Science Fiction and Fantasy Books

Part of a series, this novel is about the planet Kevarzangia Two, and its water-breathing inhabitants.

The Hsktskt slavers have been pushed out of the quadrant, so the four sentient races, who call themselves the Allied League of Worlds, meet on K-2 for a peace conference. The participants, two air-breathing races and two water-breathing races, don't particularly like each other. When an ambassador's shuttle is attacked prior to the conference, Sublieutenant Burn mu Znora stops the attack and rescues the ambassador's daughter, Liana (some younger 'Zangians, like Burn, have been surgically altered to be able to survive in the air for hours at a time). Having drawn the pleasurable duty of guarding Liana during the conference, Burn realizes that she knows a lot more than she is letting on, and that someone wants this conference to fail.

Meantime, the 'Zangians have a natural enemy called a mogshrike. Think of a creature bigger than a great white shark, with a lot more teeth and a much more nasty disposition. The mogshrikes have been moving into warmer and shallower water, where the 'Zangians live. They are defenseless against the mogshrikes, so the radical idea is considered of catching one to study. Dair, an elderly 'Zangian, is totally against the idea, but Teresa, his Terran mate, agrees to participate. The battle of wills gets to the point where Dair tells Teresa that they are no longer mated. A baby mogshrike is captured, and it is discovered that they have been doing some pretty radical evolving.

This is a fine piece of writing. It's got good world building, the characters are very well done, and it's a first-rate story. As with any series, reading previous books will help, but this does a really good job of standing on its own.

I find this second book in this series to be better written and more adult that the first book. What a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the story greatly.

Ok, I've got to say this right from the start: I loved this book, I love this series, and I think Ms. Viehl is a fantastic writer. Ever since I picked up the first book I read from this author, Blade Dancer (Excellent!!), I've been hooked. I am always so disappointed when I finish each novel as it means there's no more to read and I have to wait for the next installment. Ms. Viehl has such a rich imagination and a fertile writing style. If you're a fan of the sci-fi, space stories, this is a wonderful series to add to your collection. Give it a try and I think you'd be hard pressed to be disappointed. Please keep them coming Ms. Viehl!

I really liked that this book tied some ends together from the StarDoc series. It also finishes out "Biorescue" by continuing that story line. I had alot of trouble putting it down.

Afterburn by S.L. Viehl continues with the same quality of her Star Doc series of books. It is set in the same universe with the same aliens and revolves around a colony on a planet where intelligent life developed in the water. Most of the 'Zangians remain in the water, but some have undergone modification to allow themselves to be in the air for a short time.

This is a busy book with several plot threads intertwining, but the main plot centers around an interplanetary conference being held to discuss the possibilities for three other alien species, the Ninrana, Skartesh and the Ylidii.

Viehl deftly weaves the differing customs and needs of the various aliens as they all jostle for position and strive to get along, in some cases, or try to disrupt things in other cases. Sometimes it is a bit tough to keep track of all the different characters-- a list at the beginning of the book would have been helpful, however, once everything was sorted out in my own mind, I very much enjoyed the book. The ending was quite satisfactory, with a hint of more to come.

Wonderful story with great humor, satire and imagination about a journey through a fantastic afterlife with all the creations that ever were and ever will be.

I was curious to discover what a book about afterlife would be like in the science fiction realm. THIS book is unique! IT is a GREAT story, about a man, actually, I suppose, a soul, who is in the process of discovering himself - who he is, and what life, the universe, and all creation is all about. He finds out in a cleverly written story if his journey through afterlife - his "afterworld." It is a reality filled with bizarre ceatures from all times and places that ever were, and will be, all of whom enter this incedibly enormous universe, perhaps billions of times larger and more complex than our own, and where travel is by unque vehicles which are divinely powered, as if by magic, and cover the enormous distances involved in afterworld reality. The creatures Gary Townsend (the main character) meets are unique, enjoyable, and satirize in often comic style all man's social customs, religions, and traditions - for here, in afterlife, there are none. Often thought-provoking and humourous, the drama is always enjoyable and fascinating, as we trek through the mind of an author with an incredibly inventive bent. I recommend it highly to anyone who loves sci-fi or fantasy, or who wants an enjoyable, creative read about a place we all have some idea about when we leave here.

