The Bromeliad Trilogy: Truckers, Diggers, and Wings

Book Description

In a world whose seasons are defined by Christmas sales and Spring Fashions, hundreds of tiny nomes live in the corners and crannies of a human-run department store. They have made their homes beneath the floorboards for generations and no longer remember -- or even believe in -- life beyond the Store walls.

Until the day a small band of nomes arrives at the Store from the Outside. Led by a young nome named Masklin, the Outsiders carry a mysterious black box (called the Thing), and they deliver devastating news: In twenty-one days, the Store will be destroyed.

Now all the nomes must learn to work together, and they must learn to think -- and to think BIG.

Part satire, part parable, and part adventure story par excellence, master storyteller Terry Pratchett's engaging trilogy traces the nomes' flight and search for safety, a search that leads them to discover their own astonishing origins and takes them beyond their wildest dreams.

Customer Reviews:

A children's book for adults.......2007-05-15

These stories have everything. Humor, imagination, satire, an exciting plot, plucky characters, adn philosophical musings. Pratchett gently makes fun of religion and pomposity, making you laugh all the way.

As good as Discworld.......2007-05-12

I say this with a caveat. Some discworld novels just are not for kids. Also, I had no idea what these books were about when I bought this anthology so if it seems strange for a 34 year old to burst out laughing at a children's novel, just forgive me.

The fact that Terry Pratchett was the author was the reason I bought this and by the second page I was in love all over again. It was like finding a new discworld, this "store." Some of the absurdities that we adults take for granted in our crass commercialized world get a good seeing to from a child's point of view.

Pratchett's wit once again has bowled me over and I would recommend this to any child or adult that I know.

Great Terry Pratchett!.......2007-03-26

This book is a great read. Very interesting writing and yet simple enough my 3rd grader could read it too!
I highly recommend it to those that love sci-fantasy with a lot of humor.

Inventive, endearing, great read-aloud. .......2006-09-26

When we finished "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" I read this trilogy to my 11 year old daughter. What fun! The plot is lively, the characters are endearing and Pratchett gets his point about religion across with precise use of analogy. The story drags in places, but never for long. The witty dialogue and thought provoking ideas more than make up for it. I enjoyed it at least as much as my daughter did, if not more.

Oh my Gosh!.......2006-02-09

My teacher who has over 3,000 books in her classroom reccomended this book. And I also like Terry Pratchett. bUT THIS WAS A FLAT OUT DISSAPOINTMENT. I quit after the 1st 30 pages. He was very slow in his writings. And he overloads a tad on his British sense of humor.
If you like it thats great. But it was very dull and boring for me. No offense to all 14 or some 4 or 5 star reviews. But I do reccomend Only You Can Save Mankind ( Terry Pratchet). It it's a great book about a computer game with connections to aliens. I also reccomend any book by Cornelia Funke. Inkheart and The Theif Lord are my personal favorites. And 2 of my most favorite series are A Series of Unfortunate Events and Harry Potter. Reading Rocks. Get off the computer and read a book!

Star Wars Omnibus: X-Wing Rogue Squadron, Vol. 1

Average customer rating:

A pleasing transition piece...

Star Wars Omnibus: X-Wing Rogue Squadron, Vol. 1
Haden Blackman , Michael Stackpole , Mike Baron , Various , Tomas Giorello , and Allen Nunis
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1593075723

Book Description

The greatest starfighters of the Rebel Alliance become the defenders of a New Republic in this massive collection of stories featuring Wedge Antilles, hero of the Battle of Endor, and his team of ace pilots known throughout the galaxy as Rogue Squadron! Meet the Rogues for the first time and learn the fate of the galaxy immediately after the events of Return of the Jedi as the Rebellion's best pilots battle remnants of the Empire wherever its ugly agenda of fear and domination appears. Along with the critically-acclaimed X-Wing Rogue Squadron: The Phantom Affair, this jam-packed volume contains tons of material never before collected! This volume contains never before collected material, including Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Leader #1-3, Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron: The Rebel Opposition #1-4, Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron: The Phantom Affair #1-4, and Star Wars Handbook: X-Wing Rogue Squadron.

Customer Reviews:

A pleasing transition piece..........2006-07-13

...from The Truce at Bakura (the fairly tame EU novel by Kathy Tyers) to the X-wing novels (written by Michael Stackpole and Aaron Allston).

