Fortune's Fool (Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, Book 3)

Average customer rating:

Unfortunately dull

A Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms

Hurtling into the abyss.

Not her best

cute
Fortune's Fool (Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, Book 3)
Mercedes Lackey
Manufacturer: Luna
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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By Slanderous Tongues

One Good Knight (Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, Book 2)

Reserved for the Cat (Elemental Masters, Book 5)

Aerie (The Dragon Jousters, Book 4)

The Fairy Godmother (Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, Book 1)

ASIN: 0373802668

Customer Reviews:

Unfortunately dull.......2007-10-11

Using folk tales spanning no fewer than four cultures (Chinese, Japanese, Arabian Nights, Russian, and quite probably others that I am less familiar with), it seems improbable that a book should be uninteresting and dragging. But, oh, this one is. Paired with the disappointing end to the Obsidian Trilogy, I find myself wondering what has happened to one of my favorite fantasy authors!

The characters are uninteresting, the villain lackluster... and those are almost the good points. The story suffers from a mishmash of fairy tale elements from too many cultures, godmothers as an afterthought, and a barely-explored underwater world of mermaids... who just happen to have legs and speak all sorts of human languages.

Anyone else miss Elena?

A Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms.......2007-09-29

I really liked this one. my friend complains that as soon as the girl finds herself a man she lives happily ever after...but she says that about all Mercedes Lackey books. I think that this whole Five hundred kingdom series is fantastic, but then i am a sucker for fairytale stuff...and this has a lot of it...seventh son of a seventh son and all that.

Hurtling into the abyss........2007-09-29

I'm a long time reader of Mercedes Lackey, and as such, I've seen watched her stories go hurtling farther and farther into the abyss. The 500 Kingdoms stories have a great premise and world, but the characters, writing and plot continue to deteriorate into an unbearable mess. Though Lackey tries to make her fairy tales "postmodern" and break from "Tradition", the stories fail to break course from typical plot conventions. Fortune's Fool is the most predictable and uninteresting of the three so far released. I hardly had the heart to finish the story because I knew exactly where the story was going and how it was going to end, a fourth of the way through the book. The characters have little original depth, mostly because while attempting to be their own person, they're still relying on "Traditional" conventions; Katya is the same "can take care of herself" heroine in many fantasy books, while Sasha is the typical "means well, but isn't quite necessary" male role. Overall, the story was predictable, the characters uninteresting, and the writing simple and lackluster. It's really too bad because this concept, in the hands of someone more capable, may have been really something.

Not her best.......2007-08-30

After reading and absolutely loving Fairy Godmother, the first installment in M. Lackey's Five Hundred Kingdoms series, I've waited for sequels with bated breath. One Good Knight was good, though not quite as much fun as its predecessor. Fortune's Fool was... uninspired. I feel like the wonderful Ms. Lackey wrote this book with her mind elsewhere. It lacks the fun of earlier installments and the tight plotting and characterization of her other series. Most of the charm of the Five Hundred Kingdoms is the tension of the Tradition acting on people's lives with them all unawares or with only a few characters (such as Elena, our Fairy Godmother protagonist of the first book) able to see the effects of its force in order to counteract them. In Fortune's Fool, most of our characters are well aware of the Tradition they live with and already know how to combat it... it's like she wrote this book as quickly as possible and with half an effort. I still love her and I'll probably still buy the next one on its release date at full price, but in the hopes that it will far outshine this book rather than emulate it.

cute.......2007-08-11

I enjoyed it. Sasha, the hero, was sweet and endearing. His character was beyond good. He even had female unicorns swooning over him, and if you have read the two previous novels, you would know what THAT means. Katya was tough, she had to be to be the seventh daughter and spy for the Sea King. There was definately some funny moments in the story. I gave it four stars instead of five because the story did lag behind a bit and then sped up at the very end to solve the problem. I just didn't feel like the plot reached a natural climax in-between and it left me a little off.

