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
The Daughters of Bast: The Hidden Land (Daughters of Bast)
Published in Mass Market Paperback by Eos (1999-09)
Author: Sarah Isidore
List price: $6.50
New price: $3.99
Used price: $0.74
Collectible price: $17.60

Average review score:

Great read
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2003-07-15
I really enjoyed this book alot. I mostly bought it because of the partial egyptian theme but enjoyed the celtic blending that went with it. I thought the author did a good job of mixing history with fiction.

a vivid story.....
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2000-07-17
This book is an exciting starter to Sarah Isadore's trilogy. I can't wait to read the second book!

I love fantasy books (especially ones with cats) and this book is quite good!

Veleda is chosen by a mysterious outland goddess, an egyptian deity named Bast. She alone is faced with the challenge to stop Bast's evil sister, Sekhemet, and save her people from the legions of Rome.

Read it. You'll like it.

a vivid story.....
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2000-07-17
This book is an exciting starter to Sarah Isadore's trilogy. I can't wait to read the second book! I love fantasy books (especially ones with cats) and this book is quite good! Veleda is chosen by a mysterious outland goddess, an egyptian deity named Bast. She alone is faced with the challenge to stop Bast's evil sister, Sekhemet, and save her people from the legions of Rome.

A good book that I could hardly put down
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2000-07-12
The Daughters of Bast The Hidden Land was a well written and compelling book to read. The combination of the Celtic history and the magical powers of the priestess made for a very interesting fantasy that I enjoyed reading very much. I look forward to the next book in the trilogy.

The Daughters of Bast "The Hidden Land"
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2000-10-14
This book is one that a person cannot afford to pass up. Sarah Isidore does a terrific job of combining history with fantasy. The characters portrayed in this book really makes you feel as if you know them, like they are one of your best friends. The cat-Mau- is a great character, and has an attitude that fits a cat. I cannot express how good this good this book truly is, so anyone reading this review, please go out and buy this great book. Again, Sarah is probably one of the best authors I have read, and with anticipation I await to buy the sequel! God bless

Science Fiction and Fantasy
Demontech: Gulf Run
Published in Kindle Edition by Ballantine Books (2003-12-30)
Author: David Sherman
List price: $6.99
New price: $5.59

Average review score:

Lord Gunny says " Buy this book So we can get more sales and more in the series!!!"
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-27
1500, 2000, 3000, 5000, 7000!!! refugees in the company and under the command of our Marine duo, Haft and Spinner. Our band reachs Dartmutter to find it smashed and sacked by the Jokapcul armies.

They are forced further along the coast in search of a port to find passage back to Frangeria. Along the way the refugees runnig from the evil armies keep coming and joining the company.

They run the coast and reach the low desert and come upon the secrative desert men. At the same time they discover that the Jokapcul armies have landed on the coast. Haft and Spinner are joined by a fellow Marine who is a Sergeant, named Rammer. The problems of how to handle a troop of this size, train men to fight, escape the foes they are stuck between, and reach a port the can get passage back to Frangeria.

The problems mount, the enemies are engaged, the demontech is employed, another fine book in this series, leaves you satisfied, yet desperatly wanting the tale to continue and revealed.

The Lord Gunny says" DEL RAY WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!! This is the finest of the three tomes, giving history to my Marines travels! and ya pull the plug over a mild lack of gold pieces!! ARRGH!!!!! I order you to reinstate the histories and allow our Marine Duo to continue!!!"

To all readers of this series, the more you reccomend thes books the more they sell and the better chance DeL Ray will tap Dave Sherman and get him a deal to finish the series.

Bring On the Marines! Great series!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-05
I have been waiting for years for more in this series! To to find out the publisher zapped it is a major dissappointment! Note to Mr. Sherman: find a new publisher!! Give us more Haft and Spinner! I think this series is just as good as the much ballyhooed HALO series! Haft and Spinner are like Spartans without the armour! Note to Publisher: there are a lot of Demontech fans out here!

Bring back this sereis
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-05
I love this series. I bought all three books at once and read them all in one sitting, only stopping long enough to take bathroom breaks. I am most interested in finding out more about the demons. They don't really seem to be bound to help unless they like you or they think helping you might be fun.

