Predator Books

I fell in love with Alien Versus Predator when my best friend had brought over the first movie and since then I've collected most every Predator and Alien comic, book, and movie available. This one takes the cake however, next to Deadliest of the Species. Alliances between the two races almost always turn out to be spectacular, just as long as both have a sense of honor and respect for each other. The fighting, the surprise twists, and the pride of a warrior are what attracted me to the Predators in the first place and this book DOES NOT let me down! I would recommend this book to any Alien Versus Predator fan or even those who may have only seen the movie. It is fairly easy to follow along with. The ending will have you begging for another great team-up.

I loved this book! This was a great story. Noguchi was the perfect character, not liked by humans and a Predator at heart. I would have liked a bit longer of a book, mostly after she had joined up with the Predators. I currently am working on a AVP book, but this will be much different that any book you will have read... no people! This is where the movies and books go wrong. The human interactions just ruin the stories. We need a book/movie without humans. AvP not AvHvP.

I wonder why hollywood didn't adopt this book as part of their film adaptation? This book is certainly a "must-read" for AVP fans.

This was my first book in the series. The book had a good plot, setting, pace, and interesting main and supporting characters.

OMG! Aliens vs. Predator: Prey is amazing! It is the best in the series, and possibly the best Alien/Predator/AvP book ever!

The story was epic. The characters were great. It was a fantastically fun and absorbing read.

I first picked this book up when I was in 8th grade, the summer before the AvP movie disaster. The cover art compelled me, it was so cool! I read it and did not stop. I started on the bus to school and finished it that night at around 11:30. It was EPIC! I really felt for the characters, escpecially Noguchi, Scott, and the predator. I loved it so much I went out and bought the rest of the series, some aliens books, and a predator novel. I even got AvP2: Gold on PC (Great FPS game, play it)!

Hunter's Planet was good, but not as much. War book was iffy; I didn't know if it was the third book or second. I bought it thinking it was the second, cuz thats how they were listed in the backs of them (you know, where they show other novels in the series?) but took place between the other two, I guess.

This book got me so excited for the movie, which was a total suck-fest and ripped off this book so much. This should've been the move!

This was a surprisingly emotional book that helped solidify my love for this series back in the day. Applegate was smart enough to take the classically funny guy with hidden pain and turn into a storyline that affects the main plot of the entire series. Great action sequences as well.

It was a fun book, the first one Marco, his jokes are just soo funny, another reason why I read these books, no matter how bad they get in trouble or how hurt someone is he can always make you laugh. I likes when he beat up those muggers with his gorilla morph.

I like this book a lot. The best Animorphs book I've read. Right after I read it, I swore to myself that I would always read Marco books. (He's an Animorphs character.)

Review by a 9 year old Animorphs fan

Marco never wanted to be an Animorph. He never wanted to risk his life saving the world with his animal-morphing powers. He knew that if he died, his father would go insane--since both his son and wife would be gone forever. Now, the two year anniversary of Marco's mother's death is coming, and Marco is nervous. And after a dangerous mission that almost got he, Jake, and Ax killed, Marco decides to quit.

But before he quits, Marco decides to go on one last mission to steal a Yeerk ship from Visser Three so Ax can use it to return to the Andalite planet. However, the kids' plan goes terribly wrong and they end up trapped. But while everyone else worries how to escape, Marco is shocked when learning a terrible secret. Now, he has a reason to fight the Yeerks. And no matter what it takes, he'll kick butt.

THE PREADTOR contains one of the most shocking secrets in the Animorphs series. And this is definitely one of the best Marco books. Although it was a great read, I had a problem with this book. The first half of the novel was about the Animorphs' adventure at the mall with Ax who keeps running away. Even though it was funny, I would've preferred more Marco dealing with the secret.

In this fifth installment of the popular sci-fi series, Marco and the other Animorphs attempt to help their alien friend Ax return to his homeworld, only to make a shocking discovery that forever alters Marco's attitude toward their cause. For sequel see "The Capture."

Wow! IM is the first novel I've read by Rick R Reed - but it certainly won't be the last. Reed takes a modern-day twist of the gay serial killer that is at once unique and intriging; the killer meets all his victims online. Unlike typical serial killer novels, where bodies stack up will police search clues to find the person responsible, IM displays a strong backstory of the killer's life that is served up to the reader in doses throughout the novel. Just when I thought I'd figured out the reason driving Timothy's terror on the city, Reed tosses in a different twist. I thoroughly enjoyed the POV changes throughout the novel, a fine balance that allows the reader a chance to experience what each of the characters are feeling. Odd to say that IM is a love-story, too, however, the emerging bond between the ex-cop, Ed and his boyfriend, Peter, is real...I was sorry to see the novel end for this reason and hope that perhaps, Reed will return later with their continuing story! If you've never read a Rick R Reed Novel, I'd strongly suggest you begin with IM!

