Science Books

Truly exciting and fast-paced, The Dark Rival is a fantastic read! This is Jude Watson's first try in the Jedi Apprentice series and what a marvelous job she's done! And finaly Obi-wan is made Qui-Gon padawan (anyway we all knew that).
Can't wait to read the next book.

I think this book is a good star wars book for 13 though 8.Qiun Gon Jim is having a stuind that wants to kill hem.But Obe One Kenobe is a stuind that Xanitos wants hem to be on the darkside. Later in the book there will be a light saber batlie that is asome.They will drive vicles be capture and met people they nafer seen before.Soon they will find a person and talk to Yoda.I hope you like this book.

I just loved this book! I don't know how anyone could NOT like this book! I can't wait to read the next book in the series: "The hidden past"!!! You just HAVE to read this book!!!

The Rising Force was written by Dave Wolverton. Now it's Watson time.

The story begins unhappily. After an unexpected adventure with Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, who twelve-year-old Jedi student Obi-Wan Kenobi desperately wants to be his Master, Obi-Wan is sent to the planet Bandomeer, where he is to no longer be a Jedi student, and instead be a farmer. But the thing is, Qui-Gon is headed to Bandomeer, too, to meet his former Padawan apprentice, Xanatos. Suddenly, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon are caught in Xanatos's evil grasp, which leads them to yet another adventure together. Obi-Wan also meets a new enemy named Guerra.... To paraphrase Guerra... not so! Guerra becomes Obi-Wan's good friend. He's my personal favorite character, Guerra. Plus, Obi-Wan is still trying to impress Qui-Gon so he'll take him as a Padawan learner.

After the Rising Force, I read this one excitedly, and it was no disappointment! I gotta say, the JA series may just be the best series I've ever read! Although all the aliens and sci-fi creatures are obviously fake, Watson makes it all believable. Why? Because this story has a whole lot of heart, and, I assume, an invisible magnet on the cover. I could not put it down! A great read, even if you're not a Star Wars fan.

This was one of the first Jedi Apprentice books i read and i loved it! In this book Qui-Gon actually starts to realize that he's kept Obi-Wan in the dark and that he should have explained more about his old apprentice Xanatos. Also there's this part where Qui-Gon is going to rescue Obi-Wan and starts to notice how much Obi-Wan deserves to be a jedi. this book is very emotional and gratifying, i wish Jude Watson would write more!

DRAGONSINGER shows off sci-fi/fantasy writer Anne McCaffrey at her best and most accessible. Of the three books which make up the Harper Hall trilogy, this one is my favorite and a book to which I've returned a bunchful of times. Only thing is, whenever I dust this off (or, come to think of it, any of the early Pern novels), I tend to go ahead and re-read the whole friggin' series. The Harper Hall trilogy, more so than any of the Dragonriders of Pern novels, is targeted towards a young adult audience, but it'll certainly charm a reader of whatever age. And if one is looking for a capable, extremely engaging role model, then look no further than Menolly of Half-Circle Sea Hold.

DRAGONSINGER picks up almost immediately from where Dragonsong left off, with Menolly arriving at the Harper Craft Hall to begin her harper's apprenticeship. A gifted songwriter/singer/musician and the young accidental mistress of nine gluttonous but ever loyal fire lizards, the shy and vulnerable Menolly finds herself near overwhelmed by her new circumstances. She's very conscious of her horribly scarred hand (which prevents her from playing her music) and her still woefully tender feet (from having outran Thread, deadly silver spores which periodically rain on Pern). At Harper Hall, Menolly meets and is intimidated by an array of stern and skeptical teachers. She faces the scorn of her fellow female students, with whom she must share room and board. Her unconventionality and her rare fire lizards mark her as a target of curiousity and envy. For Menolly, all this is almost too hard to bear. But she loves music and loves her fire lizards. And, it turns out, she has more friends than she thinks...

DRAGONSINGER, first published in 1977, is the second book in the Harper Hall trilogy, and, in my opinion, is the best of the three. It continues Menolly's coming-of-age tale and introduces the readers to a gang of winning characters, such as the quiet journeyman Sebell, the majestic, offbeat Master Shonagar, and the impish and ingratiating Piemur (who would take center stage in Dragondrums). Of course, the awesome and perceptive Masterharper Robinton figures in most of the Pern novels, and he makes his presence vigorously felt here. Who wouldn't want to work for someone like him?

Another neat thing about the Harper Hall trilogy is that it allows the reader to relive events in McCaffrey's other novels. Specifically, the timeline of DRAGONSONG and DRAGONSINGER coincides with that of Dragonquest (Dragonriders of Pern), so that, just as we revisited Jaxom's impressing of Ruth thru Menolly's eyes in DRAGONSONG, here, we get Menolly and Harper Hall's horrified reactions to F'nor's disastrous foray to the inhospitable Red Star. Later, the third Harper Hall entry, DRAGONDRUMS, would touch on events occuring in The White Dragon (Dragonriders of Pern Vol 3).

