Fantasy Books

I would have to say that so far, this is my favorite book out of the Everworld series (I still have 8 more to go). April, Jalil, David and Christopher have escaped Loki only to be in a never ending forest with not much to eat or drink. They finally come to what looks like a town and the smell of baking bread drives them closer to it. They find that it is more a prison than a town. Mostly everyone in town in male and terrified of "she". Who is this she and why is everyone so scared of her?

I loved this book because of its extreme intesity. It made you excited and anxious to see what happens next. It is unpredictable and builds up tension while you read. I would reccomend this book for anyone between the ages of 12-and up.

WOAH, this book is the best book that you will ever read (unless the other books that you read are in the Everworld series). In this book you will be the character Jalil and will go through many different journeys and will encounter many different foes. Many people who you will think who and what they are, but really aren't. Overall this book will blow your mind with the amazing descriptions of friends and enemies. I hope that you will enjoy reading this book!!! :-)

Jalil, David, April, and Christopher have landed in one of the worst places yet. They are fed and well taken care, Until they find out about a cave that could take them home. But instead they have entered the realm of Hel. Loki's half dead daughter. She can get all mens attention (Mortal, Immortal, and Gods). She has a beauty to her that no one can resist. David, Christopher and Jalil do not have a will of their own. When Hel is about toss them to her snake, Jalil comes upon Senna. This reunion was not good at all. Better yet, all of them are about to fall to Hel's giant snake that is miles long! W.T.E

A Review by Jonathan

The group Jalil, April, David, and Christopher are still searching for the witch Senna. They stumble upon a village of men. The need for food and rest drove them to an inn. They cannot leave this village unless a dredded "She" of which people speak, lets them. They learn of Loki's daughter Hel, and that she plans to torture them for the end of eternity. If they can't escape her clutches, they will certainly die.

I liked the feel of the environment of this book. It envelopes and immerses the reader. It creates an atmosphere that helps the reader along. It also creates a sense of emotion such as fear. Another point of liking is that it is very easy to get into. The book has a clean, crisp plot that is easily readable, yet enjoyable. One more point of interest is the problems that the characters face. This adds to the intensity of the book. I like the fact that most of their problems are god related. This makes it interesting because they also have to survive. They don't know what will happen to them in the real world if they die in Everworld. Sometimes the concept of their consciousness traveling between universes can be confusing, but I get it. This is a semi- easy book.

I recommend this book to people that take a liking to thrills and adventure. Also, there is a lot of action in this book. I think this book is excellent, I think the same about the entire series. This is a semi-easy book to read.

I am an adult and have just discovered this jewel. I have to say, I loved it. Of course, it's not like Koontz's adult books, but it's not designed to be. The tale held my attention and I loved the characters, especially Amos.

This is a good book for younger children who want to be a little scared, but not too much and the message is timeless.

Highly recommended.

It is a nice story, with a definite "good" advise for kids. I think it would make a good introductory book for youngsters into the "suspense/horror" genre.

I have been looking for a copy of this book for years. It was the 2nd book I read by Koontz and fell in love with it. I had read it over several times and fell into the story and art work everytime. Even though it's been over 10 years since I've last seen or read the story, I remember it as if I read it last week. I only wish it was more available for others to enjoy as well. This is definately a story for those who are still a child at heart.

I remember reading this book when I was 10, it's stuck with me ever since. Now with kids of my own I can only appricate the story's plot more. I love this story and am only sadden to know that it is no longer in print for other adults and children to enjoy cheaply.

I read this book to my kids when they were little, sometime around 1990 I think. We had just moved into a new house( another Navy Move) and of course the children were in new surroundings. My wife was working nights and I was fortunate to be at home with the kids. My children and myself loved the story and it has remained one of their favorite memories of childhood.(Not the only book I ever read to them of course) Even tho' the book is not all sugar and spice its wonderful illustrations helped tremendously. I'm not a fan of Koontz particularly, as I think most of his books are the same tired old things, but I think this book is great for the young and the old.

Those that are positive that this book is a fantasy and therefore will not be read by them really needs to think straight. No, this is not a fantasy, which did surprise me considering Ms. Snyder's passion for the weird. Instead, it is a book about those oh-so-classic themes of family, friendship, and growing up.

Snyder makes a wondrous world between two small-town friends who are as different as different can be. One becomes enchanted by the passion and creativity of the other, and this is a friendship that leads them through the changes of life.

It's touching and inspiring. A great girl book.

