The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo: A Novel

The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo: A Novel
Average customer rating:

a prose myrical, vivid and luminous

Great sense of place

Lyrical and moving

What others have failed to mention- this book is humorous

Soporific

The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo: A Novel
Peter Orner
Manufacturer: Little, Brown and Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Esther Stories

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Absurdistan: A Novel

ASIN: 0316735809

Book Description

Set in Namibia just after independence in the early 1990s, Peter Orners first novel is a chronicle of the long days, short loves, and cold nights at Goas, an all-boys Catholic primary school so deep in the veld that even the baboons feel sorry for us. Though physically isolated in semi-desert beneath a relentless sun, the people of Goas create an alternate, more fertile universe through the stories they tell each other. The books central character is Mavala Shikongo, a combat veteran who fought in Namibias long war for independence against South Africa. She has recently returned to the schoolwith a child, but no husband. Mavala is modern, restless, and driven, in sharp contrast to conservative Goas. All the male teachers (including a bumbling but observant volunteer from Cincinnati) try not to fall in love with her. Everyone failsimmediately and miserably. This extraordinary first novel explores the history of a place through the stories of its people. But above all its about the fleetingness of love and the endurance of fellowship.

Customer Reviews:

a prose myrical, vivid and luminous.......2007-08-25

Peter Orner's debut collection Esther Stories received wide critical acclaim and provides the artistic foreshadowing of the reach and scope of his talent, beautifully realized in his first novel The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo. Orner navigates persons and cultures not only with significant discernment but with a sense of humility and respect for individual and collective will despite the history of human atrocity that marks the world. Orner's writing is potent, devastating, and soulful.

Great sense of place.......2007-03-30

I picked up this book based solely on the setting of Namibia. I was simply looking to read some contemporary African fiction.

I loved the book. Cleverly written. Orner did a terrific job capturing the sense of place. I could feel the heat and dust as I read. He was able to tell a great tale, very well researched, with good humour. While touching throghout, I found myself laughing at many scenes.

Nice job! Go get it and enjoy it.

Lyrical and moving.......2007-03-07

I had high hopes for The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo as I loved Orner's first book, Esther Stories. This novel did not disappoint. It's a love story, but set in the remote veld of Namibia, it is also offers astute political commentary and a glimpse at history that few Americans will learn about in school. Orner's prose is elegant and funny, his descriptions of conflict and boredom, landscapes both internal and external, beauty in the everyday, are luminous.

What others have failed to mention- this book is humorous .......2007-01-09

This is one of the better literary works I've read in a couple of years. Mind you, I'm not to the end yet. Short sentences and short chapters, somehow this writing style calls to me.

Soporific.......2007-01-01

This Namibian-set debut novel by San Francisco-based Orner has gotten rave reviews from critics as well as translation deals in France, Germany and Italy. I really wanted to like it -- I've read a good deal of novels by African authors, as well as books set in Africa, and I'm always ready for more. Unfortunately, I found the book utterly boring, and had I not committed to finishing it for review, I would have set it aside after about fifty pages or so. That's not something I do lightly -- I read about 120-150 books a year and only abandon about five or so.

The story revolves around Larry, a young man from Cincinnati who travels to the Namibian veld in 1991 to volunteer as a teacher at a Catholic boys school. This is about a year after the country won independence from South Africa following 20+ years of insurgency. Life at the isolated boarding school is oppressively slow and uneventful -- and the book follows suit. The 300 pages of narrative unfold in 150+ brief chapters, most of which are tiny snippets, not even full vignettes or scenes. Which makes a certain amount of sense, since there's no plot to speak of.

Larry arrives, provides the Western outsider view on his new environment, and eventually leaves. Reviews of the book make his afternoon delight assignations with a beautiful teacher (who's also a single mother and a former guerilla fighter) sound much more substantial than they are. This affair doesn't flare up until halfway through the book, and doesn't end up amounting to much. This staccato method of storytelling works more on an impressionistic level than a traditional narrative one. By the end the monotony of life at the school has been drilled into the reader, as has the accompanying physical sensation of drought, but that's about it.