McCaffrey warmly covers a span of seven eventful days in Menolly's life, chronicling her transitioning from an uncertain, bashful young girl to a confident one with the world opened up before her. Menolly is tall and gangly and unsure, and so appealing. It's a joy reading of her overcoming her challenges, making new friends, and impressing just near everyone with her musical talents. My favorite moments would have to be the ones in which she's engaged in her music or spending time with her fair of fire lizards (and, believe me, both activities take up huge, huge chunks of the book). Scenes to look out for: the first time Menolly feeds her fire lizards at Harper Hall, the impromptu Hall concert during Threadfall, all the moments with Shonagar, and Gather Day. As ever, McCaffrey peppers her book with sightings of benevolent dragons, who constantly guard Pern against Thread, and their miniature and inquisitive cousins, the fire lizards. Actually, in this Harper Hall series, the focus is more on the fire lizards than on the dragons. McCaffrey lends Menolly's fire lizards their own distinct personalities, from the imperious Beauty to the nagging Aunties One and Two, to the beleaguered Uncle, to the aptly named Lazybones.

Compared to the other, more adult-oriented novels about Pern, DRAGONSINGER is a lighter, more intimate read, and not as intricately plotted. The stakes here don't shape the world, just Menolly's personal universe. But, I'll tell you what, you'll get caught up in it. DRAGONSINGER (and a whole mess of McCaffrey's novels, come to think of it) fits cozily on my shelf of comfort books. I normally have two copies of books which I particularly love. With DRAGONSINGER, I have three, two of which are pretty threadbare. Such a good read.

The harper Hall Trilogy is my favorite set by McCaffrey and interestingly the first books I read by her. I love dragons and there for dragon stories, particularly ones were dragons are not mindless monsters of destruction, so it would be odd for me not to like these books. The story is very original and the characters well written. If your not sure of getting into the Pern books, this is the series to read! Dragonsinger is a really strong book, despite being in the middle of a set. The story keeps going strong and the characters stay true to themselves.

I know I wasn't supposed to read this book first, but it was on the free book cart at the library. And I've wanted to read McCaffery for some time now. I'd give this book four a half stars. I'd like to have given it five. But I'll get to that in a minute. Her prose is elegant. Each of her characters is clearly defined. The main, Menolly, is strong and modest, but often bleek and insecure because of her background. Thus her behavior makes sense at times when she is overly passive when she shouldn't be. As well as apologizing for every little thing. However, her giving a shiner to Benis was priceless. I love the tiny info on the Fort Sea Hold, and look I look forward to getting clear description when I read DragonSong. The only problem I had with this book was there was no real action, besides the brawl at the Gather. Though I must say, the book was not boringt any time. But I did have to put it down from time to time because its lack of action.

Can't wait to read more McCaffery. I see why she's one of the leading authors in the SciFi/Fantasy genre.

Menolly is now at the Harper Hall. However, she is a geek/nerd and doesn't fit in with all the girls who like doing the standard chick things. Plus there just happens to be a bunch of fire lizards following her around.

She also has to deal with the problem of choosing or being asked to choose a specialisation and someone to be a mentor.

Menolly has achieved her dream of living in Harper Hall, despite the disadvantage of being born female. But she does not know how she will fit in and the fact that she accidentally Impressed nine fire lizards causes disruptions in class and jealousies from the other students. That she comes to realize her full talent as a musician, singer and songwriter and revel in the company of other musicians is the delight of this perfect fantasy novel.

This gem of a story is appropriate for creative girls and women of all ages, all creative endeavors because it says that the barriers the world puts in your way won't stand up to friendship, hard work and talent. I wore out two paperback copies before breaking down and buying it in hardback. Highly recommended.

Enhance your dining pleasure by reading this most enjoyable and entertaining book about the restaurant business. It has added another dimension to our frequent visits to our favorite eateries.

John Galloway excels in the area of sardonic wit. His writing is stunningly succinct and his snappy writing style infuses this book with an impressive energy. His astute observations are deliciously poetic and he seems to have a photographic memory. His descriptions either infuse your mind with vivid pictures of complete chaos or shock you with laughter. He claims slavery still exists in America and at times this book does border on a study of human debauchery. John Galloway has a finely tuned sense of justice and not only has the ability to analyze his past work environments; he is at times almost expressing a calculated view of modern life.

In the first section we read about John Galloway's induction into culinary hell and then he delves into the topics of tipping, memorable waiters, celebrities and his views on patrons galore. Nothing escapes his shrewd observations skills or his critical review.

