Fiction Books

This is book is at the top of my all time favorite books as a child(I'm 21 now). I read this book a million times over and if I could find it I'd do it again. This novel definately molded my reading as a child and I can't be more thankful of it. Interesting and difficult to pull away from this book draws you in. I think I might go and re-buy both this book and Wise Child to read just for summer fun!

After reading Wise Child I was very happy to discover Juniper. It is the story of Juniper and how she became a doran after enduring her teaching from Euny. The story is well written like Wise Child. I recommend reading this book especially if you enjoyed Wise Child.

The prequel to Wise Child, Juniper is the story of Ninnoc, know as Juniper, a medieval princess sent to apprentice under her godmother. Juniper leaves her friends, family, and the comforts of her father's small palace to live with Euny, her grandmother, in a small cold shack on the edge of the kingdom. Under Euny's care she toils throughout the day, eats little, and sleeps poorly, all with the promise that, in time, Euny will teach her the knowledge and ways of a doran, the women of the world who live alongside the rhythms of nature and use their skills and magic to help others. While Juniper spends a year and a day at Euny's shack, her father's castle comes under attack by her aunt, and evil sorceress who wants the kingdom for herself. Juniper's first task as a doran will be to use her powers and what Euny has taught her to defeat her aunt and save her father's kingdom. While I prefer Wise Child, Juniper is also an engrossing, worthwhile read. Many of the same themes are present, especially the concept that nothing worthwhile comes without a price. Juniper's story is darker than Wise Child's: Euny is a tough task master and Juniper's aunt is a more immediate and threatening foe. In exchange, the elements of magic are larger and more visible. While perhaps not as enjoyable or as skillfully crafted as Wise Child, Juniper provides interesting backstory and continues to examine the path of a doran--how they learn, what their purpose is, and what trails they must face. I recommend this text, especially as a prequel to Wise Child.

Despite the similar storyline, Juniper is very different from its sequel, Wise Child. Both stories are about young women who live with a doran, working hard and suffering in order to learn from her and train to be dorans themselves. However, Juniper deviates from Wise Child's focus on the nature of love and family: unlike Wise Child, Juniper comes from a stable and loving home. Rather, Juniper's story is about assessing one's own skills and finding one's own path, even if that path takes you far away from the comfort and desires of your youth. This theme of self-discovery is worthwhile and interesting to readers of all age groups: it's instructive and comforting to the young, and reminds older readers that the sacrifice and reward of self-discovery is never really over.

Perhaps the biggest difference between Wise Child and Juniper is the role of magic in the books. In Juniper, magic plays a much more visible role and doesn't fit into the world as we know it quite as well as it does in Wise Child. Talking animals, transforming sorcerers, and magical items all transform the visibility and role of magic. While not as extreme as it could be (there are no dragons here), magic is more obvious and harder to explain in this book. As a result, the story is a little more distant and harder to identify with than Wise Child, making for a less sucessful book. Juniper's story is more exciting, with a more physical and exciting climax, but on the whole it isn't as successful or as enjoyable as Wise Child.

Nonetheless, Furlong writes in a clear, readable style, her characters are realistic and easy to identify with, an the lessons contained within the book are worthwhile and personal. It is a fitting companion to Wise Child and contains many of the concepts and themes that make that book so wonderful. As a prequel, this book successfully provides backstory and characterization that should interest anyone that has read Wise Child. I do recommend this text, primarily but not only as a sequel, and I like to come back to it every couple of years.

If you have read Wise Child...(I don't know, I read Wise Child first--I don't know if that's out of order or not)...anyway, this is a great book to go along with Wise Child. The books are imaginative and fun to read, and I'm not even a kid anymore...she just makes them fun for all ages to read...I highly recommend this book...

I hope this helped you...

I'm a guy (you know the drill - testosterone has me rooting for the robots in the terminator movies) with 3 young daughters and so story time for me can be it's own kind of hell, overpopulated with too many thoughtful ponies, joyous princesses and other terrors from the Id.

Juniper at least is a story that can engross a child while being satisfying to the adult reader. I never once had the urge to plunge my head through the sheetrock in the bedroom whereas when forced to read stories like the Pony Pals, that's all I can think about. The wise women in Juniper are are a bit too knowing and all seeing, the plot a bit formulaic but other than that, it's a story of growing up, persistence against adversity good and evil, courage and adventure and some things in between. Same holds through the rest of the trilogy: Wise Child and Colman though they're not written in order.

