Science Fiction Fantasy Books

Ray Bradbury'
s book was something that I've wanted to read for quite some time. Unfortunately, I had already seen the film so I had a plot in mind as well as a mood. Bradbury as always strings metaphores together like we do popcorn on the Christmas tree. It's his main setup for atmosphere and that is the books great strength. Unfortunately for me, the characters of Will, Jim and Will's Dad are flat, underdeveloped and dull. Without a back story, I really don't have a sense of caring for the characters and as hard as I tried that didn't change. This was typical of Dickens at times. He created characters and then threw them into the story for development. I never found this technique particularly inviting for me.
The story is simple enough -- a carnival comes to town creating strange and bizarre situations that invite temptation. Jim wants to be older -- but we aren't given a good enough reason why. Will's Dad wants to be younger and the idea feels more universal than centered on the character in question and it falls short. The carnival can do this of course but at a price. That alone feels as rundown an idea as I've ever read. Everyone has that statement. The ending feels more of a fable than anything else and perhaps that's what Ray wanted out of the story. Perhaps he would have put 'once upon a time' and 'happily ever after' were it a different time.
The message -- don't fall into temptation and don't let misery eat away your soul. I don't know, the book has great mood and atmosphere but had the same feel for me as 'Tale of Two Cities' -- I couldn't want to finish it and move on to something else.

Usually I connect Ray Bradbury with weird enough stories that always seem to have plenty of heart. And I am not saying that this does not have plenty of heart, but rather than the usual strange sci-fi Ray Bradbury makes something truly horrific that has actually caused me nightmares. Through the innocence of children and a traveling carnival Bradbury makes an intelligent and creative story that deals with the hidden desires of humanity itself. It's weird, terrifying, and altogether Bradbury classic.

This is Bradbury's finest novel, in my opinion. All of Bradbury's fiction is lyrical in nature, but in this work his prose flows quickly and magically from the first page to the last.

The book is closer to horror than sci-fi, but I regard it as simply a great novel and believe that its universal theme of good vs. evil qualify it as literary fiction of the highest order. It is a book I read every few years to remind me of what language is capable of doing and to listen to the voices of Bradbury's unique small town characters as they attempt to deal with the mystifying forces of Cooger and Dark's Pandemonium Show, a traveling carnival.

The one-star reviews appear to be from the usual students who were forced to read the book. Don't be deterred. If you like a scary tale that also examines love and the human heart, you can't go wrong with SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES.

I read this book for the first time about 16 years ago, when I was 10 or 11 years old. I was so impressed by the book, which had gripped me with its enchanting prose, that I immediately re-read it. Over the next couple years, I read several other works by Ray Bradbury and I periodically tried to imitate his style for school projects. I loved the book.

I just re-read it for the third time, and I was still bewitched. Ray Bradbury's writing is impressive! He is poetic, and his writing perfectly fits the spooky subject of the book. In the book, there are dark characters whose bodies are covered with tattooed illustrations or who have been squashed down to resemble dwarves, and Ray Bradbury's writing, which is full of images, metaphors, and poetry, captured these characters and provided a great accompaniment for the book's story.

Rereading it, now, after many years, I understood the book in a different way. The book's repeated discussion of immortality stuck with me, and has a different significance for me now. Also, between the first reading and this third, I had learned a bit more about Ray Bradbury's life. Did you know that Bradbury claims that, at a young age, he met a circus performer called Mr. Electrico? According to Bradbury, this performer, who had electric current pumped through him in front of a crowd of people, pointed his sword at Bradbury and declared: "You will live forever!" Knowing this story had a significant, and I think positive, impact on my reading!

Finally, I'm glad that so many reviewers have liked this book. That's great. At times, I wondered whether other people would like Bradbury's wild writing, which jumps around, and calls forth images, and which captures the dark magic of the performing freaks. On a few rare instances, the prose felt forced, or seemed vaguely pretentious, or felt too overdrawn . . . But, when the writing seemed like this, the sour impression would only last for a moment before the story once again swallowed me whole.

I was very glad that so many readers have found Bradbury's prose appealing.

Thirty-five years after its initial release, this magical and mesmerizing story still carries a punch. The opening pages are more like a thriller where you know something is out there...waiting. You can hear it; you can feel it getting closer. And it's not going to be pleasant.

You follow a pair of young boys on their pre-Halloween adventure until you realize there is a lot more at stake than just going to the carnival. And the father of one of the boys, a meek and beaten down man, has a great decision to make. Others in the town face a temptation that could and does change each person's life.

