Fan Fiction Books

The first Hellsing: Ultimate Fan Guide covers the first six episodes of the bloody-good vampire anime Hellsing. The guide includes a fair amount of artwork--some promotional art and some scans lifted from the videos--and descriptions of each of the episodes, plus character bits and items on various aspects of the world in which the series is set.

The episode summaries are okay if a bit thin; I suggest simply watching the anime itself. Overall, fans of the series probably already know everything in the book, but it's still a neat accompanyment if only as a book filled with visuals and concept drawings from the series. Roleplayers may find the bit at the end for incorporating the characters and world into the BESM game system useful as well.

The Hellsing Ultimate Fan Guide, #1, is not as ultimate as it could be. With summaries of the first six episodes, character bios, details on the setting, info on the locations, data on the organizations, and character sheets for using the Hellsing background within the anime RPG game _Big Eyes, Small Mouth_ plus all the extras in images and pictures you would think I would give it 5 out of 5. But the whole book is kind of weak. For example, the episode summaries only take three pages per episode, leaving out much of the cool dialogue and lots of the details. Some sections, like the page on Arucard's gloves, the pages on Hellsing's equipment and the page where they compare Vampire Myths and Vampires within the Hellsing Universe have little or no depth. But at 80 pages there isn't really a lot of room to hold much more.
As I have BESM and other books by Guardians Of Order, I plan to get Fan Guide #2. I hope it has more details.

The novel is a change of pace for readers more familiar with the author's recent science fiction, but Isaac Asimov also wrote mysteries. The setting is 1837. Persis Rooke finds herself shipwrecked and stranded on a Florida key, rescued by a wrecker/salvager of the time period. A contested inheritance, a hostile business rivalry between her savior and another sea captain, and a resident ghost all add to the plot. Life is full of surprises, and Persis encounters her share. Overall, it is a good, well written story. The author does use some archaic terms from the time period. The novel is suitable for students at high school level.

The Opal-Eyed Fan is one of my favorite Norton books, though it isn't overly endowed with substance, or is even really fantasy. It's romantic suspense, tinged with a bit of the supernatural. And while it might not be particularly intellectually stimulating, it serves a very necessary function as brain candy.

It's set in the Florida Keys, quite awhile back when wreckers-- and pirates-- still roamed the waters. Persis Rooke, accompanying her uncle on a mysterious quest involving an old family scandal and a forgotten will, is shipwrecked on Lost Lady Key. Lost Lady Key is the home of her rescuer, the wrecker Crewe Leverett, his sister Lydia, the remnants of an ancient island race, and (as implied in its name) a ghost. Persis is increasingly drawn into the intrigues of the island's inhabitants. What are Lydia and her handsome beau, pirate Ralph Grillon, planning? What does Ralph Grillon want from Persis? And what is the significance of the strange false fan that keeps turning up in Persis' possession?

Perhaps a little conventional, but still great fun. It has its high points; the take on wreckers, who are often represented unfavorably, is particularly interesting. Recommended for all who like swashbuckling, pirates, adventure, and a nice dash of romance. If this heady mixture sounds appealing, it's worth the effort to find a copy (although it will be necessary to ignore the dreadfully dated cover). For another great swashbuckler, also try Andre Norton and Rosemary Edghill's recent The Shadow of Albion.

Ailanna

While I would not reccomend this for a simply casual fan, this book offers insightful essays into the universe of Star Trek. It's thought provking and insightful into the world of Trek. Absolutely brilliant.

Great collection of the short stories from the magazine

Perry Mason's at it again, trying to save the hide of a beautiful fan dancer accused of murder. If you've never read a Perry Mason novel, here's what they have going for them: Terrific pace (a couple of pages in and you're embroiled in a mystery), good dialogue, complicated plot, a decent amount of suspense (especially in the court room scenes) and best of all, a very quick read. A lot like the TV show. All the Perry Mason novels I've read (about 10) are pretty much the same, which is really the one main drawback. Six months from now, I doubt I'll remember much about this book. Still, a lot of fun. Again, a lot like the TV show.

What a great idea !

As a writing teacher I was delighted to find this book for my classroom. But as a father of two boys, I'm happy to recommend it to any parent who is looking for ways to engage their sons in poetry and reflection. Taking as its backbone a fictional journal created by ten-year-old Ned, this slender but wonderful book does a nice job of both.

