Starlight (Warriors: The New Prophecy, Book 4)

Book Description

The Clans have finally arrived in their new home, and now they must struggle to establish territories and learn the hidden dangers of this unfamiliar world. Most importantly, they must find a replacement for the Moonstone—a place to communicate with StarClan. But more than one cat is harboring sinister plans that could lead to violence and darkness, and as the warriors wait for a sign, some of them begin to realize that the threats they face in the forest may not be as perilous as the threats they face from within. . . .

Customer Reviews:

Starlight : Why It's A Worthy Read.......2007-08-21

As any fan of the Warriors series would agree, Starlight is action packed, mysterious, and heartfelt. Let's start with the list, shall we?

First The Good : Battles and Co.
Don't worry, my dear young kitty: Starlight isn't lacking in battles. Personally, I find the battles some of the best parts of this delightful series. The writing in these sequences is divinely scripted and very well used, without too many graphic words or rather gruesome mental images. Cherith Baldry and Kate Cary, the two wonder authors who (combined) are Erin Hunter, always give us wonders in the battles. From battles with kittypets to battles with rampaging badgers, this book has no shortage or fights!

Item Numero Dos : The Mysterious Element
The Clans are settling into their new home, all the while learning about what terrors there could be in the strange territories. What dangers hide behind every tree? Are the Twolegs are formidable threat...or not? Who will Tallstar appoint leader!? All of these mysterious subplots add to the story and give a certain 'what's-coming-next?' feel to Starlight, which was needed after the rather depressing plotline of Dawn. Of course, things always work out for the best, but not always in the way you expect!

Another Good Aspect : The Character Developement
Characters continue to grow in this volume of our beloved series. The two young daughters of Firestar each find (!SPOILERS!) affection, whilst Brambleclaw becomes tempted by Tigerstar, which ultimately tests his character (unfortunately, it is later known that he fails that test...man, he would be eaten ALIVE in a school!) Firestar tries to keep everything together as dangers and other surprises arise from the darkness to potientially harm his Clan. Other characters continue to be made stronger and are tested, such as little Birchkit as he begins to inch towards apprenticeship.

Now The Bad : Annoyances
This is pretty much the only thing wrong with Starlight. Why can't Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight get along? Why does Ashfur suddenly become a main character? Why are there so many dang badgers!? (Seriously, you'd think the Twolegs would do somethin' about that my NOW) These questions aren't answered, unfortunately, and some character's can be very annoying at times, *cough, cough* Brambleclaw vs. Squirrelflight *cough cough*. Of course, that's just another sign that the writing in these books is top notch!

All in all, Starlight is a very good book. Not the best Warriors book, but a good one and a whole lot less sad than Dawn. Read this book and you won't be disappointed. Starlight deserves an 'A' grade and 4 and 1/2 stars.

Sincerely,

~Dapplewing~

A good addition to the Warriors series.......2007-05-30

On a scale of 1-5 I would give this book a 3 because, although it was a very good book, it lacked some of the action found in other books of the series. Although it was much better than the first book, it wasn't the best that I have read so far in this series.

This book is about a group of cats that live in the forest in clans but have been forced to leave their home by humans who were building a road (the cats call roads "thunderpaths") through their territory. In this book the author tells about how the cats are struggling to set up new boundaries and settle into their new home as well as trying to forget the new friendships the cats have made with other clans on the long journey to their new home (the clan cats don't usually make friends with other clans).

I think you should definitely read this book because, although it lacks a lot of action, it is an interesting read and helps the other books in the series make more sense if you are planning to read them.

A good addition to the Warriors series.......2007-05-30

My son LOVES this series.......2007-05-17

These books have been incredible for my 9 year old. This is the second series that he's read in the Warriors group by Erin Hunter. He uses the language that the cats in the book use, and he often comes to tell me about some exciting twist that has happened, or a new character that he's falling in love with. These have been great for his reading speed, he's reading much faster and with greater recall since starting these books a few months ago. I highly recommend them.

Starlight, 4th in the series.......2007-05-10

To truly enjoy this book, you should read the WHOLE series including the volumes of the first series. (See other books by Erin Hunter)
If you enjoy books written from the perspective of the animal, there is no doubt you will enjoy this book and all the books that came before and the books that are coming. I know these books are written for the young reader but adults can enjoy reading them, also. After I read them I give them to my grandchildren.

Average customer rating:

Follow-up to Shadows in the Darkness
Interesting Sequel
Didn't live up to the first book's promise
A Solid Second in the Series!
Blah, Blah, Blah

Shadows in the Starlight (Changeling)
Elaine Cunningham
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0765348527

Book Description

A ten year veteran of the Providence Rhode Island vice squad Gwen “GiGi” Gellman began her life as a foundling and is used to being on her own. So when she finds herself unemployed and on the outs after a standard bust goes bad resulting in a bloodbath, she welcomes the occasion to break from routine. She scrapes together enough capital to start her own PI business specializing in “family problems.” But, in doing so she never guessed that she would uncover her own mysterious and mystical past.

When GiGi becomes involved in the case of a missing wife and child, she initially dismisses the matter as good sense on the wife’s part--she knows the husband to be less than stellar in his role. But, as her investigation progresses GiGi discovers a pattern of lies and deceptions, some of which expose hidden ties to her own mystifying existence.