Occasionally the book is somewhat more succesful -- generally when there's a story to tell. For example, in one chapter, a teacher solves the problem of a massive 15-year-old lien on his car by having the students bury it in sand. Elsewhere, little snippets of Namibian history are imparted, which are far more interesting than anything happening at the school. It should be noted that there is a reasonably broad cast of charaacters, but these don't ever emerge as distinctive voices and tend to blur together, just like the endless veld that surround the school. Those who thrive on description may find Orner's style satisfying, and there are glimpses here are there of African life, but I was bored to tears throughout.

Average customer rating:

Rewarding for a certain kind of reader
Loose Ends
Marvelous
Have to read it again
Plied with masterful insight and pace

The Second Coming: A Novel
Walker Percy
Manufacturer: Picador
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Lost in the Cosmos: The Last Self-Help Book

ASIN: 0312243243

Book Description

Will Barrett (also the hero of Percy's The Last Gentleman) is a lonely widower suffering from a depression so severe that he decides he doesn't want to continue living. But then he meets Allison, a mental hospital escapee making a new life for herself in a greenhouse. The Second Coming is by turns touching and zany, tragic and comic, as Will sets out in search of God's existence and winds up finding much more.

Customer Reviews:

Rewarding for a certain kind of reader.......2007-06-15

I first read this novel when I was quite young. I found the chapters about Allie fascinating, and the chapters about Will perplexing and boring, so I skimmed them. This was of course a mistake. As I re-read the novel recently, I realized how huge my mistake was. I was inspired to re-read the novel following the psychiatric hospitalization of a family member, who seemed to communicate easily with his fellow patients and less well with us. I dimly recalled reading a novel about two people who are experiencing some mental problems and connect with each other much better than with the world at large. After a long and peculiar conversation with a book store clerk, I found this book again. Now that I am in my forties, I am a more patient and careful reader, and my life experience has made me far more interested in the ruminations of Will Barrett. It is important to understand that the author is letting us experience what it feels like to be in Will's head, and it is sometimes a strange place to be, where the narrative does not flow easily, and important insights and plot points pop up unexpectedly. I loved every moment of my second reading of this book, and I expect it will become one of the books that I re-read periodically, like Middlemarch.

Loose Ends.......2007-04-01

This is a very scattered novel with lots of needless repetitions. What was Percy on when he wrote this thing? There are so many loose ends it would take an additional book just to tie them all together. My response to this book is similar to the incessant grunts of the protagonist Will Barrett--"Huh"?, "What"?, "Who"? "Eh"? For me a poor ending and an unsatisfying read. Perhaps I should go back and read it again to see what all these five stars are about.

Marvelous.......2007-02-07

What's so special about this novel is that the characters maintain complete credibility in almost incredible circumstances. I kept rooting for them al.l the way, hoping their completely impossible romance would issue inter sober (and sanctified) reality. But that's what this author lived.

Have to read it again.......2006-09-22

This book is filled with quotations and observations that are so easy to fly by. The plot is out there, the characters odd. It is hard to describe it as 'good', rather I would say it is exceptional. Who else today writes this stuff? Simply, Walker Percy is a genius. I have to read it again.

Plied with masterful insight and pace.......2006-09-19

The "Second Coming" is the sequel to "The Last Gentleman," expanding, and one supposes, finishing the story of the wealthy but mentally troubled middle-aged protagonist Will Barrett and his relationship with Allison, a young woman who has escaped from a mental hospital to live in a ruined greenhouse.

Walker Percy, certainly a candidate for the best American novelist in the latter part of the 20th century, offers a deeply piercing look at what living outside of the center or norm of society costs his main characters, both emotionally and physically. Rather than plying for sympathy, he vests both main characters with complimentary strengths and weaknesses, showing how as a whole both are strong enough to wrest back control of lives slipping away, and how it is possible to do everyday things, make simple decisions, move forward with their lives.

As if anything were this simple in real life or in Mr. Percy's amazingly real facsimile of life. The getting to the point of redemption--the proverbial second coming--only occurs after dire self-introspection and wrestling with demons from the past; alienation from family, friends, society (not that such is altogether bad in this context); botched attempts to engage the Christian God directly; and physical and mental angst, all plied with masterful insight and pace by Mr. Percy.

His skill with creating such real-sounding conversations and with describing places, faces, and characters make stopping to reread and savor passages inevitable. Mr. Percy's best writing demands such focus, and numerous instances are found throughout this well-regarded novel.

