K Books

Sharon Kay Penman is incredible, again. I really liked this book. Probably not quite as good as Sunne in Splendour, but a fantastic story about real historical figures that prior to this book I had never even heard of. I empathize with some of the reviewers who indicate the book drags a little in the middle, which it does, but I think the ending makes up for it! Ultimately, this book is a great story and I highly recommend it.

Good book but too long. Begins to be more of a task to finish than an enjoyable adventure about half way through the book.

The mark of a great novelist is their ability to make you feel for the characters - their pain becomes your pain, their happiness becomes your happiness. Here Be Dragons drew me into a world of kings, princes, warriors and maidens - and made me feel for the characters, deeply. Rarely have I had such a profound experience.

The story of Here Be Dragons takes place in 13th century England and Wales, sprinkled with a colourful cast - Llewellyn the Great, King John of England, Joanna Plantagenet, King Philip of France, the fiery Eleanor of Aquitaine, to name just a few. It's not necessary to be familiar with the political context of the time, as the novel does a good job of setting the scene. The heart of the story, however, lies in the characters.

Penman is a master of believable characterization - even though we know very little of this period, she manages to create characters that are fresh, complex, endearing and truly multi-dimensional. While many a novelist would have resorted to historical clichés - John, the "evil" king, Joanna, the alienated wife - Penman casts history in a fresh light, creating personas with shortcomings and virtues, joys and tribulations.

By the time the novel ends, it's hard to rip yourself away from the people you've come to know so well. Luckily, there are two sequels in the series - Falls the Shadow and The Reckoning, both equally as brilliant.

After reading Katherine by Anya Seton I was in search of a novel in the same tradition, historical fiction, well researched and gripping.

With Here Be Dragons Sharon Kay Penman accomplishes just that.

Her descriptions of King John are incredible. He becomes human, at times a despicable human, but nontheless human, subject to the same jealousies, love, and fears as anyone else....with the added stress of ruling an empire.

The charecters of Joanna and her prince are no less colorful. Their love story was not only a real one, but Penman makes is accessible to the reader...in the same tradition as Seton. Penman likes to depict strong female charecters from history...these are real people, with extraordinary lives.

I love this book, and will return to it many times to read and read again. I'd recommend this to anyone who really wants to escape into what they are reading...and of course learn a few things along the way.

The whole series is well researched and well written!

This is not a war novel and it is not a romance novel. It is, IMO, the perfect blend of historical fiction and romance. Although the novel is centered around the true love story of Joanna, daughter of King John, and Llewellyn, unofficial Prince of Wales, there is so much more to this epic novel. You are caught up in the world Penman creates. The descriptions are so lush and vivid it's like reading a movie. I absolutely love this story and highly recommend it!

I am a divorce attorney. I order ten copies of this book at a time and give copies out to people who are hurting. You can read this book in one night, and I recommend that you read this book over again during the next days as needed.

When my own girlfriend/partner had a sudden stroke, I was devastated. One of my divorce clients who I had given this book to, told me, Gary, there is this book.... I read this book again that night, and found it to be quite helpful as I supported my Marilee with her stroke and then a painful death from cancer that was discovered.

This is an excellent book for anyone who is experiencing a loss, be it due to divorce or separation, or any other loss, such as a sudden illness of a loved one, or even the loss of your own employment, etc. Also, people who initiate a divorce are also suffering from a loss, albeit a less sudden loss. They are faced with the loss of the dream that they had when they committed to their partner.

This book walks through many of the steps involved with loss, and the three mega-stages of surviving, healing and growing.

But this book! Dollar for dollar, it will be one of the very best investments you will ever make. When you are next hurting due to an unexpected loss, read this book that day, and the next day or days as you need to. And buy a second copy of this book to give to friends who are devastated by loss.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ!! ITS SO POWERFUL FOR YOUR HEART, BODY, AND SOUL!!