Otherworldly powers try to intercede, and soon GiGi finds not only her own life threatened, but those of her friends and family as well.

Customer Reviews:

Follow-up to Shadows in the Darkness.......2007-09-09

Shadows in the Starlight picks up where the first book in the Changeling Detective series ended. Whilst investigating the aftermath of her previous case, Gwen is also looking into the case of a missing wife and child. Once more she finds that her own past is inextricably linked to the case and as she delves deeper she puts not only her own life, but also those of her friends in danger.

Unlike Shadows in the Darkness the elves are much more in evidence here. Anyone who didn't appreciate how manipulative and cruel they can be from the first book will do so by the end of this one. We get a better insight into their machinations and through Gwen we begin to learn how their society works - and it's not pretty. They have an Aryan attitude to humans and imperfections, and it appears anyone who doesn't reach their standards is terminated. Slightly worrying for Gwen who has only manifested two of her three powers.

The reader is slightly ahead of Gwen in knowing what's happening, as once more the beginning and ending of the story are told from another character's point of view. Quite a clever device as it gives us an idea of how out of her depth Gwen is, whilst at the same time we can accept that she's working in the dark with limited information.

There was just one point where I really thought she was stupid. Which is when Ian Forest asks to demonstrate on her how sacred oaths are binding to elves. Even though she patently doesn't believe him I think she should have exercised more caution. Also after this she does become a little trigger happy with the use of this sacred oath. I'd kind of got the feeling that it was used by the other elves only for really important things. But I guess this serves to illustrate how different Gwen's priorities are to the other elves and how her agenda is almost diametrically opposed to theirs. The things that she takes seriously such as a missing human child seem trivial to them.

The story ends with Gwen slightly further along the way to finding out who she is but we are still left with the main arc unresolved. If you haven't read the first book you may struggle a little to get into the story though the main plot points are covered. Recommended for fans of urban fantasy who like a strong PI twist - such as Charlaine Harris's Harper Connelly series or Kat Richardson's Greywalker.

Also available
Shadows in the Darkness (Book 1)

Interesting Sequel.......2007-05-06

In this new Changeling book, it basically picks up right after the first one. Gwen has changed the name of her PI business to have the word "changeling" in it. This time Gwen is trying to find a missing woman and her child who happens to be the wife of one of her friends' ex husband. As she is trying to solve this case she also still ponders on the case of her dead partner. But she soon realizes that she is heir to the property that Edmonson owned. This relates to her case because a powerful drug that effects humans is being grown on the property, which ultimately ties back to her recent case, where the missing woman has many secrets, some that are closely related to Gwen's. Overall a good book, and still a little confusing with all the characters that are involved, but it is still pretty easy to follow.

Didn't live up to the first book's promise.......2007-04-27

I loved the first book, "Shadows in the Darkness" four years ago.

What happened? The book started off with a bang. A young female ME was murdered in a heinous and cruel manner. Then we wait til page 150 to have someone find the body? That was the sole point of the ME. Cunningham let the lady 'talk' and get us to like her, then she killed her. Then we have to wait several days after the heart-rending beginning for the ME to be found. While this is definitely 'real' in the case of crime-solving, the problem is, Cunningham set up a thriller and she certainly did not deliver.

While this is a sequel, I think a little less time mentioning the previous cases would be a good idea. The book second doesn't have to rehash the first in a series to carry on continuity. The jacket tells you pretty much what you need to know.

Further--without spoiling the end, situations do not get better for our heroine. I love serial fiction that addresses a problem in the main book and solves that problem but leaves some teaser threads for us to look forward to later. Cunningham's end just read 'hopeless' to me, reminding me very much of why I don't read the old-line fantasy that doesn't stand alone. The epilogue made me want to throw the stinking book against the wall. If you want to read some of the best stand-alone serial fiction in urban fantasy, try Carrie Vaughn's "Kitty" books, C. E. Murphy's "Walker Papers", and Vicki Petterssen's "Signs of the Zodiac."

Finally, it's often interesting to have multiple points of view in a novel, but if I'd written this story I would not have the antagonist as one of the novels' point of view characters, but in the case of a mystery we need a bit more opacity because quite often the antagonist has given the answer long before our good guy (or in this case, girl) can figure it out.

I really regret buying this book, because I genuinely enjoyed the first and was looking forward to the sequel. I won't be buying the third.

A Solid Second in the Series!.......2006-09-09

This story moves from a single story line to a couple or three parallel ones and from there it kind of turns into a river delta with multiple tributaries of story winding this way and that are related, but meandering into areas where we can't quite see around the next bend. Certainly Cunningham wants to keep us around and needs loads of characters who are not yet fully developed to continue pulling off this series...I suspect that we will NOT be seeing the ocean where all these individual tributaries pour for some time yet.

We start out with Gwen, continued story from the fist book in this series (Shadows in the Darkness) where a bust has gone bad, cops were killed, her mentor died under suspicious circumstances (deemed an accident, but Gwen believes it was murder). We are reintroduced to a lot of characters from the first book, each of whom is multi-layered and comes from a seemingly remarkable background and each of whom (with very few exceptions) seems to have an ulterior motive or secret agenda going on at cross grains to the current story (this is where I assume the author is building up credibility for various story lines for additional books down the line).

