Science Fiction and Fantasy Books

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?

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.

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...

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!

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.

Here's an honest opinion from an 8-year old. We read Fisherman's Son together and loved it. Here's what my daughter said:

The Fisherman's son is about unlocking a secret. The main character is a little boy, named Wiley. Wiley has a big adventure under water with his dolphin friend, Elden. At the end the end of the book, Elden's friend, Beluga, the whale, helps them to save six lost children. Along the way, Wiley has to face a big bear and her cub, which has one eye. He also has to battle a big, tough monster deep below the sea.

My favorite part of the book is when Wiley meets Elden because I would like to meet a dolphin one day, and because Elden is my favorite character. The words in the story really helped me with my school strategy. We are learning about picturing, which is making pictures in your mind as you read the story. This story really describes what Wiley and Elden are doing. I love this book!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Our two year-old has a fine time finding new things in the pictures each night, and learning to memorize the sentences...I say the first word now, she finishes it up.

Great art work, repetitive verses, a very calming book, perfect for bedtime.

My two and a half old son loves anything that has to do with the moon. When I first saw this book, I knew instantly that he would love it. Boy, was I right. The words flow gracefully as we read it together over and over again. This book is a family favorite that is read by someone in my home daily. The illustrations are captivating and will hold a child imagination for hours. Highly recommend.

I bought this book having bought "Picture This" which was illustrated by Allison Jay. My 22 month old loves it!! I like the fact that there are only a few words per page and the story has wonderful rhythm when read out loud. My daughter now tries to say the words along with me and tries to read it to her doll "Dolly". The illustrations for some reason arouse a feeling of nostalgia in me, and my daughter loves to point out the moon, the cows, the swing in the park and the various other wonderful pictures. Well worth a look!

Is about how many times my 3-year old daughter would read this book, (if she could.)

BEAUTIFUL PROSE, WONDERFUL PICTURES. My two-year-old son LOVES this book. The assonance (vowel rhyme within the words) in the prose makes it flow much like a poem but much more sophisticated than the popular, "Good Night Moon." The first line: "I took the moon for a walk last night, it followed along like a still summer kite, high in the sky through darkness and light, when I took the moon for a walk." Animals and people appear from page to page with wonderful landscapes that reward readers when closely examined. I am a librarian and this book should be on a list of BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS, EVER.

Once again, the plot is fast and intoxicating as Johnis rushes to save those he loves, following his heart against all odds into the very centers of darkness, being forced to trust in the light of Elyon to prevail.

the mission for the books is on in this second book but we finally start to get a more personal and real look at our hero, giving some much needed character development after the first series.
the plot is again exciting and leaves you desperate to get to the end, to know how it ends.
However, there are a few times that it seems circumstances/situations are too easily resolved and though a great, quick read, by the end, I was hoping for something a little more.

I would give it a three for lack of detail in the world and a more complex execution of the plot, but it is tagged for young adult AND i can't deny I raced through the book, enjoying every minute....

This is an awesome series. I have read the first two books and my 13 and 15 year old son and daughter have read them too. Buy'm soon

This is an amazing book. I love how Ted Dekker ties this story into the Circle trilogy. This is a wonderful follow-up story to CHOSEN. If you've read BLACK, RED and WHITE, you need to read this!!

I am not disappointed at all. I love this.... and this book has ministered, inspired and entertained. Love it!