Everything from his sage advice to restaurant owners, to his views on the environment and veal leads me to believe that his reasons for writing this book are at the heart, healing. I was amazed at how many of the unspoken rules members of my own family have broken while dining out. I now understand why waiters are not especially interested in worrying about large parties and why they hate it when people fight over checks or despise the "can we have separate checks" question.

The hilarious, yet wicked revenge tactics and kitchen adventures might make you wonder how any cooking is ever accomplished. It did occur to me that the world John Galloway so despised was also one he actively helped to create. There are moments when a call for solidarity and the complete lack of regard for patrons clashes sharply with the obvious undercurrent of concern John Galloway wants to show to the world. His writing may dissuade a few innocents from entering the food service industry and then again it might even encourage the adventurous to take up a new challenge.

This book is filled with tales of inebriation as a survival mechanism, not so tantalizing descriptions of food preparation, drunken crazed chefs enduring overwhelming stress levels, descriptions of waiters, extreme chemical addictions, insensitive patrons and all the true thoughts waiters never reveal in glowing detail (swearing included).

I loved the idea of just putting a pepper mill on every table! Salad lovers unite. I also love the fact that throughout this book the reader is scathingly admonished to the extent that even I may never eat bread again before ordering my meal. Although, normally the bread is served after we order. I'm definitely not drinking the water anymore unless it is in bottled form.

John Galloway sheds light on various levels of society who seem to lack all consideration for human dignity. Although, I have to say I've heard of chefs who were voted husband of the year (I've also sampled their cuisine at the restaurant), waiters and waitresses who actually enjoy their job (some relatives and friends) and take pride in their appearance and have a definite work ethic.

I think John Galloway focuses on a extreme environment in which "the love of money" truly does become the root of all evil.

On the other side of the world, over here in the other Washington, chefs enjoy cooking with organic ingredients, support recycling efforts and contribute recipes to cookbooks that help to feed the hungry. There is another side of the story and this book presents the extreme comedic view of "dining out" as it dishes up all the dirt about the negative side of human nature.

"I would like" to say that if you enjoy reality shows or all the negative reviews for movies you disliked, then this might be your book. The writing in this book is impressive for a first-time author. I hope he will take on American culture in general and bring to light many of the issues that need to be addressed in a refreshingly honest and yet somewhat brutally candid way. He does address the issues of animal cruelty, gluttony, food waste and pertinent issues of homeless situations.

I can almost guarantee you that some parts of this book will cause the warrior in you to rise from the dust, but overall it is a humorous read. If you have a good sense of humor, you will be able to overlook the obvious arrows hurtled in all directions.

Since we all eat out, know someone who has worked in the food industry, or may have worked in the food industry at some point in our lives, this book contains information that will be of interest to almost everyone. As long as you have a strong stomach and a willingness to wade through a few moments of extreme revelation you can gain an entirely new perspective on culinary culture.

~The Rebecca Review

Truth, Humor, Edge, and Energy, December 17, 2004
Reviewer: FurSanhomera "furjomharnen" (United States) - See all my reviews
This book was simply outstanding, for a first work. The only book I liked better, was John Galloway's phenom new effort-
FINE DINING MADNESS ((Universe, January 2005),a 5-Star masterpiece which is maybe the best nonflction book I've ever
read {I purchased an advance copy at an Alzheimer's fund-raiser dinner in NYC}. With the rules of restaurant engagement
clearly laid out, FINE DINING MADNESS is turbo-charged, Vegas-centered new edition of his last book,"Dry, Up, with a
Twist." "Dry, Up, with a Twist" never attained it's full best-seller potential because Galloway's original publishing house
[Gardenia Press] went out of business after the death of its president, P. Elizabeth Collins <who herself authored "Wild
Gardenias" and "Secrets Unbecoming";.. Galloway knows his stuff,and and his words have edge and energy. His "rules of
fine dining" not only apply to restaurants, but to/for life. There will be much noise made about FINE DINING MADNESS
I'm sure all of it will be positive. '

John Galloway, Jr. has led an incredible life in the business of fine dining... He has brought that journey to life in his book Dry, Up, with a Twist. The stage is set by his autobiographical story, where he speaks of the personal tragedy and victory which lead to his career in the food service industry.

John then leads us through the characters, personalities and celebraties he has befriended and served in his travels. He tells the story of life as a waiter from a very open an honest point of view, sparing no words and no one. This book is a must read if you want to know how to "get in touch" with your server and enjoy the best dining experience possible.

It is also inspiring to watch as John struggles with tragedy, matures and rises above those around him who settle for their given lot in life. Read it for your self, give it to a friend. It will inspire you as well.

This memoir was good, but unpolished. FINE DINING MADNESS, Galloway's subsequent book, which was made from the ashes of this one, is best seller caliber.

