The Magic Labyrinth (Riverworld Saga, Book 4)
Average customer rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
  • A terrible ending for a declining series
  • Mind-Numbing
  • The Only Weak Link In the Riverworld Series, 2-1/2 stars
  • Uneven - with Great Potential Left Unfulfilled
  • ok, but needs lots of editing
The Magic Labyrinth (Riverworld Saga, Book 4)
Philip Jose Farmer
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:
  1. The Gods of Riverworld (Riverworld Saga, No 5) The Gods of Riverworld (Riverworld Saga, No 5)
  2. The Dark Design (Riverworld Saga, Book 3) The Dark Design (Riverworld Saga, Book 3)
  3. The Fabulous Riverboat (Riverworld Saga, Book 2) The Fabulous Riverboat (Riverworld Saga, Book 2)
  4. To Your Scattered Bodies Go (Riverworld Saga, Book 1) To Your Scattered Bodies Go (Riverworld Saga, Book 1)
  5. The World of Tiers: Volume One (World of Tiers) The World of Tiers: Volume One (World of Tiers)

ASIN: 0345419707
Release Date: 1998-07-28

Amazon.com

At the end of The Fabulous Riverboat, Sam Clemens finally set out in the great iron riverboat Not for Hire to reach the headwaters of the massive river on whose shores humanity has been resurrected. After 33 years on the river, Clemens and his crew--including the giant subhuman Joe Miller--are finally near the end of their journey, and only one obstacle remains: the evil Earthly king, John Lackland. John is waiting just upriver in the Rex Grandissimus, the first riverboat that Sam constructed and the one that John and his crew hijacked, and he's hell-bent on sinking Sam's boat (and vice versa). Complicating the battle is the fact that both ships likely contain agents of the Ethicals, the group of advanced beings who created Riverworld for reasons unknown. One or more of the Ethicals themselves may even be on board, as are various humans that the rebel Ethical, known as the Mysterious Stranger (but known to Clemens simply as X), enlisted in his cause, which may or may not lead to humanity's salvation.

The battle is set to take place along the shores populated by members of the Church of the Second Chance, a group that believes they must attain ethical perfection in order to proceed to the next phase of existence. The Second Chancers are not violent, but their charismatic leader, La Viro, may attempt to sink one or both of the iron ships in order to prevent the battle. Among the Second Chancers is former Nazi officer Hermann Goring, who had a run-in with Sir Richard Francis Burton in the first Riverworld novel, To Your Scattered Bodies Go. Burton and his companions--among them several people who were contacted by the Mysterious Stranger--are reluctantly serving on John's boat in order to reach the headwaters of the river. But will any of the humans working for X survive the coming battle? And if so, how can they possibly hope to penetrate the tower in the North Sea where the Ethicals are thought to reside? And what could lowly humans hope to do against a race so advanced that they can reshape entire planets and resurrect all of humanity? --Craig E. Engler

Book Description

The answers behind the enigmatic origins of Riverworld lie at last within reach, as the remarkable gathering of Earthlings--including Sir Richard Francis Burton, Samuel Clemens, Alice Liddell Hargreaves (the real-life Alice in Wonderland), Cyrano de Bergerac, Ulysses S. Grant, and Baron Von Richtoven--finally breaches the stronghold of Riverworld's extraordinary super-race.

But answers would lead to more enigmatic questions . . .

Who is the Mysterious Stranger who taunted the Riverworld resurrectees with hints of the truth? What is the key to the gargantuan computer that wields the power of life and death? The astonishing secrets lie within the Dark Tower--but only for those brave enough to seek them and wise enough to decipher them . . .

