Studios Books

Hollowfaust is a great campaign setting. The city of Necromancers can be filled with danger and intrigue. You can also just drop it into your current campaign without an extensive rewrite. My only problem with it is that the NPC stats arent always handy to where they are listed in the text. They are in the same chapter usually within a page or two. For example: It is annoying when your reading about a temple and high priest and then have to go looking for that priest stats elsewhere. The setting is a 5 The layout is a 4. The quality of the material is a 5. So if you dont mind a minor problem with the layout this is a very high priority purchase. Not only for the Scarred Lands setting, but for any campaign.

I like this book, in that it paints Hollowfaust as a place of learning for Necromancers. Most people would think that this place is a place of evil, but it actually is not. I even used the material after I got the book in my Scarred Lands campaign that I am DMing and my players loved it. I recomend this book to anyone who is running a Scarred Lands campaign or who is interested in playing in the Scarred Lands campaign.

I've read most of the SSS sourcebooks, and in my opinion this is - BY FAR - the best DD3E product they have released. I do not use the Scarred Land campaign world myself, but I do plan on integrating this into my campaign world immediately.

Hollowfaust continues the dark theme of the Scarred Lands campaign world, but flips the stereotype of the evil Necromancer on its ear, and turns what could be a very predictable city into a unique supplement. The idea of Necromancers as somewhat benign scholars is as intriguing as it is bizarre, as are all of the attendent situations, such as undead acting as both unskilled labor and the city "protectors".

The treatment of the city, its history, adventure hooks and resident personages is detailed enough to make the city playable, but not so detailed as to overwhelm or restrict.

The prestige classes are a useful continuation to those provided in Relics and Rituals and Tome of Blood, and can provide depth to a campaign world, although for the most part I would not use them as PC classes.

All in all, I enjoyed the City of Necromancers immensely and think that anyone could use this in their world with a minimum of hassle and maximum results.

This is a really interesting setting that is intended for the Scarred Lands setting by SSS but it fit easily into my campaign and will provide an interesting twist as far as settings go. The city is a refuge and center of learning for Seven Guilds of Necromancers, yet it is a thriving city as well. That is what makes it so intriguing. The citizens are governed by the Guilds and undead help to keep the city safe. There are endless possibilities for adventure and mysterious intrigue for any campaign. The "normal" city and its interesting spots and locales are given plenty of space but the meat of the sourcebook comes from the description of the necromancers and their part in the city's history and government. The city and its environs are well detailed and there are several new spells, creatures and prestige classes that are suited for the setting that can be added to your campaign. The seven necromantic guilds and their beliefs (as well as their leaders) are profiled as well. There are several adventure hooks provided also. It is a well written supplement that will put a twist on almost any campaign that you set it in.

I've had this book for 3 years and still pull it off the shelf for occasional reference. My copy has been beaten to death from having loaned it to so many beginners because it gives a perfect walk through of the three main aspects of web programming: design, layout, and interactivity.

The CDROM itself is packed with useful tools and examples, and the writing style is at times way too entertaining for a technical book.

I owe my career to this book: this is how I took the step up from making simple home pages to planning & building professional web sites.

Thanks guys...

Excellent, well written in English, for the non-programmer. I don't have the time nor desire to "learn it all." This book was a great deal of help to me.... brought my basic site to the "next level" without having to spend thousands of dollars for a programmer.

Clearly written in plain English, a rarity in computer books. Aside from teaching design, the writers have some sense of site usability - another rarity in computer books. It was the first HTML book I read, and I have no regrets in buying it.

I think that Ian Bell very aptly describes how to use the tools of H.T.M.L. The descriptions even without viewing the cd are very concise and enable you to visualise how to. The cd helps to see how the code is written but I found Mr. Bell's writing to not need the cd to understand. Good for all levels. An enjoyable book

The pictures and verses are comforting to those who have lost a child....My book has stayed on my night table since I first received it years ago..I have just purchased my third book for other mother's and fathers who have lost a child...beautiful book

A wonderful book for anyone who has ever lost a loved one, especially if a child has passed away. I gave it as a condolence gift. The artwork is superb, and the messages are uplifting and comforting.

This lovely book is intended to comfort those who have suffered a loss, and it certainly does. Spiritual without being denominational, it offers hope and gentle wisdom through some comtemporary poetry and an assortment of lines from classic writers. The beautiful images of child angels are stunning and touching. A wonderful gift for angel lovers or for sad hearts.