Rosewell high is any ordinary high school, but the only thing is that you don't know what's really happening.
There are 7 caracters theire names are Max, Liz, Maria, Alex, Michael, Kyle, Sherif Valenti, and Isabel.
Max, Liz, Maria, Isabel, Michael, sherif valenti are the main main caracters. Max always liked liz and when she was shoot in the stomach max healed her and she thought she was going to die and he told her to lie and she did and
after she went to his house and she asked him how and he told her he was an alien and she freaked out. So he thinks she hates him until later. Liz never liked him but wounce she found out she found this urge to just fall in love with him and do everything to save his life. Max, isabel, micheal, and maria are all aliens and hopes that liz dosent tell sherif valenti about theire discovery.I would really recommend this book to all ages.

This book is GREAT! Probaly the only book in the series that the TeleVision adaption kept completely - The outsider is a great piece of literature. Its cute, quick, daring, and intresting. ESPECIALLY if you keep reading the series, you'll notice how unique and great the customers are. A Definate Must-read. Esspecially for teens.

Although meant for young adult readers, this book is a worthy read by adult standards as well. As a lover of Roswell the WB series, I was at first elated to discover that they were rooted in this wonderful series by Melinda Metz. After I read the series, however, I became apalled at what a mess the show writers made of the situations and characters involved. It is unfortunate that they lost their vision of who their characters were meant to be. Luckily, Metz never does.

Wow! What a great read! I couldn't put it down. I wanted to read the book because I'm such a big fan of the TV show. It's soo much better!! The story is basically a modern Romeo and Juliet love story. Max is an alien from another planet who is in love with a human girl named Liz. When he saves her life, both their lives and everyone elses dramatically changes. This book focuses on Max and LIz's love story but there are also other interesting characters like the other 2 aliens, Micheal and Isabel, and Liz's 2 friends Alex and Maria who all have their own stories unfolding. The first book is by far my favorite out of the series, but you have to read them all. Just to warn some people: it is a story about ALIENS but it mostly centers on the characters relationships with each other. I would steer clear if your a BIg SF fan.

The pilot episode of Roswell was one of the better episodes of the series I've always thought, I got a copy of this book because it's the one the series is based on. While the writing style is probably aimed more at the teen market if you're older and liked the series this book won't be a bad item.
A few things are very different, Max is a blond and blue eyed senior, Liz is Liz Ortecho (whose dead older sister Rosa O'D on drugs)- instead of Parker, Michael Guerin is an A student (all three aliens are)and Isabel is the little sister- a junior in High School.
Liz's shooting is a little different than the series, Sheriff Valenti and son Kyle are meaner (and Valenti is a member of a secret government anti alien group). The incubation pods are mentioned, as is the cave, but in the book Michael came out of his pod days before the Evans (who shared a pod). A lot of things show similarity to the first season of Roswell, although not all were in the same episode- it seems obvious to me that the writers used this book as a sort of guide.
I don't know if I'll get the rest of the series but this one was a quick, fun little thing to read, and a lot more like what you saw on TV than most book to TV adaptations usually are.

In the book, The Pretender, by K.A. Applegate Tobias has a problem! He has morphed into a hawk, but he has gone past the time limit. Tobias' father, Alfanger, gave Tobias and his friends Rachel, Marco, Jake, and Cassie morphing powers to acquire animal's D.N.A, but he gave a strict warning not to stay in morph for more than two hours or they would be stuck in that morph forever. The Emillist (a queen hork bajir who helps all hork bajirs) gave him back his morphing powers. As soon as he was human he would forgot his entire life story. Next, he encountered a mysterious woman called Aria, who claimed to be a long lost cousin. When Axmilli-esgarrough-istill ( a.k.a Ax) and Tobias were spying on her, they found it to be a very bad situation. K. A. Applegate (a.k.a. Katherine Alice Applegate) has written over 100 books in the Animorph series. Her childhood included, loving nature, animals, and being a straight A student. Katherine was well-mannered and also very kind. My opinion is that this book is a ten star book because it's funny, adventurous, and is great for learning about animals and gets you to be more adventurous.

This book starts off simple about Tobias "The whole I'm a human stuck in hawk's body thing".But then he has problem with another hawk so their is not enough food for the both of them.Tobias goes to eat dead roadkill in front the school but then Rachel saw him do it and he's ashamed.Here where it's get intresting at Rachel's room at night she tells him some girl called Aria ask's Chapman where is Tobias saying she is his long lost cousin and she want's to give him a home.Then a lawyer want's to contact him about his real father's will.Also he has to choose does he want to live in a home and be human or be a hawk and live in a tree.Plus Rachel shows her true emotions and they do a Hork-bajir mission.

In this book a lawyer says he's discovered Tobias's father's last will and testement. Tobias finds out his father is Elfangor! There is also somebody that says that she is Tobias's cousin and she wants to adopt him. Read the book to find out what happens next!