The New Adventures of Jesus: The Second Coming

Average customer rating:

You Think This Is Funny?
UNDERGROUND MASTERPIECE

The New Adventures of Jesus: The Second Coming
Frank Stack
Manufacturer: Fantagraphics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1560977809

Book Description

Jesus is back in this collection of groundbreaking collection from Harvey Pekar's Our Cancer Year collaborator.

Underground comics were known for their satirical assaults on beliefs held dear by middle America. None was more witty or biting than the very first underground comic ever published—Frank Stack's The Adventures of Jesus. Stack's controversial strip first saw print in the Texas counterculture publications, The Charlatan and The Austin Iconoclastic, and the University of Texas humor magazine, The Texas Ranger. In 1964, Texas Ranger editor Gilbert Shelton (who would later go on to create the little known Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers) made 50 photocopies of about a dozen strips, stapled and collated the pages, designed a cover and distributed it to friends around campus.

Stack used the pseudonym Foolbert Sturgeon for his Jesus comics, fearful of being ostracized from the university (or killed) in his pursuit of a bachelor of Fine Arts degree. After receiving hate mail addressed to Sturgeon containing threats of death and other forms of religious retribution, he decided it best to retain the alias. "I suppose at first, in the foolish idealism of the satirist, I hoped to reform the world just a little bit, but I underestimated the power of ignorant fundamentalism in this country, a power which is, if anything, more militant and dangerous today than when I began drawing the cartoons."

In this witty addendum to the New Testament, Jesus fulfills his promise "to reward the just and punish the unjust," yet returns to Earth with remarkably little fanfare. He soon realizes he may have postponed his second coming a bit too long, arriving when the planet has fallen into a dangerously advanced state of decrepitude, i.e., the late 20th Century. Nonetheless, Jesus is determined to carry out his sacred obligation. Being half-human, after all, he can relate to the skepticism of the jaded populace and isn't above performing a few parlor tricks to convince those skeptical of his divinity. The main concern, though, is whether or not planet Earth is too far gone.

Fantagraphics Books ir proud to collect, for the first time, over 40 years worth of The New Adventures of Jesus—including a brand new story by Stack. This edition also features an introduction by R. Crumb and a preface by Gilbert Shelton.

Apart from being one of the true underground pioneers, Frank Stack is an accomplished fine artist and currently a Professor of Art at the University of Missouri. His collaboration with Harvey Pekar, Our Cancer Year, won the Harvey Award in 1995 for best graphic album/original material.

Customer Reviews:

You Think This Is Funny?.......2007-08-01

Guess what..it isn't! Reducing Jesus down to something that people laugh at is a dangerous business! You better watch it!

What goes around-comes around and that pertains to this also. I have not read it and wouldn't read it. I am commenting on the WHOLE subject matter using Jesus as a punch line for your financial gain! *-0* in my book! Enjoy it while it lasts!

UNDERGROUND MASTERPIECE.......2007-02-11

The New Adventures of Jesus collects forty years worth of Frank Stack's milestone underground comic strip. R. Crumb provides the foreward and Gilbert Shelton the Introduction to the volume. What more could you ask for than three of the great legends of underground comics all joining in on this book. Shelton founded Rip Off Press in 1968 and was soon joined by old friend Stack and his hilarious strip.

If you haven't read these strips before they are about, well...Jesus and his adventures in different eras from biblical times right up through the modern day. Jesus is confronted by his father over being too frivolous with his powers after the whole water into wine incident and later, in camel form (because it's very hot in the desert) he encounters his old archenemy Satan. A couple of passing sheiks are perplexed at why the devil is arguing with a camel!

Some of the strips are just one-pagers while other stories are quite a bit longer. Once such longer story is Jesus Meets the Armed Services. Jesus is picked up by a couple of MPs who think he's just another hippy avoiding military service. He soon finds himself forced to register for the draft. Needless to say his registration testing is a riot and quite perplexing to those in charge. Even being the Prince of Peace cannot get him out of the registration, despite his repeated protests. He's finally had enough when his head is shaved and brings down a little divine retribution on the draft board office. It's a fantastic story, both funny and poignant with its anti-war message. In other tales, Jesus goes to faculty party at a large university and later visits Hell.

