Fantasy Books

The third book in the Fearless series was fantastic. Just as good as the first two. The plot is really developing, and I am starting to see changes in all of the characters. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

I love these books and its the third time im reading these books and this is one of the better ones!! so yea woot!

Gaia Moore and one of her best - an only - friends Ed are just chilling out at Gaia's house one morning, and then Gaia opens up a HORRIBLE EMail. Her current crush Sam Moon has been kidnapped. And if she doesn't comply with the abductor's wishes in around 24 hours, Sam will die. Because, Gaia doesn't know that Sam is a diabetic and without his insulin he'll die. Gaia has a ton of crazy errands to run for the abductors - showing a pornographic video in her first hour class, and even murder! WIll Gaia get to Sam in time?

In the third book of the Fearless series, Gaia is on her first real adventure since the reader met her and so much happenes that it's hard to believe that all the events of the story occcured in one day. Sam, who is not on very good terms with Gaia (explained in book #2) is kidknapped under mysterious circumstances that not the reader nor Gaia knows about. The story follows her not only going on several tasks to save Sam, but takes the reader deeper into her past and the past of the other characters. I won't ruin the ending, but it isn't wrapped up in a neat little bow and solved happily. After the last page is turned, there are still a million questions the reader has. This was a great book in the series because it takes Gaia on her first adventure since starting in her new life. It puts a new spin on her relationship with Sam as well as some people from her dark past.

Gaia is angry. Sam is gone. He hasn't just disappeared on his own. No, he's been kidnapped. Someone has kidnapped him to get to Gaia. To hurt her. To make her feel pain. Now Gaia only has three hours to find him. Three hours. Or Sam will die. And it will be because of her. There will be no one to blame, except for Gaia.

This was a fantastic addition to the FEARLESS series. Pascal has created enticing and intriguing situations involving Gaia and her friends, that make you want to continue reading. A must-have book for fans of the previous books, FEARLESS and SAM.

(...)

I never would have known this was illustrated by Stuart Immonen if the cover hadn't told me. Acclimatized to Immonen's streamlined, cartoony images, the unique, rotoscoped style of Secret Identity came as a shock.

Busiek has definitely buttered his bread with stories about the real-life burdens of being a superhero (see: Astro City), and, in Secret Identity, he's proven that he's up to the task of giving a bit of emotional gravitas to the two-dimensional Superman. In fact, he occasionally skids dangerously close to making the World's Greatest Superhero too whiny.

Although each chapter is good, the whole package feels a bit jumpy - I'm not sure it could have been fleshed out more without becoming boring, but the transitions through Superman's life felt a bit abrupt.

What if you live in a tiny town in Kansas? What if your last name is Kent, and your parents, having an annoying sense of humor, have christened you "Clark"? All his life teenager Clark Kent had been hearing it, teased and taunted with Superman jokes. And there's really nothing for the introverted Clark to do but take it, and take it. Then, one night, Clark finds himself floating on air, and everything changes.

I'm glad I'm not the only one with fond memories of Superboy Prime. I remember reading DC Comics Presents #87 decades ago, when that whole Crisis on Infinite Earths thing was going on. That issue teamed Superman up with the Superboy from Earth-Prime, which is supposed to represent our real world and where Superman is nothing but a well known comic book figure. I loved that issue, but knew there wouldn't be much future for that Superboy (he did survive that Crisis, but then the recent INFINITE CRISIS just ruined him for me). Kurt Busiek, in his intro, credits DC Comics Presents #87 as the genesis for this mini-series.

The SUPERMAN: SECRET IDENTITY trade collects the 4-issue limited series which originally came out in early 2004, and, in my opinion, it's a must-read, not only for fans of Superman or comic books, but for fans of good stories in general. This is one of the best Man of Steel stories I've ever read, even though this Superman definitely falls outside the mainstream DC continuity. Nevertheless, it's right up there with the brilliant ALL STAR SUPERMAN series and Alan Moore's classic Superman take, "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" (which can be found in DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore).

