Into a Dark Realm (The Darkwar Saga, Book 2)

The Conclave of Shadows has smashed the Nighthawks' dread plot to destroy the Empire of Great Kesh through civil war, putting an end to the murderous brotherhood's reign of terror. But there is no time for the victors to celebrate, for the mad sorcerer, Leso Varen, has taken refuge with the Magicians of the Assembly on the world of Kelewan, and is lost among the most powerful men and women of that empire. And a devastating new threat looms on the horizon: hordes of the Dasati—the most vicious warriors in the known universe—are massing to overrun both Kelewan and Midkemia.

The great sorcerer Pug knows of no power that will vanquish the invaders. And he realizes he must now enter another realm of reality if his world is to survive—and make his way to the poisonous heart of the Dasati Empire to find the answers he needs to defeat the fearsome enemy. Joining him on his quest into the dark unknown will be the brave Magnus and Nakor . . . and a disturbing young stranger named Bek, whose terrifying bloodlust and uncanny strength attest to a host of sinister secrets waiting to be revealed. But the champions of Midkemia will need every ally they can muster if their mission is to succeed in the most terrible place they have ever ventured—as they and all Midkemians prepare for battle against the encroaching doom that would swallow their world.

As Shakespeare knew, love burns high when thwarted by obstacles. In Twilight, an exquisite fantasy by Stephenie Meyer, readers discover a pair of lovers who are supremely star-crossed. Bella adores beautiful Edward, and he returns her love. But Edward is having a hard time controlling the blood lust she arouses in him, because--he's a vampire. At any moment, the intensity of their passion could drive him to kill her, and he agonizes over the danger. But, Bella would rather be dead than part from Edward, so she risks her life to stay near him, and the novel burns with the erotic tension of their dangerous and necessarily chaste relationship.

Meyer has achieved quite a feat by making this scenario completely human and believable. She begins with a familiar YA premise (the new kid in school), and lulls us into thinking this will be just another realistic young adult novel. Bella has come to the small town of Forks on the gloomy Olympic Peninsula to be with her father. At school, she wonders about a group of five remarkably beautiful teens, who sit together in the cafeteria but never eat. As she grows to know, and then love, Edward, she learns their secret. They are all rescued vampires, part of a family headed by saintly Carlisle, who has inspired them to renounce human prey. For Edward's sake they welcome Bella, but when a roving group of tracker vampires fixates on her, the family is drawn into a desperate pursuit to protect the fragile human in their midst. The precision and delicacy of Meyer's writing lifts this wonderful novel beyond the limitations of the horror genre to a place among the best of YA fiction. (Ages 12 and up) --Patty Campbell

10 Second Interview: A Few Words with Stephenie Meyer

Q: Were you a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Angel? What are you watching now that those shows are off the air?
A: I have never seen an entire episode of Buffy or Angel. While I was writing Twilight, I let my older sister read along chapter by chapter. She's a huge Buffy fan and she kept trying to get me to watch, but I was afraid it would mess up my vision of the vampire world so I never did.

I don't have a ton of time for TV, and my kids get rowdy when I have on "mommy shows," but I do have a secret fondness for reality shows (the good ones, at least in my opinion). I always TiVo Survivor, The Amazing Race, and America's Next Top Model.

Q: What inspired you to write Twilight? Is this the beginning of a series? Why write for teens?
A: Twilight was inspired by a very vivid dream, which is fairly faithfully transcribed as chapter thirteen of the book. There are sequels on the way--I'm hard at work editing book two (tentatively titled New Moon) right now, and book three is waiting in line for its turn.
I didn't mean to write for teens--I didn't mean to write for anyone but myself, so I had an audience of one twenty-nine year old (and later one thirty-one year old when my sister started reading). I think the reason that I ended up with a book for teens is because high school is such a compelling time period--it gives you some of your worst scars and some of your most exhilarating memories. It's a fascinating place: old enough to feel truly adult, old enough to make decisions that affect the rest of your life, old enough to fall in love, yet, at the same time too young (in most cases) to be free to make a lot of those decisions without someone else's approval. There's a lot of scope for a novel in that.

Q: What is your favorite vampire story? Fave vampire movie?
A: I guess my favorite vampire story would be The Vampire Lestat, by Anne Rice, simply because it's one of the only ones I've ever read. I keep meaning to pick up Bram Stoker's Dracula, because I get asked this question so often and I should probably start with the classics, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Again, I'm afraid to read other vampire books now, for fear of finding things either too similar, or too different from my own vampire world.

Ack! I can't even answer the movie question. I can't remember ever seeing a single vampire movie, outside of clips from Bela Lugosi movies on TV. I don't like true horror movies--my favorite scary movies are all Hitchcock's.

Q: What other young adult authors do you read?
A: My favorite young adult author is L.M. Montgomery I also enjoy J.K. Rowling (but who doesn't?), and Ann Brashares. As a teen, I skipped straight to adult books (lots of sci-fi and Jane Austen), so I'm rediscovering the world of teen literature now.

Stephenie Meyer's List of Books You Should Read

Anne of Green Gables
Romeo and Juliet
Dragonflight
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Princess Bride

See more recommendations from Stephenie Meyer

Amazon.com's Significant Seven
Stephenie Meyer graciously agreed to answer the questions we like to ask every author: the Amazon.com Significant Seven.

Q: What book has had the most significant impact on your life?
A: The book with the most significant impact on my life is The Book of Mormon. The book with the most significant impact on my life as a writer is probably Speaker for the Dead, by Orson Scott Card, with Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier coming in as a close second.

Q: You are stranded on a desert island with only one book, one CD, and one DVD--what are they?
A: The CD is easy: Absolution by Muse, hands down. It's harder to give myself just one movie, but the one I watch most frequently is Sense and Sensibility--the one with the screenplay by Emma Thompson. One book is impossible. I'd have to have Pride and Prejudice, but I couldn't live without something by Orson Scott Card and a nice, thick Maeve Binchy, too.

Q: What is the worst lie you've ever told?
A: My lies are all very, very boring: "No, you really look great in hot pink!" "My children only watch one hour of TV a day." "I didn't eat the last Swiss Cake Roll--it must have been one of the kids." That's the best I've got.

Q: Describe the perfect writing environment.
A: It's late at night and the house is silent, but I'm still (miraculously) full of energy. I have my headphones in and I'm listened to a mix of Muse, Coldplay, Travis, My Chemical Romance, and The All-American Rejects. Beside me is a fabulous, and yet mysteriously low in calorie, cheesecake....

Q: If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?
A: I'd like it to say that I really tried at the important things. I was never perfect at any of them, but I honestly tried to be a great mom, a loving wife, a good daughter, and a true friend. Under that, I'd want a list of my favorite Simpsons quotes.

