Science Fiction Fantasy Books

Julie Garwood failed me in this one. While nicely researched it is the typical white night rescues princess. Save your money and hope that Julie goes more toward the detective series shich happens to be my favorites. This one was just a bust in my book- bad pun- sorry!

Overall, this story is very sweet and entertaining. I have read several of Garwood's other titles, and have enjoyed them immensely. There were only two things about this novel that I did not care for, and both of them concerned the heroine, Madelyne. To begin with, I understand that the heroine in this type of novel is supposed to be innocent, but Madelyne's innocence bordered on stupidity. At times, she was just a little too naive for words. Some of the things that came out of her mouth were painfully ridiculous. Secondly, Madelyne cries continuously! She's crying because she's happy... she's crying because she's sad... she's crying because she's mortified... you get the picture. Between Madelyne and later, Adela, there were enough tears to fill an ocean. Both characters show a great deal of inner strength, and just when the reader thinks they're finally going to show some outer courage, they collapse into tears again. Sometimes, the tears are over rather inconsequential things, so after a while, it's understandable if the reader starts to lose sympathy for them.

The male characters were another story altogether. Duncan, his brothers, and Gerald were very well done. The were strong, heroic, and funny. The comparison of Duncan to Odysseus got a little bit old after a while, considering the fact that Odysseus was unfaithful to his wife - more than once - so perhaps Duncan did not have as much in common with him as you might think.

In comparison to some of her other titles, Honor's Splendour is clumsy. The dialog is a little stilted, and walks a thin line between drama and melo drama, but despite the cloying heroine who was a little too prone to tears, Honor's Splendour is still an entertaining book that is certainly worth the read.

"Honor's Splendour" has it all. Romance, intrigue, mystery, humor and drama. I love the way Julie Garwood begins this story with Madelyne rescuing Duncan (and warming his feet) and him capturing her. With this unusual twist, this story heads full-tilt into a great plot. Duncan's intentions aren't very honorable in the beginning (he's seeking revenge for his sister's rape), but Madelyne's honest nature baffles him (he expected her to be like her diabolical brother and she's not) and he's forced to adjust his plan. It's great fun to watch Madelyne send Duncan's life, and those of his brothers and sister, into a tail-spin.

Although the long-anticipated first love scene comes much later than hoped for in this book, Julie Garwood does do a great job of building the sexual tension between these two characters. The sub-plots with Adela and Louddon add great depth to this captivating story, as well. It's a great read!

I am absolutely baffled by the five-star reviews for this book. This is only the second book I've read of Julie Garwood's and it will be my last. Her characters are cliche, inconsistent and annoying. Her writing is stiff and staccato with uninteresting and repetitive dialogue. I usually find the reviews on amazon helpful, but they let me down with this one.

A friend recommended this as her favorite book. I am glad I took her recommendation. The raven haired hero is superb. I only wish that Julie Garwood would continue the story and write more about this interesting family.

I'm not much of a fiction writer, but the author has a good concept at work that keeps the reader interested. He switches back and forth between two characters, a rookie superhero and a old hat supervillain, each taking the lead narrator position every other chapter. So, once you might start getting board with the superhero type, you get to suddenly get back into the mind of the book's supervillain.

The story is indeed a comic book story, but it also parodies and brings out the inherent realities that would arise if superheroes were indeed real. So, you get to find out the superman-like character is not loved by everyone because he can be kind of a self-obsessed jerk and the League of superheroes in the book have a pr department and book deals and the like.

The story is pretty simple and straightforward, which works in context of the book, because the lack of intricacy of the plot is made up for by looking at a straightforward series of events from two different and opposing points of view. This method of storytelling allows the reader to have fun being in on all the in-jokes about comic book heroes as well as still making you wish you were a superhero. The author does an exceptional job at making you feel bad for the villain and yet completely realize he's self-sabotaging.

My only problem with this book is it makes me yearn for a sequel (something I'm not sure I've ever actually read in fiction). And I worry that Austin will simply move onto other things. Oh well, it was still loads of fun.

Aside from Phil Foglio's Girl Genius this is the greatest tale of science gone wrong that I have ever read. What really makes this such a great story is Dr. Impossible himself, a dark yet understandable character.

