Science Fiction and Fantasy Books

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.

Jonah Black is a total babe! He has done it again. I am truely a Black fan.This book is better than the first one. Jonah is a sex god and my hero! I've got all his books!I hope that you will buy them! I really cant tell you a summary on the book because i wont be able to stop. Trust me this book is worth 5 stars!

This book is a great book about a teenager dealing with normal teen problems. He goes through a lot of stuff in this book and one of them is that he has to repeat 11th grade. He also just wakes up from a BIG accident that almost killed him. He also gets the girl,(if u read the first book)and Sophie finally calls him. How is he going to juggle them? This is extreme pressure on him, dealing with other teen things. He also does a lot of daydreaming and fantasizing. It is a great book and i suggest all teens to read this book.

I didn't like Thorne's attitude toward sex and girls (he made relationships seem like nothing - a great big soap opera or a game of some sort that he would "win" when the girl agreed to sleep with him) and wondered if he'd get Jonah to change the way he looked at girls. I was worried that book would turn into nothing more than a meaningless string of conquests that left hearts squashed in the dust. But this didn't happen. Instead of copycatting Thorne, I liked how Jonah's views stood in stark contrast to his friend Thorne's. I didn't dislike Thorne quite so much when he and Jonah found a way to continue their friendship. Exposing Thorne's nonchalant girl-hopping and then following it up with Thorne's secret (wouldn't you like to know? Read the book!) and then some of Thorne's feelings (which you'd never guess about) made the story deeper and more real. I think I have it figured out who Northgirl999 is... I wonder if I'm right? I'm worried about Jonah doing the same thing to Posie as his buddy Thorne did. Not that I don't like Sophie, but considering Jonah's fury at how Thorne treated Posie, you'd think he'd be more careful of what he's doing... Also, what is up with Posie? She jumps from guy to guy as easily and quickly as some of the guys in the story, only she has never been portrayed as a cheater. What is she really feeling? Does she really love Jonah, or if another guy came along and got Jonah into trouble with her, would she latch on to the new guy? Hhhhmmmmm...

This is by far the best book that i have read in a long time. It contains all the aspects of the life of a teenager. It is about a Junior/Senior named Jonah and its about how he goes about his everyday life and how different people influence him. He makes a lot of new friends like Posie and Sophie, and many others. The author uses great imagry to describe the characters and it almost feels like u know them personally. After i had read the first book of this trillogy i imidiately ordered the next to see what was going to happen to Jonah. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE WHO IS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 AND 17.

Yet again we meet Jonah Black and start to learn more about his life and what problems he has in it.

Jonah is just getting out of the hospital and while he is there he finds that someone has giving his roses there, at first he thinks is Cecily but later on he finds out it wasn't.

Jonah is now having to deal with the fact that Posie is going out with Thorne and he hates that. But Jonah does manage to figure out a way to get Posie and he trys to do that. All the time while he is doing that he still thinking about Sophie.

Finally after Jonah learns some shocking news about Thorne does he tell Thorne about the true reason why he got kicked out of the school.

But the true question still is who is NorthGirl999 and will Jonah ever find out.

This book is a great second book and I can't wait to dive into the 3rd and 4th ones and find out much more about Jonah Black and his life.

This book is one of the best sf books i have read in awhile. The book satarts with Max who is a great character who says absurd things for no reason at all (but they dont give a reason :( ) Max has to protect a girl named Sasha from the corpies and the greenies and the book keeps you in suspense the entire time. During the book as Max destroys everyone that tries to get Sasha and reminded me of Vin Diesel for some weird reason (maybe its the whole badass bald headed thing) Well this would be wonderful if it became a movie and i recommend it to anyone who likes science fiction.

I have no complaints about this sci fi adventure and this isn't normally my genre at all. I read this book because I like "bodyguard" stories (usually I read them from the romance section). I enjoyed the deteriorating high tech world (and solar system) that this author created. It sounded suspiciously familiar, as if it's truly just around the corner for Earth in real life. And the bodyguard, Max, was a pleasant surprise. As a "chrome dome" who'd undergone brain surgery that he doesn't remember, suffering brain damage of unknown origin, he was surprisingly self-effacing and humorous. The book is a real page-turner because you're so willing to follow Max wherever he goes. And I enjoyed the little twist in the story concerning the young woman he's guarding, a protectee who's curiously able to defend herself. I hope this author has this turned into a movie soon!

