Libraries Books

I was having the most stressful four months of my life, and every time I picked up this book, I was instantly transported to the no-responsibilities, no-danger, money-free, superficially-gorgeous, pleasure-dedicated, high-tech world I imagined could solve all my own problems, and then entertainingly placed into the mind of our nameless, i'm-not-taking-your-bull-crap, teenage protagonist, who proved to have more guts and dreams than anyone that knew her could have imagined.

For anyone who has felt trapped and restless, who has fought depression by means of the external world, and has failed attempt after attempt, the beginning of this story will ring all too true, but through her self-discovery, you, the reader, will embark on an increasingly epic journey and find that society does not make who you are, or anyone else with true heart.

In the second half of "Biting the Sun", she showed me the beauty of OUR world, which I was not expecting. I will not dare to explain that, because that aspect more than any other in this book, I believe, is best solely left to the interpretation of the reader. ;)

If you are interested in all of this... and the human condition!... then you should give this book a go!!! This 1st person writing style is quick and easy, almost immaturely & confusingly so sometimes, but that's just another off-beat quality that makes this book so grand -- the protagonist is a teenager, and this is the future, so what the heck? It fits!

This is my first Tanith Lee book ever. There is so much I love about this book --- the language, the pictures it makes in my head, the setting, some incredibly inspiring quotes among so much that is vague --- that I cannot imagine another of her books topping this off, but I hear that this is one of her early works, so c'mon, surprise me some more Tanith Lee!!!

Lee really gets you into this book. Set in a time when dying holds no consequence since you can come back and design a new body and when you can design your own dreams, one young jang girl rebels. Tired of the same thing she tries at first to move up a stage to an older person when that fails she tries at working. She tries all things from digging up artifacts in the desert to making a child and breaks the few rules that the society had set and ends up being thrown from civilization for killing another person against their will. Ready to experience new things she starts her own garden in the desert and oasis of freedom she was exiled to where she can live and be happy until others want that same freedom and the society she was desperate to escape from starts meddling its way back into her life.
Good book, had romance, adventure, fantasy, I loved it. It was long though (I read it in one sitting) so don't buy it if you'll just read a page every other day that really takes away from the story.

I've seen most reviewers class this as SF - but I'd put it in the fantasy section. Other reviewers have given you excellent information on the content of the collection of two novels. I read Drinking Sapphire Wine first as a teenager (my FIRST SF/Fantasy experience)and it's great as a stand alone novel. Reading Don't Bite the Sun gave me the background to understand the heroine/hero's (as you can switch body genders!) actions and why she/he chose instead of PD (where your personality is wiped and you "return" as a child to "utopia"). I identified with the main character, who's name is never mentioned in either novel, as she/he was a loner as I was and still am to most extent and saw the world in a different light than others as well as had a love for pets, archaeology and the desert. I admit to having read this book over and over and over and still enjoy it today as an adult, along with the Sliver Metal Lover these are my favorite novels from Tanith Lee's great volume of work. When I was a teen I indoctrinated my friends to these novels and we used the Jang slang in our everyday language and notes. My first copies were LOST by a friend who SAID they were stolen out of his locker - HA! I don't BELIVE it. He was either obsessed with me (which he outgrew and married a lovely lady) and wanted my property or didn't want to buy his own copies to read and read! Along with the SF of body and sex changes there is the background of human emotions, which have been squashed to only "good" emotions by hypnoschool, revealing some of the darker emotions of the characters and love which will endure the ages. Exiles from the four Bee's, the main character and her/his friends/lovers and followers and some desert animals struggle to make an existence outside the dome - which except for a little android sabotage (AGAINST their programing!), turns out to be a better life than in the cities and the main characters find true love instead of having love of the domes. Would I read this again - yes I have - over and over.

This is an amazing and original fantasy novel.

It takes place in either the future, or on another planet. Death has been illiminated along with sickness and old age. You change bodies, change gender, change anything, the whole world (which appears to consist of three domed cites in a large uninhabitable desert wasteland) is controlled by human like androids.