Buy This Book Now ( and buy the rest of the series too)
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-30
This is a great quick read series of books. The characters are well developed and you root for them throughout. Unfortunately the series has been cancelled by the Del Rey publishing firm. Every fan of the Starfist series should give this series a try and hopefully if enough buy all three, as I did, the series will resume. Fans of SciFi/Fantasy military epics will thoroughly enjoy Sherman's work. I long for the day to read more of the adventures of Haft and Spinner, two marines who prove that great training and tradition can turn ordinary men into heros.

The Entourage Continues to Grow
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-09
Spinner and Haft are still one the run from the invaders and still looking for a safe pot in which they can seek passage back to their home islands but that goal is looking more and more remote because their entourage keeps growing. Refugees keep joining their caravan and the occasional fighting man shows up from time to time as well. That's a good thing because they need all the fighters they can get with the bad guys in pursuit.

Having a couple of marine privates become feudal lords is not without its difficulties. This is especially true when their sergeant, long presumed dead, turns up. He naturally feels that the privates are still "his men" (they are) but the 7000+ camp followers and men at arms have other ideas on the matter..

The series seems no closer to reaching a resolution than after the last book but it is still a series of interest.

Science Fiction and Fantasy
Destination Unknown (Remnants)
Published in School & Library Binding by Rebound by Sagebrush (2001-08)
Author: Katherine Applegate
List price: $13.25

Average review score:

What ABC's LOST could have been...
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-16
Centuries after an asteroid destroys Earth, the Mayflower lands and the last members of the human race awaken from hibernation in a strange new place.

If you were a fan of ABC's LOST during its first season, you can expect a similar vibe from this book. A group of strangers are stranded in a bizarre environment in the wake of a terrible tragedy. They don't know where they are, and they have no home to return to. The mysterious world they've awoken in is filled with danger and secrets, and characters die unpredictably. The group of twenty or so Remnants need to figure out how to work together to survive, but politics get in the way. The Remnants compete for leadership, make friends and enemies out of each other, and divide into separate groups as their numbers begin to shrink.

It's all the tension, suspense, mystery, and action LOST possessed early in its run before the show went downhill. This series only spans fourteen books, so the action, revelations, and plot twists are provided non-stop--there's little frustrating stalling and dropped storylines here. If you loved the premise of LOST but were disappointed with the show, if you're still a fan and are interested in a similar story, or even if you just like great suspenseful stuff, you should definitely check out Remnants. It's a thrilling series, and I highly recommend it.

A book for a young teen...
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-07
I bought this for my son...and it was impossible to find at a local retailer. My son enjoyed it, but said that it was a bit depressing.
Part of an excellent series, apparently.

A Great Continuation
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2002-12-01
After reading the first Remnant book, I didn't think there would be any better books. I was definitely wrong. This book introduced most of the Wakers of the Mayflower. The ones who survived. The first species of Aliens were discovered. There was a lot of action. After reading this, I couldn't wait to see what happened in the next book.

The Awakening
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2002-08-12
In the first book, we left off where the Eighty humans chosen to survive an asteroid (nicknamed The Rock)when it made impact started to hibernate, and we pick up 500 years later, and they are on this strange new "planet". Most of the Eighty are dead, and there are not many essential supplies on board the ship, then on top of that, these aliens are after the Eighty.(which is more like The Twenty) Will the human race become a thing of the past?

Great 2nd book to the Remnants series
Helpful Votes: 10 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 2002-06-19
When the world ended, "The Mayflower Project" gave eighty people the chance for survival. Shot blindly into space the eighty Remnants of the human race have now landed 500 years after the end of the world. Jobs, 2Face, Mo'Steel, Yago, and some others have survived, but many weren't so lucky. Tamara, the pregnant marine sergant, has given birth to a baby mutant. Billy, the kid who stayed awake for all 500 years of their journey is in a coma and insane. Emotions are on high and the remaning people still have no clue where they've landed on. All they know is that the conflicting landscapes can't be true. Can they survive on this strange, new world all alone? This was my favorite Remnants book out of the seven I have read so far. Kept you guessing what was gonna happen next all the time. Some parts were kinda gross but that was just how the author imagined the planet to be. Can't wait to read further installments of Remnants!