Johnis stepped forward and lifted the ring. He recognized it immediately. "My mother's ring!"
"Your mother's?" Silvie asked. 'Michal wanted you to know that the Horde took it?'
But Johnis didn't think that was what Michal had meant by leaving the ring. Sweat beaded on his forehead. "She's alive."
Johnis is a regular 16 year old in a land similar to our own. There are no cars or electricity, and you are permitted to get married at age 16. In this land there are two tribes, the Forest Guards, whom Johnis is a part of, and the Horde. The Horde and the Forest Guards have been in a long war and the Horde believes they can defeat the Forest Guards. Johnis, while watching the tryouts for new recruits is suddenly pushed into the game. Johnis and three other companions were sent on a mission. Their original mission was to find 4 Catalina cacti, but while on the mission he and his companions, Darsal, Billos, and Silvie, run into the Horde. He is saved by a white bat called a roush and he is told he is to find the 6 Lost Books of History, books that are so powerful you will die if you open it. These books are the final hope of defeating the Horde, but he's not the only one searching for the books. Teeleh, an evil bat wants to use the books' power to take over all the land. Johnis is in a race to find the books... (End of book 1)
After he receives 3 books he heads home. He is honored and celebrated as a hero because everyone believes he escaped the Horde. After the celebration he runs into Michal, the roush he ran into earlier. Michal hands him a ring where he finds out that his long lost mother, who was taken prisoner of the Horde, is still alive. Now he has a new mission, to find his mother...
This Fantasy Fiction book teaches one that they should always obey God's laws. Johnis betrayed his people by taking over a hundred forest guards to save his mother. He did not find his mother and killed more than half of them in battle. This book is full of action and suspense, Ted Dekker is an amazing author. Infidel is a great second book in the series; I can't wait until the saga is complete. I believe both teenagers and adults will love this fun and short book, anyone will enjoy this book and I'm sure everyone will love the series.

It is my belief that the word 'subtle' is not in Rumiko Takahashi's dictionary. 90% of the characters in Ranma 1/2 lack the trait, and several of the people in Maison Ikkoku need a lesson. We won't even get into Ataru and his crowd from Urusei Yatsura. Inu Yasha has provided us with some new examples of those who speak their mind and constantly make you hang your head and sigh.

While not as boisterous and arrogant as Inu Yasha, the Buddhist monk Miroku shares some traits with the dog-demon. Both tend to say what they think, regardless of the consequences. Both are stubborn as mules and as dense as rocks. But that's what we love about them.

Miroku has a tendency to ask something quite...personal from the women that he meets. As for what this is--you'll just have to read the books won't you?

It's a great book! I would say it's one of the best Volumes!

Ok!I am tottally in love with this series so listen closly! Things have started to heat up as the group meets a monk named Miroku. Now, they know that Naraku is the true cause of Kikyou's death! This series is so cool but I reccomend that 10 year olds read this!

...All of which are contained in this manga. This manga is VERY IMPORTANT plotwise, because not only is a new main charachter introduced but the nice little dead lady has some interesting things happen that stick with us for the rest of the series so far. As for the painter, he's of little importance in the big scheme of things, so it'll suffic to say that we get to see Miroku use that hole in his hand, as well as some brain power and Inu Yasha also kicks butt liberally.
Enjoy!