In it, we can see the formation of the the infamous Rogues as a mix of both Classic Trilogy, Novel, and Comic characters all with their various back-stories (some of which are thin, some quite fleshed out and continuous) and the like.

While the adventures are formulaic and a tad predictable (as are MOST space operas), they're still fun and in keeping with the pace and flow you could find in movies.

Look for tie-ins to the novels and both the Classic Trilogy and the Prequels, but basically just sit back and enjoy tame, but comfortable series of storytelling.

Star Wars Omnibus: X-Wing Rogue Squadron, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

Star Wars Omnibus
The continuing adventures of Rogue Squadron are well worth a look

Star Wars Omnibus: X-Wing Rogue Squadron, Vol. 2
Michael A. Stackpole , Jan Strnad , Ryder Windham , John Nadeau , Gary Erskine , and Jordi Ensign
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1593076193

Book Description

As the Empire withers away and the New Republic grows, one team of ace starfighters takes on the most critical missions to ensure freedom in a galaxy long oppressed - Rogue Squadron! Collecting X-Wing Rogue Squadron #9-20, this mammoth volume includes "Battleground Tatooine," "The Warrior Princess" and "Requiem for a Rogue." Whether it's keeping a massive weapons cache out of the hands of Jabba the Hutt's would-be successors, brokering peace on a planet racked by civil war, or rescuing a downed cruiser from the jaws of an ancient evil, no task is too treacherous for the heroes of Rogue Squadron!

Customer Reviews:

Star Wars Omnibus.......2007-09-21

The book was good and complete. All that would be expected. Less than 5 stars as the book binding is already breaking down.

The continuing adventures of Rogue Squadron are well worth a look.......2006-12-05

Star Wars Omnibus: X-wing Rogue Squadron Volume Two compiles several multi-issue arcs of the Dark Horse comic book saga in one handy volume. The premise of the omnibus books is to give Dark Horse a way to present novel-length stories in a single collection and also to provide a home for single issues or short stories that might otherwise be forgotten. The book includes three four-issue story arcs, along with a single issue one-off. The presentation of the omnibus is very attractive and clean, with a lot of content packed between the covers.

The four stories are as follows:

"Rogue Squadron Special" - This story is the one issue tale and it takes place a few weeks after the Battle of Endor. Wedge and the Rogues liberate the planet Tandankin from Imperial oppression, but are dismayed to find the citizens criticizing their methods and the collateral damage caused by the battle. Fortunately, Luke Skywalker is still a member of Rogue Squadron and he steps forward to explain to the mob why exactly Wedge Antilles is such a great guy. It's a fun walkthrough of Wedge's movie highlights and also establishes him as the fearless leader we are to follow in the upcoming comics.

"Battleground: Tatooine" - An Alliance agent is on Tatooine investigating the struggles of local warlords to take control of the planet and their possible Imperial connections. Rogue Squadron is sent to assist her in any way required. This story was terrific: action-packed, lively, varied, and with an interesting mystery at its core. Bib Fortuna makes an intriguing appearance in a drastically altered form (inspired by a short story in the book Tales from Jabba's Palace), and we take an exciting side trip to the Twi'lek homeworld Ryloth.

"Warrior Princess" - Rogue Squadron receives surprising news: one of their pilots, Plourr, is actually a princess on the planet Eiattu! The team sets off to the politically-divided planet to try and help Plourr reclaim her heritage and fix the broken government. This story features a terrifically unsettling panel of Darth Vader playing with toy TIE fighters and X-wings with a psychotic child member of the royal family. The plot overall is solid but fairly predictable.

"Requiem for a Rogue" - A Bothan passenger liner has gone missing and Rogue Squadron sets off to find out. They succeed, but all is not as it seems on the fourth planet of the Malrev system. This story drops an interesting Sith aspect into what are usually more military-focused plotlines with the Rogue Squadron series. The villains are fairly cheesy but the sacrifice required by the pilots at the tale's climax is affecting.

This omnibus provide excellent value and is a nice long read for those of us who don't fancy collecting individual issues of comics. I'm looking forward to reading Volume Three sometime in the near future.

Average customer rating:

Unbelievably believable characters!
The Wall and the Wing
Middle grade fantasy novel
Wild Adventure
Fast-paced, original, and addicting

The Wall and the Wing
Laura Ruby
Manufacturer: Eos
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060752556
Release Date: 2006-02-28

Book Description

In one vast
and sparkling city,
everyone can fly.

