Opera Books

Excellent product with very fast shipping. I am completely satisfied and would recommend the seller and the book to anyone.

This is one of my top ten most favorite books. I read it for the very first time in junior high school and let a friend borrow it but never got it back. A few years later I went to buy another copy and to my horror it was out of print! I searched online for about a week and managed to find a used copy for about double the face value. I gladly paid the money and have read it about every year or so since. I have closely gaurded that old used copy and I'm very glad to see it back in print. Now if they would just publish a kindle version I would be set for life.

Phantom This book is by far one of the best written and emotionally enveloping books I've ever read. You feel the seductiveness of Erik and find yourself falling in love with him also. I have the 1989 copy and read it after seeing the movie. It ties in with the movie, the stage production, and the 1911 classic by Gaston Leroux especially. Sure there are a few discrepancies, when compared to other versions, but this book rounds out the life of Erik, from beginning to end and leaves you mourning his death and wanting more. You will miss him, as I do.

I've always had a sort of obsession with The Phantom of the Opera ever since I was a kid. My parents would play the music when we took long trips during our vacation. When I was older, I found a copy of the original novel by Leroux, and loved it. I heard from others who loved the play, book, and music about this book, and they all recommended it, so I read it. I can't tell you how amazing it is! To finally get Erik's history, and to hear things from his point of view, was simply beautiful. My only complaint would be the epilogue, but other than that, anyone with an interest in the story should read this! :)

My sister was insistant that I read this book, but I really wasn't interested...I had seen the movie and ofcourse I loved it, but my reading interests were somewhere else. However, after being told how wonderful it was I finally gave it a shot...Can I say, LOVED IT!!!! I was angry, sad, happy and totally in love with the Phantom...I loved this book so much that I was searching for it and I really didn't care that I spent $40.00. If you are a person who believes in impossible love this is a must read...

I have been so fortunate to have known this show for twelve years. Now that it has ended, I will have my memories of seeing the show as well as this amazing book. I own two copies of the book and have read it front to back. Thank you Jonathan Larson and thank you to all that have made this show the great piece of musical theatre that it is. I will miss the show, but this book will stay with me forever. This book is a great thing to have for any musical lover, and I hope that RENT will change lives just as it has mine. Through this book, RENT is authentically seen and can be remembered by all

This is not just the story of RENT and its creation, but the story of it's creator as well. Jonathan Larson's story is just as moving as RENT is, and this book gives an awesome insight into the life of this amazing composer who was taken far too early. This coupled with interviews from more people than I can count makes this a highly enjoyable read. The book also includes a whole bunch of pictures one would not see anywhere else, and the libretto, so the entire experience is bundled up in this one big black book with fake duct-tape binding. It was such an enjoyable read and made me cry just as much as the show itself. No Day But Today.

This book has everything you need if you are interested in more than just the movie. The whole script is included. Interviews with the entire cast! The whole story of how rent was created, start to finish. It is worth every penny and is the only rent book you'll ever need.

An absolute necessity for any renthead. only complaint is it is written early on in the broadway run but really that is the end of the story mostly.
rent has etched itself into my psyche like a weevil. there is not a morning that i wake up that one of the songs is not in my head. i sell music and i have never came across a group of music that has had this effect on me.
perhaps the story of larson's early demise colors it and adds that extra tragic twist that keeps it inside your soul but whatever it has provided the most joyus ride into musical bliss that i have ever experienced yet.
(move over "pet sounds", "west side story", "toy matinee" & "eli & the 13th confession".
the book is laid out well, quite informative. even has comments from the pit band (who are essential).
GET THIS if you have to futher feed your rent needs.
viva la vie bohem.

I wasn't a big fan of "Rent" until I saw the movie, and when I read this book, it gave me a bigger meaning to the play/movie.

Warning: This is just for fans of "Rent". Those who haven't seen the movie will get into the story of how it was made, but not as much the screenplay.

To put it in short- the best Trekkie encyclopedia there is.

I just love those biographies on important characters.

Before I lost this, I was constantly using this as a point of reference for the time line of things and to make sure I wasn't mispelling certain things.. getting other things right, what was where, what all kinds of Star ship classes there wear, etc... this was all for a fan fiction novel that I was, am.. writing. Good thing I put some of those things I was always looking at.. on paper.. so I didn't have to lug the book around everywhere I went.