I've been a manga fan ever since I was introduced to Sailor Moon three years ago, and have been following Rumiko Takahashi's work for almost as long. Inu-Yasha, her latest series is my personal favorite. In ancient Japan, a doglike half demon, half human named Inu-Yasha, attempts to steal the Shikon Jewel, or "Jewel of Four Souls" which has the power to turn him into a full-blooded demon. The priestess whose duty it is to guard the jewel, Kikyo, uses her remaining lifeforce to ensnare him in an entrapment spell. The girl and the jewel are burned and laid to rest. In the future (1997 to be precice) Japanese high school girl Kagome is sucked back though time to fifty years after the Shikon Jewel was destroyed. There she finds out that she is the reincarnation of Kikyo the priestess, and has to carry out the responsibility of guarding the jewel. After an unfortunate "accident", the jewel is shattered and flung to the four winds, and Kagome and Inu-Yasha are burdened with the near-impossible task of restoring the jewel to its original, whole state. Which means finding every shard. And they aren't the only ones after them (but probably the only ones with good intentions). As a saftey precaution to keep Inu-Yasha from losing his temper and mauling someone, he is forced to wear a necklace that lets Kagome control him with a single word. By simply saying "sit" poor Inu-Yasha is knocked to the ground, pancake style. As the story progresses, you meet other entertaining characters, like Myoga the flea-demon, Shippo the young fox-demon, Miroku the easygoing, cursed Buddhist priest, and Kaede, Kikyo's little sister, now an old woman. Inu-Yasha has hints of Rumiko Takahashi's previous works, and yet it's a whole new cunningly irresistable story. I definately don't recommend it for the squeamish, or weak-hearted; there's some of everything, humane and inhumane. There is some brief nudity in some (but not all) of the books, and a lot of bloodshed (but it's not as violent as the Mermaid Saga) The first two books aren't as good as they could be (the plot seems thin and rushed in some parts), but it gets better. In the fifth book, an unusual twist of the plot occurs and after that, you just can't put the series down. Rumiko Takahashi also throws in a little of the romantic comedy that she's famous for as you get further into the series. Don't expect to be rolling with laughter through the whole book, though; Inu-Yasha aims for a slightly more solomn note than Ranma 1/2 and Urusei Yatsura. I would recommend the series for 13 and up, although I was able to read some of it to my 10 year old brother by editing out the less "respectible" parts. This series is definately worth recognization and I'm sure that I'm not the only one counting the days until the next volume is published.

I love this artist and am always inspired by this book. I first bacame familiar with this artist through a series of greeting cards made from his art. When my mother found this book we both had to have one. It is a nice shelf size, with full page and double page images. There are also excerpts that are blown up to show detail, sketches to show initial concept and process, and clever writing to keep you engaged in each piece. I was delighted as I read the book to find out just how much symbolism he uses. It makes his pieces much deeper than the common fanciful fantasy art. It was a real pleasure learning more about James Christensen. No matter how many times you look over these pictures, they will never get boring. You'll always see something new.

I love this book! I am an artist and illustrator. When I need inspiration to open my own creative juices, I study the pages of this book. Christensen's images come from a pure expression of the inner creative child blended with the quirky imagination of a "Renaissance" painter gone wild!

I got this book as a Christmas gift along with a painting by the artist. He's a good artist. Make no mistake about that. But you'd better be an ardent gamer to really enjoy his subject matter.

There's really no way to tell what James Christensen's art is like. It's as unsatisfactory as trying to describe what chocolate tastes like to the person who's never tasted it. It has to be experienced to be appreciated.

This is a wonderful collection reproducing almost all of Christensen's earlier work. It includes some "serious" works of which the artist clearly is a master, but his fantasy art is unlike anyone elses. It takes flights of fancy and works of whimsy to completely new heights. The person who can go through this delightful romp among a truly creative genius' works and not find themselves smiling for most of it is suffering from an atrophied sense of humor.

If you like fantasy, get this book. If you like art, get this book. If you have a sense of humor and the willingness to use it, get this book. Warning: you may have to take this book in small doses, or your smile may suffer from overwork.

This book causes you to see through the eyes of a child again, playing with reality and delighting in possibilities. It gets your "imaginative juices" flowing to where you won't look at ordinary, every day objects in the same way again. The artist provides the reader with insight into his whimsy, while at the same time providing a magical feast for the eye!

Every other reviewer gave this book 5 stars..hard to believe that they all actually read it. This book has a lot of potential, most of it wasted. It appears to be self-published, and it certainly never had the benefit of an editor to correct the massive number of punctuation and grammar errors. These are so frequent and obvious that it interferes with the reading. A good editor would also have helped the author develop the characters and smooth out the disjointed storyline - there are no transitions connecting the changing scenes, no explanations for why characters react the way they do. Everytime the children go to Tutu's grass hut and "travel" to the realm of the Hawaiian gods, the action/reactions are the same. Each of those scenes cry out to be cut in half (or more) - they are endless and get boring. I found myself skimming through these praying for it to end, since nothing new or interesting was going to happen. I forced myself to finish the book, hoping (against hope, as it turned out) that questions would be answered. I wanted to like this book, as a former resident of Hawaii, but was disappointed.

