Science Fiction Fantasy Books

I started reading this series a few scant months ago, and the entire line of books reads very fast. I can't put them down once I start a new one. I would definately recommend the Codex Alera series to any avid fantasy reader. I am anxiously waiting the fourth installment, Captain's Fury in two weeks.

If you were a fan of the Drizzt novels, you will absolutely love this line of works. It is a truly unique perspective on the use of magic, and Tavi will quickly become one of your new hero's.

The third volume of Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series, Cursor's Fury is a dependably thrilling, action-oriented fantasy adventure following the formula of the previous novels. Once again, Alera's only citizen unable to furycraft, Tavi, has to use all of his resourcefulness to save the empire against monstrous opponents--this time, the lupine Canim. In parallel storylines, Amara and Bernard, with some dubious assistance, embark on a rescue mission, and Isana must withstand a siege while healing a friend and confronting her past. Overall, there's plenty of combat, romance, and intrigue, and even a few revelations.

I liken the novel (and the series) to a solid blockbuster film such as Lethal Weapon 2. It is well-made, with likable characters and more than enough violence to satisfy. It doesn't aspire to be epic or award-winning. While many fantasies eclipse the 700-page mark, Cursor's Fury and its predecessors come under 500 pages, providing a brisk, straightforward read without much filler. The novel seeks to entertain, not revolutionize the genre. It's fun, and there's nothing wrong with that.

However, I think that the series is missing one crucial element: tragedy. While Butcher endangers his characters, the jeopardy never seems insurmountable. Considering the novels' events--civil war, invasion, assassination attempts--someone has to suffer. I believe that George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire remains popular primarily because the main characters suffer. Few people are unscathed by events, and the various tragedies forge them into more complete, complex characters. In my opinion, the Codex Alera series has the potential to have the long-lasting appeal of A Song of Ice and Fire if Butcher injects some tragedy into the novels.

Civil war is far from unknown in the post-Roman magical land of Alera, but with an aging First Lord and no heir in the picture, the high nobles are even more restive than usual. Even more unusual, though would be an alliance with the Varg. These non-human aliens have engaged in low-level warfare with the Alerans for centuries. When fhe First Lord tricks the High Lord of Kalare into launching his attack prematurely, Kalare's combination of hostages and an alliance with the Varg, threatens just might destroy the empire.

Still incapable of magic, Tavi has been sent to a new legion for training. But when Varg ritualists call down magics to destroy the legion's entire officer corps, Tavi must find a way to stem an invasion beyond anything Alera has known--with only the inexperienced troops on hand.

Author Jim Butcher continues his CODEX ALERA with a compelling story that follows two major plot lines. In one, Tavi continues to grow, learning to lead men, develop strategies, and develop an understanding of the powerful nobles who threaten the empire's stability, of Alera's enemies, and of the ordinary legionaires who form the basis of the empire's power. In the second, Tavi's "aunt" Amara, united with Lady Aquitaine only through their shared need to prevent Kalare from gaining the First Lordship, attempts to rescue Kalare's hostages--doing so would allow the First Lord to free up additional legions to confront Kalare, but Kalare guards these hostages with some of his most deadly troops.

Although Butcher is best known for his excellent DRESDEN FILES series, the CODEX ALERA series is a wonderful extension of his talent, with an intriguing alternate world diverging from our own when ancient Romans learned to control and personify the elements of air/earth/fire/water into elemental furies. Tavi, with his unique lack of any magical ability, makes a sympathetic character--as he grows to the point where he might make a claim to be First Lord himself.

I'll make this short, if you like epic fantasy this series is for you !!

I've read the negative reviews here on Amazon for this book and I have to disagree. The one person who wrote a review and gave it two stars sounds as though he is much more well read than I, so I'll give it to him. He sounds like a very dedicated and educated sci-fi reader and I would imagine him to be very particular, somewhat like a sommelier is with wine.

When it comes to wine, I know what I like and I know what I don't. That's about as much as I can tell you outside of the basics. The same can be said about my reading. Don't get me wrong, I've read and enjoy the classics, but they are just not as much fun for me as other things.

I very much enjoy Jim Butcher as an author. I was put on to his Dresden series by a friend and ate them up. All of them. Can't wait for the next one. Then he also put me onto the Codex Alera series. LOVE them, too. Read the first three in about as many days and actually ponied up the dough for 2 day shipping from Amazon for the 4th, Captain's Fury.

I'm a huge, huge fan of George R.R. Martin's series, A Song of Ice and Fire. The Codex Alera is not as intricate or complex as Martin's series, but it doesn't make it any less enjoyable.

