When Darkness Falls (The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 3)

Book Description

Despite a great working of Wild Magic and High Magic that struck at the heart of the Demon Queen’s evil plots, Knight-Mage Kellen and his Elven allies are still seen as enemies by the human Mage Council. The Elves and their allies must find a way to shatter the Demons’ hold on the human Mages, for without their High Magic, the forces of Light will be destroyed by the forces of Darkness.

The Commander of the Armies of Light decides to turn an Elven mine into a refuge for those driven from their homes by the war. Kellen is put in command of the force of engineers and warriors who will fortify the mine and does not learn until it is nearly too late that the caverns are full of Shadowed Elves. Vestakia, the half-human, half-Demon healer, finds that she has begun to be able to read the mind of her Demon father, Crown Prince Zyperis.

The Demon Queen, Savilla, is preparing a great sacrifice that will summon He Who Is back to the world and make her the ultimate ruler forever. When Wild Mage Idalia learns of Savilla’s plans, she knows there is only one way to prevent the coming of He Who Is. A very different sort of sacrifice must be made.

Customer Reviews:

Deadly dull.......2007-10-11

I enjoyed the first two books and have been a Lackey fan for quite some time, having read a number of her books ranging from the Bard books to Valdemar to Elemental Masters to Diana Tregarde to stand-alone novels. This novel and the latest of the fairy godmother books (Fortune's Fool) are among the weakest and most boring stories she's written. I was terribly disappointed in this one and could not even bring myself to finish more than half of it!

Amazing and unexped conclusion.......2007-07-09

WOW! Hard to put down! The characters and plots were well developed throughout this trillogy. This was an amazing conclusion that wraped up the continuing stories nicely. While additional volumes could be written about several of the characters, each story was wrapped-up in a way that does not require additional explalation, you may want more, but you don't need it to feel things are closed. A new chapter for this world is ready to begin, but it would be the begining of a new era, not a continuation of this one.

When Darkness Falls (The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 3).......2007-06-12

I ordered it for my boyfriend.......he gives it 5 stars!

Strong trilogy ending.......2007-06-10

Although the ending employed a kind of deus ex machina to end things, which rushed the ending (uh-oh, down to the last 40 pages, better wrap this up!!), this book was overall a nice solid ending to a very good sword and sorcery trilogy. When faced with the impending fall of Armethaliah to the Demons, Kellen must convince the Elven king - who is deathly ill with the plague - to move the army to the City of Bells in order for him to have a chance to attempt to convince the High Mages to side with the Allies over the Endarkened, despite the propaganda being constantly poured into the Arch-Mage's (and the people's) ears by Anigrel - the pawn of the Demon Queen. A climactic battle scene is followed by a typical soul-searching by the surviving warrior hero and the ending brought a couple of pleasant surprises.

Overall, I was pleased with the ending to the trilogy. A strong recommend from me for the whole series.

Because I cannot resist a good nit-pick when I find one: in the hardcover edition published by Tor, copyright 2006 (I'm fairly certain it is the first hardcover edition, though it is not specifically stated) on page 274, Kellen tells Shalkan that Jermayan has told him that Andoreniel is sick - despite that fact that the reverse was true. Kellen was the one who first became aware of Andoreniel's illness and told one of his knights, who went to tell the Army's General - Jermayan did not know until Kellen told him. After this one instance, the telling reverts back to the original form.

Good stuff...and some problems fixed too!.......2007-06-08

When Darkness Falls is the wonderfully entertaining conclusion to Lackey's and Mallory's Obsidian Trilogy, the story of a world largely dominated by three independent schools of magic and their respective practitioners. It continues and concludes the story of good versus evil set forth in the first two volumes and even manages to do away with a number of stylistic and editing problems present in those first two books.

While not the kind of deep, emotionally engaging stuff as George R. R. Martin's ASOIAF series, you will still find in this series a wonderfully entertaining story that will keep you engaged and interested. The reading is fun and light, with all the familiar fantasy elements that stretch your imagination and draw you into a world a little outside of the ordinary.

As a stand-alone, this book is in my opinion, the best of the trilogy, having eliminated-as mentioned before- many of the stylistic and editing problems that plagued the first two while managing to maintain the story and action level precedent that had been set.

Only two real negatives here: First of all, you will find very little to surprise you in this book as the author tends to "tip her hand" prior to an event taking place, essentially "telling you what she's going to tell you just before she tells you." For example, it is difficult to be in suspense over the fate of a character when just before the pivotal scene you are told "But what bob didn't know, was that he wouldn't live to see tomorrow." This, of course, is an example as there are no characters named "bob", but you get the idea. Secondly, the main conflict of the book was resolved rather hastily in my opinion. The buildup to the climax had me prepared for quite an event, and while there was some material there to satisfy my expectation, it felt rather protracted and brief.

For pure entertainment value, you will not be disappointed. The light and fun feel is refreshing as well. All in all, I highly recommend the entire series.

Fall of the Sith Empire (Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi)

Average customer rating:

Predictable and boring
Absolutely TERRIBLE
O.K. visuals, story a little lacking
pitifully bad
Great Read!