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars A terrible ending for a declining series.......2007-01-27

The first book in the series, "To Your Scattered Bodies Go" was fantastic - filled with original ideas and interesting concepts. Unfortunatley, it was all downhill from there. The second book, "The Fabulous Riverboat", maintained interest by introducing Sam Clemens. But then the rot set in. The only thing that got me though the third volume, "The Dark Design", was the hope that in the end a satisfactory conclusion would be reached, and reading that book was the only was to get there. Finally came "The Magic Labyrinth". The best thing that can be said is that it was obvious Farmer had no conception of how to end the series. The important characters, the ones you care about, are killed off with no apparent purpose except to create an artificial shock. The ending, involving secondary characters, in incredibly weak and shows a complete case of, "Well, I have to end it, so let's do THIS". A total disappointment, not at all worthy of the promise the first book showed. I pity the people who followed this series all the way to the end only to be confronted with this. There is a lesson to be drawn here - never start a series if you have no idea how to come to a competent ending. This has all the hallmarks of a book that was written to fulfill a contract. I would give it no stars except that I have to give it at least one. My advice: read "To Your Scattered Bodies Go" for good Scifi; read "The Fabulous Riverboat" for enjoyment; but forget "The Dark Design" and definitley do not read this book. Whatever explanation you may conjure in your imgaination can not help but be infinitely superior to what is in this book. Without doubt, one of the most disappointing books I have ever read, in any category. Avoid at all costs.

jaman57

1 out of 5 stars Mind-Numbing.......2006-01-19

I thought the fourth installation in the Riverworld series would be exciting. At last, they are going to reach the tower and confront the unknown entities who have done this to humans! But first, unfortunately, Farmer drags on endlessly about the final gathering of the main characters and the battle between the two paddle wheelers, which drags ON and ON, chapter after chapter, describing each turn and blow ad nauseum. I couldn't even finish it. If my husband would let me, I would donate these books to Goodwill.

3 out of 5 stars The Only Weak Link In the Riverworld Series, 2-1/2 stars.......2005-12-13

Don't believe the book jacket when it says this is the final book of the Riverworld series. It is not, there are so many loose ends, that the Gods of Riverworld is necessary reading to conclude the series. Although the events in this novel will probably piss you off and this novel is the weakest of what I would consider a 4-1/2 star series, it's a necessary novel to read to really conclude the series in the very satisfactory Gods of Riverworld.

3 out of 5 stars Uneven - with Great Potential Left Unfulfilled.......2004-09-21

The Magic Labyrinth is the fourth of Farmer's five volume Riverworld series, and was originally the final book in the series. Here all the various quests of those travelling to the headwaters of the river end for better or worse. Here to, the mysteries of the Riverworld planet and how and why all humanity was resurrected there are revealed.
This is a most uneven book. There are episodes of thrilling action and adventure, and long sections of mind-numbing boredom. There are characters who have been well developed throughout the books, and others that are barely sketched out, but still are central to the action. The writing is often barely competent, yet many of the ideas presented are still fascinating.
The strongest part of the book is its middle, which recounts the final drama of a forty-year, up river chase of two rival riverboats. The first boat, The Rex, captained by King John Lackland, who stole it from Sam Clemens, is pursued by The Not For Hire, the boat Clemens built to chase down his hated enemy. Clemens' quest for the headwaters of the river, to storm the mysterious tower there that may contain the answers to this world's riddles, has been subsumed by his thirst for revenge against King John. Most of the action of the book takes place when these two mighty boats, both heavily armed and manned by crews of Earth's famous and near famous, have their final clash. Two great set pieces have French ace George Guynemer, and German ace Werner Voss fighting a last fantastic dogfight over the river, and an awe-inspiring fencing duel to end all duels between Cyrano de Bergerac and Sir Richard Francis Burton. It is here that Farmer works his grand concept for all that it is worth, and shines.
The quality of the book drops sharply after the resolution of this battle. A handful of survivors continue on to complete the quest to the great tower at the end of the river. Several in this final group are not characters who were previously fleshed out, but new characters who have hardly been lined at all by the author, and with whom the reader feels little connection. Almost the whole last fourth of the book is composed of chapter after chapter of explanations of the how, why and who of the creation of Riverworld and the resurrection of 36 billion humans there. These explanatory chapters are stilted, as the information is delivered like a lecture from a perfectly dull professor. After reading through four books to get to the big revelations, this lame technique is a real let down.
This book and series suffer from great potential, unfulfilled. The concept on which Riverworld is based had promise as a grand epic masterpiece of sci-fi. It began well, but faltered and fell with books three and four. Though I contemplated giving this book only two stars, for its occasional flashes of brilliance I will give it three.

Theo Logos

3 out of 5 stars ok, but needs lots of editing.......2004-06-16

both book 3 and 4 should have 100 pages ripped out of them. Much higher quality product then. And really very little would be lost.