This is an excellent book to give or receive! The sub-title In the light of loss - gives insight to the beautiful poems and prayers contained inside. I found this book to be of great comfort and hope. The paintings by Nancy Noel are magnificant.

This collection of poems is art on paper

Tim McNulty has truly outdone himself with some of these rare masterpieces. Possibly my favorite poem of all time is, "Coyote at the Movies," which had me laughing myself to tears. He also has some very inspiring slices of nature that give a reader a fresh appreciation of the poetry all around us. Buy this book, you won't regret it!

In Blue Mountain Dusk is one of those rarest of books of poetry, containing poems that ought to have been written, rather than poems that merely could have. McNulty is a careful poet, and the pieces in this book are the hard, clean nuggets left in the gold pan after washing and washing over and over. The love poems alone are worth the read, tender, and subtly erotic. As an observer of the natural world, this poet rates right up there with the best of the Chinese poets, or Robinson Jeffers in our own country. This is an honest poet, and these are honest poems.

Smell the rain, hear the river crashing through the canyon,go to the movies with coyote and his friends. McNultyskilfully evokes the images of life in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest and demonstrates unflinching courage and integrity as he establishes his personal vision of the natural world and man's often conflicting relationship to it

Junie B. Jones books are so funny! Barbara Park has a real talent in being able to write as if she is really a little girl... Some parents might complain about Junie B.'s "bad grammar", but the fact is that she is only a kid trying to immitate the way adults act and speak around her. Read them and laugh out loud, they're so good---for kids and for adults with a sense of humour!

My daughter, just entering kindergarten this year, adores the Junie B. Jones books! While I admit, that I'm not overly fond of the grammatical mistakes (I tend to edit while reading aloud), the books are great fun for adults as well as kids. These books have helped my daughter deal with everything from a new sibling, to the start of kindergarten. I recommend them highly.

Who is it??

Junie B. Jones got a mushy gushy valentine from a secret admirer!! Who is this secret admirer?? She went outside but she forgot her valentine . She came inside. She saw Jim taking it. She said, "HEY WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!" Did Jim give Junie B. the card??

These books are terrific for kids in a wide range of ages--mine are 3, 5, and 8, and they all love them (they are over the head of the 3-year-old, but he's still mesmerized). Amazingly, the audiobooks are even better than the print versions. Lana Quintal, whose child-like voice seems a little grating at first, stands up incredibly well to repeat (and repeat and repeat) listening. She gets the tone just right. My kids are happy listening to these tapes in the car even on those long journeys that are usually occasion for hours of complaining. Worth gold! Check out the collection of books 9-12 too; if anything, it's even better than this one.

Sei-Ann Turns a boy in to some men who are chasing him. She forgets the matter and returns to her life as a servant under the Lady Beck-Ja. Once upon a time she was not a servant, and she doesn't remember much but she knows Lady Beck-Ja calls her by the wrong name. She rails against mistreatment from the Lady until one day she meets the handsome Prince who drops a broach of a random crest at her ankles by mistake. Upon inspecting the crest the design seems familiar to Sei-Ann, but her ruminations are interrupted by the Prince's servant, the same young man she turned in to the authorities that very morning.

So begins a fun shojo title full of power struggles and intrigue. Sei-Ann is constantly trying to get the Prince's attention while escaping the mishandling of Lady Beck-Ja while the young servant, Shion, helps her achieve her goal. But when reassignment to the palace proves Shion to be more than what he appears (and Sei-Ann as well) will Sei-Ann be able to handle the new developments?

This is fun. I enjoy it, and I am not prone to Manhwa titles, because I usually find them inferior to most manga. This is great! I liked it more then I thought I would. Story is good, art is good, what's not to like? I am ordering the rest of them so I can check them out as well. I dig it.

This is a charming story with a smart and capable heroine, some good plot twists, and lots of potential.

I look forward to the second volume.

I bought this at Borders yesterday (for the full price, I might add...I could've saved a dollar if I bought it here), and I read it as soon as I got home. It starts off a bit slow, but once Sei-Ann gets to the palace, it gets much better.

This is my first experience with a Korean manga, and it took me a while to get used to because it reads normally, left to right, unlike Japanese manga (which I've grown accustomed to).

The art is very beautiful, and the story is very sweet. I wasn't expecting one of the princes to be a pedophile, though...that took me by surprise. It's kinda weird...

