( S ) Books - Page 12

Isard's Revenge (Star Wars: X-Wing Series, Book 8)

Michael A. Stackpole

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 117 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Sleek, swift and deadly, the famed X-Wing fighters have earned their reputation as the Rebel Alliance's ultimate strike force the hard way--first in battle, the last line of defense. Now they must make a deal with the devil herself--an enemy whose ultimate goal is their total annihilation.

It's the kind of mission only Wedge Antilles and the Rogue Squadron would dare to undertake. Against impossible odds they will stage a daring raid into an enemy stronghold--only to be rescued from certain destruction by an unexpected ally.

Ysanne Isard, the ruthless Imperial commander, has appeared on the scene seemingly from out of nowhere. Now she proposes a most unusual alliance, offering to help Wedge rescue his captured comrades from Imperial Warlord Admiral Krennel's sadistic prison camp.

But her offer is not without a price. Wedge must lead Rogue Squadron in Isard's deadly struggle against an enemy made in her own image. It's an offer Wedge would love to refuse, for Isard is certain to betray them. But how can they leave their comrades at Krennel's mercy? The answer is: they can't--even if it means being caught between Krennel's ruthlessness and Isard's treachery.

Servant of the Shard (Forgotten Realms: The Sellswords, Book 1)

R. A. Salvatore

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Artemis Entreri and Jarlaxle -- how can you go wrong? 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I bought the whole Sellswords in a set ... this was before I knew that "Servant of the Shard" was actually one of the Drizzt books and I already owned it! Oh, well, it looks good and I needed to re-read it anyway.
I'm only on Book II but if you've read any Salvatore you know that you can always count on an exciting read. The comedy aspects of his writings have never gotten much play, but I've laughed more in these books than in any of the Drizzt (and related characters) saga. Jarlaxle in particular is written with many a good zinger in there. Very entertaining.
Anyway, your travels with Drizzt are not complete unless you read the Sellswords. (Artemis Entreri is one of my favorite anti-heroes. What would Freud have said with him on the couch?) Colorful, exciting, great characters ... highly recommended.

Editorial Review:

A new series from New York Times bestselling author R.A. Salvatore!

This book brings two familiar characters into the limelight for the first time! Jarlaxle, a dark elf assassin, and Artemis Entreri, a human assassin, work together and against each other in Calimport. Their conflict is intensified by the influence of the Crystal Shard, a malevolent artifact that has been raousing trouble in the Forgotten Realms world since its introduction in The Crystal Shard.

Transcendence (The Second DemonWars Saga, Book 2)

R.A. Salvatore

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

It is the summer of 839. Brave and beautiful Brynn Dharielle sets out on a daring mission to free her beloved homeland from tyrannical rule. But she cannot imagine the depth of chaos, corruption, and betrayal that seethes admist a ruthless sect of warrior priests, led and manipulated by an evil chieftain who conceals a dark, age-old secret.

For Brynn and her trusted elven companion, the way to Behren turns into a fierce and illuminating voyage beneath the Belt-and-Buckle mountains. And while they face many dangers, the knowledge they acquire will have profound implications for the future of the elven valley, a land shaped by the plotting of a queen desperate to hold onto her magic.

Meanwhile, by the time Brynn reaches the land where she once saw her parents murdered, the seeds of revolution are already flourishing. For a courageous young woman and her elven mentor, the first salvo of a sweeping battle has begun–one that will threaten to destroy the heart and soul of their world.

The eagerly anticipated new novel in R. A. Salvatore’s Second DemonWars saga, Transcendence is an extraordinary adventure that introduces a remarkable new hero–and explores the mysteries of enlightenment and the art of war . . . in a dazzling epic of the imagination.

The Maps of Tolkien's Middle-Earth

Brian Sibley, J.R.R. Tolkien

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Good but not great 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Four maps are included: Wilderland, Middle-Earth, Beleriand and Numenor. Also included is a book (80 pages) with a brief background and then listings of most locations on the map with one or two sentences about each.

The maps are 28 by 28 with about 6 inches of paintings around the edges thus leaving the map itself relatively small. For example the Middle Earth map itself is only 19" x 16". Unfortunately they are also folded, thus reducing the potential value of displaying them on your wall as art.