This is one of the best Self-Help books ever written! Even though it is a little corny and uses bad poems, I use it every time I have had a major loss and it has served me well. It defines loss and the stages of grief, and helps you work your way through them.

My younger sister gave this to me 15 years ago when I was going through of very painful divorce. She was reluctant to give a book to me and told me so. However, the type of book it is gives you little bits of stuff to hold onto as you go through the emotional roller coaster of losing someone you love, be it from divorce or death.

I have purchsed several copies of this book over the past years to help others. There were days I didn't know how I was going to get out of bed. So, I'd pick it up and skim through it and it really made a difference.

My latest purchase was form the widower of the sister that first bought it for me. She died of leukemia at only age 50 in April 2007. I thought that perhaps if he knew she had bought this book for me, that it would also help him.

I recommend that one keeps extra copies for those times when we don't know quite what to say to someone who is hurting. This book says it for us.

This is a great book. Although a lot of the book centers around divorce, it is a great help for those who have suffered a death. Although don't get most of the poems it is a great help and makes you realize you are not going through this alone, there are people who feel the same as you.

I read this book about 25 years ago and am pleased that I am enjoying it very much again! She writes very well. In the meantime, I have becomes convinced by reading new studies of the subject, that she has the wrong guy killing the "Princes in the Tower", but she's such a good writer and builds her story and "case" very well, so I am going to enjoy it anyway!

Rather than a novel of Richard III, this book was the tragedy of Richard III. I thought the writing was incredible and engrossing. Part one was a little slow, but necessary to paint the whole picture of Richard. Overall it was a book that was well worth the time and attention. I absolutely loved it. The mystery of the princes in the tower combined with the circumstances surrounding Richard's death and his short reign as King, made this book one that will haunt me for a long time.

What a wonderful book! I know a book is great when I am sorry it has to end.

It is always a relief to find historical fiction that is not only historically accurate but also tells a great story. Very well written and entertaining.

Of course, Penman creates personalities and motives and conversations; that is the definition of fiction. But she does it well within the bounds of the facts. You may disagree with her, and that's okay, because she will make you think about why you disagree with her. I love fiction that makes me think and makes me want to learn more about the characters and their lives.

A notable point about Penman is that she does have historical "sense." Her characters exist in their time, not ours. That is so often not the case in historical fiction (the dreaded Philippa Gregory comes to mind!).

I highly recommend this book.

The Sunne in Splendour tells the complicated story of Richard III, the last of the Plantagenet Kings. Younger brother of Edward IV, Richard would never have become king if not for a series of political maneuverings on his part. History (and Shakespeare) have made Richard out to be an evil, greedy hunchback; Sharon Kay Penman tells the story of a man who was fiercely loyal to the people he loved and who was reluctant to take the throne. Richard had his faults, to be sure; but in this novel, he comes off as extremely sympathetic.

Penman has a writing style that literally had me hooked from the first sentence. A trite cliché, I know, but I was definitely drawn in from the first page. I knew in advance of reading the story what the outcome would be, but still I kept on reading to see what would happen. The novel is fiction based on fact that sometimes seems like fiction.

The characters are well drawn; and while the book is ostensibly about Richard, we get to see the story as seen through the eyes of others, which I thought was well done. Penman has a knack of really getting into her characters, no matter what the time period or where they come from, which is nothing short of genius. The author even gives a thoroughly believable explanation for Richard's behavior with regard to his nephews, the Princes in the Tower, which was quite satisfying. And although the book is over 900 pages long, it only took me about a week to read; I was disappointed when I reached the last page. I can't believe that, with my interest in historical fiction, it's taken me this long to discover Sharon Kay Penman's works; I can't wait to read more by her.

Autumn 1459. A seven year-old boy gets lost in the forest. His easy-going eldest brother has had better things to do than watch over him, that is to say seducing a pretty servant girl. After a prolonged search the lad is found, having bravely fought his fear, and despite being afraid of punishment he doesn't even think of informing against his sibling. A fiercely loyal and earnest boy, he is the youngest of his family, small, dark and intense and very different from his three tall and fair brothers. He is Richard Plantagenet, who, as King Richard III, will go down in history as the epitome of evil.

