Prince of Dreams (Avon Romance)

Book Description

A wealthy and bitter exile, he most dangerous and desirable man in all of England, he burns to possess a proud, headstrong beauty who is promised to another. But winning Emma Stokehurst's exquisite hand through threats and determination does nothing to fill the empty spaces in Nikola's heart—until passion's magic carries the handsome, tormented prince back to a bygone era of splendor and romantic dreams. For there his destiny awaits him in a distant life. And in one remarkable woman's tender touch—achingly familiar but gloriously new—he must seek the elusive promise of ecstasy . . .and learn, at last, to love.

Download Description

A wealthy and bitter exile, he most dangerous and desirable man in all of England, he burns to possess a proud, headstrong beauty who is promised to another. But winning Emma Stokehurst's exquisite hand through threats and determination does nothing to fill the empty spaces in Nikola's heart--until passion's magic carries the handsome, tormented prince back to a bygone era of splendor and romantic dreams. For there his destiny awaits him in a distant life. And in one remarkable woman's tender touch--achingly familiar but gloriously new--he must seek the elusive promise of ecstasy . . .and learn, at last, to love.

Customer Reviews:

Prince from Hell....................spoiler alert!!!!!!.......2007-08-06

Kleypas is one of my all time favorite romance writers. The hero's in 'Then Came You' and 'Devil in Winter' are in my top five. It pains me to do this, but Prince Nikolas from 'Prince of Dreams' is simply a horrible hero. No redeeming qualities what so ever.

No summary here, but simply why I hate him. He doesn't care about ANYBODY but himself. Here come the SPOILERS so be warned: Nikolas wants Emma, so what does he do? Court her? No. He sneaks around and gets rid of any potential suitors. What happens when she claims to be in love with one of them? He threatens the man secretly and forces him to flee to the continent. She's heartbroken and believes that no one will love her. On top of that she blames her father due to his former objections. Aha! But who is waiting in the wings to pick up the pieces? Yes you guessed it! Neanderthal Nikolas.

Emma's father hates Nikolas. The prince uses that knowledge to lead her into a seduction knowing that defying her father would give her great satisfaction. So they marry. He promises her that he will do everything in his power to make her happy. Does he? In a word -NO.

He distances himself physically and mentally from her. He tends to business all day and she to her animals. At night they make 'love' -if you could call it that, but he never lingers afterward and never EVER does he want her to touch him in any affectionate way at ANY time. Yes I know he's been tortured and had a horribly abusive childhood -yada yada. You'd think that maybe he would crave love? No. So instead of wallowing in his wife's affections, what does he do? He goes to a brothel!!! And he doesn't see anything wrong with it!

Then his ba*ta*d son shows up at his front door. Nikolas is simply mean to him and doesn't spare even a moment of thought about him. He's determined to get rid of him until Emma, outraged, swoops down and takes the boy under her wing.

So after being such a jerk how does Nikolas turn into a loving hero? Now that's the kicker! He's -get this- warps back into the past. Into his previous life. I kid you not. To the outside world he has simply fainted after seeing a painting of one of his ancestors, but in his head he 'dreams' that he is back 150 years with the love of his life -Emelia. So when he comes 'out' and back to the 'real' world he's a changed man.

So now (seemingly with the snap of the fingers) he's in love with Emma or is it really Emelia? And this is my biggest problem with the whole book. The reader never gets any indication that its really Emma that Nikolas loves and not Emelia from the 'past/dream'. This disturbs me.

So maybe the book isn't 'horrible' compared to other historical romances but it stinks compared to other Kleypas works. I HIGHLY recommend 'Dreaming of You', 'Then Came You', 'Lady Sophia's Lover' and 'Devil in Winter'.

Avoid this book. Hate me. I don't care. This one is just a bad egg amongst Kleypas's shining jewels.

Not good.......2007-03-06

This is the only book of Lisa that i don't like. i read it once and have not touched it since. I found the prince disappointing, you would think he would treat the heroine better but instead he almost broke her lively spirit. It only got better at the end with what you would expect of lisa Kleypas but I expected so much better of the prince that even though the end was good almost great it not make up for what he was at the beginning.

My favoriate Kleypas so far............2006-12-02

Prince of Dreams by Lisa Kleypas made me laugh and cry. Emma marries Prince Nikolas who is exile from Russia. Prince Nikolas had a terrible life and does not trust anyone and therefore refuses to love Emma. Emma is strong willed women who refuses to give her heart to Nikolas. In the middle the feud Nikolas collapses and finds himself time traveling/dreaming back 100 plus years. He dreams about the his great great grandfather in Russia who marries a women who looks like Emma. When Prince Nikolas awakes he is a changed man and the books just gets better. I loved the history of Russia and the romance and evil plots were great. Off to find some more of Kleypas older novels....

Wonderful Characters - too bad story fizzled.......2006-04-11

As I finished Midnight Angel, I knew that I would be reading Prince of Dreams immediately. How I yearned to see what kind of story Kleypas would weave for a compassionate, yet untamed woman (Emma) and a tortured, soulless Russian prince (Nikolas). The story began with great promise, yet somewhere a wrong turn was made. The visions that Nikolas had were my first tip-off to the bizarre "pre-life" that would predominate the second half of this novel.

