Science Fiction Fantasy Books

Awesome read. I enjoyed how Karpyshyn dealt with the changes that the player might have caused in Mass Effect. A truly interesting story.

First of all, kudos to BioWare to making a landmark form of entertainment - producing two books that surround a video game. It's something that's never been done before.

I strongly dissagree that this book does not foreshadow the events of a sequel Mass Effect video game (originally intended to be created as a Trilogy of games.) Obviously this novel cannot come out and say "Here's what's going to happen in the next game!" That'd be a very poor method of story telling.

This book starts us off at the conclusion of the current game - the Citadel in ruins, the Alliance prominent in the eyes of the Council - at least what's left of it. Karpyshyn throws in some bad apples intent on using illegal operations to further advance the grip of humankind with some other characters from the prequel novel, and ends up creating a story that is much more streamlined and gripping than the Revelations novel. By the final page, I found myself extremely curious as to which of these new characters might become the next hero in the Mass Effect sequel. I also found myself wondering which of his new parallel conflicts might become the primary conflict in Mass Effect 2. Ascension accomplishes what all Sci Fi stories must do to survive - creates new splits in the story to allow parallel conflict.

Karpyshyn also does something unusual in story telling. Most novels seem to follow the bad guy, then follow the good guy, then suddenly the bad guy shows up and action ensues. Karpyshyn often follows the bad guy, starts the action, then reverses time, joining the good guy until the bad guy shows up "again." It's a unique strategy which helps to keep you in suspense just a little longer.

Lastly, be sure to know that this story starts with the Revelation novel, but cannot be appreciated without playing the Mass Effect video game, availalble on Xbox 360 and PC. There is simply too much storyline and technology to understand without the help of the game.

This novel was a great story, and I have never been more anxious to delve into the next Mass Effect game.

I was looking for a nice filler between Mass Effect the game and Mass Effect 2. In the first book, you are introduced to the villain and a mystery. The action was non stop and you couldn't wait for the game to come.
This second book fails to deliver on many scales. I really couldn't feel for the characters. I felt this book was made only to fill in details about the Quarians, because in game 1 we knew so little about them. I just thought more could have been done, and the story wasn't that enjoyable. I will definitely buy the second game because I am a huge ME fan, which is why I was disappointed with this book.

If you are ME fan, you may want to read this book.

Like i said when reviewing the first novel i love anything and everything Mass Effect so this review might be a little biased.

First let me just say that this book is written by the same author who wrote the first one. This book however takes place place after the events that had taken place in video game. I have seen a few people complain that this book doesn't further the story of the characters in the video game. While this can be a valid grip i think its important to point out that the video game can be played many different ways with many different out comes. For instance one person may have played Shepard as a female as opposed to a male. Or depending on how the played the game some characters may not still be alive.

But i Digress, so back to the book

As i said before the book takes place shortly after the the events of the video game and stars one of the main characters in the first book. Kahlee Sanders. i wont give away to much of the story but Biotics and the group Cerubus plays a huge role.

Overall i can't really recommend this book to people who are not familiar with the game because it wont make any sense. However if your a fan of the video game then pick it up and enjoy what might be a preview of part of the Mass Effect 2 story line........maybe

This book was just awesome and I blew right through it because I loved it so much,but if u were looking for any references or something like that for Mass Effect 2 like I was then you will feel bad but the book is still a great read and it informs us on the mysterious but very interesting Quarians............Oh and where are my Krogan brothers?

I don't quite fall into the targeted age range for this book, but I must admit to enjoying it. Enough so, that I ordered the 2nd and 3rd titles. This one I feel got off to a rough start and didn't find its footing and rhythm until well into the book. (The 2nd book, "The People of Sparks", hits the ground running! I haven't finished the 3rd yet.)

There were many themes in this book. The author seemed to effortlessly intertwine them in away that I think would really stick with a young person. The story would provide a great opportunity for parents to read along and start discussions with their child on such issues as anger, true friendship, sacrifice and some others.