We have Gwen who is a remarkable woman...but not really a woman, a changeling, an elf, something she's only just found out about herself and is struggling to come to terms with throughout this book. We get her long time lesbian, lawyer friend, complete with jealous lover and a psycho controlling Ex, whose new wife turns up missing. We also have the African-American male "partner" who happens to come from a long line of "gifted" individuals and a plethora of male characters who are all vying for her attention in one way or another and claiming to want to help her...in the end, who's really on her side? That's what makes this series quite the page turner...you just have to know what the next twist in the plot is going to be!

The one quibble I have is that no one really has any trouble with her "abilities," every character seems to have a bend over backwards acceptance of what she can do without much curiosity or desire for explanation...to me this is the opposite of what happens in say Hooper's books where the incredulousness goes on and on and on until you think you're going to have to throw the book at the wall...this is the other extreme. Everyone is shocked, but no one really says anything or is suspicious of what she can do. Overall it's a small quibble, and I can live with it.

In Gwen we get a feisty, touch, kick-a** heroine, bent on finding out the truth - and that's quite a feat considering she was disgraced as a cop in the previous novel and now makes her living as a P.I. We find out where she is willing to compromise her principles and where she isn't and ultimately, for every question that is answered about the cases she's working on, more and more is alluded to about her own parents death and the more questions we are left with as a result. So, really we learn a lot in this book...but at the same time, we learn so very little. The author is certainly mysterious about the "Qualities" of both Gwen and those like her, about the lives of the "Elder Race," frankly, there are so many facets to this story that it's hard to keep track of them all, but it does make imagining where Cunningham will take this story as she weaves each new world for us to dive into quite fun! This one is fast paced and leaves many possibilities for the future...I, for one, am looking forward to the next one in this series!

Blah, Blah, Blah.......2006-07-17

I had to force myself to finish this book for the sole reason that I ALWAYS finish a book. You never know, sometimes a book is just slow in the start and will eventually pick up pace. Not so with this one. Granted I did not read the first in this series which became apparent after the first ten pages. I had no idea what the author was talking about. Take my advice, don't bother picking up this book if you have not read the first in the series, Shadows in the Darkness, I believe it is called. The author spends the majority of this story going on and on about events and people from the previous book but doesn't elaborate at all on what the situation was previously. It's like evesdropping on total strangers.

I've read books previously and had skipped over early books, but this was just terrible. The first two chapters describe a terrible event, a murder. The author does not even revisit this event until page 150 of the book and there are only 286 pages all together in the entire novel. I'm telling you, she doesn't even mention it. The whole book made me feel like a butterfly flitting around from flower to flower and never making up its mind enough to choose just one or two flowers. I'll not read another.

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Starlight Surprise (My Secret Unicorn)
Linda Chapman
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0439813859

Book Description

Lauren has a secret: When she whispers the magic words, her pony turns into a beautiful snow-white unicorn. Lauren doesn't believe in ghosts, but there is definitely something spooky going on down by the creek. Then one night, as Lauren and Twilight fly over the woods near the scary tree house, they make a surprising discovery.

Average customer rating:

Completely hooked my reluctant reader!
What a nice book!
Perfect for my 4 yr old horse crazy daughter!

Starlight (Breyer Stablemates)
Kristin Earhart
Manufacturer: CARTWHEEL BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0439722373

Book Description

In A Foal for Haley, Haley has her hands full with Starlight, her mischievous, disobedient foal. But one scary night, Starlight gets lost in the woods, and Haley makes a special wish--to find her beloved foal. Her wish comes true, and from then on they're friends forever. For years, Breyer has been known for making high-quality collectible horses. Stablemates are low-priced, durable horses created especially for children.

Customer Reviews:

Completely hooked my reluctant reader!.......2007-05-16

My 7 1/2 year old has always been a hesitant reader. She knows her phonics rules, but reads very slowly and lacks fluency. At this point she needs to practice reading, but most books are either too easy, or too difficult and frustrating. We stumbled upon this Stablemates book at a Scholastic book fair, and she was immediately hooked - it helps that she's a horse nut. She started reading it on the way home in the car, and couldn't put it down. Now I'm here ordering more of the Stablemates titles! I like that the language is just challenging enough to push her a little, but repetitive enough with word families throughout (midnight/starlight/bright; good/took/stood) that it reinforces her skills. Plus it's a "chapter" book, so she's feeling pretty proud of herself, too!

What a nice book!.......2007-04-15

My daughter loved this book so much I used Amazon.com to purchase 3 more Stablemates books. Anything that helps her enjoy reading is great in my book! It was a nice story and we enjoy it very much.

Perfect for my 4 yr old horse crazy daughter!.......2006-04-20

I was SO happy when I saw these adorable, well priced books at the store! Picked them both up--these are great books for younger children! We have Pony Pals books but those are larger chapter books geared towared older children (8-10rys). These Stablemates books have beautiful, full color illustrations that cover every page with large,easy to read print. These do have chapters, but they are short--these are perfect for reading to your little pre-schooler and perfect for the beginner readers! My daughter and I LOVE these books and can't wait for more editions to be released! We will definitely be purchasing more!

Starlight and Time: Solving the Puzzle of Distant Starlight in a Young Universe

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Great Book
Excellent Science, and very worthy of review
Spaced Out About Starlight and Time
A depressing act of desperation
Starlight and Time

Starlight and Time: Solving the Puzzle of Distant Starlight in a Young Universe
D. Russell Humphreys
Manufacturer: Master Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0890512027

Customer Reviews:

Great Book.......2007-05-12

It's a very interesting read, with good arguments. Whether you believe his scenario or not, he shows there are still alternative theories than what we are taught. Highly recommended.

