The Devil's Labyrinth: A Novel

Book Description

For more than three decades, bestselling novelist John Saul has been summoning macabre masterpieces from the darkest realms of his imagination. With each new book, his instinct for playing upon our deepest dread has grown only stronger and more sinister. He’s never been afraid to push the boundaries of suspense and confront us with what frightens us most.

After his father’s untimely death sends fifteen-year-old Ryan McIntyre into an emotional tailspin, his mother enrolls him in St. Isaac’s Catholic boarding school, hoping the venerable institution with a reputation for transforming wayward teens can work its magic on her son. But troubles are not unknown even at St. Isaac, where Ryan arrives to find the school awash in news of one student’s violent death, another’s mysterious disappearance, and growing incidents of disturbing behavior within the hallowed halls.

Things begin to change when Father Sebastian joins the faculty. Armed with unprecedented knowledge and uncanny skills acquired through years of secret study, the young priest has been dispatched on an extraordinary and controversial mission: to prove the power of one of the Church’s most arcane sacred rituals, exorcism. Willing or not, St. Isaac’s most troubled students will be pawns in Father Sebastian’s one-man war against evil–a war so surprisingly effective that the pope himself takes notice of the seemingly miraculous events unfolding an ocean away.

But Ryan, drawn ever more deeply into Father Sebastian’s ministrations, sees–and knows–otherwise. As he witnesses with mounting dread the transformations of his fellow pupils, his certainty grows that forces of darkness, not divinity, are at work. Evil is not being cast out . . . something else is being called forth. Something that hasn’t stirred since the Inquisition’s reign of terror. Something nurtured through the ages to do its vengeful masters’ unholy bidding. Something whose hour has finally come to bring hell unto earth.

Customer Reviews:

Another home run for Saul.......2007-09-03

Another great thriller from John Saul.. book took a little time to develop, but was terrific when it got there! Great read for anyone!

From Start to Finish.......2007-09-02

This book dealt with different peoples lives, and sometimes that can be confusing, but not this book. I was captured into, once reading one chapter, I found myself starting the next one. I could not put the book down at least not for long. I wanted to read what happened in every chapter, until the end.The book kept me spell bound, and the ending was so good, that after finishing it, I could actually say I read a good book, that ended just the way I wanted it too.

Not his best.......2007-08-31

This wasn't his best book and it didn't seem to me to be a typcially John Saul thriller...but it was still a good book. If you are a huge John Saul fan though, you might be a little disappointed.

Creepy.Very good from the begining to the very end.......2007-08-23

A defenitly page turner.I had a hard time putting this book down.I enjoy Mr Sauls books.This is in my opinoin one of his best books.Make sure to read this one

No more like this please Mr. Saul!.......2007-08-18

I have read every one of John Saul's books, I'm a huge fan of his...and so I really wanted to like this book. Only because it was his book and out of loyalty to him did I make it through and finish it. I was even willing to get past the religious aspect of it.
But it was just boring and the characters I never really cared about or believed credible. Like the woman just blindly following the new man in her life and not picking up on any of his controlling manipulations. And I kept waiting for it to explain how things were happening, how the evil was being put into the kids and it never did. It never explained such a significant aspect of the story! The ending was very weak and too hastily tried to wrap things up and I honestly was just glad to be done with it.
I feel guilty even writing a "bad" review for a John Saul book but I had to be honest about it.

Average customer rating:

Fantastic
DARK, SHADOWY DELIGHTS

Dark Labyrinth
Luis Royo
Manufacturer: Nantier Beall Minoustchine Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1561634840

Book Description

An artist admirer of a master is fascinated by his increasingly dark visions and seeks to meet him. The trip becomes a voyage into the depth of dreams and nightmaresŠ In an exciting new hardcover format and featuring almost all-new work!

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic.......2007-05-13

Royo never disappoints. His work just keeps getting better, and more exciting to look at. I love his sense of erotic fantasy!!!

DARK, SHADOWY DELIGHTS.......2006-12-25

Dark Labyrinth is artist Luis Royo's latest collection, thinly disguised as a graphic novel. There is a modest story that frames the collection of Royo's artwork. The story tells of a young artist who visits the studio of a painter that he has long admired. The young man has long been enthralled by the painter's brooding, yet sensual work. The young man praised the older painter as he was invited into the master's studio. When the old man asks if he would like to become his apprentice, the young artists jumps at the chance.

The old painter's routine, however, is quite confusing. He paints only at night, and in a small room with only moonlight for illumination, a room the apprentice is forbidden to enter. One day, while his teacher is sleeping, he dares to enter the forbidden room, only to find canvases covered completely in black. He begins to touch the painting, sensing something beautiful and terrible beneath the darkness, and soon finds himself drawn into the gothic, exquisite world of the Dark labyrinth.

Well that's the backstory but the real story is 64 pages of Royo's stunning art, all fitting into this theme. The book contains primarily work that was previously unpublished, most of it finished paintings along with a smattering of sketches. Royo's art is horrific and evocative. His beautiful women are sexy yet with an air of danger about them.

"Mother Earth" is one of my favorite paintings in the book. It shows that nature goddess shedding a tear of blood over a desolate landscape. Then there is "The Game of the Mask" featuring a lovely, mask-clad nude in a richly detailed costume, looking like a princess of Hell. "The Counter of Time" depicts an angelic blond maiden wearing a skull headpiece, apparently looking down over the world.

Each page of Dark Labyrinth brings a new shadowy delight to the reader in one of Royo's best collections yet from NBM Publishing. A true spectacle!