Fall of the Sith Empire (Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi)
Kevin J. Anderson , Mark Heike , and Various
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1569713200

Book Description

The Sith Empire has rallied its forces for an all-out battle for control of the galaxy. Its goal: Crush the Republic. And with so many Sith Masters among them, the goal is not unachievable. As Naga Sadow readies his fleet to attack, one lone person threatens to undermine the entire campaign -- Jori Daragon. She isn`t a Jedi. She`s an explorer, a mapper of hyperspace who stumbled on the plans of the Sith. And she just may be the savior of the Republic.

Customer Reviews:

Predictable and boring.......2006-11-10

Welcome to what is at this writing still the earliest chapter in the history of the Star Wars universe, a tale set 5000 years before the adventures of the film series.

CAVEAT ONE
Before you consider buying this, be aware that this volume is but one half of the story and that the first half is available in The Golden Age of the Sith. This review covers both volumes.

CAVEAT TWO
If you're a pathological Star Wars collector, you'll buy this book regardless of its contents. If you're a Star Wars fan who wants to catch up on your history, save your money and read a summary of the events at Wookieepedia. If you're a discerning comics fan, then you must have found your way here by mistake. If so, don't stop. Keep moving. Everyone else, step right this way.

Despite a title that suggests something we never see, namely the glory days of the Sith Empire, author Kevin J Anderson came up with a promising premise. At opposite ends of the universe, the Sith Empire and the fledgling Republic seek to chart new futures, the Republic to end years of civil war and forge a new era of political and economic stability and growth, the Sith to revitalize their moribund Empire by throwing off their isolation and launching a new era of growth through conquest. In between are the innocents through which we view these events, a scholarly Jedi called to arms and a pair of young space navigators, brother and sister who through their explorations inadvertently open the hyperspace route across which the Sith reach to shake the foundations of the newly emergent Republic.

With a setting so far back in the past, Anderson has a wonderful opportunity to develop a good part of the Star Wars backstory. We find, for example, that the Sith were a separate species living on their own world in a relatively undeveloped culture that was then hijacked by a group of exiled Jedi who enslaved the Sith and built a new culture based on veneration of the Dark Force. Over the years these Jedi interbred with the Sith and a number of them left to conquer nearby worlds and create a system-wide Empire ruled by an all-powerful Dark Lord. The Jedi themselves are scholar-warriors closely aligned with political forces preserving civilization, pretty much the same as we have always known them, with one discernable difference - they don't carry lightsabers. And neither do the Sith.

They carry swords instead; swords made of steel. They also wear sandals, toga-like garments, and capes. They fly in spaceships that have sails, and the slavers have spaceships with oars. The Sith world of Korriban looks like it was cribbed from photos of Abu Simbel, with towering Pharaonic deities ensconced on thrones overlooking wide valleys and surrounded by sphinx-like guardians. In fact much of the costume and character design, from the scarab-like symbol of the Sith ruler to the elongated chins and goatees of the Sith, evokes Egypt in very obvious ways.

The artwork, provided across both volumes by Filipino Dario Carrasco, Jr., is not terribly remarkable. It's at best serviceable, in a style reminiscent of John Buscema, one of the iron men of the comic book industry who must have drawn tens of thousands of pages for Marvel for three decades beginning in the 60's. Carrasco, Jr.'s work benefits from a change in inkers and colorist in The Fall of the Sith Empire, where the lines become a little cleaner and the colors a bit more vibrant, but still it's not work that will ever be remembered or about which anyone has ever written more than a few sentences.

The same pedestrian touch is obvious in the writing. Kevin J Anderson wrote a few Star Wars novels in the 1990's and several of those books can regularly be found in "Worst SW Novels" lists. In this particular series Anderson has no protagonist, so he needs to develop his supporting players in order to give us more than just plot. Instead we get characters that are little more than props and literary devices. The Jedi scholar is the narrative frame, the brother-sister navigators the point-of-view characters and the vector of conflict, the Republic Queen and the Sith Lord wrestling opponents wearing good-guy / bad-guy personas. No one has any particular motivation except to get us to the next scene. There's nothing suspenseful or funny or touching or wondrous; it's storytelling about as developed and predictable as painting by numbers.

And with so many other comic books out there to read, you can surely find something more engaging, more worth you time and your money than this underdeveloped Star Wars adventure.

Happy hunting.

Absolutely TERRIBLE.......2006-08-03

As I stated in a previous Star Wars book review (`Yoda: Dark Rendezvous'), gems in the literary SW Universe are scarce, sparse, few, and far in-between - this graphic novel is no exception to that rule. In a nutshell, `The Fall of the Sith Empire' sucks. Hard. For some reason, the whole prehistoric, almost Egyptianesque, civilization of an ancient Republic and advanced technology (e.g. flying starships) just didn't mesh together in my opinion. I'm not saying the suspension of disbelief in such a setting is a futile effort for a reader, but the task becomes a lot harder to envision with the uninspired art and simpleton dialogue showcased throughout this graphic novel. Aside from all of that, the story is just, well, boring: twin hyperspace explorers cruise the galaxy, one of them gets kidnapped by a Sith, the Sith lord uses the other twin to infiltrate the Republic, and then the Jedi help defend the Republic against the Sith Empire. Same ole, same ole.