Granted it's lacking the last few seasons of Voyager and the whole of Enterprise, but I thank Okura for even making "an" edition of these, though it would be nice for a new one.

This is a great book, with one rather glaring error. Under the SETI entry, there is a picture of Pioneer's plaque. On the plaque, the Pioneer appears to be launched from the second planet from the sun. As we all know, the probe was launched from the third planet, Earth.

If you consider yourself a Trekkie or just someone who is truely intersted in Star Trek this Encyclopedia is a must buy period.It has insight to every facet of the Series.From the Original to Voyager you'll know details to everything.You'll won't be able to just glance through it once.I consider myself a huge Trekkie and like to think I know alot about the Shows,but I'll find myself amazed when I discover details about a certain charecter of Episodes I've forgotten or never knew exsisted.Especially interesting is the Timeline parts of the book,The breakdowns of Ship commisions and Designs,information about Actors,Cuisine,backstories of Charecters.You name it and they have everything about it...well almost everything.

You have to realize this fact before buying this Encyclopedia is that it was made in 1999.It's been 9 Years.Alot of History has happened in Star Trek since then and if you don't realize this now,you'll be disapointed to discover that to information about Deep Space Nine's last Season,the last 2 Seasons of Voyager,The whole of Enterprise and Star Trek Nemesis.All of this information is non-exsistant.And just imagine the frustration of people who actually owned this book through the years and reread it wishing it had all this wealth of new information.I honestly can't comprehend why Pocket Books would not release the Book with all of this missing information availible.Or make a CD-Rom of it.

This might sound like I'm ragging on the Book,but that would be impossible to do.Wiether or not this info is in this paticular Book doesn't really matter,because it extensively covers in scrutinizing detail of all the Series up to Deep Space Nine Last Season,Voyager's last 2 Seasons,the whole of Enterprise and Star Trek Nemesis.And believe me you'll be more than satisfied with that alone.

So,most definately buy this now and enjoy it and you will.But just realize it's outdated and once you do that then you can truely enjoy this Encyclopedia the way the Publisher intended you enjoy it:with wonderment and fun.

I bought this book in 2003, and it covered most of the bases then, but only the movies through 1998 ("Insurrection" IIRC; "Nemesis" is not covered.), and the 5th season of Voyager. It just covered the last season of DS9. And of course it has none of the "Enterprise" series.

There have also been events such as the Paramount auction of all the series and movie paraphernalia since then, and that could be a chapter all by itself.

I came on Amazon today expecting to see a new and updated version for sale, and was disappointed that the old edition is still all that's available.

Michael and Denise Okuda know everything there is to know about ST, and are the perfect people to update this. If I were shopping today for the first time I would say wait for the new edition, but buy a used paperback 1999 just to see what it's all about.

Keeping my fingers crossed that someone sees the demand for an updated version!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An absolutely beautiful and deep character study. You don't have to be a Trekie to enjoy it.

The book was well written and Robinson's knowledge of the lead seems so very authentic.

He created an entire backstory that blends in very well with the DS9 series. It makes watching the show in syndication even more fun, especially when Robinson is on, because it's like you, the viewer is in, on the secret.

I look forward to seeing more of his work, be it as an actor or as a writer.

Having enjoyed DS9 and having heard about this book through Memory Alpha, I noticed all the positive reviews and decided to give it a shot. It was well worth it, the book is completely engrossing and a joy to read. I wish Robinson would write a sequel.

Someone, just lock Andrew J. Robinson in a room and make him write more. Seriously.

Deep Space Nine was my favourite of all the Trek series, and Garak was my favourite character, so you can imagine how thrilled I was when this book arrived. It is amazing. It goes so deeply into what makes up the Cardassian mind and society, every unanswered question that one could have about Cardassians is answered in this novel. I didn't want it to end! The author is also the actor who played Garak, and the insight he provides about his character is wonderful, poetic, and so moving. Anyone who has ever enjoyed an episode of DS9 needs to buy this book. I've read it three times, and I still enjoy it more than any other sci-fi book that I've read.

If you like hard edged space opera, you'll this! It's Star Wars for adults, with more original ideas and better writing.