A scintillating look at a man's afterlife, which begins as you open the book. It traces the "afterworld" experiences of an unbeliever as he tries to sort his way through his afterlife with a variety of humans, aliens, bizarre worlds and forms of transportation, and it delves into the MANY questions everyone has about what there is after this life. It does so with occasionally tongue-in-cheek humor, and a good amount of satire in poking fun at our religions, customs, and institutions, through the eyes of the many different life forms the main character encounters. It is about this man finding a purpose, even in afterlife, in finding himself, and finding out who else there might be to share it with. This is an extraordinary and imaginative look at a usually untouched subject, and told in an engaging, informative, and poignant fashion. It is an afterworld that we all might wish to attain someday, but if not, it certainly is fun and interesting to look at this one!

I was hesitant to buy this book, since a novel on one's afterlife, or Afterworld, as the author has it, seemed like it might not be too interesting; but I'd heard about it as decent sci-fi/Fantasy, and wanted to read it. BOY, was I surprised!! It is a very clever trek through one man's afterlife, which begins on page one, and takes you through a highly imaginative super universe far bigger and infinitely more complex than the one we now know. We meet a variety of strange characters, many of whom humorously satirize people and political or religious concepts we have, stranger places, and an intersting story of this "doubting-Thomas" main character, Gary. We onder how it will work out for him - after all, he has FOREVER in this place, and all the people to meet that you would ever want to. The author endeavors to pop many cultural and religious myths with tongue-in-cheek style, while uilding a story that grabs you, because, I guess, we all hope there is something positive to look forward to in everyone's afterworld. Gary's is interesting, and he becomes a major afterlife figure in "afterworld future history" by being exactly who he is. Ultimately he finds purpose, love, friendship, and a meaningful place in the universe! Very uplifting and enjoyable.

What a great concept! It's like taking Dante's "Inferno", and racheting it up a notch in fantasy and satire. The first surprise is that the main character, Gary, dies in the first couple of pages. THEN his adventure begins! He phases into his afterlife, his "afterworld", the place which we see, in this ceative vision, is the logical final adventure for all types of beings from all history and all creations from the dawn of time until it's physical end. Here, in afterworld, life NEVER ends, but lays out an endless review of all the created life forms that ever were, fromall the universes God ever created. The afterlife-universe is infinitely larger than the one we know here in "prior life," and infinitely more diverse, with characters, worlds, cities, and creatures, from all the creations God has ever made - plus much more. We get to witness some of the lives and pasts of the many characters, and they are fascinating, as well as their physical appearances - everyone able to "arrive" at whatever age they chose just by thinking about it, and where they can have ANY relationship with ANY other being they choose. The limitless freedoms this novel speaks of are truly staggering, and the satire it has of the stodgy, overly-religeous types is certainly meant to be read in our times! Gary wanders through this infinitely diverse afterlife universe, trying to find meaning in his own short life (he was 32 when he arrived), and also find a relationship with someone that means something, which ultimately he does, with a most unlikely beautiful creature, who unfortunately must die again! How it all works out, and how he finds the meaning to the confusion of existence, how he fits into God's Divine Plan, with humor, and wonder, and always poking fun at our customs and mores, is what makes this novel so delightful.

A Review by Carol
This story is about a 15-year-old girl named Addy Jarrick. Her parents split up and her mom and her moved to Winnipeg. She moves into an apartment building. Addy hears voices of the old lady who used to live there. She hears these voices through a parrot named Victor who makes the story humorous. I think that this story is so great because of all of the different emotions in it. I never wanted to put the book down. You have to use your imagination to really enjoy this book. Some things that happen aren't very real but the whole situation and conflict is very good and interesting. I would recommend this book to teenagers. The feelings change throughout the book. It is sad because Addy has agoraphobia, a fear of going outside. It is also scary because she hears voices but that's what makes the book so interesting. The book was pretty easy to follow, easy to understand and very efficient. I could read this book over and over again!

Angels Turn Theirs Backs is beautifully written, and it is also fast-paced, a powerful combination for readers. It is the sensitive portait of a girl facing deep emotional problems after her parents separation. The characters are very real, while the parrot Victor offers great humor as well as important information about the past. It's also an excellent ghost story. The rich colors that fill the story are still with me a week after reading it. I highly recommend it.