Reviewed by Tim Janson

Two Novels: Jealousy and In the Labyrinth (Robbe-Grillet, Alain)

Average customer rating:

Almost too original...but no! Just perfect.
Jealousy
Jealousy
Interesting Experimental Fiction

Two Novels: Jealousy and In the Labyrinth (Robbe-Grillet, Alain)
Alain Robbe-Grillet
Manufacturer: Grove Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 080215106X

Book Description

Here, in one volume, are two remarkable novels by the chief spokesman of the so-called “new novel” which has caused such discussion and aroused such controversy. “Jealousy,” said the New York Times Book Review “is a technical masterpiece, impeccably contrived.” “It is an exhilarating challenge,” said the San Francisco Chronicle.

Customer Reviews:

Almost too original...but no! Just perfect........2005-10-04

This book contains two great books by a great author unafraid to do something completely different--a guy who could write a (good) characterless short story about an escalator, or a murder mystery that never uses the letter E, or...or..."Jealousy." Of the two novels contained in this book, "Jealousy" is by far the best.
When I first read "Jealousy," I had never read anything else like it--because there is nothing else like it.
For starters, the book is written in first person, yet it never uses the words I, me, my, mine, we, our, or us, or any other first person posessives. When it's time for dinner, instead of saying, "And now we sit down to eat," the author says something like "And now it is time for dinner," and he describes there being three plates, and mentions two other people eating.
Also, the book is incredibly precise in its details. It names every tree in a bananna forest, spends pages describing a woman brushing her hair, and meticulously records where every shadow in every corner of every room falls, to the point that if he hasn't yet described a part of a room, you wonder, "Well, what's in THAT corner?"
As a result of this unique perspective, and of the author's close attention to detail, the reader forgets the story is in first person at all, and grows to trust the book as an exact, almost scientific account of everything going on.
But, what's going on isn't science--it's an affair. It's the narrator's wife having an affair with a neighbor, in a hot, foreign, plantation-style setting. As the narrator gets more suspicious and prejudiced, so does the reader. As the narrator gets more distrustful and angry, so do you.
This book is brilliant--it's French experimentalism at its best. It explores themes of love and identity and jealousy and reality (despite its author claiming he wants the reader not to find any intended symbolism in it, but only to observe it as one would real life). It's antilinear and unconventional, and explores several dark motifs, such as a squashed centipede on a wall that seems more and more violent with every mention, and with every moment passed in the narrator's growing rage and paranoia.
The second book in this collection is "In the Labyrinth," and it's good as well, though not as instantly gripping or startlingly original. It tells the story of a wounded soldier wandering through the maze of a wartime city's streets, anxious to deliver an important package. It's not as wonderful or as haunting as "Jealousy" is, but it's a good novel nonetheless, and it'll stay with you.
At times both of these books are hard to read, but they're always worth it, and they're always genius. Especially "Jealousy." Buy it, but it, buy it, buy it. Your mind will never be the same again.

Jealousy.......2005-09-22

"Jealousy" was one of Nabokov's favourite novels. It doesn't matter whether you like Nabokov as a writer or not. Anyone who reads his lectures on European Literature has to admit that he is more than qualified for talking about the quality of a book. He is extremely picky. He dislikes some major writers (Dostoievsky and Cervantes are just two examples), but the ones he does like are always, and I mean always, classics, or will-be classics. Robbe-Grillet's books demand patience. Things move slow, but there's a reason for that. Unlike most novels, you won't be able to understand completely what's going on in "Jealousy" until you have read the last page. But that's the whole point of this novel, and making the trip in darkness is a worthy experience in this case. In the meantime, the book is filled with passages of great concrete poetry. For example: the characters have finished having dinner some time ago, they are outside a house in a plantation in Africa, outside the circle of light in which they are everything is dark. Franck and A... (a woman) are obviously atracted to each other, but both of them are married:

"I think I'll be getting along," Franck says.
"Oh, don't go," A... replies at once, "it's not late at all. It's so pleasant sitting out here."
If Franck wanted to leave, he would have a good excuse: his wife and child who are alone in the house. But he mentions only the hour he must get up the next morning, without making any reference to Christiane. The same shrill, short cry, which sounds closer, now seems to come from the garden, quite near the foot of the veranda on the east side.
As if echoing it, a similar cry follows, coming from the opposite direction. Others answer these, from higher up, toward the road; then still others, from the low ground.
Sometimes the sound is a little lower, or more prolongued. There are probably different kinds of animals. Still, all these cries are alike; not that their common characteristic is easy to decide, but rather their common lack of characteristics: they do not seem to be cries of fright, or pain, or intimidation, or even love. They sound like mechanical cries, uttered without perceptible motive, expressing nothing, indicating only the existence, the position, and the respective movements of each animal, whose trajectory through the night they punctuate.
"All the same," Franck says, "I think I'll be getting along."

[NOTE: It's the rhythm of his writing what makes Robbe-Grillet a very unique writer. So bear in mind that the effect of this fragment is much more powerful when you read it in context. Robbe-Grillet never rushes over things, he makes you feel the weight of the physical world in a way few writers do -Joyce's Ulysses and Lucretius' The Way Things Are, come to mind].

By Robbe-Grillet, I'd recomend "Jealousy", "The Voyeur" and "Repetition". "The Rubbers" is one of his most often talked about novels, but mainly because it was his first, and the one that introduced his style. But after reading these others you realize it was still only incubating.

Jealousy.......2004-05-25

Alain Robbe-Grillet, Jealousy (Grove, 1955)

Alain Robbe-Grillet's first two novels, The Erasers and Voyeur, were the best thing to happen to French literature since Apollinaire. Then came Jealousy. It would seem that a suspected love affair between a man's wife and their neighbor would be the perfect subject for an author who obsessively details scenes, going back over them to change small details and keep the reader off his feet, wouldn't it?

Sadly, in practice, it didn't work that way at all. We are given a nameless narrator, his wife A..., and the neighbor, Franck, and the unnamed narrator's obsessive going over of a few particular incidents (the implication is that one of them is presently happening, while the others are things he's going over in his head). There are also a lot of extraneous details about banana trees that were ridiculed in the French press upon the book's first publication.