Q: Who is the one person living or dead that you would like to have dinner with?
A: I'd love to have a chance to talk to Orson Scott Card--I have a million questions for him. Mostly things like, "How do you come up with this stuff?!" But, if he wasn't available, I'd settle for Matthew Bellamy (lead singer of Muse).

Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
A: I'd want something offensive, rather than defensive. Like shooting fireballs from my hands. That way, you're really open to going either way--hero or villain. I like to have choices.

Book Description

"Softly he brushed my cheek, then held my face between his marble hands. 'Be very still,' he whispered, as if I wasn't already frozen. Slowly, never moving his eyes from mine, he leaned toward me. Then abruptly, but very gently, he rested his cold cheek against the hollow at the base of my throat." As Shakespeare knew, love burns high when thwarted by obstacles. In Twilight, an exquisite fantasy by Stephenie Meyer, readers discover a pair of lovers who are supremely star-crossed. Bella adores beautiful Edward, and he returns her love. But Edward is having a hard time controlling the blood lust she arouses in him, because--he's a vampire. At any moment, the intensity of their passion could drive him to kill her, and he agonizes over the danger. But, Bella would rather be dead than part from Edward, so she risks her life to stay near him, and the novel burns with the erotic tension of their dangerous and necessarily chaste relationship.Meyer has achieved quite a feat by making this scenario completely human and believable. She begins with a familiar YA premise (the new kid in school), and lulls us into thinking this will be just another realistic young adult novel. Bella has come to the small town of Forks on the gloomy Olympic Peninsula to be with her father. At school, she wonders about a group of five remarkably beautiful teens, who sit together in the cafeteria but never eat. As she grows to know, and then love, Edward, she learns their secret. They are all rescued vampires, part of a family headed by saintly Carlisle, who has inspired them to renounce human prey. For Edward's sake they welcome Bella, but when a roving group of tracker vampires fixates on her, the family is drawn into a desperate pursuit to protect the fragile human in their midst.The precision and delicacy of Meyer's writing lifts this wonderful novel beyond the limitations of the horror genre to a place among the best of YA fiction.(Ages 12 and up) --Patty Campbell 10 Second Interview: A Few Words with Stephenie Meyer Q: Were you a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Angel? What are you watching now that those shows are off the air? A: I have never seen an entire episode of Buffy or Angel. While I was writing Twilight, I let my older sister read along chapter by chapter. She's a huge Buffy fan and she kept trying to get me to watch, but I was afraid it would mess up my vision of the vampire world so I never did. I don't have a ton of time for TV, and my kids get rowdy when I have on "mommy shows," but I do have a secret fondness for reality shows (the good ones, at least in my opinion). I always TiVo Survivor, The Amazing Race, and America's Next Top Model. Q: What inspired you to write Twilight? Is this the beginning of a series? Why write for teens? A: Twilight was inspired by a very vivid dream, which is fairly faithfully transcribed as chapter thirteen of the book. There are sequels on the way--I'm hard at work editing book two (tentatively titled New Moon) right now, and book three is waiting in line for its turn. I didn't mean to write for teens--I didn't mean to write for anyone but myself, so I had an audience of one twenty-nine year old (and later one thirty-one year old when my sister started reading). I think the reason that I ended up with a book for teens is because high school is such a compelling time period--it gives you some of your worst scars and some of your most exhilarating memories. It's a fascinating place: old enough to feel truly adult, old enough to make decisions that affect the rest of your life, old enough to fall in love, yet, at the same time too young (in most cases) to be free to make a lot of those decisions without someone else's approval. There's a lot of scope for a novel in that. Q: What is your favorite vampire story? Fave vampire movie? A: I guess my favorite vampire story would be The Vampire Lestat, by Anne Rice, simply because it's one of the only ones I've ever read. I keep meaning to pick up Bram Stoker's Dracula, because I get asked this question so often and I should probably start with the classics, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Again, I'm afraid to read other vampire books now, for fear of finding things either too similar, or too different from my own vampire world. Ack! I can't even answer the movie question. I can't remember ever seeing a single vampire movie, outside of clips from Bela Lugosi movies on TV. I don't like true horror movies--my favorite scary movies are all Hitchcock's. Q: What other young adult authors do you read? A: My favorite young adult author is L.M. Montgomery I also enjoyJ.K. Rowling (but who doesn't?), and Ann Brashares. As a teen, I skipped straight to adult books (lots of sci-fi and Jane Austen), so I'm rediscovering the world of teen literature now. Stephenie Meyer's List of Books You Should Read Anne of Green GablesRomeo and JulietDragonflightTo Kill a Mockingbird The Princess BrideSee more recommendations from Stephenie Meyer Amazon.com's Significant SevenStephenie Meyer graciously agreed to answer the questions we like to ask every author: the Amazon.com Significant Seven. Q: What book has had the most significant impact on your life?A: The book with the most significant impact on my life is The Book of Mormon. The book with the most significant impact on my life as a writer is probably Speaker for the Dead, by Orson Scott Card, with Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier coming in as a close second.Q: You are stranded on a desert island with only one book, one CD, and one DVD--what are they?A: The CD is easy: Absolution by Muse, hands down. It's harder to give myself just one movie, but the one I watch most frequently is Sense and Sensibility--the one with the screenplay by Emma Thompson. One book is impossible. I'd have to have Pride and Prejudice, but I couldn't live without something by Orson Scott Card and a nice, thick Maeve Binchy, too.Q: What is the worst lie you've ever told?A: My lies are all very, very boring: "No, you really look great in hot pink!" "My children only watch one hour of TV a day." "I didn't eat the last Swiss Cake Roll--it must have been one of the kids." That's the best I've got.Q: Describe the perfect writing environment.A: It's late at night and the house is silent, but I'm still (miraculously) full of energy. I have my headphones in and I'm listened to a mix of Muse, Coldplay, Travis, My Chemical Romance, and The All-American Rejects. Beside me is a fabulous, and yet mysteriously low in calorie, cheesecake....Q: If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?A: I'd like it to say that I really tried at the important things.I was never perfect at any of them, but I honestly tried to be a great mom, a loving wife, a good daughter, and a true friend. Under that, I'd want a list of my favorite Simpsons quotes.Q: Who is the one person living or dead that you would like to have dinner with?A: I'd love to have a chance to talk to Orson Scott Card--I have a million questions for him. Mostly things like, "How do you come up with this stuff?!" But, if he wasn't available, I'd settle for Matthew Bellamy (lead singer of Muse).Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?A: I'd want something offensive, rather than defensive. Like shooting fireballs from my hands. That way, you're really open to going either way--hero or villain. I like to have choices.

