Science Fiction and Fantasy Books

It's rather tragic that this is the trilogy that nabbed me right into the world of Animorphs back in the day. Applegate wrote this with such fun and style, an alien that thought so much like us despite how he denied it. KA had fun with perspective of humans and used it to weave a fantastic and addicting backstory to the Animorphs series. Yay for her! It has all the necessary ingredients of drama, action, humor, and even a little bit of romance. Oh, to be in jr. high again!

We've got a problem here. On one hand we have...The Andalite Chronicles, far and away the best book in the Animorphs series. Mixing in elements from different genres (plenty of science fiction, a little adventure, a sprinkle of romance (!) and just enough twist to make it superb,)it cumulates in an interesting truth that I never would have guessed, but makes the series so much better. I'd love to tell it here, but no spoilers :(

On the other hand, I would never recommend this series because of the anticlimaxes in the last book. This makes for Elfangor, Loren, Alloran, and Tobias being cheated, but this bright star doesn't balance out book 54 (you can see my review there).

The Andalite Chronicles was one of the best books I've ever read!
When Elfangor and a fellow artish are called to board a Skirt Na ship,he finds two humans,Lorren and Chapman (ring a bell?).Before they return the humans to Earth, they must first go after a second Skirt Na ship which holds the Time Matrix, a deadly weapon.Through their adventure to retrieve the Time Matrix, Elfangor And Lorren fall in love. In the end, Elfangor goes to Earth with Lorren,morphs to human, and marries Lorren. But it soon ends when the Ellimist takes Elfangor back to his people so that one day, he may give the Andalite Morphing power to five human kids.

This book is my favorite of the Megamorphs Alternamorphs etc. except for the Hork-Bajr chronicles. I loved hearing Elfangor's story and learning about Tobias's mother. You also get part of Visser Three's story, and an inside scoop on Arbon and the Taxxons. (The Answer #53)

I think that it is a definate must-read in the series, and it explains a lot. For some parts of it, it helps if you have read a few other books in the series.

"Just give the humans over to the captain,they aren't your problem." I was wrong, the humans were my problem. Infact,I was about to have alot of problems.' These are the words and thoughts of Elfangor Sirrinial Shamtul,an Andalite aristh or cadet in training to become a warrior. The Andalites and the Yeerks have been at war for many years. Neither side seems to be able to destroy the other. Arasth Elfangor has has been called to the battle bridge, to be sent on a mission within the hour. The mission that will change his life forever. This is a colorful book in which Applegate throws in some good descriptions of what is happening at the time. *A thrilling book that keeps the pages turning. Visser Three's story is also told in this story. It tells who is responsible for creating the abombination that calls itself Visser Three,the only Yeerk to have aquired and Andalite body. Let us hope he is the last. When danger rears its ugly head, Elfangor puts his hoof down and stands up to the Visser. A must read.

I have the summer off and I plan on revisiting all the Christopher Pike books I read when I was a teenager (just bought 22 of them today for $20 at a local used bookstore!).
But this is really the one that has stuck with me the longest. The imagery, tone, and mood of this book is really awesome. And I mean by 'awesome' actually awe inducing; it's riveting and haunting. I last read it 14 years ago and I still recall moments from it. Pretty crazy.
Sadly, this isn't one of the 22 I picked up today so I'll be buying it online instead. Oh how I wish I hadn't let my mother get rid of my old Christopher Pike collection... sigh.

I remember starting this book when I was just 14. I didn't finish it, but several years later at the age of 25 I bought it. At first I thought that it would be geared more to teens considering the author is Christopher Pike. Oh how wrong I was! This book is excellent, well written, and proves that an author like Christopher Pike can rise above stereo-types and create a master piece. I have now, almost 2 years later, read this book 3 times. And it never gets old.

Pike wowed me as a pre-teen, some eightenen years ago, with Slumber Party, Weekend, and Chain letter, etc...he continues to wow me in my early thirties; now a wife and mother, who does not have the luxury to read Pike's books all day in her bedroom. Thank you for continuing your creative writing genius in the adult fiction relam. This book was simply captivating. I am looking forward to Pike wowing me through the next several decades!

I have always enjoyed reading Christopher Pike's books, not only for their intriguing storytelling, but for the way the stories are written. Specifically, Pike goes deeper into his stories, as opposed to other young adult horror writers whose books about vampires who drink blood and serial killers who lurk in high schools are meant to be taken at face value, and thus provide shallow tales of blood, gore, and - ah! someone tapped me on the shoulder and I thought it was a murderer so I jumped and screamed at the end of the chapter. But, to my relief, it was actually just my mom telling me to finish my homework. You know...THAT kind of writing.

Pike's stories are not these kinds of stories. His stories often contain a web of mysteries that all come together at the end - making you want to reread them to "catch" things you didn't notice before.

