstchen. He doesn't have to make ANYTHING up himself. Mr. Forstchen could have given us an amazing plot-driven book with tons of character progression, believable dialogue, and an incredible story. With the entire historical background, geographical areas, major characters, and system of magic already done for him, there should have been plenty of time allocated to giving the readers the most amazing book ever made. Obviously, that didn't happen.

Judging this book solely as a part of the Magic: The Gathering universe, it's pretty good. Lots of out of control combat, gratuitous sex for no apparent reason (and completely contradicting a character's previous statements about his views on sexual intimacy), and an "under-dog" figure who is able to take down the current not-so-nice all powerful deity figure. It's a pre-pubescent boy's dream come true. Judging "Arena" as a stand alone novel, against all the other fantasy novels out there, it certainly ranks among the most trite, self-serving, completely pointless books of the last century. Why give it even 2 stars then? Because, unfortunately, book series based on games are judged by a different standard. Their merit as a novel has to be balanced with how well they stay true to the themes and tone of the game (which this does decently), while keeping in mind that because they exist solely to make company X more money, there will be all kinds of unnecessary stuff packed in to please all the fanboys. If only we treated game based novels as they should be - by holding them up to a HIGHER standard than most fantasy novels (for the above mentioned reason - all the work is already done for the author), but experience has taught that, against all logic, game based novels tend to be substandard in comparison. The use of vivid, or even adequate, description in "Arena" is passed over in favor of popular buzz words in order to keep the action moving at a fast enough pace. For example, when describing a battle between two wizards, the author actually wrote the sentence "He summoned some Llanowar elves". Now keep in mind there is no material either before or after that describes what Llanowar elves are - what they look like (anyone whose played the card game will have seen them, but this leaves all other readers completely out of the loop), what they do, or why they were chosen over any other creature. The most important aspect, the actual details of the summoning, is left out as well. We aren't given any description at all of how the magician accomplishes this feat, which is honestly just sloppy writing.

"Arena" isn't 100% bad writing though. There are some genuinely interesting characters and situations present, although they aren't used very effectively. The character line up starts off with a one-eyed magician/fighter type who is known as a Hannin, because he doesn't belong to any of the guild houses. Curiously, several previous reviewers of this book commented on what an amazing mystery it was to figure out who Garth really is. Obviously they didn't read the blurb on the back of the novel, as it blatantly gives away the "secret", or any of the hints placed throughout the book that were about as subtle as a sledgehammer to the stomach. Next, there is a woman belonging to the intriguing Benalish caste system, which isn't given nearly enough detail as it should have. The obligatory fiery read head type who is too strong willed for her own good makes an appearance here, as well as the old man who isn't really what he seems. The main characters aside, the most fun part of this novel is reading about the four guild leaders and their various vices (although they were done WAY over the top, and again, no attempt at subtlety is made here). The character with the most potential is Kirlen, the leader of the guild called Bolk. Having lived for an incredible length of time by using rejuvenation spells and potions, her body has withered away to the point that she could almost be labeled an undead creature. Kirlen was once the lover of the "big baddy" in the story, and he betrayed her to attain the power to become a Planeswalker - a being who can travel to different dimensions and has near godlike powers. While this could have been the most interesting story arc, it was unfortunately relegated to an un-important backstory, just some filler to tack on the pages.

If you are a hardcore fan of Magic: The Gathering you will probably drink this thing up like it's the elixir of life and then rant about how it's the "best novel ever". Anyone looking for a good fantasy novel with any real substance should probably steer clear, though.

Science Fiction and Fantasy
Into the Cold Fire (Daughters of the Moon #2)
Published in Hardcover by Volo (2000-08-01)
Author: Lynne Ewing
List price: $9.99
New price: $1.25
Used price: $0.79
Collectible price: $10.00

Average review score:

Into Confusion and Oblivion
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-04-08
I don't know how Lynne Ewing came up with this story. I was looking forward to reading about Serena because she seemed to be one of the more interesting characters and I was left sorely disappointed. I don't understand how you can have a romance in a book and not really give the reader anything to go on. If Serena can't remember her memories, then how are we supposed to get a feel for a connection between her and Stanton? They had absolutely no chemistry to me. Stanton and Vanessa seemed to have more chemistry (later I found out Lynne Ewing was originally going to hook those two up). Too bad Lynne didn't hook Michael up with someone else later in the series. Personally, I think Vanessa and Stanton would have made a better couple. I understand others might have a different opinion, but that's just how I feel about it.