But other than that, it's a good read and worth the price. I totall recommend it.

Let me just start by saying I'm normally more interested in Yaoi (boy's love) manga and it's been a long time since anything of this nature has hooked me. I picked up the title randomly during my search for new manga, and I was just immediately overwhelmed with the beauty of Hee-Eun Kim's art. The cover alone is worth a study, as is the pinup on the inside flap.

As with any new series that I know nothing about, I flipped through the first couple pages at Borders to see how the translation is. Especially since this was originally Korean, it's hard to know if the English is going to be broken or just downright awful. I was pleasantly surprised; the translation is top notch.

I took it home to poke through some more...and instantly fell in love. The characters are very 3D (don't let the rags-to-riches element fool you; it's a simple tale with a romantic twist), interesting, and every page is filled with detailed art. I've never actually seen a manga this well-developed, and it's supposedly Hee-Eun Kim's first! Also, don't be fooled by the slow beginning -- as another reviewer has said, once Sei-Ann gets to the palace, the story really picks up and draws you in.

The detail in the story, characters, and art are the reasons I give this the highest rating possible. My compliments are to the manga-ka first and foremost and second to the translator, whose outdone him/herself.

Pick this one up and give it a read. You won't regret it.

Loveless is compelling, well drawn, and has an interesting theme; the power of words. I just had to make a note about the romance. There are a few kisses between Soubi and Ritsuka, the two main characters. Near the end, Soubi has Ritsuka pierce his ears(while kneeling in his lap), and it's a rather provacative scene. I loved it, but there *is* a strong element of romance. It's definately 16+, and has a very light domination/submission theme, i'd say. A delighful treat for fans of Shônen-ai.

Loveless manga is a continuation of the anime series. It's about the developing relationship of Ritsuka and Soubi, after Seimei "died", leaving ritsuka as a fighter "Soubi". Not sure his, or soubi's role in his own life, Ritsuka searches for answers conserning his brothers death, and with Soubi's help (or more like Soubi's refusal to say anything and everyone else that knows soubi saying things here and there), Ritsuka gets closer to find out the ever present mystery of what really happened to his brother, and who the mysterious two moons are.

This is one of the most awesome shone-ai manga I have ever seen!!!
I LOVE it!!!^o^

LOVELESS is a story about a young boy, Ritsuka, who's brother is killed and he'd like to find out why along with a "war craft" named Sobi. While sharing more time together, their relationship develops and they continue to find out more about the murderer. LOVELESS is kept at a decent level, having some comedy and action and can be enjoyed by many.

This is a simple story of the friendship between three men and the gifts of kindness and thoughtfulness. The illustrations are outstanding. While the concept is not unique it is told in a manner which can be appreiciated by all ages. It is my most favorite children's story. Unfortunately I lost my signed copy.

I highly recommend this book!! I read this story to my sixth grade class. They absolutely loved it. The story brings tears to your eyes. A must read for all ages!

Magical Hands is a wonderful story of a man who loves his friends. To show his friends how much he cares, he makes a birthday wish come true for each friend. He finds through this experience that giving is better than receiving...although receiving feels pretty good too! A great story to teach children that with very simple acts, they can affect others lives for the better.

This book was shared with me in one of my children literature college classes. I fell in love with the book! It is great for all ages. This book touches the heart and teaches children (and adults) how to care and love for others in an unselfish way. It teaches all to actively engage in serving our fellow man with out any thought of personal reward. It also encourages people to reach out to others and better the lives of those around us. This book is essential in teaching morals. It is a must in every home and classroom. Please reprint it!!!!

This is a book that is worth owning. It is gently written and beautifully profound. The Blessed Mother is made readily accessible in the minds, hearts and souls of all who read this treasure. It is a very enlightening and interesting book and I sincerely hope it makes a positive difference in the lives of all who read it. I really loved it.

A stunningly beautiful book! An appropriate collection of images fills this excellently designed book with lavishly colored reproductions of the life of Mary. A tribute to two of my favorite women, both who serve us as a reminder of the exceptional nature of the feminine spirit.

My husband gave me this book for Christmas and it has become very special to me. As someone who also grew up in the Presbyterian tradition, I had always felt the absence of Mary in the church. When, as an adult, I turned to a more "catholic" religion, I was finally able to embrace Mary. This book, with it's beautiful illustrations and wonderful essays is a spiritually rewarding path to Mary.