Almost everyone.

A few, nicknamed leadfeet, are sentenced by a trick of nature or fate to forever spend their lives closer to the ground. But one night, a girl named Gurl -- a leadfoot, an orphan, a nobody -- discovers that she can do something much better than fly.

She can become invisible.

This amazing power will help her uncover the secret mysteries of the city. But even with her newfound talent, Gurl can't seem to hide from a giant rat man with a taste for cats, a manipulative matron with a penchant for plastic surgery, and a belligerent boy named Bug. Gradually Gurl learns to control her power and teams up with Bug to figure out who and what she is. Their quest will take them on a wild ride through this magical city, where they'll confront chatty birds and mind-bending monkeys, an eccentric genius with a head full of grass and a pocket full of kittens, and the handsome but lethal Sweetcheeks Grabowski -- the gangster who holds the key to Gurl's past . . . and the world's future.

Customer Reviews:

Unbelievably believable characters!.......2007-03-28

A story full of imagination! Beautiful and complete characters and crazy facts all with a purpose. Monkeys, cats, professors, criminals, magic hands, leadfoots, WINGS and WALLS. The magnificent details and atmosphere of a city like New York in a strange future, makes you feel that the city itself is the protagonist of the story... Comparing this book with Harry Potter on the cover is useless marketing that such a great book does not deserve.
(sorry for my english I'm not a native speaker)
antonis, author of children's books, greece

The Wall and the Wing.......2006-07-29

I don't normally read this type of fantasy, but this is one my youngest brother got so I read it. The Wall And The Wing is about a future society (New York where people can fly). Well everyone can fly except Gurl, an orphan who rummages for food in the garbage most nights. Her life changes when she learns she can turn herself invisible, and she uses this power to do all sorts of nastiness.

Middle grade fantasy novel.......2006-07-14

Laura Ruby's middle grade novel combines elements from older, traditional mysteries (an orphanage, poor children finding riches) and as well as modern children's fantasies (e.g. The Thief Lord). I liked that the protagonists were a boy and a girl in an adventure that took them each through their own journey.

Wild Adventure.......2006-04-18

This is a really fast-moving bit of fantasy about a girl who can disappear and a boy who can fly. Together, they zip through a proto-New York. Trees move and mice are as big as humans in this wacky world. But the best part is that a rare and most refined cat is the hero.

Fast-paced, original, and addicting.......2006-03-25

The WALL AND THE WING by Laura Ruby --- also the author of the Edgar-nominated LILY'S GHOSTS --- is an original fantasy filled with colorful characters who inhabit a futuristic New York City. In this world, everyone wants to be a "wing," a person who can fly. Gurl, an orphan at the Hope House for the Homeless and Hopeless, is a leadfoot, not a wing.

One evening, while Gurl is out rummaging for food behind a restaurant, she discovers that she can make herself invisible. This talent to become a "wall" is very rare and highly prized in this future world. When her matron, Mrs. Terwiliger, discovers that Gurl can become invisible, she forces her into a life of crime. At first she blackmails the girl into stealing clothing and perfume, and later asks her to hack into computers.

Gurl befriends another orphan nicknamed Bug while she's chasing her cat down the hallway of the orphanage. The boy is named Bug because of his resemblance to a real bug. He and Gurl have something in common --- neither of them knew who they were before they came to Hope House. Bug has some special talents, like being able to pick locks, but he doesn't know why he has these special skills or how he learned them. Bug is Gurl's only friend at Hope House and she helps him discover his talent for flying. Neither of them like living at the orphanage and they want to leave as soon as possible to find out where they belong in the world.

Gurl and Bug decide to run away from the orphanage together. His skill as a flyer and her skill to become invisible complement each other. Together they face a huge cast of characters such as gangsters, giant alligators, human-sized rats, and a zipper-faced monster. Their adventure leads them to discover who they really are and where they belong.

THE WALL AND THE WING is one of the most original stories I have read in a long time. The fast pacing and plot twists will keep you turning pages.

