Series Books

Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4)

Stephenie Meyer

Amazon Price: $13.79 List Price: $22.99 Not yet published By: Little, Brown Young Readers

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror -> Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Series
Subjects -> Teens -> Literature & Fiction -> Love & Romance

Editorial Review:

Twilight tempted the imagination. New Moon made readers thirsty for more. Eclipse turned the saga into a worldwide phenomenon. And now, the book that everyone has been waiting for....





Breaking Dawn, the final book in the #1 bestselling Twilight Saga, will take your breath away.

Confessor: Chainfire Trilogy, Part 3 (Sword Of Truth, Book 11)

Terry Goodkind

Amazon Price: $19.77 List Price: $29.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Tor Books Amazon Marketplace: 70 new & used starting at $7.35

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> Contemporary
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Epic
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Magic & Wizards

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 230 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

At least he's done with it. 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This man is truly a terrible, terrible writer. Trite and simplistic. I found that reading this book, one only has to read one page in every eight to get the gist. The other seven pages are him repeating the same thing over and over and over and over... The first two in the series roped me in, then everything went downhill at an exponential rate. The monologues are insufferable. Guess who doesn't need the books moral theory repeated every other page? Anyone that can read! You insult your readers Terry Goodkind. I promise that we can remember what was said on page 238 by the time we reach page 241.

Editorial Review:

Descending into darkness, about to be overwhelmed by evil, those people still free are powerless to stop the coming dawn of a savage new world, while Richard faces the guilt of knowing that he must let it happen. Alone, he must bear the weight of a sin he dare not confess to the one person he loves…and has lost.

Join Richard and Kahlan in the concluding novel of one of the most remarkable and memorable journeys ever written. It started with one rule, and will end with the rule of all rules, the rule unwritten, the rule unspoken since the dawn of history.
When next the sun rises, the world will be forever changed.

The Gypsy Morph (The Genesis of Shannara, Book 3)

Terry Brooks

Amazon Price: $17.82 List Price: $27.00 Not yet published By: Del Rey

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Epic
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Series -> Shannara
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Authors, A-Z -> ( B ) -> Brooks, Terry -> General

Editorial Review:

Terry Brooks won instant acclaim with his phenomenal New York Times bestseller The Sword of Shannara. Its sequels earned Brooks legendary status. Then his darkly enthralling The Word and the Void trilogy revealed new depths and vistas to his mastery of epic fantasy. Armageddon’s Children and The Elves of Cintra took Brooks’s remarkable mythos to a breathtaking new level by delving deep into the history of Shannara. And now, The Gypsy Morph rounds out–with an adventure of unforgettably imaginative scope–the first phase of a new chapter in this classic series.

Eighty years into the future, the United States is a no-man’s-land: its landscape blighted by chemical warfare, pollution, and plague; its government collapsed; its citizens adrift, desperate, fighting to stay alive. In fortified compounds, survivors hold the line against wandering predators, rogue militias, and hideous mutations spawned from the toxic environment, while against them all stands an enemy neither mortal nor merciful: demons and their minions bent on slaughtering and subjugating the last of humankind.

But from around the country, allies of good unite to challenge the rampaging evil. Logan Tom, wielding the magic staff of a Knight of the Word, has a promise to keep–protecting the world’s only hope of salvation–and a score to settle with the demon that massacred his family. Angel Perez, Logan’s fellow Knight, has risked her life to aid the elvish race, whose peaceful, hidden realm is marked for extermination by the forces of the Void. Kirisin Belloruus, a young elf entrusted with an ancient magic, must deliver his entire civilization from a monstrous army. And Hawk, the rootless boy who is nothing less than destiny’s instrument, must lead the last of humanity to a latter-day promised land before the final darkness falls.

The Gypsy Morph is an epic saga of a world in flux as the mortal realm yields to a magical one; as the champions of the Word and the Void clash for the last time to decide what will be and what must cease; and as, from the remnants of a doomed age, something altogether extraordinary rises.

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1)

George R.R. Martin

Amazon Price: $10.88 List Price: $16.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Spectra Amazon Marketplace: 59 new & used starting at $4.85

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Epic
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Series
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Authors, A-Z -> ( M ) -> Martin, George R.R. -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1485 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Readers of epic fantasy series are: (1) patient--they are left in suspense between each volume, (2) persistent--they reread or at least review the previous book(s) when a new installment comes out, (3) strong--these 700-page doorstoppers are heavy, and (4) mentally agile--they follow a host of characters through a myriad of subplots. In A Game of Thrones, the first book of a projected six, George R.R. Martin rewards readers with a vividly real world, well-drawn characters, complex but coherent plotting, and beautifully constructed prose, which Locus called "well above the norms of the genre."