This is a really good read. It keeps you exceited the whole time. In the beginning, it seems slow, but then outta nowhere! Bang! Sasha's gone, and Max has to go after her! MKuch action and advetnure, and defintely a good story. It keeps you guessing about Max's plates. Its also funny, too, when Max messes up and says things like "001000101010101" or "And how do you know that XXX672TTT?" ot "Deederwomp." or "Gaberscam." Read it! Now!

Well, when I first started reading it, it sounded pretty cool. But the action just started out of nowhere! Bang the girl was gone. And then all the travelling and action. The characters are very interesting, especially Max Maxon, who wants his memory back. Read this book! you won't regret it.

I've been a fan of William C. Dietz's work for awhile now. And I've always thought of Bodyguard as his best. When you consider he's the creator of the incredible Legion Of The Damned series, this is no faint praise.

What sets Bodyguard apart from most science-fiction is the book's heart. I can't remember the last time I read an action-driven story (sci-fi or other) with characters as well-drawn as these. I defy anyone who picks up the book not to feel pity for the hero, Max - a one-time efficient military man reduced to scrounging for living due to a head wound. And the novel is sprinkled throughout with little character moments which set the book apart.

Most science-fiction, being plot driven, doesn't bother with defining the characters. They are just there to move the story. Not so with Dietz and certainly not with Bodyguard. It is one of the best novels I've read in years and I can't recommend it highly enough. The same goes for the rest of Dietz's work especially Where The Ships Are and, of course, the Legion Of The Damned series. Bodyguard is a great read!

If only Ms. Bull would write more! Lots and lots more. A stunner of a book, with a premise that at first looks well-used but then turns out to be stranger than you can imagine. And really, really GOOD. The language is amazing, the characters real and intriguing, and every time I finish this I want a sequel. It should be back in print--if The Secret Country trilogy is freshly on the shelves, why not this?

"Bone Dance" is a really great thought provoking book. It's set in a near future post-apocalyptic Minneapolis, and for quite a while it's unclear if the narrator of the book, Sparrow, is hiding something about a mysterious past, or if memories of the past have been obliterated through nefarious means. It's hard to describe, but an amazing read even for those who aren't a fan of sci-fi or futuristic books. I would definitely suggest tracking down this book to read or give to others.

Ms. Bull does not have very many titles to her credit, but each one of them is very unique, very different from the average run-of-the-mill fantasies that clutter up the bookstore shelves.

Bone Dance starts with a post-nuclear setting, but rather than a world of deserts and a civilization blasted back to stone-age technology, here we still have cities, electricity, even full-flavored showings of old movies and music clips intertwined in the best traditions of artistic DJ's. Of course, the infrastructure that produced the technological goodies needed to do such shows no longer exists, thereby providing employment for Sparrow, our first-person narrator, as he is one of the few that still has the necessary knowledge of electronics to repair this gear when there are the inevitable breakdowns.

Sparrow has a problem, however, of having `blank' spots in his memory, times when he can't remember what he did or where he went, only knowing that where he woke up is far from when his last memory says he was. Finding out the answer to these blank spots involves tarot cards, the Horsemen, the dictator of the city, a search for revenge on the person who helped instigate the nuclear war, hoodoo magic, and a cast of very well realized characters. Each of these characters have their own pasts and problems, and they all grow and change considerably during the course of this book's action. Some of the action is very `unpretty', almost gross, but provides a strong line of plot thread that well illuminates one of the main thematic points here, of the importance of friendship and community and that the means to find these things involves baring your soul a bit to others. The odd meld of magic and technology here is refreshing, with some interesting descriptions of the meaning behind the various tarot cards, something I don't normally subscribe to, but Ms. Bull makes them an integral part of the plot, and here it works well.

A strong book with a taut plot that is not telegraphed, highlighted by characters that are very different but quite recognizable, a setting and a group of ideas that are not just a rehash of stuff seen hundreds of times elsewhere, all are very good. I had some quibbles with some of the minor characters not being presented with enough force to make them memorable when they reappear after fifty page gaps, and I found some of the descriptive work either over- or under-done, sometimes leaving me floundering about just what the scene was or wishing she would get on with the story. These are definitely minor quibbles, however, as the general prose is quite adequate, the story line engrossing, the main characters real. Recommended for all those readers who are tired of crumbling castles and yet another dragon quest.