You go to school until roughly the age of five and then you're "Jang", or teenage for up to a hundred years afterwards. Jang are encouraged to kill themselves and come back in wacky bodies, have sex with dozens of people in both genders (though they have to get married first and annual it afterwards) and take tons and tons of drugs, mostly ecstasy pills. Also Jang are encouraged to steal, but since no money exists and paying consists of putting out emotional energy to power the domes in forms of excessive "thank yous", it doesn't really matter if they do.

Basically this society has no soul, no responsibilities. Androids handle everything. Death means nothing, so life means nothing. (Which is a very profound concept if you think about and not one I've seen used in fantasy before.) And one mostly female Jang rebels (in sort of a roundabout fashion) and changes all that.

It's a cool book and it reinforces ideas of the human spirit. I look forward to reading other books by this author (this was my first.)

Five stars

I was surprised that no one saw the connection between the theme of this book and the theme with Dostoevsky's "The Underground Man". Whereas Dostoevsky takes the idea that man is inherently lazy, selfish, and easily bored and illustrates it in subtle ways in what was the present for him, Tanith Lee basically magnifies everything Dostoevsky has to say in a way that you can't ignore it, and puts it waaaaay into the future.

For those of you who haven't read Dostoevsky, as it isn't common with teenage sci-fi lovers, Dostoevsky was basically a conservative in the 1800s when communism was just begining in Russia. Russian communists beleived that through communism, man would live in a paradise, with all needs met, and do work for the sake of work and his love for his neighbor. Communism placed way too much trust in the goodness of human beings. Dostoevsky knew that no matter what, humans would never be content with what they had, and "The Underground Man" was a sort of warning against this idea.

Anyways, Tanith Lee understood all of this, and in her book takes us into a future where everything runs on the power of human emotion, and the need for human workers has completely vanished. Because human emotion is vital to make the city run, humans are encouraged to indulge in their every whim, to unleash all their restraints and do whatever it is they beleive will produce emotions within themselves--happiness being the preffered emotion, for when one is happy one does not question or think or ask for more. Death cannot touch the citizens. You can do anything you want without risk.

Initially, the reader may be confused, because the psychology of the citizens seem reversed. They actually enjoy in some way feeling unhappy, but soon the reader realizes why--in a world where you are pampered and all your desires met, the only way one can really feel anything is to experience a bit of dissappointment.

Anyways. It's a fabulous book, a good introduction to these deeper questions of humanity for the seeking teenager, but I think readers of all ages might enjoy it, if one can only relax themselves into the story and put their faith in the author.

Ghosts are everywhere. Ichigo Kurosaki knows this because he can see ghosts. But his life takes a huge change when he runs into Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper, and he learns about the spirit world. In fact he joins it to protect his family. For the first volume it packs a lot of details, setting up the world within the book and the characters who live within it.

I really enjoyed to whole concept of this series. This book does a good job in setting it up.

the first bleach book, it takes you into a fantasy world that is impossible to put down.

bleach is one of my favourite manga comics.I think every fan of manga should read at least one part of bleach.If you like manga I also recommend death note and naruto.

Ichigo "Strawberry" Kurosaki is just your average teenage boy... except that he can see spirits wherever he goes. Ghosts, evil spirits, accident victims, all kinds.

So it's not exactly surprising that he gets involved in wild, dangerous adventures, at the start of the humorous, action-packed "Bleach." Since this is just the first volume, Tite Kubo's art and plotting experience some basic growing pangs, but the stories are fast-paced, amusing and sometimes incredibly poignant. And the spiky-haired Ichigo has the makings of a great manga hero.

One night a strange girl appears in Ichigo's bedroom, and is shocked when he can see her. She explains that she's a Soul Reaper, who helps the dead pass on to the Soul Society (a sort of afterlife... thing), and purifies evil spirits called Hollows.

But when Rukia is injured in a fight with a Hollow, all her powers are transferred to Ichigo -- and with them, the responsibility of killing Hollows all over his town. Ichigo is not enthusiastic about his new role, but he can't pass up the opportunity to help innocent spirits. And he finds out that it isn't easy juggling his new responsibilities with his everyday life -- especially since the powerless Rukia is now attending his school in a fake body, and living in his closet.