What made The Erasers and Voyeur different from Jealousy is that they had plots, if odd, meandering ones that didn't really go anywhere. Jealousy is a hundred forty-page set piece, in which nothing happens and to which there is no resolution. Readers of Robbe-Grillet's previous works will not be surprised at the latter, but the former might come as something of a shock. As a short story, or perhaps a novella, Jealousy could have been a chilling, creepily effective little piece on the mind degenerating over obsession; as it stands, it's rather, well, boring. **

Interesting Experimental Fiction.......2000-04-17

These two novels (the author's third and fourth, respectively) make for a pretty good introduction to the strange world of Alain Robbe-Grillet. I tend to think of his books as post-modern detective stories, in which the mystery to be solved is nothing less than existence itself; that the reader often finds himself in the dark is very much to the point. They should be interesting to anyone looking for an off-the-beaten-path read.

"Jealousy" (the better of the two) deals with a love triangle in a remote African plantation... which may or may not be all in the narrator's mind. It's creepy and enigmatic. "In the Labyrinth" is a vaguely Kafkaesque tale about a soldier attempting to deliver a mysterious package in a vast, unnamed city. Admittedly, Robbe-Grillet is not the most approachable of authors, but these densely composed novels amply pay off the attention required to read them.

Average customer rating:

Sith Preparing for their Revenge

Still can't go wrong with Star Wars

A Great Story

"Next move? Spring the trap!"

Five Stars

Labyrinth of Evil (Star Wars, Episode III Prequel Novel)
James Luceno
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0345475739
Release Date: 2005-09-27

Amazon.com

Author James Luceno returns to the prequel biz with Star Wars: Labyrinth of Evil, a novel sure to be required reading for die-hard fans of George Lucas's galaxy far, far away. Written with Lucas's blessing, Luceno's tale leads right to the opening sequence of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, setting the stage for the fiery conclusion of the Clone Wars and the rise of the Empire.

As the action begins, the Republic and Jedi have seemingly pushed the Separatists and Sith back into the outer reaches of the galaxy thanks to the clone army deployed in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. But as victory seems near, the ruthless General Grievous--think Darth Vader on steroids--emerges from the shadows. In the battle against Grievous, Anakin Skywalker--who is a little Vader-ish too these days--and Obi Wan Kenobi find themselves in a race to discover the identity of the Sith Lord Darth Sidious and unravel the web of duplicity surrounding the Separatist uprising.

While essential for obsessive fans, Labyrinth of Evil is a clunky novel and Luceno struggles with Lucas's ungainly and Byzantine plotting. Full of cumbersome, Star Wars technophillia, the novel merely serves its purpose by fleshing out the thin line between Episodes II and III. True believers will revel in the level of technical detail and tantalizing nuggets of trivia while the less zealous could satisfy their Star Wars cravings by checking out Timothy Zahn's masterful post-Episode VI works. --Jeremy Pugh

Book Description

The war that erupted in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones is nearing its boiling point, as the dauntless Separatist forces continue their assault on the teetering Republic–and the diabolical triumvirate of Count Dooku, General Grievous, and their Master, Darth Sidious, fine-tune their strategy for conquest. In Episode III Revenge of the Sith the fates of key players on both sides of the conflict will be sealed. But first, crucial events that pave the way to that time of reckoning unfold in a labyrinth of evil. . . .

Capturing Trade Federation Viceroy–and Separatist Councilmember–Nute Gunray is the mission that brings Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, with a squad of clones in tow, to Neimoidia. But the treacherous ally of the Sith proves as slippery as ever, evading his Jedi pursuers even as they narrowly avoid deadly disaster. Still, their daring efforts yield an unexpected prize: a unique holotransceiver that bears intelligence capable of leading the Republic forces to their ultimate quarry, the ever-elusive Darth Sidious.

Swiftly taking up the chase, Anakin and Obi-Wan follow clues from the droid factories of Charros IV to the far-flung worlds of the Outer Rim . . . every step bringing them closer to pinpointing the location of the Sith Lord–whom they suspect has been manipulating every aspect of the Separatist rebellion. Yet somehow, in the escalating galaxy-wide chess game of strikes, counterstrikes, ambushes, sabotage, and retaliations, Sidious stays constantly one move ahead.

Then the trail takes a shocking turn. For Sidious and his minions have set in motion a ruthlessly orchestrated campaign to divide and overwhelm the Jedi forces–and bring the Republic to its knees.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

Sith Preparing for their Revenge.......2007-09-29

After reading several books in the genre, I have come to believe that James Luceno is the best of the Star Wars writers. While some may credit this to the fact that he has better plots to works with, I suspect the fact that he adds depth to the characters from the movies is also a factor. "Labyrinth of Evil" is the perfect set up for "Revenge of the Sith."

Beginning with Viceroy Gunray's careless blunder in leaving behind a holonet chair in an evacuation, the Jedi find themselves hot on the trail of the idenitity of Darth Sidious. In fact, the path leads them in the unlikely direction of Coruscant. But just as a breakthrough seems eminant, Coruscant fall under a surprise attack by General Grievous and the separatist army. With the abduction of the Palpatine, the dominos are in order for the conversion of Anakin to the Dark Side of the Force.

While adding new dimensions to the charcters, Luceno does an excellent job of leading into Episode 3. Among the factiods that I apreciated was the backstory of General Grievous. Also, the story of the order for the clones is expanded. The Anakin-Padme love story is largely absent, but I am more than willing to accept its omission. Those who love the movies are certain to enjoy this book.

Still can't go wrong with Star Wars.......2007-09-17

I have yet to find a star wars book that I absolutely hated, and this book is not an exception to the rule. Whether I (or anyone else) tell you I hated or loved the book, it's not gonna change what you're gonna do. If you're a star wars fan that loves to see the movies continued through books, then you are going to read it (and you should!). If not, why are you reading reviews on these books anyway? Get a life :)

A Great Story.......2007-08-17

I listened to the audio book which was happily a production instead of just a reading of the story.