A small town story with universal truths about life and what you make of it. This is a true masterpiece using Bradbury's poetic phrasing and the hypnotic pictures he paints with words.

Read it again.

I think this is a wonderful story and the cats are quite touching. The story takes place in a barn where a clan of cats live after their elderly owners die and they are abandoned. The new owners have dogs and don't seem to be interested in the cats who inhabit their barn.

Shame on Erin for giving a cat like Graystripe such a poor style of book. He deserved a hard cover with out that horrible depiction of him. Graystripe is protrayed in the regular series as a strong beautiful cat, These comic books make him look comedic looser. Erin, What have you done to Graystripes image? NO more Manga please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Give us back real book with real stories. You are selling out the Clan!

My granddaughter absolutly loves these books. She has the first two and I just received the third which I'm sure she will enjoy just as much.Then I
have the fourth one on preorder. I really like the larger series of Warriors. I highly recommend these manga books for kids to read to help get started on the larger series. Thanks for your service also. Very pleased with it.

My boys love "mangas" and we are also big cat fans, so when we found these....it was love at first sight! We have just started the "Warriors" first series of books and they are really enjoying them. Although they are excellent readers, I think they love the mangas because they are less intimidating than all the chapters they see in most books. We are a home school, so the mangas are for fun, the book series are for assighned reading.

This item is the second of 3 in Graystripe's Manga trilogy. I have bought both and love both, even though they go by WAY too quick! On the other hand, they give you insight on how Graystripe met Mille in the first one (The Lost Warrior) and the first part of their journey. In this one, it tells you about maybe 2/3 of their journey when they help some cats in need, like true Warriors. The next one (Warrior's Return) will tie off to the point in The Sight (I think) where he returns and introduces Millie to the Clan cats. I can't wait!

Being a former Marine was really the only thing that brought me to find this book. While not a big sci-fi reader once I started it, this book hooked me pretty good. Lots of attention to detail especially the way Marines think and operate. Add to that a pretty good story with some action and I was reading away. I will read other books now by Douglas Ian and perhaps this will change my feelings about the genre as a whole.

Another great book in the long line of Ian Douglas. You should start with his first books since they follow the same time line and family. Worth the money.

I real yawner.

I read the first six books in these three sets of Trilogies, and there were some good books that came out of this series, but I've completely had it with this series now - I basically tossed this book in the trash at Page 225, when the author names "Global Warming" as a #1 issue in mankind's history - above even the Xul threat whereby the Earth was basically WRECKED! ...even when the author had never mentioned "global warming" as any kind of real issue before in the series... it makes me sick when these SciFi authors pander to their peer group, and manage to work this garbage into their books... how can I believe a SciFi author's "predictions of the future", when they believe in superstitious future "ghosts" today?

The fact is, these books always had a problem with character development, and this entry is no different. There is simply no way to relate to any of the characters - with which you are never given an
explanation what they look like, or who they really are... and the re-using of the same family names over and over again, centuries and centuries later is ridiculous.

Additionally, the technology has "advanced" to the point that I can't relate to it at all - at least in the first few books, the technology was completely believable and perceivable... At this point in the series, I'd just as soon the Xul show up and destroy mankind, it would be very merciful.

FIN

I recall reading Semper Mars some years back and not being very impressed. I don't know what has changed, but I devoured this one and I'm working on doing the same for all the rest. I bought and read all the Heritage series and blasted through them in a couple of nights reading. Mr. Douglas does good work. I hope he's writing more, though the last trio has probably put paid to this Universe of his.

I have read every book in the series and this one continues the great story.

I absolutely love this author's style of story telling when presenting the stories of the clone special forces. Her characters have depth and her unique professional experience reported in her bio really shows through when presenting the clones and Mando warriors as tight knit groups of professional soldiers living and fighting for each other. Her stories just have a realism to them that most authors who publish SW stories just don't have.

I could barely put this book down. If I didn't have to work I probably would have finished it in one day. I finished it in two. I am now starting the next book.

It's books like this one that adds validity and meaning to the Star Wars EU. With so many books pretending to be the movies, or books that add nothing or add something awkward, its nice to be refreshed by a book that delves into the depths of the Star Wars world. Triple Zero has nothing to do with any main Star Wars characters, but that is its biggest strength. The clones are not mindless drones willing to do whatever, but rather like children experiencing the world for the first time. Yes, they are battle hardened, but they no nothing of the intricacies of the real world. Much like any child would do, they rely on a father figure to help guide and protect them. Karen Traviss weaves a tale that is so deep and rich that the reader doesn't care that no main characters show up, we just care for the characters and the relationships between them.