This book is absolutely amazing. The moment I picked it up in the bookstore and ran my hand over its silky smooth cover, I knew at once that book was going to be great. I read it, never stopping, until I finished it. Once I did, I was awestruck. What a perfectly remarkable book! I've read it at least five times and my mother has read it too. Great book! A must read for kids thirteen and up!

I really liked this book! I read it last year...but it's still vivid in my mind! Margaret Buffie has a really good sense of words and description! I couldn't put it down!

This was an....interesting book. The story is well enough-- a 15-year old girl (Addy Jarrick) is sent all to the way to Edmonton (much to her dismay) when her parents split up and her mom pursues a film making career. Tending to spend a lot of time to herself, Addy isn't exactly one to write the book on making friends, so her first day at school wasn't exactly that enjoyable. Later in the book she develops agoraphobia --- a strong fear of going outside.

Yeah, that's basically the whole plot. Though a little..er.. simple, Ms. Buffie pulls it off with a various assortment of characters. The characters are mostly humourous, if not sometime moody, but somehow I felt the book lacked a sense of reality. I mean, Sean was a little too cocky and Addy a little pessimistic.

But, just because I pointed out some bad parts doesn't mean this isn't a good book. I found it strangely colourful (even if it isn't truly realistic) and well, your typical happily ever after ending story(kind of). So all in all, this book is worth a read!

My daughter never reads anything she doesn't have to. But she loves these books. She now owns every one of them and is enjoying reading through them. I would like to thank the author for creating these interesting characters and story lines. I would also recommend them to any parent interested in encouraging their child to read.

I think this exciting series should be puplisised so more kids like me can read them and more should be said about THE ANDALITE CHRONICALES and MEGAMORPHS.

I don't have every book in the collection, but I've read them all. Every book is very interesting and keep me want more. I think Miss Applegate hit it big with this series and I hope she continues with the series or starts another one similar to it. The only thing I'm not happy about is the fact that I can't find some of the books (#4,5,6,8,14 and Megamorph 1 & 2). When I want to re-read them I have to go to the library. I hope you can help me with this problem. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

I love the series. It is great. It's about an alien race trying to take over the galaxy. It's funny, entertaining, and an overall great series. Sometimes I just sit in my room for hours ready my Animorphs books. I have all of them. I have up to #27 in the series, the Megamorphs #1-2, and the Andalite and Hork-Bajir chronicals. I am writing my own Animorphs books. I have also designed my covers. I encourage everyone to read the series.

My daughter never reads anything she doesn't have to. But she loves these books. I'm very thankful to the author for creating this series. She now has every one of the books and is enjoying reading through them. I would recommend them to any parent who wants to encourage their child to read.

The Aphorisms of Kherishdar is a slim, beautifully illustrated and constructed volume of 25 "incense stories" each of which is built around an aphorism penned by the main character, a Calligrapher who serves Civilization. The Civilization in question is not ours, nor is the Calligrapher human (in fact, he has a tail) but the aphorisms foster an interdependence of beings that our culture sadly lacks. The stories, each less than 2 pages long, are beautifully written and transport the reader to an amazing world described so clearly you can almost smell it. And each of them stays with you for days -- hence the term "incense stories". I have found myself reading the volume over and over again.

As the other reviews have touched on, the Aphorisms can make readers think, look at their own lives, examine their own assumptions, and find soul-touching truths.

One can also simply enjoy the snapshots of alien life and culture, and the marvelous color illustrations! When each story is but a page or two, it can make excellent "quickie" reading for when one doesn't have time to take longer.

You'll probably wind up going back when you *do* have the time, but the prose neither requires intense study, nor forces unwilling illumination upon the reader. Read it for pleasure, then read it again for the questions it raises and suggestions it offers. It can be enjoyed on many different levels.

I'll confess up front that I have an online friendship with this author. That in no way diminishes the lessons that can be found in this book. Each aphorism is short, no more than two pages. Yet each offers an insight into the culture of the Ai-Naidar and in to our own lives as well. They give you something to reflect on, and the art work is, per usual, top notch. Read her, read her, read her! Then go to her website:
http://www.stardancer.org

On the surface, the Ai-Naidar are as unlike us as day is to night...but dive deeper, and in the depths you'll find thoughts that resonate with you as far as the way things could be and perhaps, should be. There is so much we can learn from them, about community and belonging and love and how to cherish life and those around us.

