Starscape Books - Page 4

Dogland

Will Shetterly

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A rich, complex, thought-provoking look at race relations. 5 out of 5 stars.
15 of 15 people found this review helpful.

An avid reader, I can nonetheless say this is the most rewarding book I've read in quite some time. From the book jacket description, I expected a simple tale about a family establishing a tourist attraction. What I got, however, was an enormously rich and complex look at race relations in the American South at the beginning of the 1960s. The narrator, an adult retelling events perceived as a child, presents the story in a magical way that is innocent and yet wise. The rest of the ensemble are as skillfully drawn; no character is entirely black or white (in terms of character or race), rendering them believable and thought-provoking. It's not every day one finds an author with the ability to develop such characters.

Issues are introduced by events that are conveyed in just enough detail to make you put the book down for a while and consider them. Add to that a hint of fantasy and supernatural, and you're left with a book that leads your mind beyond the boundaries of its covers. As I read the last page, my first instinct was to turn the book over and begin reading it again.

Editorial Review:

The Nix family has arrived.

And Latchahie County will never be the same.

In an effort at improving his family's lot, the Nixes have moved to rural Florida to open Dogland: a combination zoo, restaurant and motel. But it isn't long before Nix and his clan of eccentric supporters run afoul of unsympathetic locals.

The problem? Luke Nix has hired Ethorne Hawkins.

Hawkins is black. And it's 1959.

Greyfax Grimwald: The Circle of Light, Book 1

Niel Hancock

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

How bad can it be? I'll tell you! 1 out of 5 stars.
5 of 15 people found this review helpful.

I was amazed...but NOT because of wondrous creatures or magical places like Tolkien described. I laughed aloud...but not because these books shared the humor of Piers Anthony. I was stunned...but not because of any similarity to the vivid descriptive ability of Anne McCaffrey.

No, all these reactions were from reading the inane Circle of Light, a sloppy, un-believable, barely disguised excuse of a fantasy series (The unimaginative Arkenchest name, practically stolen from The Hobbit's Arkenstone, is just one example of this tacky, nearly criminally plagiaristic atrocity). I read this junk because it was so laughably stupid, and in this it was sickeningly entertaining. My sister and I spent hours joking about this horrific series.

As for my reactions:

I was amazed that this stuff was published.

I laughed aloud at the ludicrous plot and scenes (Elves and dwarves lobbing hand grenades and shooting rifles is just...weird...ok?)

I was stunned that it sold so well (this trilogy came out right after the explosion in popularity in Tolkien's books in the '80's - pure luck riding a wave of ravenous readers who couldn't get enough of fantasy stories)

I admit this review is rather harsh, and maybe some of you like these books, and that's fine by me. However, I think interested readers unfamiliar with this series would do better with other fantasy works.

Editorial Review:

Welcome to Atlanton Earth!

Drawn together by an enchanted summons, three loyal friends-Bear, Dwarf, and Otter-bid farewell to their fair home in the kingdom of Lorini and embark on a magical journey to the fabled World Beyond Time.
A place where glows the ageless Circle of Light.
Along the way they meet many marvelous friends, including the mighty wizard
Greyfax Grimwald.
But little does the trio realize the dangers that await them: the gloomy border of
the Northerland ... the green fires of the Palace of Darkness...evil spells and dark enchantments ... the dread city of Humans and-most fearsome of all-the evil Dark Queen.

Obernewtyn (Obernewtyn Chronicles)

Isobelle Carmody

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 62 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great read.....(I read the Starscape young adult version) 4 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Obernewtyn is the first in a series of books written by award-winning Australian writer Isobelle Carmody. It is a postapocalyptic story set on an earth in which many children are born with enhanced mental abilities.
Those with these abilities are termed Misfits and are sought for either extermination or service in Obernewtyn. The story follows Elspeth Gordie, a young girl with the gift to read minds and communicate with animals. Discovery of her powers by members of the Council lead to banishment to Obernewtyn where Elspeth must learn to control her powers in order to save her friends, and herself, from the evil being wrought there.

Ms. Carmody's books have just recently made their way across the shores and are among a number of books that are following a recent trend: being printed unabridged in both children's and adult versions. My initial impression was that the book was slow but by the time I finished the first chapter I was really into the story and finished the book in a day. The story moves along at a pace that keeps you interested in what is about to happen without being overwhelming. Ms. Carmody allows the reader to get to know her characters in such a way that you are interested in their respective fates. This is an appropriate story for children aged 10 and above but is by no means a "kid's" story. I believe that the success of the Harry Potter novels has encouraged publishers to market books like the Obernewtyn Chronicles to children as well as adults. I would give the book 4 and 1/2 out of 5 stars...