I suspect that these stories catch the mind of young girls more than boys and are aimed more at a female audience. I don't know if I would have read it by myself, but with mission to read to my daughters, it was an enjoyable journey. I could see adult women enjoying this for it's own sake. In any case the books of this trilogy are well above the average children's fare for girls or for boys. Definitely worth the price of admission.

I am an avid manga collector and had been wanting to check out Mars for a long time since I saw a write up on it in Newtype magazine. It did not disappoint. The artwork is lovely and the storyline isn't skimpy or cheesy, it is a manga with substance and relatable charaters, I am 20 and love this manga. I currently own volumes 1-6 and am looking forward to number 7! :)

I thought this is a great romantic seires. Kira and Rei a weird couple yes. Shy and sweet quiet artist girl to Dangerous bad boy that does what he wants. But I loved how the started the first volume. It already showed so things that will come ahead to this couple. Some people look for the art in manga but it wasn't like that for me. I liked the art and this a old manga but has been proveing to this girl that many has loved this series for the beauty of it's story and art. For romance I recommend this book. They already get this couple in some very sweet moments :). I get lost in this series every time I read it. To know more about the series I so recommend buying the fullength series which is 15 books. I love reading them over and over. I hope you find yourself swept away as I was when I read the first book then I couldn't stop reading after that I had to the next one then the next one. You get so later yo.

GREAT MANGA!!!!
I'm in my twenties and this is one of the best mangas

this book rocked. Not gonna drone on like the rest of my reviews except to say read this. I loved how you could tell just how different these two were. Short book, but had me on the edge of my seat all the way. Finished in twenty minutes, but came back to read my favorite parts. And the picture when they kiss and they're sparkling! AWESOME ART MAN! Get this book.

This is Jumaane

If you dig love stories and like manga, this series is a MUST READ. The artwork is very good and the characters are expressed very well, the plot is insanely good, and its fifteen volumes long, meaning that there's a lot more to love! And, the main character drives a Ducati Monster, the awesomest bike in the universe. What more could you ask for???

This third of Burgett's four books about his experiences in the 101st Airborne during World War II reveals a young man (19 at the time) at what could be easily seen as his finest (or worst) hours. The author gives this book an intense personal touch that is missing in many accounts of this unit during its defense of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. Burgett takes the reader into the hell he lived through, vividly describing the shortages of basic military necessities such as weapons and ammunition, the incredible struggle for Noville in the early days of the battle and the withdrawal back to the main lines, and the difficulties of being ready to fight after coping with the harsh winter of the Ardennes and the lack of sleep, food, and water.

But what really comes through most clearly in this account is death. Burgett sees much of it in just a few weeks. He sees close friends (the "old men" of his company) and replacements die in what seems to be a random pattern. He takes the lives of German troops without a shred of remorse, yet almost shoots a fellow paratrooper who shot a prisoner of war.

Burgett does not portray himself as a hero--only as a man doing his job. He was very good (and I would also say lucky) at what he did. His story is not the nice neat narrative found in many accounts of the Bulge. It is dark, chilling, and brutal. It makes one wonder what men like him endured--both during the war and the many years since. I highly recommend it and the others volumes about his time in the 101st.

Donald Burgett gives a great view of WWII through the eyes of a 101st airborne paratrooper.

It has taken me far too long to review this book. But what I should say is, this book was single handedly responsible for sponsoring my adoration of military history books and the history of the Second World War.

It is very well written, easy to read, accurate to the finest detail without ever losing the story. It stands alone as one of the finest examples of a first person account of the war by an American paratrooper of the 506th PIR of the 101st Airborne. It would have been a classic by itself, but it the companion piece to a priceless series of four part series by Burgett.

I really enjoyed the descriptions of battles so clearly written I'm sure you could find the streets today. The story of destroying German tanks in the dead of a fog is gripping as anything that happened during the epic Battle of the Bulge.

The impact of this book was one that made me want to be a paratrooper, helped spawned a life-long (over twelve years at this point) love affair with history, one trip to Europe and lead to my BA in History. My copy has been dog eared, read three times and kept in a place of honor among my over 250 World War Two history books.

My only regret is I haven't met the author.