Science Fiction and Fantasy
Dingoes at Dinnertime (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))
Published in Library Binding by Random House Books for Young Readers (2000-04-11)
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
List price: $11.99
New price: $7.15
Used price: $0.08

Average review score:

Love these books!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-04
My four year old son is in love with this chapter series! A friend suggested it to us since he seemed ready for a more advanced reading material at bedtime. My husband reads him a chapter every night...sometimes more because they don't want to stop. It's become a great tradition for them, and something they both look forward to. We love that there are so many in the collection! Start with number 1 and just continue. :)

Beloved Children's Series
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-12
My daughter loves these books and this one is the only one she was missing. Happy to have found it through Amazon!

MY BOY LOVES READING
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-07
My 1st grader hates to put it down, he would rather read Magic Tree House books, than play video games. He even reads them to his class and explains the story for show and tell. In his kindergarten class the teacher would also let him read the Magic Tree House books out loud, not to give her a break, but to promote reading out loud. Great books!

Amorrea's review
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-31
Jack and Annie are helping Teddy get all four presents. They're going to Australia to find the last present. They go on all kinds of adventures like helping a little kangaroo get back to its mother. Will Jack and Annie help the little kangaroo find its mother? If you want to know, you'll have to read Dingoes At Dinnertime. I like this book. It's good because I like the Dingoes because they remind me of my dog Paco.


David's review
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-20
Jack and Annie are trying to get the last present to free Teddy from the spell .Can they get the last present? My favorite part was
When Teddy helped Jack and Annie to get out of the wild fire.
I really liked this book you should too!

Science Fiction and Fantasy
Dinotopia: The World Beneath
Published in Hardcover by Turner Publishing (1995-10)
Author: James Gurney
List price: $29.95
New price: $14.95
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $28.95

Average review score:

Still Good
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-09
I pulled this off the shelf in a bookstore at the age of eight and forced my mother to buy it. Now, ten years later I still find pleasure in looking at the wonderful artwork and reading the great adventure story. A perfect rainy day read.

Oops I think he did it again.
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-04-22
I was pleasantly surprised to find that Gurney's second Dinotopia book is just as good as the first. The illustrations are wonderful. After reading this, I now know more about the characters in the movie Dinotopia.

No loss of glory
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2002-11-10
Dinotopia is an island where dinosaurs and people live in peace, except for the carnivores that live in the Rainy Basin. This book is the sequel to Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time and it was just as good as the last Dinotopia. The sequel brought more depth to the plot without losing any of the original’s glory.

lovely and interesting
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2002-05-21
Although you can tell this is definitely a young adult book, it was an interesting read. I've never read any Dinotopia books before, and I decided to read this after seeing Dinotopia on tv. The illustrations in this book are gorgeous. The author skipped over a lot of details, turning this into a really bare-bones story, but it was still a good read.

Superb Sequel
Helpful Votes: 8 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2002-11-27
The first book was one of a kind...until the second came along and finished the story. Dinotopia: The World Beneath is a must have for anyone who has read the first book. There are new adventures, amazing new discoveries, plenty of exciting action and a satisfying conclusion to everything. The illustrations are just as spectacular as they were the first time and the story does not dilute itself one bit. I urge you to find yourself a copy of this book, and also a copy of the original if you have not read that either; both are amazing books meant for all ages.

Science Fiction and Fantasy
The Fever (Replica 9)
Published in Library Binding by Tandem Library (2000-05)
Author: Marilyn Kaye
List price: $12.60

Average review score:

A grrrrrrrreat book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2001-06-19
This is a great book in the series.So great I can't put down. Amy,the "perfect" clone gets a fever.what is this all about? Is it the new club in town which might be giving kids drugs?Or maybe something is affecting her in a way or another?