This is a great book! Sure, it's not completely a comic book -- or a graphic novel. There are no drawings to look at. That is, if you discount the Chip Kidd / Bryan Hitch art. But, I can see them in my head as I turn the pages. I'm drawing the images from my own imagination. And what's better than the pages we each conjure ourselves? IT'S NEVER WRONG!!

And of course there are a lot of holes in the story:
1) Dr. Impossible's secret "alien gas"
2) The heroes couldn't tell that Galatea was a robot?!?

But there are 3 moments of genius in this novel. But you, gentle reader, need to do a little work. And when you do, the result will be most satisfying

- Who was that random tourist actually looking at when he says, "I think that's Dr. Impossible."
- The trail of the Pharaoh's hammer, from the seventies to present day
- And most importantly, why was the lead female heroine named "Damsel?" The real answer lies in your high-school science books!!

Enjoy your reading. And when you're done, try the audiobook for a different experience. It's two vocal performances that you thoroughly enjoy. SOON!

The Champions, a world famous group of superheroes, is changing. Some old members are gone and new members are coming on board. One new member is a new modern cyborg, part human and part machine, named Fatale. But villains don't take a vacation so that new trainees can get up to speed. Super villain Doctor Impossible, an evil genius who is always trying to find some way to take over the world, has escaped from his latest prison and is once again gearing up his diabolical plans. While Fatale tries to find her place to fit in with the existing Champions group, she also wants to find Doctor Impossible and prove her worth.

This young adult sci-fi book reads like a comic book without the pictures. It is the story of one young woman in the process of becoming a superhero and the story of a super villain getting one more chance to rule the world. The story is very fast paced with a whole lot of different heroes and criminals cropping up in the story. Several times I felt like I had dropped into the middle of an existing series-but this is the debut book. While the story is good, I could have used a few less characters to keep up with.

The story jumps from following Fatale to following Dr. Impossible. I loved Fatale's character and how she grows and matures into a heroine through the story. I wasn't nearly as interested in what Dr. Impossible was thinking and wanting, although I do think the information was a vital part of the story. I guess I'm just not a fan of super villains.

I also liked learning about many of the secondary characters but I think I would have enjoyed it more if their stories were in different books in the series with more details about each of them and their relationships instead of everything being in one book.

On the whole I liked the book and would read a sequel.

Armchair Interviews says: If you are a fan of superhero or super villain stories, this book is a pretty fun adventure!

Austin Grossman's debut novel Soon I Will Be Invincible rests on two points of view: that of super villain Doctor Impossible, who has an IQ of 300 and rookie superhero female cyborg Fatale. And there is the battle between good and evil, with people trying to take over the world in one way or another, but it's not always clear exactly who is doing what. Addressing childhood, shame, love, lust, and the weird twists of fate that make us who we are, the book shows how sometimes the difference between one path in life and another might be a chance word, a bit of kindness, and someone understanding. My daughter wasn't too fond of the writing, though for the most part I enjoyed it, with trite comic book dialog craftily placed to create a kind of character chiaroscuro, only the contrast not being between literal light and dark, but the metaphoric public and private parts of someone's psyche that help define the whole person. There were times that I thought the story got badly out of hand - for example, one character realizes the real identity of another and states it, when a hint would have done the trick and left one area of tension and suspense for resolution at the end for greater effect. But overall, worth the read and a book I can recommend.

We own and have read all of the Disney Fairy chapter books. My daughter is 5 years old, and this one was a little scarier than any of the others. Probably not a good choice to read at bedtime. We would still recommend it, but if your daughter is extrememly sensitive to scary things, then I might think twice about this one and read a different one from the series instead.

These are a great series. I have loved reading them with my kids. They use the imagination and keep you interested. Make sure you read book one first.

My book was nice. The Amazon staff and shipping were very horrible. I will not be purchasing from Amazon again. The book's cover was literally taped into the OUTSIDE of the box. The customer service was polite but forced me to return the ruined book. This involved me having to give the nasty book to someone for a gift and then replacing it, packaging the damaged book back up and going to the Post Office. This was a lot of gas and work. I deeply resent having to do all of this. Other people do not want a damaged book. Why not just throw it away? It was their mistake and I had to do the work. Bad service.