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Average customer rating:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers
Pants on fire?
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
Very Interesting
History as Science Fiction

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2913621058

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

One Good Knight (Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, Book 2)

Average customer rating:

readable on a rainy afternoon
And If I Was Stabbed In The Eye With A Needle For Every Time This Happened...
Better than some folks are saying IMHO
good to a point
I love Andie

One Good Knight (Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, Book 2)
Mercedes Lackey
Manufacturer: Luna
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Fantasy, Futuristic & Ghost | Romance | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0373802609

Book Description

When a dragon storms the castle, what should a (virgin) princess do?

Why, turn to her studies, of course! But nothing practical-minded Princess Andromeda of Acadia finds gives a definitive solution. The only Traditional answer, though, is soothing the marauding dragon by a virgin sacrifice. Things are going fairly smoothly with the lottery--except for the women chosen, of course--until Princess Andromeda herself is picked!

But facing down the dragon doesn't go quite as planned, and now, with the help of her Champion, Sir George, Andromeda searches for the dragon's lair. But even--especially--in the Five Hundred Kingdoms, bucking Tradition isn't easy. It takes the strongest of wills, knowledge, quick wits and a refusal to give up, no matter what happens along the way….

Download Description

Another story sparkling with wit and humor from New York Times bestselling author Mercedes Lackey.

Traditionally, marauding dragons are soothed only by a virgin sacrifice. And so the frightened people of Acadia devise a lottery system to choose the victims. Things are going fairly smoothly - except for the women chosen, of course - until practical-minded Princess Andromeda is picked. She accepts her duty, though she would prefer to defend herself. And so Andromeda faces the dragon alone.

Until a Champion arrives to save her - sort of. Sir George doesn't quite defeat the dragon, but as Andromeda finishes rescuing herself she discovers that beneath the Good Knight's well-meaning though inexperienced heroics lies a further tale.…

Still, Andromeda can't leave her seacoast country in further jeopardy from the dragon's return, and so she and…er… George join to search for the dragon's lair. But in the Five Hundred Kingdoms, bucking Tradition isn't easy. It takes the strongest of wills, knowledge, quick wits and a refusal to give up, no matter what happens along the way.

Somehow, though, none of this was taught in princess school.…

Customer Reviews:

readable on a rainy afternoon.......2007-08-21

The three stars are mainly because this author is capable of writing much better books and has, such as the Valdemar and "Arrows" series. If it had been an author I was unfamiliar with, I probably would have bumped up the rating to four stars. Make of that what you will.

Plot: Princess Adromeda "Andie" is a plain but highly intelligent princess who longs to do more for her kingdom than simply exist as a lady of leisure. Her mother and chief advisor, Solon, out of less than admirable motives decide to let her take on some serious duties. Eventually, however, she is considered too much of a risk to their underhanded schemes, putting in motion the plan to send a dragon to the kingdom, which can only be appeased by regular offerings of virgins. When Andie sets off on a quest of her own, she discovers that things are not what they seem - and with an unlikely cast of characters, becomes determined to take over the throne for herself.

I enjoyed the book, but felt that more attention could have been given to the several main characters besides Andie. The ending was abrupt, with only a few pages devoted to the actual conquest of the kingdom. As for the cover, I can only guess that the artist read the description of another female character (who is a redhead) and took that for her model.

And If I Was Stabbed In The Eye With A Needle For Every Time This Happened..........2007-06-27

I am new to Mercedes Lackey's style of writing. I am also new to the reviewing world [HI!] so this may be extremely pointless in short, there being a ridiculous amount of reviews for this book and all...But I figured I would put my two cents in.

For one? I should've figured a book titled 'One Good Knight' would be disappointing. That and I didn't pay much attention to this being a sequel to the series [sequels tend to have a bad reputation even when the characters are not related to the first one].

In this world, we get it all. Heroes, romance [subtle amount and its more focused around an actual :gasp: plotline!], dragons [Rawr...], and other magical nonsense. What I loved the most was definitely The Tradition which is [as said] based around the tradition of fairytales and is the force of it happening. An annoyance when it is mentioned too much, but then again...it is the center of the story.