I enjoy a series with a character that has something special about him/her that developes over the storyline. I enjoyed that with Orson Scott Card's Alvin Maker series, Neo in the Matrix, Gambit and Wolverine in X-Men, so on and so forth. I enjoy that with Tavi in the Codex Alera. I have hope that he eventually finds his Furies and becomes an absolute monster of a powerhouse with them and reading about his journey on how to use them. I find that I'm also hoping the same thing happens to Dresden.

Anyway, I enjoy the series and can't wait to read the next one.

This series is similar to Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan series. I like the similarities and differences. I felt like many of the criticisms from the first book were addressed in this second book. I do agree that there was a bit too much self examination by Morgan in this book, but I was happy with the plot and the ending. I cannot wait for book 3. Oh, and the dynamics, not the sex, between Adam, Dominic, and Morgan, are wonderful. Adam and Dominic can help Morgan grow up in order to move on from Brian, or move forward with Brian.

Demons exists among us. They reside in willing (mostly) hosts. The human part of the body is almost, if not completely, overshadowed by the demon. Some people, such as the members of the Spirit Society, worship them. They begin grooming their kids early so they will agree to let a demon possess them. Other people, such as Morgan Kingsley, refuse. Morgan is an exorcist by trade. Against her will, and unknowing by her, Morgan was possessed by the Lugh, the King of the Demon Realm. Lugh did not possess the exorcist willingly either. The event was forced upon both of them. Morgan's aura is stronger than her possessor. Anyone examining her aura sees nothing of the demon within. Lugh and Morgan are slowly coming to grips with each other. Lugh cannot take over Morgan while she is awake, but can when she is asleep. They communicate within Morgan's dreams, where Lugh tries his best to seduce the lovely human even while telling her what demon will most likely try to kill her next.

The Demon civil war is about to escalate. One of Lugh's brothers is trying to kill him (Dougal). The other demon brother is an enigma (Raphael). Morgan is a key player in the whole mess. Her brother, Andrew "Andy", comes out of his state of catatonia (beginning of book so it is not a spoiler), but refuses to tell Morgan the secrets that his previous demon possessor, Dougal, let him be aware of. Chances are still great that Dougal will permanently silence Andy anyway.

Brian, Morgan's ex-boyfriend and a lawyer, is not ready to give up on Morgan. He is determined to win her back. He has no idea about Lugh though. Even worse, Morgan learns she is a hybrid. Her mother never told Morgan that the man who helped raise her is not her biological father. Yet it explains why Morgan's parents never cared for her nearly as much as they did Andy. As Morgan digs into her past and researches her biological father, the information which turns up goes from bad to worse.

**** This time Morgan has the demon equivalent of a rogue sociopath after her. Well, the demon is after Lugh, but does not know that Lugh is still within Morgan. Andy and Brian play a larger role in this episode as well. I found myself liking Brian, where before I was not too sure how to feel about the man. There is an erotic part or two, but they are brief. (Lugh's doing, of course.)

The author, Jenna Black, fleshes out the back ground of the main characters for readers and tosses in an unexpected twist or two for good measure. This is not fast paced, but flows along at a very steady rate. You do not have to read the first book to understand what is going on; however, if you do not you may not understand some references. I seriously recommend reading The Devil Inside before beginning this book. In the very back of this book, you will get to read the beginning of book three, The Devil's Due, which is dated to be released November 25, 2008. Jenna Black is carving a well deserved reputation in the paranormal field. Fabulous! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Morgan Kinsley, a powerful, kickass, sassy, exorcist, possessed by a demon herself (and a very sexy one at that!). She gets the job done, even though it seems her personal life is forever screwed up. Sometimes the 2nd book in a series just can't quite live up to the 1st. This one did! Morgan Kinsley rocks again! The characters are all very believable. I especially liked the relationship between Morgan and Lugh. Can't wait to see how that one evolves! And the new character of The Hunter?? That's pretty wicked! The relationship(s) between Morgan and her family was heartbreaking at times. I also think that the relationship between Adam and Dominic was very well done, I love them both!
If you haven't read any of this series yet, and are a paranormal fan (even if you're not!), YOU ARE MISSING OUT! Get the first book The Devil Inside and read it now! Then get ready to be wowed again and read The Devil you Know! You'll find me waiting by my mailbox for the next issue, The Devil's Due! Fantastic series, a must, must, MUST read!