It's interesting to see the development of the character and the development of Stack's skills over the many years of the strip. His earliest work is somewhat reminiscent of Sergio Aragones in its simplicity of the drawings. But over the years his work became much more detailed but never lost its social relevancy. It's truly a masterpiece of the underground comics movement and we can all thank Fantagraphics for bringing this material to the masses.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

The Second Coming of the Star Gods: A Visionary Novel

Average customer rating:

From the Ancient Skies Comes an Engrossing Read!
The Second Coming of the Star Gods
What an enjoyable read!

The Second Coming of the Star Gods: A Visionary Novel
Page Bryant
Manufacturer: Hampton Roads Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 157174343X

Customer Reviews:

From the Ancient Skies Comes an Engrossing Read!.......2004-08-24

Page Bryant is no stranger to non-fiction, but this, her maiden work of fiction, is surprisingly as adept as the magicians and priestesses about whom she's written. The characters are vividly portrayed and come together in a well-woven plot whose outcome is only vaguely anticipated until the very end of the book. The subject matter will appeal to those fascinated by ancient Egypt, metaphysics, or archeoastronomy, while the story line and pacing make suitable reading for people who just enjoy a good novel. As I suspect the author intended, the book will likely provoke further interest in magic, Egypt and astronomy. I can easily see this book made into a hit movie and I'm sure you'll not be disappointed in this one!

The Second Coming of the Star Gods.......2004-03-19

Stellar! This first novel by a respected metaphysical teacher weaves her vast spiritual knowledge with her fertile imagination and her acute insight. Not only is the story spellbinding, but the teachings contained within the text make this book unique in its genre. I have read everything -- both historical and fictional -- I could find about ancient Egypt over the past couple of decades and have not found another book that places me in the spiritual consciousness of the gods and mortals of ancient Egypt more vividly than this book.

What an enjoyable read!.......2004-03-16

Through almost 500 pages, the author skillfully interweaves the stories of 5 groups of characters from 4th-Dynasty Egypt: Pharaoh and his family, his advisors to the throne, several powerful magician-priests and priestesses, Pharaoh's half-brother - himself a powerful magician-priest, and 2 young apprentice priestesses. The lives of these characters become enmeshed as ancient prophecies begin to play out during a pivotal period just prior to the return of the star gods to ancient Egypt.

Second Coming of the Star Gods will hold the attention of many different kinds of readers. For some, it will be a rousing, Egyptian-themed sci/fi adventure book in the traditions of Zelazny or Leiber, where the "gods" commune with humans, imparting advanced knowledge. Others will look at it as historical fiction - a magical version of Mary Stewart or Taylor Caldwell or even Joan Grant, where daily life in Ancient Egypt really comes alive. Those who enjoy political intrigue will find the sibling rivalry that turns Pharaoh's half-brother into a usurper to the throne reminiscent of the power struggles of Cain and Able or Joseph and his brothers. For readers who are more metaphysically inclined, this book is full of the ethical dilemmas of black vs. white magic, and serious information about how to work shamanically with various types of star energies.

I understand that this is Page Bryant's first work of fiction. If this is any indication of her storytelling abilities, I hope it's not her last!

Girl, 2nd Coming (Girl: The Second Coming)
Average customer rating:

Not up to standard

Taylor's Girl -- The Saga Continues

Girl, 2nd Coming (Girl: The Second Coming)
Kevin J. Taylor
Manufacturer: Amerotica
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 156163414X

Customer Reviews:

Not up to standard.......2007-09-09

Having read some of the Taylor's other work, I was surprised to see that the artwork in this seemed rushed and a bit sloppy, and the characters almost interchangable in looks. I do appreciate the attempt to keep the narrative moving, and not filling the book with constant naughty bits. Still, this is absolutely not for the kids.

Taylor's Girl -- The Saga Continues.......2005-11-29

The story of Girl continues in the third volume of "Second Coming." Here we meet the other members of the clan Dane (The title character's name is Jaleira Dane, better known as "Girl"), and things get hot and heavy between the ultra-successful "Girl World" empire and the underworld organizations who desire its demise.