Angie Sage keeps the Septimus Heap series going strong with Physik - the third book after Magyk and Flyte. In Physik we have a complex web of plot elements (no spoilers in this review) that take the narrative deep into the history and architecture of the castle and deeper into a an increasingly sophisticated magical realm. There's more about the forms and uses of magyk in this title, and less focus on the weird creatures of this place. Nothing is lost. The central trope is magnetically compelling and there is action and danger and new fabulous characters. The Septimus Heap world keeps getting deeper and weirder with each new title in the series - yet the stories remain page turning romps that don't give kids nightmares. Sage treads the line between thrilling action and stuff that's too scary for kids with brilliant sensitivity. As an adult I don't get the feeling she's condescending - yet I have no qualms giving this to my second grader. He devours these Septimus books with gusto and is well ahead of me in the series.

If you read Magyk and Flyte you'll definitely be reading this on your way to Queste - so it's not vital that I tell you that Physik rocks. It's probably the best title in the series so far.

As for paperback versus hard cover - these are pretty thick chunky books (more than 500 brief quick reading pages) - the paperback adds some much needed lightness and flexibility and saves about 35% of the price. I was the 3rd person to read our particular paperback copy (after my son and wife). It was still in fine condition (no pages falling out or smudged ink). I have no problem recommending this dirt cheap edition.

I truly enjoyed this book. My grand daughter is reading it now. The
series is terrific - hope there are more to come.

I just reread this book recently... It hasn't lost its charm. Awesome third book. I can't wait until Queste!

"Who will defend Redwall Abbey,
in its days of peril and strife?
The beast who shuns both armour and sword,
Torn from the simple life.
He with destiny marked on his brow,
Who walks with the banished one.
Send forth a maid to seek out the Flame,
To rule when the old Lord is gone!"

Mad Maudie
Assistant cook Mad Maudie (the Hon.) Mugsberry Thropple has been asked to go on a mission. Not only is this an important mission because the great Badger Lord Asheye of Salamandastron has asked her, but it is her last chance to redeem herself and stay in good membership with the famous Long Patrol. Despite the warnings of terrible danger, the young haremaid is more than happy to seek out a giant badger named Gorath. After all, how hard can it be? Little does she know the perils that await her and the great adventures she will encounter as she plunges into battle with the Salamandastron war cry "Eulalia-a-a-a-a-a-!".

Gorath
Afflicted with the "Bloodwrath," Gorath, a giant badger, is scarred across his forehead (Gorath the Flame) from a vicious beating by the evil pirate captain Vizka Longtooth. Gorath is bent on avenging his grandparents' deaths and saving Redwall Abbey, but he does not understand that he has been chosen by Lord Asheye to succeed him at Salamandastron. It is not until he meets the fair Salixa that he is able to see a different future for himself and the friends he has met on his journey to Redwall.

Vizka Longtooth
A handsome golden fox and Captain of the ship Bludgullet, the sly, quick-talking Vizka Longtooth creates fear and death wherever he goes. He captures the giant badger and practically kills him. When he discovers the Badger's "Bloodwrath," he decides to use it for his own purposes in his quest to conquer Redwall Abbey.

Gruntan Kurdly
The warlord Gruntan Kurdly, a brownrat of great height and girth with a "mind that was teetering on the brink of madness," loves his hard-boiled eggs and being pampered. In fact, his physical comfort is so important that he wears down his crew as they carry him from place to place and try to meet his demands. Though Kurdly proves no match in leadership to Longtooth, he and his wildly painted crew manage to create plenty of trouble for the defenders of Redwall.

Rangval the Rogue
This overactive squirrel travels with Maudie as he offers his services while she looks for Gorath. He is full of mischief but is also a great soldier. Fighting beside Maudie, he uses his wit and quickness to achieve many impossible tasks. He provides humor and a great appetite for the delicious foods offered at the Abbey and from Maudie's limited menus on the road. Maudie's little troop soon comes to appreciate this wild and wacky little guy.

Orkwil Prink
Orkwil Prink is just a young hedgehog, but because of his propensity toward stealing things, he has been forced to leave the Abbey. Though good-hearted, Orkwil simply cannot help himself when it comes to "borrowing" things from his friends. In an attempt to teach the feisty hedgehog a lesson, he has been told to stay away from the Abbey for a whole season. Though he leaves in disgrace, Orkwil will become a great hero in the battles that threaten the Abbey and his friends. Orkwil, Maudie, Rangval and Gorath will find their paths crossing in most spectacular ways.