The author does a great job creating "quick" characters/victims, enough so that you are invested in them when they meet their untimely deaths. The reality of the plot does drive the story but I was just left disappointed as the book developed. The "surprise" ending wasnt really a surprise and what really got me was two strong, able bodied men, one of which is a trained officer, were not able to disarm a smaller man yeilding a hunting knife. In fact, when the killer tied or taped the male victim(s) at the end, I found it completely unbelievable that each character didn't just overtake him during the process. How was the killer holding a knife and tying the victim at the same time? In one case, earlier in the story, a character could have simply ran away, changing the entire ending...I mean, it's not a gun he's holding. So, good read but disappointing...such a good start though.

Excellent gay murder mystery that kept the reader guessing for a long time! Measured backstory on the psyche of the killer gave the reader another dimension of the killer. What horrific events lead this man/boy to commit the murder of gays. Where his rage came from and his helpless life that caused him so much misery.
Well-developed characters and great descriptive narratives of places, murder victims, etc.
Thoroughly enjoyed the novel!

From the book's very first murder, Mr. Reed takes the reader on a wild ride where nothing is as it seems. Ed is a cop whose job crumbles from under him as he chases after a madman who may already be dead. Timothy Bright seems heartless and cruel, but as the story progresses, the reader learns what has made him who he is. Throughout the book, the pacing is tight and fast, catapulting you through the twists and turns, leaving you breathless, until you're reading as fast as you can in an effort to find out how it ends.

Beware ~ the violence is graphic and sexual, disturbing images that speak to the dangers of anonymous sex. But Comparetto is the perfect counterpart to the evil Timothy Bright, who haunts the cop's every move throughout the story. I found myself rooting for Ed from the start, and as time seems to run out for him, I was on the edge of my seat, reading furiously, flipping pages to find out what happened next.

In short, this book is riveting. I couldn't put it down. This is a must read for any fans of gay fiction who are looking for a good murder mystery/horror story. Think Stephen King meets Patricia Cornwell, with lots of gay sexual references to satisfy readers. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Mr. Reed's work.

Rick R.Reed has confected a mystery/horror/suspense tale as only an artist could do. Not only is the story a major page-turner, but the reader comes to know the characters as three dimensional human beings -- and one tends to care about them.

I read at least one book of mystery fiction per month. I tend to enjoy the most those works which shed light on a certain culture or role: being Amish, being a guidance counselor, being a maid, being an Irish inn-keeper, being a journalist, etc. In recent years writers such as john Morgan Wilson, Mark Richard Zubro, and RD Zimmerman have invited readers into the gay community with all of its wonderful and intersting attributes, as well as it demonic dimensions. I believe Reed has done the finest work, however, in the cause and effect within human relationships. Also, the reader cares about the characters, and flinches at some of the events which have formed their experiences. Definitely, this is not a "cozy."

A reader does not have to be gay, however, to share in this story, any more than one needs to be Catholic to understand THE DI VINCI CODE. The author develops the meaning of psychosis, displays the technology which is such a great influence in our current culture, and empathetically focuses on the effect of life minus loving relationships. As well he develops a budding relationship which adds an element of hope to the story, as well as an invitation to further stories flowing from this love.

As a Chicagoan I was excited about the use of so many places in the story which are only blocks from my home. He so well describes these settings, however, that one could live in Newcomerstown, Ohio or Rim-of-the-World, California and still share in the adventure with the same high interest. Again, this is an artist who has developed this tome.

I have already recommended this story to my friends. I want to encourage any mystery buff to explore this novel.

Thomas P. Hull, Chicago

Wow. I received an autographed copy as a birthday gift and hadn't got around to reading it. My interest was sparked after stumbling across Leonard's MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/deimosfactor.

I pulled the book and settled in for a planned short read before moving on to other responsibilities. I finished the book at 3:17 in the morning. Typically only Stephen King, Dean Koontz & James Patterson draw me into a story so much that I can't manage to draw myself out of the story.

I am drawn onto the rooftop with Daniel immediately and feel the emotions that are so brilliantly expressed for each character.

I have just ordered the next in the series, Beyond the Darkness, and cannot wait until it arrives!

Bravo!

This book starts off slow, but after you get past chapter 1 it really heats up. It's alot of fun and kept me up reading into the wee hours of the night. Highly entertaining. It's kinda like a zombie movie but instead of being zombies-it's shape shifters. I think this book would make an excellent movie.

The very first sentence in this book really grabs your interest and just escalates from there. It is an amazing read about events that, given the scientific efforts of today, could become more real that we would like to imagine. I only put the book down when I absolutely had to do so. It has captured my imagination so well that I have ordered Mr. Hilley's next book in the series, "Beyond the Darkness" and am really looking forward to it and the rest of the series. I highly recommend this author's work.

When my daughter began raving about an amazing author that I must read,
I doubted that her glowing review could be as good as she said. Wow,
was I wrong. Leonard Hilley's writing is absolutely riveting. From page
one, I found it nearly impossible to put down the book. Storyline and
characters are brilliant. You will love this author's way of mixing a
touch of science fiction, heroes that you really love and villains that you
really love to hate. This is a thriller you will not want to miss.

I am always looking for a new author who can transport me to another world, and Mr. Hilley definitely succeeded! The trials and tribulations that the characters go through captivate you from the start! And the changes from the different characters veiwpoints are smoothly done, a hard feat in itself! If you are looking for a series that is an intense read, and one you won't want to put down, you simply MUST order this series! It won't dissappoint you, it will enthrall you and make you think what would you do if you were in the characters place! It will stay with you long after you put the book down!

