5 comments about Use of Weapons.

1. The majority of the readers have given this book 5 stars which would put this book right next to books like Dune and Ender's Game. That is so far from the truth it's ridiculous.It's okay to love an author but be realistic in your reviews. There is really only 1 character in the story Cheradenine Zakalwe. Cheradenine spends the whole book running from some dreaded memory which is parceled out to you bit by tortuous bit. There is virtually no plot except to display his obvious death wish. There is a big twist at the end but you'll figure that out way before then so it comes as no surprise. Cheradenine is not a Likeable character. There is really no one to like here, there is no action and why so many people rave about this book is beyond me. Do yourself a favor read Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card.



2. "Use of Weapons" by Iain M. Banks, © 1990
   
   This was a slightly confusing book. The people stayed the same, but the times changed and I did not really understand the sequence of events. At times it was obvious that it was the beginning, other times the end, but a lot of the inbetween was confusing as to which happened before which.
   Zakalwe was a hired gun for a culture that was beyond his understanding. He was a trained assassin. He was not always on the winning side and he was hurt a lot. Once he died, but they brought him back to this world to do some more work for them. He had questions of the worth of what he did. Was it really the right way to help the universe to develop? He was saddened by the death and destruction of so many, worthy or not, just pawns in the development of the universe, as bequeath by the ruling culture (God?). He quit but they needed him, so he was brought back in for more work. Sad, sad, sad. Was this really better then chance of who wins?



3. For those who haven't encountered Iain M. Banks "Culture" series, this is the third volume. All can be read independently, as each has its own character set and storyline. His setup is ingenious: there are many humanoid species in the galaxy, and the Culture represents a post-scarcity civilization with a self-appointed role as agents of change (or meddlers) in the affairs of less advanced groups. "Use of Weapons" follows the career of Zakalwe, a Culture agent engaged in many military operations over a long career. We follow him backwards and forwards in time, which may be confusing the first time through but makes sense on a second reading. Banks is a superb storyteller, his set-piece episodes are gripping, and throughout this and his other Culture novels he gradually tells us more and more about the Culture, its agents, the sentient machines and ship Minds that wield amazing power and are "citizens" with wills of their own, and the technologies that make things possible. It's the best hard SF on the planet.



4. Two unique plot threads focus on the same man: Zakalwe, a killer-cum-war strategist for hire in the far future. One plot thread jumps backward, describing poignant moments in Zakalwe's development as he learns the "use of weapons." The second thread moves forward sequentially, following a thoroughly war-weary Zakalwe looking for answers to the age-old question of why we fight. In the end, both threads dovetail in a finale that will surprise you.
   
   All in all, "Use of Weapons" is a startlingly intelligent, albeit slow-paced, sci-fi book that speaks to the better side of humanity while investigating whether war may or may not be part of us all.



5. I hate books that do not end well. I've read two books by this author and they both had depressing endings. This one was especially bad.

5 comments about Foundation (Foundation Novels).

1. This book, along with Frank Herbert's Dune are the two cornerstones of science fiction. Many subsequent writers owe a debt to Foundation, which is best read within the original trilogy (Foundation, Foundation and Empire, Second Foundation. It is extremely exciting for anyone with a sense of the 'epic' questions of the fate of mankind, or for that matter, any large society or culture. A staggering achievement.
   
   It is hard to get to the end of this work and not want to pick up Foundation and Empire.
   
   Now I might add that I did not personally enjoy very much the subsequent "interference" with the books created by the subsequent novels - Foundations Edge, Foundation and Earth, and Prelude to Foundation. I think Asimov's idea for the story changed as he got older (certainly the "robot" angle is increasingly emphasised, which I think is to the general detriment of the series) and while I have not read much literary criticism on this topic, I would suggest the original idea was better.



2. Let's face it: Isaac Asimov was not a very good writer, especially this early in the game. We read 'Foundation' not because we are interested in reading some fantastic literature but because the ideas in this little book became the tropes that have thrived in science fiction even to this day. If you're interested in sci-fi, 'Foundation' is a must-read.
   
   The importance of 'Foundation' in the genre may force us to allow for the blandness of its prose; however, it does not excuse it. The characters are ciphers, the style is blunt and ugly, like a sledgehammer, and there are plenty of minor but annoying infelicities of grammar. It's a good thing the novel is pleasantly short; whatever Asimov's faults, long-windedness was not one of them.