Don't count on getting off during this reading session, barely enough romance to keep me hoping for my knight in shining- ...well...not exactly KNIGHT in shining armor but when you read this you will understand IF you want to waste your time.

The book is actually very well written and great up until the ending. It was missing something, it seemed hurried, and the lovey dovey crap thrown in makes me REALLY want to laugh hysterically and then hold my hand out for the real copy. Something a true good book should always have? A good ending, otherwise it makes the reader [yeah hi me] feel like they just wasted their time.

This is the summer so I am not too upset over my time gone but I definitely do not recommend this to someone who is hoping for a romantic tale, or much satisfaction when all is said and done.

-SJR

Better than some folks are saying IMHO.......2007-06-01

I've beeen a LOONG time Lackey reader started in 1980's with her very first Valdemar series Arrows. Misty is to me a interesting writer, her books are more basic on some levels than many of her counterparts and yet I find I enjoy rereading many of her books far more than some of the more complex writers.(Robert Jordan comes to mind here!)
I tend to prefer the Valdemar series, although not ALL of them mind you, and have not really enjoyed most of her tandem books with other writers.
I picked up Fairy Godmother, the first in this series, because I like writers who play with fairy tales and I enjoyed Lackey's Firebird and Black Swan also because I had heard good things about FG. I enjoyed it emensely and was happy to see there were more 500 Kingdom books.

Unlike several of the folks who complain about the lack of strong romance like in the first book I found this book a delightful read. Lackey has always had some form of romance in most of her book and where folks got the idea the the first book was full of romance I'm not sure as that romance didn't start until more than half way through it.

I like Andie, and I liked all the other characters, Misty is a bit of a sterotype writer, not in a bad way but it can make her books predictable. I did figure several things out fairly soon but it didn't remove any of the enjoyment I had in this book and I look forward to reading the third.

good to a point.......2007-05-11

I liked this book a lot, I've been reading Mercedes Lackey for YEARS ( don't really want to discuss how many) and she's always a favorite. These new stories about the 500 kingdoms are entertaining and a nice new spin on things.

My only problem was the ending. It felt like a lot of buildup for not enough fleshed out payoff. I really wanted a more full conclusion. It felt almost as if she's spent so much time on the main part of the story that she had to finish it fast to turn it in to the editors. That's probably not the case, but it felt that way.

You will be entertained, you will enjoy it - if you like her style of fantasy- but the ending might leave you a little unfulfilled.

I love Andie.......2007-02-25

No, the book is not as good as The Fairy Godmother, one of my all-time favorites. But Andie is great.

The Fairy Godmother (Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

another splendid retelling, but...
fairy tales with a twist
Outstanding, again!
Engaging read
Completely Enjoyable

The Fairy Godmother (Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, Book 1)
Mercedes Lackey
Manufacturer: Luna
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0373802455

Book Description

From the bestselling author of the Heralds of Valdemar series comes an enchanting novel.

In the land of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, if you can't carry out your legendary role, life is no fairy tale. . .

Elena Klovis was supposedto be her kingdom's Cinderella--until fate left her with a completely inappropriate prince! So she set out to make a new life for herself. But breaking with "The Tradition" was no easy matter--until she got a little help from her own fairy godmother. Who promptly offered Elena a most unexpected job. . .

Now, instead of sleeping in the chimney. She has to deal with arrogant, stuffed-shirt princes who keep trying to rise above their place in the tale. And there's one in particular who needs to be dealt with. . .

Sometimes a fairy godmother's work is never done. . . .