Author Brian Jacques again creates the fresh, unforgettable characters who abound in the world of Redwall. Badgers, otters, weasels, squirrels, shrews, mice, rabbits and rats are given even better definition with the fine drawings of David Elliot. An excellent map of the woods and plains surrounding the Abbey helps follow the travelers as they move toward the great climactic battle outside of Redwall. EULALIA! is yet another delightful tale to be enjoyed by the many fans of this series. For those who haven't read these books, what a treat they have in store!

--- Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts

in my oppinion this book is one of the most action packed books i have ever read. it is a outstanding book full of friendship and bravery. yet again brian jacques catured my attention inthis thrilling tale of redwall abbey and salamandastron. i recommend this book to anyone who loves action.

I enjoyed this book. It was based on the tried and true formula that made Brian Jacques so popular and it is always interesting to see previous characters and locations included in the storyline.

I have read nearly all of Brian Jacques' books, and this one gets my vote for best! It is full of surprises, action, and cliffhangers. Even so, I was never hanging on those cliffs for more than an hour, I just couldn't get away from that book.

I have been an avid Redwall reader ever since I found Mossflower in my school library in grade six. I was immediately taken with the series. so when I got Eulalia! I was thrilled. Do not listen to 1 star reveiwers on this or any other Redwall book. They will tell you the series has worn itself out. I say different.

Sure, there are repetitive instances such as there being a rat in Mossflower who has the same name of another rat in Lord Brocktree, but the main stories are vastly different to each other.

I had to take points off this book because of some repetitiveness like the slight overuse of the Badger's bloodwrath in every book and Vizka Longtooth trying to dig his way into Redwall. Vizka was the second vermin to try that. Cluny the Scourge tried that in the first Redwall book. He succeded but if I remember correctly he was stopped by the Redwallers pouring caoldrons of hot porridge among his troops. Vizka did not succeed but the idea was the same.

I will not reveal too much of the plot now because you might want to read it yourself. but take my word for it: great book, great author, great series. Mossflower (Redwall, Prequel to the Redwall Series)
Lord Brocktree (Redwall, Book 13)
Redwall (Redwall, Book 1)
Redwall, Mossflower, Mattimeo, Mariel of Redwall,Salamandastron, Martin the Warrior, Bellmaker, Outcast of Redwall, Pearls of Lutra, Long Patrol, Marlfox, Legend of Luke, Lord Brocktree, Taggerung, Triss, Loamhedge, Rakkety Tam, High Rhulain (Redwall, 1...

Miri is a girl who lives on Mount Eskel, which is a territory (not a province) of Danland. The villagers of the mountain don't particularly like lowlanders, which encompasses all people who don't live on Eskel. The lowlanders reciprocate. So it's a surprise to all when Danland's priests draw lots to find out what city the future princess will come from and Mount Eskel is chosen. Miri's not sure that she wants to be a princess, because she'd have to leave her home and live with a bunch of snobby lowlanders (and what if the prince is snobby?). But the choice is taken out of her hands...

I'm not going to spoil the ending, but I will say that it's one of the most surprising, wonderful endings that I've read so far. Buy Princess Academy and see for yourself. And after that, check out
Book of A Thousand Days.

I love this book. Read it twice, finally own it. It is a YA book that actually teaches values. You can't go wrong with it or any other Shannon Hale book!

This was a great book by Shannon Hale. Her books keep you interested from beginning to end. Great Price too.

This was the first book I ever read from Shannon Hale, I really got hooked with her books after reading this one. SHe seems to make things almost believable. THis book shows her talent.

More a story about work ethic, facing reality, and ability to adapt to changes with whatever talent one posesses, this is a wonderful "fairy tale" for people of any age to read. Rather than the glossy Cinderella pablum that has everyone fast-forwarding to "happily ever after," here the heroine embraces her own physical and character flaws, understands the importance of education, hard work, and communication. She adopts a "one-world" mentality that we must all eventually come to realize; especially our politicians! The title may be unfortunately misleading to our pre-conceived biases, but have faith in Shannon Hale's ability as an author, and you won't be disappointed. It's a can't-put-down page turner.