What makes SECRET IDENTITY stand out for me is the level of thoughful realism injected by writer Kurt Busiek. He's done stuff like this before, of course, in Marvels (Marvel Premiere Classic) and in Astro City: Life in the Big City, so I'm not at all surprised at the depth and texture found here. Unlike other comic book efforts based in the so-called "real world" SECRET IDENTITY doesn't come off as dark or gritty. And while it does contain a measure of violence, it's not gratuitously thrown in to sacrifice good narrative. Despite its reflective tone, these pages are graced with moments of hope and optimism. Busiek uses language that is direct and simple and composed of everyday words. But, somehow, it all translates to storytelling that is lyrical, sensitive, and heartfelt. I've never seen Busiek write better.

SPOILERS now.

SUPERMAN: SECRET IDENTITY is a life story, chronicled in four parts and depicting several stages in Clark's life. In these pages he ages from teenhood to a ripe old age, and we see the generational shifts thru his eyes. Part one delves into his teenage years and his feelings of loneliness and alienation. These feelings only escalate when he comes into his powers. What would you do if you stumble into powers like that? Use them for wealth, fame, and power? But what would you have to give up? And who can you trust? Clark wrestles with these issues. This being a Superman story, it's not too surprising that Clark decides to do his bit, but, this being the real world, he's forced to do it in secrecy. Part two has Clark moving to Manhattan as a fledgling writer. There, the Superman ribbing continues, but this actually leads to a momentous turning point in his life. Clark also finds out that the government, in full paranoia mode, is sniffing around. Part 3 finds Clark in a family way and contemplating ways to keep his loved ones safe (the government is still after him). And in Part 4 Clark is now up there in years, with his powers waning but with the possibility of his legacy being kept alive.

SPOILERS end.

If Busiek's words are evocative, Stuart Immonen's visuals are stunning. He renders his characters in perfectly natural poses and gestures and excels in conveying quiet power and mood even in the quiet scenes. There's quite a number of splash pages placing Clark in some breathtaking, panoramic vistas. I've said that this has been Busiek's best writing so far. Well, this is the best I've seen of Stuart Immonen. Just spectacular artwork from the man.

Superman isn't in my short list of favorites. But that's the other Superman. This Clark Kent here is a different animal, someone who is complex in character and charming in his uncertainty. I like that he has to struggle thru his problems. I like that he derives such simple pleasure from the act of flying. The story is told thru his journals, which he clangs out on an old typewriter (he doesn't trust computers), and so we get to know him on a personal level. There are no supervillains. When not evading the government's grasp, all of Clark's superheroic feats are focused on preventing natural calamities and on undertaking rescue missions. The superhero stuff. But it's curious that, despite all the fantasy elements here, what really resonates for me is the intimate and grounded portrayal of Clark as a man, as a husband, and as a father. The real stuff.

I for one really was never into the whole "Superman" thing. That is, until presented this book. I didn't think anything of it at first, but I couldn't put it down; it was a real page-turner. No complaints here.

OKAY.. this book was okay,a bit slow and without any reason for waking up with superpowers,not one i will hurry to recomend.UNLESS you live in SOUTH AUSTRALIA-like me.why? Because for possibly the ONLY time in comic book history,past and future,WHYALLA is mentioned.A crap town not far from where i live that can now only live off this one famous moment,and plan to slide downhill from here.Perhaps Superman was bored or had relatives there,thats the only reason anyone I know goes there.Besides this great coincidence for me this book was nice...just nice.My wife is currently pregnant and i personally turn to comics to forget about these type of issues,(NOT TO BE INSENSITIVE!!!)seeing Clarkes reactions was OK but not the action or the emotional hieghts of other "touching" comic classics.If you havent read Superman before and your reading this review,DONT.....I JUST ORDERED PUNISHER MAX.2 TO LEVEL MYSELF OUT......Probably a book for life long Superman-fans to enjoy,not bad not 5 stars from me.(dont go to Whyalla)

The first time I read this book I had borrowed it from the Library...Ohhh Maaaannnnn....what an amazing story!!! I couldn't put it down and at first I couldn't even comprehend the fullness of the story. It was this book that not only got me to read the "Astro City" series, but when I found out that Kurt Busiek was now writing the Superman Comics for DC...I started buying Superman Comics again after a 35 year lapse. I thought I had outgrown Comic Books until I read Kurt Busiek writing. This story is such a grabber that I had read it 3 times in less than 7 months before I broke down and bought it. And then I read it again and even had my Wife read it, she doesn't even like "Graphic Novels", but she likes this one. I highly recommend it and encourage people to buy it, because it is and will become classic reading in the annals of illustrated books. Way to Go Kurt Busiek!!! Definately one of your Best!!!