The pencils by Dario Carrasco are absolutely terrible, even for 1997, which is no excuse because there was some good art in `97. The mediocre artwork is one of the biggest blunders of this book (other than the writing). The characters in `The Fall' could have looked a lot better in the hands of another more capable artist. Carrasco's Naga Sadow looks like a tall, baldheaded, humanoid-simian that drank too much pink lemonade (in reference to the reddish-pink hue of Sadow's skin). I thought the Sith - the ancient Sith nonetheless - were supposed to be the ruthless, evil servants of the dark side? Dario Carrasco's rendition of Naga Sadow portrays a silly and cowardly villain who lacks any true substance. The flagships and starship fleets are appallingly dreadful: some of them look like giant flying insects, while the plain nature of others will make you sarcastically wonder, "Well, there was no reason for any detail now was there?"

The other major problem with `The Fall of the Sith Empire' is a problem that plagues much of the SW Universe, and that problem is insipid and unimaginative stories. Keeping in mind that, as far as the SW Universe is concerned, it's pretty much all been done before and the fact that there's very little left to explore in Lucas' cash cow franchise, every now and then someone can find a nugget of creativity to weave a story of some imaginative proportions in Star Wars Land. There were no nuggets for this team of creators, and besides, it's 2006 and we all know that SW is no longer just a movie, but a way for Lucas to make more and more money. The artwork sucks; the characters are bland; the story is literally the SAME OLD story told in Star Wars (Republic vs. Sith Empire) whether ancient or contemporary; and the dialogue of the story is paper-thin.

Imagine what characters like Empress Teta, Memit Nadill, or Naga Sadow would've looked like in the hands of Frank Quiteley, Sean Chen, Sam Keith, or Ladronn. I don't know if the alien Jedi Odan-Urr is a retarded excuse of a character period, or if he's that way in the incapable hands of Carassco. Either way, Odan-Urr looks like the world's first bucktoothed alien with a huge overbite...and no lower jaw. He's absolutely the worst, dumbest, and goofiest-looking Jedi I've ever seen. And Odan-Urr's master Ooroo (gotta love those SW names) is a Jedi Master that's a talking brain in a crystalline vat of fluid...???

Besides the pencil work and inks, the colors were putrid - they're basically off-color pastels. Think children's plastic Easter eggs pastels...or thrown-up taffies of different colors. Yeah. That coupled with the boring artwork makes for a simply illustrious visual joyride...

The entire story feels rushed in a sense, perhaps not in the original issue-by-issue format; but read in the linear context of a graphic novel with no ads to interrupt the adventure, the plot sometimes moves at a needless breakneck speed. Panels make enormous leaps in elapsed time from panel-to-panel, adding to the rushed sense one gets while reading `The Fall'. Not to mention, the bland characterizations and tired seen-it-before plot along with the rushed story double the hurried effect.

Literally, writer Kevin Anderson's writing is on par with George Lucas' screenwriting abilities. The characters are dense, flat, and uninspired. One of the things Mr. Anderson should've learned from the first SW movies is that having twins in a space opera sounds good, but making the idea 100% is another thing. You have Luke and Leia; Jacen and Jaina; and in this story, Gav and Jori (what "incredible" names) - the whole twin thing in Star Wars really needs to stop. As I said before, the dialogue in this novel is just atrocious. Lines like, "I am ruler of the Sith Empire and no one can stop me," make Naga Sadow sound like a complete wiener and a villain one sees on childish cartoons: not a Dark Lord of the Sith.

I don't know if anyone agrees with me out there, but there are certain things about the SW-EU (Expanded Universe) that shouldn't have been created, like `Jedi battle meditation': that's stupid and to save it from complete ridicule, sounds a lot dumber than what it is. I like the part in the graphic novel where one of the soldiers fighting for Empress Teta tells Odan-Urr, who's on the sideline doing battle meditation at the moment, to stop sitting around and get out there and fight with the rest of them. I agree.

All in all, I think `The Fall of the Sith Empire' was a good idea that just wasn't executed correctly. No wonder `The Fall of the Sith Empire' is out of print: it needs to stay that way.

O.K. visuals, story a little lacking.......2005-08-23

This TBP is the second in the Tales of the Jedi story, if you are going chronologically in star wars time. It takes place a 1,000 years before the original Tales of the Jedi, and takes place a week or so after "Golden Age of the Sith". Out of the "TOTJ" series, it is one of the worst, but still better than most of the TBP's out there. I reccommend it for people trying to complete their TOTJ collection, not for a stand-alone read.

pitifully bad.......2005-05-18

don't waste your time. i just read through all the tales of the jedi books and this one is by far the worst, and is horribly bad. i know you might get it because you, like i did, want to read them all...but trust me you'll only be wasting time and money on this one it's that bad.

Great Read!.......2003-10-14

I do not agree with any of the negative past reviews given here. I thought Fall of the Sith Empire was a fitting conclusion to the setup in The Golden Age of the Sith. The information within and its events lead up to other comic and Star Wars storylines. It is told more like a story passed down for generations, a feeling I think the author wanted. In actuallity it is a story told from the events known to a young jedi who is now a master. He is later seen, much older, in the Dark lords of the Sith series (the story of Exar Kun).So there is not great detail in points that do not need more info. You are getting the basic story as to what happened and why, and that is great. No one else has tried to tackle this era in the Star Wars history. Also, i think the art work is justified in its rought style. The setting is in the SW past, and the story is not overly detailed; these characteristics lead to a rough look that was very satisfying. It would not be perfect like the Star Wars present and future time periods. People are entitled to their opinions, but I think some missed the point when actually figuring out why elements of the comic where done in certain ways.