Martin's Seven Kingdoms resemble England during the Wars of the Roses, with the Stark and Lannister families standing in for the Yorks and Lancasters. The story of these two families and their struggle to control the Iron Throne dominates the foreground; in the background is a huge, ancient wall marking the northern border, beyond which barbarians, ice vampires, and direwolves menace the south as years-long winter advances. Abroad, a dragon princess lives among horse nomads and dreams of fiery reconquest.

There is much bloodshed, cruelty, and death, but A Game of Thrones is nevertheless compelling; it garnered a Nebula nomination and won the 1996 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. So, on to A Clash of Kings! --Nona Vero

Grave Peril (The Dresden Files, Book 3)

Jim Butcher

Amazon Price: $7.99 List Price: $7.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Roc Amazon Marketplace: 65 new & used starting at $2.98

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Contemporary
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Magic & Wizards
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Series

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 80 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

the audio is a perfect complement to the book 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Something has stirred up the ghosts in Chicago, weakened the barrier between the Nevernever and the real world, and it's up to practicing wizard Harry Dresden (he's in the book) to stop it.

He gets help from his pal Lieutenant Murphy of Special Investigations, and Bob the Skull. Grave Peril also marks the introduction of two major characters: Michael Carpenter, a Knight of the Cross, and Thomas Raith, scion of the vampire white court.

And since this is the audiobook, that means it's read by James Marsters, whose voice and acting talents are a perfect match for Jim Butcher's words. Even after the (regrettably short-lived) television series, I'm much more likely to hear Marsters's voice for the characters when I'm reading than I am the actors from the show, particularly for Bob the skull.

At the beginning of the audiobook, there's a short welcome from Jim Butcher, in which he calls Grave Peril a milestone in the series. I'm not exactly sure what he means, but maybe it's the layers. There's not just one straightforward plot in Grave Peril--the Ghostbusters one--there's also a vampire ball, which Harry's obliged to attend as a representative of the White Council of wizards, and which his girlfriend Susan, reporter for the Arcane, is determined to attend, regardless of the dangers. Harry's fairy godmother (literally, as it happens) shows up. Michael's wife Charity gives birth to a baby whose survival chances are slim. And there's a lot of emotional impact between Harry and Susan, and Harry and Michael, and Michael and Charity.

It's a very complete and satisfying story, and illustrates perfectly why I love Jim's work so much--humor that makes me laugh aloud, exciting and clearly-written action (I can't rave about that too much--most action scenes are just confusing blurs to me--it's the lack of a Y chromosome, no doubt), edge-of-my-seat suspense that keeps me turning pages way past my bedtime, an emotional kick that puts tears in my eyes or a lump in my throat, and a wonderful little intellectual buzz that comes from knowing that the clues are all there to figure out what's going on behind the scenes. Oh, and the thoroughly realistic fantasy world.

Editorial Review:

Harry Dresden's faced some pretty terrifying foes during his career. Giant scorpions. Oversexed vampires. Psychotic werewolves. It comes with the territory when you're the only professional wizard in the Chicago area phone book.

But in all Harry's years of supernatural sleuthing, he's never faced anything like this: the spirit world's gone postal. All over Chicago, ghosts are causing trouble--and not just of the door-slamming, boo-shouting variety. These ghosts are tormented, violent, and deadly. Someone--or something--is stirring them up to wreak unearthly havoc. But why? And why do so many of the victims have ties to Harry? If Harry doesn't figure it out soon, he could wind up a ghost himself . . .

Fool Moon (The Dresden Files, Book 2)

Jim Butcher

Amazon Price: $7.99 List Price: $7.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Roc Amazon Marketplace: 85 new & used starting at $3.26

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Contemporary
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Magic & Wizards
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Series

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 98 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Wizards and Werewolves 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

"I never used to keep close track of the phases of the moon. So I didn't know that it was one night shy of being full when a young woman sat down across from me in McAnally's Pub and asked me to tell all about something that could get her killed."

For Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden, Chicago's only professional wizard, life was rough at the moment. Business was slow. OK, business was almost non-existent. Since the "episode" last spring, involving a dark wizard and Chicago's drug trade, his main source of income, working with Chicago's Special Investigations Unit, had all but dried up. Lt. Karrin Murphy was still a little pissed at Harry for leaving her in the dark over some of the more Supernatural elements to the case. In Harry's defense, he really was trying to keep her safe. The White Council had strict rules about too much information going to mortals. But Murphy didn't see it that way. She thought Harry was keeping things from her and with Harry's loyalty in question, she had backed away from using him as a consultant. So when Kim Delaney, a novice wizard, offered to buy Harry dinner in exchange for some information, who was he to argue? A man had to eat.

But when Kim wanted information on containment circles, Harry knew she was way out of her league. She didn't have the experience or the power to create the kind of circle she was asking about, and Harry didn't want to give her information that could get her in trouble. Then, in walks Murphy with a brand new case, one that Harry might be able to give her some guidance in.

But as soon as Murphy takes Harry to the crime scene, he knows that bad things are about to happen. The corpse in question is one that he knows: a henchman for Gentleman Johnny Marcone, Chicago's biggest crime boss. That isn't so much the problem. The problem is it looks like the body was "eaten" by wild animals. But just as they were investigating the body, the FBI shows up and interferes with the case. Because this isn't the first body to found in this condition. 12 others just like it.....during last month's full moon cycle.

Murphy doesn't believe in the existence of werewolves, but Harry does and she wants to know all about them. With 3 more days in the cycle, others are going to die if something isn't done. And when the next body is discovered....the body of Kim Delaney, Harry makes this case a personal one. Werewolves, Hexenwolves, Lycanthropes, Loup-garou....there is a lot of activity in Chicago, and only one wizard that can figure out what is going on!

I don't think I can express how much I love this series!! Harry is one of the coolest characters to come along in the fantasy world, and I just love him. He's smart, funny, chivalrous, and moral. He WANTS to do the right thing. And yet, he's human, albeit a wizard. He has faults and flaws just like anyone else. Fool Moon moves at a lightning-fast pace, and the pages just seem to turn themselves. The plot is rich with unexpected turns and twists. And poor Harry seems to have everyone gunning for him. But can a few little wolves keep Harry down?? Well...I guess you'll just have to read it and find out. I dare you not to fall in love with Harry Dresden and this series!!

Editorial Review:

Could a werewolf be loose in Chicago? Common sense says no. The grisly evidence says yes. So does Harry Dresden. And with his weird connections, he should know....

Storm Front (The Dresden Files, Book 1)

Jim Butcher

Amazon Price: $7.99 List Price: $7.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Roc Amazon Marketplace: 103 new & used starting at $1.57

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> Contemporary
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Contemporary
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Magic & Wizards

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 273 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Great premise, slightly mishandled. 2 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I know there are a lot of fans of this series, and I desperately wanted to be after I'd first heard of it. But after reading Storm Front, I just couldn't completely buy in. Part of it is that I didn't jibe with Butcher's writing style.

For starters, his female characters seem a bit two dimensional, as their only available reactions seem to be fear, anger, and horniness for Harry Dresden. Seriously, this guy is broke, wears a cowboy duster around present-day Chicago, advertises himself as a wizard detective, (and in one scene, reveals he doesn't even trim his nails), and these women are throwing themselves at him? What, were all the winos taken?

Then there's the setting - Chicago. I didn't feel like this was a "Chicago" story, nor a very noir story for that matter. There were noirish elements, but I felt like the story could have taken place in any city. I love the city of Chicago, and it feels like there's a much grittier, darker, gothic side to this setting that could have been injected into the story.

There are flashes of brilliance - his "hard drive" Bob, some of the action scenes, Harry's intriguing history, McAnally's Pub. But I found myself wishing for more as the story went on. It just felt too simple or too easy for a premise this awesome.

I don't know - I wanted to like this, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I was hoping for a grown-up Harry Potter (`cept with, you know, sex and stuff) that takes place in a rich, textured world full of whimsy and magic, but also populated with dark spirits and ancient evils. For me, Storm Front kind of fell short in all those departments. This wasn't a world I couldn't wait to slip back into.

I don't know whether or not the series would improve for me in the later books, but right now I just can't motivate myself to find out.

Editorial Review:

Harry Dresden--Wizard
Lost items found. Paranormal investigations.
Consulting. Advice. Reasonable rates.
No Love Potions, Endless Purses, Parties, or Other Entertainment.

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he's the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the "everyday" world is actually full of strange and magical things--and most of them don't play too well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a--well, whatever.

There's just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs. But where there's magic, there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name. And that's when things start to get... interesting.