This is definitely one of those stories. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I looked forward to reading more every time I picked it up. This was, I believe, the only story I have ever read that actually creeped me out a bit when I was reading. The part where they head into the cave and find the island...yeah, don't read that at night, when you're by yourself. Or do - it makes it all the more spine-tingling. Thus, the reason I recommend this book.

It's not for those who just want a shallow horror book with zombies and vampires and blood. It's for those who enjoy actual, well-thought-out, original stories. Maybe you'll like it, maybe you won't. Give it a try.

I found a copy of this book at my library and was able to buy it for forty cents a while ago. The only reason I picked it up was because the author's name caught my eye. I have read many of Christopher Pike's young adult books and enjoyed reading most of them, if not all of them, so I decided to get this book.

I'll admit, I wasn't sure if I was going to like this particular book, only because I was somewhat disappointed with one of his other adult books. However, once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down--- everything about it is so good; the characters, the plot. I have read it several times already, and I plan to read it over and over again.

Definitely a worthy read.

My library carries this book on Playaway and it was recommended to me by the librarian as "an entertaining, well-written fantasy story for all ages." I found out the book was also highly recommended by Voya and is something of a pop phenom as it is also mentioned in "Complete Idiots Guide to Elves and Fairies" and "Ancient Art of Fairy Magick".

I enjoyed listening to the story so much I decided to buy the book. The audio was wonderful and I loved how the characters came to life and the reading was excellent. Like the audio, the book is of exceptional quality with its dozens of full-page illustrations and illustrated end notes.

This second book continues right where the cliffhanger in the first book left off. Again, the story revolves around three central characters: Adrina, Vilmos, and Seth. It tells their story as the story of their imperiled worlds unfolds. Adrina is a young princess who has everything and nothing. Vilmos is a mischievous village boy. Seth is a powerful warrior elf.

As with the first book, this second book has many twists and turns that make for wonderful reading. Stanek continues to show a strong command of language and excels at building mystery and intrigue. The reader can't help but feel they are right there in this rich fantasy world. You feel for Adrina as she starts to see the world in new ways. Your heart wrenches for Vilmos when he is chased by shapeshifters called wolmerrele. Your gut aches when Seth is betrayed.

Stanek has a knack for writing strong prose. There are enough details to see everything that's going on but not so much the story is bogged down. The dialogue continues to be excellent as well and it's one of the reasons the story works so well in audio.

I highly recommend The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches II (Reader's Choice Edition, Keeper Martin's Tales Book 2) (Keeper Martin's Tales) but don't miss The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches (Reader's Choice Edition, Keeper Martin's Tales Book 1) (Keeper Martin's Tales). You need to start with the first one to understand the story.

I also recommend

The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches III (Reader's Choice Edition, Keeper Martin's Tales Book 3) (Keeper Martin's Tales)

The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches IV (Reader's Choice Edition, Keeper Martin's Tales Book 4) (Keeper Martin's Tales)

Over all an excellent series and like C. S. Lewis's Narnia this is one story everyone should read at least once in their life. If you are looking for a good read or listen, I don't see how you can go wrong with this one.

This book created a beautiful picture of a world that every child has or will dream of. The Kingdoms and the Elves #1 is one of those please don't end books. You would think there is no possible way Book #2 could be better but it is. This is a book is for all ages to sit down and enter a world full of magic.

The second volume in Stanek's popular "Keeper Martin's Tales" continues the story begun in The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches. Vilmos the unlikely mage and Xith, his mentor, are journeying toward destiny while Adrina, the young princess of another land, is caught up in the struggles to save her people as she journeys south. Seth, the leader of the elves, is in trouble, and all hope for him and his people seems lost.

Stanek's skill as a wordsmith shines in this one. There is a large cast of characters and complex story lines, yet the clear thoughtful prose makes the plot easy to follow. Readers must be familiar with the first novel before beginning this sequel.

The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches 2 is a wonderful book with an epic story and detailed environments. The author, Robert Stanek, describes the world of Ruin Mist with such detail that you can envision every place in the book easily, every character as if they were right in front of your, and every event as if they were unfolding right there before you. The book starts with the divided companions coming together, some for the first time. Previously, Adrina and Emel had split up, Xith and Vilmos were separate, and the elves were struggling to stay afloat. The story is amazing and immediately sucks you in so you have to see what happens at the end. I give it five stars out of five stars.

To sum it up in one word: AMAZING!!! I discovered this author about four years back when I read his "The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches #1." I've since read everything he's written and have multiple editions of each. My favorite editions of the illustrated ones - all of the illustrated ones are top shelf.

Many reasons to like a good Stanek novel have been pointed out in the reviews. His prose is spare yet his descriptions are sharp. He is a master storyteller and able to create whole worlds and whole characters. The plots of his books are well paced with many twists and turns.

