Science Fiction Fantasy Books

Long Review Title up there^, but I think this is going to be one of those instant-classic graphic novels. This story belongs to comics; it just shows us how strong the genre continues to grow. With the wonderfully simple art and the poignant pathos in its well-written story, it will stand for many as one of the better graphic novels written.

The characters are completely naive, yet helplessly likable. So they should be, having lived in an enclosed area for much of their lives, some since birth, they know only their walls and their "keepers," the employees of the zoo. They live, of course, in Baghdad, right before it's nailed by the US military. And in a few pages, we have the advent of a few US bombs that free our friends when they land in the zoo and break down the cages. From then on, they explore the ravages of human war and the strange architecture of Baghdad. Their old hunter instincts that they could not enact while caged are also tested against many encounters. They engage themselves in what freedom means in a world so far away from where they once lived or fantasize of living in.

With the theme of freedom supporting the plot, we are left pondering it and reflecting on the current war where nothing is left unhindered in the wake of battle. The story is full of symbols, from paintings of myth and statues to the very colors of the palette: mostly red and orange. Pristine colors that we see are usually there to hide something, something with menace or bespeaking gloom, always a byproduct of man's strife. The story is mostly simple and the characters lovely, but, again, the story is something that will settle within you, especially with the heartbreaking moments. So, what else to say... buy it!

Pride of Baghdad

If you are picking this up as a fan of BKV's work you may be disappointed. If you are picking this up as a fan of Nico Henrichon's art, you will NOT be disappointed in the least.
Pride of Baghdad is one of the most beautifully illustrated books of our time. This book is worth a read if you enjoy fine comic book art, stories about the Iraq War, or stories about talking animals. :)
I do only recommend this books for kids 13 and older though. There are some pretty graphic depictions of violence in this book.

A few days after reading "Pride of Baghdad," you're going to forget all about it.

Which is a little odd: certainly one has here all the ingredients for a deep, affecting masterwork. You have a proven writer (Brian K. Vaughan) and a proven artist (Niko Henrichon) taking on issues that are both timeless and relevant. Some of the themes dealt with here are ones which the greatest artists in the Western tradition have wrestled with.

You see, this is a graphic novel (basically a long, handsomely printed comic book) about a group of lions in Baghdad. It draws its inspiration from a true story: in March of 2003, American bombs hit a Baghdad zoo, knocking out a wall in the lions' enclosure, which allowed several lions to escape. When, after a few days, the lions were shot by U.S. troops, the incident made it to BBC and CNN.

That's the extent of the similarity with the actual incident: the authors then take quite a bit of liberty with everything else, such as the fact that in this story, the various species of animals can talk to each other and reason elaborately.

The big lesson here is that the lions cannot handle their freedom: they're used to having things handed to them and living an institutionalized life where thinking, risk-taking, and resourcefulness have been rendered unnecessary. At liberty, the find themselves making stupid decisions, continually bickering, and utterly failing to see the larger horizon.

Hey, the authors suggest, isn't that a bit like the Iraqis themselves? Why, the whole story is a take on what's been happening in Iraq generally! The story of the lions is a microcosm of the larger Middle East, get it? An allegory about the responsibilities -- and dangers -- of unearned freedom.

The problem, I suggest, is that Messrs. Vaughan and Henrichon lose control of this allegory after about 30 pages, as serviceable as the idea is.

What they have happening to the lions after their escape, you see, doesn't really seem to follow the logic required by this approach: it's almost a random series of events. There's a turtle, there's a bear, there's some monkeys, there's a stampede of horses. It would appear that later incidents take place not owing to the book's thematic logic but because of the cool pictures they necessitate (e.g., a battle royal with an escaped bear).

But there's a more serious problem: great art doesn't hit you over the head. It sneaks up on you.

Not this book. In a truly deft allegory, the artificer never shows his hand, letting you know exactly what he's thinking or what stands for what. This is why books like Moby-Dick or, The Whale (Penguin Classics), Gulliver's Travels (Penguin Classics), and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn have so much to say to so many people: there are a wealth of meanings there which the authors restrain themselves from pinning down too exactly.

But Vaughan and Henrichon underestimate the intelligence of their readers, I submit, instead deigning to tell us exactly what they're "trying to say." As the script has Noor saying (p. 23), for example, "Freedom can't be given, only earned."