Chilling!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-01-22
Since Amy Candler was built in a lab, she was made specially so that it was impossible for her to get sick. For all her life, Amy has never had a single disease--not even a cold. And whenever she gets a scab, it instantly fades away. But now, things are a little different. After visiting a mysterious teens' club, Amy begins to feel odd. Her special abilities aren't working, she can't think straight, and she's always passing out. Tasha and Eric are worried for their friend. They have no idea how to cure her. And if they don't figure out a way to make her better soon, their closest friend might not be able to live.

This Replica book can only be described in one word--chilling. Throughout the whole novel, you feel "chilling" as you wonder if Amy will survive and what could possibly be making her sick. I was pretty surprised at the end, although some people will easily be able to figure it out. The plot was good, but there's one scene in this book that's absolutely amazing where Amy has a vision of all the dead people she's experienced in her life. I don't know why, but that part really made me enjoy what I was reading. You should read it too!

Amt gets sick!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2002-08-05
The nineth book in the Replica series. Amy is a perfect human clone with superior hearing, smelling, seeing, and health. She has never been sick, shes never even had a cold! But in this book Amy catches a deadly virus and her friends and family believe a tycoon guy who just opened a teen nightclub may have been putting drugs in the kids drinks. That is the only explaination and since they have never seen drugs in Amy system (she doesnt go to regular doctors) they dont know what is going to happen. But there is more that I cant tell you! Youll have to read it. But it was a great story and I would recommend it for anyone.

REALLY GOOD!!!!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2001-07-14
This was an excellent book. I was glad it was so good, since the last two, I didn't care for particularly, but this one renewed my interest in the series. My guess at what was going on was totally wrong. I liked the way Amy thought everyone was against her, that was cool. I recommend this book, without a shadow of a doubt, to anyone who is into this series. You can't miss it.

:)
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2001-08-30
Amy and Tasha are excited - Nancy Candler's very good friend and colleague Dr. David Hopkins has come to Los Angeles. And he has agreed to pierce the girls' ears! The girls are thrilled - but Amy is puzzled when it hurts her so much, especially since pain is never a problem for her. Soon after, Amy starts to get a bad fever and starts hallucinating. Tasha, although she knows Amy is a clone and shouldn't be seen by anyone who could figure it out, calls a doctor to take some blood from Amy. Soon after, Tasha realises it was the wrong decision. She needs to think of something fast, so she pulls Amy into the closet and gets into her bed, and even though she hates needles she doesn't make a sound when the doctor arrives and gives her the shot, and luckily, Tasha's quick change of mind produces a "normal" reading on the tests - something the orginization was hoping would show something of Amy's special genetic makeup! --This is one of the three best books in the series! I was impressed! Marilyn Kaye did a fantastic job on this one!

Science Fiction and Fantasy
Fingerprints #2: Haunted (Fingerprints)
Published in Paperback by HarperTeen (2001-04-01)
Author: Melinda Metz
List price: $4.99
Used price: $0.11

Average review score:

things are going fine...wait, wheres jesse?
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2004-06-16
the second book in the fingerprints series starts with ray finding out someone wants to kill her. it goes from there to ms. A announcing that jesse ran away. when anthony says "thats impossible" the two go investigating. they look everywhere and check everyones fingerprints. Rae even makes Yana join she and Anthony to New Orleans to find jesse's father. after being teased and abused about looking young and going to prep school rae takes her friends back home.
they ask people around jesse's normal hang out. all of which have their own very convincing thoughts on where jesse is. they are all telling the truth rae finds out, according to their fingerprints. Rae and Anthony find someone deathly afraid that if he says something, he'll be in trouble. by touching his fingerprints they are lead to a house, where they find the man they are looking for has been gone. For a really long time. When they go back to the car they find a knife waiting in the seat. Jesse's knife. Rae finds thoughts leading them to an abandoned warehouse. but they dont know WHICH abandonded warehouse. they search for any unusual activity, and in all theyre hard work find a meth lab. So basically, all of their work was to no avail. one day, sick of waiting for someone to arrive anthony enters...making a lot of noise and breaking a window. worried about him, rae enters as well, using her little "power" to get in. the 2 find eachother, and, with out managing to kill eachother they find the warehouse is empty. but wait, whats that noise? the follow the noise and find jesse. they ask him for info, then, being as he doesnt remember, rae checks out his fingerprints. and gets a whole lot of nothing. oh, and did i mention that someone is trying to kill rae?

