Science Fiction Fantasy Books

Kind of a disappointment. The story was good but way too short for the $$$$

After seeing "The Golden Compass," I had to read the trilogy "His Dark Materials." It was a thrilling fantasy that left me thirsting for more, but--guess what?--that is all there is right now. But there was this little jewel of a book. It really is just a short story/chapter and a charming map of Oxford, but it was what I needed to decompress and wait patiently for "The Book of Dust."

I really enjoyed Pullman's Dark Materials and so when I saw "Lyra's Oxford" I was excited to read a new one. I neglected to look at the page length. When it came and it was a very small book, I was immediately disappointed. The story itself was okay, but it was so short I just felt short-changed. Pass this one up.

I loved this little book. It took me back into Lyra's world for a short visit without having to delve into the large books. I could accompany Lyra and Pan on their small adventure, this time without her friends Will and Roger. I love Philip Pullman's descriptions - he transports you to the place in time and you can actually see the characters. His Dark Materials features prominently in my collection and I am pleased to add Lyra's Oxford to it. Just for the record I am 69 y.o. I think there are different facets in Pullman's books to appeal to all ages.
This is a great little quick fix for Philip Pullman fans.

I purchased this book with the high hopes of giving me the closure I felt I needed after reading the awesome Golden Compass trilogy. Unfortunately, this did not deliver. In reality, it was a big let down and I was disappointed...very disappointed...

I felt this short story was more of an "extra" that fitted no where in the trilogy, and to turn it into a quick buck, the author titled it after the original main character to trick people into buying it... Well... he got me! =D

I read the entire darn thing while I was in my doctor's waiting room.

Simply put, it's a very short story, nothing really to do with the original trilogy, and required no further thought process: you just read the story and is left with nothing to ponder over.

Although it was not "terrible," I would not recommend it.

As a matter of fact, I gave the book to the friend that made me read the trilogy so he wouldnt waste his money! It's one of those books (and I have many!) that isn't even good enough to stay in my library.

All of L.A. Banks' Huntress series is exciting, but ... The Shadows was so action-packed that I could not put it down at all!!! In fact, I was so engrossed in what I was reading that I was searching for more pages at the end of the book! My suggestion is to read the whole series, but in case you have already... look forward to an excellent read in The Shadows!!

The Guardian team is on the move again, doing what they do best. Only this time, the game has changed and expanded to include one particular bad guy that fans of the series have been whispering and wondering about.
There's a little more at stake this time: the team itself is expanding and about to produce new fruit, while a beloved member of the Guardian team is lost.
He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named is hard at work creating chaos with Lilith and the rest of the Vampire Council. The action scenes are off the chain, as usual. What else can you expect with the Armageddon at hand? More seals are broken and all hell is breaking loose--literally.
I'm being deliberately vague. Nothing I say here even compares to the breath-holding, page-turning drama that unfolds in this book. Mama Banks outdoes herself yet again in this prequel to the last book in the series. I'll be sorry to see it end, but know that there's more in store for this fantastic author and ALL of her work.

This is definitely a bridge book. If you have not read any other book of this series, this is not the book to start with. You won't understand the love, the battles, the characters, the sacrifies, the pain, etc. I will try not to give too much away to spoil the book for anyone else. I just wanted to say that I'm going to be so sad when this series ends. What am I going to do without Carlos, Damali, Val, Yonnie, 'Bazz, Mom Mar, and the rest of the Neteru and Guardian teams. It's bittersweet but then maybe it won't end, there is a baby or maybe two or 6 in the mix. hahaha.

Love you LA Banks. Thank you for writing these great stories I'm an addict. When I pick up a good book I can't put it down. I can always finish a Banks book in 1 sitting.

This series is a great...

THE SHADOWS is the eleventh book in the Vampire-Huntress series and this time LA Banks turns up the heat a notch on both sides of the playing field. LA Banks continues to take readers on the fight of all humanity.