Editorial Review:

The Obernewtyn Chronicles - Book One

For Elspeth Gordie freedom is-like so much else after the Great White-a memory.

It was a time known as the Age of Chaos. In a final explosive flash everything was destroyed. The few who survived banded together and formed a Council for protection. But people like Elspeth-mysteriously born with powerful mental abilities-are feared by the Council and hunted down like animals...to be destroyed.

Her only hope for survival to is keep her power hidden. But is secrecy enough against the terrible power of the Council?

Steel Magic: The Magic Books #1

Andre Norton

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Soft "Magic" 3 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Starscape Books starts off a new reprint series, the "Magic Books" by the late Andre Norton, called that because each book has the word "Magic" in the title. The first in that series, "Steel Magic," is a charming and imaginative book, though it's too fast-moving for its own good.

While vacationing with their uncle, the three Lowery children go on a picnic, and decide to explore the local woodlands. They find a minature castle, creep past a wall -- and find themselves in an unfamiliar world. They promptly bump into the legendary Huon of the Horn, who tells them that they are in the magical land of Avalon. Merlin and Arthur are also there.

And that's where the problems are. Three magical items have been stolen: Huon's horn, Merlin's ring, and Arthur's sword. Evidently Greg, Eric, and Sara are destined to find these three things. And so they set out on three separate quests, battling the dark forces on Avalon with only a steel knife, fork and spoon...

Andre Norton spins up the feeling of a classic in "Steel Magic," adding heft doses of myth, legend and classic Arthuriana to your basic good-vs-evil battle. It's got Norton's detailed writing, a unique setting, and a shriveling spin on the idea that certain metals (like steel) will destroy fey creatures. It's a brilliant, and rather funny, application.

The only problem is that the book feels like abridged version of the realm thing. All the quests seem to take about half an hour; the kids barely arrive in Avalon before they are shuttled off to do battle. Avalon is bursting with potential for exploration, and we get a day trip that ends all too quickly.

Despite this, the climactic clash between good and evil shows Norton's considerable skills at their best. Arthur and Merlin have very brief cameos, but much of the attention is on the admittedly charming Huon and the courageous lead trio, who are reminiscent of the plucky, stout-hearted kids in books like the Narnia series.

While it feels like it's set on fast-forward, with no breathing breaks, "Steel Magic" is still a charming, enchanting little magical book, and at times shows Norton's skill at its peak.

Editorial Review:

A final stand for Avalon...
Sara, Greg, and Eric Lowry are exploring the woods near their uncle's Hudson Valley estate when they are magically transported to the land of Avalon. There they meet Huon, Warden of the West. When he tells them that the forces of darkness have stolen the three talismans that protect Avalon-King Arthur's sword, Excalibur; Merlin's ring; and Huon's horn-the children set off on a quest to find the three tokens of power. For Avalon stands as a wall between the Dark and the mortal world. And if Avalon falls, so does Earth....

Red Unicorn (Starscape)

Tanith Lee

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The Grand Finale 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.

After many adventures and a few heartbreaks, Tanaquil returns home to her mother's fortress in the desert only to find that everything has changed. Tanaquil's mother has fallen in love and, if she spent little time with Tanaquil before, she spends none with her now. Tanaquil is considering moving on when adventure comes for her in the shape of a red unicorn...

The red unicorn leads Tanaquil into a world that mirrors her own. Everyone she knows and loves is in this world...even she is here in the form of a princess named Tanakil. But everything here is opposite. The sky is green, wolves eat nuts, and everyone that is evil in Tanaquil's world is good here... and vice versa.

Can Tanaquil stop her evil twin Tanakil before she does the unthinkable and murders her own sister? And will Tanaquil ever be able to return to her own world? And, more importantly, if she does, will Tanaquil have the courage to tell her half-sister the awful truth...that Tanaquil is in love with her half-sister's future husband? How could such a tangled story have a happy ending...you may be surprised.

This is the last book in the trilogy that also contains Black Unicorn and Red Unicorn. All three books are wonderful, but this one is by far the best. I highly recommend them all.

Editorial Review:

The enchanting, magical sequel to The Black Unicorn and The Gold Unicorn!

After several years traveling, Tanaquil — a sorceress like her mother with the ability to mend — returns home only to discover that her true love has been betrothed to her sister, Empress Lizra. Broken-hearted and jealous of her sister’s happiness, Tanaquil is lured by a red unicorn into a mirror world where she encounters Tanakil, a diabolical version of herself.