Even worse, his extra duties with Hollows are affecting his friends. First pretty, flaky Orihime is stalked by a Hollow she is very familiar with -- someone who was closer to her than anyone else. And Ichigo's enormous, mostly-silent pal Chad is given a "cursed parakeet," and immediately dangerous things start happening to him -- what is the parakeet's "curse," why is a Hollow pursing Chad, and why does his new pet seem to be intelligent?

The first volume of a manga series is usually the bumpiest ride, since the author/artist is busy introducing the characters and the main storyline. So it's not surprising that "Bleach's" first volume has a few bumps in the road, especially in the first couple chapters -- getting Ichigo into the whole Soul Reaper situation, introducing about half of the main cast, and to the whole worldview of this particular series. Things get much more complex later on, but at this point Kubo is just laying out the groundwork.

The artwork is also rather sketchy in the first few chapters -- Ichigo looks almost prepubescent and a bit thuggish in the first chapter, and the action panels look abrupt. Fortunately by the time Orihime's storyline rolls around, Kubo's art has settled into a smoother, more even style -- if still a bit rough around the edges.

Primarily this is an action manga, with lots of monster-slaying with swords (in Ichigo's case, a freakishly huge one) and a complex battle between Ichigo and a grief-maddened Hollow. But Kubo fills these scenes with a sense of pathos, such as Chad's fondness for the little parakeet, or Orihime's fond memories of her older brother, who saved her as a baby from their horrible parents.

Don't worry, there are a lot of comedic moments too -- Rukia's awful drawing skills, Ichigo playing baseball with pepper bombs, and Ichigo's kooky classmates and family. Not to mention Chad's quiet explanations ("Yesterday... I collided with a motorcycle").

This is our first introduction to the various characters, but Ichigo "Strawberry" is a pretty good hero, albeit in the mold of most action-anime heroes -- rough, fight-prone, determinedly lonerish, but very good-hearted. He doesn't want to go out and just be heroic, but he can't pass up a person who needs his help. The smart, prickly Rukia and sweetly flaky Orihime round out the cast, although gentle giant Chad hasn't been explored much yet.

The first volume of Tite Kubo's "Bleach" is a warmup for the bestselling series, but Kubo really hits his stride -- with art and story -- in the second half. Definitely worth getting, if nothing else to acquaint you with the world of the Soul Reapers.

I really loved this book by Desi Arnaz. I recommend "Love Lucy" by Lucille Ball to go with it. I have that one also and love it as well.

This is a wonderful book! I read it in a weekend; I could not put it down. No one gives Desi enough credit for all he's done. He was very creative and innovative! I feel like he is the Godfather of modern TV: how it's written, filmed, produced, cast, marketed etc... He set the bar so high, no one in TV history will surpass his genius and his wonderful work.
This book gives insight to his personal life too. Because of the way it is written and the language used, it feels like Desi is there talking with you and telling his story. Much of the book is about before he marries Lucy, and the story continues though to 1960 after their divorce. He said that he had enough meterial written for a second publication that would be titled "Another Book". But sadly it was never developed or published; I wish I could have read about his older years too.
To understand someone is to love them, and this book makes you Love Desi!

Back in 1957 when Dad bought our first tv, there was a big battle about where it should go. Mom won the battle to keep it out of the living room and it was relegated to a tiny room near the bathroom on the first floor of our humble abode in Small Town, Wisconsin. Mother placed an unruly philodendron on top of it to hide it as best she could and, seldom to return, she left the room to my brothers and me. I Love Lucy was already in reruns, although I think it was still in its Monday night primetime slot as well. The show was on a lot because it was the only thing in reruns and I loved it! Reading Desi Arnaz's book brings those days back for me. Desi takes the reader along from his days as a conga boy for Xavier Cugat, through his tumultuous relationship with Lucille Ball. Along with insights into their personal lives, Desi relates (in an almost conversational writing style) how the show came to be produced and filmed almost by accident. Included are fun anticdotes about casting Vivian Vance and William Frawley as neighbors Fred and Ethel Mertz. Perhaps most fun in Desi's waltz down memory lane is his reminiscing about specific key episodes with stars of the day like John Wayne, William Holden, Harpo Marx and Bob Hope. It's hard to imagine today the impact that I Love Lucy had on our lives way back then. Lucy and Desi were everywhere in the media and when Ball and Arnaz announced that they were splitting up (and that the show was ending), people felt really bad for them, myself included; Everybody loved Lucy. I still love Lucy, especially after reading this, Desi's wonderful, heartfelt memoir.