We meet Girls brother, Jeremy Dane, who has his eyes on long time love interest Jessie James. Things heat up between the two, as long time passions burst the dam and leave them both soaked and sticky.

Taylor is a unique entity in the art world, and his erotic work is truly without equal. The sex is hot, and the dialogue is real to the characters and equally sexy.

If you don't like out there, slightly impossible sex acts and jaw dropping hotties begging for more, then go back to the library, ya square. Otherwise, do yourself a favor and buy this book, and anything else with Taylor's name on it. You will not be disappointed.

The Second Coming of Lucy Hatch: A Novel

Average customer rating:

Totally predictable
Quick and easy read.... great romance novel
A fantastic read
How to find yourself when you didnt know that you were lost
Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous!

The Second Coming of Lucy Hatch: A Novel
Marsha Moyer
Manufacturer: William Morrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060081651
Release Date: 2002-08-06

Book Description

A fresh talent weaves an engaging tale of love, life, and second chances in this stirring first novel set in a small Southern town

For fans of Billie Letts, Adriana Trigiani, and Lorna Landvik comes this uniquely heartfelt and spirited story from a sparkling new voice. Farm wife Lucy Hatch never dreamed her husband would walk out into the field one morning and never come back, leaving her a widow at thirty-three. And when she returns to her tiny Texas hometown, contemplating a life of quiet solitude, the last thing she expects to find is Ash Farrell -- a dashing man who has everything to teach Lucy about working through heartache and reaching to claim new love.

But their budding romance is far from typical: Lucy and Ash must endure not just an irate ex-girlfriend, a false arrest, and a twenty-year flood, but every watchful eye and wagging tongue in town. Filled with richness, humor, and a vivid medley of characters, The Second Coming of Lucy Hatch transports readers on Lucy's journey as she learns to resolve her doubts and embrace a renewed sense of herself as a woman.

Customer Reviews:

Totally predictable.......2007-05-26

Despite the fact that Moyer is a first-time novelist, she should be ashamed to publish such predictable fare...

The plot centers upon 33-year-old Lucy Hatch Breward, who has just returned to her tiny Texas hometown after the freak-accident death of her farmer husband Mitchell. Despite their being together 14 years, Lucy is almost relieved at his death, because their marriage was completely routine and passionless.

Within days of her arrival, Lucy catches the eye of local badboy Ash Farrell, a singer/contractor whom everyone warns her about. Even without reading this, you can basically figure out the way the story goes. Lucy feels guilty about being so quickly attracted to another man, and resists Ash's advances...for about a week. Then he drives to her house during a huge storm and flood, risking life and limb for a passion-filled night with his love.

Ash, of course, also has A Past. He left his first wife, and his now-14-year-old daughter, over a decade ago, and hates to think about them.

The book's most redeemable traits include some of the secondary characters: stereotypical small-town residents, such as an inept sheriff; Lucy's manual-laboring brothers; her office-worker sister-in-law and confidante; and her like-a-second mother aunt.

Overall, it's not the worst book; just don't expect too much.

Quick and easy read.... great romance novel.......2007-03-20

If you like romance novels, this one's for you. I thought this was a great romance novel! The characters were very likeable and very ordinary, down to earth people. I especially liked this book because it took readers to a simpler life and I think on some level, many of us wish for the simple life and for the great attraction and love that Lucy and Ash shared. It's an easy read so you can put it down and pick it back up easily or if you prefer, you can finish it in a few days.

A fantastic read.......2006-01-17

What a great new author, I can't wait to get my hands on more from her. This story just comes alive, the characters are fun and you can't help falling in love with all of them. It's difficult to put down, so once you start reading, clear your calander, and get your husband and kids or whoever to do the housework, lock yourself in the bedroom and have a great laugh at the expence of Ms. Lucy Hatch, and everyone else in her little town.....

How to find yourself when you didnt know that you were lost.......2005-12-04

_The Second Coming of Lucy Hatch_ is a magnificently written tale of awakening, in the bleakest of times, to a life that should have been yours from the start. For fourteen years, Lucy lived her life as it was supposed to be: up at dawn to tend the farm with her husband Mitchell, tend to the house, and be fast asleep by 9:30. This was the same day in and day out until the day of Mitchell's accident. From there on we really find out what the story of Lucy Hatch has in store.