--- Reviewed by Patrick Shepherd (hyperpat)

"Bone Dance" (along with "Falcon") has got to be one of my favorite all-time books. Emma Bull is an amazingly gifted storyteller with a sure, deft touch. If you haven't yet discovered her, you are in for a treat: complex characters, layered plots, detailed world-building, humor, and, above all, a compassionate yet clear-eyed understanding of human weakness make this an outstanding story, which, in my opinion, far exceeds "War for the Oaks" (perhaps her best-known work.) While "Oaks" is a delightful story, it is in "Bone Dance" that Bull really hits her stride. If you like Lois McMaster Bujold, Diana Wynne Jones, or Tanith Lee, then you will probably like Emma Bull too. This is a book that will haunt you long after you put it down.

If life held any justice, Emma Bull would be at least as famous and as (presumably) wealthy as Neil Gaiman. Anyone who enjoys his writing will positively revel in hers.

'Bone Dance' first caught my eye as a library book almost ten years ago and it was with vast happiness I bought a used copy from Amazon last summer. And really, it's the PERFECT book to read around St. John's Eve.

The protagonist is Sparrow, a mysterious but deeply engaging character with a shadowy past and a sudden tendency to black out, only to later meet characters who seem to know more about these episodes than poor Sparrow does. The greater plot concerns the Horsemen, supersoldiers created by a now-defunct U.S. government who had no bodies, gifted with the ability to seize any host body and destroy its owner's mind. Sparrow and friends (Sherrea, Theo, and many others, all finely and absorbingly drawn) are now living in a world after the Horsemen caused a nuclear holocaust, where folk magic has new credence and technology is precious.

I can't decide which I like better: the plot(which is dynamite), the characters (all of whom you'd love to spend time with), or the prose itself (witty, sparkling, and apt to make you lose whole hours while reading it). I generally don't go in for a lot of cyberpunk beyond William Gibson, simply because it's usually too invested in its own tragically hip and fiercely cutting-edge coolness to actually entertain the hapless readers who find it, but this is pure quicksilver magic. I'd give it ten stars if I could.

This one is a keeper. I've read it twice, and I'm holding on to it to read again someday.

This novel was my first exposure to the Bureau 13 books, and I went on to collected the others after reading it.

Many writers take a couple good ideas and reveal them slowly in a story. You're often left feeling short-shifted until you find that the writer was simply saving additional ideas to miserly hand out in future novels.

Not Nick. In this tail, he starts the concepts flowing and doesn't stop until the final page. He does this with the confidence that he'll simply come up with new ideas when he goes on to write future stories.

Bravo.

I enjoyed the first book and was surprised to see me in the next two (no, I'd never run the games with him). Definately a cousin of X-Files and MIB and would be a great movie. If you like his stuff, you should look for more under his other aliases: Nick Smith and Jack Hopkins (there are more, but even I can't keep track of them all )

I'm a huge fan of gaming novels and this one series is at the top of my favorites list. If you ever wanted to read a novel of a great gaming session this series has that in spades. I, too, find this one even better than the first book (though the still out of print third book "Full Moonster" is my all time favorite). If you've read the Crimson Skies novels or the Dragonlance Chronicles than you know what I'm talking about. That sense of action and adventure you ususally only get by playing the damn game yourself.

Do yourself a favor and sit down and enjoy this fun read.

Studying to become one of America's defenses against the paranormal, federal agents at the Bureau 13 Academy are thrown into the real world when a mysterious enemy lets loose every monster the Bureau ever had captured. And that was only to cover up the real crime...

Wow. These just keep getting better and better. I really didn't think Mr. Pollotta could top the first book, BUREAU 13, but he did it in this one. The big fight at the secret jail was funny and exciting (yes, I did recognize most of the monsters used), and the vampire football team was the most hilarious thing I ever read. And the terrible events at the motel had my heart pounding. For Fantasy humor novels, these have some really scary scenes in them. With things like BLADE and X-FILES on the big screen, why haven't these wonderful books been made into movies yet? Any chance there is a Bureau 13 fan club out there on the web?

