Andre Books

What you have here is not a sourcebook. It is a set of 5-6 adventures in one package that all relate to each other in a way you probably won't expect. The adventures all (eventually) link to a pivotal character in the Shadowrun universe. It's actually one of the few adventures that has you connect so closely to a pivotal character (kinda). That character is Harlequin (i.e. Laughing Man for those that have the Tir sourcebook) and your runners will get swept up on a crazy ride that takes them all over the Sixth World.

For you gamemasters out there this book is made to have the adventures spread out between other adventures you give your runners, but in the end the runners will figure out that they played part in some elaborate plan all this time. It's kinda cool when you see them start putting the pieces together by the third or fourth run, and by the time it's all done the looks on their faces is worth the price of admission.

Sorry if I'm being a little vague on the details. I don't want to spoil the fun. The gist of it all is this is a really well written book with a nice set of adventures. Technically the individual adventures themselves are not all that long on details (or run time for some of them) and that can give the gamemaster a little room to be creative. Then again these adventures aren't meant to be individual, big as life kind of runs. They are meant to be relatively simple runs in regards to complex twists and such since they all end up linking together. Trust me, it's fun.

I recommend this adventure set to any SR campaign, especially those who like to dabble in metahuman and magical elements (even for just a little while). It's not just fun adventuring, but an intersting read as well.

This big (152 pages) adventure book is a collaboration of some well-known names in RPG writing (W.G. Armintrout & Tom Dowd & Jerry Epperson & John Faughnan & Paul R. Hume & James D. Long & Lester W. Smith & Ken St. Andre). Yeah. Very popular and out-of-print.

Note: Inexperienced sellers often confuse this book with "Harlequin's Back" (ISBN 1555602487). They are NOT the same.

Back cover text follows:
"IMAGINE A HATRED THAT HAS ENDURED FOR 5000 YEARS. The shadowrunners are sent on a string of missions, collecting obscure items, all seemingly unrelated... or are they? From the streets of Seattle to the heights of the Bavarian Alps, from the magical mayhem of Columbia, Missouri to the headwaters of the Amazon the adventure unfolds. Who would go to all this trouble to destroy one man... and why?. * A datafile. * An ancient magic Tome. * A flower. * A collection of Elven ears. * The manuscript of a soon to-be-released bestseller. * A young woman of mysterious heritage. * A world famous Elven societal theorist. All are pieces to the puzzle. Finding them is one thing. Putting it all together is another. HARLEQUIN is a series of eight adventures for SHADOWRUN designed to be interwoven into in already existing campaign. Over the course of these adventures, the players are presented with a progressively larger picture of a very complex tale of revenge."

I thought how would an ordinary person like me be able to 'Hear God'?. As I began to read it became more and more simple, the tools were already there I just had to apply them to my everyday life. All principles are backed up by biblical references ... which made it more credible to me. Everyday life situations are used as examples which made it more 'real' and I could relate. All I can say is awesome.

A very powerful easy reading book. It is refreshing to find a Christian book that gets to the point quickly while identifying practical biblical steps to get there without feeling condeming. What I loved about this book is that it is personal and all key statements are backed up with more than one biblical reference.

This book lived up to its billing as beautiful and informative. Visitors and friends are drawn to it. With the skyrocketing price of tequila and mezcal it's good to have a quality publication dealing with the history and culture. A good insight to a part of Mexican culture.

Menuez combines beautiful photographs and informative text to paint a picture both of a region and an industry. From the darkly provocative picture on the cover (of naked men working in pits of agave pressings) to those of the people and landscape of the region, he creates a sense of Jalisco (the province where all tequila is produced) that draws the reader in. For those who know only that tequila is what goes in a margarita, the text enlightens the reader regarding the complexities of tequila and the culture that surrounds it.