3. The Foundation Trilogy (that is, the original trilogy without the sequels and prequels) is the greatest science fiction work to date. I will not summarize the plot since there are well over 300 reviews already. However, I will add that taken from a general perspective the trilogy can be taken as a lesson in nation building.
   
   Hari Seldon uses Psychohistory to guide the rise of an empire out of the "Dark Age" of barbarism. Many characters exit the overall story as quickly as they enter it, so you don't get to know them in great detail. But that is not the intent of the series. The main characters are the Galactic Empire, and the First and Second Foundations. When reading this series look at the character of these three "nations" as they devolve/develop. The concept is brilliant and the writing style is intelligent and interesting.
   
   I highly recommend reading them in the order they are WRITTEN, not in their chronological order. Isaac Asimov is an unfortunate example of an author who ruined his original work by attempting to "make it better" 30 years after it was written. There are some interesting concepts in the sequel, but ultimately it subtracts from the series as a whole by completely changing the meaning and driving force of the original trilogy. The prequels also give away important plot points that were intended to provide suspense.
   
   If you find that you must read the sequels/prequels, at least do yourself the favor of reading them in the order they were written.



4. The first-written but second in fictional order to Prelude to Foundation (Foundation Novels). OK, not great. Attempts too great a sweep of time to allow for any character development, or perhaps Asimov just isn't that good a writer to manage it.
   
   Interestingly, Asimov really attempts no explanation of Seldon's Psychohistory, as is done in Prelude written 25 years later. Without Prelude, Foundation's plot-driving motive would be fuzzy at best.



5. Great book! First in the series of three novels, all three are worth the read. I read all three in about two and half weeks. It might be interesting to read them in conjunction with Kuhn's Structures of Scientific Revolutions. Every "Seldon Crisis" brings about a "new world". Really fun stuff. Don't miss out!

5 comments about Upon The Midnight Clear (A Dream-Hunter Novel, Book 2).

1. Read it, it's great! Follows the Dark Hunter Series, so if you haven't read them you may scratch your head a few times, but the Dream Hunters are a stand alone series. My suggestion is to start with the first book of this series and if you like it start reading the Dark Hunters too. Dream Hunters are just a small part of SLK World. Check out my Listmania for reading order.



2. I enjoyed book. It was entertaining for those who are interested in Greek Mythology.



3. The Leta character was extremely more developed than the Aidan character (my opinion, of course). Aiden came across as a whiny, hormonal teenager instead of a tough man void of all emotions except for anger. Who knows, perhaps I just related to the Leta character more? Zeus was still the big, bad god of them all and you definitely learn to hate him when you read Kenyon's' work.



4. Didn't like this novel at all. So far two disappointments in the dream hunter series. Not at all like the Dark Hunter series.



5. I hate the first dream hunter book but this one is a contrary. This is good. There's sacrifice, love....and happy ending.
   It also shows us how easy to believe a lie, I think it brings a good message.
   LOVE it!!

5 comments about Marly's Choice.

1. Another of the great books by lora leigh. One of four. Happy ending and great sex!



2. I'm gonna keep this one short and sweet......I usually love Ms. Leigh's books and storylines. BUT this one - well - it's in the trash. I got towards the end and was literally disgusted with the way the story twisted. It ended poorly and left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Don't get me wrong ...I'm all for different strokes for different folks but this storyline bordered rape and gave "dom's" a bad name. And then when you think everything's gonna be okay - the lead male "he-man" demands another life altering change of the female lead stating "if you love me - you'll do this one last thing". I have never been more insulted for women all over the world!!! Sorry - I love a good dom/sub storyline but this was ridiculous. I was going to get the other books in the Men of August series....but not now. I'll stick with her other storylines from now on.



3. Okay, I don't have a promlem, in general, with the idea of multiple sex partners but this was just nasty. The inexperienced women in this series are constantly being hounded and berated for not immediately laying down and taking it from multiple partners. The premise of this story is ridiculous, the brothers were so abused that they have to screw each others women to show their love? In what universe does that make sense? The only thing this series left me with was a serious case of nausea! I love Ms. Leigh's series with the Breeds but this book has me seriously wondering about her mental health. I honestly don't know if I will even read her Breed series now. This book left me feeling tainted by association. Do yourself a favor and look for a new author!