Customer Reviews:

another splendid retelling, but..........2007-09-15

Mercedes Lackey is one of my favorite authors and does a magnificently creative job of reinventing traditional (no pun intended) fairy tales and legends. This book, like her Elemental Masters series, is no exception. The Cinderella story gets an engaging twist when Elena becomes the new Fairy Godmother. My only complaint is that Ms. Lackey seems to be following the recent trend of throwing (in my opinion) gratuitous sex into a story. Did the dream sequences with Elena and Alexander, not to mention the actual face-to-face love scene, HAVE to give us a play-by-play of eroticism? She has written satisfying love/sex scenes before (for example, in the Heralds series) without going into minute detail about who was doing what and how. If it were not for these passages in this book, I would give this one the full five stars and recommend it to several young teenage girls I know. Unfortunately, the sex makes it inappropriate for the early-teen group, when otherwise it would be a delightful story for them to read.

fairy tales with a twist.......2007-08-06

This one got such rave reviews I just had to see what all the hipe was about. Sorry but I was not as entralled as most of the reviewers. I know this was suppose to be the first parnormal romance from LUNA, but the romance didn't happened until the last 100 pages. Most of this book was the daily life of how to become a fairy godmother and what The Tradition was all about. This was great information for futher reading in this series, but I just don't feel like it was necessary. I know Lackey was trying to be witty, and some pieces were, but not enough to hold my attention in the beginning. The end, was great. The by play between the prince and the brownies and Elena was funny and made the book.

Outstanding, again!.......2007-02-20

Mercedes Lackey has done it again. She has created a viable world with beautifully realistic characters. Give us more.

Engaging read.......2007-02-09

If you like old fairy tales with a new more grown-up twist, this book & series is a good choice.

Completely Enjoyable.......2007-01-05

I've read so many books now that I've gotten very picky. Most books I find I'm skimming a lot of it--not this one. Very interesting story that I couldn't predict, a great escape with no jarring out of my suspension of disbelief, and the ugly side that you also find in reality was not too heavily detailed.

In this world, there is a force called Tradition that moves events into the path most resembling a Fairy Tale. However, sometimes the circumstances just won't allow the Fairy Tale to have a happy ending, as in this story--Cinderella's prince is just a little boy, so she languishes unrescued instead of living happily ever after.

Now in this world, the person who is the focus of the fairy tale feels the force of magic gathering around them more and more as they go further down the road of unresolved Fairy Tale Completion--the longer it goes on without resolution, the more the magic builds. Most often, either an evil sorcerer comes and takes their magic, resulting in the death of the unfortunate focus of the fairy tale, or a good wizard comes and takes it in a kindly fashion, and they settle for something less.

This Cinderella thinks about settling for less, but doesn't do it...and that makes all the difference.

If you like fantasy, this is worth a try for sure.

The 10th Kingdom (Hallmark Entertainment Books)

Average customer rating:

Adored the movie, liked the book
10th Kingdom
Excellent mini series and stellar novel
Awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
O my gosh this is the best book/movie in the world

The 10th Kingdom (Hallmark Entertainment Books)
Kathryn Wesley
Manufacturer: Kensington
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1575665379

Customer Reviews:

Adored the movie, liked the book.......2007-03-16

This is a lovely adaptation of the miniseries The 10th Kingdom, mostly sticking to it quite well, and beyond that giving an excellent insight into why the characters did things a certain way. For example: when watching the miniseries, I was annoyed that Wolf took time off from chasing Wendell to eat in the restaurant. The book fleshed that out, telling how he had been denied meat for his entire stay in the prison (which I believe was fairly lengthy), and so the idea of a good dinner was just too much temptation to stand.

However, the book is apparently a collaboration between two authors, and it does occasionally show. In the beginning of the book, the Queen describes how Snow White had been long dead when she arrived at the castle (when Wendell was an infant), yet in the end Wendell gives Virginia a dried rose Snow White gave him when she left and he was seven years old. His mother was dead by that point, I believe. I did get a wee bit tangled in the narrative, and I believe the narrative got tangled in itself. However, for a fast, lighthearted read, I do recommend it.

10th Kingdom.......2007-02-20

Has a lot more description of each character's past that wasn't shown in the series, so you have more understanding of why they are like the way they are.