I have read the whole series and the first thing that strikes you is the question why is the series so long?(3000+ pages)

Simple, the writer has created a rich universe filled with various characters, society's, technologies, religions and linked them around a central theme of the battle between good and evil. He has taken his time to write the detail that is required to allow readers to contextulaise the activities in the book in relation to one another and the main plot. This is where a writer becomes a master storyteller, the attention to detail and the subtle nuances which go to make up the whole series.

The writing is graphic in relation to the sex and violence, part of the purpose in this is undoubtably to convey the true horror, and alieness of the threat to humanity.

The books are not really intended for kids, who says you can't write science fiction for adults only?

In conclusion I would recommend the whole series for the serious adult science fiction reader who is sick of skimming through a pulp science fiction novel in a night and wants to get into a more meaty read.

This is a work that now sits on my shelf at home and will be read again.

Highly recommended.

This is one of those books that keeps you up late at night, trying to figure out how little sleep you need to make it through the next day. This continues the story-arc begun in The Neutronium Alchemist Part 1, while opening new doors to the rest of the story. The series as a whole is well-worth reading, and The Neutronium Alchemist combines some of the most exciting intrigue and dazzling star-ship acrobatics I have ever read.

In book 4 (or 2b, depending on how you want to count it) of this intricate series, things are really starting to heat up and come together. Al Capone has decided to build an empire and is busily conquering other planets and systems. Keira is working to bring in more victims in order to improve the chances that long-term population in Valisk won't get boring once it is removed from the universe (including possessing void hawks), while Rubra continues to do his best to thwart her. Joshua continues to bumble around, get into the way of various things and end up saving the galaxy from certain doom. Alkad Mzu travels to get the Alchemist and almost ends up in Capone's hands. And much, MUCH more occurs in this very intricately plotted and busy novel.

This is a universe in which you can really lose yourself as a reader - Hamilton has created a huge story here and telling it - as well as reading it - is not necessarily a task for the faint of heart. Nonetheless, those fond of sweeping epics, space operas and the like would definitely enjoy this series (start from the beginning, please!).

There are six books in Peter F. Hamilton's "Night's Dawn" series:

- "The Reality Dysfunction - Part 1: Emergence,"
- "The Reality Dysfunction - Part 2: Expansion,"
- "The Neutronium Alchemist - Part 1: Consolidation,"
- "The Neutronium Alchemist - Part 2: Conflict,"
- "The Naked God - Part 1: Flight," and
- "The Naked God - Part 2: Faith."

Be warned: you CANNOT read these books individually. They are, essentially, chapters in one whopping great book. If you like the first book, then you'll have to read the other five books in order. There's no tie-up of any sort between any of the books. The publisher just broke the story up because it totals over 3,000 pages. If you pick up a book before you've read all the previous books (in order), put it down. It won't mean anything to you. Since these books are entirely dependent on each other, I'm writing this review on the series as a whole, not on the individual books.

This is one of the greatest science fiction sagas written. It ranks up there with David Brin's "Uplift Saga." It is literally a story of good vs evil and shows some of the potential (and pitfalls) of the human race. Over the years, I've read the whole series five times, and I still love it. I really only have two gripes with the book. First, and this is unavoidable in what Hamilton is doing, the evil in the series is definitely, graphically evil. This is not a book where the villain twists his mustache and laughs "nyah hah hah" as he forecloses on the orphanage or ties the heroine to the railroad tracks. The writing is fairly graphic in a lot of places. After five readings, this gets a bit wearing. My second gripe is one which somewhat limits the audience of the series (even more so than the evilness presented, and it's why I've given the series four stars instead of five): there's too much sex and the writing about it is too graphic. This is a problem with all of Hamilton's books, but it seems more prevalent in this series. Because of this, I wouldn't recommend the book for your children to read. But, as long as you're aware of that, I highly recommend the series and give it 4 stars out of five.

This is not a series with stand alone books, you have to start in the beginning and progress. This book just jumps in and starts where Carpe Diem left off. We're at the start of the war in earnest between the Clan Korval and previously unknown enemies. Things start to tie together and finally Val and Miri get back into the thick of the Liaden worlds. I like this book, but it's definitely a bridge between Partners in Necessity and I Dare. I love this series, it has everything you could want from a space opera and more. Some once described it as Jane Austen in space, but I find it more deadly than that - more like Renaissance Italy in space, lots of machinations and maneuverings and with some love and laughter to leaven the plot. Highly recommended series. A keeper and frequent reread.