4. This was an OK read. The plot was enough to keep me hooked, and the sex was definitely hot. But the characters themselves made me just a bit uncomfortable, since this was about as close to incest as you can get without actually going over the line. Cade is an extremely dark hero, and you never really get the story behind why he & his brothers are the way they are, and Marly is just a bit to much like a spoiled brat for my liking. But, I'm one of those who, once I start a series, good, bad, or ugly, I try really hard to finish it. So, I'm off to Sarah's Seduction, Heather's Gift, and August Heat, hoping feverishly that they improve.



5. I must start off by saying that Lora Leigh is my alltime favorite erotic writter. This story is about Marly who has loved Cade for a long time, and when she gets the opportunity to be with him she takes it and everything that is involved in that including his 2 brothers. Yes I agree to a point with others how this series has a bit of creepyness- if that is a word, to it.
   Ya its hot and sexy to read about more than one man loving on a women, but when the story line goes about in a way that the main character is doing it for the future safety of his mate, then it gets a little weird.
   Over all I liked this book. I mean, we read these kind of stories for a "get the flames a goin" sexy read. But an erotic story can be just as good as any other ones. Nobody does that better than Ms. Leigh. The tortured alpha hero is definatly hot, and you will get that in this book and this series.

5 comments about Servant: The Acceptance (Servant).

1. I'm a self confessed bookaholic. No, this is not normal Lori Foster, but chances are if you're picking up the second book, you have picked up the first book. It's gritty and fun. Sometimes you feel awkward with Gaby and sometimes you get to fight the "good fight". I recommend it for those who want more than to travel from point A to point B. Pick it up and continue the ride.
   
   -Nicole



2. As the second book of the series, "Servant, the Acceptance" mixes the paranormal with the daily life, as it would happen were it real. It's a fascinating book, I highly recommend it.



3. Loved it! Ms. Foster has a gift of linking words together that draws forth a multitude of emotions from the reader: horror, empathy, awareness, outrage, laughter, tears and so much more. Gaby is beauty (not the superficial kind, although Luther finds her so) and darkness, and Luther is her new guiding light. I can't wait to see where he'll lead in the next book. Bravo, LL Foster!



4. Gabrielle "Gaby" Cody now lives in another section of town. A more dangerous and seedy part. Without meaning to, Gaby has become the protector of the street walkers that reside in her run down building. She never thought Detective Luther Cross would find her, but he did. Unfortunately, Luther showed up right when her Paladin senses got a target on pure evil in the form of a ten-year-old boy. Because of Luther, the boy got away. Gaby may not know why the boy was targeted, but she knew evil when she was near it. There are bad people, and then there are true corruptions passing themselves off as human. To Gaby, they do not deserve rehabilitation or life in prison. They do not even deserve an easy death. Gaby destroys whatever corruptions God tells her to with no questions asked. And that boy definitely deserved Gaby's special attentions.
   
   The boy was not what he appeared to be. Oren was a master of disguise and more evil than Gaby could possibly have imagined. The recent deaths of street walkers was due to Oren and his aunt and uncle. With the latest girl dead, Oren chose Bliss to be next. Circumstances changed that plan. Oren wanted Gaby since she would last much longer. Luther kept getting in the way though. Then there was Gaby's friend, Morty, and his new girlfriend, Detective Ann Kennedy. Gaby seemed to have surrounded herself with cops. But Oren was determined.
   
   **** Not as good as the first book in the series, but still wonderful. Tough and loner Gaby is starting to change due to her new friends. Readers get to watch Gaby as she learns that God does not intend to keep her apart from her humanity. Gaby gives up a few of her special secrets to Luther and I have to give the detective credit, he is keeping an open mind. I enjoy the fact that Gaby is still a mystery to him. Morty is no longer the goofy nerd from book one. Since Morty found his purpose in life, he has changed. Ann is perfect for him too. With Morty, Ann, and Bliss at her back, and Luther beside her, Gaby is morphing into an amazing lady. ****
   
   Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.



5. I was actually going to comment on this myself. I enjoyed the story a lot, but the high level vocabulary throughout the book seemed excessive and unnecessary. Tended to take away from the story as I sat thinking through the vocabulary to decide what was being said. I must say I have read master's thesis with less complicated vocabulary.

5 comments about The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia).