I was really impressed with what Nikolas went through to claim Emma. He manipulated her and those around her unceasingly as was his nature. I truly felt her despair when he turned away any affection that Emma tried to give him. How could she draw him into a loving relationship? You feel her anger when he becomes unfaithful in his attempts to push her and his feelings away because you just know that he can never outrun her love and compassion ... but another betrayal makes it evident that there is a long way to go. I really was wondering how this would all work out. Then comes the "pre-life" experience and Nikolas comes back from this time of unconsciousness and is so different and wants to start all over with Emma and his son (by an affair). It was so trite. I liked the old Nikki better! I felt sad because Emma was not loved for her unique self - only because she reminded him of the earlier Emilia. Silly ending to what could have been a wonderful story.

Inexplicably, Average (Spoilers).......2005-12-05

The story of the union between the cynical Nikolas Angelovsky and with heastrong Emma Stokehurst -foreshadowed so intriguingly in Kleypas' earlier novel, Midnight Angel- ought to merit more than three stars on the strength of its main characters alone.

Angelovsky -like some of Kleypas' recent heroes, including Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent- played the villain very effectively in Midnight Angel. With another author his misdeeds might render him irreemable, but Kleypas is talented enough to find, not a redemptive light, but a core of humanity, even in villains whose actions would normally put them beyond the pale of the reader's acceptance. Emma is an engaging and suitable answer to the problem of Prince Nikolai: vivid, compassionate, and imperially willful. Their story might have been -should have been- as powerful as its titan principles.

As you might guess from the rating, it wasn't.

Kleypas' failure in Prince of Dreams is, simply, a failure of plot. Where she might have written an honest and moving novel that relied on dialogue, discovery, and a slow give-and-take of trust to bring the lovers to terms, she has instead taken a short-cut. Halfway through the book, just as the couple's detente starts to stagnate, Angelovsky collapses. This collapse pitches him back in time, to live "freed" from his traumatic past. This liberation is itself dubious, since Angelovsky still remembers the events that scarred him. Nonetheless, while mired in the past, he meets and marries a woman who bears a startling similarity to Emma. Through the experience of loving her he somehow finds the courage to return to the modern Emma, a new man, and capable of love.

Kleypas may have been looking for trandescence or profundity with her flashback, but the result feels dishonest. Rather than forcing the characters to work through their problems face to face, Kleypas sends Angelovsky back in time to somehow expunge his guilt and memories -and with them, the internal conflict that made him a worthwhile character. The man who returns doesn't seem much like the Angelovsky that left. And the suggestion that Angelovsky somehow learns to appreciate his wife by loving another woman -even one who seems to be Emma in an earlier incarnation-- cheats Emma of the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in his life and their relationship. The reader is left dissatisfied, unconvinced by the Prince's change of heart or the couple's eventual reconciliation.

IN BRIEF:

Recommended only for Kleypas fans, or readers able to take pleasure in the earlier characterizations without letting the later implausibility ruin their experience.

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub: Book and Musical CD (Caldecott Honor Books)

Average customer rating:

You child will love this book!
GREAT CHILDREN'S BOOK
Probably one of the best children's books around
This book should be on your bookshelf
King Bidgood's in the Bathtub.

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub: Book and Musical CD (Caldecott Honor Books)
Audrey Wood
Manufacturer: Harcourt Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Bedtime & Dreaming | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0152055789

Book Description

In this raucous tale, the Knight, the Duke, the Queen--and eventually the whole court--all try to lure King Bidgood from his cozy bathtub, but he won't get out! Will anyone be able to solve this problem?

In celebration of the twentieth anniversary of a Caldecott Honor favorite, this new edition features a hardcover book and a musical CD with six original songs ranging in style from a minuet to a rap. Perfect entertainment for bath time or for bedtime, the joyful music and hilarious rhyming tale will provide hours of fun for young readers.

Customer Reviews:

You child will love this book!.......2007-08-23

Audrey and Don Wood books are always a delight to read with children. The story is fun and the illustrations are superb! The CD with this brings the story to life for the non-reading child while those reading can follow along with the text.

This story has established its place on my bookshelf as one of the all-time favorites! I would highly recommend this book to children of all ages. You can't help but have a great time reading this story!

GREAT CHILDREN'S BOOK.......2007-06-12

This book, in the manner of all of Don and Audrey Woods' books, is entertaining and fun-filled. The premise of the story is priceless - the King is in the bathtub and he won't get out. And the different solutions to the problem that are presented are funny. And, of course, who comes to the rescue, and how? Awwww, read it to find out! This book is great for kids and adults too. :)

Probably one of the best children's books around.......2007-05-07

This is our absolute favorite book that we read to our one year old son. We started reading it to him at around 3 months and he liked it then, and it continues to be one of his favorites. The book we received came with a CD which is fabulous and perfect for long car rides. At six months, I would play the CD at home near the end of the day or before bed time when he was on the verge of fussiness and it cheered him up right away. He dances to the songs and is absolutely calm and entranced when we listen to it in the car. Purchased the book and CD for my nieces, ages 7, 4, and 2 and they love it as well. Definitely, a winner for birth through at least 7 years. The illustrations are enchanting. A must have for every child.