I loved this book. It held my attention the whole time. It was exciting and moved progressively, with hardly any down spots. There was a bit too much self-reflection for my taste but otherwise this is a great book. Morgan seems to have progressed in character. She finally seems to be accepting reality and is slowly coming off her high horse. The sex/romance parts of the story w/ Adam and Dom are always hot hot hot! I highly recommend this book and the rest of the series.

Where the first book in this series, The Devil Inside (Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist, Book 1), fizzed and sparkled with its fast-paced introduction to Morgan Kingsley, exorcist, this second instalment came across as rather flat. The action doesn't really kick in until about a third of the way into the novel. And Morgan's tough-girl exterior is well and truly punctured as she is frequently close to, if not actually reduced to, blubbing. Sometimes because of her tiresome relationship with her ex-boyfriend, and sometimes because of her family's treatment of her. At the heart of this story is Morgan's strained relationship with her family and the secret that her parents have kept hidden.

The trouble I had with this novel is that I just didn't find it compelling. To be completely honest, I sometimes found it a bit of a chore to read. Morgan's introspection became quite grating after a while and at times, some parts of the story felt formulaic. For example, I'm not giving away much when I tell you that Morgan and her ex have a nice little roll and tumble at one point in this story. No problem with that, but it just seemed contrived as if the author felt she had to include it even though the event itself didn't add anything to the story.

Where Jenna Black has succeeded is with the underlining premise of demons inhabiting willing human hosts. Those being hosted by the unwilling are liable to be exorcized by Morgan or one of her colleagues. The irony is that Morgan is hosting, somewhat unwillingly, Lugh, the King of the Demon Realm. She is able to keep him suppressed until she is asleep when he is then able to communicate with her. Luckily for Morgan, he appears to her in various states of hotness, notably inducing in her a liking for seeing him in s & m fetish-wear. Her ability to keep her possession concealed works in his favor, too: there are those who seek to destroy him, but if they don't know where to look . . .

Being possessed by a demon enables the human host to heal quickly from injuries. This instalment also introduces the concept of a demon being able, with skin-to-skin contact, to transfer from one human to another. One interesting point of morality raised in this novel is that a demon residing in a policeman could transfer to a suspect in order to find out whether or not the suspect is telling the truth.

Although I didn't enjoy this novel as much as its predecessor, there is enough about the environment that Morgan inhabits to keep me interested enough to buy the third novel in this series, The Devil's Due when it is available.

For those new to the fascinating world that Jenna Black has created in this series, I would advise you to start with the first novel before reading this one as there are quite a few references made to happenings in `The Devil Inside'.

Not For Adults!!!
I wanted to like this series. My daughter asked me to read them and we have enjoyed many books in the young adult catagory. Unfortunately, this is not one. James Patterson had a good idea and the beginings of some good characters but after the tenth amazing escape and all the really poor dialog I had to stop. Although James is experiencing success with this series, his characters are a really poor rendition of the super hero. Even the teen angst falls flat. If you are looking for a book to read with your teen stick to Harry or try the Stephanie Meyer series Twilight.

I was extremely dissapointed in this book, and a little relieved that it should be the last. The story was terrible, and was not believable at all. The kids would have had to be extremely stupid to go to anartica. The entire book read like an infomercial for the Green movement. It lacked all the saving graces of the first book. It was a waste of money.

Book Three did not let me down -- another exciting ride with Maximum and her "family'. I highly recommend this saga to young and old alike.

My kids & I really enjoyed this book, and the previous books in the series. I think the female lead is a little masculine in her voice & choices. I think some of the "miraculous healing power" is kind of a cheat to make up for doing serious violence to the characters, and yet keeping them moving for an adventurous pace. But, I think this is one of those fun romping stories you just let yourself skip the thinner details for the sake of the experience. We'll keep reading.

Third book in the Maximum Ride series.

Max and the flock are back. They will finally discover their true enemy and uncover a plot to take over the world. The Re-Evolution plan, aka the By-Half Plan, involves reducing the population by half--only those deemed "useful" will be allowed to live in the new world. Even as Max races to save the world from the mad scientists, she never takes herself too seriously. My favorite thing about Max is her sarcasm. As in her internal conversation with The Voice, which has an irritating habit of butting into her head, but never answering a direct question: "You wanna explain that? Or is that one of those kung fu koans I'm supposed to meditate on at the top of a mountain? Ommmm."

Another action-packed adventure that fans of the series will enjoy.

This is the second book in the Anna Strong Chronicles. I actually enjoyed this book quite a bit more than the first.

This book is very much in the same style as the first. No nonsense writing style, fast paced, and a fun-easy read.

