Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic Books - Page 9

Uglies (Boxed Set): Uglies, Pretties, Specials (The Uglies)

Scott Westerfeld

Amazon Price: $15.90 List Price: $27.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Simon Pulse Amazon Marketplace: 35 new & used starting at $15.40

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Issues -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Issues -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Action & Adventure

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 34 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Not Ugly, but Pretty Special 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

It was quite decent. But I turned to this book after reading other 10 sci-fi classics (in a row), including Ender's Game, Dune, and Brave New World... then as you may understand it obviously did not make the cut for me. But I'm sure it would be quite entertaining for any young sci-fi enthusiast who is looking for a light read. Westfield throws out some recycled science fiction ideas in a story that is half-way compelling. The characters at some points are not even all that likeable, and the transformations from book to book make it difficult to maintain strong personality traits on anyone except the lead (I even doubt her). But I read the whole thing, and did not throw the books out my balcony.

Great series! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This series keeps you interested with new language, exciting characters, constant action and a great plot. The themes of taking care of the earth and appreciating individuality are strong but subtle. Tally, the main character, is a typical teenager with concerns that are beyond what most current teens have to deal with, but are familiar. There are times when the books are predictable, but with satisfying results. Overall, an enjoyable read. I would love to see more about Tally and her further adventures.

Editorial Review:

This arc of Scott Westerfeld's UGLIES trilogy follows the high-tech adventures of Tally Youngblood. As an ugly, then a pretty, and finally a special, Tally works to take down a society created to function with perfect-looking people who never have a chance to think for themselves.

Serenity, Vol. 2: Better Days

Joss Whedon

Amazon Price: $9.95 List Price: $9.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Dark Horse Amazon Marketplace: 42 new & used starting at $5.09

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Popular Culture
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror -> Comics & Graphic Novels
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror -> Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A huge improvement over the previous Serenity series 5 out of 5 stars.
13 of 17 people found this review helpful.

A few years ago fans of FIREFLY/SERENITY were given a rather lack luster series called THOSE WE LEFT BEHIND. There isn't a great deal of narrative squeeze space right now in the Serenity universe. The reason is that Joss Whedon and his stars still hope to make another movie. Whether it would be a direct to DVD (which is more likely) or a a theater release is an open question.

There there have been rumors from time to time that Universal, given the impressive and steady sales of both FIREFLY and SERENITY on DVD, was at least interested in considering a DVD film at some point, but so far nothing has materialized. But as long as there is a chance of a continuance of the story of Mal, Zoe, River, Simon, Jayne, and the rest of the crew of Serenity, Joss Whedon is not going to reveal the remaining major secrets about his characters. In commentaries on the film SERENITY, Whedon in particular mentioned Inara's story as the great unexplored mystery. The first film cleared up most of River's untold story, which leaves Inara's. And, of course, Shepherd Book, who will not be part of a future movie because of his death. His backstory will be covered in the next Serenity comic series, focusing exclusively on him and the story that he had been unwilling to tell in either the TV series of the film. It is at least tentatively titled A SHEPHERD'S TALE. But like THOSE LEFT BEHIND and BETTER DAYS, it will be another prequel, this one a prequel to FIREFLY as well. After that, I doubt if we wee much more in the way of Serenity comics, since Whedon clearly doesn't want to pick up at the end of the movie SERENITY. If Universal doesn't move forward with a film (they have exclusive rights to the franchise until the middle of the next decade and even then for films only -- TV rights revert to 20th Century Fox at that time), Joss Whedon might be tempted to tell the rest of the story, presumably is a comic closer in length to ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL, rather than the two short Serenity comics that we have seen so far.