Niagara Falls, Or Does It? #1 (Hank Zipzer)

Average customer rating:

Hooray for Hank Z
An Excellent Series--Even Better on Audiotape!
From a future educator - what a wonderfully written book!
Naigara Falle or Does it?
Niagara Falls or Does It? (Hank Ziper)

Niagara Falls, Or Does It? #1 (Hank Zipzer)
Henry Winkler , and Lin Oliver
Manufacturer: Grosset & Dunlap
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0448431629

Book Description

For Hank, fourth grade does not start out on the right foot. First of all, he gets called to the principal's office on the very first day of school. Then the first assignment his teacher gives him is to write five paragraphs on "What You Did This Summer." Hank is terrified-writing one good sentence is hard for him, so how in the world is he going to write five whole paragraphs? Hank comes up with a plan: instead of writing what he did on vacation, he'll show what he did. But when Hank's "living essay" becomes a living disaster, he finds himself in detention. Strangely enough, however, detention ends up becoming a turning point in his life.

Customer Reviews:

Hooray for Hank Z.......2007-03-25

I discovered Hank Zipzer while watching Henry Winkler doing an interview. He mentioned that one of the reasons he had written the books was because he wanted to explain what life was like for a student who learned in a different way from everyone else. It worked. The book is funny, touching, and true. Hank is a "real" boy. I am currently reading it aloud to my grandson, who is 9, who has some learning disabilities of his own. The story and the characters provide great opportunites for talking about "coping" with problems.

An Excellent Series--Even Better on Audiotape!.......2006-07-21

This series is wonderful! While we enjoyed reading each of the books in this series, EVEN BETTER was listening to Henry Winkler read them aloud on the audio version.

My two sons (ages 8 and 11) and I (age 40) were laughing out loud as we listened. Like many other reviewers, we recognized ourselves in Hank.

One of the best ones is _I Got a D in Salami_, the third one.

From a future educator - what a wonderfully written book!.......2006-03-09

I was required to read this book for my college class - "Assessment & Identification of Students with Exceptionalities." We were required to read the book, and then assess Hank for a learning disability. This book was VERY well written, AND it turns out it takes place at MY elementary school!!!

I would recommend this book to anyone. It is very insightful into how a child with a learning disability might feel in school, and even for those who are not interested in that sort of thing, it is just an enjoyable book! I read it in one afternoon, it was just very entertaining! Once I am professionally teaching, I will definitely have my students read this book!

Naigara Falle or Does it?.......2006-01-25

I recommend Niagara Falls or does it to every one because it will have you laughing out loud. This book is about three kids, Hank, Ashley, and Frankie. They were told to write about their summer vacation, Hank decided to make a model in stead. His friends help him make the model of Niagara Falls it even had running water. The all sorts of staff happen in the process of making the model.
The characters in this book are vary funny. Hank is fun and has some goofy ideas. Ashley can tie a cherry stem with her tong! Frankie loves magic and is vary well at it. All these characters are vary important to the story.
This book is about friends, and goofing up. Ashley, Hank, and Frankie are best friends. They help each other out. Like in this book the help Hank make the model of Niagara Falls. They even help him get it to school. Then it goes wild.
Frankie, Ashley, and Hank live in New York City and live in the same apartment. They have a club house in the basement of the apartment. That is were they made the model. They go there to talk and play games. The setting matches the store vary well.
You should read this book because it is vary fun and you will have you leafing. The characters are funny. The theme is funny also. This is why you should read this book.

Niagara Falls or Does It? (Hank Ziper).......2005-11-27

It's an awesome book. I think everyone should read it. I liked how Hank gets into trouble. I like Hanks ideas. Hank is a very smart person.

Average customer rating:

Tal and Milla
Another winning story by a consistently great writer
The Seventh Tower - The Fall
WHAT I THINK
Intriguing new world.

The Fall (The Seventh Tower, Book 1)
Garth Nix
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0439176824
Release Date: 2000-06-05

Amazon.com

Tal, a Chosen of the Orange Order, is having the worst luck lately. Just when he is getting ready for the Day of Ascension--a day when all the 13-year-old Chosen from the Castle of Seven Towers enter the spirit world of Aenir--his father disappears with the family's only primary Sunstone, which Tal needs for the ascension. Without it, he cannot enter Aenir and bind himself to a Shadowspirit--a kind of guardian being that serves as a friend and protector to the person it is bound to. And without a Shadowspirit, Tal will lose both his Chosen status and any hope of finding a cure for his mother's mysterious wasting illness, a cure that can only come from Aenir. Tal tries to beg, borrow, and even steal a Sunstone. But his attempts fail, and in his final act of thievery, Tal is thrown off the Castle of Seven Towers by a powerful Shadowspirit Keeper and into an adventure beyond his imagining.