Another interesting aspect to the story was how male and female characters played equal roles. With fantasy stories I have ready it usually goes one way or another, but this one impressed me with it's "equality." The author didn't take an extreme woman's lib stance, but instead showed the 2 main characters working in equal unity. Thus, I think this story will appeal to both girls and boys.

As a Christian I found many parallels to the Christian faith, although I don't know the author's personal religious convictions. In some ways the story encouraged my faith, though it may not for everyone. The theme of believing in a creator beyond your own little world and the image of leaving the darkness for the light are strong.

In the end I recommend this book, as well as the 2nd, for pre-teens on up!

Fascinating read. Basically the same theme as This Time of Darkness (by H.M. Hoover) published 1980, which also features two kids escaping an underground city in a post-apocalyptic dystopia.

my daughter was assigned this book and we read it together.....i was genuinely hooked on the book! it reminded me of the goonies a littlebit.

I was 21 when I read this last summer, but, despite the the 9-12 reading level, I loved it. I spent a month out of the country and was desperate for a book to read by the pool. The City of Ember was so much more than just something to pass the time. I actually found it very entrancing and endearing. I highly recommend this book to anyone of any age.

When one reads DuPrau's City of Ember one is immersed into a world so vivid, I am reminded of the feeling I had as a young child entering Disneyworld's main street USA. I felt transported to a familiar place not quite like reality. Like Disneyworld, immersion into the City of Ember is complete as the story itself moves along effortlessly.
However, like embers from campfire, the city is slowly dying--living significantly past its intended purpose. Sure there are plot issues. How could something so important as the city's future be so tenuous as to rely on a lone message--for all the planning that when into the city itself, this seems incongruous. None-the-less, following the adventures of Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow to save the city's citizens is more than satisfying.
The City of Ember is a unique book which should be experienced by every child.
Todd A Fonseca author of The Time Cavern

The Elves of Cintra makes for good, light, quick entertainment. The plot arcs of the previous installment (Armageddon's Children) are steadily advanced towards what seems like a mostly-predictable conclusion (that is, beyond whatever can be predicted from the existence of the rest of the Shannara series). This book focuses mostly on the Elven fetch quest, though the stories of the other characters outside of Elfland are tended to as well. Complaints of middle-book-syndrome are, I feel, inappropriate, as the book is just as self-contained and story-advancing as the first one (which is to say, "not very" and "fairly so," respectively).

The book's primary flaw, to my eyes, is the consistently uninteresting and often (for me) off-putting writing style. Brooks writes to keep you engaged, but it is simply the fact that you just want to know what happens -- rather than how he tells the story -- that gives any incentive to continue. I will also admit that I am a fan of consistent POV throughout a section, and the fact that Brooks shifts POV within sections (i.e., within a span of text that is not blocked off by a few line breaks or three asterisks) is distracting. It (1) prevents getting emotionally involved with the focal character, and (2) sometimes results in very unnatural language (like people referring to "the Elves" rather than "you" or "you Elves" when addressing Elven folk). I'm not even sure if he knows he's doing it, but whoever edits him should tell him to get a clue (either that, or I'm just too picky).

It's been 20 years since I last visited the world of Terry Brooks. As with almost all other Brooks readers, I was introduced to his writing in junior high school when I discovered the Sword of Shannara. That story enraptured me, and filled my 13 year old head with dreams of high adventure, swords and sorcery, and **you get the picture**. I read the Elfstones at age 15, and enjoyed it thoroughly. I read the Wishsong at 17 ... good but didn't quite meet my expectations. Magic Kingdom For Sale - Sold was a stake through my heart. Total garbage from someone I worshipped.

I didn't get back to Brooks' writing until I was 20 and in college ... I read the first two novels of the Heritage series, and was absolutely disappointed. Those were the last Terry Brooks novels I had read since then. A multitude of other Brooks novels came and went, and I ignored every one of them ... not wanting to feel that sense of disappointment again.