Big mistake. You guys should have let us do that kind of work for ourselves.

Of course, it's possible that I'm entirely wrong about "Pride of Baghdad" being an allegory in the first place. Perhaps we are meant to approach this book at face value: a simple yet gripping tale of big cats on the loose in a war zone. If that's the case, I apologize, and note that there is little here that is worth your time, at least compared to other classics in the genre.

Unless you like cool drawings of cats.

"Pride of Baghdad" takes as its launching point the escape of a group of lions from the Baghdad Zoo during the second Gulf War. It uses this largely to explore the idea of freedom and the factions surrounding Iraq and its fall.

The first thing you notice is the art, which is full-color and absolutely stunning. The artist - Niko Henrichon - outdid himself; without the art quite a number of the scenes wouldn't have anywhere near the same impact. It also backs up writer Brian K. Vaughn - while there are clearly symbolic characters, Vaughan's writing and Henrichon's artwork make them living, breathing symbols, not blunt instruments of the authors. The emotional as well as intellectual questions of freedom and its cost in the wake of another war are raised quite effectively in the short pages of the book.

This graphic novel will stay with you for quite awhile after you read it. A masterpiece in its artform.

I first read this when I was about 9. My dad was (and still is) a hot-air balloon pilot, which is why I probably found it in my parents' room one day. I don't know what made me start to read it, but once I started I couldn't put it down. Recently I found that it's still in print. Hooray! It's just as good now as it was then; a very stimulating and imaginative story that makes you long to be there!

The Twenty One Balloons

In the book, The Twenty One Balloons by William Pene du Bois a professor crashes on the island of Krakatoa in a hot-air-balloon then to discover hidden treasures on the island. I think this book was very exiting and interesting and I would read it again if I could.

A professor named William Waterman Sherman sets off on a journey around the world in a hot-air-balloon from San Francisco. He then crash-lands on the island of Krakatoa then discovering a huge diamond mine and villagers hidden on the island.

I very much enjoyed the book because I love adventure books and there is always something new to find on the island. And the only thing that was a little boring was the beginning but once he landed on the island it got much more exiting. I would recommend this book to anybody looking for an exciting and adventurous book

This was a really great book and I highly recommend it to anybody who wants to read it.

This book is sort of a "Jules Vern-lite" sort of thing. And while it's more of a travelogue than a story but it's still very captivating and quite a page-turner. I recommend it to readers 10 and over, or to be read to children as young as 7 or 8 (so certain concepts could be explained). Adults looking for an enchanting and pleasant diversion will enjoy it too.

I first read this book when I was in grade school. I am now almost 40 years old, and this is still my favourite book. It's a fantastical tale of adventure, diamonds, food, etiquette, and hot air balloons! It will not dissapoint...I didn't love to read until I read 21 Balloons. The author does a magnificant job of illustrating as well.

The 21 Balloons,
By William Pene Du Bois

A man wants to stay up in the air a year in a balloon, but he crash lands on the island Krakatoa where he meets nice and civilized people. This is a very good book that is very unpredictable
William Waterman Sherman wants to stay up in the air a year in a balloon. The wind blows him in to a flock of seagulls and sadly for him one of the seagulls pops his balloon and he comes crash landing down on to the Island Krakatoa. Professor Sherman meets odd civilized people. The main person that helps him is called Mr. F. Mr. F, shows him around the island, where there is a diamond mine. Professor Sherman is astonished by what he sees, diamonds everywhere, in the size of even a human. However, through out the Island there were a few shakings, kind of like an earthquake, but no damage done. The island also has incredible technology considering they have been on the island for over 5 years. Professor Sherman enjoys many good dinners. One day, there was a huge rumbling in the island. The volcano had started to erupt! They narrowly escape.
This book is very good. It has many examples of foreshadowing, like when he landed on the island you could tell that something bad was going to happen. The 21 Balloons is also very unpredictable. Something that you think will happen will most likely not, such as the diamond mine in the middle of the island. One of the bad things in this book is that it takes a few chapters until the exciting parts come.
I would say that this is one of the best books that I have ever read. Hope you enjoy! =D

Regina Barone is lonely. She is a single mom raising her eight years old son Nick while working as a cook at her mom's lobster shack on the Maine barrier island World's End where she was born. She has no personal life at all and no hope for one in the future as she personally understands the name of her home.