This is definitely a very nice product, but it could have been better if the map portion was actually larger and more detail such as that available in "Atlas of Middle Earth" was used.

Editorial Review:

Best-selling Tolkien expert Brian Sibley (The Lord of the Rings: The Making of the Movie Trilogy and The Lord of the Rings Official Movie Guide) presents a slipcased collection of four full-color, large-format maps of Tolkien's imaginary realm illustrated by John Howe, a conceptual designer for the blockbuster films directed by Peter Jackson. The set includes a hardcover book describing in detail the importance and evolution of geography within Tolkien's epic fiction and four color maps presented with minimal folds, including two (Beleriand and Númenor) never before published in this country.

The Grand Tour

Patricia C. Wrede, Caroline Stevermer

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 31 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Who's up for round two? 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I was shocked to find this book on my weekly bookstore wanderings. I had no idea these imaginitive writers planned on another adventure and I immediately snatched it to see what Kate and Cecy were up to now. I confess this book was not as good as the first, but well worth the time to read. The first book interested me to the point that I could not put it down however, the second seemed to lag on a bit. Despite its minor flaws, I loved it. The character development and the Grand Tour in general was magical. After reading Grand Tour I did not expect a third, but there was one. I could not help myself. It is like going to a highschool reunion every time I see another of Wrede and Stevermer's books on the shelves.

Editorial Review:

Kate and Cecy and their new husbands, Thomas and James, are off on a leisurely tour of the Continent. But once they arrive in France, strange things start to happen. Cecy receives a mysterious package, Thomas's valet is assaulted, and Kate loses a glove. Soon it becomes clear that the newlyweds have stumbled upon a magical plot to take over Europe, and they must embark on a daring chase to thwart the evil conspiracy. There's likely more trouble ahead--for when you mix Kate and Cecy and magic, who knows what's going to happen next!

Ice, Iron And Gold

S.M. Stirling

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A must for Stirling fans 4 out of 5 stars.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.

This is a collection of thirteen stories only one, a detective procedural set the "Dies the Fire" universe is new. Three are Bolo stories that form connected narrative. All are enjoyable showcasing Stirling's depth of research and background. Two are outstanding: "The Apotheosis of Martin Padway" which percisely that and contiues the story of deCamp's "Lest Darkness Fall" trumphally and "The Charge of Lee's Brigade" a rewrite of the Charge of the Light Brigade with Robert E. Lee improving the result.

Editorial Review:

New York Times best-selling Author S. M. Stirling's first collection gathers his most interesting and evocative short stories, drawn from the length of his professional career. More than 100,000 words of fiction, including an original story, make this book a must for fans of Stirling's work. Whether Stirling is exploring alternate histories, chronicling military sf exploits, or off-kilter contemporary settings, his insightful characterizations and compelling plots are distinct and memorable.

Spearwielder's Tale: The Woods out Back / The Dragon's Dagger / Dragonslayer's Return)

R. A. Salvatore

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

A great lighter read from Salvatore 4 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

If you've read Salvatore, you probably expect a lot of over-the-top acrobatics in the fight scenes, characters whom are developed through hundreds of pages, and a world that draws you in and never lets go. Spearwielder's Tale has all of these but not to the point of over-doing it so younger readers won't feel overwhelmed by the atmosphere or the depth at the beginning. However, by the end, there may just be another fantasy lover in the world!

If you're expecting a hero as complex as Drizzt, then you're in for a surprise! Gary Ledger, the "Spearwielder," is an unintentional hero who is taken to the land of Faerie from a "gate" outside his home. There, he learns about his role in the world and learns about himself all while "saving the world!" His development is not nearly as deep as Drizzt but then again, he spends most of the books in a land he is unfamiliar with and has little time to develop his past, his full value structure, nor his plans for the future. But, throughout the story, there is enough development for any avid reader to not be asking themselves "why?" certain things are done by the character; a welcome departure from the Drizzt series, I must say.

There is light humor throughout and it isn't distracting in the least as it comes at points in the story when there needs to be a bit of humor. Like Salvatore's Drizzt series, the book is not a laugh a minute by any means but it will keep you in good spirits and repeating the phrase "heeland coos" for a while!