This is currently my four year old's favorite, favorite book. The art is great & the storyline has kept him riveted for nearly a month now. If you enjoyed comics as a kid or even an adult, this book is a great way to introduce the format to your little one!

This is one of our favorite books! After checking it out multiple times from the library we decided this was one we just had to own. The illustrations are beautiful and detailed. The story holds up to many, many readings and is told with humor and just enough suspence to keep my boys (4 & 6) rivetted without being really scared. Our favorite parts are the cliffhanger pages that end with Captain Raptor in peril and the question "Is this the end of Captain Raptor?" My boys shout NO! as we turn the page to see his exciting escape from danger.

My 4 year old loves this book ever since his grandpa brought it home from the library. We have read it probably 100 times and he has the whole thing memorized! In this day and age when young children are exposed to way too much violence and fighting at a young age, this book provides an exciting adventure without that stuff....noone dies, even though there are "weapons" there is no violence, there is nothing too scary, and all the "dangerous" situations get resolved quickly. It's a witty book that is fun to read and has a great twist with the "aliens" being human. The two species are helpful and kind to each other. We love it. I sure hope Captain Raptor will have another adventure...the ending leaves the possibilities wide open! Well done!

My 3 year old loves dinosaurs and space so this book seemed like a no brainer. However, I was very surprised to see such sophisticated comic book style artwork in a book for children. The writing was cool because it will remind parents of the original Star Trek and that only makes it more fun to mimic the Trek cast and dazzle your child with "your" ingenuity.
At first I read the book in installments, every couple of pages has a cliffhanger like an episode of the live-action Batman series, so that we wouldn't be overwhelmed by the long story before naps. But he quickly caught on that the story would continue if he helped me turn the page. He immediately started requesting the story for almost every nap & bedtime placing this great book in his top 5.
Hope to see more from this author & artist!

My five year old son LOVES this book. He's a HUGE Star Wars fan and adding dinosaurs into the space mix is a no fail combination for him. It's such an intelligent and original children's book--I just can't say enough about it. The book is written a bit like a comic book but much more readable for a younger crowd. It's such a fun read--I definitely don't have that "Oh boy, not THAT book again" feeling when he reaches for it for the 800th time. I hope this turns into a series!

Carnival at Candlelight is an awesome book. It takes place in Venice, Italy, 260 years ago on the night of the annual Carnival celebration. It starts out when Jack and Annie recieve a note from Merlin that says they have to save the Grand Lady of the Lagoon from a terrible disaster!

When Jack and Annie get to Venice, they travel to the Carnival in a gondola. Then they walk around and get into trouble from guards and go up flights of stairs, look at maps, and see statues, all the while thinking about their crazy mission. It isn't making any sense!

They go out into Saint Mark's Square and look in their research book for help. The note from Merlin says to find a tower with two men and a bell, climb it, and get on a king of a jungle. Wandering in the crowd, they spot the tower and race up it. Then they spot the lion and use one of their magic rhymes to make the lion come to life. Then they go out over the sea to spot Neptune, the god of the sea.

They learn that the Grand Lady of the Lagoon is Venice, Italy, and they have to save it from a flood. They spot Neptune and tell him to stop the flood. He does and their mission is over.

I am just a kid, but I recomend this book for any fans od the Magic Tree House series. I got this book for Easter of 2005 and read it that day and enjoyed it.

Magic Tree House #33: Carnival at Candlelight is the book for young readers.

I think the author, Mary Pope Osborne, states things clearly in her books and the pictures explain them better. Mary Pope Osborne, in my opinion, is the best author in the world.

Want to hear a book that's really cool? Well, the book Magic Tree House Carnival at the Candle Light will do the trick! This book is amazing. It's about two Aencheris kids Jack and Annie who goes to Venice to save a mysterious person the Grand Lady of the lagoon. But, once they found out about that person it wasn't what they had expected! Jack and Annie figured that this job was getting harder and harder.

Jack and Annie have some wild stuff happening in this wacky book. That's why I'm telling you to read this book! What I most really like about this book is when Jack and Annie said a spell and got to ride on a Golden, shinning, flying, lion. That part was Awesome!

I would recommend this book to someone who loves and who totally enjoys mysteries, because this book has spells, a mystery, and Magic stuff. Well, that's all. I hope you will adore this book.

Mission: to save the Grand Lady of the Lagoon. Place: Venice Italy. When: 260 years back in time on the night of 'Carnival'.

