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- I Totally Hearted This Book, but Don't Start Here If You are New to the Series
- The Foreigner Universe
- Watch out for DAW books - quality control issues
- English majors unite!
- Don't Breathe!
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Pretender (Foreigner Universe)
C. J. Cherryh
Manufacturer: DAW
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Defender (Foreigner Universe Books)
ASIN: 0756404088 |
Book Description
The epic tale of the human survivors of a lost spacecraft, marooned on a planet inhabited by a hostile alien race, follows the civilization's rise from the age of steam through early space flight to confrontations with other alien species in distant sectors of space.
Customer Reviews:
I Totally Hearted This Book, but Don't Start Here If You are New to the Series.......2007-06-11
I had saved up all three of the last books in this series for a Bren orgy (Destroyer, this one and Deliverer) and a nasty summer cold seemed just the right occasion to lock myself up with cold remedies, kleenex and books by C. J. Cherryh.
I've been a fan from the start so I was having a great time with Banichi, Jago, Ilsidi and the rest of the Atevi cast when it occurred to me that very likely if I had started this series with this book I would be incredibly lost. And the further I read the more I decided that new readers would need a "Companion" volume to figure everything out.
So if you have read previous books this one is a good read, if you haven't-- go back and start with Foreigner (and I envy you the chance to read the series for the first time.)
The Foreigner Universe.......2007-04-14
I love the way Cherryh can make us (humans) into the foreigners. Her worlds are always entertaining and this one is no exception. Although her Chanur books will probably always be my favorites, these are a very close second and I have trouble putting them down.
Watch out for DAW books - quality control issues.......2007-02-03
I have loved most of Cherryh's books, they are just phenomenal. So, has anyone else noticed that DAW along with other publishers have switched to low quality materials for their hardcover books? Take a look at the paper for instance. Just compare this book and the first ones. You won't be thrilled in about 5 years, when the newer books in this series have begun to yellow with age while the first is still in pristine condition.
I hate this new trend with book publishers just to save a buck. None of us get a deal on the price, but they can sell inferior goods to us because they know we want to read the books anyway. Please watch out and if possible, complain to the company. If enough of us do, they will return to the quality we have come to expect. Shame on DAW!
English majors unite!.......2007-01-06
A series with a linguist for a hero! My kind of science fiction. The universe is always being saved by engineers, but not this time. Hear ye! Hear ye! Linguists and language lovers of all stripes! This is a hero you can identify with and be proud to call one of your own.
Cherryh is the best stream of consciousness sci fi writer in this universe.
Don't Breathe!.......2006-11-04
Again, as the last installment of the Foreigner Universe, this one is very fast paced. Lighter on plot than most of C.J.'s work, but still very satisfying.
Book Description
In 1991, nine skeletons were exhumed from a shallow grave near Ekaterinberg, Siberia. Were these the remains of the last tsar and his family, murdered over 70 years before? Pulitzer Prize winner Massie now answers this question, going back to the horrifying moments of the slaughter, and describing in detail the ultimately successful efforts in post-communist Russia to discover the truth. of photos.
Customer Reviews:
The Final chapter...or is it?.......2006-09-25
This is a book you expected Massie to write.....since Nicholas & Alexandra was written in (I think) 1969, an update since 1991 was critical. It gives you an idea what was being discovered in DNA research and proving the bones found were who they were. Its a book a Romanov observer should have, or at least read to glean the information from. Worth it, for sure.
Much-Awaited Finale to 'Nicholas and Alexandra'.......2006-08-20
Massie is a master historian and storyteller, and this book is nearly impossible to put down. Though reading Massie's prequel, 'Nicholas and Alexandra', is not essential to understandng 'The Romanovs: The Final Chapter', it is highy recommended. Beginning with the murder of the Romanov family, then moving to the discovery and exhumation of their remains, forensic and DNA analysis and the ensuing religious and political debate over their disposition and burial, Massie weaves an accurate historical narrative that reads like the finest detective thriller. Throughout, he carefully explains-in laymen's terminology-basic aspects of genetics, DNA analysis and forensic medicine. The true identity of 'Anastasia' claimant Anna Anderson is finally revealed in this book through a careful analysis of her life and the historical and genetic evidence. A wonderful read, and extremely informative-highly recommended!