In this book Anna has accepted her need for blood but is still struggling to retain her bonds with humanity. When her brother's ex-girlfriend shows up claiming that Anna's niece is possibly involved in a murder; Anna is determined to find the young girl and find out the truth.

The best part of this book was the introduction of Daniel Frey; you also learn more about Calebra (I think that's how you spell it). I was a little disappointed in what Calebra was; I thought he would be something more interesting. Daniel Frey is an interesting and strong character. The addition of the secret underground organization is also interesting.

I was disappointed in a few things. Anna doesn't seem to progress much in understanding who and what she has become; she makes many of the same mistakes she made in the first book. I was also disappointed that Max made such a brief appearance. It's like he shows up once or twice in each book so that Anna can have sex with him and then he's off again. I would like to learn more about him, since the brief glances we see of him make him seem like an interesting character. Maybe in the next book.

Overall, I like the book, it was a quick, fun read, and well-written for what it is. I will definitely read the next one.
karissabooks.blogspot.com

Anna is still fighting to figure out her place in the world in this novel and meets a fantastically interesting man named Frey. I love this guy! I like the turns Anna's story has taken. I believe the writer has been very inventive and writes with a very natural tone. A little sex, just enough, nothing too overwhelming. New characters are introduced and old characters are further explored. As she learns her limitations she makes more and more mistakes that makes you feel for this character even more. Constantly stuck between a rock and a hard place...Anna seems to continually choose the long hard route to accomplish helping others who are in her human world. The story moves along quickly and has an ending that is very satisfying. Can't wait to read Book 3, The Watcher (The Anna Strong Chronicles, Book 3).

When I read the first book, The Becoming, I thought it was an OK book, but one that I might not ever read again. But I had bought the second and third so I figured that I would keep reading. WOW!! This series definitely got better. I read the whole book in half a day, I just could not put it down. I can see this series going for quite a while. I cannot wait to get reading the third one.

This book was disappointing to me after having loved the first book in the series. It was hard to read and seemed to have an awkward way of tying in with book 1. However, the characters are wonderful and I will stick with this series because Anna is alot like Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan character, and like LKH's original Anita Blake (the one in Obsidian Butterfly and her earlier books). I also like Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse character, but prefer the butt-kicking style of Anna, Rachel Morgan, and the original Anita Blake.

I really want to like this series, but the published books seem so unfinished. Seems to me she needs a new editor. Once again, character development is lacking as are development of relationships between characters. She turns her characters into lovers without giving the reader much of a reason for them to be falling into bed with eachother.

There are also some MAJOR plotholes in this story. In fact, this story has one of the biggest plotholes I have EVER read in a published book. I don't want to give too much storyline away but the plothole I am speaking of involves one of the police suspects for murder. The author tries to make us believe that the police would suspect a 14 year old girl for the brutal rape and beating death of her mother??

After reading most of Dean Koontz's books, I found Lighting to be refreshing from a woman's standpoint. The days that Laura spent in an orphanage, trying to dodge a child predator were alarming. Caught up in Laura's emotional trauma, I was just as horrified when her husband was killed. With mostly every one that she loves taken from her, Karen's life and death battle to protect her son was intense and her guardian popping unexpectedly in and out of her life, altering history, was a great twist. I highly recommend this book. Tamera

I love Koontz in general, but this story really was awesome. I have recommended this book to my wife, daughter and others -- who have subsequently recommended it to others. Read it -- you won't be sorry.

This book started my love affair with Koontz's wrting. Its a wonderful, witty, well written story. Mystery, humour and a rarity for Koontz - a little romance. The characters are perfect and the story beautiful. Read it.... become a Koontz junkie too.

And I was not dissapointed! I understand that this book is a little different than most of his stuff, but that is what makes him such a great author, is that he can transcend genres. I am very intruiged by the concept of time travel, and this is certainly one of the best and smartest time travel books I have read. Also, even though the book is 20 years old, it still reads great. It was kind of fun to have a flashback to my child hood considering I am about the same age as her Laura's son Chris. Great book!

I loved it. It has that Terminator, Sliders, Quantum Leap feel to it. I put this book alongside "Intensity, Hideaway, and Odd Thomas" as one of his best.

This is one of the best series I have read. I would recomend it to anyone who needs to escape reality.

i actually did not like the main character Rachael in the first book (Dead Witch Walking)...in fact i remember thinking i had no interest in reading a sequel...the plot seemed silly and the character relationships were really weird...i accidentally bought the second book and only realized after a couple of chapters, this was the same ditzy heroine i had vowed never to read again...however, i was wrong, wrong...this time the story line is cleaner, clearer, darker and the magic sizzles...Rachael is still her impulsive, unpredictable self, but she becomes smarter, and it's fun to watch her change in her relationship to the demon and how this subplot evolves. I plan on doing Book 3.