This book should be on your bookshelf.......2007-02-05

It's fun to read. The illustrations are incredible. The text is word perfect. The King is likable and how can't you agree with his every edict?

If you have never heard of this book, then today is your lucky day.

That being said, I will amend my review title: This book should be on your kid(s)' bedside table. It'll be many months before it is back on the bookshelf.

I put it up there with Goodnight Moon and Where the Wild Thing's Are. A perfect read for children (and adults) in between those books, in fact.

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub........2007-02-03

This is one of my favorite childrens books. The illustrations are fabulous and it's a story with a lesson. When all else fails, use common sense. I love reading this book to my grandchildren. There is so much detail in each page it keeps their attention. AAAA+

Average customer rating:

Great trilogy
Not just for young adults

Dream-maker's Magic
Sharon Shinn
Manufacturer: Viking Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0670060704

Book Description

Kellen's mother has always insisted that her only child was born male, not female—so Kellen has been raised as a boy. Then she is forced to go to school, where she meets Gryffin, whose mind is as strong as his legs are damaged, and the two become friends and allies. A few years later, the two get jobs working at a nearby inn, the Parmer Arms. When it is discovered that Gryffin is the kingdom's new Dream-Maker—someone whose mere presence can help dreams come true—he is whisked away to the castle, leaving Kellen behind. By now, their friendship is shading into something more.Will it endure?

Customer Reviews:

Great trilogy.......2006-10-02

The final installment of Shinn's trilogy which began with The Safe-Keeper's Secret (2004) and The Truth-Teller's Tale (2005) features a young girl Kellen whose mother is convinced that she is a boy, and treats her as thus. When Kellen begins school at age 11, she meets Gryffin, a young man who needs assistance walking because of a birth defect, but whose mind soaks up information like a sponge. Kellen and Gryffin become inseparable throughout their school years, supporting one another in their difficult situations. When Gryffin needs shelter from his uncle's abuse, Kellen helps him and they become friends with many of the new travelers who visit their small town's new stagecoach stop. When it is discovered that Gryffin has taken on the magic of the Dream-Maker, Kellen has to let him go discover his powers on his own, until she follows, once again in the guise of a young man, to find that wishes do come true no matter who you are.

Not just for young adults.......2006-07-10

This short novel is the third in Shinn's series involving young people in a semimagical realm. In this tale, we learn the story of Kellen and Gryffin. Both characters have a harsh live. Kellen's mother refuses to acknowledge that she is a girl. Gryffin is crippled and abused by his uncle. Together, they gain the strength to grow beyond their situation and find love along the way. While this is set as a young adult book, don't let that scare you away. It's enjoyable by all.

Average customer rating:

Beautiful in Every Way
a deep and satisfying tale
Such a Terrific Read for Middle School and Above!
Westward leading, still proceeding

Alphabet of Dreams
Susan Fletcher
Manufacturer: Ginee Seo Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0689850425

Book Description

Mitra and her little brother, Babak, are beggars in the city of Rhagae, scratching out a living as best as they can with what they can beg for--or steal. But Mitra burns with hope and ambition, for she and Babak are not what they seem. They are of royal blood, but their father's ill-fated plot against the evil tyrant, King Phraates, has resulted in their father's death and their exile. Now disguised as a boy, Mitra has never given up believing they can rejoin what is left of their family and regain their rightful standing in the world.

Then they discover that Babak has a strange gift: If he sleeps with an item belonging to someone, he can know that person's dreams. Mitra believes that they can use this gift to find passage back to the city of Palmyra and their remaining kinsmen. But soon Babak and his abilities come to the attention of a powerful Magus -- one who has read portents in the stars of the coming of a new king and the dawn of a new age. Soon Mitra and Babak find themselves on the road to Bethlehem...

The acclaimed author of Shadow Spinner returns to ancient Persia in this spellbinding

saga -- a tale filled with the color of the caravansaries and the heat of the desert, a tale that reimagines the wonder and spirit of a lost age.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful in Every Way.......2007-02-24

I am the type of reader who can't settle for just a good story or just good writing or just good characters. I have to have it all to truly lose myself in a book. With this book, I lost myself in the language first, loving the sentences and the voice of Mitra. Then I fell in love with Mitra and Babak, and then I grew to appreciate and love the secondary characters because they felt real, their motives complex and the changes that happen to them believable and wonderful. Then the story swept me up completely, and I loved how simple things like the coming of Mitra's "monthly courses" bring a tension that Mitra herself doesn't understand until they happen. I checked this out from the library and can hardly wait to buy my own copy.

a deep and satisfying tale.......2006-12-08

This story pulled me in deep and wouldn't let go. It got richer and thicker as it went along. The best of it to me was the love story at the heart of the book. The main character, Mitra, goes around as a boy for safety reasons. Then a boy meets her and instantly knows she is a girl, even though no one else has seen through her disguise. And he loves her. This idea, that someone who loves you is someone who can see you, and how good it is to be seen, are beautifully and convincingly rendered.

Such a Terrific Read for Middle School and Above!.......2006-10-10

What an original take on an old, old story! I literally could not put it down, until the end! Even then, I devoured her explanatory notes afterwards.