A MUST! A WONDERFUL BOOK!.......2006-06-06
This is the so-called "sequel" to Robert Massie's masterpiece "Nicholas and Alexandra." It is an excellent book about the imprisonment and murder of Russia's last Tsar and his family. If you want to learn about this important event in Russian History, please do not waste your time with Greg King and Penny Wilson's "The Fate of the Romanovs." This book, "The Romanovs: The Final Chapter" by Robert Massie is the book you should read. It also dives into the myth of Anna Anderson and proves she was a fraud.
Very good for the year it was made.......2006-01-06
Robert Massie was the author who best recorded all the discoveries of the Romanovs in 1990's, when at long last the secrets were revealed. However, one fact remains, two bodies are still missing, the bodies of Anastasia and Alexei, and they weren't burned to ashes. "The Fate of the Romanovs" by Greg King and Penny Wilson demonstrates just why and also is the most updated book. Get that one as an update to this one.
Massie....please, FIND a new dead horse to beat!.......2005-06-02
Robert Massie has spent execptional amounts of time for over 30 years flaying this dead horse about the Romanvos. He has all ways been dead wrong with any of his "findings".
As any /every one knows, history is a fairy tale, slanted by the winning side. Russians are incapable of telling the truth. The British are not known as exceptionally truthful. There are legions of individuals both directly involved and peripherally involved with the "fate" of the Romanovs, but none will band together and state the facts. TOO, too ridiculous, with Massie acting like Moses coming down from the Mount. Hey, Bob, after all, it is ONLY your version of the facts.
His "research" is sloppy, he relies on dubious sources. He violates all the basic tenets of factual, honest journalism.
By all means, AVOID any and all books with Massie's name on them. Total waste of time, effort, ink, paper and money. He should have quit with "Nicholas & Alexandra", so long ago!
Book Description
Rule #1: Never fall in love.Celeste Bradley captivated critics and readers alike with her unforgettable novel Fallen, which was nominated for the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America for Best First Book. Now, she brings us The Lover, the first book in the wildly fun, exciting, and sexy new Liar's Club series both featuring irresistible heroes who are out to steal their leading ladies hearts!She had a secret she'd do anything to hide. Agatha Cunnington, a headstrong beauty from the country, has come to London in search of her missing brother James. The only clue she has is a cryptic letter signed The Griffin. Agatha decides to disguise herself as a respectable married woman so that she can go about the city unnoticed. But for her charade to work she needs a suitable "husband," preferably someone tall, elegant, and rakish-someone like Simon Montague Rain.He had a secret he'd do anything to hide.Simon Montague Rain, also known as The Magician, is a member of The Liar's Club, a renegade group of rogues and thieves in the service of the Crown. When someone begins murdering members of the undercover cabal one by one, Simon is given the mission to bring in The Griffin, one of his comrades who is suspected of betraying his brothers. Simon goes undercover and infiltrates the home of "Mrs." Agatha Applequist who he believes is the Griffin's mistress. Before Simon knows what's happened, he finds himself irresistibly drawn to Agatha's soft, feminine charms-and he is tempted beyond reason to break the first rule of The Liar's Club: never fall in love.
Customer Reviews:
Couldn't put it down!.......2007-01-10
This was just a great story! I had never read this author before, so this was a great start! The story was well written, and easy to get into. I loved the sparks between Simon and Agatha. If only they came that way in real life!
A great day read !.......2006-10-04
The Pretender by Celeste Bradley was a fantastic suspense romance historical novel. Agatha moves to London to her find her older brother but to have the freedom she needs to be married so she makes up a husband. The fake husband works wonderfully until someone wants to meet Mr. Applequist. Simon is a member of Liar's Club who work for the Crown. Simon is looking for James (AKA Agatha's brother) and ends up pretending to be Agatha's husband. Great twists and turns off to read all the of The Liar's Club series The Pretender (1), The Impostor (2), The Spy (3) and The Charmer (4).. If you enjoy this genre, I would also check out The Lady Lies, The Lady Killer and The Lady's Code by Samantha Saxon
Enjoyable IF you're familiar with the series.......2006-09-20
I've now read all the Liar's series in different order, but when I picked up this book, I realized I had tried to read it a year or so ago and found it boring, although I knew nothing of the Liar's and Royal Four at the time. I stuck with it this time, however, and while I still found it a dull love story, I loved Simon, but his appeal, while great here, was also based on his appearances in the other books. Agatha wasn't really in the other series enough to know her well, so I was glad to read her story. She was great, similiar to Willa Trent. So...I'd recommend reading ALL the other books first - they were all perfect, then read this one. I'd hate to see anyone miss out on all those wonderful stories because of this one.