This is the fourth volume (out of five -- I think) in a first-rate space opera story arc, set in the Liaden Universe, that began with Conflict of Honors. It's all about Clan Korval, one of the wealthiest and most powerful trade families around, and the people in it, and their growing struggle with the Liaden Department of Interior (which has plans for running things their own narrow-minded way), and with the Juntavas (a sort of galactic Mafia), and their relations and alliances with various Terran groups and individuals. Key to the multiple plots are Val Con yos-Phelium -- who becomes a Scout and then a spy, and then goes determinedly on the lam -- and his lady-love, Miri Robertson, a talented ex-mercenary who thought she was Terran (and still mostly thinks that way) but who has discovered she's actually a lost member of Clan Erob, a smaller Liad family that is closely allied with Korval. Val Con and Miri, now lifemates, have gone to Erob to get her accepted back into the family, and things are moving along well. But what they don't know is that the attempts by Clan Korval, back home, to locate Val Con (who is supposed to take over the family's leadership, whether he wants to or not), have led to an unhealthy interest in Korval by the Department of Interior. "This means war," as they say. The current First Speaker, Nova yos'Galan, invokes "Plan B," which can be summed up in two words: "Everybody scatter!" The family's flagship is even outfitted as a battleship -- and a very powerful one, too. And then all hell suddenly breaks loose, with an attack on Erob's world by the dreaded Xytrang (a combination of Huns and Mongols, with a dash of Klingon), and Miri is suddenly pushed to the forefront, her mercenary experience in great demand. But things get even weirder when Val Con is able to recruit an Xytrang Scout-equivalent to fight on his side. There are loads of interwoven subplots here, plus interestingly developed personal relationships, and lots of classic military ground action. Don't even think about trying to read this volume first, because you will have no idea of what's going on; start at the beginning of the arc -- but keep all the volumes handy because you won't want to wait to start the next volume!

Great read. So much detail in this book; I read it over again after I finished reading it the first time and was just as entertained. I hope the saga continues! More please...

plan B opens with Miri and Val Con in space and headed to the planet Lytaxin. They've put the word out to Val Con's clan to rendezvous there. There is also an invading force of alien warriors that is converging right along with them. plan B is full of widescale destruction, ironic humor and justified paranoia. It will have you ride a wave of human emotions as you are caught up in the story.

I did not know this was book six of the Liaden universe. But if you haven't read the other books, like myself, you won't have too much trouble following the events of plan B, I may have missed some subtly points by not having a background to pull from. But I still found it a very entertaining read and could not put it down.

"A changing array of safeplaces shall be maintained at all times, in the event of immediate, catastrophic threat to the Clan. There is no shame in strategic retreat. Even Jela sometimes ran from his enemies, the better to defeat them, tomorrow.
"Keep the children safe. Honor without love is stupidity."
- This by the hand of Cantra yos'Phelium, Captain and Delm, in the Third Year after Planetfall

This book comes closest to suffering from "middle book" syndrome of all the Liaden books, but only because it's obviously in the middle of a continuing story. Plenty of interesting things occur in this volume, but their origins lie in AGENT OF CHANGE (which introduced Miri and Val Con to each other), a story which was continued in CARPE DIEM. The cliffhanger ending of PLAN B itself leads to I DARE, the next book, so I recommend having that handy before tackling this volume.

If the gentle reader insists on beginning with PLAN B in this series, don't claim that I didn't warn you against such an ill-advised idea.

Val Con yos'Phelium, sometime First-In Scout and ex-Agent of Change, is still on the run with his new lifemate, ex-mercenary Miri Robertson, from Liad's so-called "Department of the Interior", a renegade government organization dedicated to giving Liad its "true place" in the galaxy even if Liad's own culture and people must be sacrificed to that aim. As heirs to Korval's ancient contract to protect the people of Liad, Val Con and his cousins can't let the Department win, even if their own lives weren't at risk as a family heavily intermingled with Terrans.

In this round of their ongoing battles, however, the Department is a relatively minor factor.