I came across Armegeddon's Children at the public library last week. It looked interesting ... a story set in a post apocalyptic society. I figured I'd give Brooks another chance. Unfortunately, I didn't realize it was a trilogy ... and the hardcover library cover made no mention of Shannara. I finished the first book rather quickly. It was a light read ... almost like a children's book.

I figured I'd read book 2 since I started. The Elves of Cintra isn't a bad book, but it doesn't do anything to recapture that Sword of Shannara magic. Maybe elves, demons, magic stones, powerful staffs, solar powered vehicles with rockets and laser guns, good and evil (and nothing in between) are better suited for the 13 year old junior high school kid.

I think too much time has passed by since I was that young boy engulfed in the pages of the Sword of Shannara. Supposedly, Terry Brooks' writing has improved since then. But to me, the magic is gone. Age, life, and time have whittled away my imagination.

I have been a Brooks fan since the age of 11. I have just went back through the entire series including all shannara books and the Night of the Word series. I love how he has tied the Shannara and Word&Void together. I have about eighty pages left in Elves of Cintra...then I am going to be craving for his upcoming Gypsy Morph. If you are a Shannara fan and haven't read the Word & Void series yet, I SERIOUSLY suggest that you do, then move on to the Genesis of Shannara series. It is brilliant how he has tied the two worlds together. This book delivers and leaves you hanging. I love it!

I have always loved Terry Brooks. The Shannara series is one of my all-time favorites. I really enjoyed the Word and the Void series and to see how he has masterfully spun that series into a prequel to Shannara is fantastic. This book is up there with everything else he has done.

First the positives:
1)It's definitely a worthy follow up to Armageddon's Children, and frankly it moved even faster.
2)The story was never boring, and was actually incredibly engaging.
3) Upon finishing, I have to say I'm looking forward to the last installment this August.
Downside:
1) Overall this feels like a book that adults enjoy but is really intended for young people. Some might say that's a plus, and I wouldn't argue that. I guess what I'm saying is the story and characters are very simplistic, some feeling like devices to propel the plot, with two pages of back story to explain who they are.None of this makes for a bad book by any means, and again I really enjoyed it. Having never read terry Brooks before these novels, it just comes across slightly sophomoric.

Great book, a must read. I did not put it down until I was done. Can't wait for the final book.

This book is amazing! It has suspense and lots of action. In my opinion this is the best book of the series so far. Bobby Pendragon has grown up and is totally different from the 14 year old in book one.

I like the Pendragon books. The different worlds are all very interesting and trying to figure out what the turning points along with the characters keeps you engaged with the story. Having said that, I felt that this whole book was the lets watch the hero be stupid so that when he gets his act together later it will be more impressive part of the story. Now I can stand that for a chapter or two, but not a whole book. It got very old for me very quickly. All that you need form this book to get to the last one is a page or two on the few actions important to the plot. I do hope that the next book, the "hero has his act together" book is awesome, and answers all our burning questions. But if you can just barrow this one from a freind or libary, do it. This is not a must own.

although the first 8 books were amazing and real pageturners, this one was a bit hard to keep up with. machales writing style was not top quality and quite repetitive. it was like the entire series led up to this 1 book and everybody was expecting it to go out with a bang but it turned out to have a quite weak plot and did not live up to the reputation of the series. but overall an interesting and worthwhile read

The title says it all. I have been reading the Pendragon series since the beginning, and honestly this one isn't as good as the others. The story line itself is set on second earth, our time, and I like where the book goes, and this battle was the best of them all, in my opinion. The thing is, though, the book is written badly. The others were just so vivid and you were actually surprised by who Saint Dane was, but now I feel like too much is given away and is being written by a child. I will still pick up the next book, which shall be the last, only to read the ending, but if the next wasn't last i wouldn't bother reading on...