Bit of a frustrating mess.......2006-08-14
Bradley's off to an interesting start with this series. There are several amusing encounters between the hero (Simon) and heroine (Agatha) throughout that show potential for the writers comedic abilities.
But we also get a bogged down story with too much backstory inflicted on the reader for the rest of the series.
I also found myself extremely frustrated with the disjointed political intrique and reasons for keeping these two apart. It's a hodge podge of unbelievable story that simply wouldn't fly in the time period.
Yet the humor and ultimate ending has me intriqued enough to give the rest of the series a chance.
Great Adventure!.......2006-03-22
This is my first time reading Celeste Bradley and she's a keeper. This book is filled with adventure, charm, and romance. You won't be able to put it down!
Amazon.com
You might argue that there's no point to this English-language edition of a Russian book, because only the most feverish Russian monarchist could take seriously, as a political issue, the question of whether the last Tsar's heir survived the Bolshevik massacre at Ekaterinburg. But this is a bit like saying that it doesn't matter how Amelia Earhart died: a mystery is a mystery, each with its own special claims on our attention. We know that Cheka thugs buried two fewer bodies than they fired at, and forensic evidence shows that if those two got away, they were almost certainly Nicholas's two youngest children, Anastasia and Alexei. There have been many Alexei pretenders in Russia, but none with so well-documented a claim as the one presented (a little breathlessly) here, on behalf of the schoolteacher Vasily Filatov, who died in 1984. Computerized facial matching says that he must be Alexei, and there is an enormous amount of other circumstantial evidence. Intriguing ... as, in a rubber-necking sort of way, is the forensically detailed reconstruction of what happened on the murderous night of July 16 to 17, 1918. But note that the relevant genetic information about Filatov has not been disclosed. Many experts, using just the methods emphasized here, were convinced beyond doubt that Anna Anderson must have been Alexei's sister Anastasia ... until DNA samples showed up. So caveat lector. What really drives this book is the series of grainy, haunting images of Filatov: was he just a peasant turned teacher, or did those deep, inscrutable eyes, which do look so very, very like the eyes of the young tsarevitch, hide for six decades a terrible story about crawling away from a pile of corpses? --Richard Farr
Book Description
The Russian Romanov dynasty came to an abrupt end on the night of July 17, 1918, when the imperial family was executed by the Bolsheviks. Or did it? Compelling new evidence reveals that Tsarevich Alexei, the fourteen year-old son of Nicholas II and heir to the Russian throne, may have escaped the bloodshed and been adopted by a local family in a nearby village.
Meticulously researched and documented, The Escape of Alexei details how Bolshevik soldiers bungled the execution, leading to confusion and chaos during the shooting. Young Alexei was merely wounded and unconscious when he was loaded onto the back of a truck with corpses of his murdered family and driven to the secret burial site. Falling out of the truck en route and left for dead, he was found by sympathetic soldiers who attended to the young hemophiliac's wounds and helped him escape, introducing him into a peasant family where he grew up under the name of Vasily Filatov.
The world of Russia's heir to the throne turned upside down. Vasily Filatov became an apprentice shoemaker, and eventually a high school geography and history teacher. He married, had children, and told his family the story of the Tsarevich's escape in the third person, as historical narrative. he never explained how, as a village teacher living under the oppressive silence and censorship of the Soviet Union, he was fluent in several foreign languages, had an in-depth knowledge of the private life of the Romanov family, and an uncanny grasp of the details surrounding the 1918 execution. With the advent of perestroika in the 1980's, the Soviet archives were finally opened to the public and, to his family's amazement, many of the incredible stories that Vasily Filatov had told his with and children were revealed to the world as historical fact.