The reader wonders what happened to turn this earnest child into a murderous usurper. Murderer he wasn't, claims Sharon Penman. Believable and compelling, the story of the four sons of Richard, Duke of York unfolds with all the relentlessness and inescapability of a Greek tragedy.

"The Sunne in Splendour" is a magnificent book. Intimate family scenes alternate with bloody battles, scenarios of betrayal and murder are followed by tender love scenes. A host of unforgettable characters populates it. There is the lovable Edmund, the first of the four Plantagenet princes to die; proud foolish Warwick and his tragic brother John Neville; the icily beautiful Elizabeth Woodville, Edward's queen; Bishop Morton, the snake in the grass; sweet-natured Elizabeth of York and Richard's dignified mother Cecily. All of them are complex, and stay with the reader for a long time.

Ms. Penman does not make the mistake to present Richard. Although far from being the monster More and Shakespeare described, her Richard is shown partly responsible for his nephews' fate. In her version he does not order their killing, of course, but he does not realise that by his taking the throne the children become pawns in other people's power games and pay for his thoughtlessness with their lives. Ms. Penman's explanation of the princes' disappearance and Richard's strange silence is as good and plausible as others. Her Richard is brave and loyal, but he can also be aloof and stubborn to the point of inflexibility. He can display subtle irony, but also biting wit, and is capable of considerable aggression, yet lacks the ultimate ruthlessness to secure his power. Reflecting upon his decision makes him admit his guilt - that he yielded to the temptation the Crown of England represented - and for the last months of his life he fells bitter remorse. Ms. Penman describes his depressed state of mind with such chilling accuracy, that his mother's fear for his immortal soul is almost tangible and very painful, and the ending leaves the reader bereaved as though he had lost a loved one.

The drama that was Richard's life and the way it is elucidated here makes one wonder why it hasn't been filmed yet. There is a cinematographic quality to many of Ms. Penman's scenarios; look for instance at the council meeting leading to Lord Hasting's execution, or at solitary young Richard riding in blazing sunshine towards Warwick's army camp to win Clarence back - these just beg to be filmed! Certainly, the ending is tragic and would leave the audience aching, but a skilled screenwriter may find a solution. A similar problem has been handled very well in "Braveheart".

Wherein now lies Richard's attraction? The Tudors, commonly associated with the beginning of the Modern Age, superficially appear more interesting as opposed to the Plantagenets who seem to symbolise the superstitions-ridden, unenlightened Middle Ages. Richard was born on the brink of the Modern Age and grew up in a world that witnessed the death throes of the medieval system of values, and yet, at a time when all conventional notions of loyalty and feudal allegiance had become a sham, there survived in him a core of chivalrous conduct that is very appealing, apparent for example in his just administration of the North and his legislation as King - supporting the weak as demanded by the knightly code of conduct. He seems a man born too late, and trying to adhere to such a strict code of behaviour needs must clash with the attitudes of more opportunistic characters who felt more at ease in this era of change.

Richard's physical courage, praised even by his detractors, originates in his chivalrous ideals, and his last ferocious charge down Ambion Hill to challenge Henry Tudor to single combat evokes heroic tales of earlier centuries, and indeed his decision to die a King rather than to flee was mentioned in a contemporary ballad.

Close to the end Richard's niece and nephews mourn their uncle's death and discuss their future, still hoping for fair treatment; future judicial murders and the destruction of Richard's reputation are only mentioned in the epilogue. However, learning about their fate is chilling. On the road to glorious Elizabeth I the Plantagenet blood seeped away as Henry VII and Henry VIII got rid of all potential heirs of the old dynasty.