In this book, the many threads finally come together fully and the reader finds out exactly what's happening (at least part of it). Adrina meets back up with Emel. The elves arrive. Vilmos gets to use his magic. Lots more. I was surprised when I got to In the Service of Dragons and found some of the things foreshadowed here come to fruition.

Highly recommended.

I bought this for my three-year-old and she enjoyed the way it opens up the mind to an adventure through drawing, just as I myself did. Wonderful book for children.

Harold's story is fun and creative and gets my son asking lots of questions about Harold's events. Can't wait to get abother one of his adventure books.

this is one of those books where not only do the children in my life enjoy this book, but i do as well. for a kid's book, it's pretty existential. A boy goes through this world where nothing exists and with his purple crayon, creates his world. What makes it more than just a kids book, what gives it the philosophical premise is that even though harold starts the story with this crayon, and has the power to draw anything, become anything, because all he need do is draw whatever he wants to be or where ever he wants to go, even though he has this power, he is unsatisfied and goes on a journey. he uses his crayon to create the world as he goes through it and ultimately finds some contentment, a resting place if you will :P, but the fact that he can create is irrelevant, its a means to an end. The implied 'end' gives us something to think about, and though the children who are meant to be reading this book will not go into such depth with the symbolism or the philosophy, they will pick up on some of the questions the author asks, like what is harold looking for? why did he need to do all that stuff if he was just going to end up back at home? (though actually he didn't start at home). even if the kids don't burst their brains thinking about this, even if they don't come to any logical conclusion, even if they don't ask any questions to begin with, i think exposing our kids to this kind of story is important. aside from being very amusing, it provides intellectual stimulation for those who look for it and for those who don't, well one day they may look back on this story as an example of some conclusion or another they have drawn. Even if they never understand the story philosophically, the fact that they are exposed to it will register somewhere in their heads and what they know of it will teach them something about life (as does everything, which always gets me critical of the constant stream of nothing we shove down our kids throats, like the bastardisations of stories presented by disney and now barbie... and lets not even talk about pop culture).
anyways, the kids i read this to love it. its a great story, i recommend

This is a great book to get in hardcover because you will use it alot if you have children of your own. If you are a children's literature collector you will want to look at older hard to find copies to invest in. For the rest of us this is a beloved favorite baby gift, but an even better first grader book. If you have a slow reader this book will help those who are struggling to read the opportunity to read a BIG book and for reasons I do not know it is often a "boy" favorite. The language is not babyish or unfriendly to adults so it will be a great laptime read for uncles and aunts to read as fill in bedtime readers.

My five year old son loves this book. It inspires creativity in kids to create what they can dream up.

Although the "Daughters of the moon" series has been out for a number of years now, I only recently began reading them. I do remember seeing the books at the bookstores, and thinking that the covers looked interesting, which led me to start checking them out from the library a few months ago (unfortunately they don't really sell them at bookstores in my area anymore. But I was lucky enough to find the last one in the series)

The series is based on a greek myth involving Selene the moon goddess, and tells the story of four girls: Vanessa (who has the power to turn invisible), Catty (who can time travel), Serena (who can read minds), and Jimena (who has premonitions), and they are all known as "the daughters of the moon" and are destined to protect the world from an ancient evil called the Atrox.

In this first book, you first meet Vanessa and her best friend Catty, who are already well aware of their abilities, but are not sure why until they meet two other girls, Jimena and Serena, who take them to meet a lady named Maggie (their mentor) who reveals to them that they are moon goddesses.

The good thing about this series is that each character is likeable, and unique.

The bad thing (which I admit made me skip over some of the books) is that some of the storylines in-between the first and last book are completely ridiculous, because the daughters will get themselves into these impossibly hopeless situations which will then be solved quite easily by the end of the book. But I do plan on going back and reading the books that I had skipped over, and I highly recommend that you don't do what I did, because when I was reading the final book (which is really good by the way) I realized that I had missed a lot of interesting things.

And although I'm 19, I think this series is aimed more towards younger girls, because the contents of the books are well suited for younger readers.

But I highly recommend that anyone, no matter what age you are, read these books, because the books are very interesting (and yes ridiculous) and the characters are so likeable that you'll love reading about them and their fight against the atrox.

I checked this book out on a whim, just for something interesting and different to read.

The book wasn't so bad, overall. I just thought that it was slightly corny and predictable. The characters seem like they can get anything they want, despite the fact that they live such terrible, secretive lives. Of course the ending was happy, and of course it's just the first book in a series of however many, but I feel like I shouldn't even bother reading the rest of them. I was entertained, but I just have a feeling that the rest of the series will be repetitive and start to get dull. I'm just going to stop here on a semi-good note.

omg! this series gets better and better as it goes along! its start is sort of annoying and slow, but other than that its absolutely worth getting! book one is just the start of an amazing series that i hope becomes a movie or tv series soon!