Hidden In The Shadow's
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-09-24
Melinda Metz takes Haunted to a new level with its suspense thriller. It's about a girl that gets framed and is sent to the nuthouse and later is released to go back to a prep school. She has a gift to read minds with a touch of her fingertips. The book gives good detail and drama. It tells a story about a girl trying to become normal again. I liked the book because it gives details, suspense, and you cant put it down till you finish it.

Is Rae's Ability A Blessing or a Curse?
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2003-07-31
Rae Voight is just barely starting to come to terms with her new powers - the powers that let her "hear" other people's thoughts when she touches her fingerprints to theirs. Rae is still a little weirded out over the whole thing and hasn't even told Yana, the only girlfriend she has left whom she met in Fair Haven, while she was recovering from her mental breakdown the previous summer. Of course, Anthony knows because he was the one who figured it out, but Rae knows that most people will think she is a freak. She tries to forget that there is someone out there who wants her dead, but it never seems to be far from her mind.

Anthony comes to Rae for help when he finds out that Jesse, one of the kids he met in group who is like a brother to him, is missing. Anthony knows that he wouldn't have run away, but he has no idea where to look for him. Rae agrees to try and "read" the fingerprints at Jesse's house and before she knows it, Anthony, Rae and Yana are off on a madcap adventure to New Orleans to try and find Jesse's dad. Too bad that the whole trip was a bust because Jesse's dad hasn't seen him for years and years. Whats even worse is that Rae discovers that Jesse was only kidnapped to hurt her. Someone is playing games with her and the prize is Jesse's life...

This is the second book in the Fingerprints series and it starts almost right after the first one ends. It was interesting to see Rae start to see her powers as a gift instead of a curse and to see how she would choose to use them. We also got to see more of Anthony and what a great guy he is, even if he is a slow learner and is always beating up on himself. All of the characters in this series are great and the reader will feel like they know them when they are done reading. I highly recommend reading the first book in the series, Fingerprints: Gifted Touch, first though. Also, this book has another cliffhanger ending with the reader still being clueless as to who wants Rae dead and why so I would have the next book in the series handy...

Where's Jesse?
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-24
Although the series is for readers aged 9 to 12, it's an interesting enough concept to keep older readers entertained.

The second book in Metz's series explores how Rae's gift can be used to her advantage (to aid others) and some methods in which she can control when to use her gift. Rae puts her gift to the test when she must use it to find Jesse (a boy from group therapy who "ran away"). Jesse's disappearance coincides with Rae being stalked. In this book, the reader gets to know Anthony, Rae, Yana, and Marcus a little better. For those of you who read the first book, a romantic relationship between Rae and Anthony doesn't develop until later in the series, much to my dismay ^_~ After finishing this book, be prepared to read the next and the next! It's addicting!

If you haven't read the first book, I would definetly suggest doing so if you want to understand this book a little better.

Happy Reading!

Awesome Book!!!!!!!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-08-01
You will not believe how good this book is. Once you start to read it, you might stay up all night until you are done. I don't want to give away too much about the book, so I'll just say this: The author really has a way with words that make you fell like you experience what the character experiences. It is amazing. I'm surprised these wonderful books aren't more well known, and I am sure you won't regret making your purchase. If you are the type of person that likes a book that keeps you waiting for the next big event in the plot to unfold and gradually reveals (the book, not you) the answers to the questions you have had and continues to do so as the series goes on, I completely reccomend that you check this book out.