To a modern observer this policy of merciless extermination appears depressingly modern. For all the beauty, progress and enlightenment the Renaissance brought, the Modern Age was setting out on a road that would lead to the atrocities of the 20th century. Gradually, dynastic wars were replaced by ideological ones, with ever more terror wrought on the common, civilian people who were included in the ideological and/or religious struggles. Already the atrocities of the Thirty Years' War and Cromwell's campaigns in Ireland, not unlike today's ethnical cleansing, loom in the future, premonitory of the final triumphs of secular humanism in the 20th century.

Richard Plantagenet died at thirty-two, his promising reign cut short by rebellion and treason. Ms. Penman brings him gloriously back to life for us, to be seen in a benevolent light at last. It is painful for the reader to lose him again, but the great achievement of this book is to show that there was nobility in Richard's cause as well as in his failure.

What a wonderful story this was. I love to watch skating and have not missed watching an Olympics since I was a kid. I am familiar with a lot of the skaters mentioned in this book. I thought this story was so touching and full of emotion. Katia considers her life with Sergei almost too perfect. They were so in love and their life together was indeed a fairy tale. I commend Katia for being able to pick herself and go on with her life no matter how difficult after Sergei's unexpected death in 1995. I thought the comparison between Russian and American customs was very interesting. This was an enjoyable and heartwarming read.

I remember watching this pair when they were competing. I wasn't an ice dancing fan, but they were so incredible to watch, I started watching any competition they were in. When Sergei died, I was devastated for Ekaterina. When her book came out, I read it, and cried all the way through. But really, it isn't a sad ending. I find it to be very inspirational to see how Ekaterina faced the worst that could happen, and came out on the other side with a wonderful attitude and will to go on. It is now 12 years later, and this book STILL makes me cry, and still inspires me.

I read this book lastyear in the Hardcover edition and I cried. It is such a moving, loving, tragic, and heartwarming story full of love that a young widow had for her husband and skating partner and the child Daria that they had together. It told of their skating years, marriage, how they met, and came to america along with the tragic death of her young husband Sergei. I couldn't put this book down. A great story that you will love. Well written.

First of all, this is a great book. The story is written beautifully, and pictures were added in all the right places. I don't tear up easily, so the book didn't make me cry, but it was touching nonetheless. However, I was surprised to find that this book was also useful in that it gave me some great insights into Russian culture, specifically how it differs from life here in America. This is a great book for a plethora of reasons; I'd definitely recommend it!

I'm really glad I found this book at a library book sale last year. Though this story is no longer current news, I hadn't forgotten about the tragic death of Sergey Grinkov or watching him perform with his wife Katya in the 1994 Winter Olympics. And even though the world has long since moved onto other headlines and stories of interest in the figure skating world, the love story told in this book is truly timeless. As a Russophile and a historian whose field of expertise is Russian history, it was a double joy to read because of all of the descriptions of Russian culture, the differences between Russian and American customs, and what life was like in the late Soviet period and the early post-Soviet period. (Although I have to say that the transliteration style wasn't completely pleasing to me; for example, I don't think I've ever read any other book where a double O is used in place of the letter U, as in Ligooshina or Katoosha, and I'm still trying to figure out how the nicknames Serioque and Katuuh are supposed to be written in Russian characters.)

Though the book begins and ends sadly, in between there's a lot of happiness and love, making this into a beautiful heartfelt love letter to a wonderful person, skating partner, friend, lover, husband, and father. The love between Katya and Seryozha is so pure and genuine, nothing like the type of superficial and problem-plagued celebrity relationships we're used to hearing about. It even made me a little jealous of their storybook love story! All throughout, Katya is very honest and open, about their relationship, the world of young skaters in the Soviet Union, what goes on behind the scenes at the Olympics, the hectic life on the road of skaters, and how difficult it was to constantly have to leave their daughter Darya behind while they skated. While I'm sure there are some things she chose not to write about, overall a very detailed and honest life and love story emerges. She was so lucky to have this wonderful man, who was so much more than just an athletic partner, for (what was then) half of her life.