I give it two stars for at least being well-written, if not the most interesting or the best of the series. So far, it's my least favorite.

Into the Cold Fire Review By: Diana
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-10-18
This book is about a girl who might be endangered by a groupd of people who is after her. These group of people are bad people who try to bring good people to the bad side. This book is a magical book with girls who have powers and they are trying to fight the bad people away. I liked this book because each character has a different personality and different ways to handle things in situations dealt together.

A Review of Into the Cold Fire.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-10-17
I thought this book was good. It had a lot of action in it. I also liked it because it had magical powers that noone in real life could have. This book is great for teens who like a little bit of romance, drama, and action.

Daughters of the Moon: Anairis Review
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-10-29
This is a story everybody should read including teenagers like us.We could relate some things from ourlife.This book is about a girl finding out what she was ment for.She wouldn't let anything about having a boyfriend keep her down.This story was romantic,action,and true friendship.Serena must know why the Antrox are after her and Jemina has a premonition that Serena is going to betray them.Then Venessa comes again and turns invisible to keep away from from the cold fire.Another thing how could cold fire be cold.Serena was the one who can go through it and save her own friends life.Jemina was thankful that she could try to be more trustworthy and see what the inside from not her premonitions and see for herself.Serena is phychic and she is one of mysteries of the Daughters of the Moon. If you want to hear more about the Daughters of the Moon check out the Volume 3.Jemina couldn't stop thinking of Veto who died last year and he appears in her kitchen.While she was going to ask him what is he doing here he comes up and kisses her in the mouth .Was her feelings still strong?She felt his cheeck and his small scar that was warm.What do you think of that if you want hear more check it out!

Daughters of the moon...the story continues...
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-19
NOTE: PLEASE READ THE FIRST BOOK BEFORE YOU READ THIS BOOK. THE STORY WILL BE RUINED IF YOU DO NOT READ THE OTHER TWO BOOKS FIRST. THIS STORY IS HARD TO FOLLOW IF YOU DO NOT EVERYTHING ABOUT THE SERIES AND ALL THE REALATIONSHIPS. THIS BOOK IS POORLY WRITTEN AND HARD TO FOLLOW IF YOU DON'T READ THE FIRST BOOK.

Serena is a goddess, a daughter of the moon. Sent by Selene to protect the human beings from an ancient evil called the Atrox. Jimena, Serena, Vanessa, and Catty are all daughters of the moon. Each of them has a unique gift. Vanessa can become invisible, Catty can travel in time, Serena reads minds, and Jimena sees into the future. Lynne Ewing has designed all of the books to show us everyone's point of view at different times. This book is based on Serena.

The story beginns with Serena at the beach with her brother Collin. Collin is a surfer. Serena gets a little bored watching him surf so she walks down the beach until she stumbles into a party. A girl dressed in a dress throws herself into a fire. Everyone at the party cheers Lecta. Serena at first thinks the girl's name is Lecta. Serena freaks about because a girl threw herself into the fire but then sees that the fire flames are blue. Stanton suddenly calls out to Serena, then all of the sudden she wakes up. Serena is covered with cuts thinking she fell into the ocean. Her brother come's and finds her and asks her what happened, but she can't remember.

Morgan gets a crush on Collin, Serena's brother. Serena can't stand Morgan and doesn't think that Collin and her would be good together. Then Çollin tells her one day that Morgan thinks Serena needs a boyfriend. Serena is very angry and can't help but wonder if Collin agrees with Morgan. To add to all of the mess, Jimena and Collin start fighting. Serena isn't sure she can handle the preasure. To top it off Serena's crushing on a new kid at school.

Then Jimena tells Serena a vision she had. Serena gets very upset because she doesn't want to destroy the daughters of the moon. But Jimena's vision have always come true. A few days later Stanton come's and tells her that she needs to be careful about the new kid at school. He also tells Serena that he erased her memories on the beach. Serena is very shocked by this. Then Stanton tells her that Stanton and her were in a relationship. A few nights later Serena reads Collins mind about Jimena. Then once the secret of the new kid is revealed the key gets thrown into the cold fire. This book tests the faith between all of the girls, and there values.