I'm normaly not a big fan of Tobias books, but this is the exception, I recomened it to everyone. Tobias only lives because Visser 3 slips up big time. I was very suprised to find out who Tobias's dad is, and why he was on Earth, I would never have expected an Andalite Prince to run away and hid on Earth. But it dose, in my opinion at least, explain the way Tobias acts when he meets Elfangor, In "The Invasion"

Tobias Birthday is coming up and he's been called to an attorney's office to be read his fathers will...And a 'Long-lost' cousin supposedly just came back from Africa and she wants to adopt Tobias.Could it be true?Could Tobias really have a family?If he did,he would have to morph human,and stay that way. become a nothlit again...that would mean dropping out of the fight, No more Yeerks,Morphing,or Animorphs.....Well,he would still have Rachel,and they would BOTH be human.....But can he give up his new life as a hawk?Give up flying?Well,his Birthday is coming closer,and now Tobias is about to learn the Secrets of his past........................

I loved this book,espcially what Tobias learned about his father!When I read I just sat there and was like,Oh my Gosh!!!!!!Then I got the Andalite Cronicles and it kinda explained it.....Hmmmmmm,I wonder if Tobias will ever meet his Mother,Loren????????Anyway,This was definatly one of the best Animorph books,All the Tobias books are!They really show his feelings,and emotions,what its like to know that you will be trapped as a hawk forever,and now his feelings about Elfangor,how important he really was to him......I recomend this book,You'll probally be laughing,crying,and wondering right along with Tobias!!!!

I dislike the Animorphs and am reading through a few titles just because they're penny books that I have laying around and plan to throw away... so I was surprised to find myself really liking this one!

Jake's brother is a Yeerk Controller and, if there's anything good in that, it's got to be that Jake is able to get some information from him. That's how they figure out that the Yeerks have plans to take over the new hospital - now all they've got to do is stop them. When their plan goes wrong, Jake finds himself with a Yeerk in his head and his friends have to find a way to save him.

If every Animorphs story was as well told as this, I'd be a fan!

This one is one of my favorite animorph books so far.

All the Animorphs go and stumble into this portable yerk pool in the hospital. But Jake falls into the yerk pool, and a yerk crawls up his ear! Jake goes into like a coma while the yerk takes over him and get acustomed to his new headquarters ( get it? Head - quarters?). Jake acn't do anything and gets really frusterated. But meanwhile, Ax finds out that Jakes been infested. They have a plan, that involves starving the yerk of the kandrona waves. Will the yerk outsmart them? Will the yerk betray Jake and the rest of the animorphs? Or will the yerk fighting team eliminate the yerk? Find out by reading this excelant book!! Also, try to read the rest of the series, you won't regret it!

In this book, Jake falls into a portable Yeerk pool and Tom's old Yeerk infests him. But will the other Animorphs and Ax find out in time and starve the Yeerk? or will Temarash 114 go to Visser Three and make Ax and the other Animorphs Controllers.

In this sixth installment of the popular sci-fi series, when Jake and the Animorphs discover a plot to create Controllers out of hospital paitents, including the govoner - who is planning to run for president in next year's election - they know the Yeerks have to be stopped. While attempting to keep the still-under-construction hospital from opening, Jake falls into a portable Yeerk pool and the unthinkable happens. Now that he's one of them, the Animorphs don't stand a chance against the might of the Yeerk empire and the deadly Visser Three - and neither does Earth. Can Jake defeat the Yeerk in his head before it's too late? 154 pages. A great series for reluctant readers!

Jake and the other Animorphs discover that the Yeerks plan to invade plenty of humans against their will at the town's hospital. To make things worse, the Yeerks want to invade the state's governor who is planning to run for president! When the Animorphs take a trip to the town's hospital to do some invesitgating, they stumble onto a Yeerk pool...and Jake accidentaley falls into the Yeerk pool.

Now, Jake has a Yeerk in his head and there's nothing he can do about it. The Yeerk knows all his secrets (including the names of the Animorphs) and Jake isn't able to tell his friends anything. Fortunately, the others have figured out Jake's been invaded, and they have a plan to destroy the Yeerk. Unless the Yeerk figures out a way to destroy them all first...

THE CAPTURE is an excellent novel. The beginning started out as one of your average Animorphs books, but then the middle was where the things got intense. It really had me page-turning, and I could've sworn that it would be the end for Jake. The very ending of this book might make you a little sad, but it's something to expect in a book by K.A. Applegate. All in all, this is a very good book to keep you entertained for a while

I read this book as a child and wanted to share it with my grandchildren.

I loved this book when I was a junior high teen, and at 57 I find I love it still. I have chortled for 40+ years over the mental image of the Irish Wail (tied up in a cardboard box, sealed with a bit of wax)voraciously devouring cabbages and growing in size, volume, and, of course, degrees of harmony.