Because the love story is so beautiful and like a dream come true, the reader can really feel her deep grief and sorrow expressed at the beginning and end of the book. It's a terrible thing to lose the love of your life, the father of your child, the only person you've ever skated with for the past 13 years, when you're only 24 years old. This beautiful love story isn't diminished for me by knowing that Katya has since moved on with her life and found love again. She had a child with Ilya Kulik six years after Sergey died, and married him a year later; it's not like she jumped into his bed soon after this book was published! (And since Kulik is six years younger, he would have been a bit too young for her then anyway.) When you're widowed at such a young age, you should hardly be expected to be in mourning forever, and it may help the more current reader to not feel quite so sad at the end, knowing that this intense pain and sorrow isn't such an overpowering force in Katya's life anymore. And new husband or not, there's no denying that her first husband, her first love, was indeed the greatest love of her life.

Good as a present. Interesting books, but don't buy them if you are going to read them 3+ times. Soft cover break down fast. Spend extra money for hard cover.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is a very interesting book that captures your imagination from the very beginning until the very end. This book starts out like every other Harry Potter book, but you quickly get involved in the plot. Early in the book you discover Harry's parents died (which is one of the main secrets of the Harry Potter series). Many new characters are introduced into the book. Some of them become instant favorites and you immediately hate. J.K. Rowling makes the new characters seem believable even though they are strange and mysterious. One of the new teachers was one of Harry's father's friends, so Harry quickly becomes friends with the teacher and finds out many things of his father. Before the year ends, Harry is forced to confront the man who is supposedly responsible for his parent's deaths, but the mortal combat ends in a conclusion that you would never suspect. I really enjoyed this book and I hope you will too.

i think that Harry Potter set really influences people and that reading ability and helps you enter a new world of adventure. Both intense and somewhat humorous, Harry Potter captured the hearts of adults and chilren. This site personally ASSURES you for the BESt quality of any new coming books with a Great Low price. For any readers out that, I say BUY IT!!!!!

It was b4 the release of the 1st harry potter movie that prompted me to read the books. At the time, it was big news about the upcoming movie, everybody was talking about it. So i was just really curious about the books and wondered why they're so famous. And i went to the library and borrowed the 2nd book, and once i started reading it, i couldn't stop laughing nor could i stop reading. cuz it's just so good! you can just totally put urself into the book, it's like a whole new world. it's just like "magic"!!lol. and then i read the 1st and the 4th book in one week. now i've read all of them so far and i've also seen the first and the second movie just tonite. and i can't wait to read the 5th one. if u haven't read any of the harry potter books, u should. they're awesome. really!!

My two children have already worn out a set of hardback Harry Potter books, so I don't know why I thought a paperback set would survive any better. Maybe I thought since they had read the others at least three times each that this set wouldn't get the same wear. I was wrong. My children (and husband) keep reading these books over and over. And the books are starting to fall apart. When they wear this set out, I'll get the best hardback set I can find! If your set won't get this kind of wear, it is a fine set.

This is my favorite of the Malory Series. Johanna Lindsey creates romance between the handsome Englishman James Malory and the beautiful American Georgina Anderson. Not only is James Malory a "gentleman pirate" but he is also a "connoiseur of women." Georgina has no intention of falling for the reprehensible rake, but she can't resist his bold, sultry advances. The plot takes the reader to England, the Caribbean and the New England shores. It is full of interesting characters, witty banter and steamy scenes.

This was my absolute favorite Malory book (so far, as I have yet to read Derek's and Jason's stories). James and George have amazing chemistry, and they are so cute together - i love the boat the best obviously, but it really is a great story. Gets slightly frustrating in the end, but overall it's fabulous!

I really wanted to love this book. It was mediocre. The premise is great. Heroine disguised as cabin boy stows away on former pirates ship. It should have been great, but I was never sucked into it. I wasn't that fond of either character and I never really felt like I knew them. This is my first Johanna Lindsey book and I'd be leery of buying another one.