After having read the first two books of this series I must say that I am hooked. This is fast becoming one of my favorite series and author to read. This the second book picked up roughly where the first left off, so you have a fluid connection from the first book to the next. Right from the beginning I was greedily reading as much as I could, loving everything about Rachel Morgan's world.

We see a couple of aspects explored that I had hoped would be from the first. Namely, Harrison goes in deeper with vampires as well as, and this I loved, demons. She explores both much more in depth, in addition to the typical pixie and witches and warlocks from the first book, which only rounded out and made the Hollows world that much more real. Additionally, an aspect (left unspoken here so as not to spoil anything for someone) that I had hoped and predicted from the first was explored in this installment as well. Very vague, but... I hate spoilers, so I will leave it at that.

Harrison does have a tendency to repeat herself (such as Rachel always saying about every character practically, "I forced myself not to flinch", "I stood my ground so as not to show my fear" and so on), but when the world she is creating is so rich and vibrant, who really cares? We see much more of Trent and Quen, more of Ivy and Piscary, and, just as important, more of Nick and his warlock skills. Oh, and the important character, Rachel explores her powers a lot more. We are also given little treats to feast our imagination, such as a troll swimming in the creek playing with ducks by pulling them underwater. Small, and unimportant in the grand scheme of things, but nonetheless an important part of how Harrison writes.

All around a right rousing read. I would whole heartedly recommend this book, series and author to anyone asking.

5 stars.

Book 2 in the Kim Harrison Hollows series continues with excellent character developement, plot and enough twists and turns to make you think you just stepped off a roller coaster.

Kim has created the type of story and characters that will have you thinking about them long after you've finished reading the book. I personally love the fact that she doesn't over play sex in her books. If I wanted to read about that, I'd pick up a paranormal romance

Kim gives you a story you can sink your teeth into. It's a good read that will have you coming back to the Hollows for another visit. Pick up her first book Dead Witch Walking and go from there. You won't be disappointed. Melissa NC

I admit that, while it has its flaws, I really enjoy this series. It's just so much fun. It's not high literature, or full of deep meanings, and there's nothing spectacular about the writing (if I hear one more description of Jenks's wings `blurring to nothing' I might scream!), but it's so enjoyable to let yourself get lost in this world among these characters that it's high on my list of favorite series so far. Rachel is not the perfect heroine, and yes, she's a bit on the edge, but she's basically a nice person... er, witch, and I find myself rooting for her. There's plenty of action and interesting side characters, good dialogue and a touch of mystery. With each mystery that is put to rest, another situation crops up.

In this book, we learn the mystery of Trent but gain even more complications of a demon...

I might get blasted for this, but in a lot of ways this series reminds me of the Harry Potter series, slightly grown up. It has the same fluid writing that drags you into the story, the same type of action-packed storyline with twists and turns, the same brand of main character (the main character bumbles through on luck and with the help of friends), and the same enjoyable supporting cast. The writing isn't high-brow and I'm sure there are plenty of plot holes, but it's just so... addicting. The story is plain fun to read, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one.

And a note on the audiobook: the reading isn't as smooth as it could be, with some odd pauses mid-sentence that were occasionally distracting, but the vocal work was good and it's still one I'd say is good to listen to.

I must agree with what a lot of the other people have said about this book. The author victimizes the main character way too much, makes Regal way too evil. They make everything go wrong for him, I seriously think it would've been a happier book if the main character died. *SPOILERS AHEAD* Then at least his heart wouldn't have been broken. The kings and princes demand too much from him, the characters become suddenly stupid after the first book. In the 3rd especially everyone is stupid, everyone is willing to believe the propaganda, even the stupidest lies. Fitz himself turns into a blundering idiot who falls into traps too often. *SPOILERS OVER* I already got the first book of another of her series (I got it before reading the 3rd book) but I am wary to read it because I don't wish to be so disappointed by later books in the series. IF YOU LIKE A TRAGEDY THIS BOOK IS PERFECT FOR YOU.

If the Farseer trilogy had any flaws up to this point, they are certainly gone now. This is the absolutely stunning end to a trilogy where the fantasy and emotion reach unbelievable and stunning heights of perfection.

I do not read a lot of high fantasy, but it's not common to see something that can blend such purely human emotion and such flights of the imagination into such a delicious blend as this.