Carlos & Damali Rivera has inherited two more Guardians to their team. As it grows, it becomes a truly unique scene now that the Neteru team has made a direct hit to Lucifer himself as well as taking out quite a bit of the Underworld's team. However, nothing comes with such a reward that drama could not follow. The Unnamed One is so furious that he has taken the broken seal and made it worse determined to make the Guardian team respond because he wants revenge. With daywalkers walking around and two ex-master vampires on the other side, the dark side finds itself fighting the battle that matter most. The light side has made some revelations in reference to the Million Neteru team that has all the males on point as well as all the females accurately aware of the fight that matters the most THE FINAL BATTLE.

L.A. Banks is an author who mesmerizes you with her novels that brings you to look at present day problems as well as to connect with the various characters in her books. LA Banks has given us nothing but winners since THE MINION. This book is defiantly a must and if your picking up this book and haven't read 1-9 STOP don't even open the cover don't read the back cover don't look at the reviews click back and start at The Minion and get the series and then begin you will never regret it.

Really - just how many times can Carlos be tripping? GROW UP! His acceptance of his powers, and role in the scheme of things was a nice change, but some of his old attitudes...grrr. The resolution of Father Pat's battle w/ Satan from the last book was handled very well. It would also be nice to have the group come up with a plan of *action* sooner than the final chapter for once.

The introduction of Count Vlad/Dracula - which you just know *had* to be coming - was handled nicely, and the inter-politics on the Council was ironically, some of the more enjoyable parts to read.

Although I did like the descriptions of the other Guardian teams, I also felt rather disconnected from them. Not being black, there are times in this series that I expect to feel like an outsider with some of the terms & mannerisms... but while reading this book I *really* felt like an outsider, and it considerably lessened my enjoyment of "Shadows".

I'll be back for the next round of battle, but with reservations.

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!

This book is actually good but, you will want to go back and start at the beginning. This series is very addicting. Once you start reading about
the Argeneau family you will not be able to stop. This book is funny, full of action scenes and a hero that makes you wish you were part of the book Just to be with him. You will love him From the beginning what woman would not fall in love with a man that is sexy,handsome,considerate,sexy,and loves his family the way thomas does. read it and I guarantee you that you will want to read the rest in the series.

VAMPIRES ARE FOREVER - is the 8th book in the Argeneau vampire family saga.

I feel this book is going to be hard to review - as I LIKED it -but after I finished it I kind of wondered if I had liked all that much! I was disappointed that like with TALL DARK AND HUNGRY, the book lacked intensity and depth. I liked the two lead characters - Thomas (a younger vampire in the Argeneau family) and Inez were great couple together. Thomas was portrayed here as a mature and interesting individual - with depth - and not the youngster in the family. Inez was a professional and intelligent woman, able to make decisions and not the usual empty-headed heroine. Unfortunately, the sub-plot, a rather convoluted narration about the "searching for mom" mystery - Marguerite Argeneau, took over rather than focusing on their story.

The book has a beautiful cover but in my opinion VAMPIRES ARE FOREVER was more of a "filler" for the next book VAMPIRE INTERRUPTED - Marguerite's story. The novel ended very abruptly and there was actually no resolution. Frankly, after reading the 370 odd pages, it failed to leave a lasting impression on the lead characters and felt somewhat cheated, as Thomas and Inez story deserved more meatiness to their story and it was rather lacking.

Mostly, the story revolved around them traipsing to Amsterdam and England looking for Marguerite, who is never found and incessant phone calls between Thomas, Bastian and other Argeneau family members...

I believe in creating a cliffhanger scenario for a next book - but VAMPIRES ARE FOREVER had a lot of holes and left plenty of unanswered questions.... I have tremendously enjoyed all of Lynsay Sands' novels (including her historicals), but in the last couple of books I've read, she's had a bit of a hiccup in her writing style. I am just about to start VAMPIRE INTERRUPTED and hope that it reclaims Lynsay's old style.