THIS BOOK IS AN A++++ WINNER. Buy it for your kids, and if you can pry it away from them, read it for your own pleasure. Your life will change--for the better--after you meet David and the Phoenix.

Hallelujah!!! This book was in desperate need of a reprint. I just bought it, again, and let my children read it. With the original artwork included, this is a must have. People say if you like Harry Potter, but that doesn't do the book justice. This is the Holy Grail here. You will laugh and cry and fear for the characters and fall in love with them too. And sadly, you won't want the book to end, but it will. When will we see David and the Phoenix again?

I was thrilled to see this wonderful classic reissued. It is the result of a master writer with a fertile imagination. the intrigue that results as David tries to save the Phoenix from the scientist makes it hard for one to put the book down. Love the ending. I would also recommend "Moonspins and Widdershins" for those who love fastasy.

Before there was Harry Potter, there was a boy named David. This book helped me through some very hard times in my childhood. I discovered this wonderful story when I was 10 years old and read my book club copy until it fell to pieces. As the years past, I never forgot this wonderful story. Over 40 years have gone by since I last joined David and his friend on their magical adventures. I am purchasing a new copy for myself and for my adult son. And, no, dear readers. This is a story for girls as well as boys. After all, we all love a grand tale that helps us forget our mundane lives.

Wise Child, a spoiled girl orphaned by the death of her grandmother and abandoned by her gorgeous and powerful witch mother, is taken in by the village witch and healer, Juniper. Wise Child quickly overcomes her fears and--despite the hard work--becomes Juniper's protégé. Wise Child is stuck between the pull of the easy life with her powerful mother and the love and satisfaction of life with Juniper. This simple and magical tale is powerful because of the beautiful prose and the well-drawn and fascinating characters. Wise Child's voice is clear and powerful. Grade: A-

Wise Child was one of my favorite books growing up. It is a simple, but powerful story that is really enjoyable for young adults and regular old adults. The characters are very unique and compelling. Monica Furlong has a great writing style that is enjoyable in itself.

Furlong's novel, set in medieval Scotland, is a hidden jewel, well-written and extremely descriptive. Wise Child's narration, though perhaps a little mature for her age, is believable and poignant, and the novel proceeds well from one event to the next. The author's portrayal of magic is unique and genuine, and historical details add credibility to the novel. I would definitely recommend this likable novel for all ages; 10/10.

There aren't any good books anymore; that's what I thought before Wise Child. This is my favorite book, it is so detailed that I could see the village and the white house in my mind.
The book starts off excellent; explaining what is going on.
It gets a tad slow at the very end, but I don't mind.
The cover is so beautiful as well; because you can see Junipers kindness right there.
Wise Child is great and I reccomend it for anyone!!!!!

One of my favorite books from my childhood and still a joy to reread, Wise Child is the story of one magical child's coming of age. Spoiled but abandoned at a young age, Wise Child is taken in my a woman named Juniper. Juniper lives apart from the small, poor Christian village that Wise Child comes from, and she is a fair but tough mentor, making Wise Child work hard and learn much. In her house on a hill, Juniper teaches Wise Child languages, math, and astronomy, how to grow, harvest, and use herbs, and how to heal the sick in the village below. Slowly, Juniper begins to initiate Wise Child into the way of a doran, a class of magical women who live in the rhythm of nature and use their magic to help those around them. Wise Child's powers blossom, but dark shadows hang over her peaceful life with Juniper: her beautiful, powerful, dangerous mother calls to her from afar, and the close-minded town threatens their safety up on the hill. The book is a magical story of the hard work of coming of age and the love and power than can result from it. Wise Child must find confidence in herself, faith in her future and her powers, and love for her others in order to grow, creating a life-affirming, strong, true message. Furlong's writing style is smooth, her characters are easy to identity with and to love, and the magic in her story is both realistic and exciting. I highly recommend this book to readers of all age groups, and I love coming back to it myself.

The best thing that a coming of age story can do is show us not only the trails and tribulations of adolescence but also the good things about it and the wonders that we reap from it. This book does exactly that. In Juniper's house, Wise Child works hard, learns to do things she doesn't necessarily want to do, and is tested, but her abilities and successes are also celebrated. Juniper is perhaps the idea parent-figure: she coaches, supports, loves, but also forces Wise Child to be strong and stand on her own two feet. As such, Wise Child's story is easy to identify with but also uplifting and promising--the reader comes away knowing that they are not alone in their difficulties, but also that there is something to be gained from it all. The balance between sacrifice and gain is perfect, making this a wonderful read for adolescents and the still-maturing of all age.