The real story of how a few ill equipped, but determined Allies held the line and were victorious over one of the greatest war machines ever assembled. This truly was the "Greatest Generation"!

"Seven Roads to Hell" is paratrooper Donald Burgett's memoire of the defense of Bastogne by elements of the 101st Airborne and 9th Armor Divisions during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. Burgett, a member of A Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, has captured the foxhole-level details of the heroic defense of that key Belgian crossroads.

Burgett picks up the story as his unit goes into a rest area after the fierce fighting of Operation Market-Garden in Holland. His unit has been decimated by weeks of combat, and desperately needs rest and refit; instead, the tired and poorly equiped paratroopers are rushed to the front in the Ardennes to help stem a sudden German offensive. The paratroopers lack winter clothing, food, water, and ammunition, but with the elan of the airborne, undertake the defense of Bastogne against German tank and infantry units.

Burgett has provided some commentary on the larger picture, but sticks largely to telling the story as it was visible to him. Burgett is nothing if not honest in his telling and graphic in his details. He and his fellow paratroopers freeze, starve, fight, and strive to make sense of the chaos that is ground-level combat. Burgett's prose is straightforward and he has a terrific eye for details. There is no sense here of the false heroic; Burgett and his mates are fighting for each other.

This book, like Burgett's earlier book on D-Day, is highly recommended to the reader with an interest in the Second World War and especially in infantry combat. Those present and former members of the 506th Infantry may find it an especially inspiring piece of regimental history.

I read the book in a few hours. It was pretty good for a book as fast paced as this. You got a feel for the characters.

I was truly engaged reading about Richard and Nina. I felt so bad for Richard all of the garbage he had to deal with, with his wife's family. Her mother RubyLee was a straight up trip. She took using people to a whole different level. Nina was a really nive kindhearted and caring person whose husband didn't realize what he had until she was gone. I was glad to see Nina working on her relationship with her daughter because it is so true how death could come knocking on your door without you having told the person that you love them or that you are proud of them. This story was well written with a solid ending.

Wonderful read!! I loved it from beginning to end! I could see myself (and my relationship) in this book. Maybe not so much the drama, but attempting to save something that may be already dead and yet, wanting something better out of life and love. Most romance novels are full of just sex -- Taken for Granted gave you just enough. Great job Earl Sewell. Please keep it up!

This book is a must read! The controlling mother-in-law is hilarious and cunning. So cunning and controlling that it cost her everything in the end. This is a book that makes you think and also keep people out of your relationship.

I don't know why it took so long for me to write a review for this book since I read it for the first time about a year ago. It's still fresh in my mind that I had a heart for Richard and his relationship with Nina. It is refreshing to read a "grown-up" novel. Not a novel where the chick (immature & materialistic) is a girlfriend (or if you are Nikki Turner...play wife)of a hustla/drug dealer...(not my reality).Taken for Granted is a wonderful story, filled with twists and turns and characters you are sure to love. My favorite...RubyLee. You gotta read her to understand her. Favorite portion of the story...two words: jet skis!!! Find out yourself what happens!

Randy Ingermanson writes "Don't read this book late at night! Strongly recommended for the reader who thinks they can't be sacred." Well I believed him so the book sat on my shelf. I originally purchased it because it sounded good and the reviews were great but I typically don't do "scary". Finally I said "what the heck" and I picked it up. To my surprise it was really good and not frightening, very suspenseful but not frightening. Yes, it did use children as the victim (which is as bad as it gets) but it was tastefully written and vacant of the graphic verbiage it could have easily contained. It wasn't really the storyline that kept this book moving at a fast pace but the fantastic character portrayal of Jude Allman... one of the greatest developments of a character ever written. Don't get me wrong, the storyline was excellent and will have you on the edge of your seat but its Jude you will come to root for. There were a couple of non-surprises in the book and some minor flaws but really not worth mentioning especially because they would spoil the book for you. I also had a theological problem with the story but again if I said anything it would give away an important piece of the character development so you'll have to figure it out for yourself.

Mr. Hines is a gifted writer and I'm looking forward to reading more of his books. I'm glad I was on vacation when I read this otherwise my work would have surely faltered from lack of sleep. Some readers will find this book life-changing so buy some copies and give them away.