In this startling volume, three well-respected scientists provide a convincing, thoroughly documented account of how such an extraordinary escape was possible, and how the executioners managed to cover up the fact that the body of the heir to the throne was missing. Drawing on official records and documents from Russian archive, the grisly personal accounts of soldiers who took part in the execution, and utilizing the latest scientific and forensic technology, the authors offer evidence that Alexei Romanov and Vasily Filatov were on and the same.
Filatov died in 1988. But his widow and children provide intimate reminiscences that bring this astonishing tale to life. And 101 black-and-white personal photographs reproduced throughout the text demonstrate the remarkable physical resemblances between members of the Romanov and Filatov families.
Customer Reviews:
Nice, but not a match.......2006-03-06
It all boils down to this: there is no way that the little boy and the man in the front cover (or in any of the other pictures) are the same person. Alexei's eyebrows tend to be very square, yet Vasily's are drooping down. Age may change appearance, but there is the "essence of the person" and these two don't match. The rest of the story is interesting, especially the history, but the argument is not airtight or even water-tight. There are other explanations. As for the writing, the book tends to drag on at times, but overall it is entertaining reading.
entertaining read but very implausible.......2004-11-06
Although this book does an admirable job of piecing together a convincing argument that Tsarevich Alexei survived from circumstantial evidence, it will not convince anyone who knows anything about Russian history. Facial structure alone is no match for DNA analysis and simple facts. For my part, I didn't think that the picture of Filitov matched the picture of Alexei at all. Disregarding that, however, this book's conclusion is highly improbable. Multiple Romanov executioners have stated that one of them kicked the tsarevich in the head, and then Chekist Yakov Yurovsky shot Alexei three times point blank in the ear. Perhaps the authors do not believe this, but there is no chance anyone, let alone a hemophiliac, could survive that. The authors contend that Alexei was only seriously wounded, not dead, when he and his family were put into the truck and driven off to be buried, and that Alexei then fell out of the truck and escaped. Even if this is true, he would have bled to death in hours. Medical treatments were simply not available at that time to treat even minor bleeding. So while these authors provide the most believable explanation regarding the possible survival of Romanov family members, it is not believable enough to make this book worth buying.
Not convinced.......2004-06-18
I am a sucker for all things Romanov, and haven't read anything about the Russian Royal Family in a year or two. So I was anxious to start The Escape of Alexei by Vadim Petrov, Igor Lysenko and Georgy Egorov. Those looking to this book for a Romanov-fix won't find it here.
The premise that someone could have survived the Romanov massacre in Ekaterinburg in July 1918 is a tempting one. It gained even more momentum when two bodies turned up missing when the remains of the Royal Family were found in 1978. The group chosen to kill the Romanovs was a disorganized bunch, and the scene of the murder was complete chaos. But the theory that Vasily Filatov was actually the tsarevich Alexei is a laughable one.
First and foremost, there has been no DNA testing, and the authors give us lame excuses why this has not been done. We've already been duped by Anna Anderson, who was proven by DNA to be an impostor after her death. Second, the fact that a hemophiliac could live to the ripe old age of 83 stretches the imagination-especially without medical intervention. The book does have good photos, but the young Alexei looks nothing like Filatov. There are many statements made by Filatov's family, but just because Filatov loved the celebrate New Years' and birthdays, read poetry, or played classical music doesn't prove he was Alexei. Filatov also didn't seem to pass on much concrete information about growing up as the tsarevich. There are just too many gaps in the story, and too much lacking here.
The book itself is tedious at times-especially the background information at the beginning. The body of the book is only 176 pages, and much of it is repetition. And the 26 page appendix is filled with worthless information.
So, for true Romanov aficionados, I suggest you pass on The Escape of Alexei and pick up something a little more worthwhile.
Not very persuasive..........2003-11-05
I don't suggest this book at all. It was not very persuasive and in one of the pictures, one Grand Duchess is misidentified! You'd think their "brother" would know who is was! It seems completely made up.