One small note of caution on language: There is a single word that some parents of younger children may not want them reading. It begins with an "S" and is only said twice if memory serves. Other than that, there are a few points that the characters start to curse but are stopped by various means (nothing overly vulgar). If any of these things bother you, you may want to preview the book for your children. But let me say that the context of these are all in a humorous fashion and do not detract in the least from the overall story and any child age 12 and up should have no problems reading this. And almost every "PG" movie has worse language and situations than Spearwielder!

Overall, this is a great read. The Trilogy books each end at a great point but you will always want to keep reading so the "easy pace" you impose on yourself may not be able to be kept! A book per day is the pace I read it at and I could see having read it much faster if I'd had the time. Light? Yes. Worth the read? Very much so!

Editorial Review:

Set in an enchanted world one step from reality, R.A. Salvatore's Spearwielder's trilogy follows the adventures of Gary Leger, who stumbles into a realm of elves and dwarves, witches and dragons-and takes up the magical spear of the land's lost hero.

Now, together for the first time in one collectible volume, these three novels showcase the very best of fantasy and adventure-the very best of R.A. Salvatore.

Featuring:

The Woods Out Back
The Dragon's Dagger
Dragonslayer's Return

Schismatrix Plus

Bruce Sterling

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 37 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Includes The Novel Schismatrix And (Plus) All Related Stories, 2-1/2 Stars 2 out of 5 stars.
8 of 13 people found this review helpful.

I really wanted to like this novel. It had a clever name, an amalgamation of the Great Schism that separate Catholicism and Protestantism, and Matrix, like the movie with the same title. (Note: the novel is pronounced Shiz-mat-rix, with a short a, rhymes with schematics). A classic cyberpunk title. However, this novel is anything but user-friendly. I don't know if pharmaceuticals are needed for appreciating this novel, or if the author used them when frantically writing, in between vacuuming the roof of his house and such. The novel moves at such a frantic pace that within one sentence the entire setting can change and this happens more than a few times. It's difficult to know the point of the plot; perhaps that life is worth living. The novel is a cross between Heinlein's Time Enough For Love, Bester's The Stars My Destination, and petting a sea urchin.

In a shocking act of consideration, the publishers have included all of Sterling stories related to the Shaper-Mechanist War. That would be the full length novel, plus five stories. The stories were written before the novel, which was the order I read them in, although after reading the novel last, I can't say whether or not to recommend reading in that order. The stories are interesting and enjoyable. In fact Sterling seems to excel with his short stories. His story "Flowers of Edo" is where I got interested in his style. I would recommend his short stories, but this novel is another matter.

Humanity has balkanized into a number of factions, with the Shapers and Mechanists being the most powerful. The Shapers have reshaped their bodies genetically. This includes such drastic things as replacing all the E. Coli in their intestines with enzymes. The Mechanists are like the Borg of Star Trek, they use mechanical prosthetics to enhance themselves. If you think the Mechanists are the cleaner of the two, think again. Cockroaches and bacteria are prevalent in Mechanist environments. Every five years the Mechanists need to have the bacterial growth scraped and UV-burned off their skin. That's one thing prevalent throughout his writings, this sort of creepiness. Expect more of it.

However, don't let the war make you think this is some majestic good vs. evil epic space war. Battles are mostly low key. There is lot's of narration and dialog. Sterling self-claims his crammed prose. No kidding. Adjectives rule supreme in this novel; as many as possible are crammed into each sentence. If one would do a histogram of adjectives, this novel would be on the far right tail of the bell curve. Here's an excerpt: " He always wore his spacesuit, [something something], and [multiple length modifiers] body odor came through its [multiple adjectives] collar with [multiple adjectives] pungency." Sentences like this go on and on and on and on and on and on and on throughout the novel. And there's no shortage of hyphenated words, like long-fermented, eye-watering. On one page, there were no less than 11 hyphenated words, plus one triple one.

Similar to the prosthetics of the Borg, the sentences themselves seem interchangeable. Here's another excerpt of a dialogue:
"What was your brigade?
I'm no Cataclyst.
I have your weapon here.
Constantine pulled a ... vial from his ... jacket ..."
You may as well interchange your own sentences: `The tree fell in the forest; it made no sound' or `the space ship went into orbit; it's boots were muddy.' Give it a try. It'll make as much sense.