Great read!

After reading Hard Contact, a fun book, I was excited to read Triple Zero. This book is the second of a trilogy and expands the storyline by introducing characters and concepts lightly touched on in Hard Contact.

Overall, the book was interesting for those who like to learn more about who Clone Troopers are and how they might be used in the Star Wars universe. Certainly we're introduced to Kal Skirata, the mentor so frequently hinted at in "Hard Contact". There is also an interesting perspective of the non-Jedi in this SW universe.

But at its core, this book is a failure for three main reasons:

1. The central plot of this book revolves around taking down a terrorist network on Corusant. But the author clearly did very little research into terrorist networks, military maneuvers, and generally how to write an anti-terror story. The entire story leads up to a central battle that takes up just a few pages. That's right, the entire book leads to a peak of something like 3 pages. We're to believe that this team of about 10 clones is this incredible fighting force, yet they go up against a team not much larger than their own with far, far less training and it's supposed to be "will anyone return home alive" material?

2. The core theme, that Kal Skirata loves his hand picked clone trooper "sons" is absolutely bashed on your head. Time and time and time again. The author has taken the easy way out and simply TOLD us that this is true, rather than showing us and assuming we can figure it out on our own. (If you've read "Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter", you'll recognize this massively repetitious plot device - hand it to the read on a silver platter rather than letting them figure out your character's personality on their own)

3. Several plot points build and build throughout the book, and like the key battle, unfold and finalize in a matter of a few paragraphs. One barked order and bam! problem solved. One quickie conversation and bam! problem solved.

Don't get me wrong - this was still a fun book to read. It had a enjoyable, if not poorly executed, build up to the conclusions. It's just that after 300+ pages, by the time resolutions came around, I was extremely let down. I could almost deal with the frequent plot holes that felt like pages were missing, but the biggest issue was that I just didn't get any sort of decent payoff at the end.

At the end of "Hard Contact", I was excited to keep reading about the team and learning more about who they were and where they came from. At the end of Triple Zero, I'm trying to decide whether to bother with the final book of the series.

Before starting the Republic Commando series, I had been a fairly avid Star Wars fan, but had read none of the EU novels. I was pleasantly surprised by 'Hard Contact,' especially in terms of pace, characterization, and the realistic atmosphere Traviss created through her own military experiences and research. However, 'Triple Zero' maintains little of these qualities: it actually expanded on some nitpicky issues I had with the first, as well as adding a few more of its own.

My major issue with this novel is the writing, namely the tendency to tell instead of show thoughts and emotions, as well as the author's refusal to let her story carry her message, and instead insert her opinion into the narration itself. There is little question that the novel is meant to portray clones, and by extension Mandalorians, as noble people downtrodden by the bloated Republic and the ignorant "civvies." This idea is reiterated a few times every chapter, not just by characters, but by the narration itself. I found this jarring to the point of grating--Traviss's tight writing in 'Hard Contact' becomes unbearably preachy in this book, almost berating the reader for even considering that clones/Mandalorians are anything less than heroes of the galaxy. Kal Skirata, who intrigued me in the first book, is little more than a mouthpiece for this idea.

In terms of plot, one of the biggest disappointments of this book was the complete lack of pace in the romance between Etain and Darman--there is nothing but a couple lines of dialog leading up to "the big moment." Also, I certainly wouldn't expect an explicit sex scene in a YA book, but the fact that no true moment of intimacy between the two is ever shown caused me to care less about their relationship (which should be momentous).

I have other issues with the book as well, but these stood out most to me. Not to say the book is irredeemable, however--from what I hear, the RC series is leaps and bounds better than most EU novels, and if you are a fan of the clones or the Mandalorians (like I am), there's enough in here to keep you going.

I am an obsessive Harry Potter fan, and a 3rd year spanish speaker. I've read the first book almost too many times to count, and decided to mix it up a bit and give my self a challenge (my parents didn't want me to waste my time reading it again.) I've been keeping my english copy, dictionary, and notepad close to learn new vocab. I feel that reading this has been a great way to get better at spanish quicker. Slowly but surley, I've been using my english copy less and less. I reccomend it for anyone who wants to get better at their spanish in a fun, familiar way. (As an added bonus, I got extra credit in spanish class for reading it!)

This book is great especially if you have already read it in English. I use it for an upper level Spanish class where we also discuss relationships to myths, significance of colors, foreshadowing, grammar and vocabulary,

Being that it was used and the price was great, I just couldn't pass it up. The book was in excellent condition and looked new and my aunt loved it, being from Mexico and unable to get a lot of these books, she was so happy to have received it and can't wait for the other ones. Thank you for making her Christmas memorable.