Everything you expect from a classic Lindsey and more. I suggest reading Love Only Once and Tender Rebel BEFORE this great text. James and Georgina will forever be imprinted in your mind in terms of excellent love stories...and her brothers YUM especially the ever brooding Warren who gets his own story immediately following this one. The Malory family really grows on you and I highly recommend this series.

I first read this probably a decade ago (Johanna Lindsey was one of the first authors who got me into historical romance), and decided to give it another whirl recently, wondering if it would hold up as well now. I think I actually like it better this time around -- perhaps I've read a lot more bad romance novels in the interim? -- and found it funny, engaging, and endearing.

James and Georgie are delightful together, and the way they're brought together, split apart, and come together again is well-done. The Big Misunderstanding works really well in the story (the super-melodramatic ones always annoy me for their ridiculousness), and Lindsey keeps the humor flowing throughout. I wouldn't say Gentle Rogue is my favorite romance novel ever, but it's a thoroughly satisfying, comfortable read.

This is a rich, wonderful novel. Towards the end, I intended to read over lunch. One hour stretched to two, then even longer. I laughed out loud several times, and then cried. The waitress finally came over and asked, "Okay, what are you reading?! I've got to get a copy!" Everyone who loves great writing, wonderful characters and beautiful storytelling needs to get a copy. This kind of book doesn't come along every day - maybe not even every ten years. It's breathtaking.

I have purchased so many copies of this book to give to my friends and family! Some people are intimidated by its size; it is worth every page!
Baseball, family, humor, religion, 60's.....all combined with a skill that had me reading passages aloud. I gave my copy away....i will buy another.

The interplay between family members is often magical.

Quite simply, The Brothers K is my favorite all-time read and David James Duncan my favorite all-time author. After devouring Duncan's first novel, The River Why, the story of fishing-obsessed Gus Orviston and his search for peace, I couldn't wait for his next offering. The Brothers K did not disappoint. It is a brilliant novel that intertwines the innate conflict of family with religion, baseball, politics and love. Duncan is a masterful storyteller with an unmatched wit, a steady hand for plot development and an understanding of the human spirit like no other. He has the ability to weave words like Steinbeck. And his characters literally leap off the page, burning their way into your psyche and soul. As an author, myself, I am humbled by his talent. But as a reader, I thirst for more. In fact, in response to the age-old question, 'If you were stranded on a desert island and could have only one book, what would it be?', my answer is simple -- The Brothers K. Salmon Run

Duncan has written one of the GREAT American novels. It's so good I hope Hollywood never mucks with it.

As I was reading this book, I just couldn't believe how much I was enjoying it. Brilliant!

The book brought the old animorphs style I think the story line was great and the middle was exiting the end wow! K.A.Applegate realy hit it this time I is one of the good ones it just has a good fealing when you reed it

I like this book because while showing Rachel Yeerk Pool entrences, they wind up at an exit in the woods where two free Hork-Bajir are escaping. the Elimist tells Tobias that if he helps the free Hork-Bajir get a place to live that he'll get what he wants. What Tobias wants is to be human again, but keep his morphing power. Will the Elimist cheat Tobias? Read the book!

I've been reviewing all of the Animorphs as I reread them (and filled a few holes in my collection via Amazon) so if anyone is actually interested in other reviews, you'll find me there. Being this is a book in a series, you'll need to read Animorphs #1: The Invasion to get all the details of who these characters are, why they're doing what they are, and how they "morph." However, like all the other books of the series, there's a general outline at the start of the book to condense events so the reader isn't utterly lost on what's going on. There's enough written in paraphrase to where you can start with any of the books, and reading the others isn't critical (but is helpful.) Since there isn't already a synapsis on this one, I'll begin there.