As arranged at the end of CARPE DIEM, the cousins are about to rendezvous on Lytaxin, homeworld of Miri Robertson's distant Liaden kinfolk - also, ironically, ancient allies of Clan Korval. (*Every* senior member of Val Con's family thinks it's ironic that he chose his lifemate from the most suitable family possible, and that if he'd *known* she was suitable he'd have taken forever to look in her direction.) Unfortunately, Lytaxin - having just undergone a massive rebellion - is now being invaded by the Yxtrang 14th Conquest Corps, who successfully executed their standard opening ploy of destroying the planetary communication net.

And in accordance with the principle that no good deed goes unpunished, the Yxtrang Explorer whom Val Con once captured and trussed up like a turkey is not only attached to the Corps but has just been captured by Lytaxin's defenders. And guess which Liaden on the planet is the *only* person fluent in Yxtrang?

Various nice touches of characterization and development of the cultures involved, including our first good look at the Yxtrang as well as Miri's first adjustments to interacting with Liaden culture as a Liaden rather than a Terran. We also get a more detailed look at Miri's old mercenary unit (who quite properly ask why Miri and Val Con didn't just tag along with them in the first place, if they were going to end up on Lytaxin anyhow).

Tihs book is awesome. It takes a gentically altered human, altered to be a eilite commando. Who sees her family wiped out by pirates. Injured and bleeding she is joined with an enetity from Greek Mythology.
She then steels a new state of the art A.I. warship whos "personality" invades her mind. Now three people sharing the same mind. But pirates beware, three minds are certainly in this book better then one and look out because here they come. Edge of you seat action packed, takes a bit to warm up. But after it does, it is all go, go, go. Oh I hope there is a sequal in the wroks.

I've been reading SciFi/Fantasy for 50+ years and have thousands of books in my library. There have been a relative few such as Lord of the Rings by Tolkein or Ender's Game by Card that I couldn't put down. Fury is another such.

Excellent fast paced book, top notch story, hope he writes another one soon!!

very well written, which is the most important thing, u can get invloved in the story

Great, fast paced adventure as I've come to expect from Weber's tales. Unfortunately, Amazon's webpage led me to believe that it was a sequel to Weber's "In Fury Born." They are, in fact, the same book - one in hardcover and one in softcover. Buy one or the other and enjoy!!

Partners in Necessity is the three-part Omnibus collection of Sharon Lee and Steve Miller's Liadan Universe. It contains Conflict of Honors, Agent of Change, and Carpe Diem. This isn't the beginning or end to the series; it's kind of in the middle, which is exactly where I started, and didn't mind any. I won't go over plotlines because several other people have done so-and, I've got to say, very well-plus, I am really bad at summaries, so I'll just leave my opinion.

First things first, I'll get the negative out of the way and move on. This edition has numerous editing mistakes, it talks about gods (which, I know some people don't mind, but I hate), and one character, Priscilla, who was one of the main characters in Conflict of Honors, is very nearly nude for the majority of her short appearances in Carpe Diem. What else can I say but that I am a huge, terrible prude and find her under-clothed state...unnecessary. And my last complaint: 846 pages was not enough.

Now that all that's done, here it goes.
There comes a time, about every year or so, when I look back and think of all the things I've read. Now, when I say this, I am dead serious: this book made my whole year.

From betrayal to trust and love; from escaping assassins, government brain tampering, and the threats posed by one's own self; from the cataloguing of space, telepathic bonds, and, of course, adopted family members who are giant turtle-like aliens (That somehow reminded me of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, although no similarities-other than the fact that they resembled turtles and spoke-exist, and, for some odd reason, old trees...), I had unknowingly been looking for these stories before I even found them (And if you've been reading long enough, you probably know what I mean). I was enthralled when they began and devastated when I reached the very last page. 846 pages passed by in only three days--nearly impossible for me. It isn't often that I get so caught up in a story.

I feel very deeply for the characters within these pages, and the only adequate comparison I can give is Firefly. It was a television series that ended just as brilliantly as it began, and just as I felt when watching Firefly, reading these stores was like finding old friends I'd been missing for years. Everything else is overshadowed by the amazing characterizations. I can't remember the last time I came across characters in literature who were all so different, appealing, and real. My personal favorites are Miri, with her funny braid hair-do, small stature, loyalty, and strength, and Val Con, who is musically gifted, damaged, and just about as vertically challenged as Miri; they make a good match. And the last book in the Omnibus, Carpe Diem, which is pretty much their story, deserves three awards: most memorable scenes, greatest characters, and all-time favorite.