She discovers also several new powers. Powers she will need to foil Tanakil’s sinister plot of revenge.

Song In The Silence: The Tale of Lanen Kaelar

Elizabeth Kerner

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 103 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Refreshing Dip Into the World of Fantasy 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This story was a refreshing dip into the world of Fantasy. Armed with an arsenal of beautifully structured prose, author Elizabeth Kerner paints an imaginative portrait of a medieval fantasy world in which the reader gets to know, love, and hate the enchanting band of main characters.

`Song in the Silence' is the introductory story of our heroine Lanen Kaelar. We follow Lanen through a brisk tale of her younger years growing up with a loveless, overprotective father on his horse farm. Through the lonely years of her youth, our heroine's singular and unyielding dream is to travel to the Isle of the Dragons to see if true Dragons do exist (true Dragons being house-sized sentient beasts with their own society and laws) and hoping to reunite both Dragons (Kantri) and Humans (Gedri) in a peaceful union for the first time in thousands of years. Our tale truly begins after Lanen's father, Hadron, passes away, leaving Lanen his legacy (Hadronsstead). Now free of her father's sheltering grasp, Lanen is able and eager to follow her dreams. During a fair in Illara (which is also Lanen's first time visiting the city and her first time being that far from Hadronsstead) in which Lanen and Jamie (lifelong friend, mentor, and farmhand) sell the horses raised the prior year, Lanen learns of a Harvest ship leaving this year for the Isle of the Dragons to harvest the coveted lansip leaves.

Shortly thereafter, Lanen travels to Corli and joins the harvest crew, and we proceed on a perilous voyage to a far away land in search of riches, dreams, and of course, Dragons. The events that unfold hereafter are wickedly engaging. The author paints perfect portraits in your mind of the land, people, bestiary and scenes while keeping you enraptured with this enticing plot.

One of my favorite elements about this book, perhaps, was the fact that we receive the tale in first person, multiple perspectives. Our story starts off from Lanen's point of view, but later shifts from character to character, giving you a better view into each character's perspective and thoughts (without confusing the reader). The author manages to pull this off with remarkable grace and fluidity, and it adds a depth to the story that would otherwise be a barren wonderment.

This story contains an original world, and interesting heroine, vastly deviant villain, and of course, noble and wondrous hero which captured my own heart. It was easy to conjure each scene, rich and vibrant within my imagination. This was a story I could not put down, have already passed on to several friends, and am awaiting book two The Lesser Kindred (Tor Fantasy) to arrive in the mail.

Editorial Review:

American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults
VOYA Best Science Fiction & Fantasy selection

Lanen Kaelar has dreamed of dragons all her life. But not just dreaming, for Lanen believes in dragons.

Her family mocks her that dragons are just a silly myth. A legend. But Lanen knows better. And she means to prove it. One day she sets out on a dangerous voyage to the remote West to find the land of the True Dragons.

What she discovers is a land of real dragons more beautiful-and surprising-than any dream she could have imagined.

Faragon Fairingay: The Circle of Light, Book 2

Niel Hancock

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

It Left A Great Deal To Look Forward Too! 4 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

After I picked up Faragon Fairingay up at the bookstore, I was very happy to find how well it picked up right where the mayhem in the previous book (Greyfax Grimwald) left off. This book doesn't let up the awesome plot and story line that the series began with in the first book. Now, in Faragon Fairingay, the main trio, the Bear, Dwarf, and Otter, set off once again. They leave the safe confines of the enchanted palace of Cypher on Atlanton Earth under the guidance of a young wizard named Faragon Fairingay. Their goal is to protect the Arkenchest, which has the power to defeat the destructive Dark Queen, Dorini. The three companions must cross the boundary River between Atlanton Earth and the Meadows of the Sun called Calix Stay to bring the Arkenchest to safety from the evils of Dorini. However, along the way through treacherous plains and forests long before they can consider themselves safe. With the aid of Faragon Fairingay's magical workings, the three companions attempt to brave Dorini's dark armies and fearsome creatures to protect the Arkenchest. The odds are growing against the good guys and their time is running short. In conclusion, the book was awesome and it left me in suspense for the third follow-up in the series (Calix Stay), and it gave me a greater appreciation for the struggles that the trio had to endure in their quest to protect the fate of Atlanton Earth. My only beef with it was the fact that this book (like the rest in the series) seem underappreciated and they're out of print too, so they're probably hard to come by. Though, the search for them is totally worth it :)

Editorial Review:

Welcome to Atlanton Earth!