There are some typical "teen novel" elements but overall this is a great story of friendship. Shy, awkward, overweight and sensitive Martha Abbott is a misfit in her own shallow and constrained upper-middle-class family, who take her for granted. Martha befriends the vibrant, imaginative, and outgoing Ivy Carson, herself a misfit in her own poor, wrong-side-of-the-tracks, criminal fringe family. Their sometimes-misunderstood friendship nurtures and sustains them over the years, and their imaginary games help inspire their own inner talents. Even through separation and quarrels, their bond remains strong, and the reader can see how much each owes the other as they grow. A touching tribute to both the power and joys of friendship and the imagination. A blessing to see it's back in print.

This book gave me new ways of looking at the world, at myself and at my neighbors when I was 11 years old and read it for the first time. And the second. And the third... I don't think there are many American girls who could not identify both with Martha and with Ivy, in turns, as these tender characters vividly represent the dichotomy of female adolescence.

I have sought out, purchased and given away a number of copies of this book in recent years, and now that it is in print again I have just ordered two copies. One is for my friend's 14 year old daughter who lives overseas and has few options for books in English, and the other I will save for my granddaughter, who was just born. Her mother will re-read the book in the meantime (after I do) and we will both relive a wonderful experience which helped us cope with a most difficult time of life.

The Changeling is a very intresting book. Martha Abott goes through some tough times at Roosevelt High School. The Changeling is such a wonderful book. This book is confusing yet mind boggling. The Changeling's end is very sad. Sad enough to make you cry. Martha Abott meets someone who she thinks is from supernatural parents. When Martha spends time with this person,she discovers

Recently, was at the book store helping my 10y son look for a book to read, I ran across a copy of "The Headless Cupid" I bought it and asked to order "The changeling" but they couldn't get it for me, So I turn to the internet (Got to love eBay) and found it. I read it as soon as I received it. I've ordered several more of Snyder's books as well. Maybe my kids will enjoy them as much as I have.

I was 12y. at the time I first read it. I wasn't a "reader" this was one of the first I had ever read that I didn't force myself to finish. I lost myself in the pages. I felt a huge connection to Ivy our life's were so similar, she had a better outlook on life one I longed to have. Since then I have read a fair amount of books but none ever touched me the same way.

"The Fires of Merlin" was about the great adventures that Merlin had when he was a kid. This book was the third of five books in the Lost Years of Merlin series. This book deals with Merlin losing his power. He had to confront an evil dragon that his grandfather had put into a deep slumber. To add to all this, there were ancient bat-looking creatures that stole magic. They were supposedly extinct. There was an evil group on the island that wanted to destroy all magic. The evil group started to raise the bat-like creatures. The group and their bats were responsible for what happens to Merlin's powerful necklace. If you want to find out what happens to Merlin and if he finds his power read the book yourself.

"Sometimes it's easier to see someone else's dragon than your own." "The Fires of Merlin", is an exciting tale of the unforgettable Legend of Merlin. The story tells of Merlin's dangerous quests for others and confrontations to himself. He must also defeat the dragon Valdearg, who had been under a deep sleep for thousands of years, and had now suddenly awakened to cause havoc on the lands of Fincayra.
Before he can face the rampaging dragon's fire, he most face other fires, including the fires within himself. He most avoid or confront the magic-eating Kreelixes; discover the secrets of the Wheel of Wye, and take back his treasured Galator from the evil hag, Domnu. On his quest, he discovers his true magic was not in his staff but within his heart and soul. He learns this through his tragedies and the people that he meets. For example he learns that there is more magic within himself than any within his staff. To understand both sides of this problem he cannot not to judge someone for being related to one of evil doings, for even he has the blood of the once evil ruler of Fincayra, Stangmar, and Merlin's father.
This stunning work of art is an exciting fantasy about confronting yourself and discovering what you are really capable of. It shows the meaning of bravery and the meaning of the heart. The author uses descriptive words and sentences so the reader can understand and get a distinct picture in their head of a scene or speculation. In my opinion, the author really made his point to his readers and wrote from his heart. I recommend this book to all people who enjoy creative fantasies and luminous stories.

Extraordinary ride through a magical journey with unique creatures with an imagination that nevers stops!!! Very moving and speaks to the heart!!!

Make sure to read all 5 books, you'll not be disappointed!!

i loved it.........but it does not compare to seven songs of merlin in any way. the dragon of fincayra's children have been killed (except for 1). now he is on a wraging rampage. the only one who can stop him is merlin. but merlin is fighting simply to keep his magic.