Honestly, I did hear wonderful things, but was not expecting what I found. There is a very rare quality to the stories in which the characters share bonds that are not based entirely on graphic encounters (you know what I mean...) and yet comes across as even stronger with this element missing. This is something I greatly appreciate. If there is one thing I despise, it's having too much of a certain kind of information given, and this goes to show that one can do well enough without.

This is the kind of book I wait-and hope-to find. I consider myself lucky to have read it. For me, this was 846 pages of pure entertainment. There have been times where I felt the need to read for the sole purpose of getting to the good parts or finishing, and I never felt this way about Partners in Necessity. Now, I await the next book and hope that, whoever you are, you enjoy this as much as I did.

Sharon Lee and Steve Miller are a tremendous writing duo. Thanks to them and well done.

From one incredibly picky but very pleased reader.

I just have a moment to do this, so let me just say: for anyone who's enjoyed reading in the Liaden universe, this having your cake and eating it too! Just fabulous !!

The plot keeps things moving along, but what makes these novels great is the characters. Real conflict, real choices to make, and real growth over time as well. Quite a world, and quite a story. I particularly liked the first of the three novels collected here.

This is a story for people like me who love a good story.whatever the label. These are people like you and me, who laugh, love, care, hurt, You rejoice with their triumphs and cry with their sorrows. It will stay on my bookshelf forever

Partners in Necessity is an omnibus edition of three novels: Conflict of Honors, Agent of Change & Carpe Diem.

Conflict of Honors: Priscilla Delacroix y Mendoza left her homeplanet when she was only sixteen, convicted of blasphemy and exiled to be homeless and clanless, but she survived. Ten years later, after working her share of grunt jobs, she was the cargo master on the Daxflan, a Liaden ship captained by Sav Rid Olanek. It wasn't an easy job as Terrans were treated like second-class citizens and the second mate, Dagmar, kept trying to "charm" her into a relationship, but Priscilla could not afford to leave the ship and damage her reputation so she stayed. Then Priscilla discovered that the Captain had taken on a cargo of illegal drugs and passed them off as innocent pharmaceuticals. Priscilla tried to hide her knowledge, but she found herself knocked out and locked up on a second-class planet with no money, no job and a resume that now claimed she was a thief.

Priscilla knew that she had to get off the planet and hunt down the Daxflan, if for nothing else than to reclaim her possessions, so she turned to the only ship in orbit at the time - the Dutiful Passage captained by Shan yos'Galan. Unbelievably, the Captain hired her as a pet librarian and then proceeded to help her with pilot and leadership training. Priscilla did not know quite how to react to the friendship of those aboard the Dutiful Passage, but she slowly started to think of the ship as her home. But Dagmar and Captain Olanek were not going to let Priscilla escape and they had a score to settle against Shan yos'Galan, her beloved Captain and source of protection...

Agent of Change: Val Con yos'Phelium, Clan Korval, future Delm and Second Speaker, was just doing a routine mission on some backwater planet in the middle of the universe when his life changed. After completing his mission, he encountered a small spitfire of a woman and saved her life, for which she promptly repaid him by bashing his head in. When Val Con woke up, the spitfire dumped him, but Val Con was intrigued, so he followed her and saved her life again. Now Miri Robertson, whose life he had saved twice, was forced to deal with Val Con, honor demanded it. She was intrigued by Val Con, whom she nicknamed "Tough Guy", but definitely didn't want a partner. As a former mercenary and bodyguard, she could handle herself and, as a target for the powerful Juntavas crime ring, she couldn't trust anyone...

However, both Val Con and Miri, both of whom were used to working alone, soon found that they worked well as partners, at least they would if Miri would stop trying to ditch Val Con at every opportunity. Val Con knew that Miri was something special, she made him feel things that he hadn't felt in years, she made him feel alive again. Miri didn't know what was wrong with Val Con, but she knew it had something to do with what he called The Loop, some kind of brain implant that gave him the odds of success on every mission/action he made. As they grew closer together, both Val Con and Miri realized that the Department of the Interior, who had trained Val Con as an agent, must have some ulterior motive in plan. But in order to find out what it was, they had to stay alive...