Customer Reviews:

Best Book I've Ever Read.......2007-10-22

The first of this brilliant saga will captivate readers. I feel in love with the first chapter. What's more interesting than a contrast between the daughter and father? Even more amazing is Stephenie Meyer's view of the vampire world. She doesn't take the "Hollywood Myth", but creates her own very real world of vampires.
Edward Cullen is the bad boy who craves to be good. With the warning words to Bella, we no from the beginning that something is fishy about him. Perhaps one of the greatest romantic moments is when they declare themselves in the meadow. From then on you no that there love is forever binding and unbreakable.
Bella's most stunning characteristic is her self-consciousness about her look. She says that she looks so plain and ordinary next to Edward. She is someone that all readers can relate to in some way.
All I can say about this book is that it will grab you from the beginning. Stephenie Meyer's debut is not only fabulous, but will leave you thinking about the world that we live in. This romance is something that will leave you wanting it, and aching in the pit of your stomach becasue of it's brilliance.

The twilight of all best sellers and the dawn of the Best Book Ever!.......2007-10-22

I barely ever write reviews, but I just had to because hands down this is the BEST BOOK EVER! I have never read anything close to this. When I read this book for the first time, I would stay up till at least one o'clock in the morning on a school night reading this. I love the characters so much, (The good guys I mean) and I get so into this book that I feel as if I was Bella (the narrator/main character) and I understand and share all of her emotions. Stehenie Meyer is an amazing author. No teenage girl should graduate high school without having read this!

FAB*****U*******LOUS*****!!!.......2007-10-21

When Bella made the decision to move in with her father Charlie---to Forks, Washington from Phoenix, Arizona-----she was prepared for dull, boring, small town life. She was ready for rain, drizzle and perpetual green--a far cry from the continuous sun of Phoenix. What she was not ready for was what she actually encountered; a extraordinarily gorgeous group of young people at her high school who also happened to be something even more extraordinary....vampires. When the handsome, young, Edward Cullen catches Bella's eye, it is filled with venom. What she soon discovers is that Edward hates Bella for making it exceptionally difficult to manage his bloodlust; for she is the first human whom he has found irresistible. Soon, the two are inseparable...and Bella begins learning the secrets surrounding Edward and his family. She believes that she can manage love with a vampire; especially since the Cullens do not feed on humans, but hunt only animals. But Bella soon finds that the presence of vampires are quite prevalent...and most do not maintain the same level of restraint. So when visitors arrive in Forks--of the undead type--and an evil vampire also finds Bella irresistible, it may take the entire Cullen clan to protect the love of Edward's very long life.

A mesmerizing tale of a love not governed at all by mortality...or immortality. I found this book near impossible to put down...this is quite possibly the most intriguing book I've read in quite some time.

DYB

loved it.......2007-10-21

I'll make it short, i loved it. it's a great book for any age, my 60 yr old mom is reading it as well as my 12 yr old niece. i'm finishing book 2 now. i'm gonna have a hard time waiting for book 4 to come out.

Addicted.......2007-10-20

I admit to being a middle-aged adolescent, mourning the end of the Harry Potter series. I was intriqued with this trilogy appearing on the NY Times bestseller list and bought all three books - I read them obsessively and back to back - Inventive stories, great characters, and I want more, more, more. Not the depth and richness of Harry's books, but the did ease my grief and I look forward to more works from Stephenie Myers. She has a great web page, too.

The Complete Visual Dictionary of Star Wars: The Ultimate Guide to Characters and Creatures from the Entire Star Wars Saga

Average customer rating:

If you can't get enough Star Wars...
The Complete Visual Dictionary of Star Wars
My Star Wars fanatic loves this book
A Must-Have for any Star Wars fan
Star Wars is a Five star choice for the ultimate fan

The Complete Visual Dictionary of Star Wars: The Ultimate Guide to Characters and Creatures from the Entire Star Wars Saga
DK Publishing
Manufacturer: DK CHILDREN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0756622387

Book Description

Provides a complete, comprehensive overview of the Prequel movies (Episodes I-III) and the Trilogy (Episodes IV-VI), this is the definitive photographic guide to the entire Star Wars saga.

Customer Reviews:

If you can't get enough Star Wars..........2007-10-19

My 9 year old daughter LOVES all things Star Wars and flipped for this book! She refers to it often to chatter with her friends about various Star Wars related stuff, and likes knowing the details about each character. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the movies and wants to know more about the characters.

The Complete Visual Dictionary of Star Wars.......2007-09-26

This book is extraordinary. The pictures are sharp and extremely detailed. There are explanations of many characters that are only seen in the background scenes. I highly recommend if you're a Star Wars fan. My 4 year old won't give it up.

My Star Wars fanatic loves this book.......2007-09-26

I bought this for my 6 year old who is a Star Wars FREAK. He sat down with this book immediately and has not really stopped looking at it since. He can barely read, but he loves examining all of the characters, and the way they are broken down and labeled is very exciting to him. He likes to see everything that he's seen in the movies, and video game, in full detail.
I can't comment on how this book is similar or different to any other book, but I can say, it's very detailed, it covers a lot of information and describes alot of the relationships and uses of the characters & items. My 6 year old can identify way more than I can. This book is well set up, with loads of information and LOTS AND LOTS of details full color high quality photos which is just what we were looking for.

Good luck!

A Must-Have for any Star Wars fan.......2007-09-21

My son constantly wants to look at this book, and he is only 6 and has never seen any of the movies. That pretty much says how good this book is. I grew up with the original Star Wars movies, so looking through this book is like looking into the past for me. It is well put-together, very concise with a lot of nice photos and a plethora of Star Wars information. An excellent resource for any Star Wars aficionado.

Star Wars is a Five star choice for the ultimate fan.......2007-09-09

This book is just fantastic, and it is worth every penny. I originally bought it for my friends son who loves Star Wars. The kid walked around with the book under his arm like a bible! He never put it down. I recently bought it for my own two elementary age boys and they love it just as much. This is wonderful gift to get for any Star Wars fan -- Once again DK has cornered the market on wonderful visual books for young children. Their books are so well executed and so wonderfully edited, they know exactly how to appeal to this age group by giving just enough information with out making it too simple. An adult fan would actually love this book too. It's a great purchase.

Grindhouse: The Sleaze-filled Saga of an Exploitation Double Feature

Average customer rating:

Explotation Goodness
Awesome
What a Ride
Not sleazy at all
Grindhouse: The Sleaze-filled Saga of an Exploitation Double Feature

Grindhouse: The Sleaze-filled Saga of an Exploitation Double Feature
Quentin Tarantino , and Robert Rodriguez
Manufacturer: Weinstein Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1602860149

Customer Reviews:

Explotation Goodness.......2007-09-14

This book is an excellent companion piece to the two movies that were part of the in theater double feature collectively known as Grindhouse.