This a great addition to any d20 campaign, but particularly D&D ones! It finally gives playable options for overcoming obstacles sans fighting. Well there is fighting and battle scenarios in the book, but their are also lots of scenerios, and ideas for more, that involve more thinking and skill use then base attack score and spells per day. A good buy!

This is a refreshing sourcebook filled with interesting scenarios that will challenge and refresh your game. Say good bye to the dry, repetitive "kill the monster" adventures. Its a breath of fresh air to have your players utilize that dusty section of their character sheet that tracks their skills.

Just when you think d20 reference books have all gone flat, out comes Skirmisher with one that rocks! A must buy for the serious gamer.

There's nothing better than writers who are combat vets - with an important part of the game knowing when NOT to fight; Knorr and Varhola share their knowledge of tactics with you. Reading this will make most people better players //

This is the most impressive sourcebook I've seen in a long time. It is essentially a conglomeration of encounters all set in the same general area. While many of the encounters seem a bit overpowered, each has a number of non-combat options to make them easier, or even completely avoidable. I LOVE this, and try to do similar things in just about all my games. If you think ahead and use all of your abilities, your encounters should be much easier than just storming straight ahead. The guys at Skirmisher understand this, and have come up with what I think are some really interesting scenarios. Perhaps the best compliment I can give this book is that I will use it enthusiastically in my future games. And the AC/DC references don't hurt a bit, either.

I loved this book. It fit perfectly in with the rest of the series and added to both the continuation and explanation of the complex storyline of the other three books.
If you have been reading this series, you must have this. If you have no idea who P.C. Hodgell is, I would recommend you start with Godstalk and work your way to this 4th book in the series to familiarize yourself with Jame's universe.

First of all, let me state that I have LOVED P. C. Hodgell's work ever since I picked up God Stalk in the late 80's. I was delighted when I learned that she had a "new" book out, and promptly purchased it. I loved the story, and felt that it continued the saga beautifully - and I hope she writes more Real Soon Now. However, having done some professional proofreading, I was less than pleased with the technical quality of the book. The maps were poorly reproduced, and nearly illegible in places. The book text was also poorly proofed; I found typos on every page, it seemed; the sort of thing that happens when someone runs a fast "Spell Check" but doesn't bother to check grammar and syntax. So, if this bothers you, buy the book anyway, because the story is great, but be prepared to wince repeatedly as these errors push you back out of the story. Hey - next time, Ms. Hodgell, or Meisha Merlin, run it by me, and I'll proof it for free!!

I recently reread the first two books of this series and then worked my way through Seeker's Mask. I loved God Stalk, thought Dark of the Moon had problems, thought Seeker's Mask had problems but was compelling enough to keep me reading, and finally started in on To Ride a Rathorn.

Wow. Amazing. I am thrilled, yes thrilled, to finally get hints and bits and pieces of the elaborate backstory that has lurked behind Jame's adventures. I feel that in this book we are finally given enough detail to have an inkling of understanding of the complex psychological issues that face so many of her characters.

Jame and Tori are wrestling with the same issues as ever, but here we finally start seeing the big picture, start really feeling their struggle and knowing it, rather than being told it exists. There seemed to be a bit more of a window into the internal life of the characters in this book, more detail about their childhood and especially more info about their father. Tori's deepseated response to the Shanir comes to make more sense.

A brilliant and fascinating book. God I hope there's another after it.

I just wanted to show support for this series. I absolutely love the books and look forward to the next one.