I got this book and could not put it down! So much is said about Lucy (and she was talented)but with Desi and his input she was brilliant! I felt as if I was sitting and listening to a man..replay his life. It reads like a conversation! I only wished he could have done a second book! If you get the chance don't miss this book! It made me love Desi even more.

Throughout the pages of this book, one gets the impression that Desi really did love Lucy and she loved him, but they seemed to be one of those couples that could not live together. He was a philanderer and she had a hot temper and that (apparently) made for some rough living.

The singular most interesting fact from this book that I will probably never EVER forget is this: After Desi and Lucy were divorced, he called her every night for the rest of his life. They were more than lovers, they were best friends and it seems that the relationship continued, even after the marriage ended.

This book is really a manuscript-length tribute to Lucille Ball. Desi's love and admiration for her shines through its many pages. He is kind to her in this memoir and unlike the poison-pen style of today's celebs, it seems that Desi just wanted the world to know that Lucy really was the amazing, interesting and gifted soul she appeared to be.

It also has some fascinating insights and background about the program and its sequels. Plus, if you want to know the scoop about William Frawley and Vivian Vance (Fred and Ethel), it's all in these pages. Those two really did NOT like each other.

I bought this book (used, cheap) and my little paperback copy arrived tattered and worn , but I couldn't stop reading it. Very well written, very interesting and a real tribute to the star of "I Love Lucy."

This was quite helpful and informative for a book aimed at preteens, yet highly accessible and understandful. It offers great tips and advice, especially on dealing with feelings and seeing them in a healthy, real perspective. I even used this for an essay I had to write!

J'adore! ^_^

(p.s. everyone should real Twilight.)

Don't get misled by the cover. This book is for girls at any age. . . Really.. As we grow older, people assume we know things that we are not supposed to know. For instance, how to keep and take good care of our emotions and feelings.. This is the book that will get you started..

I got this book along with the "What would you do??" book for my 12 years old step daughter and she loved it...I noticed its hard for her to communicate with us and being that our marriage is new to her and the possibility of having a little brother and sister someday is making her worried that she will no longer be the only child, a book about expressing feelings seemed perfect...She sat down with us to read through the books...THANKS AMERICAN GIRL this book is great!!!

I got this book along with the "What would you do??" book for my 12 years old step daughter and she loved it...I noticed its hard for her to communicate with us and being that our marriage is new to her and the possibility of having a little brother and sister someday is making her worried that she will no longer be the only child, a book about expressing feelings seemed perfect...She sat down with us to read through the books...THANKS AMERICAN GIRL this book is great!!!

Gave this book to my Tween daughter. I think this book will help with a lot of the problems they will come in contact with.

This is the true story of Brother Andrew and his work in smuggling Bibles to those Christians oppressed by communism. There are many moments of miraculous interventions by God and Brother Andrew's touchingly transparent story will bring a tear to your eye and inspire you to appreaciate the freedoms we have and to help those who do not, even if only in prayer. This is one book that will not dissappoint!

I read this book atleast once a year. It is the most exciting and inspirational book in my library.

This book was hard to put down. I first learned of Brother Andrew by listening to a CD of the life of Corrie TenBoom. He was a friend of hers and introduced the CD.

The book God's Smuggler is, (and I hate to use this word loosely as it is overused) awesome in the respect that God answered him so many times directly. His answers were direct miracles from God. It is also amazing to read how he managed to get in and out of Russia so many times unscathed. Great reading.

This book is gripping. I started reading it one night and finished it the next afternoon. This is a great story and testimony.