For the most part, this novel makes an interesting story out of what started out as a Bush administration talking point. About four years ago, as the insurgency in Iraq started growing, the Bush administration tried to play down the problems in Iraq by drawing a false analogy with post-war resistance in Germany. The comparison was a weak one, since post-war resistance in Germany was minimal and quickly fizzled -- but the talking point apparently motivated Harry Turtledove to wonder what it would have been like in post-war Germany had there been a real resistance.

This novel is the result. The resistance efforts and our relatively inept responses are chilling -- all the more so for their plausibility. Less believable is the speed at which the "bring our troops home" movement develops back at home; while I expect that such a movement would have developed over the course of several years, I'm not sure that I believe that it would have started within six months of VE Day, as this novel postulates.

Despite this one weakness, "The Man With the Iron Heart" did an excellent job of holding my interest. It also gives the reader plenty to think about -- and not necessarily in a way that will satisfy hard core partisans on either side of the current debate over Iraq. If you've enjoyed other Harry Turtledove alt-war novels, you'll probably enjoy this one as well. And if you're interested in how we would have dealt with an insurgency in a different time and place, I'd recommend this one as well. On the other hand, if you're looking for a book to confirm your prejudices one way or another about Iraq...well, keep looking.

On balance, I think Harry Turtledove might have been better advised to put out a second book in his new "Atlantis" series (a genuinely interesting look at what might have happened had the eastern seaboard of North America been split off by tectonic processes from the rest of the continent and ended up in the central Atlantic) instead of this rather disappointing attempt to write a World War II-era analogue for the United States' troubles in Iraq. He writes it well - when keeping to the confines of a single book, he avoids the pitfalls of repetitiousness that he falls into in his mega-series - but then he falls into a different trap, yielding to the temptation to write an op-ed article instead of a novel.

The pity and the shame is that the basic concept is quite interesting: what would have happened if the Nazis had exercised more forethought and prepared their "Werewolf" guerrilla movement well in advance for the postwar occupation, and what if Reinhard Heydrich had survived his assassination attempt? There's ample matter here for a great alternate-history novel, but unfortunately, _The Man with the Iron Heart_ just isn't it. Turtledove spends way too much time on trying to draw what the TV Tropes Wiki website calls "Anvilicious" analogies between what's happening in Iraq and U.S. politics today and what might have happened if the Allies had had to face a well-organized diehard Nazi movement in the months and years following V-E Day. It's pretty clear that he thinks "out now" proponents of ending U.S. involvement in Iraq are making a serious mistake - still a debatable proposition - but he hammers on his point in such a repetitive, indeed clumsy, fashion that even a lot of people who would agree with his hypothesis are likely to end up being bored and irritated.

...pedantic and derivative.

I wish Harry would get back to writing his own books. I wish he'd finish the "Colonization" series.

I wish he'd finish the series he began with "Days of Infamy" -- even though that, too, comes from the writing-mill.

Above all, I wish he'd grow some neuticals and go back to being a *writer*.

Harry Turtledove takes on Harry Truman in this latest Alternate History. I was anxiously awaiting this current novel from Harry Turtledove and enjoyed reading it on my Kindle. However, this was certainly NOT among my favorites from the Master of Alternative History. Although I think it was one of the best executed novels he's written in recent years, I gave it four stars.

The entire novel is a thinly disguised treatise on the current U.S. Iraq policy. My complaint is not whether I agree with Turtledove or not. I've always argued that I enjoy thoughtful fiction regardless of whether I agree with the political view espoused. I gauge a book by whether it makes me THINK about the issues in a new way.

In this case, the novel falls short. Turtledove has done little more than transcribe current history into post-WWII history. No real surprises and very predictable twists. The parallels he draws between the Truman administration and the current administration are tenuous at best.

Overall, I thought it was an enjoyable novel, but it could have been much more!

The Man With the Iron Heart (2008) is a standalone alternate history novel set after the end of the war in Europe. In May, 1942, two Czechs attempted to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich on his way to the Castle of Prague. In the real world, they were successful. But not so in this tale.

In February, 1943, the Reich was mourning the defeat at Stalingrad. Heydrich saw the possibility of losing the war and went to Heinrich Himmler with a plan for a stay-behind force to terrorize their enemies after the war. Himmler was very reluctant to even think of losing the war, but he agreed to authorize the organization. Still, he insisted that information about the effort should not be shared with Hitler.