This is a topic I teach frequently, and while I may differ on some minor points, the author has done an outstanding job of fictionalizing characters we wonder about so often.

This book is so powerful, that I doubt another Christmas in my life will ever transpire without my looking at the creche and considering Melchior's pride, that tiny scrap of linen in the boot, etc.

Well done!

Westward leading, still proceeding.......2006-08-28

Blurbs and book descriptions can be great. If you see, for example, an enticing cover in the bookstore, blurbs have the power to make or break your potential purchase. If the description sounds remarkable, the blurb is the book's friend. If the description sounds deathly deadly dull, the blurb and book are foes. But you see, I don't read blurbs. I like books to surprise me. To have stories and plots that jump out of nowhere and throttle my attention soundly. In short, I like to know as little about a book as possible before I read it. And since my focus in life is to concentrate wholeheartedly on children's books, blurbs are avoided at all times at all costs. Good thing too. Had I known the plot of "Alphabet of Dreams" beyond the initial premise I might have labeled this book too soon. As it was, my slow realization of what this story was about liberated me to feel especially proud of myself and proud of author Susan Fletcher for so skillfully drawing out the story's elegant elements. If you're anything like me and you'd like to unravel the mystery behind "Alphabet of Dreams" on your own, stop reading this review and know only this: Excellent book. Excellent plot. Excellent characters. A classy affair through and through. Nuff said.

First sentence: "When we lived in the City of the Dead, my brother dreamed mostly of food". Little wonder. Mitra and her little brother Babak are displaced members of a Persian royal family. Due to their father's failed plot to overthrow King Phraates, the two have been separated from the rest of their family and live as beggers in the city of Rhagae. That is, until fourteen-year-old Mitra (dressed as a boy and going by the name of Ramin) discovers that Babak has a dangerous gift. Simply place an article of clothing under his sleeping head and in the morning he'll dream a portentous dream for the owner of that material. Always on the lookout for a way to return to the life she once knew, Mitra uses Babak's power to restore them to the city of Palmyra, where she hopes to find their kin. Unfortunately, knowledge of this dreamer reaches the ears of the powerful everywhere. Now Babak and Mitra are in the possession of a magus with dreams of power. And as the boy's dreams concern a birth, stars, and a king, it becomes clear that there is something at work far greater than either child could fathom. Something so great that it may kill Babak to dream of it.

At what point did my slow moving brain realize that this story was concerned with the three Magi? You see, that's the caravan that Mitra and Babak eventually end up with. Somehow I could have caught on right from the start if I'd looked more closely at the map at the beginning of the book. Yup. There's Bethlehem clear as clear can be. But somehow I missed both that clue and the moment when the first Magus (clue #2, I suppose) was introduced as Melchior. It really wasn't until Babak had a dream about a Jewish king with sores that I began to get clued in. Then when they met up with a second Magus named Gasper... well you can imagine how pleased I felt with myself. Kids who haven't been immersed in "Amahl and the Night Visitors", however, may not get what's going on until the crew meets up with King Herod or enters Bethlehem proper.

By and large Fletcher is just an out-and-out good writer. At one point the story's heroes are hiding under some blankets on a camel to avoid detection from their enemies. As they sit there they hear a sound like "Pok!". It becomes clear to Mitra that this is the sound of someone sticking a dagger through the blankets. "I held my breath. Pok! Pok! To my left. Pok! Pok! Somewhere in front of me". Delicious stuff. Then there are the characters themselves. Mitra, our heroine, is not likable in the least at the story's start. She works for her own gain, fooling herself into believing that using her little brother is for his own good as well. She's obsessed with royal blood, to the point where she'll sacrifice everything to return to her station in life. And like the rat Roscuro in Kate DiCamillo's, "The Tale of Despereaux", Mitra craves light at all times. I liked that Fletcher covered her bases. Whenever a character in a book disguises herself as a boy, some inevitable questions come up. How does Mitra pee? What about her period? What happens when she gets that? And her breasts? What about those? Fletcher handles each question in a manner befitting of Tamora Pierce's, "Alanna".

Not that the book doesn't have any flaws, of course. There's a whole subplot involving Mitra's attraction to a boy named "Pacorus" that is supposed to help show how she's evolving into a young woman. Unfortunately it comes across as more of a distraction than anything else. About the time Mitra says, "And Pacorus. What did I want from him?", you, the reader, don't really care all that much. Besides, Pacorus seems like a nice enough fellow, but he's not fleshed out enough to care for. Ah well. Other readers I've discussed this book with have also found it a little slow moving. I, personally, felt the pace suited the style of the book, but I agree that I wouldn't hand, "Alphabet of Dreams" to a reluctant reader. As long as you can get through Mitra's constant yearning for Palmyra (which does get a little old after a while) you'll be okay.