As I stated above, this three-episode sequence is a considerable improvement over the earlier THOSE LEFT BEHIND. There are some adventures that truly are similar to those in the TV series or film. Though not as satisfying as another film or TV series, it adds to the canonical body of adventures our heroes have embarked on. Because of its odd placement in the period of time after the TV series but before the film, not much can really happen of great import. You know no one is going to die (Joss Whedon basically invented the body count as we currently recognize it on TV) because of the later film. And River, who emerged as the ultimate lethal weapon in the film, is still self-contained and only minimally interactive with the outside world (though we the most memorable graphic in the series is a full page portrait of River having all her fondest desires realized). But given that, Whedon's team did a great job of creating a fun and funny and interesting story.

In my review of THOSE LEFT BEHIND, I did not recommend that fans of the TV series and movie give it a read. I definitely recommend this. This succeeds in all the ways that the earlier book failed.

Editorial Review:

Serenity: Better Days follows everyone's favorite space cowboys in a thrilling, action-packed adventure, where Mal and his crew take on a heist that promises a big payoff. But when one of Serenity's crew is taken captive and tortured, the gang must put their enduring differences aside and work together to save one of their own, even if it means losing the cash prize of a lifetime! Joss Whedon returns to the world of his blockbuster film Serenity, reuniting with Brett Matthews and Will Conrad, his collaborators on the bestselling 2005 series Those Left Behind.

The Spiderwick Chronicles (Boxed Set): The Field Guide; The Seeing Stone; Lucinda's Secret; The Ironwood Tree; The Wrath of Mulgrath

Holly Black, Tony DiTerlizzi

Amazon Price: $31.49 List Price: $49.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Amazon Marketplace: 48 new & used starting at $27.20

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Action & Adventure

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 139 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

disappointing 2 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I was interested to read these books, based on the reviews I read. I ordered the five volume set of the first five books, thinking I'd be able to settle in and read for a good long time. It was disappointing to receive a set of five tiny books, each containing one scant chapter. At a cost of over $5.00 each, this could be the most expensive children's book ever, once you read all the different volumes. So, not much of a story, and a rip-off if you look at value, which you should certainly look at. One of the many satisfying things about the Harry Potter books is that they are full books, some quite long, and very engrossing, even as a re-read.

Editorial Review:

It all started with a mysterious letter left at a tiny bookstore for authors Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. Its closing lines: "We just want people to know about this. The stuff that has happened to us could happen to anyone." Little could they imagine the remarkable adventure that awaited them as they followed Jared, Simon, and Mallory Grace and a strange old book into a world filled with elves, goblins, dwarves, trolls, and a fantastical menagerie of other creatures. The oddest part is in entering that world, they didn't leave this one!

Five captivating books!

One thrilling adventure!

The Spiderwick Chronicles

Ranger's Apprentice: The Battle for Skandia (Ranger's Apprentice, Book 4)

John Flanagan

Amazon Price: $11.04 List Price: $16.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Philomel Amazon Marketplace: 49 new & used starting at $8.98

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Action & Adventure

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 28 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

The primacy of personal relationships over loyalties to one's country or duty 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Spring arrives at the cabin high in the Skandian mountains where Evanlyn and Will have wintered. Will has shaken his addiction to the insidious warmweed, and Evanlyn has become comfortable with her new survival skills. One day she goes out to check their traps and does not return. Will, still weakened from the brutal life of a Skandian yard slave, goes looking for her, and their adventures begin --- again.

John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice series began four books ago with THE RUINS OF GORLAN, about a young boy who is chosen to train to become a Ranger. Rangers function as their kingdom's intelligence-gathering agency, border patrol and guerrilla fighters. They are skilled in stealth, woodcraft and marksmanship. Their acutely trained reflexes, along with their tracking skills and the ability to go unnoticed in almost any environment, give them a reputation that borders on the uncanny.

Initially, Will is disappointed not to be chosen for his kingdom's Battle School, where the knights of the realm are trained. But his respect and affection for Halt, the ranger to whom he is apprenticed, in addition to the role he plays in fighting the evil warlord Morgorath, soon have him committed to his role as apprentice ranger.