Excellent mini series and stellar novel.......2006-10-07

Based on the mini series in 2000, this book pretty much stays along the path of the movie, but with a few added scenes. Basically a NY daughter in her 20's with her father get sucked into a fairytale land where things are not always happily ever after. Leading them is a man named wolf, who has a wolf side. (Big surprise) He falls in love with Virgina, the daughter, and she's reluctant. But there are major problems in the fairytale land and it is Virgina's destiny along with her father, wolf, and faithful dog that's actually a prince, to save the 9 kingdoms. (The 10th Kingdom is NY, in case you wondered about the title)

Awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2006-09-07

I love this movie I rember watching it on tv.
But it is way better on DVD. I want to read
the book alot. If you liked this series you
would probably like the Protecter of the Small
series to.

O my gosh this is the best book/movie in the world.......2006-08-24

I have read this book millions of times and i love it. i watched the movie a billion times over again, i just cant seem to get it out of my head. i hope they write a second book

Average customer rating:

A creative and healing read
I have a REASON for only giving a One Star Rating
Christian parallels in fantasy
Terrific Christian fairy tales!
Brief synopsis of stories.

Tales of the Resistance (Kingdom Tales)
David R. Mains , and Karen Burton Mains
Manufacturer: Chariot Victor Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0781432871

Book Description

Once upon a time there was a lad with boyhood behind him and manhood close, who heard the call of the King to follow him into Enchanted City and do the work of the Kingdom. . . .

Tales of the Resistance (Kingdom Tales Book II)

More than anything, Hero wants to be a King's man and do the King's work. Just this morning he heard the King speak: "It is time to begin the restoration of the Kingdom. I need a King's man with a hero's heart. Will you come?"

Hero does not want to leave the safety and peace of Great Park to return to the darkness of Enchanted City. But he knows he must answer the King's call. What will protect him as he returns to that evil place to help in the restoration of the Kingdom?

Follow Hero on his quest, as he discovers that when one belongs to the Kingdom, he is never alone in the terrible places of the world.

Other titles in the series:
Tales of the Kingdom
Tales of the Restoration

Karen Mains is an author, speaker, and radio and television co-host. She is a co-founder of the Chrysostom Society, a group of Christian authors committed to excellence in their writing.

David Mains is the Executive Director of The Chapel Ministries. His two-minute daily radio feature, "Spiritual Adventure," is broadcast on 70 radio stations across the United States.

Karen and David live in the suburbs of Chicago and have four grown children and four grandchildren.

Customer Reviews:

A creative and healing read.......2006-02-22

This book and the whole series for that matter, are solid evidence that the Arts should never be ignored in a child's education...otherwise we'd miss out on gems such as these. If you have ever felt the pain of being brow-beaten by religion, or have ever been guilty of delivering those brow-beatings (and want to change), these books are for you. They are full of creative, solid, love-based wisdom...which will always win over fear-based wisdom, if there even is such a thing. No sermon, speech, or academic paper can accomplish what these stories do because those who read them will never forget them. Each chapter is a story in itself, with characters that quickly win their way into your heart.

I have a REASON for only giving a One Star Rating.......2005-03-21

My reason for the one star rating is NOT that these are lousy books!! I think these are WONDERFUL books. The stories are interesting, imaginative, moral, fun, and every other good thing for kids to hear. I had them read to me as a child, and have re-read them on my own into my adult life.

My complaint against this particular book (and the other two published in 2000: Tales of the Resistance, & Tales of the Restoration) is the ILLUSTRATIONS, which are poor at best. The original printing in 1983 had enchanting illustrations that were as rich and clever as the stories themselves. I would advise that you DO NOT BUY the 2000 publication of these books. Rather, try to find one of the hardbacks published in 1983.

I hate to be negative because THESE ARE GOOD BOOKS, but I feel strongly about the illustrations. Thank you for reading.