--- Reviewed by Renee Kirchner (renee.kirchner@usa.net)

Star Wars Omnibus: X-Wing Rogue Squadron, Vol. 3

Average customer rating:

Star Wars Omnibus: X-Wing Rogue Squadron, Vol. 3
Michael A. Stackpole , John Nadeau , Steve Crespo , Jim Hall , and Others
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1593077769

Book Description

The galaxy's greatest starfighters take flight once more in a mission to reclaim the galactic capital Coruscant from the Empire! Whether this becomes the New Republic's finest hour or its darkest defeat lies squarely on the shoulders of Wedge Antilles and his team of ace X-Wing pilots-Rogue Squadron! In full-color on high-quality paper for an unbeatable price, this massive volume contains issues #21-35 of X-Wing Rogue Squadron, encompassing "In the Empire's Service," "The Making of Baron Fel," "Family Ties," "Masquerade," and "Mandatory Retirement."

Average customer rating:

On Wings Of Magic
On the wings of Magic
Enjoyable for People Who Don't Like Romances Too
Definitely Old-fashioned '80s style story!
old fashioned 80s romance

On Wings Of Magic
Kay Hooper
Manufacturer: Fanfare
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0553569651
Release Date: 1994-11-01

Book Description

A stunning beauty with an air of seductive innocence, Kendall James looks like the proverbial dumb blonde—and she plays the part to perfection. But it's all an act of self-preservation, for her lovely face belies the experience of a woman who's seen too much...a woman who's traveled the world and said one too many goodbyes. Now, on an island paradise, Kendall is about to meet her match: a sexy, determined, discerning man who'll see beyond her sultry facade to the frightened woman beneath. Hawke Madison will slowly strip away her defenses, and by the time she awakens to the danger, it will be much too late to run. This is a passionate story filled with all the humor and tenderness that Kay Hooper's fans have come to expect—a story that explores the loneliness of heartbreak and the searing, transforming power of love.

Customer Reviews:

On Wings Of Magic.......2005-10-31

This book rocks my unicorn necklace world. I wish I could live on Hawke Island. It is a must read for everyone.

On the wings of Magic.......2005-09-19

This book was boring. It took forever to read it.

Enjoyable for People Who Don't Like Romances Too.......2004-03-05

I don't read romance but since I am a Hooper fan I read this. This was a very relaxing book and not as boring as most romance novels. There were the cliches' like walking on beaches and candelight dinners but the two main characters are so darn witty I enjoyed the banter and couldn't wait for more. This is a book that's perfect for a one day read ( if you start early ). I guarantee if you're stressed out, reading On Wings of Magic will get you through the day.

Definitely Old-fashioned '80s style story!.......2004-02-18

While I loved the romantic interludes I was put off by the incredible beauty ALWAYS wearing extremely scanty clothing and terrifically handsome alpha male (not that that is too bad) but it was too predictable. Still it was a good steamy romance story and entertaining to read for Kay Hooper fans. I loved reading Kay Hooper's stories when I first read "Haunting Rachel". Was not disappointed reading this story but found it dated. I liked this story better than the Shadow series, which had less romantic interest but still good suspense. If you like this story, I recommend reading: "Finding Laura", "After Caroline", "Amanda", and "Haunting Rachel". I recommend these books highly to all Kay Hooper fans! A MUST read.

old fashioned 80s romance.......2004-01-16

Obviously the person before me only ever read her new suspence books, which are also really good. If you have read any of her books written earlier in her carrer (80s) you would know that they are full of cliches and alpha males and are still wonderful. I loved this book and I have read it countless times. What I love about most of her books, but especially her older ones, are her alpha males. So if you are not into them you won't like them.

Average customer rating:

A Fairy Tail Worthy of the Ages
Not just for girls, this story is sure to transport you
delightful tale, wonderful pictures
Enchanting!
Enchanting!

Fairy Wings
Lauren Mills , and Dennis Nolan
Manufacturer: Little, Brown Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0316590789

Book Description

Ridiculed by all but her animal friends, little wingless Fia spends her days on the earth rather than in the sky. But when the boy fairy Kip invites her to attend the May Dance, Fia timidly accepts. Her wingless condition creates a stir until the dance is interrupted by a wicked troll seeking a late-night snack of fairy wings!