"explanation" at end is a bit goofy, but ok. The war and the tower were pretty decent overall.
Return to Labyrinth Volume 1
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Yes!!
  • Thoughts from a lover of stories
  • Really enjoyed it
  • Labyrinth
  • Typical Americanized Garbage
Return to Labyrinth Volume 1
Chris Lie , and Jake T. Forbes
Manufacturer: TokyoPop
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1598167251

Book Description

The Goblin King has kept a watchful eye on Toby: His minions secretly guiding and protecting the child... Legions of goblins work behind the scenes to ensure that Toby has whatever his heart desires... Preparing him for the day when he will return to the Labyrinth and take his rightful place beside Jareth as the heir to the Goblin Kingdom... That day has come......but no one has told Toby.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Yes!!.......2007-10-04

I devoured this as soon as I got. Sarah looks really weird though...It feels like it ended all too soon and hopefully I can get the second one. Great Read!!

5 out of 5 stars Thoughts from a lover of stories.......2007-10-03

I enjoy reading reviews on Amazon and find myself most intrigued by those books and movies with a mixed response. This one in particular caught my eye. I went to Border's, sat in the corner and read it (as I usually do with graphic novels) and immediately bought it for my personal library knowing that I'll certainly read it again. Let me tell you why.

I am firmly against what you might call "story purism". Some people will get hung up on the idea that a story must be kept exactly as it is, like a butterfly pinned in a display case. But stories, I believe, are meant to be screwed with, to be reinterpreted, rewritten, rethought. No two storytellers are exactly alike, because no two people see anything in exactly the same way, and if a story is allowed to evolve and grow with each passing generation, then it is able to become immortal. A space-age Cinderella is still Cinderella, no matter how many androids or laser blasters end up in the tale. Immortal stories are mutable stories.

Most of the people who didn't like this story seem to have gone into it with a very specific idea of what a "Labyrinth" sequel "should be". There's nothing specifically wrong with this, but it does prevent you from objectively viewing what could turn out to be a good story.

No one is Jim Hensen but Jim Hensen, and I didn't expect this book to feel like Jim Hensen. However, I was surprised that it DOES feel like the Labyrinth universe, if you could call it that. And it's actually a very smartly written story. I couldn't find a single thing in it that other reviewers didn't like that couldn't have been explained away by some kind of foreshadowing or plot device worked in my Mr. Lie. (I will admit that I didn't like the "I won't peek" line either. It made me feel awkward. But . . .)

First of all, fans who are adamant that a "Labyrinth" sequel MUST involve Sarah and lots of Sarah and Jareth "getting it on" will be sorely disappointed. But there are little hints that indicate Jareth IS still in love with Sarah, and the subtlety of it makes it feel more genuine. Sarah isn't around much (and, come on, it's only the first book of three. I'd be very surprised if she didn't show up later, if only to show Hoggle and the others that she still cares for them, which I believe she does), but the little bit we do see of her indicates that she's now an adult as opposed to the teenager she was in the movie. She seems to still believe in fantasy but has had to grow up and face real life (as everyone eventually does). It's refreshing to see this development in her. It gives her the potential for greater things. (P.S Sarah isn't brushing Toby off when she tells him to do things for himself. If you read back you can see she's responding to Toby's wish that everyone would leave him alone that Jareth grants in a fit of indignation.)

Why does Jareth pick Toby? Who knows? But it doesn't seem to be random. If anything, it seems that Jareth is facing some kind of outside threat (in the form of the woman called the Queen of Cups) and is executing some kind of plot to beat her to the punch by abdicating and appointing an heir of his choice. This sounds exactly like something the Jareth I know would do. Maybe he just picked Toby because he happened to be conveniently available (and maybe magically touched in some way by his experience as a baby). Once again, it's only the first book. Don't jump to conclusions. We haven't heard the whole story yet.

You won't like this story if you have preconcieved notions. If you do, then you probably won't be happy with ANYTHING that doesn't fit those notions. But this is Mr. Lie's interpretation, and storytellers should be true to themselves if they're not going to write crap. I don't see this as a fanfiction. The man has experience and a clear love of the original story. Those who would see it as a fanfiction (throwing the term around like an insult) are those same territorial fans who see anyone else's views as concretely wrong.