Excellent Science, and very worthy of review.......2007-04-19

Many now realize that Darwinian macroevolution is in direct violation of many known scientific laws (such as entropy, biogenesis, mass action, and energy conservation--just to name a few), it is also quite at odds with the fossil record. Even Charles Darwin conceded that geological evidence (including the fossil record) of his day (the late 1800's) contradicted his theory. How much more do the discoveries of the last hundred years or so expose his error? Considering that every supposed time epoch of the earth now has authenticated human artifacts in those strata (proven to not have been introduced at a later time), Darwin's theory is way beyond capability for resuscitation.

What most Evolutionists fail to admit is the fact that much of their "science" has been built upon completely unverifiable assumptions (like the "complete suspension of physical laws" during some distant past epoch in order for the universe to form in accordance to their theory). Moreover, their results are often "bent" to fit their core belief systems (i.e. there "is no God," or rather, their actual deifying of the material universe itself) while some often hypocritically accuse Creationists of doing the same. Even their dating systems are circular with regard to the fossil record (i.e. they date the rock by the fossil and the fossil by the same rock). All of this, while still claiming that their "science" is true, and often that the Creationists are a bunch of pseudo-intellectuals with both bad theology and implausible postulates. The reality is: both evolutionary and creationism theories are dependent in-part on assumptions. The only difference is that Creationists derive theirs from Scripture and find true science often confirms their assumptions, while the Evolutionist essentially invent their assumptions in an attempt to support an already disproven theory.

Moreover, Darwin himself also conceded that if ever man could delve into microbiological structures and discover that irreducible complexity existed (i.e. that the whole could not survive without all of its parts), then his theory would be "absolutely broken down." In modern science, "Darwin's Black Box" (a phrase used also as a book title regarding this issue) has done exactly what the troubled theorist feared--confirmed the absolute absurdity of his theory...and then some. The irreducible complexity of an individual cell has been absolutely proven. Moreover, the marvelous complexity of microbiological structures (such as flagellum) has turned many now-former evolutionists away from the fatally flawed theory--even when some of those same scientists have yet to concede to a Creationist model (although many have). Still more, continued study of DNA has so obliterated evolutionary precepts with their discoveries that it has become increasingly obvious to many that Darwinian Evolution is, in fact, a religion in and of itself, for its defenders show a "religious fervor" in their continuous adherence to an easily debunked theory. Even Humanism (recognized in a 1961 US Supreme Court decision to be a religion) requires its adherents to "believe" in Darwinian evolution.

I would suggest several things to all who might read this review/commentary: One, buy this book Starlight & Time. I HAVE read the book. Therein, every point that others have accused the author, Dr. Russell Humphries, of failing to address is actually covered in remarkable detail. (And quite frankly, I would be surprised if the DVD, which is much later that the book, actually does not answer MORE than the original book. However, I have not yet viewed the DVD.)

Herein, Dr. Humphries does a fine job in detailing his logic and review of relevant facts regarding a young earth creation model, while faithfully utilizing Einstein's General Relativity (GR) theory to support his postulate. He points out (very respectfully, I might add) that Big Bang theorists derive their data from the same sources and process it via the same GR theory he does, but simply add the variable of their preferred Darwinian worldview instead of a biblical paradigm. The GR theory equally processes what is put into it as a "food processor" might, and the only difference that produces varying conclusions in his theory apart from Big Bang theorists is the worldview assumptions that are also fed into the "hopper." His book also contains his actual position papers as appendixes with full data and mathematical calculations in one, and his theology basis in the other.

Second, obtain a copy of "Why Do Men Believe Evolution Against All Odds" by Dr. Carl E. Baugh, and consider the facts. Pay special attention to the final chapter entitled, "Why Good Men Believe Bad Science." Therein, the author (a former Evolutionist himself) describes not only their failed "science" and its impossibility, but also the mental processes and states that allow seemingly educated people to adhere to such a ludicrous belief system (which, even some Evolutionists concede, has hindered true science more than helped it).

Spaced Out About Starlight and Time.......2007-03-22

The absurdities necessary to sustain a Young Earth Creationist (YEC) worldview are literally cosmological in scope as "Starlight and Time" painfully attests. Forcibly mating biblically induced fundamentalist dogma and magical thinking with General Relativity and Cosmology is an act of intellectual and scientific rape - but contemporary YECs never have let their sense of morals prevent them from doing what is 'right.'

"Starlight and Time" purports to show how light could travel billions of light years from distant astronomical objects during the passage of only a few thousand years of Earth time. Even YECs admit that the universe is vast - beyond any biblical cosmology however burlesque their exegetical exertions - but dogmatically refuse to cede that the earth is old - a paradox of their own making, a single snowflake in the blizzard of ignorance that typifies so-called 'creation science.'

