The Spiderwick Chronicles (Boxed Set): The Field Guide; The Seeing Stone; Lucinda's Secret; The Ironwood Tree; The Wrath of Mulgrath

Book Description

It all started with a mysterious letter left at a tiny bookstore for authors Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. Its closing lines: "We just want people to know about this. The stuff that has happened to us could happen to anyone." Little could they imagine the remarkable adventure that awaited them as they followed Jared, Simon, and Mallory Grace and a strange old book into a world filled with elves, goblins, dwarves, trolls, and a fantastical menagerie of other creatures. The oddest part is in entering that world, they didn't leave this one!

Five captivating books!
One thrilling adventure!
The Spiderwick Chronicles

Customer Reviews:

reading fantasy is fun.......2007-09-10

Reading a book that will be a movie in Feburary is fun for all ages. This book is full of imagination, magic and fantasy.

A Family Favorite.......2007-09-06

My kids can't get enough of these books! I have a 7 year old & a 5 year old, and we have read the books aloud to them. The 7 year old keeps trying to sneak the books away and read them himself, but we make him wait. They are an easy read--each book is about 100 pages, so it doesn't take long to read. The storyline is exciting for the kids. I'm glad we bought the boxed set, as you wouldn't want to buy just one! The five books make me think it's like one book broken into 5 parts.

Protesting the Price.......2007-09-05

These books are nice little fantasy stories, but I read the first one and couldn't bring myself to buy the others simply because you get so little book for your buck. At least the Series of Unfortunate Events, similarly packaged, were completely developed--and I thought they ran a bit short at the time! These Spiderwick books are more like 1/3 of a book each, or maybe even 1/4--and yet they're as much as 10 bucks a pop.

Anyway, the characters are pleasant and the central premise of a field guide to goblins and other fantastic creatures is a rich one. But I would want to see far more incredible story telling, and at a reasonable length, to invest in this series wholeheartedly.

Spiderwick Chronicles-- Not just for kids.......2007-08-25

I enjoyed many things about this book-- the artwork is enchanting and the storyline is inventive and as an adult reading this book - I was taken back to being a kid and loving every moment of being lost in the story and my own imagination. Great Read!

I'm 22 and I loved this set.......2007-08-24

My husband and I are into Fantasy and sci-fi books. We knew of Holly Black, and we love her other books. My husband loved the set and so did I. The pictures help give you a mental image of the people in the book, so as you read your mind has something to go off of. We plan on keeping this boxed set for when we have kids, I'm sure that they will love then just as much as we did.

A Sister's Secret (Holmes County Series #1)

Average customer rating:

A Sister's Secret
A Sisters Secret-another great Brunstetter book
Insightful
Great suspense and romance
Too violent, especially for Ohio Amish community!

A Sister's Secret (Holmes County Series #1)
Wanda E. Brunstetter
Manufacturer: Barbour Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1597892262

Product Description

Grace is the oldest sister in the Hostettler family. Having put her rumschpringe (running around years) behind her, she has returned to Holmes County, joined the Amish church, and begun a new life. For the past four years, everything has been going fairly well, until the day she sees an English man who knows enough of her past to jeopardize her future. Will Gary Walker's passion for Grace destroy more than one life? Amish man Cleon Schrock is planning to marry Grace, but ignorant of her past. Will love and faith triumph over shame and deception in Holmes County?

Customer Reviews:

A Sister's Secret.......2007-10-08

I have read with anticipation the other series by Wanda Brunstetter and have thoroughly enjoyed the stories.

In the Sister's Secret, the main character, Grace has deceived her family and future husband. There is great compassion of forgiveness on the part of the family and new husband.

I was very disappointed in the way the book dragged along with all of the incidents of stealing and distruction. There had to be 20-25 incidents along these lines and it made the book drag and I truthly lost my interest; especially when the mystery wasn't solved at the end of the story. The content of the book consisted of the mystery taking place and 3-4 pages relaying the recent incident to family members. Is this mystery going to continue for 3 more books? I really don't think this mystery would keep young readers interested either. Very disappointing and I don't plan on continuing with this series.

A Sisters Secret-another great Brunstetter book.......2007-10-07

I thoroughly enjoyed this newest book by Wanda Brunstetter. After
growing up in the Holmes county area and then moving away it is
always interesting to read her books. This book captures the
Amish as they really are, real people with real problems, just
like people of other religions. The Hochstetler family faces
many challenges in this book, especially Grace, the daughter who
left for a few years and then returned. Her past returns to
make a very interesting story, I can't wait for the sequel to this
great read.

Insightful.......2007-09-20

A Sister's Secret gives readers insight into the difficulties the Amish face living in the twenty-first century. It is obvious the author knows the Amish and their way of life and the things they struggle with. It's a sweet story of forgiveness and redemption. I enjoyed reading about families living a slower pace, closer to the earth, more the way I think we were intended to live. And I look forward to reading the next book in the series to find out who's been causing the family so much trouble!