Christian parallels in fantasy.......2004-10-07

My mom bought the original book for me in 1983. About 6 years ago, I was walking through a flea market outside Houston and recognized the cover. I had always remembered what the mothers in the Enchanted City said to their children when putting them to bed..."Morning, morning, see you in the night." And that the Enchanter was so jealous of the light that he forced the city to do its daily activities in darkness. I was so excited to find that book because I had a son and looked forward to reading it to him. It is a great series if your kids are too young for other fantasy books. Although, at six, my son is very nervous about the Enchanter. The Christian themes are impossible to ignore!

Terrific Christian fairy tales!.......2004-05-27

David & Karen Mains' Kingdom Tales consist of three volumes: Tales of the Kingdom, Tales of the Resistance, and Tales of the Restoration. First published in hardcover in 1983, 1986 & 1996 with delightful illustrations by Jack Stockman, these three books have been reissued in softcover in 2000, but now with a limited number of black-and-white illustrations by Linda Wells which don't do much to enhance the text. Each volume consists of twelve fantasy short stories, set in a city ruled by an evil Enchanter who has usurped the throne from the true King. The stories are all separate events often involving different characters, but are bound together as part of a larger story as the Enchanted City is rescued by the exiled King and becomes the Bright City, leading to a joyous conclusion as the people of Great Park and Bright City begin the Great Celebration at the conclusion of the Restoration. The main returning character is Scarboy, an orphan boy who escapes from the Enchanted City with his brother, Little Child, and becomes Hero in the service of the King.

Although the stories have distinctive allegorical qualities, they are more like religious fables or fairy tales, drawing on the imagery of the kingdom that Jesus Christ Himself taught in His ministry. Under the influence of the evil Enchanter, the people of the Enchanted City prefer darkness to the light, and so sleep during the day and work at night. But the King is at work delivering the city and rescuing the poor and needy and bringing them to the Great Park. Even though the Enchanter's men proclaim "There is no such thing as a King", the King's men know "that "Things are not what they seem." They realize that even though the Enchanter had said "Seeing is believing", reality is different: "You have to believe in order to see." Christians will understand that these are important spiritual truths about faith and serving the King Jesus Christ.

Each volume has some stories that were especially memorable. In Volume 2, Hero leaves the safety of Great Park to return to the darkness of Enchanted City, and work for the restoration of the Kingdom. Here he joins the Taxi Resistance, where those who follow the Kingsways rescue the Lost from the Enchanted City. The climax comes in the last two stories, "Traffic Court" and "The Burning Place", where the King himself is captured by the Enchanter, placed on trial, and burned to death. Just when all who have loved and served the King have lost all hope, the King comes back to life, and glorious day falls upon Enchanted City. This event of New Day Rising breaks the enchantment, and is of course a clear image of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Brief synopsis of stories........2004-05-26

Back to Enchanted City - Hero is commissioned to the office of Ranger and returns to the Enchanted City.
Doubletalk, Triple Tongue and Theysay - Two of the Enchanter's heralds join the resistance of the King, and learn to speak the language of the Kingdom.
The Taxi Resistance - Led by Big Operator, the City Taxi Company leads the resistance against the Enchanter's Burners, Breakers and Naysayers, working for the Restoration.
The Challenger - Hero begins his new assignment as Keeper of the Chronicle of Sightings of the King.
The Most Beautiful Player of All -The famous actress Thespia leaves the Palace of Players and follows the King.
The Sewer Rat and the Boiler Brat - Two orphans who are part of those cruelly enslaved in running the underworld sewer system are rescued by the King.
The Forbidden Princess - Amanda helps rescue a princess destined to live an empty life under the curse of the Enchanter.
The Carnival Daughter - The King rescues Carny, a girl who tries to escape the Enchanter by fleeing to an imaginary carnival world.
The Orphan Exodus - Big Operator and the King rescue orphan children from the evil Orphan Keeper.
The Enchanter's Revenge - The Enchanter seeks revenge for the orphan exodus by a demolition raid on the terminal of the City Taxi Company and killing Big Operator.
Traffic Court - The King is captured and charged with insurrection - pretending to be the King - and sentenced to death.
The Burning Place - The King is burned to death, to the sorrow of his followers, but then returns to life and so breaks the enchantment on the city. - GODLY GADFLY

Average customer rating:

Fantastic story for young and old
The "old" illustrations are NOT worth the extra cost
We love this book!
My favorite book of all time
Great Christian fairy tales!