Few cities are mounted on enormous traction wheels and set rolling across the arctic ice cap in search of pray. Equally few sequels are able to exceed their originals, but "Predator's Gold" does. The story opens two years after the events in "Mortal Engines", with Tom and Hester living a precarious existence as freelance air traders among the mobile cities of the North. Unbeknownst to them, other forces are at work which will soon throw their world into chaos. For the moment, though, their attention is consumed by Professor Pennyroyal, a globe-trotting adventurer with fantastic tales about his explorations across the dead continent.

Philip Reeve packs "Predator's Gold" with as many fanciful inventions and discoveries as his first novel. The characters will explore not just new cities, but underwater domains and remote islands where a vicious band of rebels plots a new world order. The creativity never stops coming throughout the book's three hundred pages, and neither do the surprises. There is literally not a single chapter that doesn't pack a wallop at the end.

But despite the fearce action and high adventure, the true treat in "Predator's Gold" is the people. Tom and Hester have been forced to grow up fast amid the extrordinary world of mobile cities, yet for all that they are still children as the novel opens, and they make childish mistakes. Two of these occur near the start, and the consequences will continue playing out for years to come. Newcomer characters are equally lifelike and important in the fate of Anchorage and other cities. Freya Rassmussen is very believable, but it's Professor Pennyroyal who takes the cake with his loudmouth antics and sometimes disgusting personal habits. Yet beneath that exterior, he has personal strength, and a role to play in the events to follow.

"Predator's Gold" is everything you could want and more from the sequel to "Mortal Engines". I would heartily recommend not only this book, but all the books in the series for anyone between the ages of ten and a hundred ten.

Back from the death. With these main theme, the sequel of Mortal Engines rises up, better than before.

After the destruction of London, Tom and Hester built their own business on air. But that is before they meet Prof. Pennyroyal, the famous adventurer and writer. Everything starts to go astray and they end up at Anchorage, an almost decayed traction city ruled by a spoilt Margravine.

While Tom is dealing the ghosts on Anchorage and Hester is burned by jealousy, an extremest group tried to ressurect their dead heroine and an unknown net of information is unfolding. With Anchorage going to the Death Continent, it is 'almost' true that "Nobody returns from the Sunless Country, Mr Scabious." But a body sure can be returned... although without its soul...

Anyway, It is better to read it from Mortal Engines to grasp the whole thing. Next, Internal Devices.

For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what year it was supposed to be. Somewhere around the Year 5000. Way back in the 21st or 22nd Century, we had pretty much annihilated ourselves in the 60 Second War. Some centuries later, the technologically challenged offspring survivors have managed to mobilize their cities, thank Quirke (humankind's savior).

There's an orphan boy who idolizes the swashbuckling Valentine, there's an orphan girl disfigured by said Valentine, and there's a lot of big mobile cities gobbling up smaller mobile cities for their resources (Municiple Darwinism).

The books are a bit dark, kind of like Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. I'd recommend them for anyone 12 and up. There's a bit too much violence for the younger set.

Great Book to Read

This book is the exciting sequel to the novel "Mortal Engines.'' Or, if you prefer, "Predator's Gold.''
Tom and Hester are off once again on the Jenny Haniver, a ship they accommodated after the death of their friend,
Anna Fang.
Their lives were in danger so they decided to settle for the time in a town called Anchorage. Seeing as how these great town moved the margravine made the choice to move the town to the dead continent of America. America had been dead for many years due to the Sixty-Minute War.
Some of the Old-Tech remains such as MEDUSA had destroyed it beyond restoration. Now, Heather embarks on a journey to revive Toms love and save the corruption of people betraying one another. And thus, begins their journey to the so-called dead continent of America.
I liked this book because it just had that sense of adventure in it that made you want to know exactly what happened next. Most of the book was rather exciting although the author could have spiced up some of the less enthusiastic parts of the book.
Reasons why I disliked the book were that one, half the book revolved around Heather and the other half was just them running away from Stalkers and predator cities.

It had been a while since I'd read Philip Reeve's first installment in the "Hungry Cities" quartet, and so my memories of the events that happened in "Mortal Engines" were a little hazy. However, nothing could make me forget the imaginative post-apocalyptic world that Reeve had created, in which massive Traction-Cities trundled across the wastelands according to the laws of Municipal Darwinism; eating any smaller city that crossed their paths. There was a massive death-toll by the end of the book, in which many of the principal characters had been killed (to the point of desensitisation), but our protagonists Tom and Hester managed to ride off into the sunset in the battered old airship "Jenny Haniver".

"Predator's Gold" is set several years later, where we find that Tom and the horribly-scarred Hester are still together, taking on passengers and cargo to make a living. One such passenger is Professor Pennyroyal, a pompous explorer and adventurer with a penance for stretching the truth (think Gilderoy Lockhart) who join the couple as they flee to the Ice Wastes and are saved by the Traction City of Anchorage. The city is ruled over by the young Freya Rasmussen who makes a radical decision to return to the Dead Continent in the hopes of escaping the dual threats of both predatory Traction Cities and the Anti-Traction League.