If this book doesn't make you think, you're missing the point. It's easy to dismiss it as fantasy/science fiction if you're not a lover of said genres, but you'll be doing yourself a disservice. It's so much more than a peek into an alien society on another world.

In truth, it's a sacred text, it's philosophy, and it's food for the brain. Read it, enjoy it, let it open your mind to thinking in new ways.

It's a spare little book, less than 60 pages - but I found the reading took as long as any full-length novel, as the pages were as much about provoking internal reverie on the part of the reader as what was going on to the characters within the pages.

It is about structure, and belonging, and community - within a very well-defined set of boundaries, and the member of such an ordered society.

Then you get full-color art as well.

A lovely, lovely book - I'm looking forward to more.

This was the fourth Angel book that I've read. So far, it's the first that really seemed to capture the characters and the spirit of the show. According to the blurb at the back, this is only Passarella's second novel (and his first solo attempt), but surprisingly it reads like it was written by a seasoned pro. The dialog is realistic (okay, Angel uses a few too many puns during the battle scenes for my taste, but a small flaw in an otherwise fantastic grasp of the character), the fight scenes intense and the plot well thought out. If you're an Angel fan who is unhappy with the quality of some of the tie-in books that you've read, here is one that is sure to please.

Joss Wheddon's "Buffy" and "Angel" both have morals to go with the adventures. In this case it is a warning of who you're talking to on the internet. How many people have a picture of some handsom man or beautiful woman, and then when you meet they end up either not being who or what they said they were, or an extreamly dangerous stalker type. But this story was also faithful to the series with spot on charactizations. I really liked the part where Cordy meets the demon in the bar, and she sees him as Doyle. It is also a rousing adventure, fast paced and exciting, any "Angel" fans will love it.

Loved it! Fans of the TV show will definitely enjoy this novel. At some points it kind of grossed me out, but I couldn't stop reading because I enjoyed at the same time. Highly recommend.

Elliot Grundy has made a deal with a demon. In return for everything he desires Elliot will help the demon to complete a ritual that will allow it to be reborn. Using Internet chatrooms, the pair are luring unsuspecting men and women into meeting with the demon, disguised as the victim’s ideal date. However, little does the demon know that an ancient cult seeks to posses and control it for their own purposes…

When Doyle’s visions lead Angel to the scene of a murder, he discovers that a man has been attacked by a demon that leaves behind nothing of the victim except for their skin. It soon emerges that this is not the first attack and that both men and women from all over L.A. are being targeted. The victims seem to have nothing in common, and the description of the attacker differs in every case. Angel has no idea who or what this demon may be.

“Avatar” was a fast-paced, enjoyable read. John Passarella manages to capture the characters exactly as they are in the TV show and ultimately produces an original, entertaining novel that maintains your interest throughout. There is no pause in the action and “Avatar” is one of the best of the Angel or Buffy books I have read so far. I recommend this book to all Angel fans.

There is a killer stalking the streets of Los Angeles, one sucks the essence from his victims leaving an empty husk. The only thing the victims have in common is the manner of their deaths and their link to the Internet. An Internet savvy demon is the last thing that Angel thought he would have to deal with - but you never say never in his line of work. As he tries to track the killer he is unaware that he is not the only one hunting the killer. A cult is on the trail too, but they plan to bind the demon. Now Angel is in the way - and they don't like that.

There are some authors for series like Angel and Buffy that make you feel like they are sitting inside their world. You get that feeling from John Passarella - it really feels like he has spent time with Buffy and Angel and really gotten inside their heads. The storyline of this novel is both gripping and seamless. It could have just as easily been an episode off the series. I agree with other reviewers here that Passarella compares really well to Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder and I can only hope that he writes more in the series.

This book is awesome if you are a batman fan. It has four of his early story including his origin. This book also has the origin of the joker and catwoman. This book do not include the very first batman appearance story.