... hold on! Cause when I opened this book, it hit me like a fist made of bricks ... marshmallow bricks, that is. Kay takes us on whirwind tour of the traditions and ceremonies of the Hawaiian culture. It's light and fluffy, heavy on good dialogue and light on cliche and racism ... which I hate. Anyway, it did get a little slow about 2/3 of the way through and the story seemed a bit contrived, but I think Kay should get points for actually finishing this story when the average writer would have realized that it was going nowhere. Easily my favorite book of all time. I give it five stars and one of my patented awkwardly long hugs.

A new version of this book is now available on Amazon published under the author's real name (M. L. Kamahele) with ISBN: 1599713284. Pease note that the old version of this book (listed here on this page) is now "OUT OF PRINT". So any versions purchased/shipped from this page are probably USED. To purchase a NEW version of the book, search for the book on Amazon using ISBN number 1599713284 or the book's full title.

It's hard to believe that every reviewer thats written a review for this book has only reviewed THIS BOOK, and this book only. I'm not saying its a bad book, it's just suspect that all the reviews come from people who seem to read ONLY this book. Also, many "Listmania" lists happen to have this book at the top while listing all the most popular teen lit underneath. Hmmm, is that a tad bit suspicious? It could be true, this could be a "cool book for any teen", just be aware that publishers and authors are allowed to write reviews anonymously for their own works. I am sure that This review will soon have many "not helpful" votes as the author and publisher seem to spend a lot of time on this page shilling. Google it if you don't know what it means.

omg this is the best book i have EVER read!!!! the first time i read it, it took 3 days cuz i could never put the book down! all this action and excitment keeps popping up page after page and i cant stop reading!!! i would reccomend this book to any other highschooler (i'm a junior this year *YAY*), but read it twice cuz you'll miss a bunch of stuff the first time probly since u hafta read it so fast. cuz then the second time i read it, i figured out all the double chapter meanings and noticed lots of hints that the author dropped that i never saw bfore

...anyway, this book rox my sox!!

Political intrigue and moral questions are explored in The Kestrel, the second in Lloyd Alexander's Westmark trilogy.

The long-lost heir to the throne, the orphan Mickle, has been reinstated. The evil chief minister Cabbarus has been exiled from Westmark. Things seem, on the surface, to be going smoothly. But the untimely death of the king of Westmark sparks the flame of unrest in the country.

The nobility is unhappy with their "beggar queen." The commoners want a government in which they have more of a say - they would be happy to do away with a monarchy altogether. Thrown into this mix is Mickle, now the ruling queen upon her father's death, and Theo, who finds his loyalty tested and divided between his friends in the anti-monarchy movement and his love for Mickle, which causes him to want to protect the crown. When a neighboring kingdom invades Westmark, Theo sets out to prove himself by aiding his friends, while Mickle rises to become an unlikely war leader.

The Kestrel continues to explore the hard questions introduced in the first book of the trilogy. The main characters wrestle with wondering when violence is acceptable, and for what reasons. They also have to deal with issues of stealing (when you're hungry, is it okay to be taking from your own side?), honor, and how far you can make personal compromises before you become someone you don't want to be. Alexander does a commendable job in presenting these issues with no pat answers or preachiness. In the book, as in real life, there are no easy solutions and people have to deal with the consequences of their choices.

The political issues are also brought into play in The Kestrel. The ideals of the peasantry, the long-standing aristocracy, and everything in between are represented by most of the main characters. Each idea has merit, and yet they are hard pressed to find the right balance. While the war is brought to a satisfying conclusion, the book itself ends on an unclear note, hinting that the problems of Westmark government will be concluded in the final book of the trilogy.