Time Well Spent...Doing Something Else.......2002-06-11
This book is absolute rubbish! Don't even waste your money on it. You'd do better reading The Cat in the Hat rather than this. For any Romanov fan, this book is a must-a must throw in the trash. I don't know why people still insist that Aleksey survived Ekaterinburg. Just drop it. He didn't survive. Anastasiya didn't survive. Maria didn't survive. None of them survived! They most likely just burned the two "missing" bodies and scattered the ashes around the site...
Average customer rating:
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Jay's Journal of Anomalies : Conjurers, Cheats, Hustlers, Hoaxsters, Pranksters, Jokesters, Imposters, Pretenders, Side-Show Showmen, Armless Calligraphers, Mechanical Marvels, Popular Entertainments
Ricky Jay
Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0374178674 |
Book Description
A dazzling tour through the world of singular entertainers, con men, and unusual phenomena.
For the past four years, the multitalented Ricky Jay (sleight-of-hand artist, author, actor, film consultant, and scholar of the unusual) has published a unique and beautifully designed quarterly called Jay's Journal of Anomalies. Already a coveted collector's item, the complete set is gathered here for the first time. A brilliant excursion into the history of bizarre entertainments, the journal covered such subjects as dogs stealing acts from other dogs, an anthropological hoax involving the only survivors of a caste of ancient Aztec priests, and the ultimate diet: ingesting only air.In a delectably deadpan and winning style, Jay conveys his admiration and affection for the offbeat that characterized his bestselling Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women. He explains how wags since the sixteenth century have cheated at bowling; he explores the ancient relationship between conjuring and dentistry; and he chronicles the exploits of ceiling walkers and human flies. Crammed full of illustrations drawn from the author's massive personal archive, Jay's Journal of Anomalies will baffle, instruct, and, above all, delight.
Book Description
The first book to examine the life of Henry Fitzroy, the only illegitimate child ever publicly acknowledged by Henry VIII.
Customer Reviews:
A Book for aficionados of the Tudor period.......2006-07-08
Dying at the age of 18, Henry Fitzroy is, in the end, a person of little or no historical significance. There was the potential that he could have become historically significant, but he didn't; this may make him a little interest to general history readers. On the other hand, as the king's acknowledged son, there is also considerable documentation about his life, and it did intersect with some of the flashpoints of history. For the reader interested in the period, his story fleshes out the life and upbringing of a high-ranking male. Murphy also checks upon some of the minor, disputed details of the question of the succession.
What is very interesting about biographies like this is that they bring out the details of the period better than biographies of the famous. The latter are so filled with political and social events that very often the subject isn't developed as a person, even when there is copious information. In a way, that is a shame. It would be nice to have "personal" biographies of such people where the already heavily documented major historical events are a background to their daily life. I had read a great deal of information about the Tudors before I learned that Henry played cards with (and lost to!) his cellarer, or that Anne Boleyn, obviously a woman after my own heart, insisted that he move his fighting cocks so that she could sleep in in the morning.
One problem that I do have with Murphy is that she struggles so hard to make him seem more important. If his neighbors were bringing him gifts when he was 12, I think it is more likely to ingratiate themselves with him and his father, not because he was personally doing a fabulous job of managing his estates. His life wasn't one that was eccentric or fascinating or wittily told that I would recommend it to everyone, but I think that people really interested in the period will find it improves their general understanding.
Interesting topic, but the writing didn't grab me.......2006-02-15
I love Henry...love any book about him, his wives, his children, I have all of them. This one caught my eye because it was written about one of his children you rarely hear anything about other than his mother's name and that he died relatively young. I was excited to start reading, but found the presentation wasn't grabbing my attention, and I found myself not being as interested in the information presented as I thought I would be. I suppose you could call the presentation as text-bookish. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy non-fiction, especially historical non-fiction, but this one just didn't keep me interested.
The Lost Son.......2005-06-16
Among the more grandiose plans amongst the ministers of Henry VIII's administration was to legitimize Henry FitzRoy and marry him to his legitimate half-sister Mary (i.e. Bloody Mary). It has been rumored amongst historians that this idea was in fact direct from the King's mouth. According to 16th century standards, siblings who shared the same father (but perhaps not the same mother) were considered 'full-blood' siblings. Siblings who shared the same mother but different fathers were those considered "half". Just a little tidbit of historical nonsense.