Customer Reviews:

A Fairy Tail Worthy of the Ages.......2004-07-12

This is a truly great children's book. It is my favorite fairy story of all time, seriously. There is adventure and compassion, deceit and intrigue, princes and trolls--it's all there. Fia is a wingless fairy and stands in for all who feel incomplete. In a rare occurance in modern books, her father is her greatest advocate. Her best friends (other fairies shun her, including her seven beautiful sisters)--a frog a rat and a crow--are also considered outcasts. By chance or fate she meets the Fairy Prince without realizing his true identity and he invites her to the Great May Dance. Amidst the ensuing Cinderella story, Fia exhibits great fortitude in saving all the fairies from a troll who--in a great swash of irony--wants the fairies only for their pretty wings. She is aided in this endeavor by her outcast friends and they all gain the respect of the fairies through this act at once compassionate and courageous. The large and lavish watercolor illustrations are equal to the text in this first husband-and-wife collaboration. I cannot recommend a book more enthusiastically for it's genre.

Not just for girls, this story is sure to transport you.......2004-02-14

right into the magical world of fairies! I bought this book for my niece, but my son also enjoyed it. The illustrations are magnificent and even though the story is "Cinderella like" it goes on it's own course of events that kept us on the 'edge of our seats' till the end! Fia is beautiful on the inside and outside even though she isn't exactly like the other fairies. She might be dainty but she is courageous and brave! We highly recommend it.

delightful tale, wonderful pictures.......2002-10-09

This is the story of a little fairy named Fia, who, unlike all the other fairies, was born without wings. The other fairies tend to avoid her out of embarassment or discomfort, even her sisters. And while her parents are always loving, Fia must find her friends among the little animals. All this changes after she befriends one fairy boy, who later turns out to be the Prince; and after Fia bravely journeys to the Troll's cave to rescue all the other fairies, who have been captured by the Troll so that he might cut off their wings for his collection. Reminiscent of Rudolph the Reindeer, everyone changes their opinion of Fia after her heroism.

I read this story to my 4 1/2 year old daughter, and she really liked it. I imagine that this was primarily due to the wonderful, luminous illustrations. Although there are illustrations on every page, there is also a lot of text to go along with it, perhaps more than the patience of many younger kids can handle. The ideal ages would probably be from age 6 through 10.

Enchanting!.......2002-10-05

I love this book! I'm 27 and I bought this book for my collection. I love faeries, but I especially love it when I find a sweet story with beautiful illustrations of the winged ones. The story reminds me of Cinderella meets Thumbellina. It really has a theme of its own and I didn't feel like I bought into another rendition of Cinderella. The illustrations are just precious. This is a treasure I will enjoy sharing with my children and grandchildren.

Enchanting!.......2002-10-05

Blood and Honor (Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron, Volume 7)

Average customer rating:

Try To Resist Cutting Off The Last Third With Scissors....
Baron Soontir Fel could be explored more
A sequel that equals
Improved artwork for this Baron Fel story
Baron Fel revealed

Blood and Honor (Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron, Volume 7)
Michael A. Stackpole , Steve Crespo , Jim Hall , and Gary Marti
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1569713871

Book Description

Baron Soontir Fel, the greatest fighter ace of the Empire, has been captured by the Rebel Alliance. But from the shadowed recesses of a Rebel interrogation chamber, Fel tells a story of the deception and corruption beneath the Empire`s orderly surface... and sets the stage for his own defection to the Rebellion. This collection concludes the events set in motion in X-Wing Rogue Squadron: In the Empire`s Service.

Customer Reviews:

Try To Resist Cutting Off The Last Third With Scissors...........2004-11-16

That's my review, that title. This TPB makes me want to hunt down the first 2 of the individual issues comprising it. The last third makes me want to hunt down whoever was responsible.

What is the deal with it being printed all the way down into the crease? I don't like bending out the spines of my books. Do I have to do that in order to see all of some panels? Will it then fall apart?

Baron Soontir Fel could be explored more.......2004-01-27

This story takes off from Rogue Squadron No. 6, "In The Empire's Service". In Rogue No. 6, Baron Fel was introduced as the best pilot in the Imperial Navy, commanding the 181st Squadron and have teached the best pilot in the Rebel Alliance, most of them joined the Rogue Squadron. At the end of "In The Empire's Service", Baron Fel was captured, interrogated, and revealed himself to be married to the sister of one of the Rogue's Pilot.

"Blood and Honor" itself is a compilation of "The Making of Baron Fel" and "Family Ties", both pubulished by Dark Horse Comics. In the beginning of "Blood and Honor", Baron Fel told his life story, from his boyhood to his capture. Next, he defect to the Rebellion in return to them securing his family. So, the half part of "Blood and Honor" is about several Rogue Squadron pilots trying to save Fel's Family.