Still, after all that is said - I did like the story as I finished it. For those hard-core fans of the Argeneaus - you will want to read this one so that you can form your own opinion!

In this book we learn a little about Thomas, what he does for a living and meet his lifemate but truly this book doesn't go into too much detail
into their relationship because it is telling about the search for his mom before telling her story in Vampire Intterrupted. Is this a stand alone book? Hardly. As with the other books I wish she would have chosen to go into more detail like is Unia decesnded from the mortal friend Thomas had with the same last name. I hope she writes more about
Thomas in a later book somehow, for this book truly was more about the
search for his mom than him, and in all the other books I enjoyed Thomas
interaction with his family.

Although I did enjoy this book I found it lacked something that the others in the series have, a real in-depth exploration of the lead characters. I felt Thomas was given the short straw, I really wanted to know about his music and his past, also what happens to Thomas and Inez afterwards? where do they live?
There seemed to be too many introductions of other characters from the series which prevented the depth in this book. Still a nice read :)

It was another great read! I was only a little disappointed in the end. I just wished for a couple more chapters on the main couple. Oh well...it just made me glad the next book was already out!

This is the gorgeous sequel to Julia Donaldson's amazing and imaginative story, the Gruffalo. If you thought she couldn't top The Gruffalo - then think again. Again, this has been ably illustrated by the amazing Axel Scheffler - whose pictures of the Gruffalo cave and gruffalo toys had my kids in fits of laughter even before the story began.

Again the amazing rhyme and rhythm which Donaldson manages to put into her rhymes really manages to draw children into the story. They are amusing little observances throughout. I must admit, the first time I read this I assumed that the gruffalo child and the mouse, when they finally met, would make friends - but no - the Gruffalo child just wants to eat the mouse as well! And once again, the mouse is too cunning to let that happen.

Gorgeous book which I am sure your children will love as much as I do. We seem to have a stack of Julia Donaldson and Lauren Child books by our bed which are read over and over as bedtime storys.

If you and your children have read The Gruffalo so many times that all of you can pretty much recite it, I would highly recommend getting this sequel. The Gruffalo was one of our top reads, and now that we have The Gruffalo's Child it's been a quick replacement. I think we enjoy it as much as the first book -- and the fact that we get a change of pace but with familiar characters is an added bonus. There's much to enjoy in the detailed illustrations as well. Both books are great!

This has been the "must read" book at our house for six months straight. The three year old has not tired of it! Amazing. He knows every phrase and allows NO substitues. Perfect!

My sons (1 and 5 yrs old)and I really enjoy this book as well as "The Gruffalo" and others by Julia Donaldson. The rhyming is fun and helps the story flow and I enjoy the lesson and/or wit behind each story. These are sure to be favorites for a long time.

Bravo. This is a wonderful book. We loved the first one: The Gruffalo. This is a very sweet and whitty book with great cadence. My children love her books. It is a must read.

What can I say? Good for any Halo fan who likes a good comic.

I read through this book while on a short visit to the library. I had been looking forward to it and was amazed that it was even on the shelf. Once I "read" it I understood why it was there. WAY too short and WAY too hyped. I expected a lot more from the game that redifined the FPS, and has set THE STANDARD for online gaming. I am a huge fan of HALO, but I would be doing everyone a disservice if I recommended that anyone actually BUY this book. Maybe a second edition will prove a better tome.

From an outsider's standpoint looking in, they say one should never judge a book by it's cover but I will do as such nonpussed because the dynamics of the combative format is such that of such exclusite artful review that need I say more??

Wow was this a hard book to get. This was PLEASE mom and dad this is what I want for Christmas my son said. So to my dismay this is no longer in print. The first order I order through here but it was someone from the UK that ended up Cancelling my order 1 week before Christmas. Got back on and did another search for a new one it ranged from $45-$260 so we went with a slightly used book. You cannot even tell.. for $30...
The book so you all know is VERY COOL BUT it is a comic book not like the other halo books you are probably use too.