The first book in the series has all the hallmarks of typical sword and sorcery fantasy, with a classic good vs. evil conflict. But after Morgorath is defeated at the end of the second installment, THE BURNING BRIDGE, the adventure becomes more complex. Will and his companion Evanlyn are captured by Skandian raiders and become slaves in Skandia. It is only with the help of their captor Erak, who comes to admire the spirit of his young captives, that they are able to escape.

The changing loyalties that were a central piece of book three, THE ICEBOUND LAND, continue in THE BATTLE FOR SKANDIA. Will is reunited with his friends Halt and Horace, who left Araluen against their king's wishes to search for him and Evanlyn. They also discover the large army of Temujai --- fierce riders from the Asian steppes who seem to be based on the Mongols --- and must convince the Skandians to work with them to prevent the Temujai from overrunning Skandia and mounting an attack on Araluen.

Flanagan's strengths as an author are his action sequences and battle strategies. His battle plans and descriptions of fights are so detailed they could easily be reenacted or plotted on a map. He also writes marvelous relationships between the characters. Horace and Will began as enemies, but their rivalry has evolved into a powerful friendship. Halt's gruff affection for Will is clear, and his clever manipulations of the other characters provide much of the book's plot. Erak, a Skandian raider, has emerged as one of the series' most entertaining characters --- alternately fierce and comedic. Evanlyn, who occupies the unenviable role of princess in disguise, holds her own with the other characters, who have often depended upon her for their survival.

A common theme throughout the book is the primacy of personal relationships over loyalties to one's country or duty. This bears fruit when Erak's friendship with Will and his companions enables them to unite the Skandians and the Araluen slaves to fight against their common enemy --- the Temujai (portrayed as people who put their lives and loyalty to the common cause as secondary behind any personal relationships). With Erak's help and Halt's strategy, along with the skills of each of the companions, they mount a stirring defense against the mounted warriors.

THE BATTLE FOR SKANDIA will be enjoyed most by readers already familiar with the first three books in the series. But catching up should not constitute serious hardship for fans of fast-paced action/adventure.

--- Reviewed by Sarah A. Wood

Editorial Review:

Still far from their homeland after escaping slavery in the icebound land of Skandia, Will and Evanlyn's plans to return to Araluen are spoiled when Evanlyn is taken captive by a Temujai warrior. Though still weakened by the warmweed's toxic effects, Will employs his Ranger training to locate his friend, but an enemy scouting party has him fatally outnumbered. Will is certain death is close at hand, until Halt and Horace make a daring, last-minute rescue. The reunion is cut short, however, when Halt makes a horrifying discovery: Skandia's borders have been breached by the entire Temujai army. And Araluen is next in their sights. If two kingdoms are to be saved, an unlikely union must be made. Will it hold long enough to vanquish a ruthless new enemy? Or will past tensions spell doom for all?

The battles and drama are nonstop in Book Four of this hugely popular epic.

Eclipse (Spanish Edition)

Stephenie Meyer

Amazon Price: $10.87 List Price: $15.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Alfaguara Amazon Marketplace: 54 new & used starting at $8.95

Buy at Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 40 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Complete disappointment 1 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I tried this series on the recommendation of others who have read it. I'm completely disappointed.

I can see the appeal, most definitely, but Bella has to be one of the most immature 18 year olds I've read about. Edward, for me, is about as flat a character as a pancake, and even after reading three of the books, I still can't see or understand the attraction between these two. Bella is willing to give up her soul to eternal damnation for Edward based upon his smile, his eyes and his marble-hard body, and because he can cause her heart to skitter? Maybe I'm too much of a realist, which may explain why, when I read this series, I'm in a perpetual state of eyeroll. It may also explain why I constantly want to hit Bella upside the head.

I understand that the author's studied literature, which forms the basis for many of the characterizations and material we read in this series, but honestly, there's no depth to the characters or the story. It's page upon page of endless, immature, emotional torture, all told from Bella's perspective as a girl blinded by what, in her mind, she calls love. And I'm disappointed in Charlie for his indifference to Bella. He seems more like a plot device rather than a concerned father, placed within the stories simply because a father figure was needed to round them out.