Science Fiction and Fantasy
Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changelings, Book 1)
Published in Paperback by Berkley (2006-09-05)
Author: Nalini Singh
List price: $6.99
New price: $3.27
Used price: $3.18

Average review score:

Oh, yeah...I'm hooked!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-24
Not in the mood to post a really long review, but let me just say this book is all kinds of awesome. I'm not a huge fan of Paranormal Romance, but if they were all like this, I'd be totally hooked. The story-line and Psy/Changeling worldbuilding is richly imagined. The main characters, Lucas and Sascha, are likeable, have real chemistry, and are backed up by a cast of equally-appealing secondary characters (who will star in future novels). And can I just add how THRILLED I am to discover that there are quite a number of others in this series already published. Woot! I can't wait to pick up the next.

Give me MORE!!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-18
Wow! This is an amazing and fast paced book that I could not put down. Believe it or not I wasn't expecting to like this one and was therefore amazed at how Great an author Nalini Singh truely is.

The thing that really set this book apart is that it's a new concept. We've all read books about people who could shift into animals and psychic's, but never have they been put together in one book in such a way.

It is obvious that this book was carefully researched and that Singh is a very talented writer. She weaves her plot with serious skill never letting any of the pieces drop.

I will definately buy the rest of the books in this series. I wish that I had book 2 right now... at least tomorrow is payday :)

Love This Book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-08
I have just received this book 2 days ago, well, I can not put this book down! I love this book! I am half way threw and so into this book its amazing. I am not big on these kind of books but let me tell now I am. This author is very talented and I am purchasing other books by this author.

Strange, different, confusing....but good!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-18
Wow! As a very new reader to the paranormal genre (thanks the the Black Dagger Brotherhood series!) this book was very different to the stuff I normally read.

The world in which Singh introduces us is very complicated, intense, and unique. The battlefield is the mind, and this talented author takes you there. This world includes humans, changelings (individuals that can change between human and animal form), and Psy's (those with psychic abilities). Psy's have undergone Silencing which has programmed them to "feel nothing", but the heroine feels much...especially for the alpha male Lucas.

This was a good book. I would recommend it. The only thing I have to say is to take your time reading it. It is very complicated in that it is introducing you to a new world using new names, phrases, and ideas. I feel like I need to read it again to understand the intricacies of it. The romance is really good and Lucas really loves Sascha with a huge amount of intensity. It really is touching. I look forward to Hawke's book. I hope he gets one!

Great on itself but even more valuable as the introduction to an outstanding series...
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-06
Have you heard about Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series? They are the kind of books those fond of well-written paranormal romances with a dash of suspense and plenty of interesting characters are highly likely to love. If you haven't heard about them, don't feel too badly, the Psy-Changeling series is relatively new, and I only discovered it by chance in late 2007. Truth to be told, I am very happy I did so, because now I am a fan.

"Slave to sensation" is the first book in this saga, and it was published recently, in 2006. That story begins to acquaint the reader with a different world where three species live side by side, if not always in harmony. The Psy are a race with psychic powers and devoid of feelings; the changelings, shifters that embrace those feelings; and finally, the humans, less powerful and not always taken into account in the arithmetic of power. But what happens when a Psy killer on the loose that preys on changelings breaks the fragile equilibrium achieved by the two main races? That premise is the starting point to the story of Lucas, a powerful changeling, and Sacha, a cardinal Psy, two persons that should be enemies, but that soon realize that they can be much more.

"Slave to sensation" is also the beginning of an universe that Nalini Singh weaves even more consistently with each book, a strange world that makes sense and that ends up engaging the reader, and making him want to know what happens next. Thankfully, Nalini Singh has already written more books in the series ("Visions of heat", "Caressed by ice" and "Mine to possess") and is in the process of writing another, something you will fully appreciate after reading "Slave to sensation".

On the whole, I think that this book is a keeper, great on itself but even more valuable as the introduction to an outstanding series. Highly recommended...

Belen Alcat

Science Fiction and Fantasy
Pendragon Book Six: The Rivers of Zadaa (Pendragon)
Published in Audio Cassette by Brilliance Audio Unabridged Lib Ed (2005-07-01)
Author: D. J. MacHale
List price: $92.25
New price: $92.25
Used price: $21.14

Average review score:

The Rivers of Zadaa
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-29
The Rivers of Zadaa is the sixth installment to the Pendragon series. I loved this book it had adventure and it has mystery in it. This book was the best of the Pendragon it gave me everything that I wanted in a book. This book starts with a tragic death then ends very surprisingly. Saint Dane has gone to the territory of Zadda were he is influencing two warring tribes now Bobby must stop him with the help of the traveler Loor.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes an adventure book that is also a fantasy. This book now had to be the best because you had no idea what was going to happen next. I absolutely loved this book I just never wanted to put it down. I definitely would put this book in my top 5 of favorite books.