I've never been one much for the EU, but this story sounded great. It held my attention from start to finish, and had great characterisation of all the main players. As a story it fed well into ROTS the movie.

Top rating.

"Next move? Spring the trap!".......2007-08-15

By now you've seen how it all ends, right? Episode III wraps up the Star Wars saga and ties all the loose ends, right? Well, it depends of your interpretation of "loose ends". If you're a casual fan of the saga, you've probably seen the prequels and never gave them a second thought. But if you're a fanatic, chances are you left the theater with the feeling that a few things here and there were left (purposely?) unanswered. And as we all know, Star Wars has a tendency to create fanatics, not fans, and it is for this second type of audience that this type of products (Expanded Universe novels, comics, cartoons, video games, etc) are created, so they can find some of those answers that they crave for.

Indeed, Labyrinth of Evil by James Luceno is a novel that depicts the events that immediately precede those seen in Episode III. Therefore the novel deals with the last weeks, days and even hours leading to that climax: we get to see how the Sith's plot to take over the galaxy finally comes to fruition, as the Jedi walk into a giant, centuries in the making "pincer move" that is forever going to change the face of that galaxy far, far away. And while it may seem a pointless thing to chronicle (since we all knew how it was going to end, even before the release of Episode III), Luceno actually manages to pull off a very entertaining, engaging book. The book was written in close collaboration with Lucasfilm and Matthew Stover (author of the novelization of Episode III) in order to have them mesh seamlessly.

The action starts in Cato Nemodia, home to the dastardly Nute Gunray (and other leaders of the Trade Federation), were Anakin Skywalker, now a fully fledged Jedi Knight, joins his former master Obi-Wan Kenobi with the objective of bringing Gunray and his entourage to justice. But instead of that, they come up with something potentially more valuable: clues as to the whereabouts and identity of the mysterious Sith mastermind, Darth Sidious.

From there, we are taken for a galaxy-wide ride, a race against time, with the Jedi trying desperately to uncover their insidious enemy, and the Sith's relentless drive to rule the galaxy. The novel (re)introduces all the major characters that we saw in Episode II and all those who will be seen in Episode III, in addition to a plethora of minor characters that play small, yet critical roles in this galaxy-spanning game of (holo)chess. The action is abundant, from deep space battles to melee skirmishes, and on to the greater conflict between the light and the dark sides of the Force.

Luceno's style of writing is pretty "graphic", if I may say so, meaning that he relies more on creating pictures of the characters rather than telling us word by word what they're thinking. He often lets a lot up to the reader to interpret from the "body language" that he endows the characters with. I've read some other comments stating that, because he has to introduce a lot of new locations, characters, alien species and/or vehicles, he spends a lot of time describing such things to the detriment of plot/character development, but I honestly don't agree with that; take his description of the new Republic ARC-170 starfighter for example: it is accurate enough for the reader to get a good impression of what the ship looks like without being too long, but it also leaves room for interpretation without being too succinct, a good balance all in all.

Another observation made about the novel is that, by making references to other Clone Wars novels (Dark Rendezvous, Cestus Deception, Shatterpoint,etc), comics (Republic) and even the Cartoon Network animated Clone Wars, it sometimes looses focus and confuses the reader with a bunch of bits that they might not be familiar with. Being a MAJOR Star Wars fans myself, I was familiarized with 95% of the references made and I enjoyed them a lot, but I guess I can actually see how they can be bit confusing for the casual fan. But let me ask you this: when you first saw Episode IV, did it really matter to you not knowing which planet Princess Leia was from? That information WAS NOT in the opening crawl for the movie, and yet we enjoyed it, didn't we? Well, I truly believe that the same can be said about these references: they don't get in the way, they just add, and if you're a dedicated fan you'll be delighted, as they are a real treat.

And as mentioned before, there's one more reason for Star Wars fans to pick this one up: the loose ends. This novel actually DOES tie a fair share of those, which I'm sure caused a lot a sleepless nights to a whole lot of people (LOL). What am I talking about? Naaah, I'm not gonna ruin it for ya, you're gonna have to read it, mates!!! You wouldn't want me to spoil them now, would you? And I wouldn't want to, either, anymore than I would have liked to reveal that Chewie was Luke's father BEFORE Episode V. (Uh, wait...is that how it goes...?)

And while I really enjoyed reading the book (and it didn't take long for me to finish it), there is one tiny little thing that left me wondering: the ending of the book. Chill, I'm not gonna ruin it, either, but let me say this: up until that point, Luceno had managed to perfectly balance the story he wanted to tell with the information about the Clone Wars from the other sources, including the Cartoon Network mini-series. But here, we find an almost totally different take on it, with the end result of two conflicting versions of the events. Some may argue that they are not entirely dissimilar, but the fact remains that they are different enough from each other to create a conflict. There are things about both interpretations (the one of the novel, the one of the mini-series) that I like, but in the end, I guess I'll stick with the mini-series' as the "canon" one.

Ultimately, I think that this is a book that can be enjoyed even by casual Star Wars fans, but I think that its true appeal will be fully appreciated by diehards, mostly. So there you go, if you're interested in going a little deeper than the movies, this is a great place to start and, in conjunction with the Episode III novelization and Luceno's next Star Wars book, Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader, makes for a compelling, truly enjoyable read.

Five Stars.......2007-08-06

Very nicely sets up the events of Revenge of the Sith, from Anakin and Obi Wan chasing Viceroy Gunnray while General Grevious begins his attack on Courscant in order to kidnap the Chancellor Palpatine. The Jedi Council growing more suspicious of Palpatine while they seem to be winning the Clone War. We also get to see Senators Organa and Mon Mothma which is nice since they along with Padme will start off the Rebellion. Palpatine's chat with Padme were eery and hinted that he knew of either her marriage or her pregnancy or possibly both. Even now after reading it a dozen times I can't be sure which he's hinting towards with Palpatine you can never be certain exactly what he knows. That of course its what makes him Palpatine. Well that and the fact he's so brillantly evil.