Australian fantasy author Garth Nix (well known for his novels Sabriel and Shade's Children, both ALA list picks) has joined with Lucasfilm to launch a six-book fantasy series about Tal's world, of which The Fall is the first installment. Packed with excitement and wonderfully weird creatures like the living sea of Selski and the hungry, one-horned Merwin, Nix's latest tale will enchant readers. Containing elements of The Golden Compass and the Harry Potter books, The Seventh Tower is an epic fantasy not to be missed. (Ages 11 to 14) --Jennifer Hubert

Book Description

Welcome to the Dark World. Tal lives high above, in a mountaintop castle where light is the ultimate commodity, the spirit world is the only escape and isolation from the outside world is complete. He does not think to question his world. He does not dare to dream of anything else. Then one day he tries to steal a sunstone, the only way of assuring his family's safety. The attempt fails, and Tal falls from the Castle . . . straight into the unknown

Customer Reviews:

Tal and Milla.......2006-10-19

Do you like fantasy books?? If you do, then you will love the fall and all the other "seventh tower" books. The fall is a very interesting book because it does not really make that much sense. then is starts to get better because you know what it is.
The story is about iceships, and mostly hidden magic. tal is the main character because he has to get a sunstone for his family before tal is 13 and 1 quarter old. tal has a mom which is sick and is in bed 24/7. he also has a little brother and sister he has to watch over because his dad ran away a while ago.
I would probably reccomend this book to a friend because it is a very good book and i think any one would like it just as much. you would mostly only like it if you like fantasy and science fiction books. I hope you like my review and i hope it helps.

Another winning story by a consistently great writer.......2006-07-04

Rating System:
1 star = abysmal; some books deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what writing should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others

THE CONTENT:
This is a story for ages 8 - 12, though as an adult reading it with my kids I'm enjoying the series too. Nix's Abhorsen trilogy is for teens and his Keys to the Kingdom series is also for ages 8-12.

THE STORY:
Tal is in a bind. His father has been missing. His mother is ill. And his family doesn't have a strong Sunstone to elevate their position and provision. It falls to Tal to provide for his mother and little brother by seeking out a sunstone. But there are forces in his way that stop him from achieving these goals. It doesn't help in the opening scene that he falls from the Red Tower in his attempt to gain a stone. The fall leads to adventure Tal never would have thought possible.

THE CHARACTERS:
Tal is a likeable kid caught in a bad situation. He wants to do the right thing and provide for his family, but he just can't. We empathize and sympathize with him as a character. The rest of the cast is equally likeable in their own way and those that are meant to be disliked are definitely dislikeable. Overall, a great cast of characters that add to this story of Tal's quest

THE SETTING:
Not your typical fantasy world, but that is one reason why I love reading Garth Nix's books. . .there isn't anything typical only new and imaginative about them. The world is richly described in just the right words that a short paragraph leaves an easily visualized scene in one's head.

THE PLOT:
A nicely constructed quest story, which leaves our character no choice but to follow certain paths. Helper characters and hindering characters line his path that lead to a world we experience with amazement just as Tal does. The progression is logical and a well paced story. There is plenty of action in this story! Creatures that want to eat people, treacherous "natives" and more.

OVERALL:
My 8 year old and I are thoroughly enjoying this story and each chapter cliff-hanger keeps us turning the pages.

NOTE - This is the first of 6 books. You must keep reading! The first book resolves very little if anything. We are in the 2nd book now and the same great story/writing continues on there.

The Seventh Tower - The Fall.......2006-05-05

Tal is a young teenager who livee in the mysterious world of the Seven Towers, a castle of
towersthat are locked in forever twilight. The people who live there are placed in several
different Orders, or groups, based on a family's strength and power. Tal and his family live
in the Orange Order, or one of the minor orders. Tal dreams of becoming one of the greatest
Shadowmasters ever in the Violet Order, the top Order and the order that the Empress
of the Seven Towers is in. By the time he becomes thirteen and three quarters, Tal will be
able to travel to the world of Aenir, where he will capture a Shadowspirit on the dangerous world.

Tal must enter with his primary sunstone to reach Aenir, or he will never be able to reach
Aenir and he will be forced to become an Underfolk, a servant to the different Orders. He
tries to beg to his cousins, competes in a competition, and even tries to see the Empress
herself. All three of these methods fail. Tal That is why Tal decides to steal a sunstone. He
climbs up the Red Tower, the smallest tower of the Seven Towers, and tries to reach through
the Veil, a layer of darkness, into what is a "gold mine" of sunstones. He almost reaches it
before he falls into a different world of ice and snow, and runs into a battle-crazy, mad,
Underfolk-like girl, except this girl is not like ordinary Underfolk. She has alien blond hair,
and she has a normal Human shadow. He is knocked unconscious by her and awakens on a
ship that has people exactly like the girl. They are a group of warriors known as the Icecarls
and are in search of a sunstone. They assign a mission to Tal and the girl, Milla, and they
travel on mission to retrieve a sunstone for their ship as well. Now Tal has to retrieve two
sunstones. The journey ends when another group of Icecarl-like people take Tal and Milla
after a long trek of fighting creatures and each other. The Seventh Tower: The Fall, by Garth
Nix, is an excellent novel for its vast quanities of science-fiction, its great and unique
description, and for its adventure.