Passably Competent Account of a Little Known Bastard.......2004-09-02
Henry VIII while famous for his six wives, did not stop there: among his many extracurriculars was Elizabeth Blount, a young lady who bore him a son, Henry FitzRoy, who was later made Duke of Richmond. The Bastard Price was born well before Ann Boleyn had come on the scene, was publicly acknowledged as the "natural son" of the King and showered with titles and offices. As such, it would not have taken much - or at least it would have taken less trouble than it might have seemed, certainly less trouble than Boleyn marriage brought - to "legitimize" Richmond and thereby solve the most pressing crisis of the late 1520s and early 1530s, namely, Henry's failure to sire a male heir. Murphy does a reasonable job of walking us through the permutations and combination of this would-be scenario, and one is left pondering the possibilities: could the English Reformation have been averted through a bit of subtle intrigue and a quick marriage to Blount? Though the story is interesting, the book itself is a bit slow and assumes quite a deal of background knowledge.
The man who was allmost Henry The Ninth of England.......2002-07-22
This book is a must read for those interested in Tudor Royalty.It reveals an entirely different view of Henry VIII and the problems[real and imagined]he faced concerning his desire for a legitimate male heir to the Throne of England.The politics surrounding Henry VIII and his Court are well researched and presented in a clear way which involves the reader with the Duke of Norfolk and Anne Boleyn's backers and Family[Seymour] as they fought for power and the favor of the King.
Customer Reviews:
There is a movie about this book..........2005-08-08
I noticed that someone asked about a movie version of this novel. There is one from about 1996, starring Kim Catrall... it seems not as serious as the novel, almost like a parody, but you seen see how serious it is. The name of the film is "Every Woman's Dream", it was made for TV movie.
Excellent!.......2005-04-24
Very true and shocking story of David Miller, who leads a life of greed and deception. This is my fifth time reading this, and itseems to get better each time. I guarantee you will shake your head when reading this book.
This would have made an OUTSTANDING made for TV or cable movie. I hope the author does consider this at some point.
Stranger than fiction, by far! Bet you can't put it down!.......2004-05-01
Like the equally fascinating true crime masterpiece, Final Vows, the book Deadly Pretender by Karen Kingsbury is too compelling a read to put down until you have devoured the very last page(I read through the night when I could never find a good stopping place!).
This is the story of David Miller, a successful political lobbyist who many would have envied--wealthy, reasonably attractive, good at his job, accepted in exciting social circles, he seemed to have it all. Yet, inexplicably, David isn't satisfied with these blessings and becomes increasingly addicted to a life of deceit. On his fateful course, he finds himself drawn to higher and higher levels of deception to feel challenged and fulfilled. While some of us are content to take a trip or find a new hobby if life feels flat and dull, not so for this guy. Instead, he raises the stakes all the time, weaving more and more intricate lies as he goes.
Deciding he was too special to be a mere bachelor OR just a married man, he decides he deserves to be both. This leads to his marrying Dorothy, and convincing his wife that he is an undercover agent to explain his extended absences from home. His ruse allows him to take cruises and enjoy every svelte young lady who meets his fancy, then rush home to Dorothy's arms after his "mission" is over. Had it stopped there, he may have been able to pull off the deception indefinitely, but his escalating need for risk drives him to unethical business practices, bigamy, and the expenses of a dual lifestyle with two different families, ultimately ending in a tragic murder of wife Jayne.
As hard as it is to believe that the entire twisted tale is true, court documents and trial transcripts support that in this case, fact is far and away more compelling than fiction. And sadly for Dorothy, only too real in the way it ruined her world, and even worse, deprived Jayne of her very life.
Book Description
ONE MAN… TWO LIVES…
For over six years, Reginald Brooks has managed to pull it off. Having two families, leading two lives.
Now, the pretending must stop.
But how?
THE GREAT PRETENDER…an electrifying tale of how one man tries to untangle his life, setting a full-fledged arena of wife against husband, lover against lover, friend against friend, and family against family.