1. There are a very few treasures in this world that never lose their magic. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is one of them. It has been almost twenty years since I first read this book, and I still get goose bumps. It's not one of the deepest or most poetic pieces of literature, but it is truly one of the most magical. "Magical" is really the word to describe this enchanting novel. It's very, very simplistic as it works its powers on the child imagination. A wardrobe that is a door into a magic realm that needs to be saved from eternal winter. Even after many readings and many years, I still feel the beauty and the darkness of the book. I still get a little freaked out by the paranoia of the trees listening in. And I still feel the incredible power and joy of the melting snows. C.S. Lewis' masterpiece is deceptively simple. He takes the ordinary and turns it into pure magic. He plays with the child's imagination. He creates darkness in simplicity. The simplicity is enchanting rather than dull. The characters are fantastic and utterly charmingly enchanting, from the brat and betrayer Edmund (my favorite) to the kind goodness of Lucy to the sympathetic and conflicted Mr. Tumnus the faun to the frightening and awe-inspiring Aslan and the White Witch. The simple and allegorical story of saving Narnia through sacrifice and redemption isn't really the point. The point is the magic of it all. One of my all time favorite books. One of the books that formed my imagination and my brain. Grade: A+



2. This is a wonderful novel. CS Lewis tells a tale of love and redemption in the land of Narnia. The four Pevensie children wander through a wardrobe into the winterland of Narnia, and discover that the curse of the Witch has made for perpetual winter. And younger brother Edmund is seduced by the power of the witch.
   
   But the Pevensie children, along with their faithful friends, turn to Aslan, Lord of the Wood for help. Aslan ends up dying for Edmund's sin of betrayal, but he comes back to life to conquer the evil witch and her army.
   
   For the most part, if you've seen the film, you'll see that it did a pretty good job of following the novel, with a few exceptions. It is an allegory of the redemption Christ won for us on the cross and of his victory over Satan, the witch of this world.
   
   Highly recommended.



3. This is one of the very few books I can truly say I will read over again. It is very well written, never short of any details, and I couldn't wait to see what happened each time. It kept my interest throughout the enitre book.
   
   It is quite easy to imagine Aslan, the four children, the beavers, the white witch, and all the characters. And each character has a distinct personality. You learn to adore Lucy and Susan, and you learn how brave Peter is, and you can't help but to dislike Edmund. And I kind of wish Edmund wouldn't have gone to the witch, but every detail of the book is important. There is a lesson to be learned about sacrifice, understanding, and love. Aslan is the forefront of those lessons in this book.
   
   In my opinion, the book was written perfectly. It got all kinds of feelings and emotions from me. I do recommend this book for yourself and your young reader.
   
   And if you haven't seen the movie yet, definitely read the book first.
   
   Thanks.



4. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the story of four children that stumble into a wardrobe... the magical door to another world. They learn many things while they travel to see Aslam, the great Lion. One of them is how they were expected, for that is what the prophesy said. After good conquers evil they grow up there and become kings and queens of the land until one day they stumble back into the magic wardrobe to find themselves back on the same day they left many years before. An excellent book for all.
   Anna del C.
   Author of "The Elf and the Princess"
   The Elf and The Princess: The Silent Warrior Trilogy - Book One (The Silent Warrior Trilogy)



5. Charlotte Staples Lewis may write a good book, but please please please, leave the island! You are so annoying I can't stand you on there. Daniel can stay though.

5 comments about Mother Night.

1. ~Mother Night~ by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. is a dark novel set against the backdrop of Nazi Germany initially in the 1930s. An American expatriate living abroad Howard W. Campbell, Jr. marries a German woman Helga, and works as a playwright in Germany. But a dark cloud looms over the horizon, the spectre of Nazi Germany and its violent ideology of ultra-nationalism. Campbell's parents depart Germany for the United States as the war draws near, but Campbell chooses to stay behind. The playwright becomes a propagandist for the Nazi regime, declaring himself, 'the Last Free American,' and he broadcasts radio shows throughout Germany and obviously back West for the people of the Western nations to hear. Unbenownst to the Germans, he is also an American spy, a deep-cover double agent of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Behind ever gasp and stutter, he is sending hidden messages to the Allies. Following the war's climatic end, Campbell finds his way back to the United States. Gripped by the loss of his wife, he is utterly alienated and gripped by melancholy. Hounded by Neo-Nazis who want to extol him as a hero and Soviet spies looking to out him as an American agent provocateur for their own sinister Machiavellian purposes, Campbell grows despondent and troubled. He might as well forget about protection from Uncle Sam who won't ever acknowledge his service to the U.S. Government. The words of his father-in-law, a dedicated German officer could haunt him, as the German proclaimed when he thought with warmth about what the Nazi creed embodied, he didn't find it emanating from the words of Adolf Hitler, but in the words of Campbell. The theme is simple: we are whatever we pretend to be, so we better be darned careful of what we pretend to be. That's the moral lesson. When we are subsumed in lies and deception: the truth doesn't always set us free, it implicates us, and convicts us. Campbell learned that lesson with much guilt and resignation. His service to Nazi creed far surpassed his service to the Western Allies.