Yan Martell's destined-to-be-a-classic Life of Pi is a wonderful read by itself. But coupled with the excellent illustrations in this volume, the story is enhanced by images from the perspective of the protagonist. If you've already read the book and liked it, get *this* version for your personal library. If you haven't read it and want to do so someday, then don't wait and get this version now.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel is an exciting, mouth dropping, gruesome, adventurous, hard to put down novel. It is about a 16-year-old Indian boy named Piscine "Pi" Molitor Patel who lives in Pondicherry, India. Since his father was a zookeeper, Pi learned a great deal about animal behavior and habits. Much to the dismay of his parents, when Pi became older he was very open to different religions. Already a Hindu, he also became a Christian and a Muslim, saying he just wanted to be able to pray to God.

Eventually Pi's father decides to sell their home and move the family to Canada, and sells most of the animals to zoos in America. So on June 21, 1977, with only a small amount of animals, Pi and his family rode on a Japanese cargo ship, called the Tsimtsum, which partway through their trip the ship sinks. The only survivors were Pi, a female orangutan, a hungry hyena, a zebra with a broken leg, and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, all in a 26-foot lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. While the tiger was kept out of sight under a tarp, the relentless hyena continued to inflict pain upon the zebra, and then mercilessly killed the orangutan. The tiger ended up devouring the hyena, which left Pi alone with this carnivore.

Now Pi had to put forth all the energy he had into surviving. He had to figure out what to do with Richard Parker, the source of his fear. He decides to try and tame the tiger. Is that really possible? Can someone tame a full-grown Bengal tiger? Pi was up for the challenge. His life depended on it.

Finally they reached land--an edible algae-covered island. The home of hundreds of meerkats, this island was actually "carnivorous". After spending a few days on the island, Pi realized that at night this island became highly acidic, and quickly left.

So did Pi survive? After 227 days at sea, did he reach land inhabited with people? Or did he die at the claws of Richard Parker? To find out you must read this book. If you read between the lines you will be able to see that the author was portraying the fear that Pi felt through the tiger. Martel did a great job with so much detail that I felt I was there in the lifeboat with Pi. Grotesque in places, I do not recommend this book to children, but if you're longing for something that will take you out of the real world and into a world where you don't know what's real and what's imagination, then this is the book for you.

This is a truly beautifully written book and an amazing story. I love animals and this story provides such a wealth of fascinating insight into animal behaviour. I know it is not a new publication, but this made no difference to the tale, plus the illustrations are wonderful. What a great value also - I know I will be re-reading this time after time.

I don't know what to add about this book.
It is based on a true story,the central character is now a Canadian citizen, one fact I can add to anyone who bothers to read my reveiw.
If you love pictorial allegories,and appreciate the wizard of Oz, or Alice through the looking glass,then this is your next book to read.
I love amy tan, margaret atwood,and arthur c. clark, and rawling's harry potter series.
This is an extroardinary book.It is not like anything I read before,including the abovementioned.
One of the best of the best books written.It's Darwin,Jung,Freud,Kahil Gibran,with a touch of Ekhart Tolle.

This is a really classic book.
This is an allegory within an allegory and therefore is a doubly deceptive book. If you try to read reality into it, you have missed the point. Remember this is a novel; it is not real life and and I do not refer only to the seeming confusion on the end.
This is the story of the difficulties of a young man forsaking one culture to live in another, when he is given no choice. Think of this boy moving from India to Canada and the difficulties that he faces particularly the pull of India that, if he does not conquer, will destroy him: the 450 pound tiger he has to control. Think of the alien character of the sea: Canada is as alien as the sea.
This is a truly exciting book that I recommend people re-read from the double allegory perspective.

In the latest installment of the Mercy Thompson series, we find Mercy, a walker who can turn into a coyote, in more trouble. During a night out with some friends, Mercy receives a call from her mentor Siebold Adelbertsmiter, better known as Zee. It turns out that someone has been killing the fae, so Zee enlists the help of Mercy, hoping that her nose might pick up the scent of the killer.

The investigation leads them nowhere. Zee decides to investigate more, while Mercy heads home. Hours later, she receives a call later informing her of Zee's arrest. Mercy is determined to find out who the real killer is, even if the whole fae community wants to kill her for poking her nose in fae business.