The BATMAN ARCHIVES VOLUME ONE, the first and thickest volume of the series,reprints the stories that appeared in DETECTIVE COMICS 27-50, covering a nearly 2 year period (1939-41)BATMAN begins (ouch!) as a series about a "winged", vampiric avenger of the night who is pursued by the police for his vigilanteism, but after the appearance of Robin, the Boy Wonder, he starts to resemble the "Caped Crusader" who was portrayed on television by Adam West. Although none of the popular villains appear in this volume (except the Joker's single appearance performing a "death serenade") it does contain my favorite period of the Dark Knight's publishing history...the very beginning, when the Bob Kane Studio produced the stories, with minimum involvement from the DC Comics editors.

Generally, like some of the newspaper strip cartoonists of the period, Bob Kane had a staff. He had his own writer (BILL FINGER,whom many feel is The Batman's unofficial "co- creator")as well as art assistants who would help him with inking and lettering. During this period, the staff was restricted to SHELDON MOLDOFF, JERRY ROBINSON (the Creator of the Joker concept)and GEORGE ROUSSOS. Future JUSTICE LEAGUE writer GARDNER FOX does make an appearance, temporarily substituting for Mr. Finger,where he contributed the BATGYRO (precursor to the BATPLANE) and the UTILITY BELT to the bat-mythos. But the stars of this edition are BOB KANE and BILL FINGER at their very best...

As far as plotting went,apart from wanting certain things to appear in a script they talked over, Kane generally gave Bill Finger free reign. After Mr. Finger began working directly for DC, he recieved greater editorial supervision which led him to concentrate on plot development. Now, while this yielded more interesting stories, it was at the expense of his rich prose that he either voluntarily or was forced to streamline.In the stories found in BATMAN ARCHIVES VOL ONE,we experience Mr. Finger's work "uncut" and "unplugged", dazzling the reader with the literary acroBATics that were rare for the "Golden Age" comic books. Bob Kane generally wanted the series to have mystery and action and there is PLENTY of that here!

As for the distinguished Mr. Kane, it has been said that he was merely the figurehead and the art got better after others started drawing the series; I have never agreed with this. The art got slicker--not "better". Bob Kane was first and foremost--a cartoonist and he never forgot that. Inspired by movies,pulp magazines and other cartoonists, Kane exhibits in this book, a bravura spirit that dared to try anything, often going beyond his skill level to give his drawings a sense of drama and action that influenced the many who followed him. From the heady spookiness at the beginning of the book, to the "derring do" in the second half, in his storytelling, Kane understood what we readers wanted and he made sure we got it!

If you want to see more of the famous villains, give the DARK KNIGHT ARCHIVES a looksee. But if you want to see how a legend (and a franchise) was born, then you've just got to have BATMAN ARCHIVES VOL. 1! CAUTION: THE READING OF THIS HANDSOME VOLUME WHILE EATING PIZZA OR POTATO CHIPS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITIVE!

I strongly suggest you read the other reviews because they give great insight about this volume and how batman is depicted. I will not recount what the other reviewers have already stated, but I will give a synopsis of what to expect from this archive collection:

1. It reprints the Batman stories of Detective Comics #27-50
2. Issue #27 marks the debute of The Bat-Man and Bruce Wayne's friend Comissioner James Gordon; Batman drives a red car.
3. Issue #28 shows Batman gloveless as his costume goes through different incarnations early in the series.
4. In a two-part story, Dr. Death debutes in #29 & 30 as Batman's first recurring Bat-villain.
5. Issue #31 introduces Bruce Wayne's fiance--an actress by the name of Julie Madison; Batman utilizes the Batarang and the Bat-Gyro for the first time.
6. Issue #32 has Batman using a gun for the first time in order to shoot a silver bullet into a vampire---The Monk.
7. Issue #33 introduces the origin of the Batman for the first time and is later reprinted in Batman #1; Bruce Wayne is shown going into a secret laboratory where he stores his Bat-costume inside a trunk; The car Batman uses begins to change but is still red.
8. Issue #34 shows Batman murdering a criminal while he rescues a female hostage.
9. Issue #35 features Batman sporting a blue convertible.
10. Issue #36 marks the debute of Professor Hugo Strange and his perverted interest in torture as he brandishes a whip against the bound and suspended Batman.
11. Issue #37 shows Batman's car changing once again, but maintaining the blue hue; Batman dons night-vision gogggles; a promo for a Professor Hugo Strange story is promised next issue, but is printed in Batman #1 instead.
12. Issue #38 spotlights "The Sensational Character Find of 1940... Robin-The Boy Wonder!"
13. Issue #40: Batman and Robin meet Clayface (Basil Karlo) and try to solve this murder mystery before he kills Julie Madison.
14. In what is considered Robin's first solo adventure, Issue #41 still features Batman aiding the Boy Wonder in wrapping up the case.
15. Issue #44 features the Dynamic Duo's first imaginary story.
16. After first appearing in Batman #1, The Joker makes his return in Detective Comics #45; The Batplane is reintroduced with a new look.
17. Issue #46 brings back Professor Hugo Strange, but ends in his apparent death.
18. Issue #47: For the first time, we see Batman enter a deserted barn that leads into a secret cavern underneath Wayne Manor.
19. Issue #48 houses Batman's car (now red again) inside the deserted barn.
20. Issue #49 After acquiring fame as an actress, Julie Madison changes her name to Portia Storme and breaks off the engagement to playboy Bruce wayne. But Clayface returns and wants revenge on the actress.