Structurally, the book was interesting. Several characters narrate the book, and the plot unfolds around a central issue--who owns a particular house. Who can live in the house? Who can sell the house? But, the major problem is that the characters are difficult to identify with or find sympathy for. All three of the central characters--Kathy Nicolo, Lester Burdon, and Colonel Behrani--remain the same. They are never changed by incredible circumstances--death, murder, suicide, inprisonment--they remain the same. Kathy has a chip on her shoulders that's never explained and Lester is just plain stupid. What motivates these characters? The reader never knows. Kathy gets herself into trouble blindly and so does Lester. The reader is left wondering how these two are bungling through life. Surely, every human has some kind of thought process that at least partially puts the world into focus--but Kathy and Lester never do. Even in jail, both Kathy and Lester are still thinking about sex with each other. Well, their worlds have fallen in on them and there is no opening in sight, and they are still thinking of a little sex. Unbelievable! Where is the introspection? When Kathy's relatives show up at the jail, she still has a chip on her shoulder. Why? What's happened between them? The writer's job is to give us some insights into human relationships. The insights are missing here. Colonel Behrani is a little easier to understand. He's outside his primary culture. He operates with a different world view than most of us, and thus we cut him some space. But even he doesn't change. His last coherent thought is that his daughter should sell the house for a certain amount. That's why the book ultimately seems flawed to me--the characters are unbelievable, unlikable, and ultimately are boring. I also agree with the reviewer who said the book is not for kids. I know there is an audio version for kids (unabridged)--but this book is definitely not for kids. The sex is raw, the drug additions exposed, the blind and stupid behavior accepted. I don't think this book will be much discussed in a decade.

Avid Reader

OMIGOSH, how is it possible to hate a person who has had her home taken away erroneously (but I did hate her)? And to hate the 'noble'(lascivious) police officer that comes to her rescue? Even though Kathy lost her home due to ignoring important mail regarding taxes, I found it so difficult to sympathize with her. That creep Lester had NO redeeming qualities; bullying Col. Bahreen while pretending to be an officer was deplorable--Not to mention jumping into bed with the 'poor victim' almost immediately. So, faced with the dilemma of whom to root for--I found myself feeling guilty for supporting Col. Bahreen.

This is a great story of tragedy. I found it an easy read and couldn't put it down. I finished it very fast because the writer keeps the story moving. Very good writing as the characters are strong and easy to imagine. Highly recommended.

Events occur & become intertwined with one another. Dubus keeps you wondering where it is all heading. The book is easy reading & you have to
keep reading to FIND OUT what is going to happen! When NOT reading this book I found myself wondering what Kathy & Lester & Behrani (the main characters) were up to next!

I gave this book 1 star, only because the review requires at least 1 star. This book was given to my 14 year old son to read for a High Honors required summer reading program. He read through the first 2 chapters and handed the book to me and said he wasn't going to read it. My husband and I then read the book and discovered extreme graphic sexual content, not just once, but, many, many times! The description of the sexual content is not done in a metaphorical way, it is exremeley graphic! I'm totally disgusted and appalled that not only did a teacher choose this book, but that it was approved by the Director of Curriculum! PARENTS BEWARE!!!

George Mikes is one of the best writers I've ever read. You will enjoy this genuinely entertaining book.

I am a Hungarian - just like Mikes was until he moved to England in his 20s. I first read his books on the Brits a year after I moved to Britain (this was 4 years ago). I was absolutely stunned to see my very thoughts and views about Britain put on paper by somebody who could have been my grandfather! The things he wrote are still very true and relevant - enjoy his style but don't make the mistake of not taking him seriously just because you found his book in the "humour" section. You will have a very excellent, true and intimate view of the Brits - the kind only people who came to live here can provide. A must for everybody starting a life in England!

Suzanne writes a powerful book about family. It is excellent for youth and adults alike.

This book is about an emotionally disturbed little boy named Georgie, who loves music, so in the end after many twists and turns his older brother writes him a piano piece which he calls Georgie's Blues. It may not sound that great by my description, but if you do read it you will see how great this book really is.

When I first picked this book up I was a little apprehensive, but after the first page I was engrossed. Andre Norton and Susan Shwartz do a fabulous job at showing both the light and dark sides of Silver Snow's journey from beloved daughter to forgotten concubine and finally queen of the barbarians. They paint a realistic picture of the subservient nature of women in Han China without over-emphasizing the fact. This book was a perfect blend of fantasy and history.

When I first checked this out from the public library, I was desperate for a good read. Andre Norton has always been one of my favorite sci fi/fantasy writers, so I checked to see which of her books were in. I saw "Imperial Lady" and thought it would be worth a try. I'm only 15 and very picky about what I read, so I was surprised to be totally engrossed in the life of Silver Snow. I was definately captured by the elaborate life styles and customs that differ greatly from my life half-way round the world in Gretna, Nebraska. I also enjoyed "Willow", whose changling ways offset Silver Snow so greatly it was almost humorous. "Imperial Lady" was of great historical value and was also a great read. I encourage anyone to check it out from a local library or buy it here on Amazon.com soon.

The author does a great job of understanding the reasons which lead Frank Standl to become the Kommandant of Treblinka. Frank Standl allows her to enter his soul and help him understand how he could have committed these attocious things. Through this, she also takes a look at the human soul. Was Frankl that different from anyone of us. Had it been us, would we had done the same thing?