Hobb writes simply, but intensely, with just the right amount of description to help carry emotion and excitement that can easily stand on their own without Hobb's skilled pen.

One of the best trilogies I have ever read.

Why oh why! I had people tell me this book was awful, but I thought well if it's worse then the first 2 then it will still be good because I loved the first 2 books. If you have read the first 2... stop there and imagine your own ending for Fitz because this one sucks!

If you would have told me when I finished book 2 that I would not read the Tawny Man series because Assassin's Quest was "that bad" I would have told you you were crazy.

If she would re-write this book I would buy it. Seriously, you think the book will get better and it keeps getting worse right up until the ending. I have read fantasy series where 1 book in the series might be "bad" but this is the first one that was so ludicrous that it ruined the whole series for me.

I would describe this book as an adventure. I've read five of Robin Hobb's books so far and this one had the most action. By that I mean fighting, magic, and "traveling" on the part of the characters. Them moving from one location to another is also good because it keeps the reader interested. A lot of the plot unfolds and by the end of the book all the questions are answered -- which is good because the author has a habit of creating an aura of mystery in her books.

The only problem I had with this book was that this was the first encounter I had of the author "torturing" her protagonists. There was a part where Fitz is told his baby might be taken away from him by the Queen, and that made me a bit upset. I learned then that a lot of Robin's character's are made a little stupid and weak-spined, and not in control of their fates. I'd say that's the main flaw of her books. If you can get past that, this trilogy is an amazing read.

Blegh, it's been 10 minutes since I finished the Farseer Trilogy with this novel's conclusion. Boy, what a ride it's been. It's the feeling you get after a long journey returning home.. but you're changed: like Frodo from Lord of the Rings. I feel this numbing hole now that it's over. But this book has faults nonetheless. Other reviewers have pointedly complained about the pacing/length of this novel as well as its ending. I agree with them.

This novel is by no means 'boring' it just feels very sluggish in the middle during the journey part of reaching Verity. And it departs from the 1st two books a lot: gone are so many characters we loved, gone are the focus of court intrigue in the face of the Red Ship Raider's Forging. Instead we are left with torturing poor Fitz even more so that by the end of it I could not help wiping stubborn tears (and I rarely cry lol so you can tell this stuff is bleak).

My gripe with the ending as a whole is that it is too realistic. This not hollywood by any means. All that pain and suffering should mean there's a nice reward in exchange...... right? Also, the Red Ship Raiders and Elderlings story line is swiftly concluded within a chapter almost. The whole book was the about the process not the result.

It's been 2 weeks to the day since I was searching here on Amazon reading reviews for a good fantasy series while I waited for George RR Martin.. Farseer Trilogy has been amazing. I've lost several hours of sleep reading late into the night hoping against hope for witnessing Fitz get his due. *SPOILER*------------ Sitting in a cottage in Buck with Nighteyes and his bastard son; scribing diligently in front of a warm fire away from court plotting and judgemental people is 95% of the life he always wanted minus the love of his life who left him for his closest friend instead.

The only thing suspenseful about this novella was "How quickly can it end?" Stupid dream sequences, a wimpy mushy hero, and a heroine with a flat personality. Not what I would expect from someone who can scare the crap out of me on occasion.

I am a HUGE Kay Hooper fan -- I've read all her 'Fear' and 'Evil' books and will usually even pay the 'Hardcover' price for her books so I can start reading right away! So when I saw 'If There Be Dragons' I immediately snapped it up and started reading . . . and I can't tell you how disappointed I was!

I think this was a re-release of one of her first books because while the writing was still good, the story was far-fetched, there were situations that seemed to totally miss reality (for example, when her mind-reading abilities were used as a novelty act by her mother to gain money when she was younger, don't you think the government would have heard about it and snatched her up immediately?) and if I heard the phrase "Slaying Dragons" one more time I swear I was going to start running, screaming through the streets while pulling out my hair!

I'm now leery of reading any of her 'romance' books that may be re-released versions of her early work.

This book follows a very old formula. Girl with personal issues meets knight in shining armor willing to look past her issues and works through them.

The paranormal part? She's psychic. She becomes a hermit because she's been hurt too many times by her mother and other people. The big paranormal twist that you keep reading on for apparently happens in the first 1/4 of the book. And the rest of it is rather trite.

The dream analogies of this book are suited for a middle-school romance. It reminds me of bad diary entries from junior high. "Oh, he saw right through to my soul with his golden eyes." She has a dragon in her dreams and a black pit/abyss that is representational of him and what the potential future may hold. Blah-blah-blah. Vomit. She only wants to be with him if he can't die. This whole martyr thing isn't even pulled off well.