While the town celebrates a wedding, a depressed Regina sneaks away to get drunk at the beach; she miserably thinks she has no one to share her bottle with. However that proves wrong because Dylan, brother to the groom police chief Caleb Hunter, is also on the beach getting away from the festivities. His ruler the Selkie Prince sent him here to investigate a demon existence. The human and the Selkie are attracted to one another, but neither see a long term relationship brewing between them until danger makes both reassess their priorities.

This direct sequel to SEA WITCH is a fantastic romantic fantasy as Virginia Kantra enables the readers to look deep into the souls of a lonely single human mom and a Selkie. The story line enables the reader as we did in previous Children of the Sea tales to believe in the existence of Selkie and half-breed Selkie. Fans will enjoy this fine thriller as Selkie are a commitment phobic species as Dylan keeps on reminding himself even while he suffers from SEA FEVER caused by his attraction to a surface dweller.

Harriet Klausner

I enjoyed Virginia Kantra's Sea Witch (Children of the Sea, Book 1) so much that I was counting down the days until Sea Fever (Children of the Sea, Book 2) was released and I was not disappointed.

If I were to debate the merits of the two, I could argue that Sea Witch (Children of the Sea, Book 1) had the better mystery, but on the other side, Sea Fever (Children of the Sea, Book 2) has a better romance (and that's saying something because I really enjoyed Caleb and Margred's romance) and better character development because the motivations of the characters felt very real and understandable.

Regina Barrone grew up on World's End. Due to circumstances, she returned to the island to work at her mother's restaurant and make a life for herself and her young son. But as any single parent can tell you, it gets lonely and Regina is no exception to that rule. So on one night, a slightly drunk Regina and not so drunk Dylan hook up.

It was a one night stand that had consequences that goes long past that night.

Dylan Hunter is the older brother of Caleb (Sea Witch's hero). He's also the sibling who pulled the selkie bloodline when he turned 13. As such, his mother and he disappeared into the sea. He's determined to remain a selkie, but his prince, Conn, has ordered him back to World's End, the island of his childhood, to find out why the demon world is interested in the goings on and if it has anything to do with a prophecy that involves Dylan's mother and their bloodline.

Once Dylan returns to the island, he finds himself drawn back to Regina and her life as he finds that Regina may be as much in danger as Margred before her. In spite of himself, he is drawn into the human world that he wants to run from but cannot.

The strength of Sea Fever (Children of the Sea, Book 2) isn't in the paranormal plotline. That's the flavoring, but not the meal of the story. The strength is in the characters. Regina is proud and prickly with every reason to be. Dylan has issues about his mother, his father, and his own identity conflict. Regina's mother Antonia is more strongwilled and stubborn than her daughter. Regina's son, Nick, loves his mother, wouldn't mind a father, but has reservation of his own as Dylan and Regina seem to grow closer. Add to that mix is the tenuous brotherly bonds between Dylan and Caleb as well as Dylan's difficulty in coming to terms with his father and you've got a story that doesn't completely rely on the novelty of the paranormal touches.

In fact, the paranormal touches are almost a distraction. Almost but not quite. Because the world of the selkie, the humans and the demon world are colliding and this installment of the series highlights that conflict that is coming.

What Kantra does well is that she balances the two elements: the characters interaction and the action. In Sea Fever (Children of the Sea, Book 2), the characters drove the action more than the action driving the characters and I really liked that.

Still, there was enough action and intrigue and questions still hanging in the air to set up for the next installment of the series, Sea Lord, which isn't due out until 2009.

As I did with Sea Fever (Children of the Sea, Book 2), I am looking forward to that book and read Lucy's story.

Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun is a massively complex work of fiction. However, this depth never seems to bog the reader down, instead it further involves the reader in the saga of Severian. Wolfe takes the basic idea of Jack Vance's classic "The Dying Earth," the concept of an Earth far in the future underneath an aging sun, and creates a totally unique perspective on this scenario.
I'm sure you could analyze every sentence of the "Book of the New Sun" and come up with an exact timeline and explanation for everything in the book. However, to me Severian's journey and experiences along the way were enough and any loose ends just further added to the mystery of my planet millions of year in the future. This is a book that begs to be experienced and leave an impression that you will never forget. Whether you want to dissect every chapter or just go along for the ride "The Book of the New Sun" will captivate fans of speculative and science fiction. Read it with an open mind and don't expect a typical genre book and you will not be disappointed.