Science Fiction and Fantasy
Fisherman's Son
Published in Hardcover by Topeka Bindery (2002-12)
Author: Marilyn Peake
List price: $21.70

Average review score:

Wonderful
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-23
The imagination of this writer is fantastic. I am truly impressed that a writer would go to such depths of research to make the book authentic. I would also recommend "Twilight" and "Moonspins and Widdershins" Frances Kenney

A Place Where Children Are Wiser than Adults
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-02-16
Marilyn Peake skillfully takes her readers along with her on a boy's journey of self discovery, a tale that harkens sweetly back to our childhood stories of forests and bears, dolphins and fairy godmothers. Wiley is a brave boy who faces his sorrows and opportunities with determination and grit. He is the 'every boy' who is left alone to his own devices, a child much wiser than the adults who inhabit his world. His adventure with Elden the dolphin bespeaks of our primeval instincts - a landscape of land and water, bridging time to eventually heal the hurt and disappointment brought about by his absent and troubled father. The Fisherman's Son beautifully breathes life into a child's hope for a better tomorrow.

Peake crafts a drawing tale.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-01-24
What if you were given the task to travel to a place deep within the waters, to a place that stories once told of a kingdom and its people that lived in such riches you couldn't imagine? But this task did incur some danger; would you be so brave and take on this responsibility? Marilyn Peake's THE FISHERMAN'S SON has such a character who not only binds you to him but his travels will become your own.

Marilyn Peake is a fantastic storyteller. Her enthralling tale, THE FISHERMAN'S SON, of a young lad and his quest to save six boys trapped within the deep realms of the waters surrounding his village, rivets you by tagging you alongside this journey. The added characters of Elden, the dolphin who is Wiley's water guide, and the magical Lucinda who guide Elden on land just deepen the plot.

Her visual descriptive details are sharp and vivid, breathtakingly drawing you into the storyline. One cannot help but feel Wiley's sadness over the loss of a loved one in the very beginning.

The repetition of the phrase `Drink deeply by land or sea. Earth comes only once' only heightens your curiosity to find out what this actually means.

Her short chapters and simplistic words weave an enchanting tale keeping the flow of the story moving along at a nice dramatic pace for all ages to read.

The mapping of this mystical book is cleverly laid out for the reader to experience. The historical journey through a city that once lived in pure euphoria is enchanting. A feel of `Atlantis is alive' titillates the reader.

This classical `sit by the fireplace' reading can be handed down and read for many generations to come. Peake crafts a drawing tale of a young lad who is trying to come to terms over a devastating loss, a drunken father, and a quest that has him bewildered.

Although geared for the younger adult reader, this is a gem of a story to suit all ages.

A Children's Fantasy Full of Learning
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-01-12
For those who have a love of the sea and Celtic landscape, "The Fisherman's Son" will be a particularly enjoyable read with your children. As for your little ones, they'll have a rich story of fantasy filled with oceanic learning.

When 12-year-old Wiley O'Mara's mother dies, his journey to fetch the nearest priest in a hamlet far from his own sets him on a completely different path than he intended. He can expect no help from his alcoholic father; abusive when at home, which is rare.

Ah, but like any good tale worth its salt, the travails of this adventure lead to the challenges and rewards of an even greater one. Wiley's trial takes him through the vast landscape of his Gaelic homeland into the beauty of the ocean depths. In this fantastical coming-of-age drama, Wiley learns who he really is, the strength of his mettle and that his destiny is to help the people of his land realize their full potential. And isn't that the destiny of each of us? It's an old theme always worth revisiting, particularly in children's fiction.

This is a book that will appeal to "tweens"; but especially to children aged eight through ten since Wiley is a storybook hero they can look up to. These younger of the "tweens" can certainly read "The Fisherman's Son" on their own, but there are a few large words that may have them coming to mom and dad. A good story that also encourages learning new words is always a plus.

Likewise, you may want to talk with your children about Wiley's home, very much like nineteenth century Ireland, though the author never puts a name to the island (all the more appropriate for a child's fantasy). As the story moves into the briny deep of the North Atlantic Ocean, there's even more to pique your child's intellect along with his/her imagination.

But all along Wiley's far journey , your child is in store for deeper learning. Strength of character. Honor and ethics. Belief and confidence in self and the ability to face great adversity, whether in the family or in the world. They're all within these pages.

Well Worth The Read: The Fisherman's Son
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2003-11-17
"Drink deeply by land or sea. Earth comes only once."