Carpe Diem: Val Con his lifemate, Miri Robertson were ordered not to be harmed by the Juntavas syndicate. However, personal interpretation of 'not be harmed' left Val Con and Miri on a broken-down spaceship in the middle of nowhere with the enemy Yxtrang ready to kill them for the hunk of junk they were sitting in. However, Val Con and Miri managed to rig something together and 'jumped' to one of the nearest planets - a backwater world named Vandar.

Vandar had no contact with the outside universe and didn't even know that other cultures existed. With no spaceships and no radio comm that they could use, Val Con and Miri tried to resign themselves to a long stay and set about learning the culture and the language. Meanwhile, Shan yos'Galan, Val Con's brother and his lifemate, Priscilla, began searching the galaxy for him, as did Edger and Sheather, Val Con's Clutch brothers. Back on Liad, Nova yos'Galan, Val Con's sister, had translated a cryptic message from Val Con that, while ensuring the Clan of the heir's survival, told them precious little else. But she did discover that the Department of the Interior, a department that seemed shrouded in mystery and determined to conquer the planet of Liad and from there, the universe, was also looking for Val Con. The more she investigated, the more interested the Department became in Clan Korval...until Nova was forced to call Plan B - retreat strategically, trust no one, prepare for all out war....

These are books 3-5 in the Liaden series if you read them chronologically, which I recommend. As with the other books, I simply loved Lee & Miller's characters and world building. They spend time on the details and it shows that they have carefully thought out and executed another masterpiece. I really feel as if I know the Korval family and am taking a remedial course on Liaden etiquette, these books are that well written! If you enjoy any kind of science fiction or space opera then this book has something for you - great characters, lots of action, enemies on all sides, high tech battle sequences, romance, family relations, honor, and much, much more! You can read this book as a stand-alone novel, but I would recommend starting with the prequels (Local Custom & Scout's Progress, also found in omnibus Pilot's Choice), so that you are familiar with Liad and Clan Korval, but, these books were the originals for the Liaden universe and were written first. Also, you definitely should not miss out on any book in the wonderful Liaden universe - all of them are very highly recommended!

Excellent book !
All of a good Phantom of the opera's fan needs to know about this classic musical masterpiece. History, true facts, anecdotes, first editions, the future.. No more words. Don't miss it !!

I bought a copy of this book at a performance of The Phantom Of The Opera in 2000 and really love it. I tried to purchase a copy for a friend at the most recent performance we went to but it is no longer available and feel very lucky to have been able to find it here at Amazon. It tells of the Paris Opera House, Gaston Leroux, the original story and the movies. The reason I bought it is the last 100+ pages cover the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical and includes some incredible photographs. I was delighted when I got home and found it also includes the Libretto! I would encourage any fan of the musical to purchase a copy.

Loads of beautiful photos and lots of info. I love it. We do need and expanded edition to cover the movie. This is for Phantom Fans.

This a must have for any phans of the A.L.W. musical!!

This book... I have no words on how amazing it is.

When I rekindled my love for musicals, and of course, Phantom of the Opera made that happened... I had to get everything and learn everything about Phantom. So I found this book at the library and I went insane over it.

Firstly, it gives a clear background history on Gaston Leroux--the writer and the creator of Phantom of the Opera. Then, it goes into another section when talking about the films it inspired. You'll be surprised and amazed when you see it and read about it. Not only that, it tells you some small tidbit facts on the actors and actresses of these movies.

And then, my favorite part, it goes into the Lloyd Webber musical. And when I say "goes into" I mean it!! There are so many pictures of the Original London Cast it's phenominal! There ares ome behind the scenes pictures as well. I never seen so many pictures about Phantom sure in a book, ever.

And when you think that's enough, there is a libretto of the stage production--including scrafito'ed pictures of the OLC copied in there as it was when the CD/Cassette first made it's debut.

All in all, it's not clearly updated as it is now, there is mention of the movie and who they want in it. But otherwise, if you are a London Cast or simply a Phantom obsessionist, you MUST have this book. If you find it at a house sale, a junk pile, book sale... whatever... BUY IT. You will not be dissapointed!!