Great suspense and romance.......2007-09-19

In A Sister's Secret author Wanda Brunstetter uses the many different Amish and English characters to demonstrate what can happen to people who are unwilling to forgive. She also shows how keeping secrets is harmful both to the person keeping the secret and the ones who will be devestated when it is revealed. In both English and Amish socieities, anyone may be tempted to do evil instead of good. It is always a person's choice.
The theme of the book is one our society needs to learn, whether English or Amish. The high cost of unforgiveness is too great for anyone. And then to see the powerful picture of forgiveness at the end of the novel was great.
I enjoyed reading the book and eagerly wait for the sequel to it. I would recommend the book to those interested in reading about the Amish and for those who enjoy romance mixed with suspense.
Marijane

Too violent, especially for Ohio Amish community!.......2007-09-18

Overall, the author's Amish books are very good, except for this one in an Ohio setting:

A Sister's Secret (Holmes County Series #1). I know there was a shooting of the little girls -- not in Ohio, that she mentions at the beginning of the book, but this was in another state. But I feel the author has let this tarnish her work and carry over into this book that focuses on our Ohio Amish, right here in my territory. It's very much way too violent and has way too many negative, violent occurrences in it - especially for this area and among the Ohio Amish community (and any Amish community).

She needs to write some sort of apology in future editions, and focus her violence elsewhere. It's disturbing that she needs to bring such violence into this stream of books. Perhaps she needs to write on other genres for awhile, and leave such drama to others.

Also some of the dialogue makes zero sense. Example: references in the last third to "mom?" Where's that come from when referring to Grace's mam?

And there is simply no room for abuse to animals, even killing them, in these types of books, not to mention all the other violent acts. And to have a continual focus on all this - -wow... very, very sad. Very, very poor quality of content. (Go write horror movies, but don't stick with this genre. )

Again, overall, her other Amish books to date were fine. This one, though, is very negative and very bad, especially for Ohio Amish. It appears that someone else actually wrote this.

Lucinda's Secret (Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 3)

Average customer rating:

Great series!
Continues apace.
Getting Better, Getting Better
Lucinda's Secret
A historical secret

Lucinda's Secret (Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 3)
Holly Black
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0689859384

Amazon.com

The Grace kids--13-year-old Mallory and 9-year-old twins Jared and Simon--get to catch their breath in the third installment of the Spiderwick Chronicles, as they visit their "crazy old" Aunt Lucinda for some help in deciding the fate of the troublesome Field Guide

Fresh from near-fatal goblin and troll attacks in the previous book (The Seeing Stone, the children are torn over whether to hang onto their long-lost great-great-uncle's book or to turn it over to the menacing faeries. Thimbletack--the house brownie who's transmogrified into an angry "boggart"--has lost his patience with the kids, and he starts subjecting Jared to increasingly nasty pranks. Hoping that Lucinda might know something about Uncle Arthur's fate (or at least have some advice on how to fend off the faeries), the three children talk their mom into a trip to the asylum for a visit--but there they learn their situation might be even more dangerous than they imagined. (And, as readers of the series know, the kids already thought they were in hot water.)

Holly Black doesn't dish up the action quite as fast as she did in the first two books, but Spiderwick fans won't be disappointed: We learn more Spiderwick family history, we get an ominous glimpse of events to come, and Tony DiTerlizzi introduces a few new faeries to the menagerie in his ever-evocative pen and ink--including a special treat, the Cheshire-esque phooka. ("You've lost your uncle! How careless.") Ages 6 to 10) --Paul Hughes

Book Description

Let the story of my niece and nephews be a warning. The more you know, the more danger you're in. And trust me, you don't want to meddle with the Little People. -- S.S.

One thrilling adventure -- The Spiderwick Chronicles!

Their world is closer than you think.

Customer Reviews:

Great series!.......2007-08-08

The entire series is great. First time my son read a book cover to cover and wanted more!

Continues apace........2006-09-21

Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, Lucinda's Secret (Simon and Schuster, 2003)

The third Spiderwick book is here, and things keep going along in their own inimitable fashion. Once again, the book starts off in the same rather weak fashion as did The Seeing Stone, but wraps up the oddly out-of-place stuff much more quickly than that one did, and we're off to the races. I've reached the point in the series where it's impossible to give any sort of plot description without spoiling earlier volumes, so I'll refrain.