I just finished this book and I have to say this is the best book so far in the series. The books just keep getting better and better and as each book finishes, my love for the character Mercy continues to grow.

Mercy does end up going through a traumatic event in this novel, which did anger some people. I was spoiled about this, so the shock value didn't hit me as hard as someone who didn't know what was going to happen. That being said, it's still shocking and hard to read. I didn't mind it so much, simply because it did show that no one is ever safe, not even supernatural characters like Mercy.

So many female characters in urban fantasy novels rush into action alone and without back up, leaving them open to any attack, most of the time they never suffer any consequences for their action. So reading that Mercy actually didn't leave unscathed, made me love this novel even more, though I still wish she didn't have to go through that.

The aftermath of it was heartbreaking, but it solidified my love of Mercy. I wanted to find her, give her a hug, and tell her that everything will be okay. I do understand that some people might not like this, but to me it brought the human side of Mercy and it showed that she isn't invincible. Sometimes when we do risky things, we get hurt, even if you are not human like Mercy. While it brought the human side of Mercy, I loved how it also brought the human side of Ben, who we've seen as just scary. The event, really humanized a lot of characters.

Mercy also chooses between Samuel and Adam, which pleased me greatly. I don't mind love triangles, I just hate incredibly long love triangles that span through many, many books. If a love triangle goes through more than six or seven books, I just lose any love I had for those characters. Also, I use to watch Passions and that kind of killed my love for incredibly long love triangles. It killed my love for many things actually. Thankfully, Mercy didn't make me suffer and I was pleased with her choice.

My only disappointment to this great novel is the lack of vampires and Stefan, but that's okay since I don't think they would have added anything to the story.

This is an awesome book. Make sure you grab yourself a copy.

I look at Mercy as a strong independent woman. Patricia Briggs' story shows how even the strongest individuals, after such an emotional traumatic event, need someone to lean on. She won't let them take care of her forever, but for a while it is nice to know you have people willing to do things like that for you.

Ben's explanation to Adam at the end of the book is some of the best writing I have ever read. The emotion in those few pages will stay with me for a long time.

Mercy is a shape shifter, but she shifts into a coyoto. She it also torn between two men, Sam who she grew up with and Adam her neighbor. Adam is the leader of the werewolf pack. The book is the third in the series and her former mentorMercy is a shape shifter, but she shifts into a coyote. She it also torn between two men, Sam who she grew up with and Adam her neighbor. Adam is the leader of the werewolf pack. The book is the third in the series and her former mentor is accused of murder and left to rot behind robs for a murder that Mercy knows know he didn't commit, she sets out to prove his innocent. Along the way, she runs into some serious trouble, toward the end of the book, the situation, becomes violent toward mercy, will she survive? Can she be she healed? I looked forward to reading the next book in the series? Do yourself a favor and read this series, you won't be disappointed. Mercy is a shape shifter, but she shifts into a coyote. She it also torn between two men, Sam who she grew up with and Adam her neighbor. Adam is the leader of the werewolf pack. The book is the third in the series and her former mentor is accused of murder and left to rot behind robs for a murder that Mercy knows know he didn't commit, she sets out to prove his innocent. Along the way, she runs into some serious trouble, toward the end of the book, the situation, becomes violent toward mercy, will she survive? Can she be she healed? I looked forward to reading the next book in the series? Do yourself a favor and read this series, you won't be disappointed. is accused of murder and left to rot behind robs for a murder that Mercy knows know he didn't commit, she sets out to prove his innocent. Along the way, she runs into some serious trouble, toward the end of the book, the situtation, becomes viloent toward mercy, will she survive? Can she be she healed? I look forward to reading the next book in the series? Do youself a favor and read this series, you won't be disappointed.

A little shocking towards the end, but I love how strong she is. I can't wait until the next book.