A key component of the fantasy genre is the quest and a quest makes up most of this enjoyable novel by Marilyn Peake. Designed for the pre-teen reader, this novel revolves around Wiley O'Mara, son a local fisherman.

Wiley lives on an unspecified island high in the North Atlantic. A killing fever has swept through the village community he calls home taking many lives. His mother lies gravely ill and without any help from his alcoholic father, he tends to her the best he can. The long illness and vigil have taken a toll on him and despite his best efforts and intentions, he falls asleep during one long winter night. He awakens the next morning to find his father gone, most likely either at sea fishing or on another alcoholic binge and his mother dead.

The weight of local custom falls heavily upon his shoulders. A wake must be held and the nearest priest is in the next village. The quickest and most direct route is through the neighboring forest, which is the lair of a dangerous multi eyed beast. Wiley at twelve years old is determined to honor his Mother's memory as required, and sets out to reach the next village. Before long he confronts the beast deep in the forest as well as other creatures that seem imbued with magical properties. He also has a vision of a lovely woman floating in time and space with a message for him and him alone.

Not only must he get to the village and bring back the priest for his Mother's wake, there is another task to be done through the use of magic. He has the power with in himself as well as through the aid of other creatures to help people from a time long past once again breath free.

This rich, fun read is perfect for the pre-teen reader. There is a minimum of violence, plenty of action and historical lessons, as well as an appreciation of nature, beauty and magic. Wiley learns empathy for others as well as an appreciation of the world around him, past and present. He also learns responsibility as well as the need to follow through no matter how difficult the task to achieve the goal.

This novel reminded me strongly of "The Magic Tree House Series." There is that same wonder and joy at exploring the unknown as well as a balance between magic and reality. Along the way, subtle life lessons are taught that fit child and adult alike. This was a wonderful book and well worth the read.

Science Fiction and Fantasy
The Golden Key (Fairy Tale)
Published in Audio CD by Hovel Audio (2004-06)
Author: George MacDonald
List price: $12.98
New price: $9.26
Used price: $7.00

Average review score:

The Opening of a New Door in the Development of Literature
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-25
While The Golden Key may not be my all-time favorite book, it certainly has a strong connection to the book that I treasure most of all (well, second to the Bible). You see, George MacDonald, author of The Golden Key, was in fact the mentor of Lewis Carroll, who wrote my favorite non-Biblical book, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. That's a very powerful and indeed shocking connection if you ask me. But you can kind of see it if you look closely. I mean, the kids in the Golden Key grow both old and young. Alice in Wonderland grows big and small. Kinda similar there.

Yet, I did not know about the relationship between the two books until AFTER I had finished The Golden Key and decided to do some research on its origin. I simply read The Golden Key like I would any other book, and developed some commentary on the work as a whole that I would now like to communicate:

First, the book is very short. I finished it in two days. And because its so short, events move incredibly fast to make room for heavy amounts of whimsical feeling and fantastical description.

But again I have to go back to the Alice thing. I noticed how SO many sentences in the story turned the reader upside down and made him say, "huh?" It was as if the Fairy World did everything it could to stay all out of whack. Whether it was to make speech that could be heard without ears, or to make the oldest people in the world look like little kids, the topsy-turvy nature of everything couldn't help but instill an amazing sense of awe. Truly, The Golden Key opens eyes to such incredible abstract possibilities of the imagination, and perhaps even life itself.

The out of whack sense of awe, while wonderful in this book, developed into full maturity in the Alice books. While The Golden Key merely mentions things that make no sense, the Alice books actually attempt to explain the senselessness of senseless things.

I hope I will always have a special place in my heart for MacDonald's prototype of Alice in Wonderland. Oh, if we only knew how much the imagination behind The Golden Key has really changed the world. I think we would all be very surprised.

The Golden Key
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-11
I purchased this book as a Christmas gift for my 20-year-old daughter. It was one of her favorite books as a child and she frequently checked it out of our local library until it disappeared from the shelf there, never to be seen again. She was very excited when she saw that she had her own copy and she took the book back to college with her after Christmas break. Although I haven't actually read the book myself, I can tell you that my daughter thinks it is great!