This "in depth" study of Nazi Germany extemination techniques has few equals- written with unrivalled compassion, it thorougly examines the political and moral aspects of mass murder. It openly exposes Hitler"s criminal programs, from Euthanasia to the Final Solution. Very importantly, it uncovers Vaticans role in helping smuggle Nazi war criminals out of Europe after the war's end. A real "must" for everyone involved in Holocaust studies.This book will give you nightmares on end.

This is the greatest story ever put on paper. written by an amazing high school english teacher, this is an epic tale that is worth every one of its 5 stars. Swartly, has one other book published and one in progress. he is up for breakout author of the year.

Swartley's debut novel is among the best I've read. The twisting plot and depth of his characters make this book a must-read. I felt empathy for Cliff within the first chapter of the book, and shared in his joys and sorrows throughout the course of Island of Misfit Toys. A page-turner.

One of the earliest novels I can remember reading was DAYBREAK: 2250 AD (aka STARMAN'S SON) by Andre Norton. Like most science fiction readers of my generation, I went through an Andre Norton period. She was writing young adult fiction before the term was created. I was both curious and apprehensive when Baen announced that they would be re-issuing those books of hers that had been out of print. This volume reprints two of her novels, JUDGMENT ON JANUS (1963) and its sequel VICTORY ON JANUS (1966). I was hopeful that, but also nervous whether, her books would hold up after all these years.
The main character is Naill Renfro. The son of a space merchant family, he is living in a refugee camp called the Dipple on the planet Korwar at the beginning of the book. An interstellar war has killed his father and destroyed his family's spaceship. To buy drugs for his dying mother, Naill sells himself into slavery. Then he is shipped to the planet Janus. Naill has no idea how long the voyage was, because he was under suspended animation the entire time.
Janus is a planet fit for human habitation that consists of large continents covered by forests and separated by small seas. A religious sect called the Sky Lovers settled on Janus 20 years previously, and its members have been clearing the forests to build farms. Naill is bought by Callu Kosburg, one of these settlers.
The main female character is Ashla Himmer, one of the daughters of one of the other settlers. Naill and Ashla each discover an alien artifact, but contract an illness called the Green Sick. They survive, but they find they are no longer human. This is when their adventures really begin.
To my surprise, no romance ever developed between Naill and Ashla, and there was absolutely no sex of any kind in the book. Nor was there any gratuitous violence, which is not to say there is no action. Far from it. However, the protagonists are running away from their enemies as often as they face them. Furthermore, the resolutions of both novels require the characters to solve puzzles instead of killing or destroying something.
"Janus" refers to the Roman god who looks both forwards and backwards. After Naill and Ashla are transformed, they both find they have two sets of memories. In addition to their human ones, they also remember living as members of an intelligent, but extinct, species native to Janus.
As you would expect with forty year old science fiction, some of the science is out of date. For instance, Norton concept of a computer is one that uses vacuum tubes and requires maintenance shafts and crawlspaces. However, if obsolete science makes a story unreadable, it was probably not worth reading in the first place. This is not the case here.
I am glad to say that I can wholeheartedly recommend this book. The story kept me thoroughly engaged, and I found the characters interesting. I don't recall reading the novels when they first came out, but I'm glad I didn't have to wait three years between the original and the sequel.

Reviewed by Tom Feller for The Coffee Cramp Reviews

Judgement on Janus and Victory on Janus were first published in 1963 and 1966 repsectively. They are here published in one volume for the first time.

Naill Renfro is an inhabitant of the vast refugee camp/slum called the Dipple that developed on the pleasure planet of Kowar after the late war. It has become the source of cheap, desperate labor for the rest of the universe. Renfro was the son of a Free Trader who died with his ship during a fire fight. Ejected with his mother in a lifeboat they came to the Dipple as refugees, but even with the war ended they have no hope of escape.

His mother dying, Naill sells his body as contract labor on an agricultural planet known as Janus to buy her some peace at the end. Naill is shipped in cold sleep to the planet where his contract is purchased by one of the settlers, a member of a dour religious group who are tearing up the great forest of Janus in order to plant their cash crop. Again it seems Naill is in a trap with no means of escape.

Before saving the rain forest became fashionable, Norton wrote about the consequences of losing contact with nature. In this story there are forces on the planet that are trying to reestablish relationships between the Terrans and the planet by changing the Terrans as the Terrans try to change the planet to meet their needs.

This is prime Norton fiction and very entertaining.