I first read this work when I was a teenager back in the eighties. Now I'm near 40 years old, and nothing else I've read in my entire life has approached the brilliance of this story. I must have read this complete work 4 or 5 times at least, and it's still rewarding. The language is rich and seductive. Wolfe has a way of crafting sentences that is just unique, and hard to describe. Achingly beautiful. He creates images with words that will imprint themselves onto your soul.

Not everyone will like this book. But for some it will be the best thing they've ever read.

The New Sun is a deep and allusive series. If you aren't widely read enough to recognize the symbolism, allusions, and stories-within-stories, you won't get much out of it. In this way it's like a lot of "great fiction" that can be challenging to read, except that it has the handicap of existing within a genre where people expect stereotypical characters and a carefully explained conceit.

This is a classic of the genre. It's well written and rewarding. It needs close reading and attention to appreciate. If you want a standard action-adventure story, don't buy it.

Someone once wrote of Ulysees that Joyce cannot be read only reread. I think the same is true of Gene Wolfe, and in particular the Book of the New Sun, which like Joyce's work is an intricate narrative labyrinth. Unlike Joyce, however, Wolfe, has a interesting story to tell and tells it superbly. I have read and reread the Book of the New Sun several times and each time I come away with that dreaming sense of the sublime.

I think this is so because the Book of the New Sun is a great work in the genre of Science Fiction and Fantasy, but it also transcends those vague gray boundaries and rises from the level of simple entertainment to touch the realm of art and myth. The character of Severian is as complex and intriguing as any portrait we will find in Stendahl or Tolstoy and the style is as beautiful and elaborate as a Byzantine mosaic. The story moves swiftly full of action and pathos and yet following the convolutions of the narrator's pen draws us into a world of ideas as exciting in their own way as the story itself.

Stories are, I think, gifts that we give to the larger human world. They are gifts which can shape us delight us and create and renew us as persons. This, at any rate, has been my experience of The Book of the New Sun. I can think of no higher praise.

This is the opus of one of the greatest contemporary American writers. If you have a soul, you'll love it!

My 9-year-old loves the Weather Fairy books! Chapter length is good and the content keeps her interested.

This is the second series of "Rainbow Magic" fairy books written by Daisy Meadows, picking up where the seven-part Rainbow Fairies series left off. These books are innocent and engaging, focusing on two young girls, Kirsty and Rachel, who meet while on vacation with their parents, and are drawn into the magical world of the fairies, who are in conflict with the mischievous Jack Frost. The structure of this series is nearly identical to the first: the girls are given a quest in which they must help seven fairies (each with sparkles aplenty and cute, super-girly outfits and princess-y names such as Hayley, Heather, Iris, Amber and Iris... ) who have been bothered by Jack and his goblin helpers. In each book they complete one part of the quest and meet one new fairy.

It is important to know going in that these books are interconnected -- each individual volume ties in with the others, so you will want to start with book #1, then go on to #2, etc. The plots are not very complicated, but they do make reference to each other, and the idea is to read them all together.

The other thing to know is that these books are not very scary or troubling - there is action, but no violence and not much real danger (the goblins are easily beaten, and not very frightening) so if you are looking for longer narratives for young kids to read, but don't want anything disturbing, this series is good option. One criticism is that the books are pretty WASP-y, and while a couple of the fairies might be seen as Asian, basically the entire series takes place in an all-white, middle-class world, populated with thin, blonde girls and a few brunettes. Other than that, though, this is a good series for families looking for light, engaging, age-appropriate stories. (ReadThatAgain children's book reviews)

I have a [...] granddaughter. She loves to be read to. Her attention spane for these books are outstanding. She loves these books and will sit and listen through the whole book and will want more, and she remembers what the book is all about. She especially loves the goblin and the adventures that Kristi and Rachel get to do. I thought the goblin would be scary to her, but no, she giggles when things happen to him.

We've been struggling for a way to get my daughter to read now that she's run out of Junie B. Jones books. The Weather Fairies books have done the trick. She seems to enjoy reading again for the first time in half a year or more.