Hello. PC Hodgell here, thanking those readers who have kept faith with me all these years and welcoming new readers to my occasionally insane fantasy world. (Sorry about the five stars: I was afraid I wouldn't get posted if I didn't put down something.) Yes, I'm a slow writer, rather like the grain of sand in an oyster which eventually, if lucky, irritates the host enough to produce a pearl. Nor has it helped that publishers keep dropping me mid-series. Blame that for the gap between "Dark of the Moon" and "Seeker's Mask," when no one would touch my work. My last publisher suddenly went out of business without paying me anything for the past five years. Now, however, it appears that Baen is picking me up, so I hope to get all the books back in print and to have the funds to concentrate on continuing/finishing the series, which has become my life's work. ¨To Ride a Rathorn" got cut in two to bring it out on schedule. I'm currently working on the second half. If I ever get my website on line, you'll have the chance to commission "God Stalk -- the Sweater" (I have about 4000 different colors of yarn to play with) or a stained glass window, those being my other current occupations since I retired from UW-O, along with training a Saddlebred colt named Pip (aka Peregrine Stargazer) and chasing three rag-doll kittens around the house.

This is completely different than what I normally read - not that that is a bad thing. I don't have any background knowledge of AD&D, but obviously I didn't need any. I loved this book and am looking forward to reading more from this author. I agree that the characters are very well written. I feel like I know them.

I read the whole 'Erevis Cale Trilogy' before I wrote a review of the first book. Twilight Falling, Dawn of Night, and Midnight's Mask are all great books.

Twilight Falling begins with ruthless villains murdering their way through the realm in search of a Crystal Sphere. This sphere rests in the possession of Erevis Cale, a 'retired' assassin serving as a butler in Sembia. After the passing of his master, Erevis is trying to decide what to do with the rest of his life when he crosses paths with the villains. Once they meet, his choice becomes clear and he dawns his mask once again. Reuniting with old friends, a (good) thief named Jak Fleet and an (evil) assassin named Drasek Riven, Erevis seeks to stop the villains and their fiendish plot.

Throughout the story, Erevis must make painful decisions. This is where the Erevis Cale trilogy sets itself apart from nearly all of the other Realms novels. Erevis thinks about what he needs to do as well as the consequences of his actions. In situations where the end justifies the means, how much of his humanity is he willing to sacrifice?

If Erevis listens to his conscience all of the time, the bad guys will win. But every time he strays from the path of good, part of him is lost forever. Can he stop the villains? If so, how much of his soul will remain intact in the end?

There's also plenty of action in the book as well. Sword fights, magic battles, and more... They're all tactical, exciting, and easy to visualize. The battles also advance the plot, leaving the characters with physical as well as emotional scars.

The characters are all very well written, very memorable, and quite deep. This trilogy also has great villains.

Throughout the book, the plot doesn't just move forward, it actually thickens. It gets more and more dramatic throughout the trilogy.
This is everything you could ask for in a fantasy novel.

If you like Twlight Falling, know that the other two books are just as great, if not better.

Not Shakespeare, but not drivel either. Craftsman like standard fare. The characters were well developed, the plot interesting, the magic believable. The bad guys were a tad too bad, one dimensional, but...well, these are bad guys and since all I know of the Forgotten Realms I learned from Baldur's Gate, which I played until the disc disintegrated years ago, I was happy with the book as a whole. My only serious complaint is that the words "Riven sneered" is on nearly every page, once his character is introduced. I almost started a drinking game, then realized I would be unconscious by about page 15, and so restrained myself admirably. I plan on buying the other two books. This is decent escapist fare.

I fear the Forgotten Realms was in a slump for awhile until this gem of an author came onto the screen. Kemp has a flair for easy-flowing narrative, tormented characters with snappy dialogues you can't resist reading about, and break-neck speed plots that do not fit the cookie-cutter mold of today's fantasy, but dare leave the audience standing aghast saying, "No! It can't end that way, I must have more!" leaving one eager for the next in the series. Keep it up Kemp, you've brought life to the Realms. I look forward to many more tales. Bravo!

I admit I didn't go into Twilight Falling with high expectations. I have a (perhaps unfair) bias that the majority of D&D books are hack jobs. I only picked up Twilight Falling to silence a persistent friend.

I'll have to thank him for being so persistent. Twilight Falling surprised me by being different and deeper than most fantasy novels I had read in the past.