There are times when the novel seems profound. I would find myself backtracking at times to understand some point, and I would go back 5, then 10, then 20 pages to try to understand something and would just give up and go back to where I was. It's hard to say you read this novel, it's more like your eyes glance over the words, and on occasion you absorb some of it. Since the novel fluctuates from the profound to the mundane an average of 2-1/2 stars seemed appropriate.

Editorial Review:

From the pioneer of crucial, cutting-edge science fiction comes the stunning world of the Schismatrix, where Shaper revolutionaries struggle against aristocratic Mechanists for ultimate control of human destiny.

The Thirteenth House (The Twelve Houses, Book 2)

Sharon Shinn

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 25 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Publishers Weekly Review: 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The shape-shifter Kirra aids in the rescue of Lord Romar Brendyn, kidnapped by the minor lords before she returns to her home where she learns that her half-sister Casserah has been appointed heir to House Danalustrous. Restless Kirra needs a break at the start of bestseller Shinn's outstanding second novel in her Twelve Houses series (after 2004's Mystic and Rider). Kirra's younger sister, Casserah, provides her one. The newly titled Casserah is supposed to appear at the summer parties thrown by major lords of Gillengaria, but she could care less. Assuming Casserah's form, Kirra sets out on the social circuit in her stead to learn more about the nobles plotting to overthrow the king. Kirra finds herself falling in love with the already married Lord Romar, regent to the princess Amalies. Instead of taking the side of the ostensibly oppressed, Shinn dares to be a royalist, though not without sympathy to the underclasses. She brings back Kirra's companions from Mystic and Rider, adds several enjoyable new characters and paints their journey with a lyrical grace and deep appreciation of camaraderie reminiscent of Diane Duane at her best. I am also reminded of Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar series. Only the one-dimensional villain (always Shinn's weakest point) and the forehead-slapping stupidity of the infatuated lovers mar this superior fantasy series. (Mar.) --Staff (Reviewed January 9, 2006) (Publishers Weekly, vol 253, issue 2, p36)

Editorial Review:

After joining an unlikely band of soldiers and sorcerers to rescue the kidnapped regent Romar Brendan, the shiftling Kirra returns home to learn that her half-sister, Casserah, has been proclaimed heir to the land. But when Casserah refuses to go on a social tour of great Houses, Kirra shifts into her sister's form and makes the rounds-during which she unexpectedly encounters her former compatriots. The motley group of mystics and warriors faces many dangers-and Kirra places herself in peril when she falls in love with the married Lord Romar. Revealing her true identity to him, Kirra begins a tempestuous affair that places them both in mortal danger, and leads them both into the stronghold of the devious lords of the Thirteenth House...

The Spine of the World (Forgotten Realms: Paths of Darkness, Book 2)

R. A. Salvatore

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 166 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Mediocre 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is the tale of Wulfgar coming to terms with his inner demons after his six-year stint under the tortuous Erttu. Drizzt and Co. are not in this book even briefly. The main storyline of the Crystal Shard and Jarlaxle is set aside for this story, so you don't get much as far as overall progression here. Maybe Salvatore felt guilty about leaving Wulfgar out of so much of the Legacy series that he figured he needed a whole book of his own. Some parts of the book are great, but this one just doesn't have the magic of the earlier Drizzt books.

The story consists of two separate plot-lines that briefly come together near the end of the book. Wulfgar and Morik (who develops nicely here) are framed, get beat, leave Luskan, fight, are framed, get beat, and so on. The other story was actually the more intriguing to me. It involves characters that we've never met before and their emotional wrangling. A hi-bred lord courts a lowly peasant (Meralda), who goes along with it for her family's sake but makes a big mistake in getting knocked up by another man. The two stories come together in an unpredictable way that results in a hugely surprising and satisfying ending.

Overall, this book is disappointing but can't be avoided if you're reading the whole series.

Editorial Review:

The Road to Redemption

Even the brutal streets of a treacherous city can't hide a tortured soul forever.

The barbarian Wulfgar sets upon a dangerous path toward redemption when and old friend finds him in the city of Luskan. Wulfgar's journey twists up the windswept peaks of the Spine of the World. He will persevere, for at the end lies his most prized possession -- the life he thought he'd lost forever.

Contains 16 pages of roleplaying game rules base on The Spine of the World.