The majority of the book establishes the second coming of Lucy Hatch. Not knowing the background of her life before returning to her hometown, you feel as if Lucy is ready to take things on as they come. Meeting Ash Farrell was the start of her second life, her true life if she was to listen to her Aunt Dove. As soon as things happen for Lucy, the town is abuzz with gossip. Unsure of how to take all of the attention, she looks to Ash for the key inspiration: "look people in the eye and smile". Once Lucy heeds the advice the glances arent as harsh as people intended them to be.

Ash helps awake a fire in her that had been silenced for her entire marriage with Mitchell. The rekindling of this flame was ultimately the remedy to her healing after Mitchell's death. Though the ending has you wishing for 50 or 100 more pages, you reflect on everything that had happened since page 1 and know that it was a fitting end to the tale.

Though it took me a while to start reading this book, I devoured it as soon as I got to chapter 2. From that point on the book continues to pick up pace and you are completely enveloped in the story. I recommend this with high praise and am very glad I read it. The tale may be bittersweet but it is a potent reminder never to lose sight of your true self in the relationships your life takes on. I am anxious to read Ms. Moyer's second book since I enjoyed this, her first book, so much.

Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous!.......2005-11-02

If you're looking to be swept away for a night (because once you pick it up, you won't put it down), then you NEED to buy this book. Every once in a while you come across a gem of a story -- one that you fall into, where you feel you know the characters better than you know your best friend, where the emotions that tumble off the pages are every bit as powerful and heady as the ones that swept through you when you fell in love the first time...

This book defies categorization. It is a love story, a 'coming of age' story, a literary triumph... and hot, hot, hot. :) No, it's not a romance. No, it's not a 'let's fall in love and everything will be hunky dory' book. It's a soul-searching, soul-rending, beautiful story that will remind you what passion is -- and might just make you fall in love with your husband (or wife) all over again.

(BTW, The Last of the Honky-Tonk Angels is just as good... can't WAIT for the third! Write faster, Marsha!)

Average customer rating:

Incoherent Story Takes 2nd Place

Girl, the Second Coming
Kevin J. Taylor
Manufacturer: Eurotica
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1561633364

Book Description

She thought witnessing the crucifixion of Christ would be historically educational, but Jaleira (Girl) didn't realize how it would haunt her. Now, with the help of an old friend, she learns that she must travel to the Salem witch trials of 1692 to get her mind right. Travel with Girl as she visits her ancestors and find out where she gets her smokin' genes from. Then get a look at the current Dane gene pool as we finally meet la familia Dane, possibly the best looking family in the history of comics! Of course, steaming sex throughout as only the Girl we know can pull off!

Customer Reviews:

Incoherent Story Takes 2nd Place.......2007-02-01

I will be honest and say that I did not purchase this for the story which is about some witch in the past and the modern-day incarnation or some such nonsense. I merely purchased it for the art which over ephasizes certain parts of the human anatomy. I am sure you'll get the point of this when you see it for yourself.

Average customer rating:

Shorter than original Girl and tamer than Jill

Girl: Second Coming
Kevin J. Taylor
Manufacturer: Nantier Beall Minoustchine Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1561633038

Book Description

Ten years after her debut, Girl is back in a brand new four volume color series. She's just as sexy and lustful as ever, but has matured into a professional business woman. The first story picks up three years after "The Rule of Darkness" and Girl is at the top of her game. High society, fame and wealth takes her into new adventures with old friends and new. She's also acquired the power of sorcery and she's had to learn to be careful how she wields it, especially against those who just can't resist pissing her off. The issue also introduces Girls' mega-club 'Girl World', as well as new adversaries, and ends with Girl witnessing a moment in history that changed the entire planet.

Customer Reviews:

Shorter than original Girl and tamer than Jill.......2002-05-25

Girl: Second coming continues where the original Girl graphic novel and then Girl: Rule of Darkness ended. Girl is now the extremely popular manager of the famous and more "Vegas-like" Kit Kat Klub. This time, Girl is using her supernatual powers to establish a safer and better world for the average "working" girl.

Similar to my compliants about Girl: Rule of Darkness, this book is shorter than the original. This book is part one of a four book series.