1 Star = Pathetic
2 Stars = Fair
3 Stars = Good
4 Stars = Excellent
5 Stars = Life changing

... in all aspects. Not only was the story line unexpected and the ending a crazy twist, but the book as a whole was much better than I would have thought to come from a new author and a Christian publishing company. While there was a clear religious undertone, it was subtle and wouldn't detract from the story for those who don't usually like Christian books.

One of the best thrillers I've read. Well written, deep characters and a real surprise ending. Just the way I like a book to be.

This book surprised me by being as good as it was. A lot of Christian suspense books get published just because they're "Christian", regardless of quality. But this book is right on par with a lot of suspense authors in the secular market I enjoy. There was excellent character development and the story line kept up a good pace, with a neat twist in the end.

Jude Allman had died, and been resurrected, three separate times by the age of thirty-one. The first time, he fell through the ice in a lake fishing when he was eight, the second time, he was hit by lightning in a field while hiking when he was sixteen, and the third time, he was driving in the ice and snow and skidded into a ditch when he was twenty-four. Jude wrote a book that he wished he hadn't, and combined with the notoriety from his "resurrection tri-fecta", he was very dispirited when he became immensely famous. He tried to hide from his unwanted fame by leaving town and using the name Ron Gress as an alias. As Jude/Ron disengages himself from the world, he becomes so paranoid, that he covers the inside of all the windows in his house with Sheetrock and installs a complex security system as well. Jude/Ron takes a job as a janitor at a school in a small town in Montana, and slides into a shrinking, introverted, paranoid, personality, that develops a natural aversion to human contact. He even has to sleep in a reclining chair because he's afraid to lay down in a bed.

As children start disappearing in towns in Montana, Jude/Ron starts getting strange copper tastes in his mouth, and visions, as a warning of impending danger to come, or as clues to save people already in trouble.

This first time author, deftly juggles multiple scenarios and plots simultaneously, like a seasoned writer. Some of the descriptive phrases he pulls from his writer's tool box are pretty enjoyable: "Streams poured from Jude's clothing as if he were a sunken treasure lifted to the surface after centuries in the murky depths." "A sweaty bald man with a paunch crawled into Jude's circle on his hands and knees. The lottery numbers, he hissed. Gimme the lottery numbers." "His father was talking about things that made no sense to him, scary things that crawled up and down his spine on icy legs." "An icy block of dread began to settle in his stomach." His lungs felt as if they were filled with spun fiberglass." "She felt a cold sliver of ice starting to wedge its way into her spine."


This story will keep you anxiously reading till the last page. This is a thriller that combines spirituality along with horrific modern crimes. I can only hope that this is the first of many more terrific books by this author.

Books,Movies and anything that was created in the 30's seem to be deemed good.I am 70 years old and have been reading SciFi for years.I saw the movie back in the 50's and thought it was great but did not realize it was from a book.After I happend on these glowing reviews I wonderd how I let this one get by me all these years.Lucky for me I found it at the Library so I did not waste my money only my time.I opend this book with great expectation.My expectations were soon dashed after mudeling through around 50 pages of mundane dialoge.I then just started scanning pages looking for something of interest.About half way through there was a little war just before the end of the first book.I am now just starting the second half.After worlds collide.I am hopefull that this second half will have some redeaming features.The Movie I saw in the 50's was much better than this book more action,suspense and drama but when thy landed that was the end of the movie.I do not recomend this book it is not good just old.

This is one of a handful of books I've read twice. Wonderful for introducing a young person to science fiction. I've also read the sequel, which I delightfully discovered in a second-hand store. It is also quite good.

It just doesn't get better than this. I had of course heard about this book all my life but somehow never got around to reading it. The terrific Bison series has reissued it, and so I finally got my chance. There are actually two books here, the second being "After Worlds Collide." Amazing but true: they are equally wonderful, each in its own way.

The first book delivers on its promise to depict the end of the world. That's not so easy to do! Furthermore, I found the underlying science to be surprisingly plausible and even timely, given our new understanding of how asteroids and comets have shaped Earth's history and could do it again. Yes, the characters are all two-dimensional, and of course various social details are dated. But the plot is so compelling that: who cares!

Anyway, the first book leaves you hankering for more, and the second book more than satisfies that hankering. Again there is edge-of-your-seat adventure. But for me the overriding pleasurable impression is of mystery. I won't give away the details, but suffice it to say: they are an excellent surprise, and I wish this had been a trilogy! Nevertheless, the book is actually more true-to-life in that some things remain unanswered and unknown. Really, the mysterious aura of the second book provides a kind of satisfaction in its own right.