Great Continuation
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-18
DJ, you keep me waiting too long. I want you pumping these books out faster.I can't get enough!!!

What can I say
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-07
Hands down the best series I have laid my eyes on.

A review for a great book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-06
This book is packed with twists in the plot, and suspense that make you feel as if you are on a roller coaster. With two different stories filled with adventure and sprinkled with love, you feel like you're with the characters. Whenever you think you have the answer to what's going on, you want to shout it out to the characters, but each time you are soon to be proven wrong. Once you start reading this book, it will be torture just to put it down. Whenever you aren't guessing what's going to happen next, you are cheering for Bobby because you think he's going to win, or worrying because he's going to lose this battle. He is always changing position in this battle, so you feel like you're on a roller coaster, just like what I said before.

After five battles against the shape-shifting demon named Saint Dane, Bobby Pendragon is swept into another battle yet again. Saint Dane's main goal is to destroy Halla, all places, planets, and times, for a still unknown reason. Using flumes, the connection between places in time in the universe called Territories (there are ten), Bobby chases Saint Dane into the next territory, Zadaa. As a Traveler, the only people who can use the flumes, Bobby must stop the evil Traveler, Saint Dane, from reaching his evil goal. On the dessert planet of Zadaa, people are facing famine, and two tribes who were once at peace are getting close to a quick and deadly war. The aggressive tribe, the Batu, suspect that the clever tribe, the Rokador, are holding all the water from the underground rivers. Bobby, with help from Loor and Alder, the Travelers from Zadaa and Denduron, must thwart Saint Dane's plans to push Zadaa into chaos, or else Halla will be one step closer to destruction.
Meanwhile, on Bobby's home Territory of Second Earth, Bobby's friends are facing the strangest problems. Mark Dimond, pure geek, has joined a club called Sci-Clops. Things are going great for him until his enemy, Andy Mitchell, joins the club. After joining the club, Mitchell has been nicer to Mark, and Mark is getting suspicious. To add to Mark's problems, he is also worrying about how Bobby is doing on Zadaa, and how Bobby's other friend, Courtney Chetwynde is doing. Courtney has gone to a boarding school, and has gotten a new boyfriend. Of course, her boyfriend and the new Andy Mitchell turn out to be someone else...


Notes:

-This is actually my book report.

-For people starting the Pendragon series, you should start at the first book.

-It has a plot very similar to the first Pendragon book, The Merchant of Death.

I hope you enjoy this book, it's a real Tum-Tigger!

Htmlgoddess@gmail.com
a 7th grader

The Rivers of Zadaa
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-04-13
The Rivers of Zadaa by D. J. MacHale is an action filled adventure with a bit of mystery. I recommend this book too kids who like reading long books.
The story begins with Bobby Pendragon wearing clothing every where too hide his skin walking next too Loor in an arena. Were Loor lives water is more valuable than gold. In the Zadaa he will meet his enemy Saint Daine and try too stop his evil plan. Saint Daine is a evil demon.
Bobby Pendragon is a 13-year old boy who is from 2nd Earth. Bobby is on Zadaa trying too stop a war from happening. Bobby Pendragon mis determined on his mission, and is helped by Loor and other friends along the way. He has brown hair and brown eyes. Bobby must wear a lot of clothing because the Razack are really white because they live underground, and the Batu are darker because they live at the surface. Bobby is smart, nice, and trustful, he an also heal fast from injury's.
I recommend this book too kids who like reading. Will Bobby exceed his mission? Read This book too find out!

Science Fiction and Fantasy
Perilous Gard
Published in Turtleback by Turtleback Books Distributed by Demco Media (2002-02)
Author: Elizabeth Marie Pope
List price: $14.50

Average review score:

Unimpressed
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-09
I didn't find this book all that special. The style seemed stilted and awkward. Characters seemed emotionally flat and I didn't buy the romance in the story. Not a bad read, but half way through I was ready for the book to end.