Again, similar to Rules of Darkness, the scenes are not quite as explicit as the original. Some of the more outrageous scenes (like demonic coupling) are done in silhouette.

The illustration is rough and not particularly sophisticated. However, it's crude format matches the content fairly well. The subject matter is extremely explicit and Taylor uses the power of illustration to show scenes that could never happen in real life. If you are looking for sophisticated illustration, try Eric von Gotha instead.

The Blood of the Lamb: A Novel of the Second Coming
Average customer rating:

Would have given this 3 1/2 stars...fun read!!

Great plot, but poor ending

Guts

blood of the lamb

contrived & cynical, but fun

The Blood of the Lamb: A Novel of the Second Coming
Thomas F. Monteleone
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

United States | Horror | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Monteleone, Thomas | ( M ) | Authors, A-Z | Horror | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Horror | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 031285031X

Customer Reviews:

Would have given this 3 1/2 stars...fun read!!.......2005-12-29

So it started off as a 4 star book (since I'm more of a horror/dark fantasy guy, it would have been 5 stars if the book's direction was more along those lines and not action/thriller), and i was really into Father Carenza and the sexy reporter...but somewhere along the lines Carenza became a minor character and Mr. Monteleone stopped writing about him and started focusing more on the TV evangelist and other supporting characters. Towards the end of the novel, it would have been great to get more insights from Carenza. And I'm not really sure what the point of Sister Etienne was. Was that ever resolved? The big problem is that Mr. Monteleone sets up far too many questions for the sequel, rather than making this more of a stand alone book. At some point i'll track down the sequel and give it a read. OVERALL TAKE on the book - very enjoyable, quick read, raises lots of interesting questions...but too many questions and not enough focus on the main character towards the end.

Great plot, but poor ending.......2005-09-07

Here is a book which had all the makings for a truly great novel. It has a great plot, with a very believable storyline, i.e. the origins of the Anti-Christ. I think in many respects this view of the Anti-Christ's origins is highly plausible, and I give much kudos to the author for developing it.

However, the ending was very anticlimatic. Maybe the author ran out of steam towards the end. Nevertheless an interesting book to read for many individuals (Christians and non-Christians alike) who may also be students of Eschatology (the study of end-times theology).

Guts.......2005-07-16

It's nice to read a book by an author who has some guts. Monteleone's story is astounding. It fills you with hope, doubt, fear, joy and anger. This book really takes you on an emotional and spiritual journey with Vatican henchmen constantly on your tail. Think Robert Ludlum meets Dan Brown, although I think this book is by far better than anything the aforementioned scribes have penned. The ending is haunting and just plain out awesome. This is a book you wish never ended. I hated having to close the backcover. Luckily, there is a sequel called "The Reckoning". That's in my shopping cart!

blood of the lamb.......2002-03-09

This is an interesting book with a controversal subject. It does contain many errors in facts that it uses as part of the story line, so the author should do better research ie: southern Indiana is as flat as a pool ( it actually is rolling hills, Northern Indiana is flat). May be controversal to those who are religious for it does show some of the not so pleasant sides of many types of Christian religions. Borders on medical science fiction for a basis to the story. Easy reading, not really scary, but controversal subject.

contrived & cynical, but fun.......2000-10-13

This is a prototypical high concept thriller. When thirty year old Father Peter Carenza seemingly wields lightning in fending off a mugger in Brooklyn, he is summoned to the Vatican. There we discover that, three decades ago, forces within the Vatican secured a DNA sample from the Shroud of Turin and decided to try to clone Christ. Now their dream is approaching fruition but they quickly discover that they can not control their own creation. And when Peter's behavior starts to become somewhat odd, there's little anyone can do to stop him, not even the Vatican's own ruthless assassin.

It's all exactly as contrived as it sounds, but Mr. Monteleone has fun with his premise. My main objection is that he's entirely too cynical and the portraits of religion and the religious border on bigotry. But taken on its own terms, its fairly entertaining.

Book Description

On another day unlike any other, a new collection of the World's Mightiest Heroes rocked their own remarkable reality! Enemies alien and Earthbound vie to end the new era of Avengerdom! Featuring the heir of Captain America and the son of the Black Panther! Guest-starring Doctor Strange and the Defenders! Collects A-Next #1-6.

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