And the thing with the wolf, really? I mean, REALLY? The non-human thing she's been fearing has a been a wolf that was hurt? PUT ME out of my misery. I kept reading the book to see if there was more to the paranormal-ness or some other plot twist, but that was it! It was about 20 pages of some unhuman thing that exuded pain and she's completely freaked out by it. I'm expecting some sort of dead relative and it's a wolf. Other than reading a few thoughts from the alpha male in the storyline, the psychic stuff is pretty irrelevant unless it's related to the wolf. And the wolf--- OMG, isn't even a great plot device. The book didn't need it at all, but I guess the author needed to add a few pages to this one.

It has a plot and no typographical errors, but I wouldn't go around recommending this book. It's as boring as a Nora Roberts novel.

Let me first say that I love Kay Hooper books, I own most of them. So even though I wasn't sure about this one, I bought it anyways because of the author. As the first reviewer said, it had hardly any plot, and you kept waiting for another twist, kept waiting for it to get better & it didn't. Although the wolf wasn't elemental to the plot, he & the male character were the highlights of the book; the damsel in distress was just too predictable. It read very much like a junior high novel. Maybe that's the group she was trying to market to with this one?? If you're used to the Bishop/Special Crimes Unit series, don't bother with this one, you'll be bored! If you're looking for a predictable, easy read, or buying for a pre-teen/teenager, it's probably a good choice.
I give all her other books 4-5 stars; if it was an option I would have given this one 2-1/2, so I rounded up to a 3. :)

I want my Posleen Wars books concerned with killing flesh eating monsters. Not rants against liberals. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but when it takes up a good chunk of the plot it really gets tiresome.

Really enjoyed the attention to detail and character devolepment,and The tactics and logistics presented in an easy to understand form. the graphic battle scenes are not for the faint of heart. very interesting developement of ai personalites with the battleships ai,s. I would say this book is second only to watch on the rhine in readability
I jones

Is it just me who finds the whole Posleen series a teeny bit confusing. i mean i like the whole concept, well done the Nazis on the Rhine and all that, but when are we actually going to kick the Posleen's butts, get rid of them off the earth and stop mucking around with the political metaphores. Now that said (and as a european, who other than the ex-Nazis are obviously all left wing tree huggers) i actually enjoyed this one. It's a good story and a good book, thank God Cally was not in it, but unfortunatley she is back in the next one. By the way Amazon, why can't you make it easier to get the information on Boook 1 of X, Book 2 of X stuff presented to those of us who stuggle to follow these things.

Anyway i digress. If you enjoyed the first two Posleen books and the Wactch on the Rhine one, then you will enjoy this one. My hopes for the future are 1) no more Cally, 2) a story that shows either the death of the earth or victory 3) and whichever that the authors remeber that the EU can actually fight and so can the Russian and Chineese, and might despite the lefties make a decent go of it.

I enjoyed this entry to the Aldenata series, although Watch on the Rhine was better. If you liked the other books in the Aldenata series, get this book you will not be disappointed.

Always remember, "You can get anything on E-Bay"!

Well another rollicking read. The good guys get to kill millions of Posleen, the bad guys are anyone who isn't very politically conservative (somewhere to the left of Franco) and that's that.

One thing, John and friends have slipped over the edge here a bit by dusting off the old world government thing, somehow there is this vast conspiracy of people who want to take over the world and the only way to save them is by killing everyone who isn't a real American or a hard drinking Panamanian, or a computer simulation of a blond who has immense breasts. Real Americans in John's view are a tad conservative, likely live in the mountains of Idaho and are heavily armed at all times.

The Posleen seem to be less effective than before and that is interesting but if you change the place names from any other Posleen book to Panama you will have this book.

As to World Government (The Transies) well anyone who pays attention to the overall effectiveness of governments should not be scared of the UN, etc. and what they might do, because they are about as inept as one can imagine.

That is one reason I have never been too concerned about the black helicopter folks, the main fear of that is they will get lost, crash and maybe hurt an innocent person, as to actually taking something over? Get serious.

John, stick to stories, leave politics alone

They brought the sexy in this book...

This book is the best of the series hands down. Shay was a unique creation, and not the usual same ole.. Not a same ole >>>>fill in the blank here>>>... .vampire, witch, werewolf.. blah blah. Romance novels have chinging bitchy silly whiners at times. No whiner here. She had serious battle skills and was a gifted assassin.