I have to say I haven't read any of the Weather Fairies myself but I caught my twelve-year-old son reading the series because his sister had obviously liked it. He said he wanted to read more, too.

My daughter loves this series of books - the biggest problem we have is that she won't stop after one chapter. She's 5, so we're reading them to her now, but soon she'll be re-reading them herself. We started with book 1 of the Rainbow Fairies and are now on the Weather Fairies Series. I highly recommend them!

Another fun filled adventure with Jack and Annie. My five year old had trouble visualizing this story because we haven't had much exposure to ancient Egypt. He still enjoyed the suspense and fast paced action that is characteristic of all of the Magic Tree House books.

If you are interested in fantasy fiction books like this one, read this review. At the beginning of the story, Jack and Annie go to the pyramids of Egypt. In the middle of the story they find an Egyptian ghost from the past. She is trying to look for four egyption symbols. To find out what happens to Jack and Annie, read this book. I gave it 4 stars because of it's mysterious ending.

Mummies in the Morning, by Mary Pope Osborne
If you're interested in fantasy fiction books like this one then this is the book for you. At the begining of the story Jack and Annie go into the treehouse and wish to go the pyramids of egypt. In the middle of the story they find a egyption ghost from the past. she is trying to lookk for four egyption symbols. To find out what happends to Jack and Annie, read this book. I gave it five stars because of its mysterious ending.
By Matthew Broome

The purpose of these little books
Is to encourage reading
And judging from the ones I've seen
They seem to be succeeding

A tree house filled with many books
That's like a time machine
To travel to another place
Just wish, and choose a scene

This third book's set upon the Nile
Inside a royal tomb
Two children help a Queen to find
Her book with spells of doom

Hieroglyphs and secret doors
A mummy's face up close
If you hate rotting bandages
You might think this one's gross

Through the eyes of these young kids
The reader will discover
Learning can be lots of fun
Once you open that cover




Amanda Richards, April 7, 2007

I can't believe that no one has commented on the subject matter of this book being highly inappropriate for young children, and entirely unsuitable for young Christian readers. I am not one to shun children's fantasy books, and we've enjoyed the other Tree House books, but this one is not for a five year old. Jack and Annie help a ghost queen find the "Book of the Dead," containing magic spells that will help her pass through the underworld (a place of horrors with lakes of fire, monsters and demons). The ghost queen has been roaming around for a thousand years trying to find this book. This nonsense, along with detailed descriptions of rotting mummies, make this book one to skip in the series.

the story isnt bad but it seems like there are a few parts missing, but all in all I didnt mind it. if you want lots and lots of sex your not going to get it. theres only a few sex scenes, maybe three the most I think.

I absolutely LOVE this manga! The artwork is one of the best out there. The story is very well thought out. It has a good mix of adventure and humor in it. The Crimson Spell is one of the more graphic yaoi manga I've read, lots of explicit scenes, if you like lots of sex scenes, it's a must own!

The best word for this book is Beautiful. The art is amazing and the story is great. I love it and I cannot wait for the second one!

Love, love, LOVE it!

I enjoyed this story. I am eager to see how it ends. Havi is a no nonsense, trash talker. There are no wasted words here. Everybody speakes his mind. Vald is a good substitute for Bald, namewise. The linguistic slippage between B and V is common.

This was my first yaoi purchase pretty much ever, so I was a little nervous about what I was getting. Was it hardcore and no plot or softcore with a heavy plot? I was pleasantly surprised to find a nice balance between the two when I opened the cover of "Crimson Spell."

Ayano Yamane has a gift when it comes to drawing gorgeous men, especially so in the case of Prince Vald (earlier versions print his name as "Bald," but I believe this has since been corrected) and Halvir the wizard, or Havi, for short.

The plot is simplistic at first, deepening as the two men find themselves growing closer and closer, though not ithe way one expects. Prince Vald's curse forces him to turn into a monster, and the beast is only appeased through bloodshed or, you guessed it, sexual gratification (because this wouldn't be a yaoi otherwise <3). Since Havi is the only other hot hunk around, you can assume what goes on between them......without Vald's knowledge. Dun dun dun!