Regia is invading Westmark. King Constantine IX of Regia and his uncle, Duke Conrad, have already paid off the corrupt General Erzcour, who is the commander of all of Westmark’s forces. Erzcour has ordered all of his men on the Regian border to surrender to Regia. However, many of his soldiers and officers disobey his orders, to stand and fight for their country in the mountains that separate Regia from Westmark. Unfortunately, the valiant fighters are leaderless and low on ammunition. They beat a hasty retreat. Queen Augusta of Westmark, who was formerly a street urchin because the corrupt chief minister, Cabbarus (now affiliated with Regia), threw her out on the streets before she knew she was a princess, orders a carriage to carry her to the border. She then rallies the remains of the army to the nearest city and resupplies there. She is eventually forced to fall further and further back. Meanwhile, revolutionaries who wish to overthrow the monarchy must for the time being support it because if Westmark is defeated, then they will be also. One group is lead by Florian, a very well respected anti-monarchist. He begins to organize militias and to support the Queen’s army as well as he can. Justin, a far more radical revolutionary who will stop at nothing to establish a republic, leads the second group. Theo, Queen Augusta’s boyfriend, becomes second in command of Justin’s group, and assumes the name “Colonel Kestrel”.

I would recommend The Kestrel to anyone who has already read the book that comes first in the trilogy, Westmark, because The Kestrel is the second book. Westmark helps give you more background information on most of the characters, particularly Queen Augusta and Theo (Colonel Kestrel), and the setting. This book is excellent. It combines war, romance, and comedy (in subplots) into one very pleasurable story.

If you've read the other glowing reviews for this book, and for the other books in the same series, then you'll probably understand why I decided to purchase this whole series all at once, without reading even one of them first. According to absolutely everyone else, these books are brilliant, and I fell for the hype. I was looking forward to reading them like a starving man looks forward to eating a three course dinner.

But having now read the first two books, I beg to differ from the other reviewers. I read the first one, 'Westmark', over a year ago. It was okay, I suppose, but I was so nonplussed by it that I waited until now to read this second book in the series. And I have to say, I am just as unimpressed with this one.

This book does have some good points...there are the poignant observations on the brutality of war, the inequality of the feudal system, and the corruption of the power of officials and the ruling class. That's all well and good, and done with some finesse.

But there are some big problems, too, with this book. The storyline moves quickly, often too quickly, and glosses over too many things. There is a lack of detail and world building, the things that help make scenes real for a reader. Also, it lacks warmth, and fails to make the reader feel happy. Sorry, but I like books that give me a happy, warm feeling at least ONCE in the narrative. This book was never really uplifting. But the biggest problem was with the characters. I just never really felt empathy for them, or cared too much what happened to them. I did warm slightly to the street urchins, the elderly castle advisor, and 'The Monkey', whose military experience was admirable. And Mickle, the Queen, was at least a strong female character. But everyone else was just sort of dull, flat, or even annoying. I should have liked the Poet, but he just went on and on about his Muse, to the point where I wondered, doesn't he do anything else? Is he completely one dimensional? Where are the intelligent, poetic insights that such a character should have brought to the story?

I know war is dark and horrible. But there's still room for warmth and even humour in a war story. Australian comedian John Doyle proved that when he wrote the brilliant and evocative tv series 'Changi', which showed how a group of young Australian men dealt with the horrors of life in a WWII Japanese POW camp, by keeping a sense of humour, and holding on to their basic humanity. That show was realistic, gritty, and so sad I cried in EVERY episode, yet it was still uplifting and inspirational...not like this book!!!

I also know this book was written a few decades ago, and the standards for writing were often lower back then, in the age before modern word processors, when it was much harder to do rewrites. But I still think this book should have been much better. And I am worried by the fact that it has been given so much acclaim by so many reviewers. Are literary standards really so low that we'll proclaim any middle-of-the-road work a literary masterpiece?