Tales of the Kingdom
David R. Mains , and Karen Burton Mains
Manufacturer: Chariot Family Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0891915605

Book Description

Back in print by popular demand, this intriguing allegorical children's classic takes place in the enchanted city where you will enjoy the wonderful experience of God's great deliverance. This treasure compares to The Chronicles of Narnia and Pilgrim's Progress.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic story for young and old.......2007-01-21

This story is a great allegory for young and old. I read this to my son when he was young and he has always remembered the story of a young boy becoming a hero through a series of events in his life. It has wonderful character building lessons and will leave an imprint on your heart.
I bought this for our son for a Christmas gift (he is now 25 years old). He was ecstatic when he opened his gift. He is now reading it with his fiance. Her mother read it and has bought 3 more copies to give as gifts. I highly recommend this for all ages.

The "old" illustrations are NOT worth the extra cost.......2006-11-07

I came to Amazon to purchase a copy of TALES OF THE KINGDOM by David and Karen Mains. There were several reviewers that were disappointed in the illustrations of the newer editions. So, I sprung the extra money to buy an older copy. BELIEVE me, the old illustrations by Jack Stockman are only "fabulous" if you have some childhood memories to make them special. Otherwise, they are rather ordinary and do little for the stories. The stories themselves shine and shine. Such excellent stories. If I had to do it again, I would buy the newer edition and save my $$ for other books.

We love this book!.......2006-11-02

My son andI read this book together. The lessons in it are incredible. The story is interesting and the opens the doors for great disscusion about life issues.

My favorite book of all time.......2006-08-27

I was introduced to this book as a kid at a summer camp in PA and later as a college student at a weekend conference I was re-introduced to it. It is a fabulous collection of stories for children and adults alike that mirror biblical principles. Later when I returned to PA as a camp counsleor I read it aloud to my teenage girls and they loved it! They would ask each night if I would read to them. You won't be disapointted in this book, or the other two that make up the series!

Great Christian fairy tales!.......2004-05-27

Each volume has some stories that were especially memorable. Volume 1 describes how Sarboy escapes the Enchanted City, where orphaned and handicapped children are enslaved. In the Great Park he discovers the wonderful truth about God's kingdom. One of my favorites in this volume was "The Baker who Loved Bread", which describes the King's Baker who bakes the King's Bread, but withholds this bread from poor and needy people, thinking he is doing a service to the king by doing so. When he beats a person whom he believes to be a thief about to steal his bread, he discovers that he has actually harmed the King himself, and learns an important lesson: "Love for the King is measured by one's love for his people. So the Baker fed the hungry and fed them well - lest the One he loved the most should starve." This concept is very clearly based on Christ's teaching in Matthew 25.

How successful these stories are on their own apart from the underlying spiritual truths is hard to tell. The moral of the stories is generally quite transparent, although in the case of a few tales it is rather obscure. But on the whole the message about serving and honouring the King Jesus Christ comes through loud and clear. I found the stories thoroughly enjoyable particularly because of this deeper meaning. I suspect that those who don't appreciate the deeper meaning will find it hard to enjoy the tales as stand-alone stories for their own sake. The concept is similar to the Narnia Chronicles, although not with the same degree of success, because the Narnian stories can also function on the level of stories alone. But although the world isn't as fantastic as C.S. Lewis' Narnia, Narnian fans may find themselves appreciating the Kingdom Tales of the Mains for the same reasons: the spiritual depth. They will certainly lead to a greater love for the King and His Kingdom! -GODLY GADFLY

Average customer rating:

Very Entertaining Read

Fairy Godmothers in a new light
The Fairy Godmother: A Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms (Book 1)
Mercedes Lackey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: B000I2JP4W

Customer Reviews:

Very Entertaining Read.......2007-03-31

I have read several of Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar books and while I don't think that this one was quite as good as those, I did find it very entertaining. It kind of reminded me of a romance novel set in a fantasy world. The story is unique and interesting and I thought that the character development was very good. It's not my new favorite but it's definitely worth a read if you like this kind of thing.