Do not view these as five individual books, but as five pieces of a whole saga. To read only one would be to cheat one's self of seeing an entire picture.

The epic begins with an child with no memory being raised by a mysterious woman in a small village. Both of them are regarded as local oddities and driven to live in a convent. The boy is known as Emrys, but never feels that that is his true name. As he matures, he develops gifts and wonderous powers, along with an increasing need to know who he is. Eventually, he goes upon a quest in search of his heritage, one that will lead him to the lands his mother's stories spoke of, the Hidden World outside of time and this life. He finds himself in the midst of a battle between warring demigods, and finds a new name for his own, Merlin.

As Merlin journeys through the five books, he makes new friends and bitter enemies. This is a world filled with dragons, witches, goblins, and lost treasures. Secrets that are as powerful and painful as a two edged blade are discovered. Otherworlds are crossed, time itself bends to give the boy a glimpse of his own destiny, and choices musst be made that will affect far more than just Merlin.

***** Elements of other classics are hinted at, but applied in new ways and familiarity only serves to endear. This is a grand saga without the weightiness of other epics. Rather, it is easy to read and charming. This Merlin can stand alongside Tolkien's hobbits or Harry Potter proudly. *****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.

I read this in Elementary School in Dallas TX in 3rd grade (at least twice) and 4th and 5th a few times as well, so 1972, 1973, 1974. Have like others looked for it off / on ever since. Peggy Bacon is also an artist in the Smithsonian. This book is a classic and historical in so many ways, insane it is not available. The TwoLakesPress.com site of Sean D.'s still says he plans to re-publish it, hopefully that will still happen, if not maybe he out to give the rights to the Smithsonian Institution and let them publish it and sell it through their museum Gift Shops and online. One way or another this book should be made available to those looking for it early in the 21st Century to the kids and grandkids etc of those who enjoyed it during the latter half of the 20th Century, by one of the most well recognized early female artists of the entire 20th century. Peggy Bacon's The Ghost of Opalina (or Nine Lives) deserves a tenth life at the least!

This was a splendid book which even as an adult I wouldn't mind reading over again. In short, the story is based on the nine lives of one clever feline, Opalina. Opalina is now a ghost who still resides in her manor house and shares her various stories with two children who are the newest residents. I read this book when I was about 10 or 11 years old. The thing I particularly remember enjoying about the book is that the narrative takes you back to bygone times. I can't remember if there were any direct historical references, yet it felt as if I was getting a history lesson. There was a great feeling of adventure when you traveled back with Opalina and she shared her stories which were happy and sad, humorous and playful. Overall, it was an excellent blend of fantasy and realism and it wasn't too over the top that a child wouldn't understand the various stories and how they all interconnect. An excellent read for children of all ages, I just wish it was easier to find.

Like others, I checked this out from the school library over and over. I so wanted to share it with my kids. I looked for it every where I went. I even contacted the publisher! When I finally got it I read it out loud to the entire family, husband included! He wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It was like having an old friend back.

This is the best book that I have ever read. It involves a cat ghost who helps children in all of the different ages up until modern times. If I were you, I would read this book. People might think this is a chilling tale about a ghost, but it is a very funny tale about friendship. My mom read it when she was little and she read it to me. Someone stole it from our library, so now we can't read it anymore. There are no other books like it. This is the best book in the whole world.from Camille

I read this book in my school library when I was 9, and the pain of not being able to share it with my kids became so great that I finally did what you all have asked: I have arranged to reprint this book! Once the book is ready, I will have it available through Amazon.com. You can stay updated on its progress if you look up Two Lakes Press. We hope to recapture a bunch of books that are languishing in oblivion, and we are looking forward to showing them off on Amazon.com.

This follow up to Lord of the Fading Lands is FANTASTIC! I highly recommend this one. This series is so compelling you won't want to put it down. If you don't already have the first one, make sure you buy both b/c you won't want to wait for the 2nd one to come in the mail - its that good!

Followup to Lord of the Fading Lands. The romance between Elysetta & Rain continues, lots of political intrigue and adventure, and Elysetta comes into her powers in a most satifying way (no more wimpy doormat! I feel like singing!).

This is the second book in the series. The first is Lord of the Fading Lands, These books are a must read they are awsome, if you love a great story with lots of turns that keep you guessing you will love them. They are one of the greatest stories I have ever read....