Not only is the basis of the story a strong one, the actual aspects of it, including characterization, writing style, and details such as the role of magic are all incredibly well done. Juniper is a mysterious, open-hearted, independent woman, a real role model and inspiring character. Wise Child is realistically selfish and doubtful, but also shows realistic growth and strength that the reader can imitate. Wise Child's POV is in character without being limited, aggravating, or immature, and the overall writing style is smooth, clean, and incredibly fluid and easy to read. The role of magic in the story is well thought out: Furlong makes it quite clear, through Juniper, that there are different realms of what it means to be "real," and her conception of magic manages to make sense in the visible world while still containing enough fantasy and originality to sweep the reader away. Truly this is a skillful book, perhaps the most skillful that Furlong as written. In holds up well when reread and works well for any audience.

I highly recommend Wise Child. To the adolescent, it is a story they can identify with and be inspired by; to those chronically out of adolescence, it is a way to look back and reassess our own journeys, and also a reminder than learning, maturity, and increasing strength is a never ending, never easy, entirely worthwhile journey. The book is a quick read, engrossing, and enjoyable. I'm happy to own it and return to reread it every year or two.

Excellent book on how to achieve what you want giving different strategies to accomplish this. There are many books on this subject some good, some not. Besides Quantum Success, I truly enjoyed and recommend highly, Living The Secret Everyday: My Secret Workbook. This book gives you exercises in a workbook format and reading both these books will begin your transformation journey.

The book came in the condition advertised-new. I am very pleased with the book and am using it in my practice of energy work with myself and others to resonate with having quantum success in our lives. Thank you. Anyone who wants to contact me in how I am using this book in my practice is welcome to contact me.

I have read a lot of similar books recently - I was in the middle of another one and dropped it to completely read this one. While the information is not totally new, the way the author lays out the information and gives practical advice was helpful. The book is very easy to read, keeps you engaged and does not get involved with a lot of the "woo-woo" that other books like this do - which in turn can deter more skeptical readers from continuing on. I enjoyed reading this and know I will turn to it again for future reference.

I have read a lot of self-help and goal setting books but this one resonated with me. It was the right book at the right time and helped change my attitude. I started feeling good again and am excited about my future. Nothing works for everyone, but this book helped me and I frequently refer to it when visiting with friends that aren't happy or are facing struggles.

This was a wonderful addition to my motivational library! I have no doubt that this will be quite an asset to me as I finish this book and put into practice the belief strategies it offers!

In this book, Merlin must return the dark hills to normal and restore all the land in Fincayra with the flowering harp. He is aided by his friend Rhia and Bumblewy, a pathetic jester. His longing for his mother soon takes priority over restoring the land. With the help of the wisest shell he is able to bring his mother from Earth to Fincayra. But she quickly catches the death curse and the only way to cure it is by traveling to the otherworld to retrieve the Elixir of Dagda. In order to do this he must find the souls of the seven songs of magic, travel through the otherworld well, fight a Cyclops named Balor, retrieve the Elixir and return it to his mother. With the help of his two companions, he will have to do this in one month before his mother dies.
This second book of the Merlin series was good. It was well written and interesting. The only thing I didn't like was how easily everything fit together, and how something always happened to break Merlin's way when he was looking for the souls of the songs. I think T.A. Barron did a great job of expressing the emotion of the characters. This book is filled with magic. I would recommend this for people of all ages.

The Seven Songs of Merlin is the second book in the Merlin series written by T.A. Barron. This is a story about a young boy who is discovering himself and what's within him. It is an adventure including mystical creatures, distant lands, and eccentric characters. This series of five books tells the adventures of a well- known wizard before he was famous. It is prologue to the stories King Arthur. The Merlin series is a great series and I do recommend it.
For you to understand some things I will explain about the Seven Songs book, you must know a little about the previous book. The first book starts out with Merlin waking up on a shoreline not knowing who or where he is. A woman takes him in and claims to be his mother, but he is not sure that she is. Merlin discovers he is not an ordinary boy and goes to the mystical land called Fincayra. On this island he finds out that the woman is his mother and discovers his fate. He has powers and is destined to become a greater wizard than his grandfather Tuatha. He goes on an exciting adventure and finds a new friend Rhia. When the first book ended it left me hanging and wanting more, and that is what led me to read this book, The Seven Songs of Merlin.
The book starts out with Merlin missing his mother and wanting her to be with him on Fincayra, so he finds a way to bring her to him. This way is to find the talking shell and tell it what he wants most. When he does this his mother arrives on the beach. When she arrives she is enticed by a cursed flower and the second she touches it she becomes extremely ill and weak. Merlin is filled with guilt and rage. Then he is told that the spirit Dagda has an elixir to cure the disease, but the only problem is Dagda is in the otherworld which is where all spirits live and Merlin is in Fincayra, the middle world. Fincayra is neither mortal or spirit; it is called the in- between place. Merlin is told he must follow the seven songs of wisdom left for him by his grandfather. He must get through all seven songs in time to save his mother. This journey will prepare him to face the giant vile ogre Balor guarding the entrance to the otherworld. Merlin finds these songs on the inside of an ancient tree and sets off on his quest. These tasks are not easy and they take him all over the land. He learns many things about magic as well as things about himself.
Will he make it to the otherworld in time, will the ogre, whose smallest glance can kill, be Merlin's end, or will he prevail and accomplish the task he set out for? Read this fantastic book to find out. I really enjoyed this book. It never had a dull moment and I just couldn't put it down. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good adventure or fantasy. The character development was great and it had an intriguing plot. Free time is not something to be wasted, so have a good experience by reading this book. Plus, when you're done reading this one, there are three more books left that are just as good, if not better, that you can read which also tell the story of an interesting adventure.
There are only a few drawbacks that I was able to come up with. The first one that came to my mind is that you have to read the first book to read the second one so you will understand the plot. So, if you want to read the third one you must read the first and second. Its not a drawback if you like to read, but if you're looking for a book that you can just sit and read without wondering what happened in the previous book or what is going to happen in the next book, then this is not the book for you. Another drawback is this book isn't very short and takes a while to read. It is around 300 pages. I think the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, and have personally read 4 of the 5 books and consider them all to be well written and excellent books. Once more I would like to say I personally recommend this book and series to anyone, but mostly fantasy fans.