Average customer rating:

simply amazing
!!!!!!All fans a must read!!!!!!!!
Absolutely a must have for fans!
transporting you to another dimension
George Lucas does it again

Labyrinth: A Novel
A. C. H. Smith , Terry Jones , Jim Henson , and Dennis Lee
Manufacturer: Henry Holt & Co (P)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0030073227

Customer Reviews:

simply amazing.......2007-07-16

this book is worth every penny... its a story about a day dreaming girl who wishes her little brother to a land of goblins castles and of course the labyrinth. if you dont want to spent 50 dollars on this book you CAN GET IT FOR FREE.. just google it and youll find the transcript of the book that you can print out and read.. its not like having the book... but its way cheaper..

!!!!!!All fans a must read!!!!!!!!.......2007-03-15

Basically it is a mix between the original 2 scripts for the movie, making it pretty much twice as awesome!

Those random small things that left you hanging in the movie such as where does the Left Knocker lead?

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Absolutely a must have for fans!.......2004-08-23

If you liked the movie, then you'll love this book. I bought a mint condition copy for about seventy dollars last year, and I couldn't be happier with it.

Like the movie, the book tells of a young girl draw into a fantasy world by her own overactive imagination in order to save her little brother, who has been stolen by the goblin king, who says he is only seeking favor in her eyes, and seems to have fallen in love with her.

The book follows the storyline of the movie exactly, but offers more insight into the characters thoughts and actions. I can remember in particular that the ballroom scene was quite staggeringly more descriptive. A wonderful book, worth the price; espescially if you can find one in good condition.

transporting you to another dimension.......2003-03-12

gosh, i was six when i first saw the movie! now that i'm eighteen makes no difference how i love this enchanting story.

smith brings the story up to another level, as he dwelves deeper into sarah's feelings... and also jareth's. the chemistry between the two is undeniable. i would like to think that in another situation both of them would be together, albeit the fact that she's mortal and he a goblin prince.

smith's writing is of course, very detailed and deep, and he tries to explain all the different meanings and reads between the lines of the movie. he has us vying for the king, and rooting for the good guys, too. he makes us want jareth to have a happy ending, and perhaps one with sarah. he makes us want to see the movie.

well, maybe the movie IS old, and the special effects kind of horrid by today's standards, but truth be, enchantments are timeless.

George Lucas does it again.......2003-03-12

Ah, another George Lucas movie. Well now its a awesome book. I personally love it as much as Star Wars. Its a strange tale, of a strange girl, who gets trapped in a strange land....wow, does that sound familiar. This is my favourite book! I love it more than Interveiw with the Vampire! and thats alot of love!

Average customer rating:

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:

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!!

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.

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.

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!

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.

Return to Labyrinth Volume 2 (Return to Labyrinth)

Average customer rating:

Pleasently surprised!
A few inconsistancies but otherwise very compelling!

Return to Labyrinth Volume 2 (Return to Labyrinth)
Chris Lie , and Jake T. Forbes
Manufacturer: TokyoPop
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 159816726X
Release Date: 2007-10-09

Book Description

Secrets are revealed as the reign of power passes from one heir to another...Toby has been named the next Goblin King and Lord of the Labyrinth, and the goblins are in an uproar. As heir to Jareth's throne, Toby hopes he can be more successful than he was in the human world, but first he must earn the respect of his subjects and learn to control the Labyrinth. His tutor in leadership and magic is Mizumi, the icy Queen of Moraine, but with each lesson, the young king finds himself drifting further away from his friends. Toby may have what it takes to rule this unruly kingdom, but at what cost?Based on the classic hit film!"A great book that fans of the original are sure to love." --A.E. Sparrow, IGN.com

Customer Reviews:

Pleasently surprised! .......2007-10-10

After reading the first volume, I was slightly disappointed with a few things, but thought it was okay. The second volume was nothing short of amazing! The art doesn't looked like it was rushed and I like how Jareth and Sarah now look. Sarah looks beautiful, and Jareth now looks more like his royal self. I hope the next cover will have them both.

I love with what was done with Moppet, as she is now a more developed character. It'll be interesting to find out why she looks so much like Sarah. Also, she has more a backbone, so it's nice to see her be a much stronger person than she was before.

It seems that after Jareth lost to Sarah, he was very bitter, yet he still wanted her to be a Queen. That, combined with the finale scene, and the prophecy will lead things to an intrusting conclusion.

Moppet's discovery makes it very clear that if Sarah had lost, Jareth had already had her room prepared. No to mention the music box she finds. Still, why wouldn't Jareth have had the room destroyed? He must've saved it for possible future use. Still, with what Drumlin pulled, that room has been destroyed and Jareth isn't around to answer any questions.

Without his magic, Jareth seems to have trouble going through the Labyrinth. It was funny to see him crawl like a hamster though a tunnel.

Spittledrum had earned his name. It I doubt he'll ever find the respect he wants when someone taped a "kick me" sign on his back.

Sarah's reaction to seeing Jareth will be interesting. Will she faint, or will her lack of people food make her somewhat grouchy ? Her cat doesn't seem to like Jareth either. No to mention how will she react when she finds out that her brother has become the Goblin King ?

Also, it's noted that this will be a four part series, not three.

Get this book. You will want to own the entire series.

A few inconsistancies but otherwise very compelling!.......2007-10-10

I have just finished reading Return to Labyrinth Volume 2. It has a few inconsistencies but otherwise the story is very compelling. I won't spoil it but the story DOES end on a cliff hanger, the very cliff hanger that some wished was the start of volume 1.

Now for the flaws and inconsistencies...

The Goblin King cannot leave The Labyrinth unless he is summoned. I'm not sure why but these are the rules. This seems most peculiar to me because it's been confirmed that Jareth, himself, built The Labyrinth. The king can't leave the very Labyrinth he created?