As a hardcore Halo fan, this is just downright disappointing. None of the stories follow Master Cheif, or Captain Keyes, or anyone remotely recognizable from the Halo universe except Sergeant Avery Johnson. The story with Sergeant Johnson is the only one worth viewing. This is an ok gift idea for someone you know who enjoys all things Halo, but if you really wanna get them something of value, go with one of the real novels instead.

if I can save just one person from falling into the pit of reading this series, I have done my duty to society.
Save yourself from a hard fall.
The ending, 'Confessor', most awful ending I ever read in my life!
And worse, bad writing!!!
And worse because many of his books in this series were so awesome.
I really loved most of his books.But...I just read finished the last book last night.I got it from the library. I'm thanking God I didn't buy it.When I got it from the library, I noticed the spine was all broken and torn. I was intending to fix it...but now I realize it must have been because the last reader threw it against the wall.
I was tempted to as well, but didn't.
It was as monotonous and amateurish. Where the heck was his editor??
I should have listened and not read the book and just made up my own ending.

The one thing I think I hated the most was the way he ended it the whole boring slog.... It was COMPLETELY obnoxious.

His theme in most of the books was to protesting religious zealotry. Those in the Order where following some misguided notion that they were killing in the name of the creator and lived under very communistic conditions.

As I read Confessor the preaching and reminding got so irritating I ended up simply skipping pages and pages of 'reminders'.

Through out the series there seemed to be an acknowledged basic natural(and good) desire to connect with the Creator and the spiritual connection in all of us. And that there was indeed an afterlife and he seemed to be pointing out that those killing in the name of the Creator are wrong.

Also, Goodkind spends many chapters explaining the 'theology' of his fantasy world....how magic works and is connected with the underworld etc etc..But then he completely trashes it AND connects his fantasy world to our real world!!! The whole effect was disconcerting and took away from the 'fairy tale ending'...because you know in this ending the Creator is dead, or consigned to some corner and told not to bother anyone ever again.

In the end Richard destroys the entire afterlife for those banished to the non magic world, where he conveniently alludes to those formally of the Order are now the 'building churches'!!! What?)
Not mosques, not temples, not circles...but CHURCHES! (and not just any Churches, but CATHOLIC churches because they use medals and 'talismans'. What?)

Excuse me? Is Terry Goodkind really this ignorant, or is he just another patsy for the secular order that is encroaching with the culture of death? I think both.

Does anyone want a link to pictures of happy young jihadists brandishing the hands of Christians and other kaffirs they collected for allah???? Those of the Order where more like militant islam and the Saracens of history and militant communism and nazi's rolled up in one!! Knowing that as of this minute while I write this thousands of Christians are being executed for 'blasphemy' and oppressed with well documented sharia dhimmi laws in muslim countries or as in communist China's case, having children ripped from their wombs because they value life and would want to welcome a new child among them,...but it's against the godless of laws of china. Or what about the mass graves of Orthodox and catholic priests and nuns from Communist Russia and it's former satellites??

What an insult to those really truly have and are suffering on behalf of the values of life and liberty.

Ugh. I was completely irritated that I even read the series to begin with. I will not bother to watch the TV series.

My advice is save yourself aggravation and money and skip this series.
It's a garden path to nowhere even if slavish anti-catholicism and Nietzschism doesn't bother you, the ending is so horrifically badly written, disjointing and boring after so many really good books, you come out of it feeling like you were slapped...hard.

M~

The condition was just as described and I got it very quickly. Will definitely buy from thos seller again!

I started this series a few years ago, and had some stuff going on in my life so had to leave off after Debt of Bones. I have recently picked it back up, with Chainfire, and am reminded how much I love these books. On the one hand I want to go back and re-read from 1st Rule, but I wrestle with wanting to go forward because I want to know where Kahlan is. LOL I get so wrapped up that I have found myself crying for characters, thinking of them like they are my friends throughout the day, not to mention the laundry that sits waiting because I can't tear myself away from the pages. So I try to "think of the solution"...I need therapy...or maybe the world could stop just for a month or so so I can read without having to worry about work, shopping, you know, annoying stuff like that! LOL This is a must read for all gamers, geeks, and fantasy lit buffs...and even those who aren't but are looking for a great adventure with deep characters that are in a dynamic world and situation, with a little humor thrown in. Must read for all...or I'll sic my MordSith on you.