The story of Baron Fel itself is intriguing, since it deals with a military man who ideologically support the Empire, fight for the Empire, but gradually become disillusioned and eventually lose his loyalty.

Baron Fel's story could be more exciting, too bad they doesn't go into much detail on some part of his life. For example, how Baron Fel become disillusioned. Exactly what that makes him decided to joined the Rebellion? They don't covered much detail here. There aren't even a dilemma involved. I would like to read Baron Fel's musing on the thought of defection and reflections on his gradual disloyalty, on how become disillusioned. I believe this is the most important part. Some parts that are not covered are his academy days. What makes him a valedictorian, for example? And what did he do with fellow student Han Solo?

"Family Ties" isn't much too interesting. Perhaps it would be more interesting if Baron Fel's story is made into 3 parts that explore more on Baron Fel's decision to defect, while Family Ties could be shortened into 1 part.

A sequel that equals.......2003-09-30

Following right after In the Empire's Service, Blood and Honor is a comic where interstellar actions takes a temporary backseat for this character-driven tale. From the depths of a debriefing room, now in enemy custody, captured Imperial fighter ace Soontir Fel regales his background---a story of deceit, integrity, romance and inevitability. Dived into two parts---The Making of Baron Fel, and Family Ties---this is one comic that is surprisingly empathic for readers.

The art quality is not the shocking excellence of modern fare, but its elegant simplicity conveys all it needs to and more. Frames are uncluttered with extraneous graphics and colouring adds enough three-dimensional texture to curry assent. Dialogue is handled just as well; both tone and wording are perfectly in keeping with a dignified Imperial naval officer.

Fel recounts his career with an abundance of character cameos from the Star Wars universe. This was an excellent idea, simply because comics are visual books, providing the reader with a rare look of how some people actually look. Many of these guest appearances were names the reader knows but may never have seen in art, like General Derricote, Syal Antilles, Thrawn and Hal Horn.

Palpatine, Tarkin, Isard, Vader and Turr Phennir also cameoed, along with other names from past Rogue Squadron comics. One downside to this fun was Fel's acquaintance with so many of them.

The second half of the trade paperback was Family Ties, where Wedge sends three Rogues to Corellia to safeguard Fel's family from Imperial retaliation over his suspected defection. The art here was not as good as the first half, with frames looking too light in detail. The dialogue, however, is vintage Stackpole. And with three new names for show---Corran, Iella and the bumbling Loor---you could almost imagine it was one of his X-wing books!

It was great to see how Corran and Iella look like, though Loor doesn't have his infamous Tarkin resemblance. Now that Plourr has her hair back, and enough of it, she just looks great. Wondering where Hobbie's "bug bite" comment came from in the X-wing book Starfighters of Adumar, you now know. Just a small discrepancy: CorSec uniforms were green-black, not orange here. The ending here, unfortunately, was just too rushed. An extra page of Corran in his emerald X-wing would have made the difference.

But that notwithstanding, Blood and Honor is one comic you cannot go without for serious readers in the Rogue Squadron series.

Improved artwork for this Baron Fel story.......2003-07-27

This is Vol 6 of the X-Wing saga, and the 2nd of 2 TPB's about Baron fel. Stackpole does the entire story here and we get a new art team of crespo Hall and Johnson with 4 ink and color people.

The pencil work has very few lazy artist panels and only a 2 sections where the ink and coloring fell off so I give the art team a 3.8. Who ever did the pencils in last 25% of the book was a 4plus.

This is a comic, I usually emphasis the visual elements in my grading. But this is the second half of the story of Baron Soontir Fel, the greatest fighter ace of the empire, and for a short time a Rogue, and the guy the Wedges sister marries. This comic is about the story and you will like the story. It is a strong plus that the artwork here is about average.

Baron Fel revealed.......2001-08-16

When Baron Soontir Fel, the greatest pilot of the Imperial forces, is captured by the Rebels, he tells all in the confines of an interrogation cell to Wedge Antilles, the greatest pilot of the Rebellion - also his brother-in-law.

Stackpole brilliantly shows the past carrer of Fel in the Imperial Navy, how he met Syal Antilles, Wedge's sister, and how it comes to be that Fel defects to the Rebels.

Book Description

The G-Boys discover that world peace has a price. Trowa meets a comrade from the old days who wants to buy his Gundam. But who are the killers tracking Relena and the Gundam pilots?