Everything ties in with a quest to find a cure for Vald's curse, including conquering a dragon, taking in an animal spirirt, fighting bandits, and even being captured by an entire army of semi-wizards! The story leaves off with a cliffhanger, but it was so awesome, I have no problems waiting for a sequel.

Now, the artwork itself is absolutely stunning, and I still can't get over how well Ayano Yamane illustrates hands and facial expressions (among other things, heh heh). Clearly this is an author who takes pride in what she does, and handles anatomy as professionally as possible.

Of course, let it be known that the sex scenes are pretty hadcore, as well as uncensored. That's right, uncensored. This turns some people on more than others. For those of you who could care less about the sex, I refer you to the cute plot and side adventures.

All in all, this is the perfect addition to any yaoi fan's collection. Easily one of the best purchases I ever made. I hope every one who purchases this yaoi enjoys it as much as I did.

It starts out like an old Anita Blake novel: there's a supernatural serial killer on the lose and it's apparently up to a lonely in-the-closet werewolf named Luna, using only her PI skills and "tough as nails" attitude to bring him in.
But the plot isn't nearly as entertaining as it sounds and it quickly becomes convoluted. And unfortunately, none of the characters make up for it, either. Luna's a total b*tch, (not in a good way), and I found it really hard to believe that she was supposed to be some sort of hotshot homicide detective. Luna basically just bumbles around all day, occasionally bullies people, even tries to make an arrest at one point---with no warrant, gun, or badge, (apparently she'd forgotten she was fired, i guess). I know it's fiction, alternate reality or whatever, and it's not like i wanted to read about Luna doing paper work all day, but a little credibility wouldnt have hurt.
And then there's the grieving "russian" alpha werewolf Dimitri, Luna's love interest; a former pimp turned drug dealer prone to temper tantrums. He spends his days smoking pot while he squats in a filthy abandoned movie theater with the rest of his crew. Also, (spoiler alert!), he's into beastiality. You'd think with all those labels the poor guy would manage to have a personality, right? But he doesn't.
I often found myself contemplaiting the author's picture at the back of the book; is she still in high school or something? It would explain a lot...
I also feel like i should mention that i checked out the sequel, (Pure Blood), from my local library. Thought maybe i'd give it another try, (it's actually the only reason i forced myself to finish this book), but it was just more of the same. So head's up: If you liked this book, you'll love the sequel...

So, I really liked this book. I read it in about a day. For me it was a page turner. The only thing I didnt like was the way they described Dimitri. I imagined him to be dirty and at one time he was a pimp! I am suppose to despise him and then want her to be with him. Sorry, I just cant seem to warm up to a pimp - regardless of whether he is reformed.

Other than that, I really liked the book. It grabed my interest and held it the entire time. I am looking forward to the next book.

This book starts out with the typical urban/para stuff, in a pretty cool world with some fun characters, but it really falls apart at the end. It seems entirely too rushed towards the end, with some plot holes and just complete confusion about what the heck is going on and happened. Nothing really gets resolved, her cousin gets dismissed, she has some 1 page kinky sex with another character who dies and comes back to life with little explanation, and that's pretty much it. The whole climax demon summoning sequence just seems phoned in.

When I decided to purchase this book I expected, well I am not sure what I expected... But it didn't really amaze me.

It was a good read, funny and dark, but it just didn't convince me...
The world-building was one of the best I've read but it felt like the characters weren't 'alive'.
Like their emotions weren't those felt of normal people... And, in my own weird thinking... Werewolves should mate for life... It's one of the characteristics of the natural wolf and I always thought that it would be also in werewolves... Here that isn't the case and even though that is up to the writer... The mourning just wasn't there, when you lose pack, it's like you lose family (at least that is how I see it) the Alpha just didn't convince me of his mourning, and I will just stop here as I already said too much and don't want to spoil the fun.

Luna Wilder is a tough and independent cop who is working a tough city. She is also an Insoli (lone) werewolf. This makes things even harder as she is learning the ins and outs of being a werewolf day by day. Luna has been called into investigate some murders which all seem to be ritualistic in nature. Her investigation is sending Luna into some of the worst parts of her city.

Dmitri Sandovsky is the pack leader of the Redbacks and he is also a serious suspect in the murders. Dmitri makes Luna mad in one way and also sends her wolf sense into overdrive in the total other way. Dmitri has his own reasons for wanting the murderer to be found and its not to help out the law or the irritating Luna.