The author, Dr. D. Russell Humphreys, posits an alternative cosmology to solve the light travel time problem and assuage febrile creationist sensibilities. Although Humphreys is a physicist, he is untrained in General Relativity or Cosmology, and it shows. His white hole cosmology has been reviewed and found universally wanting by the reality-based scientific community and old earth creationists! Even YEC stalwarts, who routinely swallow shallow sacro-scientific swill, entertain substantial doubts, although leading purveyors of misinformation such as Answers in Genesis (AiG) and the Institute for Creation Research (ICR) continue to disingenuously pimp "Starlight and Time" - even while they subtly admit that it is ultimately flawed.

The core of Humphreys' model is the abandonment of the cosmological principle. Instead, he proposes that the universe is not uniform, but rather has the shape of a sphere with a finite radius. In the model, the universe originated from a single point in the center of the sphere. In effect, Humphreys' model brings to life many of the common misconceptions about what the Big Bang actually says about the origin of the universe.

Humphreys tries to apply General Relativity to the resulting matter distribution, claiming that gravitational time dilation will cause time to pass faster the more distant one is from the center. If one postulates that the earth is very near the center of the universe, Humphreys claims that this resolves a central problem for Young Earth Creationists - how to resolve the evidence for an ancient universe with their demand that the earth was created anywhere from 6,000 to 12,000 years ago.

"Starlight and Time" models the center of the universe as a white hole, the opposite of a black hole (instead of matter only flowing inwards, a white hole constantly emits matter and energy). Humphreys fails to explain why that white hole does not appear to exist anymore - we would notice the extremely strong X-ray flux, if nothing else - but that is far from the only problem with the model. In particular, Humphreys badly mangles the standard General Relativity treatment for gravitational time dilation - in order for time to pass more rapidly far away from the earth, we would need to be near a black hole, not a white hole. Humphreys tried to salvage his model by later claiming a time dilation within the white hole, but this was equally unworkable. It goes without saying that his model fails to explain a vast array of cosmological observations, including the existence of the cosmic microwave background radiation and its anisotropy, supernovae time dilation, light element abundance and so forth.

Humphreys' findings are, to borrow a phrase from the Nobel Prize winning physicist Wolfgang Pauli, "not even wrong." Humphreys later publication "New Vistas of Spacetime Rebut the Critics" orphans his original arguments by inventing fresh fallacies to replace his former fantasies - an unfortunate pattern that permeates all of his work.

Ultimately Humphreys is wrestling with a preposterous hypothesis. His failure is spectacular and totally expected. Any YEC universe consistent with General Relativity must display extraordinarily rapid decreases in the observed redshifts of distant galaxies and cannot contain visible objects which are more than a few thousand light years away!

The redshift anomalies predicted are not observed and objects billions and billions of light years away are routinely surveyed and cataloged. General Relativity and the Big Bang as utilized by reality-based mainstream science trumps the hermit hermeneutics endemic to the 'genesis is an incontrovertible history of the universe' claque of credulous YECs.

If you enjoy convoluted and elastic reasoning as an art form, or wish to build a library of classic YEC calumnies and conceits by all means purchase "Starlight and Time" - it is a tendentious treasure. By any other metrics the demon haunted universe is brain dead and so is this book.

For a reality-based look at the cosmos try The First Three Minutes: A Modern View of the Origin of the Universe by Steven Weinberg or Many Worlds in One: The Search for Other Universes by Alex Vilenkin.

A depressing act of desperation.......2007-03-21

My pastor (a great guy) gave this to me when I expressed my skepticism about literal creationism because of the starlight problem. I found this to be a depressing act of desperation. If this is the best that the creationists can come up with - bad science, muddled thinking, and outrageous science fantasy scenarios that can never be tested, it is a very sad commentary on creationists. As far as intellectual integrity goes, this book is disgusting.

Starlight and Time.......2007-02-19

This is a religious book not a science book. If you are a religious believer save your money you don't need this book. If you are looking for science information look for a different book.

Starlight and Storm (Modern Library Exploration)

Average customer rating:

Caution - Can be Addictive
Outstanding Book from Outstanding Climber!
For Alps and Mountaineering Lovers
POETRY IN MOTION...THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE ROPE
One of the classics

Starlight and Storm (Modern Library Exploration)
Gaston Rebuffat
Manufacturer: Modern Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0375755063
Release Date: 1999-09-07

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From the 1920s to the 1950s, the race was on in Europe to score first ascents of the most formidable routes in the Alps and Dolomites. Buoyed by the advent of artificial climbing techniques (primarily the use of pitons), teams from France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Poland scaled the north faces of the Eiger, the Drus, the Matterhorn, the Grandes Jorasses, and other hallowed peaks, often pooling resources to obtain previously unimaginable success (and often tragedy), while the world below was ravaged by two brutal world wars. Noted French climbing guide Gaston Rébuffat lived at the center of this crucial era in mountaineering history. Starlight and Storm, first published in French in 1954 as Étoiles et Tempêtes, is his personal account of a rugged and glorious time before Gore-Tex, when men, soaked and chilled to the bone, sang to keep each other from falling asleep (forever) during exposed bivouacs in sub-zero degree snowstorms. Rébuffat's love of the climber's life is evident with each turn of the page. Where contemporary authors like Jon Krakauer, who provides this reissue's foreword, describe climbing in terms of nightmares and inner struggles, Rébuffat moves from one harrowing ascent to the next with uncommon gaiety and charm. "We have the instinct for it, the love of rocks and the necessary skill," he writes of time spent on the Drus, "so that we can climb without being worried by technical problems. Thus the whole climb was pure joy, for, while superficially watching over the actual ascent, the spirit had leisure to wander happily." The mysterious joy and lure of traversing earth's high places are expressed with a boyish innocence lost on much of today's climbing culture, making Starlight and Storm an enjoyable read, probably unlike any mountaineering journal you have ever encountered. --Kristopher Kaiyala