2. I take my title from a piece by Kurt Vonnegut, "Why They Read Hesse." The "they" was the youth of America. His answer was that Hesse tells them the things they want to hear, like bad is bad. He forgot to also stress, if I remember correctly, that Hesse writes in simple sentences with few words. You can read it on a bus or a treadmill at the gym. Complexity and intellectual challenge aren't the main things here.
   
   Vonnegut himself was a lot like that, and Mother Night is maybe the clearest example of this. It is a morality tale with all the ambiguity and subtlety of a topless bar. He starts with a conventional, but interesting, dilemma, that of the undercover agent who is two things at once, and the question is whether the inner is more real than the outer simply because it is inner. Vonnegut as usual attempts to cut this Gordian knot of the demands of duty with the sword of his 1960s hippy morality. And it's not such a bad approach--do no evil, don't think about the big picture, we are what we pretend to be.
   
   So the protagonist willingly accepts his punishment as a traitor despite having the exonerating evidence at hand because he realizes he was what he pretended to be--that his pretend acts had real results. That works great--a "good" person pretended to be "bad" and so did "bad" things and hence was really bad once we use Vonnegut's miracle quotation-point-removing morality.
   
   But if "we are what we pretend to be," is a bad person who pretends to be good actually good? If my hypocritically simulated sacrifice inspires others to sacrifice themselves for values they believe in, am I really good? Is the coward general who roars "come on brave boys, follow me!" and then doubles back once they start running a hero?
   
   I wish it were so. But I don't think it is that simple. Although it wasn't my principal aim, I ended up being lauded as some sort of hero sacrificing myself for the truth. And that led others to make real sacrifices--and the funny thing is, this ended up wrecking my whole plan in the first place!--for things that I also believe in. Even if I set this in motion, I can't say that this makes my acts "good." I don't think Vonnegut was really up to thinking through the actual complexities of moral action in this world. It isn't simply about your "effects" it is about your self-hood, your authenticity. Campbell had that. Vonnegut didn't know how to deal with that.
   
   One last thing--the new cover looks exactly like the logo for the Victor mousetrap. Is that intentional? Did they see Campbell as being trapped like a mouse in a larger plan he didn't understand? [42]



3. it was quick read, and i enjoyed it very much. it's gives an interesting perspective on a lot of issues of world war II and human nature.



4. If you've never read a Vonnegut book before, then just go ahead and put this into your cart. Also add his other titles because you'll want to pick up another one after you've finished reading Mother Night. Yes, these books were written many decades ago, but the critics are correct in saying they still have relevance in today's time. Enjoy the read and reflection into today's environment.



5. The great thing about Vonnegut is that he makes it very easy to read his books, with or without an education. It may appear to some that he over simplifies or is self indulgent in his tales, which may be true, but we live in a generation of oversimplification. And a lot of people's minds are simple as well, so it only seems fitting, to keep it within our reach.
   The times may have changed since his war, but not by much. And it is sad that few are able to identify with a man of his age and experience. For me, there is no war as great as Vietnam or the Holocaust. Just an invisible war on terror, which is just as meaningless as any other war.So what he says is as important today as any other day.
   the novel is a good one, has a great plot and ends well. It doesn't leave you feeling like you don't know what happens at the end. I will probably read it again someday. But I will never understand it the way he did when he wrote it, because I have not experienced the misery that is war.

5 comments about A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1).

1. I had -as many readers, I suspect- good expectations for this book. It seemed the perfect holiday series of novels.
   I am not generally scared by n-logies amounting pages in the thousands -I just finished Stephenson's Baroque Cycle, which I heavily recommend, by the way-.
   So I started reading A Game of Thrones... Well, I fount it boring, bland, commonplace, linear (yes, despite the zillion subplots; they all sound the same). Skipping chapters, which I rarely do, gave me the impression the same white noise would go on for 6000 pages.
   It never hook me up. I couldn't find any reason to keep reading.
   I know a lot of people praise Martin's original mix of soap opera and fantasy, but it just doesn't work for me. There is no intelectual depth, just plain dull soap opera narrative.
   There might be some bright memorable moments and universe details, just like it happened in Dying Light, but we're not talking about a 300-page novel where those bright details compensate the sometimes boring narrative and overall bland story, we're talking about a 6000-page monster saga...
   Well, there are plenty more interesting books to read out there.