My intro to the Tam Lin legend
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-25
One of the things I like about this book is that it manages to retain an archaic feeling without sounding fake (you know, the type of dialogue that sounds like a bunch of college students roleplaying). Pope's choice of using modern language for the dialogue doesn't spoil the setting at all, whereas trying to force readers to jump back and forth between Elizabethan dialogue and modern narration could be annoying, e.g. Patricia Wrede's version of "Snow White and Rose Red".

Overall, Pope's characters are really well fleshed out, and she's also a master at describing atmosphere. The supernatural terror that Kate is subjected to in the underground halls kept me up at night for a while after both times I read this.

I didn't know the plot of "The Perilous Gard" was related to an actual legend till I stumbled across the name "Tam Lin" elsewhere on the Internet. Now I'm fascinated...

I'll never forget this book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-06
This book is beautiful. The proud elves! The historical drama! Probably the best theory for where elves/fairies came from, oh, and the answer will suprise you!
This books haunts you in that though there are mystical, magical elements in this story when you done reading you have to admit that it really COULD have happened. This book made me cry, I love it when books have the power to make you feel that much emotion. Do yourself a favour and read the book!

Pne of the best children's books ever
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-13
The Perilous Gard

The Sherwood Ring

The Perilous Gard is a book I still reread as an adult. The Sherwood Ring is good also. I just wish that Ms. Pope had written MORE.

The Perilous Gard is a wonderful rainy afternoon book. The characters seem real and the Elizabethan England that is described seems real and charming but none too easy to live in.

The best part of the story is the characterizations of the fairies themselves. Not the fluttery, glittery creatures beloved of Walt Disney, but a real, proud alien race at one with nature. The queen particularly is both admirable and cruel, pitiless and pitiable.

Great Read
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-31
I enjoyed this book immensely once I got into it. The first chapter didn't impress me, but after that the book held my attention. The main character, Kate, was a great heroine that I enjoyed reading about and she had her own flaws, which I thought was great. Because most books in this sort of genre have the perfect, beautiful, strong, intelligent, courageous heroine, which I always found somewhat unbelievable. This book is adventursome, fantastical, and has some romance thrown in too. Its my kind of book! I plan on looking for more books by this author.

Science Fiction and Fantasy
Emotional Blackmail
Published in Paperback by Harper Collins Publishers ()
Author: Susan Forward
List price:
New price: $5.97
Used price: $5.14

Average review score:

If you think that you have ever been abused emotionally
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-28
This an amazing look into the reality of emotional abuse. As a therapist I have been recommending this book to my clients. Watch out for an eye opening read!

Emotional Blackmail
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-14
This Book is great on its own. The transaction was easy and the book came as described.

Enlightening
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-04
I felt this book provided an eyeopening perspective on how we are manipulated by others and in fact may manipulate others. I think it helped me to gain perspective and move forward as I have emerged from an abusive marrige.

better than therapy
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-02
This is the best money I ever spent! Easy to read, hits home for many and has changed my life for the better. Others that I recommended it to have also benefited. If you need to work on issues......this is the place to start.

Good Quick Read
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-21
A good quick read. Gives information on how to get your power back by using language skills. It works. You really catch the blackmailer off guard when you change your speech pattern.

Science Fiction and Fantasy
Animorphs Megamorphs #01: The Andalite's Gift (Animorphs)
Published in Paperback by Scholastic Paperbacks (1997-06-01)
Author: K.A. Applegate
List price: $4.99
New price: $0.80
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $10.00

Average review score:

Weakest Megamorph, Still Good
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-03
The Andalite's Gift is the weakest, but still good

From the Back Cover:
We never should have done it. But we needed a break. You know, some time off from the superhero stuff. A chance to act like normal kids. Well-as normal as four kids who can morph, a hawk, and and alien can be. Everything should have been cool. Now Rachel is missing. And there's this... this thing that's after us. But it's not up to me to tell the whole story. Tobias, Cassie, Marco, and Ax were there, too. Even Rachel has some info to add. So go ahead and check this out. And remember not to tell anyone what we're about to tell you. It could mean the difference between life and death....