<3

This book is decent. more than decent just so fun to read and has so manys books in the series i had to order them all togethor and couldn't stop reading untill the end of almost ALL 12 of them.
Everyone of the girls and guys have atleast one book in the series and have clashing or unalike personalitys. this makes it so i got to see a big veiw on things.
i f you're a magical powers , love , and action type of reader then you will love this book

If I were to pick up this book to read personally, I'd be disappointed--for all the same reasons various adult reviewers have given.

On the other hand, I have the perspective of working in a public library's Youth Services department, and youngish teenagers are gleefully devouring this series as quickly as they can secure copies. If you're considering purchase for a girl age 12-14, you'll likely miss an opportunity to nourish her on higher-quality literature--but you're also likely to get enthusiastic hugs of gratitude, an encouraged reader, and a lot of excitement from your happy teen. She'll be thrilled!

At one time, this was my favorite redwall book. It was also the first redwall book I read all of. In this book, the fearless badger lord Urthstripe the Strong leads his army of long patrol hares in a battle against the cruel Ferahgo the Assasin. Read this book, it's great!

While the book itself is very good (according to my 12 yr. old son), the size is different than the rest and he likes things orderly (especially since there are so many in this series) so we ended up going out and purchasing the same book, but by "Ace" publishers so they would all fit on his bed shelf.

The Book of Salamandstron



Salamandstron, written by Brian Jacques in 1992 and published in 1993, is the fifth book in the Redwall Series. Like all Redwall books, Salamandstron is an animal adventure saga, which picturesquely describes a stunning tale set in medieval times. Intently, because of the strength of the story line, the reader will continue on through the book, like a bookworm, to find out what happens in the end When finished the person who examines this book, will have perused 391 obsessive pages, which, as interpreted, would have taken the reader through the world of Redwall.



Since the book, at times, tells five different stories, there are several different main characters and several antagonists. The first main character to be introduced is Lord Uthstripe the Strong, the Badger lord of Salamandstron, a mountain fortress. The Badgers lords of this massive mountain are mysterious characters. They are fierce fighters and reckless worries, who at times can be possessed by the terrible blood wrath and kill all in sight. Uthstrip's adopted daughter Mara, at the beginning of the book, was not content with her life at Salamandstron. The military fortress was strict and forcible, and Mara did not like her restrictions. Samkin, a young squirrel, contentedly lived at Redwall Abbey. In the beginning he was very mischievous and many times because of his carelessness, almost caused serous injuries. Ferahgo was an evil, cruel, pain-causing tyrant, who was the assassin weasel and chieftain of the horde of corps makers. Cruelly he Murdered Urthstripes parents and caused Urthstripe and his albino brother to be separated. Ferahgo's son Klitch was just as evil and crafty as his father. Fighting against each other, both wanted control of Salamandstron. Another enemy (although not a living creature) gets introduced about half way through the book. A terrible sickness called Dryditch Fever takes hold of the Abbey. It almost wipes out all. Although the characters all have different story lines within the book, each one is tied together in the end.



Opening at Salamandstron, the story begins with gloom. From the first, as Urthstripe reveals his anxiety for Mara with the words "Any sign of Mara yet?" it tells of Mara's discontentedness with the strictly ruled life she is living. It opens with her gone on one of her frequent run-a-ways. When she returns after two days absence from the mountain she brings two vermin, one of them Klitch, who falsely befriended her. Urthstripe throws the weasel and his companion out of the mountain, and Mara becomes so angry that she runs away for good. Accidentally (at Redwall) Samkin finds the skillfully crafted sword of the Legendary Hero, Martin the Warrior, but two stoats evilly steal the magnificent sword. The vermin were part of Ferahgo's horde but deserted. Samkin and Arula (Samkin's mole friend) chase after the stoats because the sword, which they took, represents the spirit of Redwall and could not be lost. They met some peculiar friends. Back at the Abbey Dry Ditch Fever broke out. Everywhere, from Salamandstron to Redwall Abbey trouble seemed to be taking hold of the good guys.



As the book continues the troubles grow worse. Mara, after being chased by Ferahgo's horde, escapes, but was betrayed into the hands of King Glagweb, the head of a cannibal toad tribe. Unfortunately she and several shrews, which were also caught, were going to be served up at a special occasion. Back at Redwall Thrugg, a brave otter set out on a journey to the mountains of the north to try to find the Icetor Flowers, which will cure any sickness. Sadly, however he gets trapped. Attacking him, a horde of crows in a pine forest almost overwhelmed Thrugg and his little friend baby Dumble. Samkin and his mole friend Arula were still persistently chasing after the vermin who stole the sword, when, one died of Dryditch fever and the other was killed by Ferahgo's tracker rats. The head of the trackers took the sword and headed back to Ferahgo's horde, but Samking and Arula still followed. They followed to get back the sword, they followed for their friends at the abbey, and they followed to slay the takers of Martins legendary blade. At Redwall Abbey, as dry ditch fever took victim after victim, all but two or three animals were stricken. At Salamandstron there was great famine because Ferahgo who besieged the mountain somehow destroyed or poisoned all the mountains food. Will Redwall Abbey be wiped out, or will Thrugg get back in time with the Icetor flowers? Will Mara and her friends be eaten or will they find a way to escape? Will Samkin retrieve the great sword? Will Salamandstron hold out? To discover what happens, READ THE BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