The book treats us to plenty of pictures of not just the lovely ladies, of which there are many, but of everything from the movie. Included is the script for Planet Terror along with plenty of commentary about the filmaking process and the support network of both Robert and Quentin.
Unlike other film related books this one is not a fluff piece, there is a lot of material between the covers and this book is definately worth reading more than once.

Awesome.......2007-08-24

It's everything I expected and more! Loads of pictures and information. Even QT's AMI playlist. I love it XD

What a Ride.......2007-06-27

Talking about the movie, the girl riding on the hood of the challenger was quite a stunt and I have to admit that it was original and very edgy.
The girls in this movie were well cast and Cherry is hot.I can't wait to buy the DVD, hurry up and release it!

Not sleazy at all.......2007-05-25

Great transaction! No SLEAZY here! The book is great. The shipping was super fast. Thanks a whole bunch!

Grindhouse: The Sleaze-filled Saga of an Exploitation Double Feature.......2007-05-18

fantastic book with interviews, heaps of behind the scenes info and photos, screenplay for Planet terror and the trailers a very comprehensive book for any movie lover

Average customer rating:

Excellent Read
Unlikeable Characters
Good read - A bit disappointing
Family Tree
Do you know your origin or are you sure of it?

Family Tree
Barbara Delinsky
Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 038551865X
Release Date: 2007-02-06

Book Description

Dana Clarke has always longed for the stability of home and family—her own childhood was not an easy one. Now she has married a man she adores who is from a prominent New England family, and she is about to give birth to their first child. But what should be the happiest day of her life becomes the day her world falls apart. Her daughter is born beautiful and healthy, but no one can help noticing the African American traits in her appearance. Dana’s husband, to her great shock and dismay, begins to worry that people will think Dana has had an affair.
The only way to repair the damage done is for Dana to track down the father she never knew and to explore the possibility of African American lineage in his family history. Dana’s determination to discover the truth becomes a poignant journey back through her past and her husband’s heritage that unearths secrets rooted in prejudice and fear.
Barbara Delinsky’s Family Tree is an utterly unforgettable novel that asks penetrating questions about race, family, and the choices people make in times of crisis—choices that have profound consequences that can last for generations.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Read.......2007-08-31

I enjoyed reading this book. As a knitter the references about knitting kept me interested in the book.

Unlikeable Characters.......2007-08-28

To me the book seemed unrealistic. Good premise, but I had a hard time liking any of the characers. The knitting theme throughout the book drove me crazy. I was dissapointed.

Good read - A bit disappointing.......2007-08-23

I enjoyed Family Tree, but, unlike other recent Delinsky books, found the characters to be more "wooden" and less believable than usual. Someone else mentioned stereotypes, and I also found that many characters were very much stereotypes. I actually enjoyed the subplot of Hugh helping the single mother, Crystal, more than the main plot. This is a minor point, but sometimes things that just don't ring true distract me from the enjoyment of the story. When one chapter began by saying, "Strapped in a bouncer on the kitchen floor, Lizzie was contentedly full. She was so intrigued by the play of morning sun on her own hands that Dana decided the bath could wait." I thought for a moment that more time had passed than I'd realized in the plot line, but on the next page, Dana is telling someone on the phone that Lizzie is two and a half weeks old. Either Barbara Delinsky doesn't have children, or it has been so long ago that she doesn't remember that 2-1/2 weeks old is way too young to be strapped in a bouncer chair. And as for being fascinated by light on her hands, 2-1/2 weeks old seems a bit young for that also. Babies aren't even holding their heads up on their own at that age. It just didn't ring true and distracted me from the story.

Family Tree.......2007-08-23

Excellent story and could not put it down until finished. Shared with several people that also found it great. Would recomment it to anyone. It could happen to anyone....At least 5 stars

Do you know your origin or are you sure of it?.......2007-08-02

This book was an eye opener for me. I'm from the black race and I've never thought about how a white person feels if they found out they're mixed with black until this book. I must say this was a daring step the author took because it touches on so many details in life we keep hidden. We never dare think of others and how it may impact their future lives when we keep hidden secrets, but if you read this book it will challenge you to react differently. I've never, ever read a book so touching and compelling on racial issues and family situations, like this book. If there is a book to read and keep this is it,no dust will gather on this one. It's a great gift for all races. It's something one can pick up from time to time to reflect on the little intracies of life. We say we're one thing but if searched real carefully we'd surprised ourselves of what we'll find in our hearts and our family tree. Fear of the unknown holds us back from many things, but this book will make one search and dare to question the unknown. This is an excellent read, I truly enjoyed every minute of it.

Lords of the North (The Saxon Chronicles Series #3)

Average customer rating:

Lords of the North by Bernard Cornwell
Just when you thought the saga could not get better...
The Best of Uhtred's Saga, Not to be missed
NOOOO!!!!! 6 months wait for the next book. This was GREAT!
Another great book in a fun, fast-paced series

Lords of the North (The Saxon Chronicles Series #3)
Bernard Cornwell
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060888628
Release Date: 2007-01-23

Book Description

From Bernard Cornwell, the undisputed master of historical fiction, hailed as "the direct heir to Patrick O'Brien,"* comes the third volume in the exhilarating Saxon Chronicles: the story of the birth of England as the Saxons struggle to repel the Danish invaders.

The year is 878, and as Lords of the North begins, the Saxons of Wessex, under King Alfred, have defeated the Danes to keep their kingdom free. Uhtred, the dispossessed son of a Northumbrian lord, helped Alfred win that victory, but now he is disgusted by Alfred's lack of generosity. Uhtred flees Wessex, going north to search for his stepsister, who was taken prisoner by Kjartan the Cruel, a Danish lord who lurks in the formidable stronghold of Dunholm.

Uhtred arrives in the north to discover rebellion, chaos, and fear. His only ally is Hild, a West Saxon nun fleeing her calling, and his best hope is his sword, Serpent-Breath, with which he has made a notable reputation as a warrior. He needs other partners if he is to attack Dunholm, and chooses Guthred, a seemingly deluded slave who believes he is a king. Together they cross the Pennines, where fanatical Christians and beleaguered Danes have formed a desperate alliance to confront the terrible Viking lords who rule Northumbria.

Instead of victory Uhtred finds betrayal. But he also discovers love and redemption as he is forced to turn once again to his reluctant ally, Alfred the Great. It is Alfred who sees opportunity in Northumbria's chaos, and Alfred who looses Uhtred and his stepbrother, Ragnar, onto Dunholm, the invincible fortress on its great spur of rock. A breathtaking adventure, Lords of the North is also the story of the creation of England, as the English and Danes fight against each other, but also find common cause and create a common language. In the end they will become one people, but as Uhtred will discover, their union is forged through the white heat of battle.