2. Well,
   
   This book is not for the casual read. If you like books to be finished on the last page, then the first book in the "Song of Ice and Fire" series is not for you. However, if you love good stories that seem to end too soon than I encourage you to give this a chance. It's true, the series is not finished yet and you'll be waiting for the last two books but what a journey to that point.
   
   I have to admit, I was a skeptic. With so much praise being given, I had put of reading this book for too many years. It did not win me over easily. Oh! But the tangled web it weaves only becomes more captivating with every turn of the page. Yes, it lacks magic (in this book) but remember, this is the forerunner of a much larger story. It sets a stage. That's the goal. Martin excels here in a way that Melville did with "Moby Dick" and if the comparison sounds far-fetched than hear me out. The characterization is impeccable, but the details are astounding. At points I felt mired in them and cursed them, but the it's dressing for the world-- the frame of this beautiful picture. You wouldn't want it to be different.
   
   Something of a technical detail that I think is worth mentioning is that the chapters aren't broken down by theme or plot element, although both are intricately wound within the divisions. Instead, Martin chooses to separate his work by addressing individual characters while much of the action happens in the background in relation to them. I felt that this was a refreshing and welcome twist to a genre that seems hackneyed at times.
   
   All in all, this book cannot do without the highest rating. It's too compelling, too well written, and too encompassing to be slighted. It does have faults, but within this magnificent scope and compelling story they are easily overlooked.
   
   If you are a fan of fantasy and are reading this then I urge you to try this one book. You will not regret it.



3. A Game of Thrones, author George R.R. Martin must be from another planet indeed. A planet that still workships the Gods of Old, steel and knighthood.
   
   This masterpiece is so well written that it amazes me. How in the world a normal person can plot such an intrincate story?, so many characters? How does Mr. Martin creates such elavorate personalities? It's a rollercoaster of intrigue and excitement.
   
   I read somewhere that "A Game of Thrones" was the equivalent of "The Sopranos in medieval times", well, somehow it is. Prepare yourself to get engulfed in the world of The House of Starks and Lammisters, the Black Brotherhood that watches "The Wall" up north. Beyond this wall, a terror is rising. "The Others" cold and souless creatures are moving forward.
   
   Prepare to experience treachery,secret whispers, magic, dragons, rape, murder, poisoning, honor, pain, diplomacy and betrayal at it's best. Prepare to loose yourself page after page inside one of the best new epic fantasies of our time.
   
   Mr. George R.R. Martin at least from my point of view can stand proud side by side with Mr. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.
   
   The first of six. Read it and enjoy!!!!
   
   P.S. - Some say it's too long to read...I say bring more.
   
   Cheers!!!!



4. A complex epic with strong, sympathetic characters on all sides! This is like WAR AND PEACE and GONE WITH THE WIND meeting JRR Tolkien's LORD OF THE RINGS, with one major difference: this author will spend chapters developing an engaging character who surmounts challenge after challenge and then suddenly, by a twist of fate, boom! the character is dead or crippled. It can sure make those suspenseful scenes more suspenseful!
   
   A Game of Thrones centers on the fortunes of four noble families: the last daughter of the deposed king, Daenerys, called Dani; the Starks of Winterfell headed by Eddard Stark, called Ned; the Lannisters, the numerous family of the current queen and House Baratheon of King Robert.
   
   One can hardly praise this fantasy too much; it breaks the mold of heroic fantasy while upholding the tradition with style. High honor, low treachery, magic, mysticism, vast grasslands filled with nomadic barbarians, icy wildernesses full of grim mystery, messenger ravens, direwolves...set forth by a master for the reader's entertainment.



5. Read the 5 star reviews for what makes this a good book, as I agree with them.
   
   However.......
   
   #1 - It's much too long, the last three or four chapters are the best in the book, the first 5 are fantastic as well. But the filler in the middle was like the first 15 minutes of a bad movie when you are saying to yourself "if the plot doesnt show itself in the next 5 minutes I'm not watching the rest". BUT, plow through it, skimm some if you wish (especially the "SANSA" chapters) and you will be rewarded! The feeling that I was left with was there was no overarching main plot line, and there isnt, there are three.
   
   #2 - Way to much forced stupidity, the author wants us to beleive that all good people are 90% stupid and slow and only 10% witty and smart. It's forced it seems, and it's insulting to me as a reader. Thats why it only got 3 stars instead of 4.5!