The next book comes out in Sept. of 2008

This book the second in a series by a brand new author. The first in the series is LORD OF THE FADING LANDS, and her next two in the series come out in Oct and Nov of this year.

This book was well written with great character developement between the leading characters. This book starts off at the exact spot that the other one ended.

I won't go into a synops for others have done that. This book would also be a great read for a YA or your teenage daugther for there is only one very very mild love/sex scene at the very end of the book and it is very tastefully done so that you would not be embarrased.

I have recommended this series to everyone I meet. It's a keeper. C.L. Wilson weaves her story where you don't want the book or the series to end, and I still in awe that this is only her second book for she is tht good.

Keep it up C.L. Wilson!!

I am not ordinarily a fan of so called romance novels, but this continuation of the Tairen Soul books is certainly far more than a mere romance. The author creates a fantasy world that is full of intrigue, and characters that are compelling and complete whether good or evil. This should be listed in the fantasy fiction category for while there is compelling romance, it doesn't take over the whole story line. I love it and I can't wait until the next books are available.

This book is a hoot! If your looking to add quirky things to your D&D Campaign, look no further!

This book is great! Not only is it tounge-in-cheek (and other body orifices) immature adult humor in the D&D world, but it is also very usable in that same D&D world. With the introduction of Defects, as the opposite of Feats, it opens up a whole new world of possibilites and character development. A great read, and awesome supplimental, and an increbible buy!

This book greatly expands any DM's aresenal of interesting scenerios. This book is a must have for all DMs. Not only does it give new and amusing monsters to fight but also offers new prestige classes such a pimp. Great book.

This book has more First Edition Feel than anything I've ever seen, including First Edition. More wandering prostitutes, more random obscure colours and more random exclamation points than you'd believe possible as well as some seriously aggravating iconic NPCs and monsters.

With its fresh feel that puts traditional gamers' "panties in a bunch", this product is a must have for any DM who wants to add some extra color to his or her game. With a variety of new (and often amusing) feats, as well as the ever-defining defects, your NPCs will become memorable aspects of the world you craft for your players. Stop wasting your money on the same old d20 material that every other company puts out and get this book!

The art style is ugly and (usually) unrealistic, but at least it's unique. This is a very original manga; the author obviously has a great gift for storytelling. It's worth the buy.

Monkey D. Luffy wants to be King of the Pirates. He has always had this dream, from when he was a kid, and now he is off on a small boat armed with a large heart and a rubber body. Yes, a rubber boy. You see, he ate the fruit of the gum-gum tree which turned him into a boy of rubber. And now he must go forth, fighting pirates and the law, to find the One Piece, the greatest treasure in the world. The problem is nobody knows where it it and he has no training in navigation.

Hehe... this is one of the most awsome mangas ever. Its about a little boy who wants to become a pirate. His hero is shanks and fights several enmey who are powerful... buggy, captain kuro, arlong, krieg, crocodile, mr 1-5, lucci, and enel...( i may have forgot some.) Anyways, he finds new abilities and funny ways to fight enemy pirates... BUY IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

One piece is one of the most popular Shonen Jump mangas, and Eiichiro Oda is still managing to make new volumes of the series. After re-reading this volume, I have came to the conclusion that this is a series that I want to be a fan of. Everything was well plotted. Luffy reminds me a little bit of the young Goku of Dragon Ball. There is quite a bit of humor, but it didn't really make me laugh. It did, however, make the scenes better.

Luffy wants to be the king of pirates, and he has to get the treasure of One Piece. But first, he must get a crew. This is where Zoro comes in. A bounty hunter arrested for saving a little girl from Captain Morgan of the Navy's son's dogs. After Zoro joins the crew, Zoro saves a shipwrecked crew of Captain Buggy, who is also a rubber man. Did I mention that Luffy ate the devil's fruit and now he's like rubber? No? Whatever.

This is an excellent volume. It's one of the best Shonen Manga up to date, but probably not the best. The scenes are better than those dry, desert lands like Trigun. There is humor, and it moves pretty fast paced except when Luffy tries to rescue Zoro and does.