* The Economist

Customer Reviews:

Lords of the North by Bernard Cornwell.......2007-09-19

In Lords of the North (coming January 23rd), the wonderful writer of great historical periods and characters brings us the third in his increasingly popular Saxon Chronicles series, as he tells the story of King Alfred the Great's life and his work in unifying the many kingdoms into the country we know today as England.

We continue with our hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, who has just helped Alfred save and maintain control over the land of Wessex, therefore preventing the complete invasion by the Danes. Angered with Alfred's piousness and making every decision according to God, Uhtred flees north to Northumbria, still hoping one day to defeat his uncle and take back his beloved Bebbanburg. It is here that he meets old Danish friends and before he realizes what's going on, a deal has been brokered to maintain peace in Northumbria in return for Uhtred's enslavement. With his blood-stained blade - Serpent-Breath - the many lords of the region are happy to get rid of this formidable warrior.

Uhtred, stripped of his title and power, then spends most of the book suffering the abuse and torture of a slave on a trading traveling along the Flemish coast, and back and forth between Britain and the mainland. On a number of occasions they face off again this "red ship" that is a trader like them. Upon returning to the original place where Uhtred was sold - so that more slaves can be bought - the red ship appears out of nowhere and beaches the shore. Foreign Danes stream out and Uhtred soon finds himself face to face with an even older friend who raised him.

Eventually he discovers that it is thanks to Alfred's help that he has received his emancipation. With his title, weapons, and armor restored, along with more allies from the south forming a considerable army, they set out to defeat these lesser heathen lords and regain control of the kingdom of Northumbria. The book ends with the reader contemplating what is next for Uhtred in the further Saxon Chronicles: Will he regain control of his land? Will he remain a lone pagan among the many determined Christians? Sadly, we will have to wait another whole year before we can read more about Uhtred of Bebbanburg, slayer of the great Ubba Lothbrokson, and his adventures with the pious Alfred the Great.

For more book reviews, and other writings, go to www.alexctelander.com

Just when you thought the saga could not get better..........2007-09-18

It gets better. This book finds Uhtred as not only a man and a warrior, but as a humbled (as much as the Dane in him will allow) crafty leader. He has recovered from his trials and is on his way to his destiny. His allegiance to Alfred has him hamstrung a bit...regarding his goal of re-taking his rightful lands of Bebbenburg...but he can see the future, and he knows that the tide is slowly turning in his favor. He will crush his enemies, and reign triumphant. This book is about Uhtred the man...and I believe is the FIRST step into his world as a Lord and warrior...with the first 2 novels having been merely an exciting prologue.

The Best of Uhtred's Saga, Not to be missed.......2007-08-11

If you've read books one and two in the Saxon Chronicles, it goes without saying that this is not to be missed. This is also the best of the series, and that's saying quite a lot. No, we're not talking literary masterwork -- although as always Bernard is engaging, often amusing, certainly disarming as a writer -- but there's just something about he way Bernard can bring to life the dark ages. Sure, I enjoy Sharpe novels, but where Bernard shines is in the dark ages, the time before we have "reliable histories." He manages to make everything from King Arthur to the "Vikings" -- which he explains just means "raiders" not Northmen -- come alive. It feels right. Sure, the dialogue is very twentieth-century, but it has to be for us to stay interested. Uhtred is, perhaps, his best hero yet, larger-than-life yet human and vulnerable at times, and Uhtred is a hero for both men and women to relate to, where perhaps some of Bernard's other protagonists are "macho man" heroes. This is a period in history very rarely touched in literature, and perhaps that's the charm of it. There are moments of satire as well, (anyone familiar with my work will know I thrive on satire), humor, adventure. What more can you ask in a yarn. Who else can make a slave a king, and a hero a slave then back to a hero all in one story? Who else can come across as a lover of all things British, yet create a character who is more Danish and Northman than Saxon or British? Just a lot of fun, great pace, humor, characters that you'll want to come back to. I'd say his best yet.

NOOOO!!!!! 6 months wait for the next book. This was GREAT!.......2007-08-06

Book three in the Saxon Chronicles is the best book by Bernard Cornwell that I have read. I had read his "Grail Quest Trilogy" before coming to this series, which I thought was a trilogy, but now know could go on much longer (it will be at least 4 books and I certainly hope for more).

"Lords of the North" continues the fantastic, emotional tale of Uhtred, the fictional Saxon-born, Dane-adopted and raised warrior, that is fated to fight for England and a king that he does not like, Alfred.

Uhtred lost his family when he was a boy and was adopted by a Danish Viking warrior, Earl Ragnar, who he loved as a father, and from whom he learned of the pagan deities, especially the spinners, the three mythical creatures that weave the fate of every man; hence his repeated statement through the entire series, "Fate is inexorable".

Uhtred, after assisting Alfred the Great with the defense of Wessex against the Danes, marches north to regain his birthright which was taken by his uncle when Uhtred's birth father died in battle. But fate has other plans for Uhtred, including assisting another king, killing priests, killing Saxons, killing Danes, loving a woman who becomes a nun, loving another woman who is betrothed to another, betrayal, slavery and revenge. Not bad for six months in the life of a Saxon/Danish warrior in the ninth century.

The author admits in his historical note at the end of the book that this tale is more fiction than fact, mainly because not much is known about the history of the Northumbria, the northern Saxon province. Using the name of the king, Guthred, and the characters he created in books 1 & 2,(which I highly recommend you read before coming to this; not because you need to in order to understand this book, but because the entire series is fabulous and why skip the salad and appetizer to get to the main course when the entire meal should be savored?) to weave a more fictional tale that is still most definitely anchored in fact, so far as the customs, trials, dangers, life, religions and battles would have been in the ninth century; that is to say that, despite the fact that none of the characters are real (except Guthred of whom not much is known) the entire story is told in accordance with the period and should be taken as an authentic description of fictional people. The world which Cornwell writes is wonderful, historically accurate and vivid.

This book is the best of the "Saxon Chronicles" by far and I eagerly await the release of book 4, "Sword Song" which is slated for release early 2008.

Another great book in a fun, fast-paced series.......2007-08-02

Lords of the North is the third volume of Bernard Cornwell's "Saxon Tales", set in ninth-century England, and is every bit as enjoyable as the preceding books in the series.

In this entry, Uhtred goes north to settle a long-standing bloodfeud. With his customary flair for the dramatic, he disguises himself as the Dead Swordsman and heads toward Dunholm, the fortress of his enemy, Kjartan the Cruel. Along the way he frees a slave who turns out to be Guthred, king of Northumbria. Uhtred swears loyalty to Guthred and soon learns that, despite his congenial manner, Guthred will do whatever is necessary to preserve his kingdom.