In this novel, after VE Day, the Werewolves start a campaign of terror in all four zones of occupation and elsewhere in what had been Greater Germany. They start with improvised explosive devices. Then they send suicide bombers among the enemy troops with explosives strapped under their coats.

Lieutenant Lou Weissberg is a Counterintelligence Corps officer in occupied Germany. He is called in to examine the scene of the initial attack on two American soldiers. He and his superior -- Captain Howard Frank -- become the American lead investigators on the Werewolves situation. After months of fruitless efforts, Weissberg and Frank both want to share information with the Russians, but are rebuffed by their superiors.

Comrade Captain Vladimir Bokov is an NKVD officer in the Russian Zone. He is assigned to investigate the death of Marshal Koniev by the Werewolves. He and his superior -- Colonel Moisei Shteinberg -- become the Russian lead investigators on the case. Soon both NKVD men ask to share their information with the Allies, but are threatened with deportation to the Arctic zone if they persist in such Fascist thinking.

In this story, an early victim of the Werewolves was Patrick Jonathan McGraw. Upon receiving a telegram from the Department of War, his mother is shocked at the news of his death. After thinking about it, Diane McGraw is even more upset over the timing.

Jerry Duncan is the congressman for the district in which Diane McGraw lives. He is also a Republican at a time when the Democrats seem to have a lock on the White House and Congress. After receiving a visit from Diane McGraw, Duncan sees this death -- and others like it -- as a tool to gain political power.

Diane starts Mothers Against the War in Germany to protest the postwar deaths and to demand that the troops be brought home. Reporters see such demonstrations and sound bites as sensational news which will sell even more papers (and promote their careers). Then violence occurs during a demonstration and panic causes more injuries. Wonderful headlines!

This tale is a cautionary story about terrorism. It has been said that those who know no history are doomed to repeat it, but this saying is more of a sound bite than a truism. Knowledge of history provides warnings of previous mistakes, but does not necessarily show effective solutions to the problems. Those who know history have the option of making new mistakes.

Still, the author takes certain events and situations from the past to illustrate possible missteps in the present. The Werewolves in this story were based on Operation Greif during the Battle of the Bulge and the stay-behind operation planned for the end of the war. Both these improvised operations were less than successful. But what would have happened if such efforts had been initiated over a year before D-Day?

The story shows consequences of two different approaches to such problems. The Russians, of course, countered terror with more terror, executing hostages and shipping Germans to the gulags. The British and the French did much the same, but not as ruthlessly. Naturally, the US Army concentrated on punishing the holdouts rather than the whole population. Yet neither approach accomplished the destruction of the terrorist organization.

Many civilians back in the USA saw only the death toll and ignored the consequences of a rejuvenated Nazi society. Does this seem familiar? While this tale had the Republican party using the sorry results of the war on terror against the Democratic administration, such lack of true foresight seems to be on the other side in our times.

Terrorists do not care about political partisanship among its enemies. They only follow their own abhorrent logic and use such partisanship to forward their own goals. They gladly use every offer of appeasement and withdrawal to cause even more terror.

Note: this novel has unusual significance for this reviewer. I was assigned to the last CIC unit in the world during the Vietnam War. This was on Occupied Okinawa just before it was returned to the Japanese. I even carried a card stating that I was a CIC agent in addition to my standard credentials.

Highly recommended for Turtledove fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of historical situations, counterintelligence procedurals, and stubborn perseverance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

NOT SO TERRIFIC. REALLY ONLY SO SO. SOME HOT SEX SCENES BUT THE PREMISE IS WEIRD AND THE CHARACTERS ARE SHALLOW. NOT A KEEPER.

I am not going to go into detail, I see that has already been done. I thought this book had a good story and the characters were believable (I liked the fact the Alyssa was shy about her body at first) and the pages HOT. I would recommend this book if you are not looking for a moving romantic read, this is more of a fantasy sex read. Its worth it for the erotica.

not bad a good read and story telling. i thought Stone's best friends were yummy!!!!!! and i can't wait for the second book. the ceremony that took place one word WOW!! and that was a good wow.

KEEPER

It was a really great book and I already have the next one, about his brother, on preorder. :) The detail is very explicit but there is actually a plot that makes you feel like you are apart of the book.