As with the last book, once things get rolling, this is fun stuff, easily read. It doesn't have the depth of something like His Dark Materials, but then it's not meant to; these are simple, easy-to-read tales that are perfect for the child who's just beginning to read on his or her own and is still enchanted with the fairy-tale world. Some parents might want to take a quick run through to make sure everything's copacetic with their worldview (for example, the house brownie has a habit of expressing his displeasure by, shall we say, taking a leak), but I'd say this is workable for the six-and-up set. The kids' home situation might bring up some questions that would be interesting to explain to a six-year-old but then six-year-olds are a lot more accepting of some things than adults are. ***

Getting Better, Getting Better.......2006-05-21

The Spiderwick Chronicles has always been an enjoyable series to me, ever since I read the first book. Let's recap a bit.

Book 1 was intriguing, hinting at events to come
Book 2, the action begins

Now, here we are in book three, "Lucinda's Secret." To provide for some backstory, the Grace children visit their believed-to-be-crazy old Aunt Lucy, who gives some insight about the past of Arthur Spiderwick and the dangerous of Faeries. The Grace children, obviously, do not take heed and find themselves in encounters with elves and a phooka.

This book is a bit better then the previous two, because there is no more waiting--the action has begun, and it seems that it won't stop until the end of the five book series. The villain Mulgarath is spoken of for the first time, and the book in itself is VERY enjoyable. While it's short and can be read in a little less then an hour, it's definitely worth reading.

Just to add this in: this series is not a rip-off of A Series of Unfortunate Events. Yes, the formats are very noticeably similar and it's about three children, but the story is so utterly different that once you read it, you laugh at the comparisons. Happy reading!

7/10

Lucinda's Secret.......2006-05-13

My baby brother reads Spiderwick and from his giggles I know he likes it. The Spiderwick Chronicles is one story spread over five books. The books are very short, about 120 pages each with many illustrations, and it took me a little over an hour to read each book.

Lucinda's Secret is the third book in The Spiderwick Chronicles. By this book, the Grace children - nine-year-old twins, Simon and Jared, and thirteen-year-old, Mallory - are starting to see how much Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide is putting them in danger and they decide to talk with their Aunt Lucinda about the book. The only problme is that Aunt Lucinda is locked away in an asylum. But Aunt Lucinda really isn't crazy.

Simon, Jared and Mallory work to convince their mother to bring them to Aunt Lucinda for a visit. They hope to ask her about Arthur Spiderwick and The Field Guide but the angry house brownie named Thimbletack has other ideas.

The Spiderwick Chronicles are all quick, good reads and recommended for little brothers.

A historical secret .......2006-04-27

Lucinda's secret was a very good book this one included lots of things you needed to know about the Spiderwick estate and lots of things about Arthur Spiderwick.The funniest bit was when she woke up in the middle of the night and found that her had been strangled to the banners of her bed.The Phooka was very creative because how it stays on a tree all day long.Its kind of like a monkey.I wish i knew what "bonny bonny bonny", meant.I think the unicorn could have had more features for example(no hair no tail)and so on.The faeries were very uniqe with their features.I recomend this book for people who like imaginitive stories.

The Amazing Secret of the Souls in Purgatory: An Interview with Maria Simma

Average customer rating:

life changing little book!
Maria Simma's accounts of the souls in purgatory
Amazing book!
A Very Short Book But Full of Important Messages!
The Main Concept Here Is: Pray to Jesus Christ-Always.

The Amazing Secret of the Souls in Purgatory: An Interview with Maria Simma
Sister Emmanuel of Medjugorje
Manufacturer: Queenship Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Mysticism | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1579180043

Customer Reviews:

life changing little book!.......2007-03-25

This is a great little book! It really changed my outlook on life and gave me a whole new way to channel what life deals you. I read it from cover to cover without stopping. Very interesting.

Maria Simma's accounts of the souls in purgatory.......2007-01-11

This book was informative. It was suprising to read that some souls do go directly to Heaven without any suffering in purgatory. I didn't like the illustration on the cover. I can't imagine the Blessed Virgin Mary every being so scantily dressed. It was offensive to see her depicted that way.
The book was easy to read.

Amazing book!.......2007-01-05

This book was great! Easy to read yet very thought-provoking. I enjoyed it immensely and I will be sure to read it again and again!

A Very Short Book But Full of Important Messages!.......2006-06-27

This booklet is a very good introduction to the doctrine on Purgatory and gives us the viewpoint from an extraordinary lady, Maria Simma from Sonntag, Austria who has been visited frequently by the souls in purgatory. For a full understanding of the doctrine on purgatory, I strongly recommend you read the Catechism of the Catholic Church first before trying this booklet as it will then make more sense to you. There is nothing doctrinally wrong with what is written here although one should be well-versed in the faith to really get the most out of this booklet. I've read it recently for the second time and it made much more sense to me now than it did the first time. I had since joined the RCIA as a sponsor and endeavoured to learn more about my faith, reading and attending bible classes etc and so it made much more sense to me the second time around. Thank goodness God doesn't judge us on what is "fair" or what we "deserve" because we all deserve death by that token. What's great is the concept of accountability and restoring what is right by making restitution for what we have done wrong. There's no doubting God's forgiveness but we have to also make good the wrongs we have been forgiven for or at least try to lest our faith become a dead faith (read the letter of James for more clarity). Anyone seen the tv show "My Name is Earl?" or even the movie "Flatliners?"