And here's something curious. Though there were milk bottles outside the castle in the film, goblins apparently have no idea how to make cheese. It's "human food." You would think goblins would love cheese.

Though Jareth has ruled for 1,300 years without aging Mizumi refers to Jareth as a sorcerer. Brian Froud seemed to imply that Jareth is a faery because of the similarities to some of his faerie art and Jareth's powers and appearance so now I'm not sure what he is. Sorcerers usually do... you know... age... And Jareth, thankfully, has not.

Other than these few things that caused me to have a few questions I loved the Return to Labyrinth volume 2 manga. I actually kind of preferred volume one but now I'm very eager to find out what happens next. I have been told that the manga is now going to be four parts instead of three. I hope the last two parts come out soon and it doesn't take over a year as what happened with Volume 2. Four years is a long time to stretch out a four part manga set. I would be happier if the next two parts came out monthly or every other month.

Ah, well. At least the plot is getting very interesting.

Average customer rating:

Absolutely Gorgeous
pass on this one
Poetic, amazing, and deep.
It is the world
The Labyrinth

The Labyrinth
Catherynne M. Valente
Manufacturer: Prime Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1894815653

Book Description

Here Monsters are hidden ... A lyrical anti-quest through a conscious maze without center, borders, or escape--a dark pilgrim's progress through a landscape of vicious Angels, plague houses, crocodile-prophets, tragic chess-sets, and the mind of an unraveling woman, driven on by the mocking guide who seeks to destroy as much as save. Enter the world of the Labyrinth, where Doors do not wait to be opened, but hunt you in the night. This is Zarathustra in Wonderland, a puzzle which defies solution, a twisted path through language and madness... But where will you hide?

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely Gorgeous.......2007-03-08

In The Labyrinth, Valente weaves not just a tapestry of words, but a flying carpet taking the reader to previously unknown high-altitude flights of fancy. The ever-changing landscapes provide a backdrop for a modern epic poem of unparalelled beauty.

From lobster-clawed key makers to angelic fishermen each door holds something new. The text reads like a fever dream, pulling the reader out of the banality of the real world and into a twisting dreamscape.

If you love epic fantasy or epic poetry then The Labyrinth is a must have for your collection.

pass on this one.......2006-02-04

OK, I read all the other reviews and thought, this sounds like an interesting book! The author was given lots of kudos for her use of language. Loosely translated, this turnes out to mean that she likes to use words for the sake of words, and not for making her point. For those who like text written to indulge the author, go for it. For those who want to find the story, pass. You could easily remove half the words in this book and it would be better for it.

ANother thing - I'm usually wary of self-published books because publishers and editors actually do play a useful role. Did anyone proof-read this? Missing capitalization at the beginning of sentences and incorrect punctuation were just a few things that made me stumble as I tried to read. Also, the author seems to use the same sentence structures over and over. Sounds great when you pluck a sentence or two out, but it's pedantic when trying to read it.

I confess I couldn't finish the book. I tried, though, I really did. If you're looking for a well-written book, with character development, plot, and beautiful imagery, this one just doesn't deliver.

Poetic, amazing, and deep........2005-12-20

In her debut novel, "The Labyrinth," Catherynne M. Valente has set out at once to define her own work, and to redefine the form. "The Labyrinth" reads more like an epic, surrealist poem, or an obscure Eastern religious text than it does a novel. The richness of the imagery, and the depth of thought injected into these words should bear the warning label "concentrated, take only in small doses."

I believe it would be doing this work a disservice to read it in one sitting, though this might be tempting. Rather than being dragged from chapter to chapter, if chapters are what the breaks actually represent, by cliff-hanging real events, the reader is caught by the leading and trailing edges of visions. Endless spiraling roads, decision brought to form as character, aggressive doors that hunt the traveler, rather than waiting passively to be tried, or bypassed.

The protagonist morphs before the reader's eyes from goddess to slave and back again in a sometimes erotic, sometimes intensely symbolic, and always intriguing journey through a maze of poetic imagery. Sometimes in charge of her own fate, sometimes the whimsy of greater powers that sometimes turn out to be herself, your guide through surreality has fed upon the Rose Cross and is all direction, contains all direction - and is lost.

While I doubt this work will appeal to a mainstream audience, it is an intensely powerful debut. The work is introspective, and yet, the lens of that introspection turns on the reader in unexpected ways, much as the doors in the Labyrinth itself turn on the protagonist. Lewis Carroll intrudes with rabbits and philosophical statements that blend and melt back into the landscape with an elegance that makes you wonder if Mr. Carroll himself - or the white rabbit of his construction, might not have indeed walked the trails of The Labyrinth, finding guidance and confusion on those dark roads before departing through their own doors, into their own insanities and inanities.

This singularly lyrical novel is highly recommended for dark evenings and reflection, and while its classification as a novel may remain in question, the impact it will have, and the memories it will cause to linger in the corners of your mind, will not. Highly recommended.

It is the world.......2005-05-04

Sometimes when reviewing books reviewers use such dull and awkward phrases such as "incomparable", " a life-changing experience", "brilliant" and "an amazing debut from a writer to watch". They use such phrases either because they are ignorant sods whose minds function like computer programs running on cliches or they use such phrases because they are desparate and almost mute before the excercise of a greater power.
Catherynne Valente is just such a greater power. The only sane response to this usurpation of reality disguised as a book is awe, humility, wonder, and gratitude, and other such stock but necessary postures of the soul. M. Valente has thoroughly occupied the world we live in and transformed it into her own hyper-complex image. She has done this through a story and a mode of prose that is both highly traditional and highly avant-garded, shaped by arche-types and yet utterly individuated in its intent and achievement.
There is something authentically uncanny and alien moving through so many of the obscene and beautiful characters we encounter in this work, an uncanny quality missing in so much of today's fantasy fiction. This demonstration of faery power is not so much a tribute to M. Valente's imagination or even visionary power as it is a mark of the purity of her will and intention.
It takes discipline to ransack the history of the human spirit, siezing every little last word and phrase and image to marry them all together into a heterocosm that turns out to be the hetercosm we all live in.
The real question to ask after reading "The Labyrinth" (for the first time) is: is Catherynne Valente capable of personal and aesthetic growth?
If she is not then we may rejoice to discover a minor writer of major talent who will delight and amaze us in the years to come. But if she is capable of growth than we are at the birth of one of the major writers of the new century.