I don't know if I'll ever get around to reading the third book in the series. Even if someone told me there was my favourite chocolate and a $50 note tucked inside its covers, I'd still be a little reluctant to open it up.

But hey, what do I know? I'm the only person who doesn't think this series is the most brilliant thing ever! I suppose you'll just have to make up your own mind. But don't make my mistake -- don't go buying the whole series of books until after you've read the first one. Then, if that first book leaves you feeling like I did, as flat as a pancake and as bored as someone watching a 24 hour marathon of documentaries on how to watch housepaint drying, then at least you'll know you haven't wasted too much of your money!

While "Westmark" (the previous book) and "The Beggar Queen" (the final book in this trilogy) are excellent books, this is the best, because -- well, because it's the one that has the power to hurt the most as you see what characters you care for are forced into by circumstance, the twists of fate and their own sense of duty.

Former Chief Minister Cabbarus, forced into exile in "Westmark" plots with the uncle of the King of neighbouring Regia to invade Westmark and re-establish a "proper" society. Theo wanders the country, trying to get a grip on how he feels about the thought of Mickle, the street urchin he fell in love with in "Westmark" becoming Queen... with himself intended as Prince Consort.

When the invasion begins, Mickle finds herself forced to become a military commander, and Theo finds himself among Florian's "children" again, fighting the Regians as an irregular, eventually rising to the rank of colonel among Florian's forces.

And Alexamder takes the chance -- without seeming preachy or heavy-handed -- to present us with just a bit (PG13 rating or so) of the horror of war and what it does to even good people.

Because "Colonel Kestrel", the brilliant and ruthless revolutionary/guerrilla leader is, also, the gentle Theo, who has never believed in violence as a solution to anything.

Someone has said, more or less, that Alexander is here presenting a parable on the uses and effects of violence, in causes good and not-so-good. He proposes (by example) the question "When -- if ever -- is violence justified in a 'good cause'?", and proceeds to show us (again by example) the answers to that question arrived at by various people of greater or lesser good-will.

And then he hands the reader an even hotter potato to examine than that -- he asks us to consider the after-effects of violence (even "in a good cause") on the people who have found themselves forced into it.

And it hurts -- in a good way -- to see what some people must give up so that others may still have it.

(David Drake presents a much more violent -- and most *definitely* adult -- look at much the same questions in his military SF novel "Redliners".)

In the end, everyone is forced to compromise somewhat, and all *appears* to be well.

On the other hand, this *is* the second olume of a trilogy.

The second book of the Westmark Trilogy, the adventures of Westmark continues in "The Kestrel". Theo is now traveling through Westmark to learn more about the country. He and Mickle, now known as Princess Augusta, are hoping to be married after he returns. But suddenly and without warning, Westmark is thrown into turmoil as the neighboring country of Regia has declared war on Westmark. Theo is once again forced into making a hard decision, will he stay in the sidelines or fight for his country? Eventually, he joins under the command of Florian and his people to fight a guerrilla war against the troops of Regia. As he sees brave and honorable men die one by one, Theo finds himself changing into a merciless commander and a stranger to himself...

For those familiar with Lloyd Alexander's award winning series, "The Prydain Chronicles", I can honestly and truly recommend this other series written by the 'grand master of fantasy'. A bit more serious with dark overtones, "The Westmark Trilogy" deals with realistic events that can almost convince you that the series is based on true historical events. Through the series you will be given a chance to explore the characters as they struggle with forces beyond their control. Lloyd Alexander gives a realistically accurate study of human nature and psychology of war. I must say, after reading this book, I was left in thoughtful silence, musing over what I had just finished reading. It is not very often we Young Adults are given books which leaves you in a state of contemplation

As I said, I can highly recommend the thrilling and psychologically filling "Westmark Trilogy". Best to read in order. But the faint-hearted be warned, this book and the next one in the series are somewhat violent and gritty since the main theme is about war. But nothing too bad to turn away lovers of a good series! Pick these series up!