Customer Reviews:

Caution - Can be Addictive.......2007-02-25

This book changed and energized my life. I picked up Gaston's Starlight and Storm from a used book bin while wandering downtown in DC one night when I was 18 years old. I read it a dozen times that year. And I have been climbing mountains with passion ever since. The book and the man changed my life. A year after reading this, I began to climb, initially at Seneca Rock in West Virginia. Then I moved abroad ultimately climbing in Chamonix over a dozen seasons, all over the UK and Western Europe from the Eiger to the Marmolata, and all over the US for some 50 years now. I've bought and reread all of Gaston's books. I've got pictures of Chamonix with Gaston as the main figure photographed by Pierre Tairraz, the photographer for all his books, in collages on most of the walls in my home. They have been up or years and I'm thought of as a curator of mountain photos. 30 years ago, I met Gaston with his pipe in his mouth looking out over the rising clouds from the Auguille du Midi Hut above Chamonix (just like a photo in this book) and had an opportunity to tell him that Starlight and Storm and the vision he shared of climbing in it had gripped me to the core and changed me while a wandering boy to a life-long world-wide climber and mountaineer...and I thanked him. He was gracious and happy that I had found my love of climbing...just like you would expect. My visit on that occassion was to climb his own route on the Midi. Well, it is later now in time, I've slowly become 66 years old, now living in the mountains of Colorado, but I still have this book on my shelf, so worn, so moving, so brilliant an stirring...the comradeship of the rope ..my friend, my companion, my inspiration. The story of my life, actually. Bon voyage, Gaston. Thanks again for your inspiration.

Outstanding Book from Outstanding Climber!.......2004-02-16

"Starlight and Storm" is one of these rare examples of an outstanding climber who can also write engagingly and with poetic verve!

Rebuffat is unquestionably one of the outstanding climbers of the early post WW II mountaineering in Europe and perhaps the most outstanding French climber of the period. His achievements (first French climb of the Walker Spur of the Grand Jorasses; first French Climb of the north face of Eiger, member of the Anapurna expedition) speak for themselves.

What also sets apart Rebuffat from many others (many climbers write books to underwrite financially their future expeditions or to underscore their achievements) is his joyful, honest and inspired writing. Rebuffat has a real talent to convey beautifully his emotions and leads us masterfully along his fascinating climbs.

This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in mountaineering, and I commend John Krakauer for including it in the new "Exploration" series!

For Alps and Mountaineering Lovers.......2001-05-30

I really liked this book, but I believe one has to be enraptured of the Alps, or the history of mountain climbing, to share my enthusiasm for it. After living in Europe, and continuing to travel there frequently, I find that I am fascinated by the Alps and their history. This book is a pleasant excursion into the Alps for those interested in mountain climbing, but not a travel book, or even much of a story book, although the story is interesting. I find myself comparing old maps to new ones, and relating them to the places I have been. A bit more of a research project than light reading. This book is like watching a documentary, one that airs on public TV for specific audiences, not one on the networks for general consumption. If you are interested in the Alps, or personal stories of mountain climbing you will enjoy this book.

POETRY IN MOTION...THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE ROPE.......2000-09-01

Lyrically written, the author, Gaston Rebuffat, one of the world's climbing greats, expresses such joy for mountaineering that it is infectious. No climbing enthusiast's library should be without this book. The photograph of Rebuffat which graces the cover of this book is alone worth the price of the book.

Rebuffat is positively poetic in his description of various climbs. The reader almost feels as if one were as one with the mountain. A purist, the author climbed not for the glory of it, but for the sheer joy of the brotherhood of the rope. In these days, where climbing is often just a reason for a media event, the author's approach is refreshing, indeed.

One of the classics.......2000-04-21

This is a great book, one of the classics. However, I do agree with the reviewer who complains that there isn't enough stuff about the actual climbing. Not only did Rebuffat do many famous ascents, but he also climbed with the greatest French climbers of his generation, most notably fellow Annapurna expedition members Louis Lachenal and Lionel Terray -- and he basically never mentions them. It is as if Gaston was too humble, and thought no one would be interested -- but we are, we are!

Anyone who enjoys this book needs to run not walk to find Lionel Terray's "Conquistadors of the Useless" which is very sadly out of print in English (although still a mainstay of French climbing literature). Not only do you get great stories of Gaston himself from Terray (including their ill-starred and hysterically funny attempt to run a farm together), but you also get all the blow by blow descriptions you could ever want of the big climbs -- the Walker, the Eiger, etc, -- as done by the legendary Lachenal-Terray rope.

Also, look out for "True Summit" by David Roberts, a new history of the Annapurna expedition which is due to be released later this Spring. And if you read French, try the two hot books in French climbing circles these days: Rebuffat's recently published biography and Louis Lachenal's memoirs ("Carnets du Vertige")

Customer Reviews:

Great Books!!.......2007-08-09

My 7 year old daughter found this series while we were in London this June. Naturally they were a hit since horses and princesses are two of her favorite things. It also helps that there is a little mystery thrown in. She reads them from cover to cover in one sitting. And she often re-reads them when she is finished. The stories are appropriate and interesting and the characters are loveable.