Unbeknownst to her, her city is being discreetly ransacked by a trio of `Lost Boys' who answer to the mysterious thief-lord Uncle (who as another reviewer pointed out, deliberately bears less resemblance to the carefree boys of "Peter Pan" than to the wretches of "Oliver Twist" under the tyranny of Fagin) a man who has his own game to play in the rising tensions. But when Hester witnesses a foolish kiss between Tom and Freya she makes an equally foolish decision to betray the city. From here the action keeps rolling: escapes, intrigue, kidnapping, betrayals, battles... you name it and its here. As an adventure story, I would be hard-pressed to recommend anything more exciting than this. If you loved the adventure and atmosphere of Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy or Garth Nix's "Old Kingdom" trilogy (Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen) then Reeves's series is a must-have.

Most interesting is Reeves use of political agendas and intrigue. The world is roughly translated into two groups: the Traction Cities and the Static Communities, who are bitterly at odds. The Static communities (headed by the Anti-Traction League) despise the parasitical scavenging cities, whilst the roaming Cities are arrogantly casual about their allegiance to Darwinism and their right to any prey that comes their way. Naturally, one would expect to be on the Anti-Traction League's side (after all, the thought of consuming smaller cities sounds barbaric to our contemporary ears), and yet the fact that Tom is a citizen of a Traction City and Reeves's deliberate admiration for their roving spirit throws the whole scenario into a hefty shade of grey.

Plus, if we really analysis the situation, is there really a difference between the Traction Cities and the phenomena of the Western world's colonisation across the rest of the world (and its current insistence on globalisation)? Add to the fact that a branch of the Anti-Traction League - the Green Storm - is undoubtedly a terrorist network whose members wear "the shiny, smug expressions of people who know they are right", and the book suddenly takes on a level of depth and allusion that you would never expect in what appears to be a simple adventure story.

Neither the Traction Cities nor the Static Communities are right (in fact most of the time they are very much in the wrong), and the conflict of the book is not which side wins, but whether Tom and Hester can survive the conflict that goes on between them, living long enough to make a decent life for themselves. This is a great set of books: read them!

For fans of science writing, not to mention lovers of nature and animals, this is a very well-written and occasionally heartbreaking look at the developing science of predation. Stolzenburg presents important breakthroughs and controversies surrounding this relatively new discipline, with especially insightful explorations of whether the human world would truly benefit from a natural environment possessing a full slate of superpredators. Throughout history, large predators have been willfully exterminated, either out of spite or through scientific misunderstanding of their impacts on ecosystems. But modern scientists are finding that the anthropocentric view of villainous predators conflicts with their crucial roles in their ecosystems, as the big carnivores regulate the populations and behaviors of their prey species. Remove the predators and ecological chaos can ensue, with one very clear example being the pampered deer in my home state of Pennsylvania. Meanwhile the reintroduction of predators, such as the noteworthy story of the wolves of Yellowstone, can lead to immediate improvements in the health and biodiversity of ecosystems that were damaged by the superpredators' previous removal or disappearance.

Stolzenburg covers all sides of the issue, from debates among pioneering scientists to the policy disputes brought by unscientific citizens and politicians, built around engaging stories of the crucial ecosystem services performed by unfairly maligned predators ranging from grizzly bears and wolves to killer whales and even otters and starfish. Here Stolzenburg offers great insight into recent developments in not just the science of predation, but public attitudes toward the so-called monsters of the animal kingdom. The world needs big predators, and humans would be wise to appreciate all the ways that these predators accentuate our natural world. [~doomsdayer520~]

From a layperson point of view this book is a great read detailing with clarity and scientific precision the role of predators in our ecosystem. The book skillfully delivers the historic facts regarding the evolution of the field of ecology as well as how and why great predators (wolves, bears, eagles among others) have been replaced by other secondary predators (coyotes, house cats, hyenas) and the damage our ecosystems incur because of it. That may sound pretty textbook boring, but Stolzenburg tells this story as a grand tale, with the lives of the scientists interwoven with the animals they study. It is a real eye opener and changed the way I look at animals we intrisically fear. For any educated person who likes non fiction this is a quick read which will cause you to question everything you thought you knew about evolution and biological science. Bravo Mr. Stolzenburg for writing about science in a way that is as at once entertaining and enlightening. Not sincs John McPhee have I read a science book of such mastery!

The authors' style really resonated with me. He describes large earth-shattering revelations with such eloquence. Starting with the thesis that the death/extinction of predators and "super"predators are to blame for many ecological/environmental, he delves into numerous case studies and ongoing research of many leading biologists. The first chapters discussion of the kelp forests along the Pacific rim was particularly interesting, and made a real case for the rest of the book: ecosystems MUST be looked at from the top-down, rather than the reverse. The scientists that Stolzenburg profiles methodically and systematically show that the top predators directly relate to such things as river ecology, plant seed distribution, and seemingly unrelated things like Lyme disease.

While so many points in this book stood out, I particularly enjoyed the one time humans got it right: the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone Park in Wyoming in the mid-1990s. It was a success story, and I presume that it remains so this day, over ten years later.