Water
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-13
This book is like a drink of the freshest, clearest water on the brightest, bluest spring day you can imagine. It was lovely every step of the way, somehow beautifully sad and wonderful at the same time. With the aid of the creatures of fairyland, mistreated Tangle and adventuresome Mossy go on an enchanting journey which takes them straight through to a wisdom and sense of wonderment that is somehow greater than that found in adulthood (or childhood). George MacDonald truly had an eye for the worlds of fairy, and an unsurpassed talent for expressing beauty in all things. The stories are not always meant to be understood, but deep in that inner place in one's heart, they make sense.

Read this little story...
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2005-01-20
the tale of tangle and mossy, two child like creatures on the adventure of the ages. alone - together - parting - re-uniting, until which is which becomes forgotten and un-threatening, and best; so unimportant. Simply, this is The Best Fairey Tale I have ever read.
It is a classic.
If you know anyone with fantasy and imagination, regardless of age, this whould be a most welcome gift....

Addendum: To - "A Reader"
It is difficult to respond to a question after the questioner has left the room. Who is Dr. Peter Kreeft and what makes his opinion so important to you? It is sad that such a beautiful and wonderful story is so assaulted by a need to find the incarnation of GOD himself within it. Not that he/she is not; but please, isn't that the "Bible's" role? I think you last three comments point to your problem; that is, you really want someone "to tell you" what this book really means. Suggestion: Perhaps if you read the story to a child or a very old person over the course of three or four day, you might find it much more appealing.....
best regards.

The talent for loving
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2005-01-27
An earlier reviewer mentioned the difficulty of understanding the imagery of the story and another suggested (perhaps rightly) that the golden key represents Christ. C.S. Lewis believed it represented "the talent for loving", and having read the book numerous times, especially to nephews and nieces, I agree. Without giving away too much, notice the differences between Mossy's and Tangle's journey after their separation (physical death), especially how they saw the Old Man of the Sea. One might need to have read more of MacDonald's works (especially Unspoken Sermons) to get at his view of how love affects our ability to "see". His "At the Back of the North Wind" contains another wonderful example when North Wind explains to Diamond why she had to appear as a dreadful wolf to an old woman.

Science Fiction and Fantasy
The Green Futures of Tycho
Published in Paperback by Puffin (1991-05-01)
Author: William Sleator
List price: $4.99
Used price: $0.87

Average review score:

Quite unforgettable...
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-25
Writing for young adults, Sleator is a master of twisted and subtly terrifying sci-fi/horror. I read this many years ago and the story of Tycho and his demented future self has been lodged in the back of my mind ever since then. If your tastes run towards left field like mine do, you'll find a kindred spirit here.

Stands the test of time...a classic
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-18
I first read this book when I was in forth grade. It made a great impression on me. During a move a year later the book was lost. I recently found it on auction and read it again. I am amazed at how wonderfully complex the story is for both young and old readers. Certainly a story for all. Happy reading.

I Finally Found It!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-10
My dad read this book to me and my little brother twenty years ago when I was [...]. I remember being so enthralled by the story. It wasn't until yesterday that I finally remembered the name of the main character and found the book here on Amazon. I just ordered it and I can't wait to read it!

Book Rreview of "The Green Futuers Of Tyhco"
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2002-01-21
When I read the book "The Green Futuers Of Tycho", I was amazed at how well William Sleater( The author) Put together this Science Fiction book. My teacher read it to the class, and right after she finished the book, every one wanted to read it once more. I was trying to get my hands on one of the copys, to unfortunatly find that the book was out of print. [...]. I defenetly reccomend this book for anyone, and esspecialy those who like Science Fiction.

Book Rreview of "The Green Futuers Of Tyhco"
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2002-01-21
When I read the book "The Green Futuers Of Tycho", I was amazed at how well William Sleater( The author) Put together this Science Fiction book. My teacher read it to the class, and right after she finished the book, every one wanted to read it once more. I was trying to get my hands on one of the copys, to unfortunatly find that the book was out of print. I defenetly reccomend this book for anyone, and esspecialy those who like Science Fiction.


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