If The book Salamandstron is amazing it is because it seizes and holds the readers attention. Having a good story line, this book is extremely well written. Undoutedly, another reason this book is so good is because Brian Jacques uses very descriptive adjectives and excellent verbs as illustrations for every scene. The story builds up suspense. Throughout, it never contradicts itself. The story is very vivid. Salamandstron is not just a book, which might be ok to glance over; it is a must-read saga.

What would you do if you were being attacked by an army of vermin, or your abbeys most prized possession, or if your abbey was being threatened by a deadly disease? Would you defend yourselves, find an antidote, or would you go after the possession? Well that is exactly what the charaters in this story did. This little world is filled with badgers, hares, vermin, mice, moles, shrews and squirrels. Also thisworld is also filled with a volcanoe, woods, seas, dunes, lakes, rivvers and enormous mountians.

In this fantasy a bagder named Mara left her home because her strict father was always punishing her. When she left, her friend ccame along with her. His name was Pikkle. On their journey they met two vermin who became frineds with them so they woild lead them to Salamandastron )(Mara's fathers fortress). There had been many rumors that there is a great fortune somewhere inside the volcanoe. So now the vermin were going to attack the fortress. Another two vermin acted as if they were lonely travelers (but they really weren't) and went to Redwall and the Red wallers accepted them. They tricked the Redwallers and stole the sword of Martin the Warrior also killing one of the Redwallers. When the vermin escaped one of them died of a deadly disease. He got the disease while at Redwall and now the Redwallers are at great risk.

What will happen to everyone? Will Salamandastron survive? Will the Redwallers perish? Will they get the sword back? This book was relly good and every time it would sound good, it would change to someone else. I would really recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, action, and adventure. This is the fifth book of the 17 book series.

-Peyton

I like salamandastron for many reasons.0ne is the book has lots of action .the bookis writen by Brian Jacques.This book is fantasy because animals have human abiltys.brian writes many more books.

First let me say that this book, in my opinion, is a 4 1/2 stars. This is by no means Christopher Pike's best book, which would be "The Last Vampire", no doubt.
Christopher Pike has an incredible talent and precision for details. I love the way he can make the smallest of detail into a major part of the plot, an excellent technique... especially in a murder mystery.
This book had everything in a good mystery, and more, when considering the fact that the main character was a ghost trying to solve her own murder.
As the book progresses, the storyline thickens and one cant help but be enthralled with it. I dont want to give anything away, but the end revelations are shocking, and you wont believe who the killer is. You wont be dissapointed!
The diolouge and characters are more than extraordinary, and all his books hold you captive and dont let go till the end, but I think there could have been some improvements.
During the novel, I felt little danger for the lives of the characters in "Remember Me", until the last 50 pages... where the story really takes off. Since they were ghosts, it wasnt like they could be harmed again.
Also, I was hoping for some more "spooky" interaction. Shari was a spirit, yet she couldnt do any of the cool things mosts ghosts are mythed to do, like fly, travel through doors and walls, and somehow communicate with the living. It was almost as if we were reading about an ordinary girl.
Although the story bagan a little slower than I'm used to with most Pike novels, I still loved it very much, and would reccommend it to people of all ages.

I've read this book at least 4 times already...and I'm not sick of it at all. I first read it when I was about 14 and now I'm 19 and the book STILL interests me. The character development was good but not GREAT; there were some people who he could've expanded more on, but overall an excellent novel for not only teens, but adults as well.

I read many Christopher Pike books when i was a kid and loved them all. Remember me is one that has stayed in my head forever. I'm finally getting it for my oldest. I know she's going to love it as well!

Shari Cooper is dead. She's a ghost who's trying to figure out who killed her and why. It's a murder mystery, filled with a handful of great characters. No one can see her, but she does have help.

I've been a Christopher Pike fan since I was ~11 yrs. old, and now being 26, I would read it again. Actually, I had lost the book several years back, so I bought it off an online auction recently. I had read this book about 5 times literally. From cover to cover, the story is PERFECTION. I could not put the book down. It keeps you from the edge of your seat, and the characters are so well put together and are unique in their own way. The story is entertaining, yet at the same time, meaningful... profound. You can tell Pike put good work and thought to the character's personalities as well as how they interrelate with each other. Shari Cooper, the main character who is a ghost - has a likeable personality. I liked her as I read along. Other than it being suspenseful, it goes beyond our realm and ties in with science fiction, black holes, space, teleportation... wow-- AND I guarantee it is NOT AT ALL CORNY whatsoever. The book is also rather deep as Pike entails love, sacrifice, mystery, twists, and spirituality. I remember there are a few funny moments and it will make you laugh out loud. I love this book so much!! I swear they can make a movie out of it, and would do very well! Remember me part II and III are not as great - as sequels are sometimes. I thought Remember Me III was just mm.. OK. This is a suspenseful, fun, meaningful, happy, sad, intriguing, deep, funny book. You get everything wrapped into one. You will not be disappointed. From loving it since I was 11, and writing a review about it 15 yrs later really made a lasting impression on me. Go read it, you'll like it.