Simply put, this book was amazingly written and infinitely informative. If you care about nature, biodiversity, and the future of our planet and the creatures living on it, reading this book will help you gain insight on how setting life back into the natural balance will remedy many (unfortunately not all) of the ills we face.

Where the Wild Things Were: Life, Death, and Ecological Wreckage in a Land of Vanishing Predators, is a new and important contribution to conservation and ecology by William Stolzenburg (Bloomsbury, 2008)
The author looks at cases, both experimental and real-life, where the top predators have been wiped out, and looks at what happens next. It turns out that a lot of things happen, none of them good. One result is an explosion of "mesopredators" (the second-tier carnivores, ranging from coyotes to raccoons to feral domestic cats) which wreak havoc on ecosystems without the larger predators to compete with (and sometimes eat) them. Plants and prey animals have evolved for one type of ecosystem and are often helpless in an altered one. While his examples come from all over the world, it's the North American ones that will cause the most consternation to most readers. Who foresaw that killing the eastern wolves and cougars would result in a gigantic deep population explosion (far beyond the ability of hunters to keep up) that wrecked the habitats of many smaller creatures? Who knew that bringing in a new apex predator (whalers) and wiping out the northern Pacific great whales started a cascade that drove the former apex predator (killer whales) to decimate seal and sea otter populations in many areas, resulting in kelp forests being replaced by barren seafloor overrun with the urchins the otters used to keep down? There are many such examples, some almost despair-inducing. One of Stolzenburg's important points is that, ecologically, human hunters don't replace the predators: they hunt in specific seasons rather than all year round and pick off the largest animals instead of the weakest.
This book should be must reading for anyone involved in wildlife management or conservation biology including everyone in the FWS, EPA, or state wildlife agencies.


Matt Bille, author, Shadows of Existence: Discoveries and Speculations in Zoology

This is an excellent summary of many field studies that prove the importance of apex predators. It's a quick and compelling read, and expect it may become required reading for all interested in environmental issues. The book paints a rather bleak picture of the situation we face, and now I notice it's conclusions everywhere. He talks at length about the DC area, where I live, which adds to my own personal awareness of the issue. I'd recommend it to anyone: it's written for laypeople but can be useful for scientists as well.

No it is no Lawrence Klauber, but this is a well written well photogrpahed book. This work, in a large part based on the much more informative "Rattle Snakes" book by Lawrence Klauber makes up for its rather thin amount of information by offering the reader a wealth of colorful and amazing original photos. The book itself is only a decent read, coming no where close to Klaubers full 2 volume book or even the abridged addition. However for the beginner herper, or die-hard crot fan it is infact a must have.

This book is a good resource for those who are interested in rattlers without being interested enough to read Klauber's treatise on the subject. The information is sound, and goes into fair depth, although at times I felt that a more scholarly less pop tone would have worked better. Still the author did what he set out to do; produce a great work on rattlesnakes that was accessible. It's easily worth reading, and is very informative. Although much of the info you can get from Klauber, there are many cases where Rubio has provided useful and worthwhile revisions/changes/additons to material (medicinal significance, the ecological effect of roundups, taxonomy etc.). These make the book more than a contemporary rehash of Kaluber's masterpiece.
The text alone would be worth the price of the book; the photography makes the book a steal. This man knows how to take pictures; some of the best photos of rattlers I've ever seen (and I've seen and taken several) are here. I borrowed this book from a library, expecting something that was little more than an update on Klauber; however, this work stands alone very well, and is informative--I intend to buy it. The photos are on par with any herp photography I've ever seen, and are impressive and useful; almost worth the price of the book themselves. This book is a must have, and well worth the time and money that one must invest to read it.

This is undoubtedly one of the best zoological books I've ever read. The photographs are superb and the text is both enlightening and understandable. This book along with Klauber's has opened a whole new world to me that was previously very dim and mysterious. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the mystery and excitement of venomous snakes.

Manny Rubio's "Rattlesnake: Portrait of a Predator" is an impressive piece of work, and an adequate follow-up to Gloyd's and Klauber's earlier masterpieces. It is well written and provides a great amount of valuable and accurate information concerning all aspects of rattlesnakes. As this book is interesting to both the rattlesnake curious as well as the professional herpetologist, it highly recommendable for any Crotalus/Sistrurus enthusiast or anyone who is intrigued by these fascinating creatures.

As some of the other reviewers have already noted, the photography that is displayed in this book is absolutely stunning. Many of the pictures are some of the best ever published on this subject, which in itself makes the book well worth its price.

I have always been fascinated by rattlesnakes, ever since living in the heart of California's rattlesnake country as a young lad. This book covers the subject in loving and fascinating detail, with loads of superb photographs which splendidly support the excellent text. These are magnificent and beneficial animals and the author does a superb job of writing about them.

My only criticism of the book is that it spends a lot of time dealing with human activities as regards rattlesnakes, such as the notorious "rattlesnake roundups," which the author rightly explains to be unconscionable predations by man against innocent and essential creatures. I would have rather seen even more space devoted to a pure scientific study of rattlers. But this is a minor quibble, and many will doubtless disagree with me because these sections are very well done and interesting.