It's a good story and you feel like the world of the Labyrinth has been deepened, allowing you to see more facets of the jewel. Let the story stand for itself, not for Jim Hensen's vision or your own. It is it's own interpretation and should be approached as such. If you do, then it becomes a fun way to see the continued story. I always believed there was more when I saw Jareth in his owl form fly off at the end of the movie. Now someone has risen to the challenge, and done a fair job of it. It's a clever and sensible way to continue the story, and that's why I don't think it feels "fanfiction-y". I think you should give it the benefit of the doubt. I did, and I loved it.

One final note. I'm not a manga reader. I like my Japanese-style stories on the screen as opposed to the page. I'm not qualified to address those who claim this is "bad manga". Personally, I like all kinds of comic styles and wasn't put off by the art. I think it would've been fine in any style.

5 out of 5 stars Really enjoyed it.......2007-08-19

There have been a lot of negative comments about this "manga" (and I use that word loosely). My husband and I just got it and read it together, and we both thoroughly enjoyed it and thought it was a fine continuation of the film's storyline. Let me explain why I gave it 5 stars.

One, I loved the artwork for both the cover and the story. It was a somewhat "girlie" style as mangas go, but there were a lot of nice, subtle details in the drawings which gave the look of the book some nice texture. It looked and felt like a comic book version of the movie with the human characters drawn in an anime style, which is what it was supposed to be. Best of all Jareth always looks very slick, and has quite a presence on every page he's on just as he did in the movie.

Two, I enjoyed the story. I was actually glad to see Sarah as a supporting character with the focus on a teenage Toby instead. For me, a focus on the continued adventures of Sarah and Jareth's flirtations with her would have been the sappy fan fiction way to go. In this story Jareth's love for Sarah is still felt, but is much more subdued and subtle. Blink and you might miss it, but it's there and, in my opinion, so much more powerful because of that.

Finally the dialogue was top notch. I laughed quite a few times, particularly at the Hana character, and enjoyed the banter between Jareth and Toby. In my mind I could hear the characters saying the lines as they would if this were a sequel to the movie.

I also have to point out that some of the things others have said about this book are outright false. It's never stated that Sarah doesn't believe in magic or fantasy anymore; only that she gave up theater because she "couldn't live in a fairy tale forever". The gang from the movie later laments that Sarah apparently forgot about them, but that just means she's lost track of old friends as time has gone on. Hey, happens to all of us. Anyways, I sense there's going to be more of Sarah in the next volumes... I mean, where do you think Jareth is heading off to in the end, hmm?

On the downside, I didn't care for Moppet (obligatory Toby love interest alert!), and the evil math teacher in the beginning was awfully cliche, but the strengths of this story far outweighed those weaknesses. Very much looking forward to the next one.

5 out of 5 stars Labyrinth.......2007-08-02

I love Labyrinth and I always wonder what happen after that. I always wonder if Goblin King find other love or try to get her again. This story is for Toby not the Princess anymore. Toby enter Labyrinth once again not as baby but in youth. He is named as Goblin King's Heir! Read this story is very interesting!

1 out of 5 stars Typical Americanized Garbage.......2007-07-20

Don't let the cover art fool you, the comic itself is awful and the entire thing reads like a bad fan fiction.

Any child with a How to Draw Manga book could have illustrated this.
The Complete Riverworld Novels (Riverworld Series)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    The Complete Riverworld Novels (Riverworld Series)
    Philip Jose Farmer
    Manufacturer: Berkeley
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback
    ASIN: B000KUFDV6

    Product Description

    5 volumes in slipcase.
    Into the Labyrinth (Sylvie Cycle)
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • Quite Good!
    • Good but don't expect it to be as good as the first
    • Not nearly as good as the first one
    Into the Labyrinth (Sylvie Cycle)
    Roderick Townley
    Manufacturer: Aladdin
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    ASIN: 1416913920

    Book Description

    What a relief when the old storybook is republished and the characters who live inside it suddenly discover they have Readers again -- lots of Readers!