Once you begin this engaging tale, you will witness how one man's decision to pretend ricochets through the lives of several people. For some, escape could seem to be a most welcome solution…
Reginald Brooks—a polished marketing VP who shrewdly built a dual life around his work. But without warning, that life begins to come apart at the seams and Reginald makes a decision that could threaten his very future, and the lives of those he loves most…
Tracy Brooks—Reginald's wife of nearly 20 years. While the cat's away, the mice will play. She's got secrets of her own to protect…
Renee Jameson—the younger woman with the killer body who managed to turn Reginald's head long enough to become pregnant…
Franklin Bevins—a UPS executive and Reginald's best friend since the carefree days of childhood. Reggie has never made a life-changing decision without Frank's input; a practice they may soon live to regret…
Olivia Brooks—Reginald and Tracy's eldest daughter. Family isn't very high on Olivia's list of priorities. With her primary focus on a man, Olivia seems nonchalant about the significant changes in her family's life until a shocking demand gets her full attention…
Valerie Brooks—the younger of Reggie and Tracy's two daughters. A curious teen on the verge of adulthood when a hard knock lesson brings her questionable habits to a screeching halt.
From the plush streets of Miami to the glamour of New York City, follow the families of Reginald Brooks as their lives of sex, love, hate and surprise unfolds to an agonizing climax!
This debut novel by Millenia Black is anticipated to spark a tantalizing blend of emotions, and may even leave you wondering if perhaps you know someone who might be…THE GREAT PRETENDER.
Download Description
"Do you really know the person you love? What warning signs are you willing to ignore? What can you forgive? In her smashing debut novel, Millenia Black puts a daring new spin on modern family drama by exploring its secrets and lies-as the perfect man comes undone by the consequences of a double life. Let a new battle of the sexes begin."
Customer Reviews:
Great First Effort!!!.......2007-05-16
I think that Ms. Black did a splendid job with her first effort, it sure kept me listening. She kept you guessing as to what was happening and who was next to act out on some human emotion that all us humans deal with in our own ways.
While it is true that this was an extreme set of circumstances (I find it interesting that there was plenty of money to go around to all the concerned parties), it could still be an event that we could all be reading about in tomorrow's headlines.
I read in one of these reviews that the reader thought that Reggie did not seem to take responsibility for what he had done. I think the whole book is about his taking responsibility for what he had done. There is no way that he would have thought that Rene would go off the deep end; I don't think anyone saw that coming. Even her own mother and sister did not realize what she was up to.
One last thing: Does anyone else think that Frank was a snake? I think that it was Frank that was the Great Pretender. It was Frank that convinced Reggie to set up housekeeping with Rene in the first place, that was all Frank's idea of how to handle things when she announced she was pregnant in the first place (I don't think that was an accident on her part either). It was also Frank that pursued Tracy. The whole situation could be traced right back to Frank. He is lucky he wasn't facing my late husband, he would not have walked away.
Great Book -
Play By Your Own Rules.......2007-01-25
After reading this story I realized the sad part about this book is that it might be someone's reality. Maybe yours, her's, his, or mine but it is someone's reality. Aside from that, this book is wonderful and creative! Cheating plots are done all the time, but this type of double life scenario is very uncommon. Millenia Black has put a daring new spin on modern family drama by exploring its secrets and lies.
In here we meet married executive Reginald Brooks who has been living a double life--with two families in two different Florida cities. But after nearly a decade, he decides it's time to "come clean" with both women. But the results may be tragic as the so called the "perfect man" comes undone by the consequences of a double life.
Reggie is a brave soul because I don't think a lot people could have pulled off what he did and he certainly hurt a lot of them, including himself, being a "pretender." The story was believable and the rest of characters were well developed. It was definitely a page turner and kept my interest from beginning to end. It had an unfortunate and unexpected ending and I was very saddened by the actions taken by the other woman, although I could understand her hurt over living a complete lie. I was also shocked that the initiator of all of the problems couldn't handle what he had placed on others for so many years.
The author made you feel as if you were a "fly on the wall" in every scene of the book. I agree with the other reviews that this should be made into a movie's you have to be careful about who you deal with...if it doesn't feel right, nine times out of ten, it's not right. It broke my heart at certain parts, while other occasions made me think. Millenia Black did a great job with her debut and is well recommended.