It all starts with a man named Erevis Cale working as a butler for the powerful Uskevrin family. The Patriarch has died just prior to the book's opening and Cale is preparing to move on when he foils a burglary.

There's more to this burglary than meets the eye. Turns out some very powerful people are attempting to steal a pretty, but worthless sphere. After some well written sword play and magic antics we wind up with a couple dead, a kidnapped guard and the sphere split in half.

The first thing that surprised me here was the big deal made over the kidnapped guard. Usually in these books death comes quickly and is glossed over, most especially for an unknown guardsman. Seeing characters care about the well being of one of the house guards was a pleasant surprise, making the characters actually seem human.

Indeed, all of the main characters and some of the villains were very well written. Don't get me wrong, this ain't fine literature, but I have to give Paul Kemp credit for turning out three dimensional characters in a genre where we are lucky if the characters get two dimensions.

Another nice aspect is that (in this first book at least) there isn't the fantasy cliché of a small band of characters challenging an Earth-shaking evil. The fact is that Cale and his crowd are mainly after the group of villains for revenge, pure and simple. That they discover that the main villain is actually up to something dangerous is somewhat secondary to our heroes.

One thing that I didn't like is that it felt like this was the second or third book in a series. Most especially in the beginning, Cale's past is alluded to in such a way that it is assumed we have read his past adventures. Mr. Kemp doesn't even tell us what Cale looks like. Somewhere around page 80 or so there's a mention that he is bald. After finishing the entire novel I still didn't know if he was tall, short, thin, muscular, tattooed, scarred?

Since this was the first book in a series centering on this character, Mr. Kemp really should have provided a prologue or worked some stuff into the story so that newcomers to Cale didn't feel like they were treading water. Only after feeling lost at the beginning did I find out about his previous appearances in The Halls of Stormweather and Shadow's Witness.

Another criticism is that names of various groups are thrown out with the assumption that we are all D&D players. It took me a while to figure out what Zhents were. The way these things were thrown out in the beginning almost made me stop reading.

I know that the D&D fans will say this isn't a fair criticism, but these would have been easy fixes. Take Dan Abnett's Gaunt's Ghosts series to see what I'm talking about.

Still, I did get past what bugged me. I will read the rest of this trilogy and will check out the next one assuming that the next two books are of this quality. Paul Kemp is easily the best D&D author I have read. He is a fine writer regardless of what field he writes in.

_The Unforsaken Hiero_ (1983) is the sequel to _Hiero's Journey_ (1973). Early in the novel, Hiero Desteen, now a prince by marriage, is kidnapped from the state of D'Alway and has his telepathic powers destroyed by drugs. He escapes assasination by a fluke of luck and begins another journey westward and then northward, without friends, weapons, or extrasensory powers.

Many of the flaws in the ecological background of _Hiero's Journey_ that I complained about in another essay have been skillfully avoided in _The Unforsaken Hiero_. This is not to say that Lanier has planned a detailed ecology with rigorous care; but he avoids any glaring errors, which is all that is really required for an adventure novel. He does this in several ways. First, he gives attention to herbiverous animals in the story, particularly in an account of Hiero's fight for survival across a desert and a prairie. Second, he gives more attention to fauna of a non-monsterous nature in his setting, which makes the occasional fantastic creature seem more realistic. And third, he gives more attention to details concerning how his creatures survive. For example, _The Unforsaken Hiero_ features another gigantic underwater creature. But this time, Lanier takes care to show how the creature captures its prey and how it has survived for its long lifespan. These improvements in the background of the novel make it superior to _Hiero's Journey_.

Perhaps the weakest aspect of the novel are the characters. They tend to be either bluff, hearty, courageous warriors on the side of good-- or foul, deceptive traitors on the side of evil. You can tell the latter by their eyes: "The face was no longer that of the harassed functionary, but something older and colder, the eyes gleaming with mockery and triumph" (24)... "It was the face of Amiable Aeo, and from the young eyes came the same blaze of pure evil" (ibid)... "At the sight of those faces, a child would have screamed in horror. The eyes were dead, gray pools of nothingness, in which there glowed a baleful fire" (62)... "Behind him, eyes glared in impotent rage from the narrow slit of a window" (166)... "The gelid eyes glowed with a light that came from the Ultimate Pit" (194). Other characteristics of the Unclean are voices that are cold and icy and mental patterns that are foul and filthy. One wonders how the villains could fool anyone enough to betray them or to achieve the power they wield.