Fairy Godmothers in a new light.......2007-02-16

If you have ever wondered where Fairy Godmothers came from, or whether or not they had private lives, if you've ever wondered what capricious energies are set in motion when Tradition is flouted as Fairy Tales go wrong, you will enjoy this charming, inventive, and enjoyable tale. Mercedes Lackey hits her stride as a writer in these wacky fairy tales (Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms series ) with gentle humor, good natured intelligence, and an engaging romantic subplot. As usual with Mercedes Lackey, there is a lot of thundering action between the good and bad guys, and it is clear her fairy tale universe has many, many more tales to unfold. The romance is a little more graphic than is usual with Mercedes, but less than in many current romance novels.

Average customer rating:

Gives you a good understanding of Gothic Literature
The Perfect Introduction
Why I like Fred Botting

Gothic (The New Critical Idiom)
Fred Botting
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Classics | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0415092191

Book Description

Gothic offers a lucid and accessible introduction to the Gothic genre, tracing the darkly terrific shapes and developments of a transgressive literary practice which has thrived for over two centuries. Fred Botting explores a number of key texts, their origins and writers, and discusses them in the context of their cultural and historical location, their critical reception and their influence.

Botting's concise introduction examines a remarkably wide and diverse range of authors and critics, varying from such artists as Mary Shelley and Bram Stoker to Angela Carter and David Lynch. Gothic focuses on the various styles and forms of the genre and analyzes the cultural significance of its prevalent figures--the ghosts, monsters, vampires, doubles and horrors that are its definitive features. Botting traces its history from its origins in the 18th century through its modernist and postmodernist representations, highlighting the ways Gothic figures have continued to shadow the progress of modernity, always displaying the underside of human values. He offers a broad overview of the themes, images and effects that not only define the genre, but also endure and re-appear endlessly in both "high" and "popular" literature and culture.

Customer Reviews:

Gives you a good understanding of Gothic Literature.......2004-05-14

This is an excellent starting point for those interested in getting a very broad but thorough understanding of Gothic literature. After reading this, you will feel confident in knowing the backbone of Gothic and what it entails.

(I might also add that this is a very well-written book; the author is easy to read and very knowledgeable.)

The Perfect Introduction.......2003-08-18

This is the perfect introduction to a study of both Gothic Literature and, by extension, 20th Century horror literature and cinema. The author walks a fine line between academic and accessible and keeps things moving along at a nice pace, covering 250 years in under 200 pages. The book is part of the Routledge "New Critical Idiom" series that sums up concepts from literary and critical theory in nice digestible servings. If you are an undergrad looking for a place to start your research or a non-academic who isn't afraid to get a little theoretical, I'd recommend this book highly.

Why I like Fred Botting.......1999-12-31

This book is fabulous if you are looking for a historical survey of Gothic which does not lose itself in the labyrinth of feminist theory. However, I think Botting spreads himself a bit too thin in attempting to cover works like Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" in one sentence. I loved this book for bringing out the evolution of Gothic from early works to the present.

Average customer rating:

The Earth Kingdom Chronicles: The Tale of Aang (Avatar, the Last Airbender)
Michael Teitelbaum
Manufacturer: Simon Spotlight
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Popular Culture | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1416936068

Book Description

I'm Aang -- and this is the tale of my journey through the Earth Kingdom. I traveled there with my friends Katara and Sokka to find an Earthbending teacher. I'm not sure why, but we ran into trouble almost everywhere we went. We got chased by Prince Zuko's sister, Azula, and got caught in a sinking library. Did I mention that Appa got kidnapped by Sandbenders? There were definitely some scary moments...but I can't complain about getting stuck in the Cave of Two Lovers with Katara! All in a day's work for the Avatar, right?

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