The Fall, by Garth Nix, is an excellent science fiction novel to read. The first reason that a
person should buy this is simply that Garth Nix is a talented and famous science-fiction
writer, and The Fall is definitlyone of his greater writes. Garth Nix's ideas have transformed
into a "masterpiece" that everyone should read. The science-fiction/fantasy in this novel
can easily be detected by reading about the Veil and other wonders in the book, and the
reader gets a whole new point of view of how other worlds are different from Earth.

The Fall is a great novel because it has great qualities of description. The book, when read,
is easy enough for a seventh grader to understand, yet still hard enough for a developing
adult. The book gives enough description to the reader that he or she is literallly able to
paint a picture in his or her head. This helps the reader have a much better understanding
of what is going on the novel, but also gives the reader background information about The
Seven Towers. an example of this comes from the chapter in which Tal goes to see the
Empress, but is blocked by two guards who demand that he plays a game of Beastmaker
with them. This chapter alone is more than enough to describe life on Aenir.

The Fall, by Garth Nix, also has great qualities of adventure. The book compares other
journeys in other adventure stories as mere "little kids' books" to The Fall. A very
adventurous and suspenseful trek is when Tal and Milla are forced to walk across an icy
expanse to gather a sunstone. They have to fight giant Selski and gigiantic Merwin
before they are finally taken to another tribe's camp.

The Seventh Tower: The Fall, is an Excellent novel bby Garth Nix because it's the perfect
science-fiction/fantasy and adventure book, and has a large quanity and quality of detail
that is perfect for any reader. This book is about a young teen who must travel through
a dangerous land so that he can get on with his life in the future. I rate The Fall, by Garth
Nix, a total of five stars out of five.

A. Chappell

WHAT I THINK .......2006-01-27

I found this book fairly interesting.It was an adventure/fatasy book.The best thing that liked about it was the way he could create pictures in your head of people and landscape. Overall I thought it was a excellent book.

Intriguing new world........2005-08-12

My son and I ordered this book because is was a Nix book and we had just finished the Abhorsen trilogy. While it is aimed at younger readers it is a clever story. Entertaining characters, interesting world, clever plot twists. After reading this one we ordered the remainder of the series in one go. It only took us a week or so to read the whole set (one a night for older readers) and the way each of the books end is annoying... I got the impression that it was more like he wrote a book and "serialized" it. If you don't have the next one to hand it could make you crazy. Since we had them all to hand, we really enjoyed the ride. Not as complex as his other stuff but definitely worth the time. Adults and older teens should remember that this is a young peoples series... some questions are not adressed and some are treated fairly simplistically but it's not meant to be deathless prose. I'd classify it as a great summer read.

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

Average customer rating:

Very Funny

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

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ASIN: 0152054758

Book Description

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

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

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

Fall of a Kingdom (Farsala Trilogy, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

Long-Winded, but an Okay read
A great trilogy
Yes, This Would Be Persia
Great book based on persian myth and Hrum/roman invasion read it!
This is her BEST Work...

Fall of a Kingdom (Farsala Trilogy, Book 1)
Hilari Bell
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0689854145

Book Description

Who was Sorahb?

Stories are told of a hero who will come to Farsala's aid when the need is greatest. But for thousands of years the prosperous land of Farsala has felt no such need, as it has enjoyed the peace that comes from being both feared and respected.

Now a new enemy approaches Farsala's borders, one that neither fears nor respects its name and legend. But the rulers of Farsala still believe that they can beat any opponent.

Three young people are less sure of Farsala's invincibility. Jiaan, Soraya, and Kavi see Time's Wheel turning, with Farsala headed toward the Flames of Destruction. What they cannot see is how inextricably their lives are linked to Farsala's fate -- until it's too late.

In Fall of a Kingdom, the first volume of the Farsala Trilogy, Hilari Bell introduces readers to a world of honor, danger, and magic in this spellbinding tale of self-discovery.

Customer Reviews:

Long-Winded, but an Okay read.......2007-08-19

Every time I finish one of the Farsala books, I always think "Wow, these books are great!" And then I start the next in the series and all I can think for the first 300 pages, is "Just get to the ending already! Get to the good part! I have to finish the boring part!...Why did I start this book again?!" The Farsala series are slow to start off (and the beginning lasts for hundreds of pages) but the endings are really fantastic. If you're willing to labor through the first 3/4, the last 1/4 is worth it, but if not, don't read this book. It can also be confusing in the beginning because Hilari Bell introduces three characters at once and if you put the book away for a while in between reads, you can get a little bit confused and lost. If you're really a fan of fictions involving battles, strategic plans, and what happens to citizens during a war, try the book, (maybe borrow it?) because I'm not sure that everyone will be sastisfied at first.
I'm sorry to be so down on the book in general. I really am a Hilari Bell fan (my favorite is The Goblin Wood, my top recommendation), it's just I don't think that this series is her best work.

A great trilogy.......2007-03-27

If you're looking for another great trilogy to read, this is it. It's clean, doesn't slow down, and has great characters. A must read.

Yes, This Would Be Persia.......2006-12-10

However, it would be more like Persia if there were elephants and camels, not foot soldiers. FYI: Persia was a cavalry empire, but had the slow moving "War Elephants" that usually were mounted by pikemen and archers.