Riveting--An Emotionally Provoking Read! .......2007-01-21
This was one of the best reads I've had in a long time. Indeed, it was A REAL PAGE-TUNER! Characters were despicable, but so flawed and believable that I found them completely relatable. The drama was very intense and the story line well-plotted. I was reluctant to ever book this book down--except during highly emotional moments! The heart-pounding suspense near the end was especially thrilling and a complete emotional ride! Its dramatic sequences and non-stop action had my emotions raging--almost bursting!--that I actually had to put the book down a couple times, (to take deep breaths), and calm myself. When it was all over, I was totally bushed and too emotionally drained. Yet I never wanted the story to end! Despite their follies and selfish attitudes, I actually came to care for these characters. They represented so much of reality: of real-life people in real-life situations.
For a first novel, this was a brilliant effort. The idea that a "perfect" man could live a double life was intriguing. How he dealt with the consequences--all the lies, secrets, deceptions, and bitter betrayals--even more enthralling! Black did a convincing job portraying every woman's worst nightmare!! This is definitely not for the faint of heart. Yet for those who can stomach such a scandalous subject...READ ON!
Millenia Did Her Thing... .......2007-01-18
with "The Great Pretender"! Especially, for this to be her 1st time out. She is a great writer who clearly takes you into the minds and emotions of all her characters, so you can't help but connect with them. Even when they're dead ass wrong! The story plays out perfectly and will keep you eagerly turning the pages.
Good,But..................2007-01-10
This book was a good read but I felt that the author gives too many un needed details and she dragged the story out,I feel more than it needed to be.
Customer Reviews:
Soviet Satire at its Best!.......2007-09-22
You must read "The Life & Extraordinary Adventures of Private Ivan Chonkin" prior to reading this book. This is essentially part II of that book.
This is some of the funniest and most biting Soviet satire I've ever read. Voinovich masterfully leads the reader through the chaos that was the Soviet Union. In my opinion, "Pretender to the Throne" is the better half of this two book series.
I highly recommend these two books to all Russian Literature readers! They are simply an essential part of any Russian Literature library. Northwestern University Press has, once again, published a fine book. All their books have durable, attractive covers and fine quality paper.
Satirical Bombardment.......2001-06-25
World War II is on and Chonkin is imprisoned in this sequal to his extraordinary adventures. Chonkin figures less prominently in this sequal. I think, the major character here is the social system itself. Voinovich does not spare anyone or anything: Joseph Stalin, the Soviet military planning, and the prison system--all are criticized. Bumbling bureaucrats continue to bludner like there was no tomorrow. For example, they capture and execute an honest junior officer as a spy, while the real spy continues to work undisturbed. And the bumbling of this sort is pittance in comparison to what has just gone on--the 1937/38 terror. Most outstanding people have been destroyed on no greater basis than wild accusations and Stalin's paranoia. It turns out that the most potent weapon in the war on the cream of society's crop is a simple pencil! Write an accusation on someone who works hard in his field and has his head in the clouds, not paying attention to politics, and that person is soon arrested and executed. Given this absurd atmosphere of repression and the pressure and fear put on the government by war, Chonkin must languish in prison on suspicion of being a descendant of a noble Russian family which is trying to overthrow the government and open the gates to the Germans!
Voinovich's satire is right on target. This book is funny and educational. If you live in a Western democracy you will, at a minimum, reap one important benefit from reading this--you will appreciate even more what you have in your country today. I assigned a number of Russian writers in my Modern Russian Politics class last year, and this is exactly what the impact was. Read Voinovich--his books are humorous and different.
Very good satire!.......1999-07-12
"Pretender to the trone" is the sequel to "The Extraordinary Adventures of Private Iwan Chonkin", and almost as funny (in a grim way)! Those who enjoyed "Iwan Chonkin" should also read this sequel. In the Russian edition I read, they were joined in one volume.
Customer Reviews:
E. Lynn Harris does it again!.......2007-08-25
Here was yet another grand reading written by E. Lynn Harris. When I began to read it, I was immediately hooked to the point that I seriously did not put it down until I had completed the entire book in one sitting. Of course I took small respites to eat, etc. but I did not, and could not, fall asleep until I had finished reading it to the end. I cannot wait for the next release.
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