I read this book fifteen years ago when I was 13 years old. I couldn't stop reading it. I loved it so much that I read it too many times to remember. "Remember Me" was the first Christopher Pike book that I read, and I immediately became hooked on his work. I ended up reading most of his books, and this is the best one.

Imagine a space ship built specifically for colonization on another planet, one that could be taken apart in space and reconstructed on the planet below. A space ship so large people move about on trams, with almost all species of insects and animals from Earth on board. And people who can take on animal characteristics, such as a man with zebra stripes and fur. Where people are put to sleep in cryotubes for the duration of the trip. But what if there's an intruder on board for five years, roaming the space ship while the other human inhabitants sleep? What would happen to this lone person? How would they survive?

This is absolutely one of the best Amazon Shorts I've read to date. Zabalaoui creates his futuristic world in such a realistic fashion it is easy to imagine becoming part of it. His visual imagery and colorful descriptives enhance this thrilling plot, which leaves the reader hungry for more. Highly recommended.

This exciting, captivating, and intelligently narrated Science Fiction story pulled me right in just within just a few paragraphs.

I loved this story for a lot of reasons; one of them being that the story was scientifically believable. Travel faster then the speed of light, hyper space jumps, travel backwards in time, and similar "Space travel cheating" might be fun if you don't know much about Science, but can be irritating and boring if you do. Zabalaoui displays true imagination and creativity when he comes up with an interstellar space travel concept that is scientifically plausible and still tickles your imagination. This makes it possible to relax so that you can allow yourself to become absorbed in the story.

Zabalaoui describes interstellar space travel as it actually might happen a hundred or a few hundred years from now, and that was one of the reasons this excerpt was so enjoyable. The ship seems to be travelling at a speed of about 30% of light speed which indicates to me that Zabalaoui understands Astro-Physics. In my opinion the best Science Fiction is scientifically plausible. Zabalaoui also succeeds in creating a sense of awe with his entertaining and grandiose descriptions of the ship, the domes, and the systems. I found the descriptions of the gigantic space ship with all its features and controls to be mesmerising and delightful.

The other reasons I loved this story was the clever and intriguing plot which grabbed my attention instantly, and the way Zabalaoui was able to make me strongly empathise with the characters. I simply had to find out what would happen next. Once you start reading this story it is impossible to stop.

***************************SPOILER ALERT***************************
**However, the plot details divulged below are already mentioned in other reviews**

The story begins with a frightening drama when an eight year old boy awakens prematurely while in cryogenic sleep and ends up wandering the space ship totally alone for five years. Eventually the systems awaken the senior officers when an alarm is set off. They soon discover that the young boy has been alone on the ship for five years, but they don't know where he is. They begin searching for him and awaken his parents. As a parent myself, I could imagine the tremendous helplessness and worries that the parents must have experienced when they realized that their boy has had to survive on his own for five years without any contact with other humans. What has happened to their little boy and where is he?

When this story is finally published I am going to be among the first customers.

Some of the best adventure stories are about pioneers leaving all that's known and embarking on a new life. "Electra Lucas: Crisis in Space" is that kind of story. A massive ship, the HOPE, carries passengers and crew to establish the first off-Earth colony in the Alpha Centauri system. While the colonists and crew are deep in cryo-sleep, an eight-year-old boy wakens and fends for himself on the ship for five years.

When the ship's systems arouse the captain and crew, they follow the boy's trail. There are many questions to be answered: what did the boy smuggle into his sleeping tube and why was his cryo-sleep aborted? Does he have a companion on the ship? What will he be like after five years alone? Will the welfare of the new colony be at risk? Why are the colonists leaving Earth?

This opening from author Keith Zabalaoui reads like the adventure story it clearly is. As in the best sci-fi, the technology is woven seamlessly into the story. The HOPE is a collaboration by forty-three nations and carries everything needed to establish a self-sustaining colony; I was fascinated by the eco-domes, eight complete ecosystems tended by hovering robot-drones. So much more to be learned about this future-world -- I wish I were reviewing the entire book and not just an excerpt.

However intriguing the premise and plot, this opening owes much of its success to Zabalaoui's crisp, allusive writing. All the reader's senses are engaged: "The ship's intercom trilled... " "...the colors, the smell of the loam laced with pine and dampness, and the myriad sounds of life..." Leading the way to the lost boy, "the drones ... floated like glowing breadcrumbs in the sky." The characters are well-rounded for this early stage of the story and I look forward to seeing how they deal with their predicament.