I've read all the Harry Potter books in English, and I've always wanted to read them in Spanish, since I teach Spanish. I am currently teaching lower-level Spanish classes, one of which is the highest level of the lower levels. We are reading "La piedra filosofal" as a class, and, although my students are at different levels, the benefit to reading it is that they all know the story in English, and that helps their comprehension tremendously. Some students are moving slower than others, but they're really enjoying reading something that "real Spanish people" (their words) read. Definitely a good choice for intermediate level Spanish students as an introduction to advanced reading and literature.

I studied Spanish and college many (I mean many) years ago and have been trying to relearn the language. I remember the basic grammar but my vocabulary is pretty weak. I decide to read Spanish books geared for young adults and found the entire Harry Potter series (I made it through the first 4 so far) to be truly enjoyable reading.

Of the four I read, this and the second (Chamber of Secrets), were the lightest and the easiest reading. The third (Prisoner of Askaban)and especially the fourth (Goblet of Fire)increased in length and my speed in Spanish is pretty slow, so they took longer to read. The fifth (Order of the Phoenix) and six (Half Blooded Prince) are about 900 pages so I am pretty intimidated to tackle them in Spanish. I will read them in English and move on to some other Spanish books.

After reading these I viewed the DVD's of the films. They have the audio track in Spanish so you can train your ear, too.

The books follow the English versions almost exactly, so you can have a copy of it around to refer to if you find yourself confused about a certain phrase or sentence.

This whole series is a wonderful series for 5 to 8 year old girls. Initially as a read aloud and then as in independent reader (grades 2 or 3). It is a mix of fantasy world and mystery, with two young adventurous girls. My daughter has loved every single one we've been able to put our hands on (over 30 so far). Lots of fun!

Another great chapter in this wonderful series. As this tale continues it gets more and more complicated (in a good way) my enjoyment level grows just as much. This volume spends a great deal of it's time back in fableland with the Advisaray and his council. This really helps to expand the Fable Universe.

If you haven't read these books, then you are missing out... but I warn you that you will be attached and keep coming back for more, so pace yourself a little and don't get upset to wait for the next one, because it's just a little longer

Another great installment of the beautifully draw, ever humorous, epic of fabletown. How can you not love the Big Bad Wolf and Snow White getting it on?

I think Fables is one of the best conceived ideas in modern comics, at least up until issue 50. Ijust found this collection to be much weaker than all that has come before it.

I discovered FABLES perhaps a bit later than many others, but I'm making up for it with my enthusiasm for it. I've now read all of the nine main books, the 1001 NIGHTS OF SNOWFALL spin off, and the two Jack of the Fables books (even though Jack is possibly my least favorite character in the books). I look forward to getting the tenth book this June. My point is: this is an addictive series.

The issues that make up this volume pretty obviously are setting up big events in the future. We see a war council held by Gepetto and his minions. We see Snow White and Bigby and their brood visit his father the North Wind. We are introduced to several new characters. We get new wrinkles, such as Rodney Greenwood, who seems to almost like the residents of Fabletown.

But while FABLES has great stories, what I most enjoy is the way Willingham explores all the various facets of their fictional world. From the very beginning the series has never done just one thing. There is an astonishing variety, just as the cast of characters really could be characterized as an ensemble cast. If you were forced to identify the "lead" characters, it might be Snow White and Bigby Wolf, but there have been several issues in which they've not appeared at all, sometimes several issues in a row.

I can't wait to see what happens next.

Wow! What an ending. The only problem was, I just didn't want the story to end. If you want set up books that will keep you going until dawn breaks...get all of these.

I read it 20 years ago and I think I enjoyed it more this time.

For people who enjoy reading for the purpose of getting into the story. The books written by David Eddings' are for people who get attached to characters and love to immerse themselves in reading. To me his books are like coming home for a visit.

If you want to read simply to get to the finish line---Eddings is not for you.

While Eddings Books are not Shakespeare, Hemmingway, Faulkner or Tolkien they are enjoyable reading and a lot of fun. You will find yourself engrossed in his world. There is a lot of humor and from time to time you will find yourself chuckling out loud.

These books are definitely worth the money

Eddings writes mindless drivel, but it is ENTERTAINING mindless drivel - great for telling the world to go soak its head and just sitting back and having a good time.

p.s. The good guys win.

We get the next installment of what is going on im Rahl's life. More about Hamor is reviled... very good read.