The book is an excellent purchase, but don't even think of purchasing it here because it probably won't be in stock. At least this is my experience.

I was slightly disappointed with this book, as it is really a compendum of Gifford's previous books: "A Good Man To Know," "The Phantom Father." "Wyoming," "The Stars Above Veracruz." There is very little that is actually new here. It's semi-autobiographical memoir about his childhood growing up in the south and mid-west in the absence of his father (who died when he was 12). Having said that, I liked the stories here all the same, as I am an avid Gifford reader. Reading these stories a second (or third time in my case) reminds me what a genius he is.

Most enjoyable! On a recent road trip, a friend and I listened to the entire 2-CD recording and put many a mile behind us while absorbed in the growing-up experiences of Roy, a kid in 1950s-era Chicago. People are what they are in Roy's world -- no apologies, just the facts, and Roy is watching every move. As the stories take Roy from age five to 17, what he observes and expeirences is sometimes sad; sometimes it's hilarious. It's told in Mr. Gifford's clean and direct style, and in a way that's unsentimental but essentially kind. If, as other reviewers have said, this book repeats material that is in other books (much of it autobiographical, it would seem), this is the one to get. Or maybe it's time to hear them in this context, where each story stands on its own, and at the same time all are linked in tone and chronology to form a single narrative.
Some authors are better than others at reading their own work aloud, and Barry Gifford is one of the good ones. He avoids putting an emotional spin on the material, in keeping with the unjudgmental way the stories are written. Instead, his calm, matter-of-fact tone lets the listener decide how to think about the stories.
The production is seamless. One thing I'm really curious about is the snippets of wonderful music beween the stories. They are most evocative and my friend and I agreed we'd like to hear a compilation of the complete songs. The liner notes say it's all original music from producer Oscar Bucher, so next I'll have to find some of his recordings.

I've been a fan of Barry Gifford's work since I was introduced to the beautiful "Wyoming" and "The Phantom Father" some years back. Both of these had a tone and tenderness I don't come across very often, though I read a lot of new fiction. Gifford's new collection, "Memories from a Sinking Ship", was just released this year, and if you liked the two earlier books, you'll be happy to slip back into Gifford's childhood world of 1940's and 50's America. As far as I know, this is the first time an audiobook of Gifford reading his stories has been released, but it's a great companion to the novel. For people familiar with the stories, it's a real treat to have, and if you're new to them, this is a unique introduction.

Memories from a Sinking Ship
Wyoming
Phantom Father: A Memoir
The Stars Above Veracruz
The Rooster Trapped in the Reptile Room: A Barry Gifford Reader

This collection of Barry Gifford's stories from his "Memories from a Sinking Ship," is a perfect introduction to Gifford's work and a must for his many fans. The double CD, excellently produced by Oscar Blucher, has Gifford reading his own work, a treat since we can hear the nuances of tone and timing and the continual dead pan humor straight from the author's mouth. The stories were always alive but now they seem almost to have been made to have been read aloud. Of all of Gifford's books, this is the best. We follow Gifford's alter-ego Roy as he attempts to grow up in a world that Frank Sinatra would have been perfectly at home in- gangsters, ballpayers, blues singers, hip hotels, Chicago, New Orleans, Havana, Miami, Key West, a world of loneliness, violence, and surprising tenderness. ("Say hello to Mr.[i.e. Meyer] Lansky, Roy.") Between driving around the country with his mother as she goes from one boyfriend to another, Roy sometimes attends school, but his education comes mostly from other arenas, movie theaters, hotel lobbies, Wrigley Field, cheap paperbacks and classic novels- Ernie Banks and Ernie Hemingway. Joseph Conrad and Joseph Cotten. In paintings from the middle-ages children are portrayed as miniature adults and Roy is treated this way by the adults in the stories. They confide in him, speak to him like an adult, and are forever leaving him waiting alone in theaters and hotel lobbies or at his grandma's rat infested house, while they go off to their crooked businesses and assignations. Yet somehow we see that Roy is going to make it out of this world, he will grow up on his own, and all these crazy and violent and touching street people will become a rich source of characters and life experiences for him (and perhaps for his stories if, like Gifford, he becomes a writer.) Gifford began by telling Chicago stories and we have reason to be grateful that he has come full circle, for, to paraphrase T.S. Eliot, now he knows the place for the second time. He's an excellent reader as well as writer and all I can say is: Move over Nelson Algren, Barry Gifford is back in town.