The Main Concept Here Is: Pray to Jesus Christ-Always........2006-02-25

The main idea here is about believing in Jesus Christ.
Always. I don't agree with an element or two of it, but it did its job at persuading me to come to Jesus Christ. I am glad it did.
Going to Church is key, but when going to church one prays to
Jesus Christ-always. Believing in saints, in mary, and treating preachers like God is wrong, but believing in Jesus Christ that He is God is true. This is the heart and core of going to church. All about Jesus Christ. Being with Christ, believing in Christ, and praying to Christ. This book persuaded me as well as the death of Pope John Paul the Second that it is very important to follow Christ's way of life. It is through Jesus Christ that one will see the Father(God). Prayer is very important so pray always to God(JESUS CHRIST). Book is recommended. Prayer is important...Let the Holy Spirit come into your life, and transform you into a new person, a person filled with love, and a love for Christ as well. Just pray (prayers/or talk to Him)and ask Christ to forgive you of your sins, and ask Him to come into your life so He can transform you into a new person, a loving person no longer filled with malice sadness, hate, etc.

I also recommend the BIBLE ESV By Crossway publishers (2001), a white and black Bible that can be a great companion to this book.

Simmas books is just an intro but always follow the Bible. Christs Holy Book. If your church does not talk, nor pray to Jesus Christ then that Church is AntiChrist. It is that simple.
God bless. Yes, i recommend this book by Simma, i hope it can take you to further literature as well. Simmas book is an easy read. THE HOLY BIBLE ESV is in American English (Thank God) in case one got lost with English English.

Average customer rating:

Haunting
Interesting Read
A side I have never thought about...
Wonderful Story-Rice is Great!
Another wonderful novel by Luanne Rice

The Secret Hour
Luanne Rice
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0553802240
Release Date: 2003-02-04

Book Description

One of America’s most mesmerizing storytellers, Luanne Rice enthralls readers with her moving tales of ordinary people in crisis--and how they are transformed by the enduring power of love and family. Now the author of Safe Harbor, True Blue, and other New York Times bestsellers presents the gripping story of a man fighting for his family, a woman searching for her sister--and the promise of a new life where both least expected it...

The Secret Hour

Beneath his careful and controlled demeanor, attorney John O’Rourke is a man whose life is in turmoil. Since the death of his wife, he has been juggling the rigors of a controversial capital murder case and the demands of raising two children. Eleven-year-old Maggie’s crooked bangs and rumpled clothes eloquently reproach John’s earnest but haphazard attempts at mothering. Teddy, John’s stalwart fourteen-year-old, has quietly assumed responsibilities far too weighty for his young shoulders, as he longs for the way things used to be and tries to ignore the hostility that has swirled around his family since his father took on the defense of a killer whose crimes have rocked Connecticut.

A brick through the window one autumn morning signals a dangerous new level of hatred. But a quieter event also takes place that day. A woman arrives on the O’Rourke doorstep to find a household on the brink of chaos but brimming with love--and, she hopes, answers. Kate Harris is searching for the key to her own mystery. Six months ago her younger sister fled far from their beloved home following a devastating confrontation. After mailing a single postcard from the New England shore, Willa Harris vanished. With only a postmark to go on, Kate takes a leave of absence from her job as a marine biologist to come to the seaside Willa adored--and discovers the one man who may be able to help her.

Compelling and evocative, at once suspenseful, heartbreaking, and triumphant, The Secret Hour is an unforgettable novel that explores the power of sisterly love, the gift of second chances--and the way magic can sometimes be the most real thing in the whole world.

Download Description

One of America's most mesmerizing storytellers, Luanne Rice enthralls readers with her moving tales of ordinary people in crisis -- and how they are transformed by the enduring power of love and family. Now the author of Safe Harbor, True Blue, and other New York Times bestsellers presents the gripping story of a man fighting for his family, a woman searching for her sister -- and the promise of a new life where both least expected it...

The Secret Hour

Beneath his careful and controlled demeanor, attorney John O'Rourke is a man whose life is in turmoil. Since the death of his wife, he has been juggling the rigors of a controversial capital murder case and the demands of raising two children. Eleven-year-old Maggie's crooked bangs and rumpled clothes eloquently reproach John's earnest but haphazard attempts at mothering. Teddy, John's stalwart fourteen-year-old, has quietly assumed responsibilities far too weighty for his young shoulders, as he longs for the way things used to be and tries to ignore the hostility that has swirled around his family since his father took on the defense of a killer whose crimes have rocked Connecticut.