Magic. It can get a guy killed.

Bloody Bones (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Book 5)

Laurell K. Hamilton

Amazon Price: $7.99 List Price: $7.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Jove Amazon Marketplace: 74 new & used starting at $3.25

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> Authors, A-Z -> ( H ) -> Hamilton, Laurell K.
Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> Genre Fiction -> Horror -> Dark Fantasy
Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> Genre Fiction -> Horror -> Vampires

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 121 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Best of the anita Blake books 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

If you see reviews for current Antia Blake books, you'll notice most people lament that the series is not what it once was. This book is from the time people are harking back to. #5 in the series it is the sort of adventure that inspired the devotion of readers.

Set in a St Louis that has vampires and werewolves and other nasties in it, Anita is the local execution for monsters that get out of control. Her day job, however, is an Animator who can raise the dead as a zombie. this is usually done for legal disputes or family squables -"Where did you put your will?" type stuff.

This book starts with Anita being called out to a construction site near Branson, Missouri where bulldozers on the site of a luxery hotel have exposed an unmarked grave yard. Anita is called in to see who the dead were, to find out who really has the right to the land.

Sound simple, right? Of course it never stays that way. Add to the mix of corporate greed, a vampire on the prowl who knew Anita's on again vampire boy friend and a local bar tender decended from faeries who wants everyone to stay the heck away from the property and things go down hill faster than life expectancy the guy who announces Barry Manilow will be the lead entertainer at a Hell's Angels convention.

The story wonderfully blends greed, horror, adventure and just a tiny bit of eroticism into a great read.

Editorial Review:

When Anita Blake's boss at Animators, Inc., informs her that she's expected to raise 300-year-old zombies from a field of jumbled bones just to settle a land dispute, she's understandably annoyed. But as soon as she arrives in Branson, Missouri, to do the deed, the job gets more interesting. A psychotic sword-wielding vampire starts committing multiple murders in the area, and Anita must call on Jean-Claude, her powerful fanged suitor, for help. As always, Anita prevails over the undead, keeping Jean-Claude at arm's length, clearing the cemetery land of an ancient enchantment, and nailing the vampiric killer in one fell swoop.

Phantom: Chainfire Trilogy, Part 2 (Sword of Truth, Book 10)

Terry Goodkind

Amazon Price: $7.99 List Price: $29.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Tor Books Amazon Marketplace: 20 new & used starting at $5.45

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Series -> Sword of Truth

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 236 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Bubblegum 2 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

As much as I like first book... This one is so boring.

Ah, let me tell you about Imperial Order's wrongdoings...
No, let ME tell you about Imperial Order's wrongdoings...
No, let me tell you about... as if I saw it with my own eyes...
No, let me tell... as if my eyes were without eyeglasses...
BTW, did I already told you about IO?
Well, let us ask this girl about IO...
Ok, now, after all possible characters told us about IO... let's hear about it again!

So much water, so few real action episodes.
Was it Terry who wrote this book?

Editorial Review:

Exclusive Video
Watch author Terry Goodkind discuss how his own morality and sense of good and evil shape the chararacters and action in his epic ten volume Sword of Truth series.

Watch a video clip featuring author Terry Goodkind

---

The Killing Dance (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Book 6)

Laurell K. Hamilton

Amazon Price: $7.99 List Price: $7.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Jove Amazon Marketplace: 76 new & used starting at $3.25

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> Authors, A-Z -> ( H ) -> Hamilton, Laurell K.
Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> Genre Fiction -> Horror -> Dark Fantasy
Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> Genre Fiction -> Horror -> Vampires

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 160 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The Killing Dance 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Another excellent book in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series. Anita is such an exciting, complex and strong female character. In this installment, things really heat up between Anita and the two men in her life, and results in a surprising conclusion. This book series is definately not for the faint of heart, but if you like a good nail biter and modern-day fantasy with an element of horror, this series is worth your time. These books are not, however, stand alone, so I recommend you read them in order, starting with Guilty Pleasures.

Editorial Review:

Anita Blake, vampire hunter, is now herself a hunted woman. Who put the $500,000 price on her head--a man or a monster? It's not just her own skin she needs to save; the rivalry between her werewolf boyfriend, Richard, and Marcus, the other alpha werewolf in his pack, has come to full boil. And there's always Jean-Claude, the vampire who's been waiting for just the right moment to slip inside Anita's head and heart. Don't assume anything, though--Hamilton's probably got a few more surprises in store.