Terribly awesome books. CAN'T wait till Bone Crossed comes out in FEBUARY!! The suspense is horrible. There's a sneak peak though at the end of Patricia's Cry Wolf (which was amazing). =D

The modern vampire genre is largely one intended for light and entertaining reading, and fans do not often make the mistake of "expecting too much" from such fiction. To this end, Harris delivers - she presents readers with quick easy reads without requiring much engagement or consideration.

As the series continues, her skills and confidence as an author continue to improve. However, her established setting is increasingly problematic - though a small town is certainly a charming setting for a novel or two, the height to which Harris has taken the supernatural has likewise increased the absurdity of her books, and becomes a detracting factor.

I never thought I would enjoy this series, but right from the first chapter of book 1, I was hooked!! This is not the kind of book I would ordinarily buy, but book 1 was given to me by a friend. she had not read it & said she bought it by mistake. I happened to open it up when I had nothing else to read & "BAM" I was hooked!!
I find Sookie an absolute delight. I love reading about each & every new & different species she manages to come across. She is serious where she should be & light hearted where it's appropriate.
I'm so happy that Sookie & Eric get together in this book, since I've always been rather partial to him.
I look forward to the other books in this series and I sure hope they all stay as good as the first four.

Love these books. Definitely adult reading..totally entertaining. adult situations are enchanting..makes YOU want to be Sookie! Some hot vamps running around!

Love it, the series is fantastic, Eric the Vamp mmm how can I say just fab.

Of the three books of the series that I've read, "Dead To the World" was the best. I skipped the first book frankly because I figured I got the gist of the storyline. Personally I think she should tell Eric what happened between them and then see how it goes, get over the whole Bill thing already ... move on. Frankly it's just something about Bill's personality that is a little off. At least with Eric she knows what he's all about.

That being said. I have a few problems with the series in general. I have noticed that we get a lot background on characters who are technically irrelevant to the storyline, but who pop up here and there for no particular reason or for filler. Sookie's internal dialogue waffling over various situations, and random thoughts that have nothing to do with whatever danger or situation she's facing are kind of annoying. Also, the "white picket fence" syndrome she seems to suffer from is rather odd considering the "disability" she's had for most of her life. And lastly, Sookie needs put Sam in the "male that's a friend" box and leave him there. often times it feels like she's giving him mixed signals.

This is, of course, the classic beginning reader by Dr. Seuss.

What can I say about it that has not already been said? Honestly, I can't think of a thing. Just that it is a classic, and has taught many children how to read, and is a fun read-aloud to younger kids as well.

In my opinion, this is, besides being the most well-known concept of Dr. Seuss, one of the best things he has written save "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" Tis the season of Seuss right now, and as I read this book to my class I was once again enchanted by the sheer awesomeness of this story. The writing has an awesome beat and flow and the pictures are hilarious! Who can not love the banter between Cat and Fish with their surprisingly detailed personalities? Great book for a rainy day.

I couldn't imagine our children's bookshelf without

The Cat in the Hat
Green Eggs and Ham
The Lorax
How the Grinch Stole Christmas

This silly story centers around self-responsibility. The children panic because they know their mother won't be happy if she comes home and find the house a mess. The fish fluctuates between being an annoyance and a voice of reason.

The story stars a well-meaning cat who tries to release the children from an afternoon of boredom. He brings excitement, which quickly devolves into chaos...or so it seems.

This is a fun bedtime story, nothing more, nothing less. My sons weren't looking for a debate about latch-key children and abandonment. We'll leave those reviews to the sociology graduates.

If your children enjoy this book, I also recommend, "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back."

The Cat in the Hat
By Dr. Seuss

The Cat In the Hat was my first book. I remember reading it to my mom in the kitchen while she cooked dinner.

Your children's book collection would not be complete without a copy of The Cat In A Hat.

Jill Ammon Vanderwood, author
Through the Rug
Through The Rug: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)

Times have changed. Little kids left home alone and shouldn't they have been told by their parents not to let anyone in?

This is the book that must of led to a lot of wild house parties and may have spawned many party while your parents are away flicks (Risky Business, etc).

A good fun read with a lilting cadence!