A brick through the window one autumn morning signals a dangerous new level of hatred. But a quieter event also takes place that day. A woman arrives on the O'Rourke doorstep to find a household on the brink of chaos but brimming with love -- and, she hopes, answers. Kate Harris is searching for the key to her own mystery. Six months ago her younger sister fled far from their beloved home following a devastating confrontation. After mailing a single postcard from the New England shore, Willa Harris vanished. With only a postmark to go on, Kate takes a leave of absence from her job as a marine biologist to come to the seaside Willa adored -- and discovers the one man who may be able to help her.

Compelling and evocative, at once suspenseful, heartbreaking, and triumphant, The Secret Hour is an unforgettable novel that explores the power of sisterly love, the gift of second chances -- and the way magic can sometimes be the most real thing in the whole world.

"Exciting, emotional, terrific -- what more could you want?"
   THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

"Rice's trademarks are fine writing, a good eye for small detail, and an uncanny way of conveying the mysterious glue that holds families together."
   KIRKUS REVIEWS

Customer Reviews:

Haunting.......2007-10-02

From the setting - the cool, rusty beaches of the northeast coast - to the background material - a serial killer who may, just may, have killed the heroine's sister - this book is fraught with a haunted mood.

The hero is a lawyer - defending said serial killer. He has his own personal issues which have devestated his life, but he still is a good dad to his kids.

The heroine is a wonderful character, full of love and though she's been hurt, she's willing from the beginning to open up and help those in need.

There are some good side characters - his father and his father's housekeeper, for example. There is a wonderful description of small town life - the good and the bad. And there is evil lurking everywhere.

Though this is probably listed as romantic suspense, it's not chock full of sex like that genre usually is. Instead, it's old-fashioned romance. And it's awful, new-age, gory suspense. The mix wasn't as satisfying for me as I would hope. The overall image left is very dark. I generally like things lighter.

That being said, it was still a great read.

(*)>

Interesting Read.......2007-09-28

This is my first Luanne Rice book so can't base this one on her other novels. John O'Rourke's character seems like a sensitive caring person and hard to see him defending a serial killer. I know they have a right to counsel but seems like long years of that would destroy a sensitive person and you see it does take a toll on John. Okay this is the focus of the book. One reviewer stated they didn't like most of the characters. I thought they were all quite interesting. I hadn't read a novel with the scenario of this one. I would have liked a little more to the ending tying things up but wasn't bad. I appreciated LR's lack of profanity (there is some but wasn't every page) and also lack of detailed sexual scenes. Some authors over do both. I thought the romance between John and Kate was just nice and secondary to the story going on around them. I loved the kids in the story and the dogs (being an animal lover). I will definitley try another of Luanne Rice's books.

A side I have never thought about..........2006-08-30

The defense attorney for a serial killer. What he & his family must go through- knowing at times that he is defending a taker of lives. But he has a job to do and a pledge to keep- to defend all. Boy! Tough! With no where to escape for even his home community is against him and takes it out on his family, who in this story is a widower & 2 innocent kids. The other side is the sister of a missing person who meets the description of other victims of this serial killer. Her bond with her sister was just too strong to let go of and good thing she didn't give up. I liked the story and it kept me reading up to the last bit of the book. Then it became too much too fast- like LR had to cram a lot in to the last few pages to wrap the story up. I was one that didn't guess the outcome of 'who done it' so that was fun. Yeah, I would recommend it.

Wonderful Story-Rice is Great! .......2005-12-29

Defense attorney John O'Rourke has had more than his share of heartache. Since Theresa, his late wife died suddenly, he has been trying to juggle the rigors of a very controversial capital murder case, and coping with his two children raising them. There is a lot of hatred around John and his kids as he defends a serial killer, Greg Merrill. Some hateful person threw a brick at their house one autumn morning injuring John in the face, and terrifying Maggie and Teddy.

This is when Kate Harris appears at the door. She wants answers from John as to whatever happened to her younger sister when she mysteriously disappeared. She received one postcard from Willa that came from the New England shore. This is the only clue she has to go on, and all the while Kate suspects Greg Merrill of possibly killing her sister. So John tries to find answers for Kate, even at the risk of breaking lawyer-client privlege. And what he finds out from the well-known psychiatrist Meredith, could lead him on a deadly path.

Another wonderful novel by Luanne Rice.......2005-12-29

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

John O'Rourke is the defense attorney for serial killer Greg Merrill, AKA "The Breakwater Killer" and many people are not happy he's handling this case. When a brick is thrown through his front window, he knows he's in for a rough time, as are his Children. In the middle of all of this, John is dealing with his feelings about his wife's recent death, and her adultery.