The Labyrinth.......2004-12-31

I have finished The Labyrinth by Cathrynne M. Valente. I devoured it, like a Door. It was beautiful, a lyrical epic poem in prose. The language was amazing, it gave me a tingly feeling in my spine, and in my throat. I know some who might have thought it was excessive, but this story could only have been told in language such as that. An ordinary story demands ordinary language, and this is no ordinary story. It's an extraordinary journey through psychologically charged image after image.

downdowndowndowndown

I highly recommend this book, for anyone who loves the English language, and the myriad of ways in which it can be used. I recommend this book for anyone who loves mythology, and I'm going right away to email my mythology professor to tell him he should read it, too. I recommend this book for anyone who loves things that are out of the ordinary, because this book is extraordinary.

I warn you, once you read this book, your perception of reality won't be the same again. Life will seem dull and grey compared to the vibrant visions and characters that Valente describes.

Hoo.

Mysteries and Desire: Searching the Worlds of John Rechy

Average customer rating:

An Esstential Companion Piece!
A Magic Multimedia Tour

Mysteries and Desire: Searching the Worlds of John Rechy
The Labyrinth Project , and John Rechy
Manufacturer: USC Annenberg Center
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM

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ASIN: 0967412722

Book Description

Challenging the borders between autobiography, memory, history and fiction, this interactive memoir presents a diverse array of personal materials by and about John Rechy and sets them against larger collective histories of Chicano culture and the gay world. Drawing passages from all of Rechy's published novels, it also mines the outrageous fictions that circulate around this fascinating literary figure who, as a gay icon, a Chicano writer from Texas, a dedicated bodybuilder, a gifted teacher of creative writing, and a recent recipient of the PEN West Lifetime Achievement Award, has long been a subject of notoriety and fantasy. Combining original artwork, video, archival documents, and recorded interviews and commentaries, it lets you move through three interrelated realms—Memories, Bodies, and Cruising—each with its own daring repertoire of interfaces.

Customer Reviews:

An Esstential Companion Piece!.......2004-02-27

Already own all 13 of Rechy's books? ... Got a copy of *Numbers* from a friend once, but never read anything else? ... Only know *City of Night* because it's on that list of "modern classics" you should have read? ... Well, no matter what your level of exposure to Rechy's brilliance, if he's an author you long to learn more about, this CD-ROM can help. Filled with fascinating images from his personal archives, it also contains multimedia pieces which dramatize and synthesize the themes of Memories, Bodies, and Cruising. One feature sure to please Rechy fans who haven't had the chance to meet him, is the use of the author's voice for narrative pieces and book excerpts.

Nonetheless, if you're looking for a definitive bibliography, or expecting a project resembling a flashy "book report" on Rechy, this CD-ROM is not the place to start. (For that sort of treatment, go to the library and/or search the Web). This CD-ROM will not familiarize you with all his writings, or give you biographical trivia, in the traditional sense -- but it does illuminate the style and substance of his work, and reveal aspects of his life, in new ways.

As to the CD-ROM itself: I would have preferred more detailed installation and navigation instructions -- but didn't have any great difficulty getting the various components up and running. Overall content seemed rather sparse once I started exploring it, and I kept wanting more detail and depth -- but that's to be expected. After all, there's only so much space on any CD-ROM, and no amount could be "enough" or "too much" when reveling in the beauty, passion, and glory of a work.

A Magic Multimedia Tour.......2000-11-28

As many times as I have explored this amazing multimedia CD-ROM, I constantly find something new to appreciate. A photograph in a collage that links to an artifact with the voice of John Rechy revealing new meaning...a path through a thicket of trees that reveals the author standing shirtless above his beloved city.... Mysteries and Desire is a masterful, extraordinary work whose technique rises to the level of its subject. Anyone interested in John Rechy, literature, digital content or new media should not miss this experience.

Aliens: Labyrinth (Dark Horse Collection.)

Average customer rating:

Truly horrific... if you're into that sorta thing
One of the better Aliens stories
Living the Hive Life
Aliens: labyrinth (dark horse collection)
possibly the best aliens side story, kilian rocks

Aliens: Labyrinth (Dark Horse Collection.)
Jim Woodring , and Kilian Plunkett
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 156971245X

Amazon.com

Many people know Jim Woodring for his bizarre and beautiful cartoons like Frank in the River. But he's also the Harvey Award-winning writer of Aliens: Labyrinth. Woodring weaves horror and mystery into this story of a Colonel Doctor involved with clandestine experiments on aliens. Kilian Plunkett's artwork is perfectly suited for this book, and it will suck you into the suspense just like the Ridley Scott movie. If you only get one Aliens comic book, make it this one.

Book Description

Rumor has it that the crew members of space station Innominata are expendable and can be used in clandestine experiments. Rumor has it that Paul Church, the Colonel Doctor in charge of the research facility, has been running tests to determine what makes the Aliens tick and that he's using Colonial Marines as bait. Well, the U. S. Government doesn't like rumors -- they like facts. And so they've sent Colonel Doctor Anthony Crespi to investigate. He's empowered to get the truth any way he can. His goal is to find a way that will get him off that station alive. Harvey Award-winning writer Jim Woodring crafts a spellbinding tale of horror and mystery in Aliens: Labyrinth.