Great series for pony-crazed girls.......2006-11-11

My 7 year old daughter discovered Princess Ellie books this past summer. She is always anxious to hear the next chapter every evening to see how Princess Ellie will solve her lastest problem revolving around ponies (hers or ones that show up in the books). We found this book fun because Princess Ellie is given instuctions how to deal with the press; and she has to figure out how to solve a mystery without breaking too many of her how-princesses-should-act rules.

Forgotten Realms Starlight & Shadows: Gift Set (Daughter of the Drow, Tangled Webs, Windwalker)

Average customer rating:

I've never fell so in love with a series
Fantastic journey from our unpleasant modern reality

Forgotten Realms Starlight & Shadows: Gift Set (Daughter of the Drow, Tangled Webs, Windwalker)
Elaine Cunningham
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0786938161
Release Date: 2005-08-25

Book Description

Beloved series by The New York Times best-selling author Elaine Cunningham is now in a gift set!

This collection of Daughter of the Drow, Tangled Webs, and Windwalker brings together for the first time three magical books about a member of one of the most popular Forgotten Realms races.

Customer Reviews:

I've never fell so in love with a series.......2007-01-09

I read this entire set and was completly blow away. The characters really came to life for me , I would love to see this series made into a movie.Everything you could ask for in a book, adventure,romance, suspense, heartache and humor.I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

Fantastic journey from our unpleasant modern reality.......2006-05-09

Trial Tribulations, plots in Plots, surprise this has them all and the writing style of Elain Cunningham once again tied me to this trilogy until I had finished it, which then prompted me to hunt for more of the same from this author, especially having read all of her earlier works. I hope there is more to come

Daughter of the Drow (Forgotten Realms: Starlight and Shadows, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

Undiscovered Gem!
If you love Drizzt you'll go ape for Liriel!
Great book
Simply Amazing.
Great story

Daughter of the Drow (Forgotten Realms: Starlight and Shadows, Book 1)
Elaine Cunningham
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0786929294
Release Date: 2003-02-01

Book Description

Beautiful as she is deadly, Liriel Baenre flits throught the shadows of Menzoberranzan, city of the dark elves. Amid treachery and murder that are the drow's daily fare, she feels something calling to her ... something beyond this dusky world far removed from the sun. Yet as she ventures toward the surface and the lands of light, enemies pursue her unceasingly.

And one enemy amy offer her the only hope of salvation.

Customer Reviews:

Undiscovered Gem!.......2007-03-07

After several dull Realms adventures, this one proved interesting and fun! When this book was published in 1995, I passed over it thinking how bad the artwork on the cover was! I also thought this was about Dritzz child he left in the underdark. What a mistake! Times changed, as well as the cover art. I began this tale, savoring every page.

Liriel creeps out of the Underdark, and into my heart. She is humorous, curious and dangerous. This is not a rewrite of the original tale of Dritzz, who was aready good, yet trapped in an evil society. Liriel demonstrates many of the evil traits expected of a Drow. Curiosity gets the best of her and catapults her to the surface world. There she meets up with Fyodor, a Rashemi. Trust me, its not an easy partnership.

This story was published when old TSR was at its peak. Hardcovers were being cranked out as well as up to 3 Forgotten Realms titles a month! Quantity, not quality was the problem. Other than a few editing problems, this is written very well. Elaine is in the top 3 of Realms authors, with a distinct feel for the setting, and a potential for liturature! Ironic, despite the fact that the entire series get critically dismissed as being pulpy rubbish.

I have been buying these titles since they went to press in 1987. There have been some really good reads and some stinkers. I have passed up on Harry Potter and its best seller status. These titles are not aimed at a specific audience(young readers). For the most part, these fantasies can be read by anyone 12 or older. The Realms is still a really cool place for me, and always will be as long as really fun reads like this are published!!!

If you love Drizzt you'll go ape for Liriel!.......2006-07-20

This is a great twist/turn on the Drizzt series, but this time it's a GIRL! Wonderful book all the way through to book 3. Must get, must buy!!

Great book.......2005-05-07

I personally loved this book. The only reason I rated it as a four star book was because the first few pages were hard to follow. The beginning, and I mean in the VERY beginning, there is a lot of characters to be introduced. I had to do a bit of back skimming to remember them, but it worked out fine. Its easily followed as soon as you get out of the first few pages of the book. i love the idea of a rebel drow, one who dreams and aspires to have adventure. Liriel is a dynamic character who loves to party, but still has ruthless drow qualities. Fyodor is a simple human feeling simple feelings for this Drow girl, even though he knows the drow are ruthless beings. I highly recommend this book for someone who is patient and can follow a plot. you will get into the very heart of the book and hardly want to put it down.

Simply Amazing........2005-04-10

After years of reading books that simply scream, "Happy, Happy!! Joy, Joy!!" I picked up this book simply because I saw there was a lot of other books that said, "Forgotten Realms," and it seemed to be the first in a series. After reading the first few pages I was in awe. The first pages, describing the Underdark is the best description I have ever read. It slaughters anything written by any other author, including Rowling and Tolkien. The complexity of the characters is astounding. The plot is exciting, and original. This is simply the best book ever written.