5 comments about The Great Book of Amber: The Complete Amber Chronicles, 1-10 (Chronicles of Amber).

1. Roger Zelazny's Amber series is one of the best sci-fi/fantasy epics ever written. Not only was it highly imaginative and original when it was published (in the 70s and 80s), but it remains so -- there's nothing else like it.
   
   Corwin and his brothers and sisters are clever, sophisticated, sarcastic, and extremely ambitious. They constantly scheme and plot to outmaneuver each other as they vie for political power. If you knew these people in real life, you'd probably hate them, but in Zelazny's hands they're charming (especially Corwin). Zelazny's writing style is solid: fast-paced, exciting, and witty. Plot twists and cliff-hangers make it hard to stop reading.
   
   With all that praise, I must mention two little problems:
   1. The Merlin Cycle is not as good as The Corwin Cycle. Corwin is just more interesting than his son.
   2. The story never quite wraps up because Zelazny died before finishing it.
   
   Bottom Line: Read The Corwin Cycle (the first half). If you're hooked, keep going.
   ~FanLit.net



2. This is arguably one of the best series ever written. Not only that but this series is in first person, one of the hardest writing styles to pull off with such hard crowds nowadays.
   
   I have to say I loved the first half of the series. Corwin was a badarse and he had an incredibly interesting story. Not only that but he was such a character, unique from anything I've ever read. There was a lot of mystery, a lot of action, a LOT of intrigue, and a ton of story. Just fantastic. I don't want to ruin the plot or antying so I'll stop there.
   
   I have to say, though, that I don't know if I like the second half. Merlin is ok. . . He's not as cool as Corwin in my opinion, even though they are incredibly similar. . . The story isn't as interesting either, in my opinion. It didn't draw me in as well as it did with Corwin. That being said this is just as good as the first half in how there is a lot of mystery, intrigue and action. I also have to say that I didn't quite like the ending, but it was good enough.
   
   One of the best series ever and all in one book, can't get much better than that. Trust me, just get this book instead of them all seperately, its SOOOO much cheaper and its of great quality in my opinion.



3. Would that Roger Zelazny had stopped after the first five chronicles in this series of ten. If he had, I'd've had no trouble giving the collection five stars. He builds a world unlike any other, pushes it to the limit, and uses its unique plasticity to great purpose in the first half of the series. ...And then in the second half he kind of goes off the rails. I also wish that I'd only read the first five books. If you get The Great Book, I recommend cutting it in half after the fifth book, and throwing books 6-10 away. Keep 1-5, read them often and treasure them.



4. I shouldn't have liked this book. First of all it's huge, there are a million characters and due to the basis of the book the author can whip up a deus ex machina any time he needs. I mean how can such a "light" book stick with you as long and as well as this work of Zelazney? Simple... just create an old fashioned swashbuckling tale that forces you to turn the page.
   
   I loved the characters and the writing. My favorite line in the book is the first line in part two of this book: "It's a bitch waiting around for someone to kill you." That kind of catch-you-off-guard writing kept the me rivited to my seat for all of the 1264 pages. Even after that much I was sad the book was over. I wish Roger was still with us for there is so much more to be said and done in Amber but alas.
   
   If you are looking for a fun adventure buy this book!



5. I read each of these books that originally came as a series. Yes I waiting for each of these books to come out and couldn't wait for the next one. It is great to have them all in one enormous book now. If I can only find the time to read it again!

5 comments about Pretties (Uglies Trilogy, Book 2).

1. Before I started reading this book, I thought I'd be disappointed, because a friend had said she didn't like the other ones as much as the first book, Uglies. It started out OK because Tally changed completely as a pretty because of the leisures. Then things changed again and it got very exciting. She went through new adventures, some quite scary, and made new companions such as the very important, Zane. The action in these books are great! There were, however, some boring moments for me when she was having trouble with something, but that's just because I liked reading about when she was with her friends.
   
   I won't say much more because I actually can't stand hearing people's thoughts on a book before, or while I'm reading it. Maybe not even after. And I don't want to spoil the suspense-filled story for anyone.
   
   I suggest any type of person to buy these series. I am not a big fan of scientific theories and such, but these books are just eye-catching; you just can't let go of the book once you get into the story! They have a lot to do with just, life itself. I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to reading the other two, Specials and Extras, but until then, I need a break from reading!^-^



2. I'm more of a person interested in good stories. I love Star Wars, Harry Potter, Narnia, etc...This book and the others that are in the Trilogy fit right into that genra for me. Good read! And, great purchase!