I confess to a sneaking fondness for this novel. It's a passable adventure tale competently told, and it is great fun straight through. But there is a simplicity in its theme and characterization that prevents me from rating it as a classic or of classical quality.

I love the Hiero books but alas there will never be a third book

Mr Lanier suffered a stroke before he could write the third book and the story vanished in his mind. Enjoy what we have. There wil not be any more :(

I first read Hiero's Journey, and the sequel, years ago and they remain on my top ten list. Why? A great set of characters - of all species!! The post apocalyptic world is seething with all kinds of new life, some good, some bad, some just plain unknown. The good folks are really good, and the bad are totally evil - how can you beat a story in which the bad guys are "The Unclean"? This story has a similar appeal as Vance's "Exploration Team", in which a man and the animals he mentally communicates with explore new planets. Hiero maneuvers through his world, constantly exploring, and the reader gets to explore with him. As a consequence, adventures are just as much a surprise to the reader as they are to Hiero! Lanier does a matchless job of pacing the story. These two books are on a par with any science fiction written at any time and deserve to be savored again and again.

Like the reviewer "Catfish," I keep coming back to this book and it's predecessor "Hiero's Journey." This work is also on my top ten list of all time bests. I am always a bit surprised that more have not read them. The story line is almost flawless and the character development is acute. Lanier's smooth prose just tops it off. This is one of those works which I reread every year or so. There is something about the story that sort of keep drawing you back. I of course would like to see the series completed but am fearful that another author could not do it justice and would hate to see a wonderful work ruined. Would recommend this book to anyone wanting a page turner with some classic writing thrown in for good measure. If you can find a copy buy it (actually, buy several copies...I keep loaning my copies to others and for some reason they never come back home!)

Why I am new to the world of non-fiction, Sterling Lanier has enraptured me. The book's exquisite description and excellent character developement have made a a fan of his, and Hiero's. I'd also like to say that I recently read Lanier's works on the suggestion of his sister, whom I met on a train ride from Munich, Germany to Vienna, Austria. She did not go without mentioning to me that her brother has passed, that she missed him very much, and that Hiero's adventures could not continue for this reason. For all of the Sterling Lanier fans out there, enjoy what you have, for the saga of Hiero will not continue.

One of the most original and beautiful storys I've read in a long time. It has become one of my favourite books series, right up there with Harry Potter, Twilight, Sookie Stackhouse and the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

It is so unique a story and refreshing that I can't compare it to any others I've read for content but I have to say that for heart and soul this beats all the other formula romances hands down.

This is the only book I've read where I have wanted desperately for the world and characters described to actually exist. I would move into "Green's" house in a heartbeat!

I would give it 10 stars instead of just the 5 here allowed here.

Bravo!

Returning to the world of the Little Goddess there were hearts to mend, more wrongs to right and some clever political maneuvering to bring safety back to Green's Hill and his beloved people as we find deeper plots behind the insidious attacks from the prevous book. Despite a great deal of suffering for the characters we've grown to love, as they deal with the overwhelming grief caused by the senseless loss of several of their own, there is a loveliness to the story that is hard to explain.

Wounded really struck me on an emotional level. After watching the destructive power of grief in the previous book, there was beauty in witnessing the literal `power' of love and also a strength in the way Cory transforms choices that are made for her here and makes them her own. In Wounded, love begins to take another shape for Cory, Green, Bracken, Remy and the other survivors as they begin to heal, even as much of the happiness in the book is tinged with the sadness of longing for that which can never be fully theirs.

So this one gets five stars from me for heart and soul. I'll leave others to rate commas and typos, I was too caught up in the story to notice. If you are new to the series you probably should know though that as in the previous book, the sensuality that is integral to several of the characters knows no boundaries between species, age or gender but it is, except for a few exceptions, handled subtly.