    Princess Sylvie finds herself rushing to get to her place whenever a new Reader -- whether in Boston or Bangkok -- opens the book. Her mother, the queen, is especially frazzled when the popular story is loaded onto the Web: a weightless, "virtual" world of unforeseen challenges.

    To cope with the stress, Sylvie convinces the Writer to add a new

    character, who gives yoga instruction to the storybook's cast in those moments when they have time off. But stress proves the least of their problems as strange things start happening -- words get changed, scenes disappear -- and Sylvie and her friends must launch themselves into the labyrinth of cyberspace to confront a twenty-first-century evil that threatens to destroy their world.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Quite Good!.......2007-05-12

    Although the first book, The Great Good Thing, may have been better in some ways, this was still quite a good book! All the same characters from the first book are here plus new people. The usual characters continue in their roles in this book and do more and more. In Into the Labyrinth, the Writer puts Sylvie's story on the Internet. That's when their story gets a virus.
    Just as they start getting used to climbing down the page, instead of across as in a book, they find that for some strange reason letters go missing, and words get mixed up. When Sylvie learns what a virus is from a friend and finds a way outside of the story, she becomes determined to solve the problem.
    Into the Labyrinth is a creative, imaginative book!

    4 out of 5 stars Good but don't expect it to be as good as the first.......2007-03-22

    First I must say Roderick Townley is a writing genius. However this is not his best work. In the first one he still doesn't make it completly understandable. In this one I think he isn't quite staying in the same place first one. I think he lose's topic a bit too much and tries to make it better than the first one. He fails in the attempt. I would recommend the book just don't expect a movie anytime soon.

    3 out of 5 stars Not nearly as good as the first one.......2002-11-23

    After reading and loving "A Great Good Thing," I was hoping for this sequel to be as well-written and charming. I was disappointed. It features the same wonderful characters, princess Sylvie and the "girl with the dark blue eyes," as well as the king and queen and all the other characters, but the plot doesn't hold together nearly as well. The author inserts a new character -- a yoga instructor named Rosetta-- into "the story" as an assistant shepherdess, and all the talk of energy projection lines and finding one's center is way above the heads of its 9-12 audience.

    Instead of books and their readers, it tackles the problem of the Internet and its viewers -- that is, "the story" is published online. Instead of a little brother who is a pyromaniac and destroys the book in "A Great Good Thing," it seems to deal with a boy who spreads computer viruses -- but this part isn't very clear.

    The story borders more on the zany type of puns and Alice-in Wonderland type plot, -- than than the clever, funny and fantastic but logical and believeable plot devices of the original. Characters from other stories wander into the text. Internet "cookies" look like lemon cookies, but are tasteless. Someone steals the "d's" in one paragraph. Entire lines of dialouge disappear, arrows become roses. Persumably all these thing happen due to a computer virus -- but there is no clear character behind or logical reason for the problems. The book suggests a little boy is to blame, but unlike the clear difficulties in the first book -- escaping a burning book and not being forgotten upon the death of the reader -- the villian is murky and there is not a logical direction to the problems. The mysterious villian is defeated eventually -- but you never do learn how or why the virus happened. And by the end of the book, you don't particulary care.
    Labyrinth
    Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    • Labyrinth
    • Confusing
    Labyrinth
    John Herman
    Manufacturer: Philomel
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

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    ASIN: 039923571X

    Book Description

    Fourteen-year-old Gregory has been experiencing dreams about a boy named Gregor in another world-strange dreams that are so real, he can't tell where his life ends and Gregor's begins! As he tries to come to grips with his father's suicide in this world, the boy Gregor is selected by his school as one of the "Golden Ten" to travel as ambassador to a faraway place called the Mother Country from which no other Golden Ten boy has ever returned! While Gregory struggles to separate dream from reality, Gregor is suddenly caught in an underground labyrinth so twisted, his own survival-and ultimately Gregory's-is at stake.

    In this thrilling, multi-dimensional novel, John Herman draws together the worlds of two boys creating an adventure startlingly true and compelling.

    Customer Reviews:

    3 out of 5 stars Labyrinth.......2005-03-16

    I didn't care for the book.The reasons why I didn't like, was because the book started in the air. It didn't start out from the beginning.I couldn't see the setting or the meaning of this book.