This book by Brother Andrew was Excellent. The story of a European Christian and his attempts to smuggle Bibles behind the Iron Curtain. Plenty of action and suspense, combined with a motivating personal story. Since its the story of a mans life its also a fairly easy read.

A well-written, albeit gruesome, horror series, for kids who think it's great fun to be scared witless. The fourth and latest book (as of August 2008) is the darkest so far. There are a few too many creatures that want to suck human blood for my taste, but that quibble aside, all entries in the series so far are page-turners.

I didn't know what to expect as I opened this book for the first time, a part me thought it would just be another bland young adult book but its so much more than that. The book has a naturally dark mood being that the protagonist, Tom Ward is learning to fight witches, ghosts, and boggarts. However this book strikes a perfect middle ground, making it a great read for any age group. The characters are also interesting, Tom Ward is the apprentice who must face his fears and control them, The Spook is a tough yet intelligent teacher, and Alice is a mischievous witch who takes a liking to Tom. Don't hesitate getting this if you've been looking for a fantasy series filled with adventure, and interesting characters.

Tom is 13 years old and lives on a farm with his parents, older brother Jack, and Jack's wife Ellie. Tom is the seventh son of a seventh son and it is time for him to go off and learn a trade. His father has made arrangements for him to have a trial as the apprentice of the local Spook - the person who travels the county ridding the area of supernatural creatures such as boggarts and witches. Tom is scared of these creatures and very wary of the Spook. But his mother tells him that this is his future and he must go off and give it a try.

The Spook puts Tom through a number of challenges in order to see if Tom is up to the task of being his apprentice. Tom is very very scared of many of the things he has to go up against, but he soon finds that he has good instincts for this kind of work. However, his best instincts are not better than the tricks that Alice, a girl that is a witch, plays on him. Tom finds out that he is too trusting of other people and he must learn when to trust his instincts and heart. But will Tom and his family have harm come to them before Tom is able to handle himself and learn all that the Spook has to teach him?

Joseph Delaney has a good start to a fun series with this book. Chronicles of this type are favorites of many readers now that Harry Potter has set the stage for magic and otherworldly creatures. This book is of a similar genere as Harry Potter, Spiderwick Chronicles, and A Series of Unfortunate Events. With regard to it's level of sophistication, it rates beteween A Series of Unfortunate Events and Harry Potter. It is well written, teaches as it goes, and surely will prove to be an entertaining coming of age series.

After reading Revenge of the Witch, I had to go out and get the second one because I wanted to know what happened to Tom and Alice. I think Alice is one of the most intriguing characters in the whole book because despite being a witch, she's not an evil person. Nor is she a good person.

And that's something this whole series (at least my impression) seems to convey - that no one is completely and utterly good or bad. We've all got a mixture of both.

I disagree with the reviewer who said s/he thought the book had misogynistic views. only ONE character has these views and it is shown by other, strong female characters, that he is wrong.

All in all, I think this would be a fantastic series for struggling readers, or those reluctant to put down the video games and pick up a book. The large text and illustrations make the reading go by fast - not to mention the pounding plot that doesn't really let up at any moment.

This is a very scary book and if your not up to be scared then don't read. I read this book in in about two days and I thought it was awesome. Ages 10 to 80 well I read it when I was 9 but I've seen many other disturbing and scary things before it.

Librarians will probably love this story more than most, but any child will too. A lion comes to the library one day and eventually captures everyone's heart. My son told me that he thinks the lion thought the library was a place for him because of the stone lions out in front of the library. Beautiful artwork, lovable characters. A true classic.

Library Lion.

When a lion wanders into the library, Mr. McBee frowns on the idea, but Miss Meriwhether, the librarian decides that he isn't breaking any rules. However, when story time is over, he roars. Miss Merriweather tells the lion he won't be allowed in the library if he ever roars again.

Miss Merriweather and the children look forward to seeing the lion each day for story time. The lion also helps out by licking envelopes, dusting with his tail and helping children reach books on high shelves.

One day the lion breaks the rules, once again. He leaves the library, knowing that he has broken the rules.

Story time just isn't the same without the lion.