Ms. Fletcher isn't the first children/teen author to tackle a Biblical story from an alternate point of view. Anne Provoost's, "In the Shadow of the Ark", for example, took on Noah's Ark, to say nothing of Madeline L'Engle's, "Many Waters", and the too little lauded "The Garden" by Elsie V. Aidinoff. These were all based on Old Testament stories, however, and think as I might, I couldn't come up with a single children/teen title that used The Nativity as its focus. Plus one of the nice things about this book is that it doesn't foist any particular religion on the reader. Yes, it's about The Nativity. But for those who see divinity in the story, that element is there for them. For those who just want a good story without a overt Christian theme, that's there too. This book has something for everyone. It balances out its storyline with its subject matter delicately. Hats off to Ms. Fletcher for her restraint. If there's a theme to this book, it concerns itself with a newfangled concept: Do good things and regardless of your station in life you can still attain heaven.

Fletcher, for that matter, has done her research. The "Note From the Author" at the back of the book details how Fletcher went about researching her tale, to say nothing of why she chose to include some elements and not others. It's here that readers will learn how much of this book is based on historical fact, how much on the Nativity tale alone, how much on the Book of Matthew, etc. Did you know that there was a conjunction of two planets, Jupiter and Saturn, that could easily have been the "star" referred to? Or that the Magi fit beautifully as Zoroastrians? Then she intricately plucks out the geography of the region, citing the locations as they were known in the past and as they are known now. The Works Cited page is beautifully displayed, and it's clear from her Acknowledgments that Ms. Fletcher was not afraid of legwork. It's all very impressive.

In a way, this is a Christmas story of an entirely new sort. One that goes to the actual event itself and shows the world at that time and how dangerous it was. There's magic here and fighting. Escapes and death. Miracles and treachery. All in all, an exciting take on an old tale, and one that's never been done before. Consider me a fan.

The Demon Princes, Vol. 2: The Face * The Book of Dreams (Demon Princes)

Average customer rating:

Not Free SF Reader
Clever and Satirical Escapist Adventure
Vance the master
Space Fantasy
Fourth and Fifth Books of the Demon Princes Series

The Demon Princes, Vol. 2: The Face * The Book of Dreams (Demon Princes)
Jack Vance
Manufacturer: Orb Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0312853165

Book Description

Jack Vance is undoubtedly one of the most gifted and versatile authors of science fiction today. The winner of a Hugo, a Nebula, and a World Fantasy Award, Vance lays claim to a career that spans more than five decades of critical acclaim and devoted readership. Tor Books has recognized his widespread audience and for years has brought classic Jack Vance novels back into print--most recently The Demon Princes, Volume One, and omnibus containing the first three books of Vance's beloved Demon Princes series. Tor now presents The Demon Princes, Volume Two, and omnibus containing the series' final two novels, The Face and The Book of Dreams.Kirth Gersen carries in his pocket a slip of paper with a list of five names written upon it--the names of five Demon Princes. The Demon Princes are a race of beings who disguise themselves as humans and delight in power and destruction. however, to Kirth they are merely murderers who killed his family and destroyed his home planet--and who deserves to die for those misdeeds. Three have already fallen in Kirth's hands, but there are two more names on his list, two more Princes who will live only long enough to regret their evil ways.Lens Larque was just as unique as the other Demon Princes--uniquely appalling. He was personally ugly, startling vicious, and arrogant above all others. Larque's own mission was a villainy of the highest order, and his personal obsession with success kept him hidden well from attackers--almost well enough. Howard Alan Treesong poisoned his friends, tortured his colleagues, and wrote his own horrific holy book, The Book of Dreams. But, clever as he may be, a galaxy-wide guessing game will be his undoing--and Kirth Gersen's sworn vengeance will be complete.

Customer Reviews:

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Kirth Gersen has disposed of three of the five master criminals (or
corporate executives, if you like) that were involved in a massacre
that killed his family, among others. With three down, there are two to
go, one being very tricky, and the other schizoid and very strange.
There are girls to shag and competing killers to deal with on the way.

Clever and Satirical Escapist Adventure.......2006-08-14

I originally read the first three novels in this series in paperback, many years ago. The last two novels really make it all come together nicely.

Following the personal vendettas of Kirth Gerson against his "master criminal" (often space-age, corporate 'captains of industry' of a sort) foes is a highly-amusing, highly satisfying read. This series is almost as good as Vance's Planet of Adventure, and the cynical, lyrical Vance style is wholly in place.

HIGHLY recommended.

Vance the master.......2006-02-13

For a Science Fiction writer, Vance uses damned little science in his novels. What he does use is language; so beautifully that he has created Vance addicts all over the world.

The Demon Princes novels are a rich mine of his wonderful prose and mordant humor. If you have not read Vance, they are a good place to start.

Space Fantasy.......2006-01-20

Vance's work has never been about 'Science' fiction. The science part has been used to set the scene, rather than serve as a gizmo-ridden concept that you might find used in films.

In this book, probably my favourite from the Demon Princes sequence, the hero, grim, humourless and unbeatable - stalks Lens Larque; a beefy, ugly man with short temper and vengeful aspirations - check the ending:p

What I love about this work is the sweeping vista created, cultures created with a paragraph, yet ones that are so rich that they live and breathe like any other place.

Add to this richness stark, yet purposeful characters with srongly driven goals and objectives.