This collection is simply wonderful. It contains, in a single volume, all of the earliest Batman stories from Detective Comics, many of which are difficult to find these days. Having each of these in a single book makes it well worth the price. You get the very first Batman story, the Case of the Chemical Syndicate. Also contained is the classic Batman story featuring "The Monk". Also included are early appearances of The Joker, the first appearance of Dr. Hugo Strange, the first appearance of Robin, and the first appearance of Clayface.

The writing and the art is crude by todays standards, but this was the standard of the day for Superhero comics. This book also features a different kind of Batman than most are accustomed to seeing. While he is still grim and dark, as he has been since the 1980's, the Batman featured in these stories not only takes lives, but at times seems to revel in it. He also uses firearms, and even carries a holstered pistol on his utility bet.

You also see the evolution of the batsuit. Originally, his gloves were only wriust length, and at times he did not even wear gloves. Also features are the first bat vehicles (the batplane was the first vehicle with a bat-prefix, and Batman has a variety of different cars, but none of them are referred to as a batmobile at this time.)

The stories themselves are not campy, as some might expect, but have a sort of E.C. horror and suspense tone. The stories were inspired by the pulp fiction of the era, rather than being "superhero" adventure tales.

How can anyone explain Batman's longevity? He first appeared in Detective Comics in May of 1939, and this very year, 2005, saw another major motion picture release featuring Batman (complete with sequel set-up). Apart from movies, Batman has starred in countless comic books and strips, television shows, and numerous toys and other ancillary products. America doesn't seem able to tire of this character approaching the 70-year mark. Why?

Some of the answers get revealed in this incredible archival volume containing the first Batman stories ever printed. Running from May 1939 to April 1941, readers can see the entire Batman mythology unfold before their eyes. In the very first issue we find out Batman's true identity (or, more accurately, we find out what Bruce Wayne does after the sun goes down). Not only that, Batman's dual nature lays out before us immediately. He shows no mercy to criminals as he uses the very tools they use to gain their ends: fear and brute force. In essence, Batman fights fire with fire. Running through this story is an unbearable tension: we root for Batman because he stands for justice, but he doesn't necessarily represent the law (once, when the police bust in on him he shouts "The Law!" as if he himself stood outside of it). He punches cops and security guards. He tresspasses knowingly. in short, Batman represents the "just" vigilante. Someone who has their own agenda and uses whatever means they can to fulfill it. The main difference between Batman and the criminals is that the results Batman obtains fall on the side of justice. The crooks and criminals often have stealing, kidnapping, and murder on their minds. With an equal passion, and with similar methods, Batman rushes to stop them. To top it all off, Batman does not posess supernatural powers (unlike Superman who debuted a year before in 1938). Any of us mere human mortals, given the resources and strength, could potentially become the Batman. Superman stands far outside of our current human thresholds. But Batman? Batman could live next door.

Surely the above accounts for at least some of Batman's seeming immortality. The original comics contained in this book speak volumes about the lure of the character. They have elements of 1930s drama (and sometimes melodrama, but it's the comics, after all), plenty of evil villians (some of which do seem supernatural, or who use technology to obtain their strength; Batman must be equally matched; he wouldn't carry as much fascination if he only went around beating up pick-pockets), strange murders, schemes, and plots. These stories and their corresponding artwork provide pure entertainment, and even some food for thought, even today.