Great story.......2004-07-21

This book was my introduction to the Forgotten Realms and I am glad it was! This story, as well as Tangled Webs and Windwalker, were a great start for me for this setting as well as this genre of writing. Liriel is a neat character, and it is a pleasure to watch her develop throughout this series.

Windwalker (Forgotten Realms: Starlight & Shadows)

Average customer rating:

Beyond bad
Main characters not in it as much...
Disappointing, to say the least
Finally, Book 3!
Fitting conclusion to Starligth & Shadows

Windwalker (Forgotten Realms: Starlight & Shadows)
Elaine Cunningham
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0786931841
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Book Description

The long-awaited conclusion to the Starlight & Shadows trilogy is now in paperback.

The release of Windwalker brought to a close a series first begun by New York Times best-selling author Elaine Cunningham ten years ago. Following the recently released recovers of Daughter of the Drow and Tangled Webs, the first two titles in the series, this mass market version features cover art by award-winning fantasy artist Todd Lockwood.

Customer Reviews:

Beyond bad.......2007-04-01

This is the least satisfying conclusion of a trilogy I have ever read. Poorly written with a jumbled plot that was impossible to follow. New characters randomly introduced far too often and not enough development of the characters that I cared about. Many of the plot developments were completely unnecessary and very unsatisfying. I wish I hadn't read this book so that I could have imagined a more satisfying conclusion to the tale.

Main characters not in it as much..........2006-09-10

About 3/4 of the way through this book, I realized that the two main characters had barely been in it! Some new faces and old foes (plus a link to the War of the Spider Queen series) almost take the main stage. While it didn't feel like the stories of the secondary characters were tacked on, if the book had just featured Liriel and Fyodor it would have been much, much shorter. It wasn't bad, but as far as it being the last book in a trilogy, I would've expect more.

Disappointing, to say the least.......2006-09-08

I wasn't overly disappointed in the plot or the characters, despite their inconsistency. It was the writing. This book reads like it was written in about a week. It was rushed, jumbled, and had no depth.

The main story really could have been told in about 150-200 pages. The rest seemed like it was just unnecessary, uninteresting filler. Too many pages were devoted to secondary characters doing nothing that advanced the story, or even helped develop the character or plot. It's as if it was all written on the fly with no forethought or, even worse, afterthought. It reads like it went right from rough draft to release. I really expected more from Elaine Cunningham.

This is a 3 of 3 book so people will naturally buy it, but don't expect to see the effort put forth you saw in book 1.

If you're a big Liriel fan go get it and get your fix. If you're looking for the layers and intrigue of a good drow book, move on. You're going to be sorely disappointed.

Finally, Book 3!.......2006-07-20

Not as strong as the first two books, but if you already bought the first two, might as well complete the series and buy book 3! Don't get me wrong, it isn't terrible!! But do know that if you don't get it, you'll miss out on the surprise ending that you never saw coming, or at least I didn't see it coming!! You won't be disappointed.

Fitting conclusion to Starligth & Shadows.......2006-03-23

When I read the other reviews about this book, I realize that the ratings cover the whole range from one to five stars. I also realize why this is the case... But starting at the beginning:
I liked Windwalker very much. It took me some time to get my hands on the paperback version, so my reading of the first two parts was a few years back and I started out rereading Tangled Webs to get into the story again. And Mrs Cunningham picked up exactly where she left off, with fast paced action and the characters I've so grown to like, adding two more characters (Sharlarra and Thorn) who might merit novels of their own.
I also enjoyed the part of the story spent on examining the relationship between Liriel and her former patron godess Lolth. I think no other realms author has so far gone into this much detail about a priestess forsaking her godess.
The far reaching effects Liriel's carving of the rune had on all the drow were an interesting twist, though I'd have liked it even better if there had been some explanation as to why the change was so far reaching. Also I'd expect such a change to be taken up in other novels as well, though so far I haven't noticed anything in other novels (I haven't read the War of the Spider Queen series yet, though...)
I can see why some might be put off by the book though:
The ending is a bit unusual, both in the swiftness of the final battle and in the death of a main character. For my part, I found it refreshing to read a final battle where there isn't a Phyrrus victory at the end, but a clear and decisive one. Many FR authors seem to go on the basis, that if there haven't been dozens (or hundreds - depending on the scope of the novel) deaths, the enemies were not threatening enough. Also the death of Fyodor, though sad, was somehow fitting and a good conclusion to the series. Having recently read Hand of Fire - one of the worst FR-novels in my opinion - Windwalker was a breath of fresh air.
I didn't miss the final showdown between Liriel and Shakti. The way it went added a surprising twist to Shakti's character and anyway, a spellbattle would have been ridiculous considering that moments before Liriel had no spells left to fling at Gorlist.
All that said, I still have some peeves about this book. For one, the book could have done without some of the cameos Qilué, Laeral, Sylune and Khelben were part of the story, but putting in Dove, Alustriel and the other seven was in no way related to the story.
Even Danilo - much as I like him and enjoyed Sahrlarra's fight with his sword - didn't add much to the story.
Someone mentioned the misspellings of some canon names before (Laerel instead of Laeral). Suchlike simply should not happen!
Finally I think the death of Quilué's lover is a bit of a retcon, as I think he was alive at the end of DotD.
I'm looking forward to the next novel by Mrs Cunningham, though I strongly suspect it won't be about Liriel...

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