Book 2 Wounded.
This is were the clothe started to be woven better.
The dialogue flowed more smoothly and was more natural, it was the characters speaking, not being told what to say. They had more depth, more dimension/reality to them. Maybe it was the pathos of Adrian's loss, but it had a texture that more tangible than the first book. The plot ran more smoothly, it flowed rather than paused and changed abruptly like it did in Vulnerable. I did wonder why Marcus went from being a stockbroker in Book 1 to a schoolteacher in Book 2, but figured it was an oopsy moment
These are books I really like.

Loved it!!! Loved Vulnerable, too. Miss Adrian!!! :-( However...am really enjoying the series!!!!

After reading Vulnerable I didn't know how I'd feel about Wounded. I thought I'd miss Adrian too much to enjoy it. I was oh so wrong. It was touching to see the process of Cory (and Green and Bracken) learning to get past the death of Adrian. It was the strength of all three together(along with the help of Grace the vampire, Arturo the former Aztec god elf, Renny the werekitty, Max the cop, Niky the avian & Andres the yummy new vampire) that made it possible for each of them to move on. None could do it alone.

The relationships changed as they learned to depend on one another. Cory accepts her need of other men and her responsibilty to Green's and Adrian's people. Green accepts that he can't belong to Cory alone(nor she to him) due to his position as leader of his people. And Bracken comes into his own as both a man as Cory's lover and an integral part of the community as Green's warrior. And during it all Adrian's memory is carefully preserved.

The book itself shows amazing progress. The story flows. The characters grow, show more depth and seem more real. Again I laughed and cried. Again Amy Lane made me feel. The residents of Green's Hill are becoming family and I look forward to Bound and seeing where they go from here.

he's one excellant teacher. This is a great book to read at nap, bedtime, or anytime. It also teaches good lessons in a fun way.

I recently read this book to my grandchildren. As I was reading it, I realized that the book described a situation that was occurring in my own career. The more I read, the bigger my smile became. I realized that I was Mack and my co-worker was Yertle. As I finished the book, I told my grandsons that this was by far and away my favorite Dr. Seuss book. They asked why and I told them that sometimes in life, people seeking more and more power and greed will try to step on you and it's up to you to stand up for yourself.

Great book, great morale to the story.

I remember this one only vaguely from childhood. But when a friend loaned it to us recently, I had to buy our own copy.

There are three stories inside:
Yertle the Turtle -- be considerate
(something about Gertie's tail feather) -- be content
The Big Brag -- be humble

(sorry I can't remember the name of the second one -- the book is tucked away in the slumbering bedroom and I am NOT going in there to check it)

The morals of the stories are accessible at the kindergarten level -- and nice reminders for adults too.

The rhyming and meter, as always with Dr. Seuss, are great. Just perfect for reading out loud. Easy for the kids to memorize the lines, too.

This one deserves a spot next to Green Eggs and Ham and all the rest.

This was a fun book that I enjoyed as a youngster and I wanted to add it to my little niece's library!

Of course this is a great book - what other story talks about bringing down a king with one great burp! Classic book.

If you are a parent looking for a great series of books to engage your kids and inspire them to read, then look no further than the anybodies series.

THe Anybodies not only makes you want to read the the other books in the series, but it is filled with references to other children's classics, which are obviously meant to inspire your children to continue reading.

The Anybodies is my second favorite book. I love the story. I also like how it relates to the outside world. This story is about a girl named Fern who gets switched at birth, and now she has to live with the VERY BORING Mr. and Mrs. Drudger. Then some people that she has never seen before (or has she?) come to her house and she finds out from them that she is an Anybody. What is an Anybody? Well, you've got to read the book to find out!!!

The theme of this book (and its excellent sequels the Nobodies and the Somebodies) is that nothing is what it seems and that everything can change. This is such a powerful message for kids, who tend to look at the world so literally and so in the present. Very unusual. Very well-written. Great read.

This was a great book. I recommend it. I liked this book because it was full of adventure. I think it was one of my favorites and I would think other people would like this book. I am 10 years old I think people of all ages would like this book.

It's true! Everyday after lunch, I read to my 3rd graders. We have a short window of time before going to recess. One of my students bought the book "The Anybodies" for me from our school book fair (I had hinted for it).