Awesome

Fourth and Fifth Books of the Demon Princes Series.......2005-10-15

"The Face", the first book in this volume, is probably the best of the five Demon Princes novels. The reasons are manifest. Villainous Lens Larque provides some of the best challenges and intimidation for our hero, Kirth Gersen. There's the usual helping of exquisite writing and fine descriptions; the menu items during Gersen's restraunt visits are particularly noteworthy. Most importantly, "The Face" is the most morally challenging novel in the series. It presents, to some extent, the best argument for Gersen abandoning his single-minded hunt for revenge in his abortive attempts at romance with two characters. Lastly, "The Face" has a killer ending, laugh-out-loud serious if there ever was such a thing.

Another notable element is the planet Dar Sai and its inhabitants, the Darsh. Dar Sai is odd even by Vance standards. Giant umbrellas of water protect folks from searing daytime heat, the women grow mustaches, food is prized for its repulsiveness and gender wars are taken to a whole new level. Vance scores particular points by showing us the spoiled tourists who visit solely to mock the backwards Darsh. An just dessert is served for them at the end, of course.

The last novel in the series, "The Book of Dreams", is competent but less biting than "The Face". The new villain, Howard Alan Treesong, is less impressively hateable than Lens Larque or Viole Falshune from "The Palace of Love". "The Book of Dreams" contains vignettes set on numerous planets, none of them particuarly brilliant. The best parts of this novel are the introductory segments to each chapter. Short paragraphs cover a wide range of ground, from the hilarious philosophical basis of the Institute to the stunning character introductions for Treesong's various Paladins.

Sweet Dreams: The Art of Bessie Pease Gutmann

Average customer rating:

Charming and sweet

Sweet Dreams: The Art of Bessie Pease Gutmann
Pamela Prince
Manufacturer: Harmony
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0517556723
Release Date: 1985-12-13

Book Description

A collection of 24 paintings by Bessie Pease Gutmann, whose angelic pictures of infants have charmed millions of people for more than 50 years. 24 full-color illustrations.

Customer Reviews:

Charming and sweet.......1998-03-13

This is a wonderful book. It is full of numerous pictures that only Bessie Gutmann could do! The little stories that go so well with the pictures are wonderfully done . All ages will enjoy the book.

Average customer rating:

Pretty princesses - not so good storyline

Ballerina Princess (Step into Reading)
RH Disney
Manufacturer: RH/Disney
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0736424288
Release Date: 2007-01-23

Book Description

Tutus and toe-shoes—what could be more fun? A Princess wearing them—of course! For the first time ever, the Disney Princesses become ballerinas. Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, and others will dance and spin themselves into the hearts of Princess fans in this sweet Step 2 reader.

Customer Reviews:

Pretty princesses - not so good storyline.......2007-09-12

The princesses are pretty to look at in ballerina versions of their usual attire, but there really isn't a story to this book. My girls who love all the princesses don't pick this one too often. Also my 4 yr old who can read already told me this one is too easy so I think it should have been a level one book instead of a two.

Disney Princess: More 5-Minute Princess Stories (Disney Princess)

Average customer rating:

LOVE IT
One Of The Best Princess Books Out There...
Not the originals!
Recommended for reading to girls preschool to first grade

Disney Princess: More 5-Minute Princess Stories (Disney Princess)
Lara Bergen
Manufacturer: Disney Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0786834706

Book Description

This oversized collection contains five brand-new stories about everyone's favorite Disney Princesses: Ariel, Jasmine, Belle, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. Filled with romance, glamour, adventure, and dreams come true, each story can be read in just five minutes-just right for busy families to share together!

Customer Reviews:

LOVE IT.......2007-08-15

My two girls (ages 2.5 and 4) and I LOVE this book (the first one too)! They ask to read it ALL the time and I love that the stories are NOT the same as the classic ones - it is nice to read something different and yet still princess.

One Of The Best Princess Books Out There..........2006-04-29

The princess franchise can get a little scary sometimes. Hundreds of pink books and allot of them are the same. As a Beauty and the Beast fan, and as an adult with no children, I often pick up Disney Princess books with exceptional art, just for the art.

So I can't imagine being a parent trying to sort out which of these Princess Books would be worth buying. Many of them have the same exact stories, or just rehash the movie story line with old stock clip art from the movie. Blah Sometimes though some of these princess books go too far. The princess magazines often have pages of comics that are so displaced from the original movie, so out of character, so wild and crazy....not even a three year old would but into it. One in particular comes to mind where Belle goes to visit her father for Christmas, because you know, she just felt like it, and Beast didn't seem to mind. Later Beast brings everyone in the village Christmas presents. (Uh.....riiighhhht!)

This book however has really delightful new stories and art. It features Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast.

This is a personal favorite because all the stories are really light hearted and seem like tiny little gems of the casual day to day life of the characters. They are just so well written, and well illustrated Disney books. It's a little oversized and they spared no expense in printing really lush art work that's unique and matches the original films very closely. So the Aladdin art really looks like Aladdin-the film, and the Sleeping Beauty art really looks like Sleeping Beauty-the film.

Also....I have to mention that the Beauty and the Beast story is very unique compared to most princess books as it isn't the old "Beast did something bad, and Belle is upset about it" story line. It's just a nice friendship story that's very sweet. Actually all of the stories were very 'fresh' feeling, in character, and not about that one typical thing the characters always do, not the one joke that's always over played. It's ~actual~ new material any Disney fan will enjoy.