    The worst part of the book was when Gregory has dreams.That's because sometimes they don't make any sense. Like when he dreams of winter through May and 10 little indian boys.


    The conflict of the book is,about a boy who has many,many dreams,and can't control them. The theme is to get Gregory,s dreams under control.

    3 out of 5 stars Confusing.......2005-01-31

    I couldnt put it down but I didnt understand the ending at all. I have no idea what happened. Maybe someone else will understand it but I didnt
    The Books of Magic I: The Invisible Labyrinth
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      The Books of Magic I: The Invisible Labyrinth

      Manufacturer: DC Comics
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback
      ASIN: B000FH1FSY
      Forrest Tales Book I: The Secret Of The Labyrinth
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Forrest Tales Book I: The Secret Of The Labyrinth
        Rhianna
        Manufacturer: Uplight Books
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover

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        ASIN: 0974217913

        Book Description

        Spending his days surviving the bullies at school and his afternoons reading at the library, Edward Forrest knows the stings life can inflict. What he doesn't know is that a place exists that can teach him to reach into his mind and find power he never knew existed. Under the all-seeing eye of the Oracle, Edward becomes a Seeker of light, of knowledge, and of greatness. But not everyone is anxious to see him succeed.
        Forrest Tales: The Secret of the Labyrinth
        Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
        • The Secret of the Labyrinth
        • An enchanting Juvenile Fantasy
        • Disguised by a slightly different tone
        • interesting
        • Feel Good Fantasy!
        Forrest Tales: The Secret of the Labyrinth
        C.J. Lewis
        Manufacturer: PublishAmerica
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback

        Science Fiction, Fantasy, & MagicScience Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
        ASIN: 1413710352

        Book Description

        “Brynnfeld ... the home of first-year students attending the Academy of the Oracle. A place where they learn how to unleash the mysterious powers within them; a place where powers for good are developed. However, one must stay watchful! Evil is ever-present — awaiting those who venture away from the light. The Dark Lord's domain is in the very shadows cast by the Academy walls. Edward Forrest walks on the very brink. Can he withstand the Dark Lord's plan of destruction? But most important of all, can he pass the final test that awaits him in the mysterious passageways of The Great Labyrinth?”

        Customer Reviews:

        4 out of 5 stars The Secret of the Labyrinth.......2004-08-04

        Molly's Reviews

        The Secret of the Labyrinth is the initial work offered in the Forrest Tales series by talented writer Lewis. Featuring Edward Forrest, a young fellow who is abandoned by his family and must make it on his own, Lewis crafts a keenly focused tale presented as a middle grades/Young Adult fantasy. The first book deals with peer pressure, making both appropriate and inappropriate choices, and coming to realize that mistakes can be rectified and used as a learning experience. As with a labyrinth, Life is filled with dead-ends and open paths. The Secret of the Labyrinth helps the young reader appreciate their own mistakes as opportunities for growth. The easily read, fast paced tale is satisfactory, writing style is commendable and characterization is excellent. Writer Lewis paints an intense portrayal in the mind of the reader. The story is gripping as the characters find mystery and adventure while attending the Academy of the Oracle. Each book in this fantasy series has a value theme designed to help young people as they face struggles in a troubled world.

        4 out of 5 stars An enchanting Juvenile Fantasy.......2004-07-27

        "The Secret of the Labyrinth" is the first of Forrest Tales, a series of adventures featuring Edward Forrest. Written as a juvenile fantasy, the book is an extremely good read for adults too. I couldn't put the book down except for brief intervals necessitated out of fatigue. I had to finish it in one day. The story is good, the style is mostly good and the characterisation is very good. Most of the time, author C.J.Lewis succeeds in painting a vivid picture in the mind of the reader.

        The book is not only about powers of light and darkness, but also the story of courage, withstanding temptation, learning to forgive and ultimately learning to 'be in the light'. The last few chapters of the book are spiritually very uplifting. Whether the present generation children will resonate with the lessons presented by Lewis is a debatable point. But the book is certainly an inspiring addition to every school, library and I would add, every home too, where a child lives.

        I found a few editorial glitches but they do not interfere with the enjoyment or understanding.

        I compliment the author, C.J.Lewis for an excellent effort and look forward to more offerings from her pen.