Even in the first day of reading, they were hooked. Did I mention I only have a short time to read? Fifteen minutes to be exact. The class was hooked. By the end of the first week, the classroom clock would be pointing to 12:30...recess time, but none of my students budged. None reminded me of the time. I had to stop reading, but they wanted to hear more.

Ok, N.E. Bode, whoever you are, what kind of magical literary genius can spin a tale so mesmerizing that even 8 yr olds deny themselves the frivolity of recess in order to hear "what happens next"?

When the last day of reading "The Anybodies" rolled around, the kids were downtrodden to say the least. What to do now? So, on to trusty Amazon.com. What on earth is there to read following that addicting novel? AHA!

Yes, N.E. Bode, we're reading "The Nobodies" and, yes, we're hooked again. See a review for that book in a few short weeks. You have made fans and friends of us all! What does that old writing professor of yours know anyway?

From reading the other reviews here, I can see I'm not the only person who looks at this trilogy as a "cult favorite." It seems that the Borribles definitely have a devout following!

Good news, friends! A publisher in the UK has recently re-printed all three books, in a single volume. These stories are available again at last! Click on "United Kingdom" at the bottom of your screen, and have "The Borribles Trilogy" shipped to you from Amazon.com in Great Britain.

Wow. What a great, original book. I read if for the first time in the late 70s...when I was 12 years old. It was a stunning work then, and remains such. I didn't care for the sequels that I discovered and read several years later, though. I think the story works best as a stand-alone book.

Regardless, this is an awesome book. Do yourself a favor and read it!

Don't get caught!

This book brings back a lot of memories. I read it in my teen years, and it reminds me of one of my English teachers who took the trouble to track down and buy me one of the sequels. That was an act of kindness I never forgot, and why I think teachers are such marvellous people to this day (I had excellent ones.)

The basic premise is of children who run away from home to an underworld/sub-world (yes, it's a kind of urban fantasy). The new arrivals have no name until they can prove they deserve one, and they can earn several. I don't remember the plot, but I know that the tribal/merit-based culture and the way they interacted was really interesting to me, and I'm getting ready to track down a copy for my niece who will soon be of an age to enjoy this one.

Like many here I read this book as a young man. Borribles are children that have chosen to run away from home and live on the street. As they live on the street their ears become pointed, which is why they wear hats to hide the fact from those that hunt borribles. Once you become a Borrible you will remain a kid forever...unless... Many of the cops that work the beat that Borribles can be found are on the look out for them. If a Borrible is captured, then the cops will clip his ears and he will turn back into a normal kid. People that were once Borribles become insanely jealous of those that still are Borribles and also hunt them. Couple this with extra large, intellegent sewer rats that are the sworn enemy of Borribles, and you can see that a Borribles existance is a bit dicey. As a Borrible you can't get a job, so they live by their wits, stealing their supper and defending themselves with thier trusty slingshots. They live in small tribes / street gangs throughout London scratching a rough existance from the sewers and back alleys. Forming alliances and rivalries with each other as well.
The first book of Borribles, a Borrible finds a scout Rumble (really big sewer rat) and his tribe elects to seek out the rumbles and disrupt any plans of attack they may have. Think about a tiny Delta Force unit with sling shots and a candy fixation. Gritty and Tough as the Outsiders with a little Peter Pan thrown in, a great read. I highly recommend this book.

If it weren't for their pointed ears (which you should know are always well-disguised under a woollen hat whenever they're out in public), it would be very difficult to distinguish a Borrible from a normal human child. They're generally "very skinny", "pretty tough looking", and "always scruffy". Sums up this generation perfectly, don't you think? ;-)

Anyhow, the story itself begins when an enemy Rumble is spotted on Borrible territory by two lookouts, Knocker and Lightfoot. The Borrible instantly smell trouble and in no time at all have assembled a crack team of adventurers to assassinate the Rumble High Command. Naturally of course, not all goes according to plan...

From page one, Michael de Larrabeiti's 'The Borribles' is brimming with action and adventure of epic proportions. It isn't perfect, but whether you're young or simply young at heart, there's something here to be enjoyed.

Highly recommended!