Overall I thick this book would be great for anyone...adult or child fan alike. For the price you pay, you couldn't hope for better writing, printing, or artwork.

Definitely a really really really great find.

Not the originals!.......2003-12-16

I bought this book for my younger sister. I was thinking that it was a collection of the five classic princess stories; Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast. It is not. Do not buy this book if you are hoping for the original Disney tales! This book has a collection of five stories, each featuring a famous Disney princess, but they are all new tales. My younger sister still loved it thankfully, and it is still a great book.

Recommended for reading to girls preschool to first grade.......2003-12-14

Nicely written by Lara Bergen and wonderfully illustrated by Disney Storybook Artists, More 5-Minute Princess Stories is a full-color picture book featuring brief but enchanting "read-aloud" tales about Princess heroines from the popular Walt Disney animated movies, including Jasmine from "Aladdin"; Belle from "Beauty and the Beast"; Ariel from "The Little Mermaid"; and others. A delightful bedtime or anytime storybook, More 5-Minute Princess Stories is especially recommended for reading to girls from preschool to first grade.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful find
An instant favorite!
This "Kiss" doesn't miss a thing
A great find
Cute bedtime book

The Kiss That Missed
David Melling
Manufacturer: Barron''s Educational Series
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Accessories:

ASIN: 0764154516
Release Date: 2001-12-08

Amazon.com

This disarmingly cute bedtime story from writer-illustrator-dad David Melling (Where Are You?) follows a busy king whose misfired good-night kiss flies right past his son and out the window.

"Once upon a Tuesday the king was in a hurry as usual. 'Goodnight,' he said and blew his son a Royal Kiss." But after rattling around the young prince's room and finding its way out the window, the Royal Kiss hurtles off into a dark and snowy forest. "Follow that Kiss!" commands the king to his loyal knight, and so begins a lengthy, silly chase scene. Even the putative bad guys in this story-- "growly" bears, "swoopy" owls, "dribbly" wolves, and a gigantic dragon--get a shot at providing comic relief, as the kiss streaks and swoops its way through the woods with the not-too-brave knight in hot pursuit.

The inspired illustrations and excellent design alone make this book a fun one, but it's Melling's restrained but infectious sense of fun that will ensure many repeat reads. From the comically animated lion emblazoned on the knight's shield to the forest creatures who seem to dance as they flee the dragon, Melling is clearly having a good time as he tucks us in--and when it comes to ensuring sweet dreams, that almost beats an accurately delivered good-night kiss. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes

Book Description

One evening, when the King is in a hurry, his goodnight kiss to the Little Prince goes astray. After rattling around the Prince's bedroom, it flies out the window and floats into the dark forest, where it has no business to be. The King decides to do something about it. He orders the Knight to climb on his horse, ride into the forest, and bring back the kiss. But the forest is filled with spooky things that frighten both the Knight and his horse. How will they ever succeed in bringing the kiss back to the castle? This funny story features Daivd Melling's atmospheric and richly colored illustrations on every page. It makes a great bedtime story for kids who are about the same age as the Little Prince. (Ages 4-7)

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful find.......2003-08-14

I took this out from the library and boy did we enjoy this book. The illustrations remind me of Disney cartoons. The plot is so fun and everything ends up happily ever after. Whats wrong with that? Shouldn't bed time be peaceful and funny? Even this parent enjoyed it. A great good night read. I'm going to purchase one for me and my 5 year old.

An instant favorite!.......2003-07-17

I bought this book as a birthday present for my two year old daughter. She and her three year old sister have decided it is their new favorite bedtime book! The writing makes it easy for grown-ups to add a little pizazz with voices and excitement, and there are not too many words on each page which lends itself well to younger children's attention spans. The artistry is excellent and serves as a perfect backdrop to the comedy of the tale. A perfect bedtime story!

This "Kiss" doesn't miss a thing.......2003-04-07

What might happen if a king's goodnight kiss is blown to his son, but accidentally misses...and lands on a dragon instead? In this funny picture book for little princes everywhere, that's exactly the dilemma at hand. The king is in too big of a hurry to give his son a proper tucking in bed, so the kiss goes astray, floating out the Prince's bedroom window. The king orders his knight to mount his horse and give chase, but the forest is filled with spooky things. Faced with bears and wolves, they loose sight of the kiss, which flies right up the nose of a giant green dragon. As the knight ponders the problem, a bigger problem finds him when the dragon takes chase. Will this the tragic end of the knight and his horse? The big kiss off? Author/illustrator David Melling ("Gerda The Goose") builds the climax into a grin-worthy story twist, and the moral of the story is one that will not be taken lightly by all those too-busy dads out there. This "Kiss" doesn't miss a thing.

A great find.......2003-02-03

I picked this book up by chance, and my son will not let me put in down! It is great. The illustrations are very detailed and lead to great conversations. It is almost a shame it is a "bedtime book" because we get so involved in talking about the story and the pictures that he doesn't really get sleepy. It is a favorite of us both. I am sure that this will be the gift we bring to every birthday party we are invited to in the future.