Now I've got to find other books by Wylie!

I READ ALOT AND MOST BOOKS ARE ENTERTAINING. SOME BOOKS ARE MORE. THIS BOOK FITS IN THE LATTER. IT KEPT ME UP LATE SEVERAL NIGHTS. MANY CHAPTERS END IN SUSPENSE THEREFORE KEEPING YOU READING. A FEW THINGS I DID NOT LIKE BUT THEY WERE SMALL SO I DID NOT TAKE A STAR AWAY. THE BOOKS ENDS ABRUPTLY,LEAVING YOU FEELING A LITTLE UNSATISFIED. WITH ONLY A FEW PAGES LEFT AND THINGS UNRESOLVED, I KEPT THINKING THAT THERE WAS NO WAY THAT IT COULD END PROPERLY. THE ROMANCE IS A LITTLE IRRITATING. THIS WAS A BOOK THAT KEPT ME THINKING ABOUT IT LONG AFTER FINISHING IT.

I first read this back in the early 80's and because of it, fell in love with science fiction.

The book describes the death of the Earth in horrifying detail. The Noah's Ark theme is classic, where a group of survivors board rockets (arks) in order to escape the destruction of the planet. All in all, the authors give a good story, rich with adventure, emotion and incredible new worlds.

Not perfectly explainable in terms of science, but enjoyable even today.

All I could think after reading this book was HOW DARE YOU!

How dare you make me laugh, cry, and and get so involved in the story that I had to read it all in one sitting.

I couldn't put the book down once I started it and my kids kept asking what was so funny every time I would break out into laughter. I'm glad that nobody was paying much attention, they would have seen tears between the smiles and thought I was going crazy. I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster.

Peggy, Mister, and Missus were all very real from the beginning and it was as if I was watching their lives unfold in person.

CONGRATULATIONS! It's a wonderful book....
Now may I please have control of my emotions again?

I could write so much about this wonderful book but to sum it up, it's one of the best novels I have read in at least the last ten years. Everything is neatly intertwined, and the author makes the characters loveable but still fawed. This book shows how race differences should really be handled--with love. Congratulations to the auhor for doing such a magnificent job. I loved the book!

I was caught up in this book the second I read the back cover. How many novels do you know that actually make you feel like you're right in the story with them, that what's going on is real and true to life? Well, this one does, and I can tell you that after reading it, I had a whole new apprecaitation for racial differences. DeVincent-Hayes make this story real, and she made me look at what it might be like on the "the other side." I just love this story. I wish [...]would pick it up for her book club and her Harpo would make it into a movie, I cried and broke into laughter in so many places in this story. Peggy is such a likeable character, even with all her flaws. Mr. Ellen is just like James Earl Jones, and Mrs. Ellen is so cool. This is a wonderful family story.

Why is it that good books like this "22 Friar Street" aren't bestsellers? Is it because such a book isn't vulgar, profane, violent? Our society should want books like this that reflect on human relationships and show us not only in the good light, but also with all our flaws and shortcomings. The author of this book should win a Nobel for her superb writing skills and exceptional insight into humanity; more importantly, Oprah ought to celebrate it on her bookclub, and Ron Howard ought to make a movie out of it. It's a story that shows humanity in a clear light--what our expectations of each other are, what are stereotypes and preconceived notions consist of and how damanging they can be. Never have I ever run across a book that has gapped so many chasms as this book, such as blacks and whites, young and old, wealthy and poor, cultured and uncouth. This story just blew me away. In some places, I laughed so hard that people in the doctor's waiting room stared at me; in other places, tears rolled down my eyes. You have got to read this story! Great work, DeVincent-Hayes!

Whooowee! What a ride this story takes you on...unbelievable! Not only is it a roller coaster of a ride, but it has characters that you just fall in love with, even ol' meany Aunt Audrey who really doesn't hate Peggy after all. This book is like a wide beacon on dark seas because it shows how we can brighten up our beliefs and change society and fix all the inhumanity we often put on others. I loved Peggy and Mr/Mrs Ellen. This book sucks you in and keeps you glued to it without your even knowing it. Buy a copy for yourself; you won't be sorry. It's a true, wholesome family story and a quiet lesson in what it means to love each other despite cultural, racial, educational differences.

i've said it before i'll say it again, if you like epic fantasy this series is for you!!!