Premise, plot, characters, terrific writing -- and a fifth star because I wanted this story to go on and on.

Linda Bulger, 2008

A great beginning that promises an adventurous trip. This is the type of story that would appeal to my grandchildren as much a it did to me. I would hope that it continues the line of adult/child understanding, and close relationship, as Keith implies, and am anxious to know where and what the story will reveal.

Earth is taking its first steps into deep space. The Hope, the most advanced ship ever built but still called The Forlorn Hope by some pessimistic wags back on earth, is carrying Earth's first interstellar pioneers to Alpha Centauri. The scientists and their families on board, as yet deep in a cryogenically induced suspended animation, are on a one way no return trip to establish earth's first colony outside of our own solar system. As the basis for a sci-fi novel it's a simple enough idea - a cynical potential reader might even say mundane and too often repeated. But Zabaloui has opened his story with an exciting flourish that will grip a reader by the lapels and haul him head first into a superbly written and entirely gripping hard sci-fi introduction. One of the cryogenic sleep tubes has failed and young William Bonnie, only 8 years old when he entered cold sleep, awakens and finds himself alone on the ship. Five years later, the computerized systems awaken the Hope's senior officers who are shocked to discover that an eight year old boy has been wandering the ship alone for five years. The excerpt ends as Bonnie's frightened but absolutely determined mother attempts to find the boy who, now thirteen years old and possibly mentally unbalanced as a result of his long time alone on the ship, may not even recognize his family.

First time author Zabaloui seems to have already mastered the basic writing dictum of "Show, don't tell". His descriptions of the ship, the mechanical failure, the bio-domes and the environmental controls are wonderful and are bound to delight any hardcore sci-fi geek to his very toes. I was especially fond of Zabaloui's unique idea of genetically enhancing the members of an elite military unit called "The Wild Ones" - an increase in their speed, endurance, perception and toughness was engineered by the addition of certain animal genes which also, of course, altered their appearance in rather startling fashion (I could already picture what a movie director and his special effects team might do with this. It brought back very happy memories from a time long, long ago and a place far, far away. Do you remember the bar scene in the first "Star Wars" movie?)

If the purpose of an opening chapter in a novel is to hook the reader, draw him into the story and provide an overall framework for the story to come, Zabaloui has certainly succeeded. No doubt about his writing skill - he's already proven that. Now if his imagination is up to the task of providing a novel length plot that is up to the standard of the opening chapters, then Zabaloui will have a winner on his hands. I'm in and I'll certainly be in the line to buy a copy of the finished story when he's found his publisher.

Highly recommended.

(P.S. I'm just dying to ask Mr Zabaloui if the similarity in his young hero's name to the original name of Billy the Kid was intentional).

Paul Weiss

My four grandsons are crazy about dragons and can tell you anything and everything about them.So, I knew that this book had to be the one I wanted for them.

My friend bought me this book for my birthday and it was the best gift I recieved. I have always loved dragons and this book provides information on the different types, their habitats, and lots more. I loved the little extras like the dragon scales and the packets of dragon dust and even my four year old loved to look at the beautiful illustrations. This book is perfect for anyone who is fascinated by these mythical creatures.

This book was well worth the buy.
I purchased this book as a gift. The recipient was 7.
Most of the book is still a little much for her yet, but she was beyond excited just the same. There was some that she thinks is interesting now, but as she gets older, there will be so much more for explore in the book. After going through the entire book, you have to remind yourself that dragons truly aren't real!

The eleven-year old who received this book absolutely adored it. It has interesting 'facts' about dragons and many interesting special inserts - it's more of a coffee-table type/reference book than a story. If you have a dragon lover, I'd highly recommend it.

I purchased this book for my 8 year old daughter... she is in love with it! Great for any child with an interest in mythical creatures. She loves the "dragon dust". Money well spent.

Needless to say after finishing "The Book of Atrus" I had fairly high expectations for this series going forward. At the end of "The Book of Atrus" we think the story is going to continue forward from that point, but there is a major story that has not been told yet. The fall of D'ni. This tale is frequently alluded to in the game and the prior book. In fact most of the prior book is trying to rework what was lost during the fall of the D'ni Empire.

Journey with us to a long ago time when Atrus' grandmother was a lot younger and originally known as just Ana. Unlike the other Myst stories so far, this book deals on the level of an entire society. Most areas in Myst that we've visited have been fairly desolate and uninhabited, except for one section in "Riven", but we never interacted with the native population. Well in this book you get to see the height of the D'ni Empire. This story is actually pretty epic in scope and it starts during a time when D'ni was expanding their empire. They knew they were underground and politically there were some people pushing for a way to the surface of the world they were on. You get really involved in all of this political intrigue and that's what makes the book really exciting. I must point out here that as a reader I typically don't enjoy this type of thing and I go more for the action or mystery based types of books. "The Book of Ti'ana" has the perfect blend of political intrigue and mystery as far as I'm concerned.