Customer Reviews:

Truly horrific... if you're into that sorta thing.......2004-11-10

I've never been a fan of horror flicks, as I find them to be formulaic and unoriginal; incredibly disturbing in that I know lots of folks enjoy seeing the "characters" in such a story ripped up and brutalized. So, I've never enjoyed the horror-aspect of the Aliens universe. No, what keeps bringing me back is the stories that play with the same concepts introduced in my favorite movie of all time: Aliens (the second movie). That one showed us evil creatures who appeared to arrive straight from our darkest nightmares, but it also showed us that humanity could FIGHT our fears and triumph. That sense of satisfaction that I got when Ripley takes the Alien Queen on (and wins) made me a fan of the genre, even if the next two movies disappointed me.

Aliens: Labyrinth does not have any of that. What it does have is an incredibly suspenseful story and has you on the edge of your seat. You really do pray for the flashback scene of Church's experience in the Hive to end and it will make you sick. So if you like that sorta thing, go for it.

On the other hand, it does not give any explanation for why the hive is the way it is or why the hive is there (other then a brief comment about "bug farmers"). Nor does is bother to explain how the Aliens can be trying to breed humans and aliens when the aliens themselves really aren't intelligent enough to think of something like that, nor would they be able to create a methodology for going about such a horrific idea (yet somehow they do). By rights, the mole spore should've just killed them all right away because the Aliens wouldn't be able to fight something like that. So, it doesn't really jive with what we know about the Aliens and I know that ticks off fans who like their stories to have continuity.

Another thing that I think most of this story's reviewers don't know is that the story of Dr. Church (and Crespi's remains) continues in the computer game "Aliens: A Comic book adventure." It's a pretty low-tech role-playing game that makes you feel like you are in a comic book. You can't really find it anywhere except on E-bay. I played the game first and then the comic, which worked for me as it really does explain why Church is doing the things he's doing in the computer game and makes him seem a little less of a villain (still glad I kicked his arse in the game though). I mention this merely so that you know you'll be tempted to buy the thing if you read this comic, `cause quite frankly the comic by itself will leave you hanging.

Bottomline: If you liked the nastiness of Alien: Resurrection and the scariness of >yawn< Alien 3, then you'll like this comic. If, however you liked Aliens and hated the last two Alien movies AND tend towards likening good guys to win in the end... turn around and walk away very, very quickly. This comic book is not for you.

One of the better Aliens stories.......2002-10-11

This review is in regards to the "Updated" edition that was released in 1996. Containing an intro by SD Perry, the daughter of novelist Steve Perry. And in the back, a cover gallery, not just the covers to Labyrinth, but also Killian Plunkett's covers to the Aliens: Berserker mini series. Also in the back is a sketchbook section, containing work by not just Plunkett but also some by the writer Jim Woodring as well.Woodring, who comes from an "indie" comic background, gives this Aliens story an extra dose of dark humor to the proceedings. As well as some truly gross and grisly moments. Brought to life by Plunkett, whose first major comic book job this was. He was only in his early twenties when he drew this book. His style here is a cross between Duncan Fegredo and the detailed panels of Geoff Darrow. The colors come from Matt Hollingsworth, one of the best colorists in the comic industry today. Especially in the last two years or so, he has been in high demand. His name appearing in the credits of countless numbers of Marvel and DC titles. The letters are by Ellie DeVille, who also lettered Killian Plunkett's other most familiar work, The Unknown Soldier mini series from DC's Vertigo comics.The story starts out as if it's going to be yet another by the numbers "shoot the aliens" action story, but moves into "talking heads" territory, with lots of dialogue. This could easily kill the momentum of most comics if the story is dull and boring, but Woodring gives the Aliens fans tons of interesting info about the creatures, both physically and psychologically. And the flashback segment of the Doctor Church's ordeal in the Alien's lair is outstanding (not to mention extremely unsettling) with some excellent and memorable work by Plunkett.If you're an Aliens comic collector, then this trade paperback (or the original mini series) is probably already in your collection, and if not, it is definitely worth getting.

Living the Hive Life.......2002-03-16

Having been a fan of the Alien movies (for the most part, anyhow)and the comic adaptations, it seemed a sure bet that the novel would also be something worthy of at least a look. While I seemed to eat my words on some of those books, this one in particular was leaps and bounds above the rest. In fact, some of the movies, especially the last, could have taken a few notes from the novel.
The story basically follows Col. Doctor Paul Church along his pathways that seemed intertwined with Aliens, from the experiments we find him introduced with to the younger, more gruesome, experiences he had while being taken into a diseased hive. If you like the concept of the Alien and want to learn more about them, what better way could there be to study their sociology that with a completely disturbed tour guide like Church.
Its worth checking out in paperback and in graphic novel form. Some of it is actually quite chilling.

Aliens: labyrinth (dark horse collection).......2000-02-02

I thought this book was awesome! Not because i'm a sci-fi nut or anything but because of the social issues that were brought up in the very context of this book. The first one spans back to the first Movie (Alien) where a powerful company became very greedy and cost the lives of the Nostromo crew, even Ripley later on in the trilogy. It all spans out to the Golden Mean archetype where the company had become greedy and had been shown the destructive power of this thing and said "Wow, we can make alot of money!" this all comes down to the Golden Mean and how too much greed and power had drove this company over the edge and having them destroy mankind itself, had it not been for ripley. But also in this book the Golden Mean pokes it's green head and once again causes death and destruction with the overwhelming power this one guy thought he could achieve. I guess the point is that this book, even though it's a sci-fi book is a great and useful book that can and should be used to show the student the Golden Mean archetype and you will also keep the reader entranced in his or her reading.

possibly the best aliens side story, kilian rocks.......1999-08-04

an exellent side story to aliens, it involves a marine sole survivor a and suspicious scientist who has a demented bond with the horrifying creature. this books never loses its interest, and the art gives it a realistic feel to it.

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