Jacob is the only character who shows depth (and realistic thinking and emotion), and while his actions toward the end of the book made me do a major "huh?", he's become the sole reason I intend to finish reading the series. In short, that's a lot of money I've spent in favor of one, single, solitary character. What a waste of time and dollars.

Editorial Review:

Readers captivated by Twilight and New Moon will eagerly devour Eclipse, the much anticipated third book in Stephenie Meyer's riveting vampire love saga. As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob --- knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?

Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons (Ologies)

Ernest Drake, Dugald Steer

Amazon Price: $13.59 List Price: $19.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Candlewick Amazon Marketplace: 110 new & used starting at $4.07

Buy at Amazon.com

Features:

• #1 New York Times Bestseller
• Chicago Public Library "Best Book for Children and Teens"
• Publisher's Weekly "Cuffie Award Winner" Most Unusual Book of the Year
• American Library Association "Best Book for Young Adults"

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths -> Dragons

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 134 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

For true believers only, a lavishly illustrated reproduction of a legendary volume by the world’s most distinguished dragonologist. Don’t let it fall into the wrong hands!

Do you believe in dragons? Now, for the first time, the long-lost research of renowned nineteenth century dragonologist Dr. Ernest Drake is presented in all its eccentric glory, happily bridging the gap between dragon legend and fact. The meticulous Dr. Drake assigns Latin names to various dragon species, ruminates on why dragons are able to speak, speculates on how they could fly, and explains the true purpose of their notorious hoarding habits. Here are just a few of DRAGONOLOGY'S fascinating features:

— Novelty item on every spread, including tactile samples of dragon wings, dragon scales, and dragon skin
— Booklet of dragon riddles (indispensable to the burgeoning dragonologist)
— Sealed envelope containing a powerful dragon-calling spell
— Embossed faux leather cover with silver foil, encrusted with three dragon gems

In his afterword, Dr. Drake reveals that one of the crucial goals of dragonologists is to preserve the magnificent creatures of their study wherever possible - a goal this tongue-in-cheek volume most affectionately achieves. An incomparable gift for secret dragonologists everywhere!

Saving the World (Maximum Ride, Book 3)

James Patterson

Amazon Price: $7.99 List Price: $7.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Little, Brown Young Readers Amazon Marketplace: 39 new & used starting at $4.23

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Animals
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Action & Adventure
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror -> Mysteries, Espionage, & Detectives

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 94 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Maximum Ride Series 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Not For Adults!!!
I wanted to like this series. My daughter asked me to read them and we have enjoyed many books in the young adult catagory. Unfortunately, this is not one. James Patterson had a good idea and the beginings of some good characters but after the tenth amazing escape and all the really poor dialog I had to stop. Although James is experiencing success with this series, his characters are a really poor rendition of the super hero. Even the teen angst falls flat. If you are looking for a book to read with your teen stick to Harry or try the Stephanie Meyer series Twilight.

Editorial Review:

There's one last chance to save the world in MAXIMUM RIDE: SAVING THE WORLD AND OTHER EXTREME SPORTS, the closing chapter of James Patterson's thrilling trilogy. The time has arrived for Max and her winged "flock" to face their ultimate enemy and discover their original purpose: to defeat the takeover of "Re-evolution", a sinister experiment to re-engineer a select population into a scientifically superior master race...and to terminate the rest. Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel have always worked together to defeat the forces working against them--but can they save the world when they are torn apart, living in hiding and captivity, halfway across the globe from one another?