While Lords of the North does not deal with any significant historical event, it does have political intrigue, betrayal and lots of swordplay. As always, Cornwell's battle scenes are visceral. Having been bitten by a dog as a child, I found his descriptions of attacking dogs particularly unsettling.

The book's main strength is Uhtred, an extremely likable and unexpectedly complex character. Born English, but raised by Danes, he is continually torn between his adopted people and his oath, given unwillingly, to King Alfred. Irreverent and insightful, Uhtred tells his story in the first person, describing moments of brutish violence and tender emotion with a slightly sardonic flair.

I really enjoyed this book, and I look forward to the next installment in the series. Thank you, Mr. Cornwell, for helping me release my inner Valkyrie!

Star Wars Complete Cross-Sections: The Spacecraft and Vehicles of the Entire Star Wars Saga

Average customer rating:

OUTSTANDING REFERENCE TOOL
5 stars for COMPLETE Cross-sections!!
My 5 year old loves it!
Not What I Expected But Great Nontheless
Star wars

Star Wars Complete Cross-Sections: The Spacecraft and Vehicles of the Entire Star Wars Saga
David Reynolds , and Curtis Saxton
Manufacturer: DK CHILDREN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0756627044

Book Description

This amazing title unites all four Incredible Cross-Sections books in one volume, enlarged and updated with brand-new illustrations-including the TIE bomber, Imperial shuttle, A-wing, and B-wing-along with revised technical introductions, behind-the-scenes pages, glossary, and index. (c) 2006 Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM AUTHOR BIO: Hans Jenssen Hans Jenssen has spent the last nine years in a galaxy far, far away, co-illustrating a total of ten Star Wars books with Richard Chasemore, with whom he has developed a close friendship. They have traveled across three continents, sampled exotic beverages with Boba Fett, and partied with R2-D2. He now lives a quiet life in Devon, England, with his partner and young son. RICHARD CHASEMORE Richard Chasemore has worked as an illustrator and 3-D computer artist in the United States and Europe, most notably on DK's Star Wars: Incredible Cross-Sections and, Inside the Worlds of the Star Wars series. Lately he has written educational books for budding digital artists. He lives on the south coast of England, where he enjoys sports involving boards and high speeds!

Customer Reviews:

OUTSTANDING REFERENCE TOOL.......2007-09-14

Previously, DK Books has release four volumes in their Star Wars cross-sections series, covering the various Star Wars films. In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Star Wars, they've now combines all four of those volumes, along with new illustrations into the massive Star Wars: The Complete Cross Sections. This coffee table-sized hardcover book packs information on every ship and vehicle used in the six films into 152 full-color pages. John Knoll, the Visual Effects Supervisor for episodes I - III, provides the foreword to the book.

The book is basically an encyclopedia for Star Wars ships and vehicles. The items are shown in a cutaway art, allowing the reader to not only see the outside, but also see the interiors as well. This gives fans a unique viewpoint as you generally didn't get a chance to see inside many of these ships and vehicles in the films themselves. Most of these are given a full two-page spread which include data files about each one. The data files provide information such as design and manufacture, wingspan, speed, crew capacity, armament, dimensions, ship or vehicle type, and other special features.

The book begins with Episode I, The Phantom Menace with each of the first three episodes getting their own chapter while the original three films are combined into the last chapter. In addition to the data files, a host of other information is provided on each vehicle as well. Text keys with map lines are drawn to each, pointing out important features of each vehicle. These are about the next best thing to the actual ships blueprints. The detail is simply amazing! On the Naboo Cruiser for example we see where the fuel tanks and fuel lines are located, along with coolant ducts, deflector shield projectors, sensor arrays and even mundane things such as the crew lounge and locker areas. These allow the reader to get inside these massive vehicles and ships and almost take a virtual tour through them.

Get up close and personal with Jango Boba Fett's heavily armed Slave I ship with its blaster cannons, laser cannons, missile launchers, and mine layers. Other ships included from the episodes I to III include Padme's Starship, ARC -170 Fighter, General Grievous's Wheel Bike, Pod Racers, and Palpatine's Shuttle.

The final chapter dealing with the three original films has certainly the most popular ships for fans including the Millennium Falcon, AT-AT Walker, Jabba's Barge, and Darth Vader's Tie Fighter. Several of the major ships and vehicles get fold out sections that provide four full pages worth of data. Chief among these is the first Death Star. The Slave I makes a second appearance here that includes the modifications made by Jango Fett's son, Boba.

Hats off to DK Books for also profiling the two artists whose brilliant work is on display here, Hans Jenssen and Richard Chasemore. The detail and effort that went into these drawings is truly phenomenal. This is one of those items that is tailor-made for the hardcore Star Wars fan, a reference tool that can be consulted over and over again.

REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON

5 stars for COMPLETE Cross-sections!!.......2007-08-23

People should get Star Wars Complete Cross-Sections.
Here are three reasons why anyone who likes Star Wars should get this book.

1. Star Wars Complete Cross-Sections includes information about ALL six episodes in one book. It's great to have it all in one volume instead of four separate books (Episodes I, II, III, and the Trilogy).

2. Star Wars Complete Cross-Sections has extra content not included in the separate volumes. The Imperial Shuttle, the RZ-1 A-Wing, and the B-Wing Star Fighter are new material in the combined book.

3. Star Wars Complete Cross-Sections is jam-packed with large full color illustrations and tons of fascinating facts. The pages are crowded, but the information is great.

The Star Wars Complete Cross-Sections book rules the galaxy and any Star Wars fan would just love to have a copy. I checked it out of the library, but now it's on my Christmas wish list!!

My 5 year old loves it!.......2007-08-11

I purchased this for my 5 year old because he loves Star Wars. We have a couple of other Star Wars guides. He loves the cross section book because "it shows all the ships and details and that's cool". He loves finding something small that I would have missed. Great book for all ages.

Not What I Expected But Great Nontheless.......2007-07-05

Don't know why but I was expecting technical drawings of the Star Wars vehicles. Instead I get beautiful drawings of the vehicles and some of the characters which was an unexpected plus. Especially for scale comparison with some of the bigger vehicles. The reason this item dose not get five stars from me is because when reading the book things can get somewhat confusing there is so much info on each page it practically spills out from the sides. I would recommend it to anybody who wants more information on their favorite Star Wars vehicles!

Star wars.......2007-06-09

My son has not put this book away since we bought it. It goes on every car ride with us, and even to school for free time reading. The pictures are beautiful. He absolutely loves it.