Ned has decided to yield to his fourth grade teacher's interest in poetry by keeping a daily journal of his life, which he will write in verse. Although his motives for this aren't clear, he proceeds with creativity and enthusiasm and provides us with a year-long window into his life.

Of course, it's the real poets, authors Fan and Elizabeth Brown, who supply the true creativity here. Illustrator Greg Betza adds a supportive, but unobtrusive touch. Together, I think they create just the right degree of intimacy and reflection.

Like most fourth graders, Ned is not (yet) a deep thinker, but he is learning to develop an observational and questioning mindset. That his observations sometimes focus on things like the single black hair in his grandfather's nose seems to me to be dead-on for a ten-year-old. His range of observations spans over family and friends, trials and triumphs at school and all the generally small pieces that build a life. Relationships are at the core of his story.

The telling takes a variety of verse forms and sometimes delves into Ned's struggles with the form itself - as when he wrestles to create a haiku. I was a little disappointed that the emphasis on rhyme in Ned's writing during his fictional year did not diminish and show some growth in poetic maturity - but I'm usually similarly disappointed by this over-attraction to rhyme in my young writers' verse as well. Sigh...

This is not really a book for older pre-adolescents. They will probably be over-sensitive to the pegging of the setting at fourth grade. Furthermore, by the age of twelve or so, they will usually have expanded their depth of inner and outer exploration to more abstract views and more challenging topics. For this you might look into the poetry books of Sara Holbrook. It is also not a book for a quick glance, or for browsing through. It proceeds at a steady pace through a full year with over 120 separate entries. Youngsters who pick it up will need an extended time to be with the book. In a classroom it should be an overnight loaner. As an attractive but solid, square hardback it will stand up to time's thumbings.

Notwithstanding its focused audience, this is great stuff! It is not just a book for boys (my eight-year-old daughter says it is "great") but it's an especially fine book especially for boys. Think about how rarely a book for boys in that age bracket reminds them (and us) that they have an active reflective and inner life. It's a wonderful approach, well executed here. Hopefully the authors will revisit Ned when he is 13 or 16!

Lovely watercolour & pencil illustrations - full of beautiful line and form.

The true rulers of a mythical china "Land of the Seven Caves" are busy quarelling & are easily usurped by the ferocious Lord Shang. After conquering the land, he is content, until a soothsayer prophesies that a painted fan will be his undoing. Skeptical but uneasy, he finally declares all fans are outlawed.

Travelling he sees a simple goatherd he falls in lust with and has her brought to the palace & his downfall begins with quite a few adventures for the heroine along the way.

Naturally everything pans out happily but you may as well keep SOME plot mystery to look forward to, even though it's a picture book.

Very fine illustrations, and an adequate supporting story.

This is an interesting examination of how fascination with Gone With the Wind has affected the lives of women in Britain. But the book has accurate and enlightening biographies of the stars as well, and an examination of issues presented by both film and novel. A good read for anyone interested in this novel as a phenomenon of pop culture.

The Bowie Letters chronicles a three-decade, one-way correspondence between the narrator, Gary, and David Bowie. What emerges in these letters is one of the finest meditations on what it means to be a pop fan that I have ever read.

Those who liked Nick Horby's "High Fidelity" but found themselves arguing with the narrator's selections of Desert Island Discs will enjoy this novel. It's a must-have for anyone who's spent too many hours over the years pouring over the liner notes of their favorite artist's albums.

My only complaints are two: 1) A discography of David Bowie would have been a nice addendum. Although one needn't be a Bowie fan to enjoy the book, my utter lack of knowledge about Bowie (I knew there was period in Berlin and I have ChangesBowie)sometimes made all the talk of reissues and Bowie's early work... not quite confusing, but a bit difficult to follow. 2) The end of the book lacks the charm and gusto of the first 250 pages. One of the most interesting questions that arises with any lifelong passion, particularly a passion for a musical artist, is how does that passion sustain itself or change over the years? What makes some people outgrow pop, and others not? Dave Thompson touches on this question, but it remains a mystery why Gary at 40 is still writing letters (albeit more sporadically) to the same pop star he wrote to at 16. Is it simply inertia that keeps us going?

Anyhow-- it's a question I pondered after completing this very enjoyable book, reminiscent of both Nick Hornby and Bob Greene's excellent BE TRUE TO YOUR SCHOOL. Highly recommended.

I think this book is a great idea, especially since its for charity.. I was really happy that my story is in it as well. lol. Anyway... the other ppls in this book are talented writers.. check it out, its aweseom