Mr. McBee decides that sometimes there is a good reason to break rules.

How would you feel about having a lion visit for story time?
Do you think lions can be quiet?

This is an entertaining book for children. It will help them develope a love for books, and an excitement for visiting the library.

Jill Ammon Vanderwood, Author
Through the Rug
Through The Rug: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)

My children loved this book. It is one that they have asked me to read to them many times. It's definitely a classic that I will keep for my collection.

My son just turned 2 and received this as a gift. He loves it and so do we. I bought 2 more as gifts.

My daughter loves this book and we read it every night the first week I bought it. It is a sweet story but the illustrations are so dear and charming. She loves it when the Lion ROARS and her eyes sparkle on every page.

I am a teen reader and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. The premise for the story is very original what with the whole chess thing (certainly different from anything I've read). It didn't take long for the action to get started and several unexpected twists kept the story from being too predictable.

Be advised though; this story is NOT for those who are easily disturbed and do not appreciate graphic descriptions of gore.

First book in the Demonata series.

Grubitsch "Grubbs" Grady goes to live with his Uncle Dervish in a creepy old mansion after his parents and sister are torn to shreds by an evil demon named Lord Loss and his familiars, Vein and Artery. Grubbs witnesses the gory scene, but escapes by tapping into a magical ability he never knew he possessed. Once in his uncle's house, Grubbs learns more than he ever wanted to know about the Grady family curse, which involves werewolves, demons, and chess.

Lord Loss is an exciting fantasy/horror story, filled with suspense that left me wanting to read more. After his parents are killed by the demon master, Lord Loss, a teenage is introduced into a world of demons and magic by his uncle. I think a lot of teenagers would enjoy reading this book. Darren Shan uses every word in the book to describe the characters, the thing around them, and their feelings. The story is completely unpredictable and I was left reading chapteer after chapter, The characters are realistic and I can relate to what they feel. I gave this book a 4 out of 5. It is one of my favorite books because of how the story is told which so much detail in every sentence.

Demonata
Book 1: Lord Loss

This story starts off with this one kid and his family who absolutely loves chess. They play a game every night and they are the best of the state and know one can beat them. Grubbs (Grubitsch) Grady doesn't get why his family has to play chess so much. He doesn't get why it's so important to the family, but soon, very soon he will find out the truth.
Grubbs family went out of town to a ballet Grubbs spends the night at his aunt's house for the night. But Grubbs was too curious to let his family treating him differently unnoticed. He sneaks out of his grandma's house to see what id really going on.
He finally gets to his house and his parents vehicles are still there. His front door was unlocked so he went in. The whole house was unusually cold. Every chess set that was in the house was broken and skewed around the house. The only light on in the house was in his room. Grubbs never learned what curiosity killed the cat meant until now.
When Grubbs opens the door to his room all he sees is blood stained walls and the demon artery eating his sister alive and the other demon Vein chewing alive his mom.
That's just the beginning, if you like horror books and demons and werewolves, this is the book for you. There's a lot more to this book than what you just read and it get's much, much better than the beginning is.
This book comes close to being just as good as the Cirque De Freak, but it's not quite there yet.

Another must read seires by Darren Shan This book is awsome its about demons and everything magical but mustly demons u will be itchting for the next book after u read Lord Loss

It is First Summer's Eve. Every year the elves celebrate as the black moon's shadow fades from the world. It also happens to be Luthiel's fifteenth birthday. Luthiel's sister, Leowin, gives her a rare and magical Wyrd Stone. Luthiel is reluctant to accept it since Leowin stole it from a dark sorcerer. Yet Leowin insists that the stone belongs to her. Luthiel had been found, abandoned, as an infant and raised with Leowin's family. The stone had been with Luthiel at that time and the sorcerer had taken it from her. Knowing this, of course Luthiel accepts the Wyrd Stone. Shortly thereafter, a Blade Dancer arrives in the village. They are the solitary guardians of the Minonowe. A Blade Dancer always brings bad news, normally the name of the Chosen. The Chosen is the one elf each year that is taken from his family to the dark and ancient Vyrls who feed on the blood of elves. But this year, three, instead of one, has been Chosen. And the arrival of the Blade Dancer means there has been a fourth elf chosen.