Now, to the review. This book is written is the POV of three different characrters. One is the son of the Farsalan army's general. He isn't brother to the general's daughter, another POV, Soraya. Jiaan (the son of the general) is a lot like Jon in the A Song of Ice and Fire Saga, who as well is the son of a mighty politcal powerhouse man. In fact, this book has a lot alike with A Song of Ice and Fire. Kavi, the last of the POVs is a trader who seems ordinary.

The Hrum, however, are not anything like the Romans. Yes, the conquer, but no, they do not have caucasian skin, and no, they don't have golden helmets with mohawks on them.

Appropriateness (for parents):
Violence: 7/10: A large climatic battle with realistic dialogue to what it was really like, plus a death of an important character.
Sexuality: 2/10: Slightly sexual theme.
Profanity: 5/10: Swearing, sometimes strong, insults.

Great book based on persian myth and Hrum/roman invasion read it!.......2006-11-27

The book Fall of a Kingdom by Hilary Bell is an intruiging story based on the Persian myths and the invasion of the Romans. The invincible Farsala is attacked by the ever conquering Hrum and the outcome is quite surprising for the three protagonists, Jiaan, Kavi and Soraya. These teenagers are tested for loyalty, strength, and courage as Farsala's fate unfolds. Agreeing with Tamora Pierce,"An amazing tale of adventure, fear, magic, conquest, and rebellion."In each chapter the point of view switches fromJiaan, Kavi, Soraya, and bits from the myth of the Persian hero Sorhab. Readers will be easily sweapt up into this story. Also, the end is sure to provoke any reader into reading book 2, Rise of a Hero.

This is her BEST Work..........2006-08-28

Hilari Bell wasn't one of my favorite writers really, until this came out. My mom got it for me and so I read it. I was surprised, really that this is was really good! It is as good as Eragon and Eldest, though I wish it had more humor... This book is about a country named Farsala whether fictious or not, I don not know, but then Farsala is in trouble in getting conquered by the mighty Hrum. Trouble is, Everybody thinks that they will be able to ovecome the Hrum. That is there big mistake...

The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader (Star Wars)

Average customer rating:

Disappointing
Five Stars

The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader (Star Wars)
Ryder Windham
Manufacturer: Scholastic Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0439681324

Book Description

The full story of Anakin Skywalker, from his birth in slavery to his death as the powerful Darth Vader ... told for the first time in its entirety by NYT bestselling Star Wars author Ryder Windham. Spanning all six Star Wars movie and including the pieces of the story that fill in the gaps, this novel will be a must-have for any Star Wars fan.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing.......2007-09-26

I was very disappointed after reading this book. As an avid Star Wars book collector, I've read many novels and junior novels. I learned very little new inforomation from this. It was basically a re-tell of the six episodes. I did like finding how how Vader learned of Luke and how he really felt about his "Master". I wish the book gave much more info about Vader during the 19-20yrs between ROTS & ANH, that's the info everyone wants (needs). All else has already been writtened about.

Five Stars.......2007-09-22

The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader chronicals mostly from the movies. There are a little tibits of new information like Anakin arriving on Tatooine for the first time, how he found C3PO among other things. My favorite was the part where he's trying to figure out who Luke is. I would have loved for it to be longer of course but it was still really good.

Average customer rating:

Hello, Mother Blessing
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Are there really witches among us?

Fall (Witch Season)
Jeff Mariotte
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0689867247

Book Description

FALL APART

Summer's over. Kerry, Josh, Brandy, Scott, and Rebecca have left their California share and returned to school. Once, there was nothing better than the freedom and energy rush of college. But in the wake of such a life-altering summer, campus life leaves the friends feeling restless -- and bored.

Kerry, for one, barely leaves her dorm room. She keeps reading Daniel's journals over and over, searching for a clue to solve the mystery that is Season Howe. But answers aren't to be found -- until the evil witch is finally spotted in Las Vegas.

The five friends trek to the city of sin, rallying to fight Season. She destroyed something important to them, and they all seek revenge. Unfortunately the season won't end without her taking something else: a life even more precious than the first....

Customer Reviews:

Hello, Mother Blessing.......2006-02-15

Kerry has been devastated by her losses in the first book. She is trying to concentrate on her classes but is unable to. Her friends from the summer are not doing much better. Kerry then decides to take off and search for Daniel's mother. Clues in his journals make Kerry think this is possible. Her goal is to learn magic so she can defeat Season.

Kerry does succeed in finding Mother Blessing although the woman is not what she expects. But after some time Kerry does begin her lessons in witchcraft. There is much about magic that Kerry did not understand but her quest to destroy Season motivates her every moment. Lessons and testing continue until Kerry is forced into a greater test than she had been expecting.

Kerry is developing nicely in this volume and it ends with a bit of a cliff hanger that makes the reader want to move right into the next volume. The reader becomes much more familiar with how magic works in these stories. There is also quite a bit of development of Kerry's friends. If you were wondering if some of them were sleeping together, this volume answers some of those questions.