Bob Kane's early artwork maintains its mystique. Though technically less proficient than the artwork of Batman's later years, Kane's treatment gives Batman an otherworldly look and feel. The extremely pointy cowel and nose, and the more angular cape make Batman look more sinister and mysterious than in later years. Batman's appearance begins to change in 1940, and then continuously morphs to the Batman look of the 1950s and 1960s. Others still continue to redefine his look, but more recently artists have returned to the early Batman's more sinister look a la Bob Kane (the Batman from the 1960s tv show looked anything but sinister).

This volume not only introduces Batman, but Robin, Commissioner Gordon, Clayface, the Monk, the Batmobile (which was originally a red-colored car of the era), the "Bat Plane" (originally called "the Batgyro"), the "Batarang", as well as the terms "The Dark Knight", and "The Dynamic Duo". Bruce Wayne's fiancee, a movie actress named Julie, breaks up with him because she wants him to "do something with his life" (a sacrifice that Bruce Wayne accepts almost to a preistly degree - don't look for too much lovin' or any sexual innuendoes in these comics). The Joker appears but not for the first time. Many milestones of comics history appear in this 300-page book.

These comics will be of interest to any Batman fan, or historian of the comics. Check it out to see how Batman really began.

One of the marks of a great writer is that the reader feels for the characters and the predicaments they find themselves in and the feeling of anticipation at what is coming next. The tales within this book are depicted in such a way that you truly believe that you live in these worlds. Also the author wastes no time getting to the excitement and drama in each tale. Woven between these fantastic stories are poems that have to be read to be appreciated. There's nothing quite like them. This is why it was such an honor to be asked to create the cover art for this collection. Phil McCall is truly second to none and is definitely worth checking out.

I love the book! I love to read fantasy themes more than any other, but unfortunately do not have the time I used to. With "Before You Imagine, Forget All You Know", I can spend time reading as little or as much as I want in one sitting. It is the perfect coffee table book for me!

This is a great book and I am so mad that i have to wait for others to come out to read more about Adaxxis...

You will see what I mean...

Once I started I could not stop reading it until I was finished. great poems and fanatsies stories and I cannot wait till the next one.

The stories and poems in this book put an exciting and refreshing twist to the fantasy genre. Very creative. Looking forward to hearing more about Belladonna and Adaxxis. Keep it coming.

I have been looking for this book EVERYWHERE! My problem was that I didn't remember the title correctly. I first read this book 13 years ago when I was 12. I remember Just falling in love with it. the next 3 years I would go back andre check it out several times. I know it is probably a simple read for me now, but its one of those books that I loved so much, I memorized the whole story.
I love the characters and their special bond with each other. In the beginning, you get to see how normal they are. they're just teens with the normal stresses of other teens(except for the prince who has to deal with all the pressure that brings)
and its interesting how their"episodes" just become a normal part of life. I could go on and on and basically retell the story, so all I will say, is that it is an easy read that you won't be able to put down.

Connie ("I hate Constance") Hendrix and Rudolph (Rudy) - the crown prince of the ficticious Thulgaria - were born at the same moment, with brain waves that are nearly identical, though this is theoretically impossible. These similarities, besides making them the best of friends, even across vast distances, also give them the special gift of sharing their minds by telepathy. It was during one of these involuntary sharings that Connie is witness to Rudy's kidnapping and is the only one who can help him.

Although the plot is fantasy / sci-fi in nature, just about anyone will enjoy this wonderful story. In fact, I think this is probably the first fantasy book that I read. Hmm, and ten years later I'm still reading it! Definitely a must read!

I read this book as the mother of an advanced reading 8 yr. old and was very pleased to see a book with action and adventure WITHOUT the sex, swearing and other things so many today think is necessary to tell a story. I'd like to write the author personally to thank her!

it was pretty short, but completely aweseom! i enjoyed every words of it. Connie and Rudy are so neat. i loved the idea of sharing minds! DEFINATELY RECOMENDED!!!!!!!!!

One of the many books that pushed me into enjoying the science fiction genre. The concept for this book is incredibly original and really appealed to me when I was younger and still appeals to me many years later.