Customer Reviews:

Target Practice.......2007-08-29

This is actually for a friend..but i'm sure it's great b/c all gundam stuff is cool...right?

love them.......2007-01-14

I can't help it I just love those gundam boys....have to admit this one took me a little longer to get into but i loved it in the end...

Gundam Wing manga at its best..........2002-03-25

When I bought Blind Target, I pretty much knew what to expect- I'd read a fan translation on the Internet, and I had already seen the untranslated BT manga on the same site. What I did not anticipate was the sheer elegance of the actual drawing and how well the translation was done. If you have read the series manga published by Tokyopop, this is *nothing* like it. The drawing style is beautifully fluid, and the story is perfect. Viz's translation is wonderful, and I only found one or two minor spelling/grammatical errors in the actual BT story. I can't say the same for the sections called 'Remixes'- the reviewer who said these sections detract from the manga is right. They are very annoying, and contain nothing new. Besides, they only focus on the five pilots and Relena, with the occasional insertion of Hilde or Catherine, and maybe Dorothy. What about Zechs and Noin? Une? However, it is easy to skip over them and continue with the entire reason one buys BT: the story.
The basic plot of Blind Target goes like this: in the interval between the series and Endless Waltz, the pilots and Relena are trying to find a sense of normalcy in their lives and adjust to peace after fighting for over eight months. However, at the same time the White Fang remnants are regrouping, and they want the Gundams as the symbol for their rebellion (hey, it worked last time...). There is a lot of action (though no mobile suit battles) as the Gundam pilots gather to try to stop the White Fang from starting another rebellion. Besides kidnapping, there's assassination, a shootout, intrigue, double-crossing, past aquaintances coming back to haunt... just another day in the Gundam Wing universe...
The original characters introduced in this manga- Chris and Ralph- are as well done as the pilots. Of the two, I particularly like Chris. It should be a credit to the writers that they are done so well.
My only complaint about this (as well as Ground Zero) is that they only focus on the Gundam pilots and Relena. How about the other characters? Like, say, Zechs or Noin or Une? We hear *nothing* about them in the space between the series and Endless Waltz, and I for one would like to know exactly what Zechs was up to in that year before the Barton incident. Or how Preventer was formed. Anything!
Even with these (minor) faults, I would highly recommend Blind Target for its action, excellent characterization, and beautiful art. Enjoy!

Blind Target is, well, blind..........2002-03-16

Yaoi fans, do not be perturbed by the "1+R" in this manga! Blind Target was a radio drama before this artist made a visual story out of it, so that little tidbit never happened, anyway, because technically that was the artist filling in a part of the radio drama with no specified speech or action. Do not give up on this manga! Even though it isn't canon, it is still a wonderful addition to any GW fans' collection. I *loved* Episode Zero and Ground Zero and am awaiting Battlefield of Pacifists in the mail. I originally wasn't planning on ordering this manga because of the "1+R", but it's non-canon, and wasn't even said to have occured in the radio drama, so don't give up hope on a good story with everyone's favorite pilots!

Gundum Wing Blind Target.......2002-02-12

My Book Review Gundum Wing Blind Target

Book Description

At last, Claidi and her beloved Argul are free to get married. But before they can start their life together, Claidi must face her past. They return to her birthplace, the House, to rescue the other slaves—and find that there has been a revolution, sparked by Claidi's escape. Then the two are urgently summoned by Ironel Novendot of the Wolf Tower, who tells them that Ustareth is alive. Ustareth, the mother of Argul and Venn, the science-sorceress, who has perhaps manipulated each of them for their entire lives. Now she wants them all to visit her—but to what end?

Customer Reviews:

A great fantasy read!.......2006-06-21

This is the last in the series but certainly not the least entertaining. Witty and funny it keeps you on you toes the entire time. It is great to see Claidi finally accept who she is and settle down (finally) with Argul. I recommend that you read this book last and start with Wolf Tower, otherwise you will be completely lost. Have fun reading this book, it is great.

A bad ending to a series with a great start.......2006-06-01

The first book of this series was definitely the best, in my opinion. As the series continues, the plot twists get infinitely more confusing, and you find yourself lost in the happenings. This last book was such a disappointment - the reasons for everything were almost too complicated to understand, and I had to cross reference all the other books in order to remember what exactly was going on and what had happened.

If you're looking for a great read, read the first book. If you want to continue into a series that you will eventually extremely dislike, keep reading.