The Chosen is Leowin. The Blade Dancer tells Luthiel in confidence that she has a choice. Luthiel may do nothing and Leowin will be taken to the Vyrls. Or Luthiel can break the highest Faeland law and venture alone to the Vale of Mists to offer herself in her sister's place. If Luthiel chooses to confront the Vyrls, she must hurry. Othalas, the eldest and most feared of all the werewolves, is en route to pick up Leowin. Luthiel will need to meet with a powerful sorcerer, somehow past huge, intelligent spiders who weave webs out of nightmares, and travel through the glittering mists with the power to reshape flesh. Only then will she reach the Vyrls. Either choice will bring death.

But Luthiel is stronger and braver than she could possibly imagine. Good thing, because it will take everything Luthiel has to learn the secrets about her Wyrd Stone.

***** I stress that this is the first book in the Luthiel's Song series. Though the story will end in a good spot, there will be many questions left unanswered and many future tasks left to achieve. However, everything in my synopsis of this story is completed by this book's half-way point. So much more happens than I can tell without some major spoilers (for this book and the future ones).

I am very happy to say that the story is excellent! There are so many creatures, twists, surprises, and adventure. Author Robert Marston Fanney's imagination is a deep well of fantasy mysteries. I can hardly wait to see where he takes me next! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

This is one of the most original fantasy worlds I've seen in years. Elves mixed with vampires and werewolves... and many more creatures. But the story has been told and retold since King Author: orphan finding out they are royality. The only thing that kept this from a five star rating is the lack of growth of the romantic aspect. The two characters could have been developed better from that standpoint to give them more depth. For kids and the men who do not want a lot of male-female interaction, this book is excellent. The simple plot:

It is First Summer's Eve. Every year the elves celebrate as the black moon's shadow fades from the world. It also happens to be Luthiel's fifteenth birthday. Luthiel's sister, Leowin, gives her a rare and magical Wyrd Stone. Luthiel is reluctant to accept it since Leowin stole it from a dark sorcerer. Yet Leowin insists that the stone belongs to her. Luthiel had been found, abandoned, as an infant and raised with Leowin's family. The stone had been with Luthiel at that time and the sorcerer had taken it from her. Knowing this, of course Luthiel accepts the Wyrd Stone. Shortly thereafter, a Blade Dancer arrives in the village. They are the solitary guardians of the Minonowe. A Blade Dancer always brings bad news, normally the name of the Chosen. The Chosen is the one elf each year that is taken from his family to the dark and ancient Vyrls who feed on the blood of elves. But this year, three, instead of one, has been Chosen. And the arrival of the Blade Dancer means there has been a fourth elf chosen.

The Chosen is Leowin. The Blade Dancer tells Luthiel in confidence that she has a choice. Luthiel may do nothing and Leowin will be taken to the Vyrls. Or Luthiel can break the highest Faeland law and venture alone to the Vale of Mists to offer herself in her sister's place. If Luthiel chooses to confront the Vyrls, she must hurry. Othalas, the eldest and most feared of all the werewolves, is en route to pick up Leowin. Luthiel will need to meet with a powerful sorcerer, somehow past huge, intelligent spiders who weave webs out of nightmares, and travel through the glittering mists with the power to reshape flesh. Only then will she reach the Vyrls. Either choice will bring death.

But Luthiel is stronger and braver than she could possibly imagine. Good thing, because it will take everything Luthiel has to learn the secrets about her Wyrd Stone.