Ceremony of Seduction (Seduction Series, Book 1)my opinion is the book is well written the story line flows and is solid the sex scenes are very very graphic and explicit can't emphasis that enough. some words in the book may offend some people. this is a real erotic romance and would need to purchased and read by open minded , free spirited people however if you are one of those great read and i really enjoyed it. one of those books that you get ratty with yourself for having read it too fast. oh well its book 1 look forward to book 2

I read the many reviews for this novel and finally decided to order it. However it sat on my "to be read" pile for a while. Finally I picked it up and was immediately drawn in. I have not read any "end of the world" novels before this one. The premise of the story was very clever, I especially enjoyed the fact that the characters did not spend much time discussion the "change" and worried about their own survival. There was just enough of a mix of world building and bloody combat to keep my interested. After a while I found myself really caring about the well being of these characters and eagerly turning the pages impatient to learn their fate. Now having said all that I would like to echo a comment made by several other reviewers, I found it highly improbable that all the people that banded together each turned out to have very archaic and specialized skills and knowledge regarding medieval combat, agriculture, engineering, etc. That in no way subtracted from the sheer fun of reading this novel. My only regret was that I did not read it sooner.

Dies the Fire, S.M. Stirling's first novel in the "Change" trilogy, takes a look at the world left behind by the Nantucket Islanders in his "Islanders" trilogy. Here, we see that the same Event that sent Nantucket three thousand years into the past has caused a devastating Change in the world they left behind: all modern technology based on chemical or electrical power - including electronics, internal combustion engines, and firearms - suddenly stops working.

The main characters of the novel are Michael Havel, pilot and former Marine; Juniper McKenzie, Celtic musician and priestess of the Craft; and Norman Arminger, history professor, anthropologist, and medieval expert. Unlike the Islanders trilogy, which splendidly evokes the past by showing an entire world, Dies the Fire evokes the horrors and trials of surviving the loss of a world by focusing on Havel and McKenzie, and their efforts to survive and start anew - with glimpses of Arminger's founding of a Protectorate based on medieval feudalism, with serfdom, slavery, and military conquest all a part of it.

Stirling has captured the sense of what a world without modern technology would look like - and he makes you think about just how much we take for granted is dependent on the last two hundred years or so of scientific advancement. From fantastic combat and action scenes to detailed, well-written explorations of how survivors could begin again, this book is a great read and a wonderful start to the new trilogy!

If you're into the whole King Arthur lords and ladies stuff, then this book would be right up your alley. For me, however, I expected this post-apocalyptic novel to have a little more substance. Instead, all I got was 10 pages of interesting material, 390 pages of fluffy adventures, and 170 pages of Wiccan partying.

The premise is interesting--the explosive and electrical elements have somehow been removed from the laws of physics by some unexplained event. That means electricity doesn't exist (thus, no power), fuel won't burn (no more transportation), and gunpowder won't ignite (thus, no explosives or guns). Aside from the question of, "How are people still alive, seeing that our nerves run off electrical impulses," this book sets up an interesting beginning. However, it strays off fast, focusing instead on the petty problems of social bickering, overly intense focus on adapting to "natural resources", and an overly excessive amount of focus on Wiccan celebrations. Honestly, I was sick and tired of having the ol' gang get together and have some "joyous celebration". After the second page, it was enough, but I was delighted to find a good chunk of the book focusing on just that.

I cannot figure out why so many people liked this book. Maybe it's my tastes, but the work is so tangented that it's a dull read in my opinion.

Like all major shifts in environment those that can't adapt die horribly. This strong first novel really sets you cheering the survivors. The second novel is also a worthy read, but the third is full of fluff. Too many pages decribing the pretty flowers. Hang all page number requirements by their entrails!

I really enjoyed the story in Dies the Fire. What would happen if all high tech (everything more complex than a steam engine) just stopped working? How would the world react?

Well, badly, it turns out. And reading about the collapse of society is fun. Fun, in a watching a train wreck kinda way. Very cool. Five stars for the story.

The characters were interesting and well drawn. Four stars for character development.

My only gripe with this book, indeed with all of Stirling's books, is the pacing. Things move a bit too slow for my tastes. Three stars for pacing.

Overall, I give Dies the Fire: A Novel of the Change four stars.