Luna and Dmitri end up working together as the investigation leads to the demon underworld. A demon has to be called into this world and all paths, and murders, are leading to a magician who is an expert in black magic. Both Luna and Dmitri are reluctant to do anything about the pull their wolves are feeling, however it turns out that it is that trust and blooming belief in the other that pulls them through the night the demon comes to call.

Night Life was the opening story in the world of Nocturne City. I was taken pretty quickly with the trouble, independent and above all gutsy Luna. It seems like she was always on the outside looking in and it didn't change after she became a werewolf. Rather it got worse. Dmitri is a tough alpha of his pack with a chip on his shoulder concerning most things. I was not only intrigued with the world that Nocturne City exists in but also by the circling that Luna and Dmitri do with each other. I will say upfront that Luna and Dmitri do not have their happy ever after yet, however they have started a rough and tumble relationship and I personally can't wait for the next book in the series to come out so I can see just where that relationship goes. This couple will keep me on the hook until the end I have a feeling. Night Life is listed as a dark fantasy and it reminded me of a really well done urban fantasy. If you are looking for a series that is intriguing, fast paced and keeps you up late turning the pages, then you are looking for Night Life.

Jo
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I was surprised after reading this book that it was in the romance section of my library. The book sounded interesting and I love to read paranormal books so why not? I was wrong because it has nothing to do with paranormal. Not really.

The character, Gaby Cody, is one tough girl. She is the epitome of anti-social. She is used to fighting for herself and taking on the weight of the world. She is also used to living life as alone as possible. She barely tolerates her landlord, Mort. SHe treats him horribly yet, he still continues to try and cook for her and take care of her. Mort claims to see something more underneath the tough exterior.

Then there is Detective Luther Cross who seems to be a character who can get any woman he wants but he is only interested in Gaby. Meanwhile, Gaby really wants to drop him and move on. She wants to follow her mission in life and Luther keeps getting in the way of that mission. However, for once in her single life, she is drawn to Luther. She suddenly wants to know about intimacy and what it would be like to have a friend. This does not mean that she suddenly speaks kindly to Luther or Mort. However, she does not hesitate to rush to their rescue or warn them.

I had a hard time in dealing with the fact that Luther knows that Gaby has broken the law but he still cares for her and is letting her do as she pleases. What cop would allow anyone to assault them and do nothing about it? C'mon!

While I enjoyed it for the fantasy that it is, I do tend to agree with other reviewers regarding Gaby's lack of desirable traits and attitude. It is very hard to continue reading page after page of a character cursing, fighting, and never being kind to anyone. How can I cheer for her accomplishments or feel for her, if there is nothing for me to relate to? I am annoyed with Mort for being so weak and thinking that he needs her friendship. She is a very destructive person and if I was Mort, I would be too terrified and nervous to be around her especially after seeing her in bloody clothes. What does he really get out of the relationship? It is not like they are going to hang out and enjoy each other's company. I am surprised that Luther wants to still try and be with Gaby. Perhaps, he likes an extremely difficult challenge and he will not be denied to protect his male pride. However, I think that he could do better. I would think that Luther has too much self-respect for himself to continuously allow himself to be treated like dirt.

I still liked the concept of the book and I plan to read the next book. I do want to know if Gaby is less intense in the next book and if Luther gets any further with Gaby. However, I do think that L.L. Foster has her work cut out for her to tone down Gaby's extremely unlikeable attitude. All in all, I still recommend this book since it is different than other books in the fantasy genre.

Overall I liked this book, but I had problems with some parts of it. Gaby is only 21 and she has so much to learn, but she is so rude and has such a foul mouth. Mort is her landlord and a wimp, but becomes her sidekick later in the book. Luther is a cop and may in a future book, become her lover, future love? Gaby is a type of Slayer? She hunts down evil. I will have to read the next book in the series to see if I grow to like Gaby any better.

I was at a Lori Foster book signing a few weeks ago and picked up this book. She told me it was a different style for her and a little scary so I was ready for that.

Didn't like
1. Gaby only being 21. By that age your adult personality is barely formed.
2. The age difference between Luther and Gaby. He was old enough to be her father. Ick!
3. Gaby sounded unattractive in appearance and attitude and Luther's total opposite so why was he drawn to her?
4. Hard to decide whether Gaby was a good guy or a bad guy.