This story alternates between the point of view of the two main characters - Connie, a typical American teen and Rudy, the crown prince of a small (fictional) European country. They share a secret bond that no one else is aware of - they suffer headaches and fainting spells, but when one passes out they enter the other's mind and share what they see and hear. The 'visitor' cannot communicate with them, but the 'awake' teen is aware of the other's presence in their mind. Both guard their secret relationship fiercly until one night Rudy is kidnapped while Connie is 'with' him and she has to convince her family, and his, so that she can help to rescue him.

Connie and Rudy are both extremely well developed characters. The plot is well developed and keeps the reader involved to the very end.

Something about the idea of occasionally co-existing with someone from so far away and sharing a relationship that is so close and so private is really appealing, despite the problems it caused the main characters. Every kid wants a friend who truly understands them and this is a great manifestation of that desire.

I can scarcely imagine an author who has done a better job of creating a world that is as meticulously researched, historically accurate and heartbreakingly tragic. This series is an installment in a prolonged effort by Kurtz and this first book is splendid. Depicting the start of the reign of a young King, newly come to power and his struggles to become who he wishes and not what others would have him be.

The author writes with such expertise in depicting the world and conditions that the characters live in, that you are truly there. It's gritty and dark and entirely realistic. The characters are flawed, but that is the beauty of the craftsmanship because they are all the better for being something other than the infallible heroes that so often bedeck this genre.

The author's depiction of the role of Church, politics and intrigue are flawlessly intertwined. The very title of this book is controversial enough to pique the interest of any student of human history. I really enjoyed that she so closely emulates what really happened, but still blends in the fantastic and sets it some place other than our world.

Prepare to be entertained and educated, but make the effort and take the time because this is what we all hope to read and so seldom find.

"The Bishop's Heir" is one of my favorites in this series -- fantastic writing; wonderful, well-developed characters; adventure; intrigue; brotherhood; loyality; friendship; sacrifice; and some humor thrown in for good measure. Who could ask for more?

What an amazing work! So many different things for so many different characters were developed in this book, and I couldn't have been more pleased.

This is the first of her books that I ever read. I found her description of ritual to be very moving. Enough so, that I gained better insight into the attraction of religion.

She has created a world not dissimilar to Europe around the time of the dark ages. Reading one of her books makes you see the history of Europe with new eyes and interest. An added bonus for your kids who are just getting up to that section of history. She delves deeply and to great effect into the politics of a kings court.

I say 'undiscovered', because it is difficult to find her books in the library or at the book store, you can generally pick up one or two somewhere, but not the whole collection. However, those that know her writing, seem to always want more. Our local library has four of her books - all of which have been stolen from the library. While a pity, certainly she has a following.

I don't think she writes with a master plan, book 1-book 10 of a series. Instead she seems to write about something, and then explore what happened before that to this character, or after to that one, or 'between' events. Makes is difficult to get a linear progression of a story, but then history is like that.

Anytime I run into one of her books at the bookstore, I buy it.

I can easily describe Katherine Kurtz The Bishop's Heir in one sentence: Brilliant. This novel, which is book one of the three part Chronicles of King Kelson, is absolutely brilliant. Kurtz weaves a rich tapestry of intrigue and war all set in an alternate reality.

The plot of the story is strong, which is typical of a Kurtz novel. She obviously is well read on medieval History (M.A. in Medieval English History) and religion, which adds a depth to this novel that most fantasy authors could only dream of achieving. Rather than take the worn out theme perfected by Tolkien (and then worn out by subsequent copy cats) she devises a plot based around the desire for power and combines it with racism and genocidal desires (themes from our own time).

No review of this novel would be complete without a discussion of Ms. Kurtz's use of religion to drive the plot. Something most fantasy novels simply brush over is the religion of the characters involved. If, and that's a big if, religion is mentioned, it's usually some bland form of paganism similar to just about every other fantasy novel out there. Not this one. The use of the Catholic Church, along with it's heirarchy of nuns and priests, bishops and monks, gives these books a depth I've not seen in a fantasy novel since, perhaps, the master himself. Like the Lord of the Rings, The Bishop's Heir reads like a great historical novel, rather than a half baked fantasy.

If you are yearning for a good fantasy with some magic, lot's of plot, and well written characters, you've come to the right place.