Jack and Annie of Frog Creek are off again on a new mission in the Merlin Series #33. Odds of surviving a dungeon: Fair to Good... i.e., if the 'book of magic' has something to help them, and Merlin's apprentices Kathleen and Teddy, too.

Mary Pope Osborne never fails to create magic in her stories, with backgrounds of historical places, and supporting the suspense that follows Annie and Jack as they follow the instructions in a letter from Merlin -- "...When waters rise beneath the moon,/Visit the Grand Lady of the Lagoon." The heroes meet grouchy guards, a son of a famous painter, climb the Giants' Stairs, fly the sky on a Golden Lion, and meet Neptune.

Osborne visited Venice and of the city she writes: "...no photographs can truly do Venice justice. No notes or diagrams can truly capture her. Venice lives best in memory, stirring the deep waters of the imagination."

Other Recommendation: Night of the New Magicians by Mary Pope Osborne

Carnival at Candlelight is a funfilled book. It all starts when Jack and Annie of FrogCreek has the same dreams. (Which was sent by Teddy and kethleen). They decide to go to the TreeHouse
and finds teddy and kethleen fast asleep. 'Then later they wake up and they said that they will not be going with them on their adventure.' 'Oh No!' Said Annie 'But what if we need your magic?' Teddy Said 'Morgon thinks that you are ready to use magic your own.''Really?' said Jack 'Yep'. Said Teddy 'But we don't know any magic.' said Annie 'Remember what I said if we work together we can do anything.' said Teddy 'Anything is possible but you just said you were'nt coming with us'. said Annie 'Thats true thats why we give you this Wow a 10 magic rhymes book!' said Jack 'Yes,they are ment to last for your four journeys.' said teddy 'Each line is in Teddy's language, and one in mine the language of the seal people.' said kethleen. my opinion is that this is a fantastic adventures book.

"Carnival at Candlelight" by Mary Pope Osborne was a delight to read. I generally don't like the fantasy genre but I absolutely love the "Magic Tree House" series. One of the things that I love about this series of books is the author's ability to blend factual knowledge with adventure and excitement. As a teacher I appreciate this ability because I believe that students will learn a lot of facts from these books plus they will be enjoying a grand adventure too.
"Carnival at Candlelight" is the fifth book in a group of Magic Tree House books called the "Merlin Missions." Jack and Annie (the main characters) have a fantasy adventure in real places in real times. In this book they travel to the city of Venice, Italy. There they discover the mystery and magic of Venice.
This book is filled with factual informations such as, "Instead of roads, Venice has waterways called canals. People glide along the canals in shallow boats called gondolas."
Not only is this book filled with adventure and factual knowledge but it also has great illustrations. The illustrations in this book make the story come alive. The illustrations really give you an idea of how Jack and Annie feel during key moments in the story.
This is a great book for second graders as a read-aloud. Third graders could read it by themselves.

Patrick Doyle's "The Castle Tower Lighthouse" is a delightful summer mystery for young readers. Patrick Doyle presents the tale of Edgar Font's Hunt for a House to Haunt (making the full title of the book a real mouthful, but a fun one). The book is fun through and through, down to a puzzle at the end for the reader to solve on their own. It's cleverly illustrated, and its tale-within-a-tale is engaging.

Doyle uses the conceit that the story has been given to him by Edgar Font, as recorded by Edgar Font's two grandchildren, Audrey and Garrett. Edgar Font is a capricious adventurer, somehow past his prime yet ready to take on anything--including his two grandchildren, who are precocious but overall _unadventuresome_ children. Edgar's answer to that is to drive them into the waters of adventure by making them integral to his summer's quest.

Edgar introduces them to the world of ghosts, as he outlines their intended journey--while not dead yet (and it's hard to imagine such a formidable person "passing on"), he wants to find a singular place to live out his eternity. The grandchildren are appropriately skeptical to begin with, but by the end of the book they're reasonably well converted--all in the span of a day.

It's a quick read, much more fluid than "wandering around the house and picking up clues" might suggest. The characters are fleshed out, for the age range, and I expect we'll learn much more about them in further installments, as they learn more about themselves. We're not told where they'll adventure to next, but there's a photograph marked, "Exploring the site for Adventure Two" in the back, and an arrow showing that it's "just over yonder". (And a glimpse at Amazon tells us that Adventure Two takes us to The Fakersville Power Station; and that that will be available July 1st!)