The Change is narrated by Tobias, one of the five humans who have the power to become any animal they touch, and one alien who was a survivor from a crashed spaceship. They, alone, are the resistence force for earth to halt a race of slug like creatures called Yeerks from taking over the bodies of billions of humans, then destroying what's left of the planet. Tobias is a boy who is trapped in the body of a red tail hawk, so different from the others in that respect. Why is covered in the short form at the start of the book, or full form in The Invasion. He spends his days either hunting for rodents or when full, has a lot of time to follow known Controllers (people who have a Yeerk living in their brain which completely controls the host body.)

When Tobias invites his fellow friend and Animorph, Rachel, out for a flight to look at some entrances to the Yeerk pool he's found (again, see earlier books in the series for the Yeerk pool), they find themselves flying in completely the wrong area, as if Tobias was lost. Although this bothers him, because he can't imagine how he lost his sense of direction, all thoughts turn to something else when they witness a pair of Hork-Bajir fleeing for their lives from other Controllers. To date, all the Hork-Bajir have been enslaved, so why they're being chased is a puzzle at first. The once gentle species was entirely enslaved because of their great physical strength and cutting blades covering their arms, legs, heads, and tails. As Marco put it "walking salad shooters." The realization strikes the characters that somehow these two Hork-Bajir might actually be free of the Yeerks which were inside their minds, and they rush to the rescue.

Unfortunately, saving and keeping two free Hork-Bajir from recapture is a grueling task. The Yeerks are willing to stop at nothing to get them back, throwing Taaxons (a giant centipede race with a nasty habit of devouring even their own kind, along with anything else), humans with Dracon beams, humans with ordinary guns, helicopters, vehicles, and Hork-Bajir controllers at them. Tobias brings in the rest of the group to help, and throughout the story, he finds himself places he didn't intend to be or has visions which help him along. Angry at being used, Tobias finally plants his talons and won't carry on until the person/creature who is using him reveals himself. The Ellimist proves to be behind it, and says he'll grant Tobias' greatest wish if he'll continue the mission. He would have done it, anyway, but now he hopes to be human again, giving him even more reason to carry on. Working with the Animorphs, he has to try and find a safe haven for the two peaceful, sweet, and somewhat dull witted aliens. I won't spoil the ending for those who haven't read the book, but as always, the story keeps itself together well. It has more action in it than the last book, being closer to Megamorphs #1: The Andalite's Gift in that regard. The ending is also well thought out.

This area is what I call my "older than thou" part of the review because I'm way over the normal age group these are written for. So why exactly do I write these reviews? Because I think it's a good idea to have a synapsis up if there isn't one, yet, and also to give a very different insight if adults are looking into what their kids read, looking for a gift, etc. (Much like the last book, there aren't any strong, underlying themes to this story (as there have been in others.) Tobias is, in many ways, the inner strength of the group, not letting self pity take control over him in spite of the tremendous amount of loss he's had to deal with. To use an old phrase, "when the going gets tough, Tobias keeps going." The character has to question himself in several places when the Ellimist keeps his "promise," and in doing so, has to do even more growing up mentally and emotionally. He asks himself if this was what he really wanted, and had he been tricked? The reader is left to decide that on their own, but the very ending paragraphs will tend to leave the reader with a smile. Overall, this is one has a lot of action, near escapes, and "grip the edge of your seat" scenes in it. Some of the books in the series get more introspective, others focus mainly just on a good, flowing story, and still others have more action than normal. Although this is a well written novel with a very good flow beginning to end, its one of the more action oriented ones, in my opinion. This is a good one if you want to skip books like The Secret where the reader is left to ponder age old questions which don't have answers (yet they will always still be asked by the human race) in favor of some hard hitting scenes of fugitives on the run and trying to beat all the odds which are against them. This is also a very important one to read for some of the future books in the series.

I knew that Tobias hadto get the morphing power back sometime, but I never excpected it to be like this. It was really exciting,plus, I really liked that there are finally Free Hork Bajir. This is a definate must-read for anyone reading the Animorphs. I would suggest reading a few books before this one though, or you could get a little confused.