However I think Lori was laying the groundwork on this one and that her characters will be more fleshed out and likeable in the next book in the series which I plan to get.
**I too noticed that the cover drawing did not look like how Gaby was described at all but I think that was supposed to be Gaby's alter ego, the heroine in her graphic novel.

It's a great concept that confronts the age old question - if God is all powerful, why doesn't he stop evil from coming to fruition?

The main character is chosen by God - her words - to answer the spiritual summonings that alerts her to the presence of human evil (no control over more abstract evil). She is His servant, whether she likes it or not. She seems to suffer from attachment disorder- which is actually quite common for children who are orphaned at birth and left in the foster system. She cannot connect with others and lacks social skills. This makes her kind of difficult to empathize with, considering the novel is told in first person. However, she does seem to grow up and expand her rigid boundaries.

Her leading man, Luther, is yummy. In classic Foster style, they have an explosive first meeting, and the tension builds from there. I could have done with more hands on activities, if you know what I mean. I wish there had been more warm fuzzy romantic feelings discussed, but the character is a total hard case, so it is believable.

I hope she softens up and becomes a woman in the next installment. Maybe a therapeutic sidekick is coming soon? Besides that loose end, I am hoping for some explanation about the thunderstorms and Luther's healing presence to be explained.

Okay, I really liked this book- I couldn't put it down. I bought it even though it sounded like a remake of "Buffy: the Vampire Slayer". This is not a new story in that I've read stories along the same lines a hundred times and it's not as BAM in your face and wonderful as one would have to be to claim the idea as its own brew.

The leading character is very brash but you can see why she might be like that not letting anyone in. If this was a first and only book about her then the writer failed miserably at bringing her character around- which Gaby needs to have done to her. However, it looks like there will be more.

One part that irks me is there were some surprise little tidbits that I just couldn't imagine happening.. One example being when the COP just all of a sudden grabbed Gaby's chest for no reason at all. He's suppose to be this angel and they aren't having sex or doing anything and he just grabs her chest. All of the sex or sexual dialogue in this book seemed.. odd or abrupt.

So it wasn't perfect, but I would say it was worth reading. Get it on sale though, mine was expensive.

Poor Fireheart. His beloved leader is losing faith in StarClan,her warriors and her trusted deputy. He can't decide what to do. When i read this book, i figured Fireheart was losing faith in Bluestar. The suspense picks up when the ThunderClan cats chase the dog pack to the gorge. Tigerstar tries to keep Fireheart at bay so the dogs can kill him. But Bluestar rescues him and loses her last life in the process. Mistyfoot and Stonefur morn for their mother and in the end, Bluestar regains her faith. Fireheart is heartbroken. He believes that he can't do anything without the help of Bluestar. But he accepts his new position. I always cry at the end when Bluestar dies, but I'm happy in the end because i know that Fireheart will become leader.

All of the Erin Hunter books are great! I just love them and have read them many times over. I am not a reader, I hate to read!!! But give me a Warrior series book and leave me alone for a few days. They are the best. Thanks Erin for opening up a new world for me.

Pre-teen and early teen girls love the series. It has my 10 year olds attention. She is reading like never before.

this book was a very good read. i would highly reccomend the series to any cat lover. you should always read the books in order, and NEVER read the backs or the character lists of a book ahead of you!!!! I found out something that you will find out in book #6 when I was reading book #4. it kind of ruined book #5 in a way. This book is definately good

The book that I'm reviewing is Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter. There are thirteen books of Warriors, this is one of the four that books that I've already read. I didn't really like it. The best book that I've read was Warriors: Fire and Ice. If you're a person who likes action, drama, and mystery, this is the series for you.
Warriors are cats who live in the forest. The cats are divided in to five clans when their born. They're Thunderclans, Waterclans, Windclans, Shawdoclans, and Starclans. The clans are in big tribes, which means big protectors which are called warriors. Cats have to be seven moons old to be a warrior. The following names are in the book that I'm reviewing Fireheart, Rusty, Bluestar, Sandstorm, Cloudpaw, Yellowfang and Tigerclaw. There are so many more names in Warriors. The Warriors books are fun and exciting to read.

By Bennett