I really enjoy this series. Jim Butcher is an author I love to read and I originally got hooked on his Dresden Files series. I'm currently anxiously awaiting the next release from both series at the end of 2008.

The Codex Alera is a story line that, while not as intricately woven as George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire (or is it Fire and Ice? I forget), it is still very, very entertaining. We're not reading Aristotle here, but I never did enjoy reading him in the first place. Some might say it's predictable, but there are some good twists here and there and the series is going in the direction I really want it to go. If Butcher did something strange and killed off half of the cast to be unpredictable, I'd be upset.

I recommend this book and this series to all those that enjoy the Dresden Files, Orson Scott Card, George R.R. Martin, etc.

Again, it's a highly enjoyable read and I really can't wait to get the next book.

Captian's Fury is an excellent continuation of the very good series of books. A difficult book to put down once you start with enough twists to keep you guessing to the end yet not lose you along the way. Already anxious to get the next one.

As captain of Alera's First Legion, Tavi has spent two years holding the invading Canim warriors to a draw. Now, though, Senator Arnos has brought two more legions into the battle--and he's intent on destroying both Tavi and his reputation. Arnos intends to be the champion of the nation, setting himself up as a candidate for emperor when the current emperor dies. To make sure Tavi is completely disgraced, the senator orders him to murder civilians--something he knows Tavi will never do.

Tavi's composure is shaken when he learns that the woman he thought was his aunt is actually his mother, and that his late father was the heir to the Alaran thrown. Still, he believes that the war can be won without massive slaughter--that the Canim are anxious to end the invasion and head to their homes. Unfortunately, Arnos wants his triumph and Tavi can do little from the prison where he's locked up after disobeying orders. Fortunately for Tavi, he has a number of friends, and his powers of magic are gradually growing.

Author Jim Butcher continues his Codex Alera series with an adventure that combines Roman-style military tactics, magic, personal bravery, and political jockeying for position during the decline of the aging emperor. A Roman-style government, military and political system provides a solid base on which Butcher can add his magical system (based on personifications of the different elements). Tavi (Octavian) continues to grow as a character, creating loyalties among his men (and women) that will serve him well if he can survive to become emperor. But at the end of CAPTAIN'S FURY, he's exposed to the Aleran nobility as heir-apparent. His problems with assassins are about to be multiplied.

Butcher is best known for his fine Dresden File series. The Codex Alera series is a great addition to his output. Fans of magical world-style fantasy will definitely want to read this entire series.

I've rea all his other books and while impatiently for the next Dresden book to come out, I needed a reading fix. Decided I'd give Alera Codex a try. Was not the most impressed with what I had read on the covers of the series, but decided I'd give it a try anyway.
Very glad I did. Each one of the books in the Alera Codex is better than the previous one. Butcher has created a well defined world with the various factions and personalities. The characters have a depth to them that lends greatly to the story.
The only thing about the whole series I find annoying is something the author has been hinting at in the last two books, the Roman legion origins on a fantasy world. He hints at it, but hasn't gone into depth with it yet.
Butcher is only one of about 3 authors I will buy the hardcovers as fast as they come out, instead of waiting for the softcover.
If you like high fantasy, try the Alera Codex.
If you like magic in the normal world, try the Dresden Files.
Only David Weber and company and Jennifer Roberson are in the same league in my book.

The princess needs a bit of deportment apparently.


When you decide you need to work on the aristocratic side of a girl, of course you would send her off with a pig keeper and a beast man, wouldn't you?

Because of this, and a bit of a princess triangle, they all end up in a Land of the Giants type scenario, or at least in part.

Here, along with a bit of magic, is a fantasy book where a crow actually comes in useful as a good thing.

This is a great series. One of my favorites and my husband's favorites.

All of Alexander's main characters are back in this book (besides Doli I think), and once again Alexander does a wonderful job of portraying the battle of good vs. evil in the fun garb of a fictional adventure. This book highlights self-sacrafice, as Taran has to choose whether or not to help the man competing for the same things that he wants. It also highlights the immorality of selfishness, as Glew is pretty much selfishness incarnate and ends up stuck in a cave with no way to get out, until Taran and co. decide to be merciful to him even though he tried to kill them.