Average customer rating:

Early Picoult different than the Picoult of 2007
Picture Perfect
Very disappointing....
A Jodi Picoult Fan
Plain Truth was better, but still a wonderful story from Jodi

Picture Perfect
Jodi Picoult
Manufacturer: Berkley Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0425185508
Release Date: 2002-07-02

Book Description

Jodi Picoult's novels have been hailed as "engrossing" (People) and "addictively readable" (Entertainment Weekly). Now, the author of Salem Falls and Plain Truth examines the fault lines of a troubled marriage in Picture Perfect-an "unfailingly intelligent...undeniably literary psychological drama."(Booklist)

"Picoult writes with an all-knowing and piercing eye. Hers is an important book from a talented writer we hope to hear from again and again." (Library Journal)

To the outside world, they seem to have it all. Cassie Barrett, a renowned anthropologist, and Alex Rivers, one of Hollywood's hottest actors, met on the set of a motion picture in Africa. They shared childhood tales, toasted the future, and declared their love in a fairy-tale wedding. But when they return to California, something alters the picture of their perfect marriage. A frightening pattern is taking shape-a cycle of hurt, denial, and promises, thinly veiled by glamour. Torn between fear and something that resembles love, Cassie wrestles with questions she never dreamed she would face: How can she leave? Then again, how can she stay?

Customer Reviews:

Early Picoult different than the Picoult of 2007.......2007-09-30

It's refreshing to go back and read a Jodi Picoult novel that is one of her first. There isn't a looming courtroom drama unfolding in this book. There isn't depressing jailhouse/prison scenes that make me think that I would die if I ever ended up in prison. This book instead investigates a relationship between a man and a woman, and what happens when love becomes demanding and possessive. I wish Picoult would go back to writing more like this, and she almost did in The Tenth Circle: A Novel. I guess I'm just so tired of constantly seeing moral dilemmas played out in courtrooms. I would like to see her attack these subjects without someone having to constantly commit a crime and do the time. If you want something else of her's to read that doesn't involve courtroom drama, read Harvesting the Heart: A Novel.

Picture Perfect.......2007-08-20

Jodi Picoult definitely didn't disappoint me with this book. I love the way an abusive relationship was portrayed... it shows that it's not her fault that she stayed with him, and that you can still love someone who hurts you. But it also shows that things aren't always what they seem, and that things that are "Picture Perfect" can also have problems. Cassie's marriage to Alex is full of love, but also full of hate. But the hate isn't directed towards each other.

I don't know why, but I loved this book. Not as much as My Sister's Keeper or The Pact, but definitely more than The Tenth Circle.

Very disappointing...........2007-08-13

Jodi Picoult came highly recommended to me from a book editor friend and so I ran to the store to pick up "Picture Perfect". What a waste! The writing was very choppy and non-sensical at times. In addition, I found it very difficult to believe any of the characters. The ending was quick, lame and overall anti-climatic. It left me feeling like, "I wasted all this time reading this for what?". I'm not sure about the other Jodi Picoult books, but this one makes me not even want to waste any time reading the others.

A Jodi Picoult Fan.......2007-08-13

I have really enjoyed all of Jodi Picoult's books so far. However, this one didn't keep my interest. It was okay, but not great.

Plain Truth was better, but still a wonderful story from Jodi.......2007-06-13

I have read Jodi Picoult's "Plain Truth" and several of her other novels and I thought Picture Perfect was a wonderful story, but I didn't think the writing was a good as the book Plain Truth. There are numerous excellent reviews that detail the story so I won't add more print. However, I thought the story moved along at a brisk pace and overall it was a wonderful story. I'm not losing faith in Jodi; I'll still purchase her next novel, with a view towards that Picture Perfect being a temporary setback in her storytelling abilities.

Average customer rating:

The God of Small Things
Very powerful....
Katie
Exhilarating, But Not For All
I wanted to put this book down, but finished, it was worth it.

The God of Small Things
Arundhati Roy
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0060977493
Release Date: 1998-05-06

Amazon.com

In her first novel, award-winning Indian screenwriter Arundhati Roy conjures a whoosh of wordplay that rises from the pages like a brilliant jazz improvisation. The God of Small Things is nominally the story of young twins Rahel and Estha and the rest of their family, but the book feels like a million stories spinning out indefinitely; it is the product of a genius child-mind that takes everything in and transforms it in an alchemy of poetry. The God of Small Things is at once exotic and familiar to the Western reader, written in an English that's completely new and invigorated by the Asian Indian influences of culture and language.

Book Description

The story of the tragic decline of an Indian family whose members suffer the terrible consequences of forbidden love, The God of Small Things is set in the state of Kerala, on the southernmost tip of India. Armed only with the invincible innocence of children, the twins Rahel and Esthappen fashion a childhood for themselves in the shade of the wreck that is their family -- their lonely, lovely mother, Ammu (who loves by night the man her children love by day), their blind grandmother, Mammachi (who plays Handel on her violin), their beloved uncle Chacko (Rhodes scholar, pickle baron, radical Marxist, bottom-pincher), their enemy, Baby Kochamma (ex-nun and incumbent grandaunt), and the ghost of an imperial entomologist's moth (with unusually dense dorsal tufts).

When their English cousin and her mother arrive on a Christmas visit, the twins learn that Things Can Change in a Day. That lives can twist into new, ugly shapes, even cease forever. The brilliantly plotted story uncoils with an agonizing sense of foreboding and inevitability. Yet nothing prepares you for what lies at the heart of it.

Customer Reviews:

The God of Small Things.......2007-09-09

The God of Small Things is a work of sumptuous beauty, from the gorgeous dust jacket, to the lush prose, to its exotic metaphors, and not least to the story itself. It is a superbly written tale of childhood innocence lost in a world of jealousy and bigotry.

The setting is the author Roy's home state of Kerala, India. Most of the characters belong to the region's large and relatively prosperous Syrian Christian minority. Other characters are Roman Catholic and Hindu. Key events take place at a time when India's Communist Party was a major factor in national and local politics. And, on top of the complex matrix of religious and political beliefs, there are the social class divisions between Touchables and Untouchables.

The principal characters are Rahel and her fraternal twin brother Esta. They live with their mother Ammu, their grandmother, their great-aunt and their uncle Chacko. With great anticipation they are awaiting a visit from Chacko's ex-wife (now widowed from her second husband), and Sophie Mol, Chacko's daughter whom they have never met. Right from the start, however, we learn that Sophie Mol will die and Ammu be disgraced. How and why these tragedies happen, and their consequences, form the core of the novel.

Like a moth drawn to an open flame, the story line circles the time of Sophie Mol's death, darting years into the past at times, then into the future, but always returning ever closer to the events that will tear Rahel's family apart. Many of the chapters are told from Rahel's perspective as a child, and they are told with a child's wild and innocent imagination.

Despite its non-linear format, The God of Small Things is highly readable. Amid ever-growing suspense, Roy evokes the sights, sounds and smells of the Indian tropics. You can feel the heat and moisture amid the hum of life in this tense, sensuous and erotic story.