In this second spellbinding adventure that began with Greyfax Grimwald, friends Bear, Dwarf, and Otter are joined by Faragon Fairingay, the valiant young warrior. Sent to Lower Earth at the request of Lorini, the Lady of Light, the four allies embark on a fateful quest in search for the legendary Arkenchest and its vital Five Secrets.

Never before has the trio of friends ventured so far--and risked so much--for so glorious a prize.

Squaring the Circle: The Circle of Light, Book 4

Niel Hancock

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Volume 4; worthy conclusion 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Volume four takes the heroes through more fights and battles to a final showdown with the villains and a resolution of what they've been fighting for. A worthy conclusion to a great philosophic adventure.

At Long Last, The Conclusion Everyone Deserves. 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

"Squaring the Circle" is set in a climatic atmosphere and brings together many of the characters and events from the first three books in "The Circle of Light" series together in the ultimate confrontation between the Forces of Light and the Darkness of Queen Dorini. Bear, Dwarf, and Otter must make their final stand against Dorini themselves with the fate of Atlanton Earth in the balance. Though, they won't face her alone, because they've found allies among Elves, Dwarves, Animals, and powerful wizards like Greyfax Grimwald and Faragon Fairingay, willing to help them defeat the destructive Dorini once and for all. The final battles and encounters are enchanting and full of magic and mystery. Many friends are reunited and many enemies are brought to justice as well. The conclusion is awesome, though a little sad in my opinion, but it's expected at the end of a such a great series. Please read these as well as the whole series, because even if it's not your favorite series, it will be very hard to forget!

Editorial Review:

Welcome to Atlanton Earth!

Dorini, the Dark Queen, seeks the Arkenchest and its Five Secrets--a source of unlimited power. Can Greyfax Grimwald, Faragon Fairingay, Dwarf, Otter, and Bear--the faithful followers of the Lady of Light--keep the Chest from Dorini's grasp? Or will the world of Atlanton Earth be plunged into darkness forever?

The Hunt Begins: The Great Hunt, Part 1 (The Wheel of Time, Book 2, Part 1)

Robert Jordan

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Relax People! 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 10 people found this review helpful.

I'm getting tired of hearing everyone whine and complain about this series. Put simply the Wheel of Time books are amazing. If you have the time and are interested in reading them, you should.

That said, this book is the first half of the second novel. While some people may see this as a huge corrupt money-making scheme, this is actually a good idea. Many people turn away in horror when they see a novel that is longer than a couple hundred pages. Printing the books like this makes it easier for the story to spread and gain popularity because more people will be willing to read it. And everyone who read the second novel already and was foolish enough to buy this because they got excited when they saw another Wheel of Time product, stop whining, it was your own fault.

I understand why people are frustrated that RJ has not yet completed the series, however, everyone just has to relax. RJ has written 11 novels of this series already as well as a prequel. Hopefully he will finish the series sometime but everyone should stop complaining and realize that RJ has already given us a great gift and he'll finish it when he has nothing left to say. Be thankful for the long novels you've gotten already. I've been happy with every one.

Thank you,
Maxximus

Editorial Review:

This magical tale "will not be easy to put down," raved Booklist. "The Great Hunt suggests that [The Wheel of Time] will be the definitive exploration of Tolkien's territory for many years to come. Jordan can spin as rich a world and as event-filled a tale as the master."

Since they were boys, Rand and his friends have heard the tales of the Great Hunt of the Horn. Fabulous tales of hunters and of a legendary horn that can raise the dead heroes of the ages.

But no sooner is the horn found then it is stolen.

And Rand begins a quest to find the horn. It's "a grippping story," according to VOYA. "Recommended."

The Web: Lightstorm (Web Series 1)

Peter F. Hamilton

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Action-packed page-turner 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

In the year 2027, thirteen-year-old Aynsley and his VR gaming friends suspect a power company of creating a series of mysterious lightstorms. Using the Web (an evolved form of the Internet), the friends crack the power company's security, only to learn that the power company can do the same thing to them, in turn. (M/RR) Part of a multi-authored series published in 1997-98, LIGHTSTORM is an action-packed page-turner for readers who like high-interest plots.

Editorial Review:

Welcome to the infinite worlds of The Web
Ghostly lights out on the marsh have been the subject of tales and rumors for as long as anyone can remember. Thirteen-year-old Aynsley suspects that the "lightstorms" are connected to a problem at the nearby power company. The company is trying to keep it a secret, but someone in authority needs to be told--and Aynsley is the one to do it. With the help of a network of friends across the world, Aynsley knows he just might be able to use The Web to get past the company security to find out exactly what's going on. But the Web works both ways. If Aynsley can get to the company, then the company can get to him. And the company has a way of dealing with intruders....