The Good News:
If you couldn't tell from the back cover discription alone this one was going to be different. The idea of every character getting a chance to narrate a few chapters was a great idea in my opinion and just helps to difference itself from the regular Animorphs. The second thing many fans will notice when they pick up the book it is considerably longer than the others. This proves a challenging quest for K.A. Applegate who has to create a plot that can last throughout the entire book without becoming boring. The author proves that this is not a proplem and fills the book with exciting chapters, riveting character narration, and action. The way the book plays out helps alot too. The back barely gives anything away and makes the many subplots came as a surprise and almost everything is unexpected. It doesn't even go into detail about the thing that is chasing the Animorphs and it reveals itself in a nice series of turns.
The characters are all still the same more or less and the lesser subplots from the regular Animorphs translates over to here. Such as the burden on Ax's shoulders of revenge on Visser Three, Jake and Cassie's relationships, and Tobias and Rachel's strange friendship leading to a relationship. It certainly is never boring and is certainly worth the time to read it.

The Bad News:
I did mention this is the weakest Megamorph and I stand by what I said. While it is certainly never boring it still lacks something from the regular series that didn't transend into here. My only other complaint is how the chapters seem to have a sense of reapeating the previous chapter before moving onto the new action. It begam a bit annoying, but it wasn't that bad and really the only bad strike against it.

The Final Verdic:
A good Animorph/Megamorph book and well worth the read

This book is an extremely awsome book
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2004-03-12
Young science fiction lovers will run to the bookshelves to get a copy of Animorphs: the Andalite's Gift by K.A. Applegate. The setting you will encounter in this book is mostly the forest. Every book has exiting characters but not as exiting as the characters in this book. They are Jake, Cassie, Rachel, Tobias, Ax, Marco, and Visser Three. There is major conflict in this book. It is between the Animorphs and Visser Three's Yeerks, which are slugs that can control your brain.
This book is a MUST READ book because when I read it I was addicted to it. It is extremely interesting. The book puts pictures in your head. It also makes you think it's real. If you watched the TV show and still didn't understand it the book will help. If you still don't know if you're going to read it you should read the back and take my word for it!
The author of this book seems very creative. The author is female and writes kids' books. One interesting fact is that you don't know if one book leads to another one. You should really check out this book and check out some other Animorphs books.

An adventurous and very funny book
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2002-01-03
Megamorphs are always fun to read. Visser Three tries to capture the "Andalite Bandits"(Animorphs)by using a creature from Saturn that gets attracted to morphing power. This disastrous thing causes the seperation of the Animorphs in different places. They try to get back together, but Rachel loses her memory and Ax gets captured. The other Animorphs don't know where these two are. The final show down with the monster is exciting. Marco's jokes are all very funny in this book. It is definitely a must read!!!!

THE GREATEST, MOST AWSOME BOOK EVER!
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2000-09-25
This book was full of action, emotion, adventure, and curiosity for the reader. Like when Rachel loses here memory, or when the Animorphs decide what to do about the Veelik. And is seems impossible to destroy the Veelik.This is a great book. Animorph fans, This is a MUST!

Reader over 25
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2002-08-30
As always, I'm here with another viewpoint if someone like parents, teachers, etc. might be curious about an adult's point of view on the series. Megamorphs is the first of the series which steers away from the threads of something a little deeper which have been in all the other books to date (growing up, friendship, family, etc.) However, I still give this book the highest possible rating for other reasons. It's the longest one of the series up to this point, and Applegate kept her story together with a smooth, exciting flow which keeps the reader guessing. I was in my early twenties, and have read everything from Tolstoy and Dickens to Peanuts and Garfield. I figured it out, eventually, on the first read, but I wasn't all that far ahead of Ax when it was revealed by the plot itself. Rachel has to deal with a memory loss, Cassie with thinking she's a coward, Jake with keeping them together, and all of them with this dust beast which seems intent on destroying or capturing them. Marco's wit, as always gives a great laugh. The plot is creative, well thought out, and not too far out in left field (even for its target age group) for a sci-fi book to make it totally unbelievable. All in all, this is a very good read for a high action, mysterious, entertaining, and cohesive story for the target age. It can certainly be enjoyable for ages many years beyond 12, as well.

Science Fiction and Fantasy
Dawn
Published in Library Binding by Bt Bound (2006-12)
Author: Erin Hunter
List price: $15.80
New price: $15.80

Average review score:

Erin Hunter---They are the best!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-05
All of the Erin Hunter books are great! I just love them and have read them many times over. I am not a reader, I hate to read!!! But give me a Warrior series book and leave me alone for a few days. They are the best. Thanks Erin for opening up a new world for me.