Another well-written and entertaining novel set in Modesitt's world of Recluce, this one picks up where Natural Ordermage leaves off, following Rahl as he continues to make a life for himself in Hamor. This book tracks along a very similar pattern to many of the other books in the series, both in content and in writing style. We once again have the privilege of following a young and inexperienced mage through trials and difficulties that force him to grow, learn, and reflect on his role in life. Once again, he becomes incredibly powerful and finds himself in a position to shape history. Modesitt's writing style is very distinct, being almost overly detailed and leaving much of the emotion to the reader's imagination. Very enjoyable and certainly having improved over the course of his writings, Modesitt's writing style is a major reason his books continue to be successful.

Parts of this book felt a bit repetitious to me, with Rahl and company fighting battle after battle with similar results, and the characters struggling with the same issues throughout most of the 600-something pages. One good aspect of the book is the expansion of the world Modesitt has created. We finally learn all about Hamor in this book and the previous, something that has been a long time in coming. The character of Rahl remains imperfect, generally acting rather melancholy, but growing in confidence and bearing during the course of the book. Taryl may be my favorite supporting character in the whole series. Both mysterious and undeniably likable, Taryl plays a big part in making this book enjoyable. I'm not sure if this wraps up the story of Rahl, but this book ended with a solid conclusion that doesn't demand a sequel. Modesitt did leave the option viable, however, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Very good addition to the series. Recommended. You can read these books as stand-alones, but to get the full enjoyment, start at the beginning with The Magic of Recluce (Recluce series, Book 1).

This book is a great addition to the series. I thoroughly enjoyed the conclusion to the natural ordermage. We'll worth the price of purchase. $20AUD dollars cheaper than nearest competitor - in Australia, as of August 2008, it would cost $50AUD to ship to me. Great keep up the wonderful service.

Great..

I used to read L.E. Modesitt's books and my favorite series is still the "Spellsinger Cycle", but I got tired of Recluse after the seventh or eighth book. Now I have come full circle and I loved NATURAL ORDERMAGE and MAGE-GUARD OF HAMOR. His ability to draw you into a story and keep you reading page after page is wonderful. I did not get bored. I was always looking for what happens next. This is a wonderful read and I am going to order a few of the one's I missed. My biggest peeve is long series, but he seems to have been able to solve this problem by telling the stories of numerous characters from different ages of Recluse.

Rahl is still in Hamor, but his heart is in Recluse with Deybri, although he knows he will never fit in Nylan again. He and Taryl, a former Triad, are in the middle of the fighting between the Emperor and his brother. There are traitors in their midst and Rahl is still trying to learn to use his powers as a natural Ordermage. The story moves quickly and gives you a sense of the horror of war.

The building relationships that Rahl has with Taryl and Drakeyt, the Captain of the third company, are wonderful and the growth of Rahl from a youngster with potential, but no experience, is great to watch.

Modesitt is one of the few writers who can keep you interested and entertained for 600 pages. I really enjoyed this book, it can stand alone, but I encourage you to read NATURAL ORDERMAGE first. This is one of the reasons I like his books so much, they are stand alone good. I really hate a book that leaves you hanging out there for another year. Do not miss this one.

Mage-Guard of Hamor is ok as a sequel to Natural Ordermage, but Modesitt falls into the habit of revisiting plot from pre-exisiting novels. If you haven't read any Recluce novels, it would be best to start with the Colors series and Cyador series. Mage-Guard is an ok read but a little too recycled for my taste.

got a couple of these for moms with small kids in our family... they will read them to their little ones and all of them will have a good time! that was an easy one!

A friend of mine received this book on Mother's Day. Her daughter had glued pages in the front submitted by every child and grandchild she had, with drawings, photos, and testimonials of what she meant to them. I was crying even before I read the book. When I actually got to the book itself, the tears turned to sobbing, but GOOD sobs, if you know what I mean.

Don't get me wrong -- it's not sappy, just a plain and simple realization of what moms are to kids. I LOVED IT!!

I love Berkeley Breathed, not only for his illustrations but for his witt. This is a great book for children, the story line starts as mom being somewhat a tyrant ,the terrible things we must make our children do! eating broccoli and such. But ends with the ultimate sacrifice we would all make for our children, don't worry no one dies. I think children learn that eventhough we seem to be "the bad guy" as a parent there is no sacrifice too great we would make for them. I hope he writes more! I would buy his books just for myself.

Very clever story that open kids' eyes to how amzing moms really are. Terrific illustrations. I discovered it as a gift to my 5-yr-old daughter, but I now buy it for all my favorite moms.

My son loves this book. We read it quite often. The author is talented and the pictures are great. One of my favorites also.