Cute bedtime book.......2002-10-15

I read this to my 4 year old before she goes to sleep each night. It's become one of her favorites. It's the story of a hurried goodnight kiss that a king blows to his young son. Of course the kiss misses and the king sends his loyal knight to retrieve it. The knight and his horse have a little adventure ending with the kiss being returned to it's intended recipient. The book has cute, well executed illustrations, but the ending just doesn't seem like an end. Otherwise I would have given a full 5 stars. Still, I'd recommend it.

Average customer rating:

This book is truly a great, good thing
wow this is soooo good!!!
Wonderfully Original
What a wonderfully different book!
My 7 year old and I loved it!!

The Great Good Thing
Roderick Townley
Manufacturer: Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0689843240
Release Date: 2001-04-03

Book Description

"Rawwwwk! Reader!" screams an orange bird. "Booook open!" groans a frog. Then the sky lifts away and the enormous face of a child peers down into Sylvie's storybook world. At last, a reader again!

Sylvie has been a twelve-year-old princess for more than eighty years, ever since the book she lives in was first printed. She's the heroine, and her story is exciting -- but it's always exciting in the same way. That's the trouble. Sylvie has a restless urge to explore, to accomplish a Great Good Thing beyond the margins of her book. This time, when the new face appears, Sylvie breaks the rule of all storybook characters: Never look at the Reader. Worse, she gets to know the reader, a shy young girl named Claire, and when Claire falls asleep with the book open, Sylvie enters her dreams.

After a fire threatens her kingdom, Sylvie rescues the other characters, taking them across the sea in an invisible fish that rolls up like a window shade when it's out of water. For years they all live, royalty and rogues, in Claire's subconscious -- a surprising and sometimes perilous place.

In this new land, Sylvie achieves many Good Things, but the Greatest, like this dazzling book, goes far and deep, beyond even her imaginings.

Customer Reviews:

This book is truly a great, good thing.......2007-07-22

The Great Good Thing is exactly what the title says - it's a great good thing! The first step to enjoying this book is to suspend belief. If you can approach with the notion that this is a fantasy/fairy tale and not a true story, the book becomes a much easier read.

Sylvie is a princess in a story. But she is actually real. When the book opens, the characters have to be in their places and reprise their roles many times over. Sylvie is adventurous, though, and wants to see what the world is like beyond the margins of her book.

Sylvie meets the only reader of the story that she's ever known. What will happen when that reader gets older and forgets about Sylvie, her family and their friends.

I thought the author did a fantastic job of describing what it would be like if a character in a book was an actual person. How many times have you described a book as if the characters were real? TV characters, etc.? There are so many characters that I've come to love as if they were real, so this was a wonderful premise.

There was just enough detail and complexity to give the sense of actually being a part of a story, then a part of someone's subconscious. I love that the original author helped her characters to continue on in so many ways. There were parts that weren't always easy to understand but my connection to the characters and the story were strong enough to let go and realize that I may not understand it all. On re-reading, things became clearer.

If you prefer books with realistic characters in real-life settings, this is not the book for you. Or if you are looking for your standard, princess, fairy-tale fare, this may also not be for you. But if you would like to take a fun, fancy-filled ride through the words on a page and then off its margins with a brave and curious princess then this is the book for you.

wow this is soooo good!!!.......2007-06-03

although this book is a bit hard to follow, i think that it is really good. there is a girl named sylvie who lives in a book, but one day , the book gets burned. sylvie and her family have to escape somehwere- but how? they eventually go to the mind of a reader and live there. but then everyone has to move somewhere else because no one knows if the reader is going to live much longer. this book is sooo good!!

Wonderfully Original.......2007-05-10

The Great Good Thing is a wonderful book! It has a charming and original plot. It's not like most princess story; it's about a princess who lives in a book and acts out her part with the other characters.
In The Great Good Thing, Princess Sylvie's book hasn't been read for so long that everything is getting dull, but one day a reader appears. From then on, Sylvie goes on many adventures through her book and through a reader's dream. As Sylvie travels through her reader's mind, she finds people, or memories of people, who are rusting from disuse. She has to help them!
The Great Good Thing is captivating. It has a great idea, great characters and plots, and was every bit a good book!

What a wonderfully different book!.......2007-04-17

What a wonderful book. I opened and read this book thinking the whole time that it was much older than it was, it has a wonderful classic story feel to it. Its about loss and learning how to live. Plus its just a great story.

Sylvie is a princess in her own story book, her book used to be read every day by 'The First Reader' but the years have gone by and she and her fellow story book characters have had to entertain themselves, until a new reader comes along. Claire a young girl, who is not as brave as Sylve has been given the book by her grandmother--and she too falls in love with it, not only that but she and Sylvie strike up a friendship with Sylvie discovering she can go beyond the margins of the page and into a dreamers mind.

The book follows the story of Sylvie's new adventures and what a great good thing could be--I don't want to describe too much more because it would give everything away. Its a wonderful book, and also helps to explain death in a new way that might be comforting. Definately an unexpected treasure.

My 7 year old and I loved it!!.......2007-04-03

This is such a sweet book! It is a little complex and the lines between thought, dreams and reality are very blurred BUT my 7 year old followed it just fine.

I highly recommend this book for the 6-9 year old who loves to read!

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