W-O-W!!! This used to be my favourite animorph book(and believe me, it has to be good to top that lot!), it's topped, only just, By number 45, about Marco and his Family. Anyway, I adore this book, for HUNDREDS of reasons! Tobias and Marco are my fav characters, Tobias because of all the stuff he's been though, and his family doesn't want him, and you automatically think ahhhh, and Marco just coz he's the humourous relief and all that! In this book (and I can't remember it too well since I haven't read it for agggges) Tobias regains his morphing powers. Just when your thinking, 'O.K, so he can morph, but he can never be truly human can he, the poor soul' he has a dream, and he sees him self. Somehow (and I, as I'm sure many others are, that the Ellimist had SOMETHING to do with it) he manages to aquire himself, so that he can morph his former body. At the end, the most touching part of the in my opinion, he goes to an award ceremony that Rachel tried not to let him know about, as she thought he couldn't go. He surprises her there, and I can't think of anyone who could read that part and not think..ahhhh. As a girl i realise that some people might not like this as much, as it doesn't have many battles, but it's so sweet and lovely that I find it wonderful. Also, as a girl I am fasinated by the relationship between Rachel and Tobias, and think the final gesture of this book is inspiring. I hope I haven't spoilt it too much for you!!!
p.s. if you liked this one, try number 45, That is MY FAVOURITE EVER!!!thanx!!!XxX

Sorry, but the glut of coincidences and melodramatic writing was just too much. I'm going back to my nonfiction now.

I just read this book and what can I say except that it was amazing. I actually prefer Neil to David. David was never very consistent in his faith he was good talker but he had no understanding. I recomend this book to anyone who already has faith or is struggling to find theirs. Read this book! You won't be sorry!

I really enjoyed this book. I also enjoyed the fact that many of the events in the book are in the series released on DVD. I would have preferred if certain subjects had not been discussed in this book so that it would be more appropriate for younger ages. Other than that it was a really enjoyable read.

This is one of my very favorite books! I've read it over so many times and never get tired of it. It's just so interesting, captivating and touching.

By no means am I a Christian but instead a certified Wiccan. So to those who know me actually found it surprising that I had this book in my library. Christy is a heroine that you can't help but fall in love with and her story. The young woman has spunk, ambition, intelligence, and above all a good heart. It was hard not to get caught up in Christy's story and as you move through the book and meet the characters it's hard not to care for them as well. From the aged wisdom of Miss Alice, the determination of Mr. Pentland, and of course to the handsome but stubborn country doctor Mr. McNeil. The book promotes wholesomeness and a goodness we rarely see. So please don't hesitate to pick up this book. I'd hate for anyone to miss out.

this book is a must for all nsync fans! I was a little disapointed because they didn't have a lot of "411" on them as I like (mostly pics) but the pics are great~but It's an awesome book!

This is a book all about the popular band *nsync. they include how they got started, what's an everyday routine for them, bio's and several pages of their life story. they used a lot of qoites from when they where performing in Disney land (which if you have seen as much as I have...nothing new) personally I enjoyed the baby pictures of the guys. they have family pictures and a picture of when Justin was at the tender age of 14 (I laughed because they have changed so much) Several up-to-date pic's as well. you will probably enjoy this book!

I an an obsessed *Nsync fan and bought this book a few years ago.I still read and have read it numerous times.It has baby pictures of the cuties and shows pictures of *Nsync when they just started singing.It has lots of info and is actually written partually by *Nsync,unlike most of the other books.

I expected an official book to be a lenghty chapter book- but this had more information than it looked! plus cool colorful pics on each page. Of course this book covers their lives up to their debut album in '98, so of course its not exactly up-to-date anymore, but its cool to have. It has a section about each member that has some interesting info and old baby pics! Theres a section about their most embarrasing moments, which is always cool, and funny to hear about! Plus much more!

Hello, I think this book is awsome. It is grate. My mommy lic's it tooo. se reeds it to me win i go tu bed at nite. I dont eet meet! I am a vegitran. Well that is wat my mommy says anyway.