A Wrinkle in Time

Madeleine L'Engle

Amazon Price: $6.99 List Price: $6.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Square Fish Amazon Marketplace: 88 new & used starting at $3.00

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( L ) -> L'Engle, Madeleine -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 73 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A Piece of Literature in Time 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle, is a book that I've read twice but completely loved. It is a story that has very advanced concepts for the early 1960's but is something that anyone could like. Meg Murry is a normal teenage girl: she has braces and looks normal. She doesn't do that well in school but is smart at home. On the other hand, her brother, Charles Wallace, is an all around genius. His age is five and understands most things a five year old couldn't. Meg and Charles Wallace meet a boy named Calvin, who is a friendly boy around Meg's age, around two years older, and all three of them hit it off, Meg a little slower than Charles Wallace. On a stormy night, a bizarre lady comes in and tells them random things.
Over the course of the book, Meg, Calvin, and Charles Wallace are all pulled into a fantasy world with different galaxies, "wrinkling", and different planets. This is all for Mr. Murry, who went missing a few years prior to this point in time. Overall, it was a satisfying book.

Editorial Review:

It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger.

"Wild nights are my glory," the unearthly stranger told them. "I just got caught in a downdraft and blown off course. Let me sit down for a moment, and then I'll be on my way. Speaking of ways, by the way, there is such a thing as a tesseract."

A tesseract (in case the reader doesn't know) is a wrinkle in time. To tell more would rob the reader of the enjoyment of Miss L'Engle's unusual book. A Wrinkle in Time, winner of the Newbery Medal in 1963, is the story of the adventures in space and time of Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin O'Keefe (athlete, student, and one of the most popular boys in high school). They are in search of Meg's father, a scientist who disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government on the tesseract problem.

A Giant Problem (Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles)

Holly Black

Amazon Price: $8.61 List Price: $10.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Amazon Marketplace: 44 new & used starting at $5.91

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Action & Adventure

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

The giants are revolting (yes, they certainly are) 3 out of 5 stars.
8 of 9 people found this review helpful.

Down in the Florida swamps lies a giant problem. No, make that several giant problems. The fire-breathing giants are beginning to wake up, and only people with "the sight" can see them.

When the giants lay waste to an entire housing development project, it's high time for the giant slaying team to do something about it.

Unfortunately, the giant slaying team is made up of an old blind man, a chubby youth named Nick, his stepsister Laurie, his older brother Jules, and Jules' girlfriend Cindy.

Continuing the adventure from book one, The Nixie's Song, this episode pushes the envelope trying to cram too many things into one little book. You also get the impression that the author was in a bit of a hurry, as there are loose ends, continuity problems and far too many coincidences.

A quick read, and as usual, beautifully illustrated, but certainly not in the league of the original Spiderwick Chronicles. On the bright side, the ending of the book indicates that there's lots of excitement to come. Get this if you've already read The Nixie's Song, and hope that the next one will be better.


Amanda Richards, October 4, 2008

Editorial Review:

Talk about out of the frying pan, into the fire! I was pretty sure that my freaky stepsister and that freaky field guide of hers would ruin my life. But now it looks like they're going to ruin all of Florida, too! Okay, maybe that's not fair. Maybe all these stupid giants would be waking up anyway, but if it wasn't for her and that book, I'd be home playing video games and this would be someone else's giant problem!

Flotsam (Caldecott Medal Book)

David Wiesner

Amazon Price: $11.00 List Price: $17.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Clarion Books Amazon Marketplace: 69 new & used starting at $8.12

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> Picture Books
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 84 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Book with no Words 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I bought this book for a 4 year old niece who loves to tell the story of a book, even if the book comes with a written story. She loves the ocean so this fits into her life experience just perfectly. Wonderful pictures.

Editorial Review:

A bright, science-minded boy goes to the beach equipped to collect and examine flotsam--anything floating that has been washed ashore. Bottles, lost toys, small objects of every description are among his usual finds. But there's no way he could have prepared for one particular discovery: a barnacle-encrusted underwater camera, with its own secrets to share . . . and to keep.

In each of his amazing picture books, David Wiesner has revealed the magical possibilities of some ordinary thing or happening--a frog on a lily pad, a trip to the Empire State Building, a well-known nursery tale. This time, a day at the beach is the springboard into a wildly imaginative exploration of the mysteries of the deep, and of the qualities that enable us to witness these wonders and delight in them.