So the book starts off with the digging teams working their way to the surface and this is where Aitrus (Atrus' grandfather) is introduced into the story. Something happens and the political winds change and the project is put to a halt. At this point you're brought further into the D'ni culture and Aitrus' background story. The D'ni culture is so fascinating that I honestly couldn't stop reading the book. However, going in tandem to this world underground is also a surface world where Ana and her father survey the land areas that haven't been used yet. The surface culture is also on the expanse and often Ana and her father are commissioned to go and explore.

Honestly, I can see how some people would think the book is sort of dry at first because there isn't that much intrigue and it is more based on character development. Such as the introducing of Aitrus' powerful friend Viovus and so on. He becomes a very integral part of the story in the future, but at the beginning you don't know that, nor do you suspect anything... but that is the whole point! One day everything changes in the D'ni society when Ana shows up in their world. Not only that but she can learn language and the D'ni society was haughty enough to think they were the only culture on this world possible for such words and technology. Granted the D'ni technology far exceeded that of Ana's knowledge, but her ability to learn astounded them.

I don't want to give too much away, but that's just a taste for what you can expect to see in this astounding novel. Eventually the story turns into a sort of fate styled meeting for two lovers, Aitrus and Ti'ana (the "ti" was added onto her name in D'ni). They are simply destined to be together. However, this is also the tragic tale of a lost friendship which eventually leads to the fall of an entire empire. In the end it's a rather sad tale, but an incredible background story of Atrus' forefathers and why his father Gehn was so obsessed with D'ni. Let's just say, I now know why he was so captivated with that world.

I simply can't recommend these books to people enough. They're simply shocking! Of all the video game based books I have read, these are probably the best in my collection. They are superbly written and they literally bring you into another world, just like the video game series can do! They are made in the spirit of Myst with small drawings and notations about what is being described in the book, so it has a bit of a journal feel just like we get in the game! I've actually read these books twice now and that's the first time I've ever done that with a book, that's how good these novels actually are.

If your like me and LOVE Myst and the Myst storyline then you will probably love this...

However if you dont know what Myst is or don't care too much for it you will find this very boring (however I doubt you'd be looking at this if you hate Myst)

The history of the D'ni is all written in this beautiful novel. This is where the series of Myst begins. All in here.

It's tragic tale of the D'ni begins when a young lord weds a surface dweller. And everything, the lord's people, his friend, things get out of hand. But they kept their relationship strong despite what's going on around them.

This is a complete story about the D'ni as the story focuses on the beginning of a highly popular series. It pulls you in and grabs you as you are sucked into what feels like a real thing. You feel like you were really there, with the D'ni, with the surface dweller, all there... behind them, beside them, and next to them. It makes you want to do something, but cannot. To me, this is perhaps Rand's most powerfully written story he has ever done. It was such a sad story and I have broke into tears at the end. Nevertheless, it is a truly fascinating book. And owning the hardcover is an honor. Especially the map that is included with this novel, as well. I love how the map relates strongly to the story, instead of just being a bonus item that's included with the novel.

I strongly recommend this book alongside Book of Atrus. As these novels are Rand's all-time best novels he's ever written. Way to go Rand!

This book is simply beyond words. The charaters are vividly written, not a single one seeming overdone or cliched. When I first read this I had never really gotten into the games, but I had to after finishing it. You cannot help but instantly connect with the characters: wondering at that which makes them wonder, feeling joy when they are happy, sorrow when they are hurt. And another thing, you neither have to have played, nor even be familiar ith the games to fully enjoy this book. This books drips with rich words and thoughts, not one part feeling underdeveloped or pointless. It felt to me as a perfect blending of both science fiction and fantasy, a difficult thing to do.

One of the most striking things I found when reading this is the various worlds that are described and the sheer awe inspiring beauty with which they are constructed. You cannot read about them, but as you do you will be transported to them, sad for the return to our world whne you finish the book.

Overall, this book, which is first in the series chronologically, is simply one of the finest ever written and should not be MYST by anyone. Young, old, a fan of the games or not, anyone who enjoys fantasy will have that childlike wonder brought back to them as the read this book. The other books in the series, The Book of Atrus and The Book of D'ni, are no less exciting and are the only things capable of satisfying the desire to know more about this wondrous civilization.

If you have done played the computer game, you might understand the world(s) that are Myst. The books give dimension to the computer CD-ROM games that I know so well. The books tell you the stories of what happened to the worlds in the game, and it is very helpful and interesting how someone could come up with such wonderful, descriptive worlds. These books take you into a world that you can only imagine, that you can only think about in your dreams. I absolutely love these books.