I heartily recommend this for the young (it's marked ages 9 and up), and the young at heart.

An enchanting story that introduces Garrett and Audrey to some pretty wondrous adventures that delivers a positive message to children everywhere. Garret and Audrey are brother and sister, and as they head to China to join their father they have no clue of the great adventure that lies ahead. The children usually stay with their aunt while their father is off on his trips as an architect but this year the children's aunt is asked to join their father for the summer in China. The children end up spending most of their time with Edgar Font, their grandfather. Edgar is on a quest of finding the perfect place to haunt when he passes away, and their summer adventures begin, their adventures will be remembered a lifetime. Their first adventure begins at an abandoned lighthouse which is full of puzzles, ghosts and mystery. As their adventure continues through the lighthouse they must rely on everything they know and the lessons that they have learned along the way to ensure they will make it out without being harmed.

The Castle Tower Lighthouse is a children's book that everyone will fall in love with no matter your age. The author writes with such skill that lights an imaginitative spark in the reader. The illustrations are absolutely wonderful and the message the story delivers is of a positive one. This is sure to be a series you will want to keep and treasure for years to come. I intend to collect each in the series for my grandson to enjoy, which I am sure will ignite another book lover in our family. I cannot wait until Edgar Font's Hunt For a House To Haunt Adventure Two: The Fakersville Power Station comes out in July. I am ready to enjoy another great adventure with Edgar Font on his search for the perfect place to haunt.

You will not want to miss the website and blog devoted to Edgar Font, they will add to your enjoyment, check them out at:

http://edgarfont.com

http://edgarfont.blogspot.com

The blogspot gives you so much informative information, which includes how the author came up with the story. Here you will find the information about Edgar Font, Audrey and Garrett. Be sure to read the top 10 questions that are asked relating to the story as you will find some very interesting facts.

The Edgar Font series is highly recommended for everyone. It has been such an honor and a pleasure to be able to review such a treasure that will be added to my collection to pass on from generation to generation. A message to the author: not only have you created such a great story for children, you have accomplished reaching readers of all ages with this series and need to be commended. I personally thank you, Bravo!

The author has created a treasured collection for readers of all ages!!!!!

If I told you this story began with an old man pointing the way to a secret door in a dream, what would you say? Yet, that is exactly how Patrick H.T. Doyle discovered the leatherbound journal in the attic of his home. Inside he read the most wonderful stories, each describing the adventures of a trusted grandpa and two adoring grandchildren, Audrey and Garrett. Through his imagination and incredible storytelling abilities, Doyle has delivered a new kind of adventure book, that is destined to be a favorite for young and old alike.

The last time the kids had seen grandpa was three years earlier, at their Mother's funeral. Garrett remembered his bushy moustache and that he lived in a tree house on an island somewhere. Audrey recalled the fantastic stories he had shared during their visits. How he explored pyramids in Egypt, surfed waves in Australia and climbed Mount Everest, twice. Yes, Grandpa was a true explorer. Now everyone referred to him as eccentric. Which of course to the kids simply meant he was weird. Now they would be spending the entire summer with him at his apartment in The Sterling Oaks Retirement Village. Translated into kids english - "boring, boring, and boring." But, they could not have been more wrong. This would be a summer they would never forget.

Sir Edgar Font has lived an exciting life and certainly intends to continue his quirky ways after he passes from this world into the next. So begins his search for the perfect house to haunt. The Retirement Village was filled with lonely, bored ghosts and that was no place for him. As grandpa explained his plans to his wide eyed grandchildren he was met with skeptisim and questions.
Later that night after having seen a ghost at the dinner table, they exited down the emergency steps and made their way to the "Adventure Wagon." This wagon will take us anywhere we want to go and our first destination will be the Lighthouse, grandpa told them.

The Castle Tower Lighthouse holds many puzzles, secrets, and mysteries, each waiting to be discovered. Beyond all the games there are life lessons being taught through out this book. Dealing with the loss of someone you love, like the death of Audrey and Garrett's Mother and learning to look beyond that which seems obvious, are only two of the many wonderfully woven stories that both entertain and teach. As a companion and beautifully complimenting the adventures within the book, the website offers many hours of fun and puzzle solving.