I love this series, the shipping was very quick, the only thing I disliked was the quality of the novels themselves. They seemed just like a mass produced paperbacks with missing words and misaligned pages.

I bought this set on the piles of praise and good reviews, only to be sorely disappointed and unable to get through half of the first book.

Goodkind writes like a bad teenage poet, and in such ridiculous absolutes which betray a very limited perspective of people and life in general. The dialogue is drivel. None of the characters are remotely original or even slightly interesting. The plot is meaningless and arbitrary. The characters do things which constantly force one to ask "why?", and leave him with no good answer.

If you're looking for a great read, steer clear of Goodkind and look rather to George R. R. Martin, Gene Wolfe, and Robin Hobb.

I'm most fascinated with the way Murphy creates her own fantasy worlds using our own myths and legends, then shaping them and crafting them to fit her stories. Her treatment of gargoyles, for example, follows the archetypes of hunched, brooding guardians, while adding new twists, such as the ability to appear human. (Gargoyles may walk among us...!)

But what makes this story most compelling is the way it is revealed through the eyes of its protagonist, Margrit. Murphy's strength is in letting us identify with a character, then journey with her through new and often frightening paths.

I would highly recommend this for readers who enjoy personal stories of discovery through fantastic yet familiar worlds.

This is an excellent series (I've read both one and two) with well thought out plot and characters. The third book is supposed to be coming out in the fall and I'm really looking forward to it!

Beauty and the Beast meets Dracula meets murder, mystery and mayhem!

What a great series! Can't wait for more.

C.E. Murphy has a unique style, I think. I like that her characters are not too whiney or unrealistically brave. I read this book in two days. Yes, I disappeared from my family for two days while I was caught up in this world of gargoyles. lol

I've read her other series and I am glad that the character is way different. Also, her writing doesn't seem to be formula.

Another thing I enjoy in her books is that she hasn't made sex the main plot to the book. It seems that is a recurring theme these days. I don't have anything against eroticism in a book, I love a good sex scene, but I love a good plot more.

Good story line, I really look forward to reading more of her books.

I bought this and the sequel because it was recommended to me. It sounded promising. I love the urban fantasy books and the notion of combining gargoyles and a crusading lawyer seemed like fun.

Most of the other reviewers liked the book, but it never clicked with me. I have to agree with the reviewer who said that the book was slow to start. I also found it very slow. Although Margrit and Alban do make contact of a sort (ala Angel stalking Buffy kind of thing if you watched Buffy The Vampire Slayer), the pair don't have a real conversation until over half way through the book.

So you don't really learn much about the author's vision of gargoyle culture/society before then. There's just vague hints. After that you may find out more. I don't know. I lost patience and stopped reading after Alban and Margrit started really interacting and the book still felt slow.

As a pet peeve, I'm put off by characters with 'cute' names. The whole tough lawyer nicknamed 'Grit' bit had me sighing. I could have gotten over that, but then most of the half that I did manage to read dwelt on Margrit's faltering relationship with her policeman boyfriend, Tony, and their fights, and relationship issues, and attempts to get back together.

I didn't like Tony. I didn't respect Margrit for continuing to go back to a guy who not only treated her as if she was dishonorable, but very clearly was never going to be able to accept her career choice or who she was as a person. Alban was so very cautious, shy, withdrawn, and retiring that I got bored with his inaction and constant hesitation. I also got tired of Margrit's tendency to react first and think later as well as the ease with which other characters used her hastiness to manipulate her.

I found the first book such a snoozer that I doubt I will even attempt the sequel.