The book's scientific discussion of rattlesnakes is very interesting. These are amazing creatures and the author plainly is highly motivated by the subject. This book is a labor of love in which the reader will delight to share.

This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in rattlers.

Pirates - Predators of the Seas: An Illustrated History is a great pirate book! Lots of history in this book! A must for all pirate buff libraries!

This is a nice overview of pirating from around the world beginning with the earliest known records 2500 years ago in the eastern Mediterranean, and ends with modern day pirates in the East. As an introductory book, it does a very nice job of giving the big picture. But, as such, it lacks the detail and writing style to grip the reader. This is particularly noticeable in the treatment of the Golden Age in the Carribean of which I would like to know more. Sadly, and inexplicably, there is no bibliography or suggested reading list to delve into the period covered by each chapter.

One glaring omission is any discussion of the first attempts, begun by the Americans, and followed by the British, and ultimate success in defeating the muslim Barbary pirates of North Africa which had been a scourge of the Mediterranean for three centuries during which time over a million Europeans were stolen as slaves. Quite odd considering the author spends time explaining how pirating in the Spanish Main came to end once governments found it no longer in the interest.

Nevertheless, this a nice book, well illustrated, makes a nice primer, but one would need to go elsewhere to get more depth.

Go beyond Captain Jack Sparrow and plunge right into the world of Pirates in, Pirates--Predators of the Sea, by Angus Konstam. This book delves right into the history of Pirates, sharing some of the most notorious and infamous scoundrels that sailed the seas. Aside from the amazing stories, the illustrations alone are some of the most varied and engaging I have ever seen. This truly is a beautiful looking book, filled with tales of the most memorable scoundrels you'll ever meet.

This fascinating history begins with a discussion of who should be considered a pirate and quickly moves into the history of the trade, beginning with Greek pirates mentioned by Homer. There is much discussion of the development of ships and seafaring in the western world between 400 B.C and 1600. There is a brief history of piracy and boats of the South-China sea.
The text next moves to a general history of piracy from the Classical period. Beginning with Greek pirates such as the Aetolians and their descendants, the Cilician's it examines piracy in the Mediterranean world. Islamic pirates and their forbears are discussed.
The Vikings were the first `European' pirates and they were followed by the English. The first English record for the execution of a pirate dates from 1228. There were also pirates in the Baltic sea. Some of the worst pirates to plague Europe were the Barbary pirates from North Africa. As Muslims they raided as far as Ireland, taking Europeans as slaves to be sold in the markets of Algeria. But there was much mixing in the world of Piracy, the Barbaroosa Brothers, Christians, were famed pirates of the Mediterranean, working for the Turks. Malta, run by descendants of the Crusaders, also participated in Piracy.
However it was the British pirates such as Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins who served queen Elizabeth that are well known to those interested in Pirates. Their precursors in raids on the `Spanish' new world were the French Huguenots of the 16th century. In the 17th century the Buccaneers who became the typical pirates of the age. Men from many backgrounds, usually protestant, found their way to Hispaniola in the Caribbean and began plundering Spanish shipping. The pirates of this period did not merely take vessels, they plundered towns in places such as Panama and lake Maracaibo, destroying the economy and the settlements.
The Golden Age of piracy in the early 18th century is given much coverage, as its notorious pirates such as Blackbeard, Edward Teach, Woodes Rogers and Jack Rackham. The death of Batholomew Roberts in 1722 ended the `Golden Age' of piracy. Many pirate crews were hung for their deeds. The next pirates to appear on the scene coincide with the American revolution. 1835 marked the last execution of pirates in the U.S. Chapter twelve examines the history of Piracy in Asia and 13 examines the nature of `Pirate havens' and their cultures, and bring the history up to the present with a discussion of piracy off Somalia, the straits of Malacca and elsewhere.

This is a brilliant book with many photographs both of old paintings and modern photos of forts and boats. There are a plethora of highly detailed and informative maps which make this more than a history of piracy but also a history of the New world and the world as well. The subject matter is interesting and stories well told.

Seth J. Frantzman

This is a wonderfully written book which is a history of piracy from its roots in ancient Egypt right up to the present day. The book not only discusses the "Golden Age of Piracy" when Morgan, Blackbeard and Captain Kidd plied their trade in the Caribbean, but it also covers the extensive pirate activity in the ancient world as well as its modern manifestation. The links between the breakdown of social order or a political power vacuum and its effects on the rise of piracy during various historical ages are addressed as is the centuries long pirate conflict between Islam and Christendom during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. This is a well written historical work and the pirates are portrayed as the frequently ruthless and bloodthirsty men (and some women) they were rather than as the charming rogues of so many Hollywood motion pictures. The book is also full of detailed full color maps and pictures relating to piracy which both ably supplements the text as well as being esthetically pleasing in their own right. The principle author Angus Konstam was a commentator on a recent History Channel documentary on piracy and his in-depth knowledge of the subject makes this book enjoyable by both a serious student of the subject as well as the newly interested reader. In these days of "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies and the "Pirate Master" reality show this book is a welcome dose of historical fact into a subject which has been long been dominated by romantic fantasies

Honestly, I don't know what to say about this book! It is one of the best I have ever read in my entire life and I truly love it!