~R~

Being a Terry Brooks fan among others, and having reviewed within the romance and mystery genres for quite a few years away from the fantasy/science fiction genre, it was a refreshing and unexpected delight to read such a well done tale of fantasy! Luthiel's Song: Dreams of the Ringed Vale is light and dark, with a heart-felt touch of character dilema sandwiched inbetween. It's Luthiel's fifteenth birthday upon which her sister Leowin presents her with a wonderful gift; a Wyrd Stone. But the treasure is not the only thing that comes to Luthiel upon the day of her birthday. A Blade Dancer comes bearing a dark and very disturbing message. A message meant for one Luthiel holds dear in her heart. So disturbing and dark is the message the Blade Dancer bears, Luthiel is faced with a horrifying choice. Should she do nothing and wait for death to steal away a cherished loved one, or does she go against the most sacred of laws and make a journey alone into one of the darkest places known to her kind? Death lays in wait which ever way she chooses. But whose death will she choose? Only her Wyrd Stone, a window into the world of dreams can help her avoid the inevitable choice. But will she find the secret the stone holds before it is too late? Find out as I did, and read this wonderful first book from author Robert Fanney. My appetite for fantasy is now hungry for more! Very well done!

One of the absolutely best written fantasy books of all time. What I liked about it, everything. What I disliked about it, nothing. Ok there was one thing, none of my local book stores carried it, but fortunetly Amazon had it and for a very good price. If you have kids get this book for them but make sure you read it first or get 2 copies so you can enjoy reading it, because once you give it to your kids you won't be able to get it out of their hands.

A thoroughly enjoyable book. Mr. Fanney's characters, creatures, and storyline made the book hard to put down. And unfortunately, when I did put it down (three days after I started it), I quickly went to Robert Fanney's myspace, I thanked him for Luthiel's Song, and asked when the next addition to Luthiel's story was coming out.

There are few authors who's books I've read more than once (Tolkien, Kurtz, King, and Eddings), Robert Fanney is the newest author on that list.

This book was EXCELLENT!! I love it!

The excitement of the book kept me reading!! Even thought there was fictional parts in the book, like how Man O' War's Dam was not gentle and sweet but nervous and A LOT like her Sire. And other fictional things like how the new owner did not see Man O' War until after he bought him. Even though these things were false in the story, I think it is great and helps people learn the life of one of the greatest horses in history!! When I read the book I felt like I was there, And I love when books help you do that! I really hope they can mke more books like this on othr famous horses!

I was able to enjoy this book immensely! The details Walter Farley gave were incredible. You didn't miss a thing! You always knew everything that was going on with Man O' War. There wasn't too much detail either. It wasn't 350 pages of blah. In this book you were able to live through all of the races, dissapointment, and momentous occasions of Man O' War and his stable hand Danny. Danny was a loyal young man who more than anything wanted to be with his horse Man O' War. Any horse lover who has a special horse close to their heart or just loves horses in general will be able to relate to Danny's love for Man O' War!
I definitely recommend Man O' War as a must read for any horse lover!
I hope this was of some help for you! Happy Reading!!

This is one of my favorite books ever. I read it a few years ago (in 8th grade), and am still looking for another racehorse book like it. Farley throws you into the story of a colt and his groom. Although in real life, Danny didn't exist, "Red" did and the information on the horse and his races is true. It gives all of the history without getting boring and sounding like a History book. I think everyone who even just likes horses should read it.

It is really goood
the beginning is a little slow but then it grips you and you can hardly put the book down!
it is one of the best books that he has ever written!
If you love horses, or horse racing then this is the book for you!!

I adore this book, though it is not completely factual. Of course, Walter Farley never says it was:) It is extremely well written and I strongly recommend it to everyone who enjoys Walter Farley's books, horse racing, Man O'War, or just plain horses!

However, there are a few little facts that are incorrect. In the book it is mentioned that Mahubah, Man O'War's dam, is a gentle, good-natured mare that they bred to "tame the hot blood of Hastings". But in real life, Mahubah was noted to be a nervous, rather high-strung mare, much like her father Rock Sand. Rock Sand was very alert and nervous and had to literally have a padded stall because he would pace and kick so much they worried he would injure himself!

Second, Mr. Riddle did not see Man O'War until after he was purchased. He had an agent buy him at the Saratoga Sale.

Also, I think Walter Farley should have given some credit to Preston M. Burch and his book "Training Thoroughbred Horses" because Man O'War's entire training process was copied step-by-step from that book (which I also own).

Overall though, a great book and one of my favorites by the author. Very much recommended and enjoyed!