5th book please!.......2005-02-06

This along with the first 3 books was an excellent read. I couldn't put it down. I felt like I was Claidi, experiencing her frustration and grief. Although there probably won't be, I hope that there will be a 5th book, even though this one is said to be the final installment, but it said that in the back of my second book for the third one.

"I've Had the Courage to Call my Sons Back to Me...".......2004-12-07

"Wolf Wing" is the forth and final book in the Claidi journals, a quartet of books that narrated the young heroine's journey from slavery to freedom, and her untangling of the many mysteries and conspiracies around her, all in diary form. After many adventures in the first three books, Claidi is finally reunited with her beloved Argul, and together they plan their marriage and the return to Claidi's previous home, the House, in order to release the slaves.

But once again, nothing is what it seems. On returning to the House Claidi and her new husband find that the slaves do not need their help - on the night of Claidi's escape, the slaves overthrew their former masters and now live in relative peace and harmony. The spoilt Jade Leaf, who once threatened Claidi with a vicious whipping, is now servant to those she once bullied mercilessly. But the Old Lady Jizania Tiger, who instigated the whole thing seems to have something more up her sleeve: calling Claidi, Argul and another slave Dengwei (who led the revolt) to her, she reveals that the famous Ironel - matriarch of the Wolf Tower - has summoned them to her home, promising to reveal more information concerning the enigmas surrounding them.

Once there, readers are treated to a reunion, as major characters from all the previous books turn up: Nemian, Winter Raven, Venn and Ngarbo arrive in order to hear Ironel's news. And the news she reveals is shocking: Venn and Argul's mother, the famous sorceress Ustareth that has meddled in these characters lives from beyond the grave with her plans and charms...is in fact alive. Astonished by such a fact, these characters (with the exception of Nemian) decide to travel in Yinyay (the moving tower) to her land in order to confront her...

For the final book in the series, it's a satisfactory conclusion - giving us wrap-ups to all the main characters, and finally letting us meet the figure that's been behind all their confusion and grief. Tanith Lee continues to create vivid, interesting and beautiful settings as well as intrigue in the form of the (quite spooky) moving statues and the way in which all six characters separately approach Ustareth's citadel. The diary entries are once more realistic, thoughtful and poignant and you can tell Claidi herself has grown as a character when compared to her writing in "Wolf Tower" - the changes were never obvious, but are definitely there.

Throughout the entire series I was often frustrated with the lack of coherence and grandeur in the plots concerning Claidi and those around her: rather than any dark and deep meaning to them, the `bad-guys' do what they do out of pettiness, personal gain and family issues. My grievances that these plots weren't clearly drawn out or explained remain, but my feelings on the fact that the reasons behind the ongoing `mystery' were somewhat shallow have changed. Tanith Lee is a wonderful author, and I have to admire the originality in creating a fantasy series that wasn't about good or evil, world domination, tragic romances or myriads of fantasy races. This was simply about a young girl who was caught up in the selfish designs of others. Once you understand this, I think you'll be able to appreciate these books better.

Which is not to say these four books are completely without their flaws - they can get quite confusing at times and it's tricky keeping track of all the clues and mysteries that Lee gives us, and some of the revelations (concerning Ustareth's decisions and Claidi's powers) at the end didn't seem to make much sense. I also dislike the way they are divided into separate volumes - it makes it immensely difficult to track down all the books in order to get the complete story (and rest assured, you cannot read them out of order). The Claidi quartet does not have my highest recommendation - if you have too much trouble understanding or even finding these books, then don't get too worked up. However if you want a light, but interesting read, then you could do worse than "Wolf Tower", "Wolf Star", "Wolf Queen" and "Wolf Wing."

Not to be missed.......2004-10-16

the conclusion to this series was very good, although shorter than expected. It ties up all the loose ends and provides us with a satisfactory ending.
Storyline: learning that the infamous sorceress parent of her husband is NOT after all dead, Claidi and he set out to find her, resulting in a rather interesting family & character reunion.
All sorts of interesting new gizmos and concepts are introduced and I felt could have been more thoroughly explored. It is possible there will be a spinoff to the series, based on the figure of the second "Claidi". I wouldn't be complaining.
This set of four is probably one of the most enjoyable about, so I would definately urge them upon you.
If you havent read them already. If you have, I am sure you wouldn't even consider mising the final!

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