Something Wicked This Way Comes.......2005-01-05

Summer has ended, and 17-year-old Kerry Profitt, along with her summer friends Brandy, Scott, Rebecca, and Josh, have headed away from San Diego, and off to their respective colleges where they hope to further their education. Unfortunately, the horror from the summer has left it's mark in the brain of each young person, making learning a challenge. The five teens will never forget what they saw over the summer, as Daniel Blessing, a witch, was brutally murdered by another witch named Season. Now Season occupies all of their thoughts, and they are imagining that she's everywhere. Until she finally shows up in the city of sin known as Las Vegas. Soon the five friends are reuniting, but to something savage and brutal that scares them to death, and sends them running for home. Except for Kerry. Kerry heads out to the Great Dismal to learn witchcraft from Mother Blessing. After all, there's no use in running from Season, so she'd better learn how to fight.

Jeff Mariotte is a fabulous author, who held his own when he was writing for the BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER series, but with the WITCH SEASON series, he stands in a class of his own. Mariotte's character development is fabulous, as is his portrayal of a group of teenagers all with their own personalities and quirks. Readers, both male and female, will be able to find a character whose personality matches theirs. Fans of teen paranormal books, or teen fiction in general will be pleased by this fabulous new series.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

Are there really witches among us?.......2004-11-13

<P>
Kerry, Josh, Brandy, Scott, and Rebecca have left the quaint resort on the coast of California. A life-altering summer in which they spent most of their time in pursuit of an evil witch named Season Howe. Ultimately ending in Daniel Blessing's death, Kerry's boyfriend.

Almost a hermit, Kerry barely leaves her Northwestern University dorm room. Instead she sits day after day pouring over Daniel's journals. Kerry's hope is to unearth even the smallest detail that will aid in some chance of exposing the enigma of a ruthless killer.

Finding her efforts fruitless, Kerry decides to find Mother Blessing the only link left to Daniel Again she pours over the journals piecing a map together, a route that will lead her into the Great Dismal Swamp.

Meanwhile her friends have grown restless after receiving a cryptic email from Kerry- and discovering that Season Howe has been spotted in "Sin City." Striking a nerve, the five friends embark on a pilgrimage to Las Vegas--the city of dreams, gathering, to duel the evil witch. Their cause has several reasons: Making her pay for what she did to Daniel and making sure she never makes it to the Witches' Convocation.

Although after a grueling match of wits Kerry learns Mother Blessing is hiding something. Something she feels even Daniel was unaware of....

If you don't believe in witches, this series will surely help change your mind!

Characters from previous books appear lending a feeling of continuity for long time readers and will keep you gripping your seat until the very last page is read. Fall (Witch Season) is entertaining and well done; unique in that it is both a book and a series. Mariotte's style is deceivingly fresh. Definitely a scary novel for teenagers, yet one that anyone would enjoy, and could make a nice gift for young and old fantasy fans alike.

Reviewed by Betsie

The Fall of Magic (Dungeons & Dragons Novels, Penhaligon Trilogy, Book 3)

Average customer rating:

Final book of the Trilogy

The Fall of Magic (Dungeons & Dragons Novels, Penhaligon Trilogy, Book 3)
D. J. Heinrich
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1560766638

Customer Reviews:

Final book of the Trilogy.......2005-07-17

If you enjoyed the first two of the Penhaligon trilogy, you definately won't be disappointed.

Why Do Fools Fall in Love: Experiencing the Magic, Mystery, and Meaning of Successful Relationships (Wiley Audio)

Average customer rating:

A Must to Read
Wonderful!
A Gentle, Inspiring Book About Love
No Fooling

Why Do Fools Fall in Love: Experiencing the Magic, Mystery, and Meaning of Successful Relationships (Wiley Audio)

Manufacturer: Wiley Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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Accessories:

ASIN: 1560158492

Book Description

This delightful book is a collection of creative essays that combine a remarkable mix of science, psychology, personal insight, and passionate stories focused on the chemistry of lasting love.

Customer Reviews:

A Must to Read.......2001-12-11

Definitely a book worth reading! It reads easily, like a book of short stories, in that the essays are brief and easily readable in short sittings -you can pick it up, read an essay or two, and pick it up again later. Each essay puts forth a concept about an aspect of love, relationships, marriage -- and there is always a morsel - or more - that one can relate to. I found it fascinating to look at my marriage through the lenses and philosophies of these wise authors and experts; to validate and illuminate those things that ring true for me/us, and even spotlight potential pitfalls to avoid. Some of the essays speak more to me than others, but that's what makes this book work so well...there is something here for everyone to relate to and learn from.

Wonderful!.......2001-05-14

A detailed exploration of love and marriage. Not just a book about different methods of succeeding in a relationship... it also details the scientific aspect of love: what happens to the body and how these chemical influence our emotions. As well as thought provoking essays on why some relationships go "stale" and why others do not. Highly recommeded.

A Gentle, Inspiring Book About Love.......2001-05-13

This lovely book is composed mostly of short essays by professional therapists who have published books on relationships or who run relationship seminars, and Art Linkletter (!). The theme is that love changes, and true love is as much a maturing of self as knowing the right things to do or say. The many authors each have their own unique wisdom and perception of what love is, and it makes for pleasant, encouraging, and enlightening reading!

No Fooling.......2001-01-31

Finally, a book on "Love" that's actually worth reading... and buying. It's spiritual, insightful and eloquently written. You'd be a fool not to fall in love with it!

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