John F.

This is a wonderful sequel to the already great 1st book, the lost years of merlin.


After merlin topples stangmar, his father, he needs to "revive" the land with the flowering harp. however, he decides that he wants to bring his mother to Fincayra 1st. Using the wisest shell from the shore of speaking shells, he summons his mother to the island. when merlin's mother tries to smell a flower, a death shadow slides out and forces her to swallow it. A death shadow is Rhita Gawr's most painful way of killing someone.It gives the victim a month to live in which the victim will begin to suffer more and more pain. at the end of the month, he or she will die while enduring almost unbearable pain. Merlin finds out that to stop his mother from dying he must retrieve the elixer of Dagda. that means that he must journey to the otherworld to get it. However, the only way of getting to the Otherworld(apart from dying)and returning to the real world alive is to master the seven songs that Tuatha himself carved into Arbassa, Rhia home, a tree. After mastering all of the songs he must defeat/slay Rhita gawr's most fearsome servant, Balor, the one-eyed ogre. While merlin is quickly trying to get the elixer of Dagda, he discovers some thing abouut Rhia that leaves him in a great shock but only makes him triple his efforts to finds the elixer.

This is truly the best book that i have ever read and i think it deserves seven stars out of five. I hope you enjoy it as much as i do.
COMPLIMENTS TO YOU MR. BARRON!!!!!!

This is a wonderful sequel to the already great 1st book, the lost years of merlin.


After merlin topples stangmar, his father, he needs to "revive" the land with the flowering harp. however, he decides that he wants to bring his mother to Fincayra 1st. Using the wisest shell from the shore of speaking shells, he summons his mother to the island. when merlin's mother tries to smell a flower, a death shadow slides out and forces her to swallow it. A death shadow is Rhita Gawr's most painful way of killing someone.It gives the victim a month to live in which the victim will begin to suffer more and more pain. at the end of the month, he or she will die while enduring almost unbearable pain. Merlin finds out that to stop his mother from dying he must retrieve the elixer of Dagda. that means that he must journey to the otherworld to get it. However, the only way of getting to the Otherworld(apart from dying)and returning to the real world alive is to master the seven songs that Tuatha himself carved into Arbassa, Rhia home, a tree. After mastering all of the songs he must defeat/slay Rhita gawr's most fearsome servant, Balor, the one-eyed ogre. While merlin is quickly trying to get the elixer of Dagda, he discovers some thing abouut Rhia that leaves him in a great shock but only makes him triple his efforts to finds the elixer.

This is truly the best book that i have ever read and i think it deserves seven stars out of five. I hope you enjoy it as much as i do.

The second installment of the Lost Years of Merlin finds him fighting not only for his own life, but also the lives of 2 people close to him. He must solve the mysteries of the seven songs and come to understand their meanings before he can be of any use to those who desperately need him. The perils are many, the rewards are spectacular.

T.A. Barron writes another winner as he continues his saga of Merlin, before Camelot and King Arthur. The characters in this book are full of life and begin to feel like old friends as you read the story. There are appearances from past friends also and Barron makes certain they remain true to their character. These books are intended for a younger audience, but the story is so engaging and wonderful, readers of any age will find them hard to put down.

Join Merlin and company as they journey to exotic lands full of strange creatures, friend and foe. Cheer over their triumphs and feel saddened by their losses.

I highly recommend this series to all ages and interests. This is rich story telling at its best. It's also fun to discover where Merlin came from and how he became such a powerful wizard. The books are short and easy to read.