Very powerful...........2007-09-04

I also had a hard time getting through this book. I would read a chapter and put it down for a couple of days. I was distracted by the style of writing (very poetic) and kinda grossed out by some of the characters. I didn't even like the twins who are the main characters. There were several times when I didn't want to pick it back up to finish it.

I am so glad I did. I finished the book several days ago and am still haunted by the ending. I feel sad about Rahel and Estha but it was Velutha and Ammu's relationship which was the most powerful for me. How tragic and so beautiful. Definitely worth your time...

Katie.......2007-07-31

It's like reading beautifully dense poetry. It's a challenge at first that pays off in linguistics and intensity. It's incredible! Definitely recommend.

Exhilarating, But Not For All.......2007-07-31

As many reviewers have lamented, this is not a linear story, and it is indeed an effort and a challenge to begin and stick with, but for those who relish the rich, complex literary styles of writers like Faulkner and Morrison (think "Beloved"), The God of Small Things is an exhilarating reading experience. You will either be bothered by or adore Roy's poetic, lyrical, and often abstract, writing style. I adored it. It reminded me of the work I love by poets ee cummings and Ezra Pound. It is about feelings less than it is about facts.

I decided early on in the novel that I would let it carry me in along and that I would not get too bogged down by trying to always know what, exactly, was going on. Roy throws many threads out for the first half and then gracefully pulls them all together, skillfully weaving them into each other, until the story's moving and heartrending ending. This is a story about broken people in a broken society, about love and truth, about this insane thing we all know as our family, of happiness, sadness and loss and of the awesome, mind-boggling enormity of Life's small moments, small events, small things.

When I finished the last page, I turned back to the first and began it again. I will look forward to more works by Ms. Roy.

I wanted to put this book down, but finished, it was worth it........2007-07-24

I want to start out by saying that I never put a book down. I always finish them. This was one of those books that I thought about putting down, but decided to keep on going. It was defiantly worth finishing because I ended up enjoying it very much.

On reason why I wanted to put this book down was because I found it frustrating at first to read. I am a seasoned reader that reads quite a bit, but I thought that the author jumped around too much between stories, characters, and most importantly past and present. At first this may be confusing but after a lot of pages and you get the sense for the characters and time periods you get use to it. This was confusing at first because it would jump around from paragraph to paragraph, but after looking at the book as a whole the author did this to develop the story.

By time I got to the last 100 or so pages I could not put this story down. This is when everything starts to come together and what makes it all and all a great story. I admit it is frustrating reading the story about the secret with tons of foreshadowing that already happened. It almost makes you feel like you missed something while reading it, but once you get to those final pages everything starts to come together.

I am going to give this book, 4 stars. The reason for this is because I thought it was a great story that really came together the last 100 or so pages, but at times before that it was frustrating to read because of the authors writing style and jumping around so much early on.

All and all I would recommend this book to everyone because it poses many interesting issues and ultimately is a great story. If you feel like putting it down I would tell you to keep on reading because everything will eventually come together and make a great story.

Average customer rating:

The Pact by Jodi Picoult
Jodi Picoult Rocks
Beautiful & Haunting
Keeping Faith and faith
Great potential in the plot, but a horrible delivery

Keeping Faith: A Novel (P.S.)
Jodi Picoult
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0060878061
Release Date: 2006-02-21

Book Description

One of America's most powerful and thought-provoking novelists, New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult brilliantly examines belief, miracles, and the complex core of family.

When the marriage of Mariah White and her cheating husband, Colin, turns ugly and disintegrates, their seven-year-old daughter, Faith, is there to witness it all. In the aftermath of a rapid divorce, Mariah falls into a deep depression -- and suddenly Faith, a child with no religious background whatsoever, hears divine voices, starts reciting biblical passages, and develops stigmata. And when the miraculous healings begin, mother and daughter are thrust into the volatile center of controversy and into the heat of a custody battle -- trapped in a mad media circus that threatens what little stability the family has left.

Customer Reviews:

The Pact by Jodi Picoult.......2007-10-13

Outstanding!!!
She writes with the understanding and sensitivity that few have. All teenagers should read this book.

Jodi Picoult Rocks.......2007-10-11

I just have to say that Jodi Picoult is one of the best authors I have ever read! Her writing style is perfect! I'm afraid I'll buzz through all of her books and won't have anything left to read!! I just found her books a couple of months ago and have already read 4 of them!!

Beautiful & Haunting.......2007-10-10

My very first Jodi Picoult story, and will not be my last -- amazing and beautiful, it definitely will carry you through any business trip... I travel frequently for business and airport time is never any fun. Thanks to this novel, I enjoyed my week of travel -- guaranteed to keep your interest while on the beach as well.

Keeping Faith and faith.......2007-10-02

Since Faith has been having difficulties accepting her parents' divorce, everyone thought that her new imaginary friend, "her guard", was merely a coping mechanism. "Her guard" teaches Faith things about religion that she had no way of knowing otherwise. When her grandmother dies, Faith brings her back to life. That's when things become difficult. A religious following gathers outside of Faith's house. This crowd includes Ian Fletcher, a man who makes a living by investigating religious phenomenon and usually proving them to be hoaxes. The situation intensifies, leading Faith's father to begin fighting for custody. Faith's mother, Mariah, fights to keep her daughter, Faith, as well as to keep faith in her daughter and herself. Therefore the title is actually a very clever double-entendre.

The characters are very well-developed, making this unlikely story seem to be very plausible. The vivid settings also add realism to the story. This absolutely enthralling story of Faith is almost impossible to put down. Congratulations to Jodi Picoult on her masterpiece, my favorite of all her books that I have read so far!

Great potential in the plot, but a horrible delivery.......2007-09-26

The plot of this book immediately caught my attention. It's intriguing, controversial, supernatural; something to make people think. With a better writer, this could have been an extraordinary book! Unfortuately, it was painful to read.

Rather than consistently following one character's perspective, the author switched points-of-view frequently and with little warning. For the most part, it was written in first person, present tense, but even that was inconsistent. Sometimes it was first person for Faith (the young girl) and sometimes first person for her mother or her psychologist. Sprinkled throughout were flashbacks that added very little to the plot. I rolled my eyes more than once at the trite dialog. Worst of all, I suffered through the book only to reach an inconclusive end. The final pages sparked more confusion than resolve.

I didn't expect accurate or even consistent theology. I did, however, expect the author to be consistent with her story. I didn't want her characters to match my personal doctrine, but I think did expect the author to understand her characters' beliefs and explain them thoroughly. The end of the book simply highlighted how little the author knew about the world she had created.

Final Thoughts: Painful and disappointing. The plot was fascinating, but the delivery was awful. Not recommended.

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