Even tho Viper was a vampire, his story was not trite. He had menace, beauty of an angel, sexual magnetism on a planetary scale, rich as sin, and bored until he encountered Shay. He was not a boring cutout. Her species had been hunted to extinction by vampires because of their aphrodisiac and healing abilities to vampires.

There was every natural reason any dynamic between them would naturally end in her death. The sexual tension surrounding them was credible and intelligent. Every reason for her to avoid him at all costs and for him to pursue her at all costs. Any action on it would naturally lead to her death. There was humor between them. And also with her little gargorgle stunted sidekick with pansy girly wings quite added the fun.



Villian: 5
Plot: 5
Creativity: 5
Humor: 4
Bringing the sexy: 4.5
Passion: 5 stars
Laughs & Amusement factor: 4.5

With the landslide of paranormal romance lately it's easy to find cookie cutter story lines and boring plots. Not this book. It had a great story line and the characters were vivid. I was at a disadvantage having not read any prior books in this series but was able to catch on and enjoyed this a lot.

Continuing from When Darkness Comes, Shay is returned to Evor, her troll `owner', once the witches are dead. It is a curse that has attached her to Evor ~ should one perish, so will the other. On the auction block, feeling degraded and used, one voice calls out a large sum, `buying' her on the spot. Viper.

It has been months since they've seen each other, but Viper was never able to get Shay out of his mind. He wants more than `ownership' of her. He wants it all. The problem is convincing her that he isn't as terrible a vampire than she seems to believe he is, for it was vampires that had long ago murdered her father.

Shay has had to grow up hiding her true self, constantly moving from place to place. She's seen the hardships her mother had gone through and wants none of it. She never had any friends, never anyone close to her that could later backstab her if given the opportunity.

As the last of the Shalotts, she knows why vampires want her blood, and she refuses to give it. She doesn't understand why Viper `bought' her from Evor. What could he possibly want with her? Someone to do his every bidding? He can find any number of women who would do so willingly. Why her?

Viper is determined to show her that he wants her with him willingly ~ and not as a slave.

After winning Shay, a fight rings out with a wizard, one determined to bring the Shalott to his master, the feel of evil in the room. While leaving the auction house, that same feeling is following them, ever determined to get its hands on Shay. But Viper is determined as well - he won't let her go without a fight.

While at his private retreat, they are attacked by a Lu. Escaping to Dante and Abby's, they hide. And while hiding, Viper brings in a witch, wanting the curse that binds Shay and Evor together broken. Feeling an attack coming, they escape only to become surrounded by Styx and his Ravens, vampires; an old/ex friend of Viper's. Shay escapes but Viper is captured. Tortured, he is told to use the amulet that would bring Shay to his side. He refuses, stating that he will do anything and everything to keep his future mate safe.

But Shay is a warrior and won't just sit idly while Viper's life hangs in the balance. With the help of Levet, her small gargoyle friend, she finds where Viper is being held and rescues him, holding up to her end of the bargain and offering her blood to save him.

Knowing the danger they face will never end, Viper defeats the evil plaguing Shay, making for a perfect beginning of the end of the novel.

This reader is sooooo enjoying this series, and I pray it'll be around for a long time. The author has a way of making the world of vampires feel well and truly normal, like everyday life. Her style of writing sucks the reader right into the story, painting every scene as clearly as if the reader is right along with the characters. There is a constant flow, and that constant flow had me still thinking of what's going on in the story well after I put the book down for the night.

Right from the beginning, I felt that Shay and Viper were perfect for each other; the banter between the two, how they frustrate each other, how they can get under each other's skin. It was perfect ~ funny/witty parts, sad parts, explanations that have you understanding the characters and why they are the way they are.

Actions scenes well battled, scenes of thoughts, feelings and planning well spaced and acted out beautifully, love scenes that make you hot under the collar, a perfect ending all blended with characters you love to love and characters you love to hate make this one hell of a good book! I can't wait to get my hands on Darkness Everlasting!

Another great Guardians of Eternity book.. picked up the first one at a used book store. Was I glad I did. All of her books so far have been worth the price you pay. Waiting for the next one is the hard part. Great action, great story line.

Even though Dante was the main character in When Darkness Comes, Viper is the one who stood out in that book for me. Ms. Ivy made my day when his story was next in the Guardians of Eternity Series. If you were like me and needed your fix of Viper, this book will do it for you. From the time that Viper buys Shay from the auction house till the end where they are fighting the evil that is pursuing her, this book kept me enthralled the whole time. The only thing I wished that Ms. Ivy did not include in this book were the two Egyptian vamps we met in Dante's book. If you don't remember them, go back and read the first book. They were droolicious. Nothing is better than a good book.