It's a little hard to describe what this book by Ravyn Crescent is about without giving too much away about the plot, but because I have enjoyed it so much, I shall definitely try, in the hope that others will also buy and enjoy this book as I have.

Well, to start with, it has been mentioned in previous reviews that the book has spelling and grammar errors. This is a half-truth. Visiting the author's website, I found that the publishers had used the wrong manuscript when this book was first made available.
Now, however, she has spent a lot of time having them correct this mistake, and the book has been re-published in its intended state. (As a side note Amazon still has preview pages up from the first version, which I hope they will fix as it does not do justice to this fabulous book.)

Onto the book itself. The style of this book is unlike anything I have read before. But that is a good thing! I truly enjoyed the writing style the author has used, it's unique and a pleasure to read. The language used would make it accessible to a young teen, but satisfying to older audiences as well.

The plot of the book is as unique, if not more so, as the style used. I suspect even the best of the best authors would have serious trouble even writing this review as well as the book deserves, but here goes...

This is a fantasy novel, and that is immediately clear in the completely alternate Earth that the author has created for the reader to learn about. On the surface, it seems far different from our own reality, but if you look deeper, you will see profound links, and similarities that you are surprised by, and get you thinking. It is clear a lot of thought went into this new world, its alternate history and its landscape.
Specifically though, this book is also about one boy slave. Yes, a single slave who is unable to explore the world that the author has put so much imagination into. A single slave, who while having no real authority or power, manages to have an effect on those around him, and perhaps even the world.

Characters in this book are believable, and some are even loveable! There are good people, and bad people, like in any `good' book. But the shades of grey the author uses so well makes the characters' personalities limitless, like real live people. And at the end of the book, you will sit back and think: "But what if...."

I realize here though, that I have made the story sound rather bland, so I should mention another part of the story that makes it more complex, and far more interesting.
Instead of humans being the only sentient race on the planet, there are others. Anasiens. These creatures that can walk and talk like humans, but have animal-like characteristics, add a whole new level to the plot. Including a mysterious and barbaric war between the two species.

This opens up a whole new set of questions. Who are the `good' guys? What are the new species like? Who started this war and why? How does this boy slave relate to the species? Which does he belong to?
Answering any of these questions would ruin part of the story for you, and my way of explaining would be far inferior to the way the author has used to explain each of these points.

So, in conclusion, I recommend this story to anyone with a good imagination, and who likes to read special and unique books. In fact, everybody should give this book a try. It may not be to everyone's taste, but I truly loved it, and it deserves a chance to be read. Not only because of the author's amazing accomplishment, but because it is a book I feel no one should miss out on.
I expect this novel to become far more popular as soon as more people begin to find out about it. I suspect my review here will be repeated by many other people, including some of the `real' critics before too long. Saying exactly what I have, but probably explaining themselves a little better, and hopefully giving better credit to Ravyn Crescent's book, which both she and the book both whole-heartedly deserve.

The way I describe the truly original and amazing plot, as well as the unique style that make this novel a pleasure to read, don't do justice to the `feel' this book has when you read it.
Remember your favorite book as a child? The way it almost had a `glow' about it, an aura that was intangible, but it said `special' to you? Then the book itself was so hard to put down that you read it faster than any other book? This is the feeling I got from this book, and leads us to perhaps the only drawback of this wonderful story. That it is not longer.

Did you know that slavery still exists in the world today? Perhaps you've thought about it, saw something on the news, but never actually fathomed the fact that slavery exists in our current world.

Within the pages of Predator Turned Prey is a world that enlightens the reader. The book may focus on a fantasy plot with Anasiens and cat-hybrids, but the real story is crystal clear. It's incredibly hard to break the chains of slavery, and nearly impossible when you're alone.

After reading the book, you may turn over a new leaf. Maybe you'll pay attention to slavery that occurs all over the world, in different forms, hidden and tucked away somewhere.

With a unique plot and deep and meaningful story, how could you pass up such a wonderful book? It's great for all ages, and can help you learn something about the world around you!

Even better, the author of the book, Ravyn Crescent, is very outgoing with her readers. She's made a site and forums ([...]) just for her fans, and she's quite willing to answer nearly every fans' questions!

So if you've got the time and don't mind getting completely absorbed in a wonderful story, read Predator Turned Prey.

I have put off reviewing this book for waaaay too long. From the 1st time I read this book I loved it. I was even lucky enough to read it before it was published!
I was worried if it would be the kind of book that I'd enjoy. When you begin to read a new story that you don't know much about, you worry if it'll be one of those that is almost a chore to read. Predator Turned Prey is the exact opposite! I was surprised how quickly I was drawn into it. I found myself nearly 1/3 of the way through before I realised I'd forgot to make my dinner. O_o
The book is amazingly unique, it's hard to compare it without misleading, so you should try reading the sample pages that Amazon has available.
I recommend this book, it's one that you will always remember. Unlike other books that may fade in your mind over time. This is one of a kind, and the authoress has obviously put a lot of work and feeling into it.
Ravyn is an awesome and really talented author. Can't wait to read more of her work! You should also check out her website too.
A person wrote a pretty good review for this book that you should read further down the page. She/he describes it much better than I can.