3. Pretties is the second volume of Scott Westerfeld's Uglies Trilogy. It picks up almost exactly where Uglies left off and the story is fairly involved so I strongly recommend reading Uglies first. If, however, you decide to ignore me, here's a brief explanation of what's going on which will necessarily include spoilers (and yes I am quoting my own review):
   
   "Uglies is set in the distant future after a mysterious global catastrophe precipitated changes to the foundations of what readers would call modern society. Fearful of war and violence cities now operate as independent states (think Renaissance Italy as opposed to contemporary Italy). Isolated and self-sufficient, the cities have agreed to certain standards for the greater good.
   
   "New technology ensures that citizens never want for food or luxury items, weapons of any kind are largely illegal, and at the age of sixteen everyone undergoes a series of extreme surgeries to better conform to societal standards of beauty. The logic being that, since humans are preconditioned to respond to certain visual cues in each other already (big eyes are non-threatening, a clear complexion and good teeth indicate that a person is healthy), applying these beauty standards will reduce conflict and create a more harmonious society.
   
   "But in a world where everyone is movie-star-gorgeous (oldies like Rudolph Valentino and Greta Garbo are considered "natural pretties"), normal people are so not pretty. In short, they're ugly."
   
   At the end of the first book, our heroine Tally Youngblood also learns that normal people are smarter than the Pretties. As part of the government's plan to keep the population in line, Pretties' brains are surgically altered with lesions to make Pretties more complacent. The government's logic can be summed up in four dangerous words: for the greater good.
   
   At the end of Uglies, knowing now that the operation has to be stopped, Tally makes the ultimate sacrifice--she allows herself to undergo the Operation in order to become an undercover operative of sorts. The only problem is that, because of the Operation, she forgets everything she learned about the Operation, the government, and perhaps most importantly about Special Circumstances (Westerfeld's interpretation of secret service/black ops types).
   
   In other words, Tally starts Pretties with a basically clean slate. She and best friend Shay know that they lived with the resistance group known as The Smoke, but little else. Looking for something "bubbly" to do as Pretties, the girls decide to join the Crims--a clique known for pulling dramatic stunts in order to stay bubbly and consequently think a little more clearly than Pretties usually do. As Tally becomes more involved with the Crims and their leader, Zane, pieces of Tally's past begin to fall into place. But, the more Tally learns about her past, the more confusing things become as she has to decide between her past and her present.
   
   Of the trilogy, this one is my least favorite. The characters, being Pretties, seemed the most unreal. Although Westerfeld evoked a very realistic world in Uglies it all rings a little less true here. I love how much slang these novels use and how easy it is to follow, but that too got to be a bit much.
   
   The novel ends on a dramatic note, Tally once again rallying against those who would maintain the status quo. But at the same time, like in Uglies, she is once again a victim of circumstances. So, although the ending is great, it's also a bit too familiar. Since Pretties is part of a trilogy, it is a must-read to see what happens to Tally. But, in this reviewer's opinion, the second installment in the trilogy doesn't quite live up to the hype created by the first.



4. Tally has become pretty and it looks like everything is working out for her at last. She pretty, she's popular, has a fantastic wardrobe and boyfriend, but looks can be deceiving and in this case they are. Tally has received a letter from her past self and remembers why she became pretty in the first place and why it needs to be fixed. This knowledge is dangerous and the authorities don't want her to live to talk about it.



5. I read The Uglies and could not put it down. It is a great book.
   
   The Pretties annoyed me with the whole doing things to be "bubbly." They used this term all the time. That, and things are "happy making" and "pretty making" and "funny making." They were supposed to be like mindless robots, but this use of language got on my nerves.
   
   I loved the Uglies and the description of the sights and sounds Tally experienced in "The Smoke." It was so exciting to watch Tally learn how to do simple things outside of her ultra modern city.
   
   At the end of the Uglies when she turned herself in in order to help Shay become cured, I was so excited to see what would happen, when David would come rescue her.
   
   It was so annoying how long it took for her to become reunited with David. Her friendshipe with Shay completely fell apart, and Shay ended up being hte completely mindless one, when in the first book, Shay was the adventurous one with a mind of her own who was all for staying ugly and running away.
   
   I was just extremely disappointed in what I thought was going to be an extremely promising book.