Kate Harris arrives on John's doorstep seeking his aid. Her sister is missing; a possible victim of Merrill, the body has never been recovered. John is reluctant to discuss his case with Kate but finds himself drawn in to the mystery surrounding her sister's disappearance nonetheless. Although the meeting of John and Kate was under unfortunate circumstances, she finds herself drawn to his young children... and to john. She may be just what he needs to heal his wounded spirit. But danger is all around as they try to solve the mystery of Kate's sister.

This story is classic of Luanne Rice, though she reveals her darker side in the psychological undertones found in The Secret Hour. However, as this was the abridged version of the story, a lot of the details that should have really provided the darker feel were missing. Even so, the suspenseful air comes through loud and clear, keeping the reader guessing. The surprise twist at the end threw this reviewer for a loop as she was not expecting that turn of events.

As always in a Luanne Rice novel, relationships of many kinds are showcased. One will find the bond between a father and his children, the sometimes upsetting relationship of a lawyer with a guilty client, the love between sisters which is the strongest relationship bond in this story, and the love that grows between people proving that family is what we make of it, and is not always formed by blood. The tender feelings that develop between John and Kate are well done, making readers understand what is going through their minds as they form this unlikely bond.

? Kelley A. Hartsell, December 2005. All rights reserved.

Secrets of Dripping Fang, Book Six: Attack of the Giant Octopus (Secrets of Dripping Fang)

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Secrets of Dripping Fang, Book Six: Attack of the Giant Octopus (Secrets of Dripping Fang)
Dan Greenburg
Manufacturer: Harcourt Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0152060413

Book Description

After Wally's brush with death by insulin shock (a lesser-known means of assassination, for sure), he and Cheyenne are more determined than ever to stop the Ont Queen and her millions of minions from enslaving the human race and ending life on Earth as we know it. But how can two orphans overthrow an entire army of freakishly massive ants? And further, how do we know that the Ont Queen won't resort to even more creepy and unusual methods to try to exterminate Wally once and for all?

Well, these two scrawny kids have managed to survive this long, haven't they? They might just make it through one more book.

Secrets of Dripping Fang, Book Seven: Please Don't Eat the Children (Secrets of Dripping Fang)

Average customer rating:

love this series

Secrets of Dripping Fang, Book Seven: Please Don't Eat the Children (Secrets of Dripping Fang)
Dan Greenburg
Manufacturer: Harcourt Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Humorous | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Twins | Issues | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

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ASIN: 0152060472

Book Description

What can we expect from the next two brilliantly creepy books in the deliciously disturbing Dripping Fang series? Well, it’s probably a safe guess that they will be just as bizarre and frightfully fun as the others. And we could possibly surmise that they’ll take our two heroes, Wally and Cheyenne Shluffmuffin, back to the clutches of the show-tune-happy Hortense Jolly at the Jolly Days Orphanage, where odd adventures might ensue. Who knows, maybe even The Jackal (of international assassin fame) will make another appearance.

Nothing’s exactly for certain when it comes to these out-of-the-ordinary tales, but it’s definitely a fact that Dan Greenburg gets wackier and more inventive with each new installment.

Customer Reviews:

love this series.......2007-04-24

This book is about the Shfullmuffin twins and there adventures.
When the twins are sent back the Jolly Days Orphanage they might be adopted by some...ghouls? Unless there dad get 1500 dollars from a...troll?!?!(A violent one at that) Join the Shfullmuffin twin in there sixth adventure

Operation Red Jericho: The Guild Specialists Book 1 (The Guild of Specialists)

Average customer rating:

Wonderful book
A good beginning
A Fun Read
Delightful Book, when is the movie coming out?
Full of twists, turns and very cool characters!!!!

Operation Red Jericho: The Guild Specialists Book 1 (The Guild of Specialists)
Joshua Mowll
Manufacturer: Candlewick
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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Historical Fiction | History & Historical Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0763626341
Release Date: 2005-08-09

Book Description

A sister and brother's search for their missing parents uncovers a mysterious secret society in an action-filled sea-and-land saga centered in 1920s Shanghai.

For Joshua Mowll, it was the surprise of a lifetime. There, among the archives inherited from his great-aunt Rebecca MacKenzie, was a 1920s journal recounting the thrilling and dangerous adventures of fifteen-year-old Rebecca and her younger brother, Doug, in the wake of their parents' mysterious disappearance in the deserts of China. Now carefully re-created in a lavish volume — complete with cloth binding and a journal-style elastic clasp — the siblings' tale begins aboard the Expedient, their uncle's enigmatic research ship, and moves at a breathless pace through the streets of Shanghai and on to a terrifying island fortress. Along the way, Doug and Becca encounter an ancient order of Chinese mercenaries, a brutal pirate warlord, a feisty Texan heiress, and a stolen cache of a volatile explosive called zoridium. By their saga's end, the intrepid duo has exposed a murderous plot involving their parents and uncovered a high-minded secret society hidden from the world for hundreds of years. Interspersed are such "archival" elements as:

— elaborate diagrams and maps
— vintage photos and illustrations
— documents with stamps, seals, and watermarks
— four full-color gatefolds, the largest a six-page foldout
— extensive appendices and notes

Painstakingly researched and packed with authentic detail, OPERATION RED JERICHO is the first of three nonstop-action tales of intrigue by first-time author Joshua Mowll — historical fiction at its finest.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful book.......2007-08-19

I read this book when I was 15, and greatly enjoyed it. It is well written, and keeps you reading. It mixes together many things which youth like- swordfights, martial arts, pirates, seafaring, being on their own and on a mission to save their parents... even though it may sound as if it's just a boys book, it's not. My daughter has read it as well and enjoyed it; in fact, she bought the sequel.

A good beginning.......2007-01-03

Let's begin by stating that this book is well designed. The drawings and diagrams of the vehicles, weapons, devices, etc were great. The detail was very interesting and well appreciated.

That being said, I thought the story was good, but not great. I am keeping in mind the fact that this is the first book in a trilogy. I didn't find the two children's characters to be very likable. They lie and go around the adults in the quest to find their parents. I hope the characters are further developed as the story continues.

The story involves the writer who inherits a house full of secret information regarding the Guild of Specialists. The writer publishes the findings from his aunts archives, and thus the story. It is a very good premise, but as I mentioned the characters are a little weak.

I would recommend this books to young readers. The story is paced well and moves quickly. Some of the terms and devices described in the sotry may be a little too technical for the younger group (third graders), but I feel they would still enjoy it.

A Fun Read.......2006-12-08

A very fun and engaging story set in a time and place I know very little about. The artwork, fold-outs and gee-wiz aspects of the story are especially well done. Some of the writing is a little flat; not up to the standards set by the artwork. I bought the book for me and am very pleased to report that one of my boys (age 11) has picked it up and is quite engrossed.

Delightful Book, when is the movie coming out?.......2006-11-16

This book is a lot of fun. Inventive, good characters, not overwritten. Fast paced. One of the more delightful books I've read in a long time. I hope some studio makes a movie out of this. The detail in the illustations, the additional information all makes the story much more full and rich. Can't wait to read the next one.

Full of twists, turns and very cool characters!!!!.......2006-10-25

I love this book. Operation Red Jericho is right up there with Phillip Pullman's Sally Lockhart series. This book is filled with evil villians, really good good guys and a really drawing mystery.
I also loved how Joshua Mowll used Becka's diary, real maps, blueprints, and real bad guys. This is an historical ficition book through and through. I would seriously recomend this book to any Phillip Pullman lovers.

Dark Secret (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 12)

Average customer rating:

One of the best in this series
Disappointed Writer's Lack Of Culture
This could've been a good book...
exactly what I would expect!
HOT

Dark Secret (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 12)
Christine Feehan
Manufacturer: Berkley Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Fantasy, Futuristic & Ghost | Romance | Subjects | Books

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Vampires | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0425206416

Book Description

Christine Feehan has thrilled legions of fans with her seductive, sensual Carpathian tales. Now, she presents the enthralling story of Rafael, a savage hunter from the darkest jungles, and the beautiful prey he would never let escape.

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Customer Reviews:

One of the best in this series.......2007-09-18

I read several of the books in this series a few years ago, then just stopped buying them, as they all started to sound the same. However, I picked this one up at the store the other day on a whim, to see how things were progressing.

Much of the style is the same - the phrase "can do no other" still appears an awful lot - but it seemed a little less prevalent than I remember from earlier books. However, I thought this particular one had better characterizations and more realistic reactions on the part of both the hero and the heroine to their situation.

The heroine's reactions, especially, I thought were finally closer to how a real woman would react to a) discovering the new hottie in her life is actually a Carpathian, b) waking up buried underground and c) her boyfriend expects her to do everything he says without question.

The resolution of these conflicts was a little simplistic, in my opinion. Going through a traumatic event just suddenly makes everything okay for our heroine, but doesn't actually change anything. But, overall I felt this title was one of the best in this series.

I found the hero, Rafael, quite appealing. As usual, he is tall, dark and dangerous, but also had some sensitive moments and was actually trying to see things from the heroines point of view, even if failing miserably for the most part. Let's just say that a Carpathian male can rationalize his way into doing whatever he wants like nobody's business.

All in all a solid entry that may actually entice me to read a few more in this series.