Get this book!! You won't regret it!

The book that James is talking about was the copy that was not supposed to be printed since it was a draft. They have fixed the problem. Go to her site where she explained it all. http://www.predatorturnedprey.com/ << she explaines everything about the problems with the hole printing mistake.

"Stepping Out of the Bubble : Reflections On the Pilgrimage of Counseling Therapy by James P. Krehbiel is an amazing and outstanding book that provides help and direction to the many people that are suffering from problems described in this book.

I was amazed at how many of the problems and challenges, that the author writes about, are problems and challenges I have seen many people suffer with.

The counseling theory and practice information in this book provides a direction for people that have a problem and are willing to go to counseling and risk moving forward in their journey toward finding personal growth and development, and eventually stepping out of the bubble.

Many people have problems and challenges that they never seek help for and they and their loved ones continue to suffer. This book goes a long way in bringing the thought of counseling to people and helping people to better understand the counseling process.

To author James P. Krehbiel thank you for writing your great book. I am convinced your book will help many people and because of your book many more people will step out of the bubble. I recommend this book very highly and also feel it would be a great college text.

After reading Stepping Out of the Bubble a year ago, I went back and read it again for a second time. I was able to pick up even more information this time around that helped me understand and overcome some of my own internal conflicts. This is a book you can read at any point in your life and always find information that pertains to that particular moment. Krehbiel has a way of explaining things that others may consider unexplainable. Whether you are a student, a teacher, or just a guy like me, this book can and will change your life.

For me, "Stepping Out Of The Bubble" was reminiscent of the renowned books of author, M. Scott Peck, in the style of presenting profound insights into sensible, easy-to-understand language and clear ideas an average person can relate to. Practicing Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist and author of "Stepping Out Of The Bubble", James Krehbiel proficiently shares a portion of his expertise, condensing great weight into accessible and workable solutions for a more fulfilling life's plan.

The "bubble" represents our security and comfort zone, but it is also the inner place where we store the pain of our past experiences and the unpleasant reality of that not being made conscious which keeps us bound in unhealthy and self-defeating patterns. Staying within this bubble limits our emotional responsiveness as we numb ourselves to the coexistence even as unresolved issues unconsciously filter forth. To step outside of the bubble is to courageously examine the contents in all honesty and to face life's reality outside of the bubble. Once outside the bubble, one can move forward to experience life in more emotional depth, fullness and passion. "Being a fully functioning individual is about being true to whom you are and letting things be the way they are," explains author, James Krehbiel.

With brilliant and compassionate understanding, Mr. Krehbiel briefly details methods used and pertinent case examples within his therapy practice. "Self-regulation is a goal of therapy. I educate people in the fact that all the answers are ultimately within." "Stepping Out Of The Bubble" strives to do the same, by giving information on how we become trapped in the bubble and how beneficial the making of conscious choices to leave, can be.

Some of the many topics included within this book are: being assertive, characteristics of an "authentic" person, the integration of each of our different personality parts, the difference between true guilt and false guilt, setting boundaries, addictions and addictions to "manic" relationships, awareness (staying in the moment or mindfulness), grounding, honoring one's inner voice, panic attacks, OCD and mood disorders. The section regarding kids and parenting was exceptional, in my opinion, and I found many points about discipline that made much sense. Also appreciated was the section relating to religion (dogma) versus faith (spiritual) as well as what needed to be said about pop culture.

I enjoyed reading "Stepping Out Of The Bubble" and would recommend it to anyone. It is enriching and inspirational.

James P. Krehbiel's Stepping Out of the Bubble was a fascinating read. I found myself underlining various passages. His explanation of how we get stuck in the bubble (comfort zone), and how we find our way out is powerful. It provided me with hope as I move through my own personal journey. I found myself experiencing an emotional reaction to many of the case examples and concepts he explored. He definitely hit some "hot buttons" in my life. But Mr. Krehbiel also provided specific guidelines and tools for stepping out of the bubble. At one point he says, "Courage can be defined by those who live outside the bubble as opposed to those who live in it. I like to compare stepping out of the bubble to wading into the water."

His chapter which includes ideas on multidimensional thinking is appropriate in today's political climate. He indicates that true dialogue takes into consideration the appreciation for differences in opinions. He makes some profound statements about pop culture's affect on the lives of today's children. He also gives parents tools and resources for assisting their children in bettering their behavior. The book ends with a resounding "yes" to life with a hopeful, powerful way of perceiving and reframing life's problems. This was an excellent book!

Stepping Out Of The Bubble by James P. Krehbiel, Is an outstanding book on Counseling Therapy. Krehbiel, is able to put life patterns and fears into perspective so that the lay person can fully understand the mystery that most think is behind counseling. His approach to show that so much of what we seek answers for is within ourselves and with the right counsellor we can become free and step out of the Bubble or Bubbles that a lot of us are in.

This book should be a gift to every teen and their parents, no home should be without it.