Patrick H.T. Doyle has delivered a truly new and refreshing alternative to the books currently available.This could easily be a review filled with all the raving adjectives, because each and every one has been earned. Excellent, engaging, suspense filled, action packed, I could list them all. However, it is far more important to point out that this is not just a children's book or for young adults. For all the parents out there who have searched for a great story to read to your children before bed, this is it! I have no doubt, children everywhere will be asking, "is it bed-time yet"? For all the children looking for an affordable book that is entertaining and fun, here it is! And lastly for all the adults who enjoy discovering a new author that has truly created something different, look no further, you have found it! And with the second book in this adventure series available in July, this is the perfect time to get introduced to Sir Edgar Font.

Happy Reading!
RJ McGill (3Rs)
Real Reader Reviews

I came across this book by chance, so my wife and I bought a copy for our neice. We read it first and absolutly loved it, with that said we kept the copy and bought another just for her...
We can't wait for the next adventure!!

My family and I enjoyed this book immensely. I bought several as gifts for kids (and their families) ranging from 8 1/2 to 13 years old - everyone loved it! Can't wait for the next big adventure.

Not your typical sci-fi thriller... science fiction... yes; thrilling...yes; but now add love story. Greg Shelton masterfully "involves" the reader in the evolution of this truly wonderful relationship; one which starts through simple acknowledgement of existence, but which develops into a love which spans the cosmos...but this love is not without it's challenges. This love is fraught with obstacles that make Romeo and Juliet's seem trivial. Chasing the Cosmic Wind truly grabbed my heart!

In all honesty I can say "Chasing the Cosmic Wind" is one of the most original science fiction novels I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Normally, I do not find many Authors who can combine humor into a sci-fi story with much success, however, you were able to not only make me laugh, but make my heart race, bring me on the verge of tears, and then make me laugh again over and over. When I read about the beach, it was, as if, I was standing right there on the beach. It was the same with every scene of every page, I was there. I felt Karen's fear of the shark, her struggle to believe in herself, everything she felt I felt. The same with Vogarr, Captain Richard's, and Admiral Stefan. Every character seemed so real, so true, some I began to care for, others I wanted to rip out of the book and beat them with a baseball bat. :)

Chasing the Cosmic Wind is a fantastic tale of Vogarr and his alien companions when their spacecraft crashes off the coast of Hawaii. It has a great mix of both science fiction and interstellar romance that will keep the reader involved throughout the whole novel. This is one of the most unique science fiction novels I have read in a long time. Kudos to Shelton on a fine debut in the science fiction genre!

In reading this book " Chasing the Cosmic Wind , I felt that love transcends all barriers regardless of what a being looks like. Like, Karen, I too have been lonely but in reading this book has given me hope. Being abused by her boyfriend, Karen was ready to give up. Undaunted by setbacks, Karen and Vogar do triump in their love, a well written book, can't wait for the movie.

A unique & imaginative love story--with great characters--human and alien. The reader learns a lot about the life and language of the Keelarians--and about a wonderful new diet. The writing is concise and the plot flows smoothly and quickly. I hope there really is a Vogarr out there somewhere.

Book was just as expected - delivered in timely manner - very pleased with purchase - thanks!

I bought candles and copies of the book for all my office mates as well as for my children. This Christmas eve, we opened stockings to lighted candles and read the book aloud. My three adult daughters and husbands were a little wary, but soon the story took over. In many ways, it is another version of a Christmas Carol. But the story's power and images enforce the message again, that we are all one family, sharing in the light of the special Christmas candle. The experience shared with my children will create a tradition for us...next year, they will all receive carved boxes, and we will read The Christmas Box, together.

Beautiful cover. Am saving the book for Christmas when we read a number of Christmas stories. Look forwrd to it with anticipation.

This is an excellent book. It has a wonderful message all of us, old and young alike, can use for our everyday lives. A great moral!! I recommend this for any age group.

I bought this book to read to my class as a Christmas story. This is an excellent book, but it is deep. It is a great story for upper elementary (4th or 5th grade) or even middle school. It would be an excellent book for upper elementary/middle school Sunday school class. Not to sound too much like a teacher-but it has a lot of symbolism. The pictures are extraordinary-the eyes of the people in the illustrations are penetrating and touch you down to the soul.