This books is lots of fun, definitely a recommended read, along with the rest of the series.

Overall grade: A-

As a kid I read the Prydain books again and again. I can't resist some Harry Potter comparisons, and since they make a good common point of reference, I'll use the device here. The Prydain books aren't quite as exciting and magical as HP, but they have many of the same coming of age problems expressed through allegory, and frankly I find the characters better developed, more humorous, and more likeable. This is the third in the five book series, and to my mind the weakest but still very, very enjoyable. The protagonist of this book, as of the others is Taran of Caer Dallben, an orphan of unknown parentage and now an Assistant Pig-Keeper. He is being raised by a monastic collection of former war heroes and semi-wizards, and is always insecure about his lineage. In this book he also struggles with the crisis of his best friend, the princess Eilonwy, being forced to leave to learn to be a lady. Other main and recurring characters, save perhaps for the princess, are more or less also neurotic in delightful ways. Alexander avoids formula, even though the plot when described could sound like a million sword and sorcerer books. The depth and likeability of the characters lifts it above most fantasy books,though, especially fantasy books for kids. We grow up with Taran, and the character he develops is character that would almost universally be recognized as admirable. I highly, highly recommend all of them- at least as much as the HP books. Again, I think this may be the weakest one, but it's still terrific.

Dont mind if I rated this 4 stars. THis is a great book, I couldnt stop reading it, but its just that THe book of Three was more interesting. I read this book since 5th grade(now im in 6th grade)its a lot interesting.
I hope this review will be useful to you !!!
thanks!!!

I love stories with military men. Of all the Madaris books, I do believe that this is my all time favorite. I love Trevor. He's perfect. The fact that heand Corinthian's had a somewhat embarrassing history just made it that much more good. I love how she tried to ignore her feelings for him and fight him the entire way. I myself would have loved to be stranded in the middle of a rain forest with an ex Recon Marine. In the end, they ended up living happily ever after, which I always love. They're just so cute together, and I especially love how Mrs. Jackson gives us updates on all of her previous characters.

This, as usual, is a GREAT book. I like how Brenda Jackson pits two people together who can't stand each other but secretly have the hots for each other, and then all of a sudden they can't stay away from each other. The passion in her books is...... WOW!

I am a ruge fan. Since Jan '07, I have read no less than 20 of her books and have enjoyed every one. This in itself is amazing because before reading her books I was not a big fan of reading. You turned me into a readaholic!

The only problem in the book, Mrs. Jackson, is that Grambling State is not in Shreveport, LA but 67 miles away in Grambling, LA. However, thanks for mentioning G-town in your book!

I really enjoyed reading this book. Although it does`nt compare to the "Madaris Saga", it`s still 1st rate none the less. I put Trevor up there right along with the Madaris brothers. Corinthians....YOU GO GIRL!!!! Brenda Jackson fans, if you don`t have this book, get it, believe me you won`t be disappointed. Brenda Jackson has the tendency to make the main characters of her novels hate each other at first, but when they fall in love....LOOK OUT. Fire and Desire is a MUST READ.

Fire and Desire is just like the title suggest. Pure fire and so much desire that I couldn't go to sleep until I finished reading the book. This was the first book I read by Brenda Jackson and since then I've read all of her work and she's an excellent writer, but there was nothing like FIRE & DESIRE.

Trevor and Corinthians hated each other. Seriously. She showed too much that night two years ago and he saw her in a way that Corinthians would desperately like to forget. Trevor hated her just that much cause he seen too much that night and he hasn't gotten a good night's sleep since then.

Well what do you do when two people want each other but don't like each other enough to like nature takes it's course? You throw them together isolated from the outside world. Trevor and Corinthians wound up escaping into the jungle when their hotel became under attack. He kept them alive and she kept in hard. REALLY HARD! This book is a definite read. Way to Go, Mrs. Jackson!

I have read 5 books so far out of the Madaris and Friends series and in my opinion this is the best one!!!!! I look forward to reading about the Madaris brothers romances. Having discovered them in The Best Man, Surrender and Unfinished business yes folks I ended up reading the whole saga backwards but still want to know how they met they wives, anyway going off track. This book is good and I bet more interesting than the Madaris romances, sorry Brenda it just is!!! Keep up the good work tho!