Eiichiro Oda, One Piece: Romance Dawn (ViZ, 1997)

Now, come on, what can be cooler than pirates? Oda kicks off his popular manga series in a way that kind of surprises me: we get the backstory of Monkey D. Luffy, King of the Pirates, before we actually get to the plot. (Well, okay, there's a page or two that sets up the hidden trasure for which the series is named.) A truly pleasant surprise, that-- a manga that actually goes in chronological order! Romance Dawn is the story of how Luffy became a pirate in the first place, his amusing beginnings with his first boat, and the recruiting of his first partner (Zoro). If you've been watching One Piece on Cartoon Network, it's definitely worth digging into the manga-- especially if you wandered in halfway through, like I did. *** ½

I have purchased the entire set of these books from Amazon. They were all delivered in great condition, not to mention how exciting it is to read about the "olden" days and how life was lived before trains, planes, automobiles, stupid music and electricity!!! WHAT????..No washer?..Go to the river! No dryer?..Wait for the sun to shine!...No toilet paper?..use your own imagination on that one! And get hooked on these great books.

Though the book does follow the basic formula of the other books in the series, it has quirks and differences that make it absolutely hilarious and engrossing. Not that the book is a comedy, but the way the characters interact is priceless.
I admit, I'm pretty bored with the basic plot of these books -- variations on Young Person Runs Away From Arranged Future (or abusive tribesmember) -- but even if this series has left you cold due to the politics (if that's the case, just ignore the beginning), get this book! A well-turned tale, with wonderful, sympathetic characters and a wonderful tour of maybe a third of North America.

But I have loved all the books in the series. That being said, this one was fabulous. They Gears do a good job of making the stories interesting and entertaining but if you are into the pre-history there is so much information in there well placed in broad daylight but it all blends together beautifully.

I've loved everything I've read by the Gears and I've read just about everything they have published. Wonderful interposing of fiction onto the facts! They use their expertise as anthropologists and as story tellers to combine what really has been found about North American Indians and interpose a very believable story onto it. They really make the past come alive! The inclusion of what has really been found by anthropologists adds tremendously to the books!

If you like the Gears and haven't read it you need to. If you haven't read the Gears try this one. This was the first one I read and I had a bit of a problem at first following there style of writing a book...but I got over that fairly quickly as things progressed and I realized what and how it was written.

These characters are absolutely endearing. Based on historical facts of the Hopewells it is a marvelous journey based on suspense, humor and the supernatural. It made me addicted and craving more of there books! Try it out, as you can see I am not the only one telling you you won't be disappointed!

I have read almost any book by Patricia Wrede that I can get my hands on and yet this one keeps popping into my mind when I am looking for something to read. I picked this up thinking that since I liked Magic and Malice and the Enchanted Forest Chronicles that I would like this one too, Well I was right and wrong, because I love this book. She is such an inventive author and knows how to creatively put a story together without it seeming like the trite story about a female heroine.

I really did fall in love with this book. The characters are just so lovable. Eleret's combat skills and serious personality is something I've always admired and Karvonnen's wit and humour is simply the best. The fighting scenes are also great, especially the last one (I've always seen it in my head perfectly...) Also, it includes a nice bit of romance in it with Eleret being clueless over Daner and Karvonnen's mini rivalry over her. But, it's not the kind of novel that would kill everyone's character to focus on the romance.

The perfect mix of romance, humour, and action make this book strongly reccomended to everyone, all ages.

I like this author anyway, and I think this is her best book. It is a murder mystery, a romance, a comedy of manners, and a good fantasy novel, especially as a wonderful example of fantasy/sci-fi's ever-present theme of "culture shock". It is extremely readable, excitingly fast-paced, has a lovely heroine, and does not falter in the details.

There's nothing really unique about _The Raven Ring_. It's a simple enough story about a young woman with a supposedly simple mission to complete in an unfamiliar place. She meets friends and enemies alike, and discovers that one of the items she's gone to retrieve is far, far more than it seems.

But if this book isn't strictly unusual in terms of plot or style, it's special because it's really, really good. The level of writing is very impressive for a fantasy novel, and it's perhaps telling that this was Wrede's last high fantasy novel. I'm not sure that she could improve on it (though who knows what she'll come out with next). If you've read the other Lyra books, it's a great addition to the series. If you read this book and enjoy the world, by all means look up the others, which were written much earlier. But there's no doubt that _The Raven Ring_ is the best of the lot, and better than most other fantasy, too. It deserves to be a classic.

I loved the book, the characters were realistic and completly based on people you can like and are amazed by. I loved the fact that the main charater was a girl who was a hugely able person. Most books have men as the warriors, but this one proved that women can be just as adept at anything they try as men can be. I loved that the main characters were not all honourable and that they shaped the story with believable actions. It also showed that people with perfectly good intentions can be as annoying as can be. I rate this five star for excellent characters, believable plot, and overall good writing.