Disappointed Writer's Lack Of Culture.......2007-08-20

It's frustrating that in the year 2007 there's still people that not even know what the language is spoken in Brazil. Some not even know where it is geographically. More frustrating when it comes from well known best seller's writers like Christine Feehan, in Dark Secret, and many film producers. Brazil has nothing to do with Mexico or Argentina. Brazil is the only country in Central and South America that doesn't speak Spanish. They speak Portuguese only. How come someone writes a story about Brazilians and give them Spanish names like Chevez and De La Cruz? I'm sorry to say it this way, but there's a clear demonstration of ignorance. There's no such names from Brazilian origin. It's amazing to see movies about Brazil where Mariachis (traditionally from Mexico) are blowing trumpets to play Salsa as Brazilian music. Brazil is famous worldwide for their Samba and Lambada. I think movie producers and book writers should be a little more competent. This would make their work even better.

This could've been a good book..........2007-06-25

This could have been a good book but the main characters ruined it. I like a strong heroine as much as the next gal but Colby was just annoying. I found myself rolling my eyes every time she couldn't understand or was afraid of pretty much everything. I don't think I've ever read a story with a more dense or stubborn female character. Things have to go her way or she has a b***h fit unwilling to see reason or common sense. Raphael was just very one dimensional and more of a caveman then 18th century hunter/warrior.

The story dragged on forever it could easily have been half the length. The sex scenes were too long and too frequent. I liked the idea of the story but I couldn't get past my dislike for the main characters. I had never read a Feehan book before and unfortunately this one hasn't made me want to take a chance on another.

exactly what I would expect!.......2007-06-17

This book was a wonderful book i enjoyed it so much i read it again whitch is unuasual for me.

HOT.......2007-04-05

I agree with the other reviewers who thought Rafael was a bit of a jerk, but, give the guy a break. He hasn't felt emotion or any of that crap for centuries. Naturally our hero is going to be rough around the edges. I am reading this book a second time and really enjoy it. Sometimes I find myself skimming over paragraphs when I find Feehan is re-hashing thrice established information (I did this the first time I read it, too), but most of this book is a gripping read. I just with they used an uglier guy for the cover. It slows down my reading when I have to keep stopping to gaze at the cover every couple of pages. lol. I would recommend this book to anyhow who likes romance, but is getting bored with the usual plain vanilla bodice rippers.

Secrets of Dripping Fang, Book Four: Fall of the House of Mandible (Secrets of Dripping Fang)

Average customer rating:

Very Funny

Secrets of Dripping Fang, Book Four: Fall of the House of Mandible (Secrets of Dripping Fang)
Dan Greenburg
Manufacturer: Harcourt Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Twins | Issues | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

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ASIN: 0152054758

Book Description

Things seem pretty hopeless for the Shluffmuffin family in the fourth book in this hilarious series. The treacherous Mandible sisters have kidnapped Cheyenne again, and it's up to Wally to rescue her. And not only is their adoring dad a vampire, but lately he's taken up all sorts of offensive and unsavory activities like "volunteering" at a bloodmobile and licking strangers' bleeding wounds on buses. Gross!

Throw in thirty-six grubby orphans singing show tunes, a bizarre plot to overthrow the human race with a flu virus sprayed out of perfume bottles, and some deadly, chatty wolves, and things in Dripping Fang Forest couldn't get much more surreal.

But when Wally comes up with a brilliant SWAT team-style commando plan to get Cheyenne back, the Onts just may be defeated once and for all.
(Yeah, right . . .)

Customer Reviews:

Very Funny .......2007-08-14

As "Fall of the House of Mandible" begins, Wally and Cheyenne Shluffmuffin are on the run from the Onts (Hedy and Dagmar Mandible) who are really giant ants who want to overthrow humans and control the world. Wally manages to get away but the Onts kidnap Cheyenne and Wally is determined to help her escape. He enlists the help of his vampire Dad, Professor Spydelle and his spider wife Shirley, and Hortense Jolly (owner of the Jolly Days Orphanage) as well as the thirty-six orphans she is eager to get rid of. This motley group of characters will try to rescue Cheyenne and stop the Onts from spreading a flu-like virus that can destroy humans.

Children ages nine and older will enjoy "Fall of the House of Mandible", the fourth book in Dan Greenburg's delightful "Secrets of Dripping Fang" series. It's a quick and easy read filled with quirky humor. The humor starts with the chapter titles; the title of the first chapter "The No Child Left Alive Program" is a good example of the humor throughout the book. Other funny moments include when Wally and Cheyenne try to tell someone they are being kidnapped and Wally says "we're also orphans, in case that makes us more sympathetic"; Hortense Jolly treating the orphans as if they were a product she is selling; Wally and Cheyenne's dad volunteering at a blood bank and getting "fired" from the volunteer job that he is doing for free; the Dripping Fang Forest and it's inhabitants; the Onts spraying a flu virus using a perfume bottle; and a song the orphans sing. While much of the book is humorous and meant to be fun, there are some scary moments (one involving a fire) that may scare younger readers. Since the book is part of a series, the end of the book is a cliffhanger.

Older children, especially Lemony Snicket fans, will enjoy "Fall of the House of Mandible" and all the books in the Secrets of Dripping Fang series.

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