Warriors, NP: Dawn
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-30
Nice how the Clans could come together, and not rip each others throat out.
My fave bit would have to be when Crowpaw/feather said he wasn't afraid of dying because Feathertail would be waiting for him.
Kind of longish, but still good.

Great series
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-12
Pre-teen and early teen girls love the series. It has my 10 year olds attention. She is reading like never before.

Read Here.......
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-15
This is the third installment of the New Prophecy series, the books based on Firestar's ( the hero of our Erin Hunter's first series )and Sandstorm's children, and Tigerclaw's children. ( Tigerclaw was the bloodthirsty villian on the last series ). In this book, our characters Brambleclaw, Squirrelflight, Crowfeather, Stormfur, and Tawnypelt all return from the long, sorrowful, and dangerous journey. They are missing a gentle soul though- Stormfur's sister, Feathertail, died in the second book.
If you haven't read any of these nooks yet, they are superbly written and star cats- my favorite animal! These cats live in four Clans, or tribes. They do not live with humans, but live in the forest.
Life is dangerous in the forest, as not all the Clans are always friendly. Especially now, since the humans are ripping up the Clan's territory and killing and capruring cats. When or heroes return to their home, each must cinvince their Clans to move out of the woods- and into a safe territory.
I suggest that you but every book in the series and devour them within 24 hours.I absoulutely love these books, though they contain heart breaking parts.
This review should have helped you decide to buy this book and every other one is each series. No matter the price, these books are solid gold to me!!!
Just another Amazon reader and reviewer,
Moonwhisker

Warriors
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-27
"Today is a good day to die, but tomorrow is better. Unless, those doing the dying are six foot, mutated chipmunks with blaster rifles. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I should start at the beginning. If you ask me, the end makes a fine beginning. Things come together and things fall apart, and the fur flies a little easier with the help of a Rolling Thunderä shotgun, as long as that fur isn't mine, and I'm the one pulling the trigger. Yep, it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, but I ain't Mr. Rogers."

"But, I should introduce myself, you can call me Ishmael. Just kidding, bit of classical allusion there. Call me Hobo, warrior, poet, and one fine-looking feline, that's me. See, all cats are warriors, at least at heart, and that's why I'm the best one to introduce the series, Warriors."

Warriors is a book series first published in 2003 by Kate Cary and Cherith Baldry, under the pen name Erin Hunter, and introduced to me by cat and book lover Billy Waltz. The second series was written under the title Warriors: The New Prophecy. The third series, The Power of Three, and two more books, Firestar's Quest and Secrets of the Clans, are coming in 2007.

The series starts off with Into the Wild and a young "kitty pet"(house cat) name Rusty who yearns for adventure and has vivid dreams of the wilds. He meets a young feral cat, and this meeting leads to a chance to join a clan of wild cats called Thunderclan. He's renamed Firepaw and becomes an apprentice warrior. He finds himself in the middle of a tribal war with three other clans who coexist and compete for food and resources.

Allegiances are constantly shifting among the clans of warrior cats that roam the forest. With tensions so delicately balanced, former friends can become enemies overnight, and some cats are willing to kill to get what they want. Our young protagonist quickly moves from apprentice to warrior, to second-in-command, to leader of his clan. He must learn wisdom, deal with betrayal, and ultimately save his clan and the forest way of life.

The author has created an intriguing world with an intricate structure and mythology. There is intrigue, themes of loyalty, friendship and death, and an engaging young hero. The difficult life of a feral cat is described in some detail. (Oct. 16 is national feral cat day. Check out www.nationalferalcatday.org ) The cats, anthropomorphism aside, are true to their feline nature, which should delight cat and animal lovers alike. There is some violence. Some characters are killed through fighting and natural disasters, and there is treachery, betrayal and traitors, and even murder among the cats and clans, though it is crucial to the plot and not excessive.

Overall, I believe readers will find a fun-to-read series of books. Though not as elegantly written as Brian Jacques' Redwall series. The superb storytelling drew me into a realm so vivid that it could almost be real and I really came to care about the characters I found myself staying up late, with the old flashlight under the cover trick, to finish the books, and that Sand Storm sounds like a babe. Wonder what she's doing Saturday night? Hey, this cat is a fighter and a lover....

Author of "Hobo Finds A Home" editor "Of A Predatory Heart"


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