        2 out of 5 stars Disguised by a slightly different tone.......2004-07-19



        July 16, 2004


        Edward Forrest is a twelve-year-old boy; lives in a small dark house, has few possessions, barely gets anything to eat, and has holes in the ceiling of his bedroom. His two obnoxious sisters make his life even more miserable. A daily routine for Edwards is cooking, cleaning, turning on the heat, retrieving the newspaper, and going to school.


        The boy has generational `Light' in his background, making it very likely that he will have the same abilities when he grows up. Olive knows this, and since she hates the idea that he may possess inherent "special powers", she practically ignores his existence. Olive raises Edward in such a way as to deny him any knowledge of his past or any parental love and compassion.


        However, Edward receives supernatural assistance.


        Using a map Edward searches for a buried treasure. After finding a uniquely engraved `coin', Edward is taken to a place called Southwyck. A village that appears to each nation in turn once a year, a time when guardians gather those chosen - a dimensional portal of sorts. Here he learns that the coin is his invitation to The Academy of the Oracle. He is totally dumbfounded with the news, but accepts, desperately wanting freedom of the physical clutches of his unhappy life and family.


        Galan, his guardian immediately begins preparing Edward for the journey to the large compound called Brynnfeld. Edward boards a brightly painted, horse-drawn wagon quickly making new friends, and eager to see what awaits him in his entirely new, and soon to be, exciting life.


        On arrival, The Empress Mother greets them, she introduces staff and the Lord of the Manor gives a welcome speech. Edward soon discovers that First-Year students will learn to unleash the mysterious powers within. That is until Edward joins a club called The Skobi


        The Skobi however, have other plans sketched out for The Academy of Oracle and everyone in it. Edward wants out, but how?



        The non-magical world is known as `Common World', and depicted as being "self-centered". Those within Brynnfeld, on the other hand, are depicted as being very generous, of being physically normal, and of living in harmony.


        If all of this sounds too familiar, it's probably because it is. Readers will quickly find the numerous similarities to the HP series, such as the robes, uniforms, school, headmistress, groundskeeper, spiral staircase, great hall, etc. (There is even a `Malfoy" type). From start to finish I was able to spot 19 similarities that stuck out like a neon sign on a dark deserted highway. Is this coincidence or creativity? You be the judge.


        Reviewed by Betsie

        1 out of 5 stars interesting.......2004-07-13

        A young boy in a loveless home finds himself invited to enter a school where he and other first year students will learn to unleash the mysterious powers within. The students learn to levitate, meditate, and eat healthy. They are warned about The Dark Lord and told to worship the Oracle. At the end of the year they must pass the test of the Labyrinth and the challenges within it.

        5 out of 5 stars Feel Good Fantasy!.......2004-06-03

        I wondered when someone would come up with a fantasy that takes us out of the world of the occult and gives us something to smile about. This story offers lots of adventure and excitement, but also addresses some real-life problems we all face. Highly recommend for kids of all ages! I can hardly wait to read the next in the series!
        The Glastonbury Labyrinth (Man, Myth & Magic RPG)
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          The Glastonbury Labyrinth (Man, Myth & Magic RPG)

          Manufacturer: Yaquinto Publications
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Paperback
          ASIN: B000BZYA6Y

          Product Description

          Adventure 1, Episode 8 for Man, Myth & Magic RPG. YAQ 4310.
          Laberinto / Labyrinth (Laberinto)
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            Laberinto / Labyrinth (Laberinto)
            Carlo Frabetti
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Paperback

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            ASIN: 8434842165

            Books:

            1. The March: A Novel
            2. The Master Puppeteer
            3. The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Oprah's Book Club)
            4. The Omega-3 Connection: The Groundbreaking Antidepression Diet and Brain Program
            5. The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock and Roll: The Definitive History of the Most Important Artists and Their Music
            6. The Sin of Wages: Where the Conventional Pay System has Led Us and How
            7. The Spell of the Sensuous: Perception and Language in a More-Than-Human World
            8. The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere: An Inquiry into a Category of Bourgeois Society (Studies in Contemporary German Social Thought)
            9. The Twilight Lord (World of Hetar)
            10. The Wasp Factory: A Novel

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