The Ruby in the Smoke (Sally Lockhart Trilogy, Book 1)

Amazon.com

"Her name was Sally Lockhart; and within fifteen minutes, she was going to kill a man." Philip Pullman begins his Sally Lockhart trilogy with a bang in The Ruby in the Smoke--a fast-paced, finely crafted thriller set in a rogue- and scalawag-ridden Victorian London. His 16-year-old heroine has no time for the usual trials of adolescence: her father has been murdered, and she needs to find out how and why. But everywhere she turns, she encounters new scoundrels and secrets. Why do the mere words "seven blessings" cause one man to keel over and die at their utterance? Who has possession of the rare, stolen ruby? And what does the opium trade have to do with it?

As our determined and intelligent sleuth sets her mind to unraveling these dark mysteries, she learns how embroiled she is in the whole affair. As riveting and witty as the sensational "penny dreadfuls" of Victorian England (but thousands of times better written), Pullman's trilogy (including The Shadow in the North and The Tiger in the Well) will have readers on the edges of their seats. Ruby is an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. (Ages 12 and older) --Karin Snelson

Book Description

In search of clues to the mystery of her father's death, 16-year-old Sally Lockhart ventures into the shadowy underworld of Victorian London. Pursued by villains at every turn, the intrepid Sally finally uncovers two dark mysteries--and realizes that she herself is the key to both.

"In Dickensian fashion, Pullman tells the story of 16-year-old Sally Lockhart, who becomes involved in a deadly web of events as she searches for a mysterious ruby. The novel is a page turner, peopled with despicable hags, forthright heroes, and children living on the underbelly of 19th-century London. The story's events are exciting, with involved plotting. Settings and characterizations are exquisitely drawn. The first entry in a planned trilogy."--(starred) Booklist. Reading level: 6.7.

Customer Reviews:

The Most Inspirational Book That I have Ever Read.......2007-04-17

I think that the Sally Lockheart books are the most amazing books that I have ever read by far. The characters seem so real to me that I was actually CRYING when Frederick died in the second book. I am now half way through the third book and am again totally hooked. I take on board that the characters may not fit in totally with reality in the 1800's but that just makes, in my opinion, the books even better. The in depth thrill and pace of these books are so amazing, that it just makes me want to go out and wright a fifth! I must applaud Philip Pulman on these books, a masterpiece in my eyes, certainly the best books ever written by him, possiably by anyone ever!

An adult book in a YA body --adult literacy read?.......2007-02-18

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. The writing is excellent, although the characterization can be a bit thin. As with some YA books, certain things are not touched on too deeply. Sally, a Victorian girl, just moves out of her aunt's house with nowhere to go and quickly finds a place, etc. Quite often things sort of just seem to happen rather than her being a "detective." The characters have attitudes that are quite modern.

None of this is bad, the story held my attention, but it just makes the book a bit lacking in depth. Younger readers will probably not be bothered by this.

As an aside-- I'm sure there are some American parents who want control over what their child will be exposed to, will be disturbed by some of the things in the book. Disney it ain't! This is what makes the book strange. It's like an adult book in a YA body. For this reason I think it might make an excellent candidate for those involved in adult literacy. Books that can hold the adult imagination and writing that is excellent, but easily read are rare. Just a thought.

the author turns to wordsmithing.......2006-10-30

In the "His Dark Materials" trilogy the author seemed to have started with a great but fixed quantity of ideas and proceeded to exhaust them. Well, this is what you have left: some pretty good wordsmithing. A twisty plot, a detailed setting, action, adventure, mystery -- but ... nothing else.

Sally and her friends (and enemies) are like detailed mannequins. They go through their paces and events occur, but it's all pretty schematic. Where there is depth, there is something unpalatable, as though the author has forgotten that the grim is not the same as the fascinating, it needs to be balanced with the imaginative. Go into dark places, but bring a light. We all see enough of the other, that's why we turn to art.

The opposite but no less annoying defect also appears. All the good guys are just so *super* you have little doubt they were constructed from lists of admirable human traits. Let's see, smart, brave, honest, attractive dah dah dah ... did I miss anything? Sally for example can add up figures in her head better than an idiot savant, and knows more about marketing than Andy Warhol. Not bad for an orphaned waif. And moreover she's a blond! (This is so incongruous it cannot be mentally imaged.)

Her new love interest is no better, a genius inventor who needs someone who can add figures and market his products, because in that department he's an utter moron! What a coincidence! Why, they were *made for each other*, literally and literarily. No surprise I guess that he would risk almost certain death to protect her, even though he only met her Wednesday before last!

If such simplicities are on behalf of young adults, then the whole thing should be played for laughs. Instead you're supposed to suck this up along with some really grim stuff which is just as unpleasant as the rest is unbelievable. If you're American, I think you'll find something distinctly British in this, which does make a weird sense in their culture, just not in ours.

3 stars because it still contains just a tinge of his old funhouse style. There are better YA books out there though.

The Ruby In The Smoke.......2006-09-29

The Ruby In the Smoke is a good mystery, and exactly what I would expect from Pullman. The characters are intriguing, and the sudden deaths make it very suspenseful. I felt very connected with Jim and Adelaide, as they showed quite a bit of personality. A good book is one in that you can't tell whether or not a person is actually good or will betray sometime.

But I gave it four stars, and not five, for a reason.

Mrs. Holland stands nowhere near as complex as Mrs. Courtier from His Dark Materials. Once beautiful, sucked into the darkness of an evervaluable object, betrayed by young love and turned evil... you get the point. Her subjects start as 1D evil creatures, toward the middle of their time in the book they seem like they may defect to the good side, then do something horrible and then die. This was a good formula to use for Hopkins, but carrying it out again with Berry was not as intriguing as it could have been.

I agree with that one person who said that the characters were standard deal. But they did have personality. It would have been intriguing to carry out the Van Eeden problem for another hundred pages.

Overall, the book was very skillful, and I would reccomend it to anyone mature enough. A little kid is definitely not a good person to read this book, due to the constant sudden death and significant drug use. The book also shows good word choice, but that also results in no little kid being able to understand it. It's a verry good book, as long as you don't focus on the little tiny out-of-context problems like some people did.

The Ruby in the Smoke, July 14, 2006.......2006-07-15

Philip Pullman has created a new character that readers can empathize with and root for during this suspenseful mystery. Sally Lockhart is a sixteen year old orphan girl that receives a strange note about the death of her father. As soon as she begins her investigation, more deaths occur. Sally becomes entangled in a web of mystery involving murder, illegal opium trading, and a stolen ruby. Sally has many nightmares, which she is unable to understand until she uncovers more pieces of the puzzle. The suspense builds as new characters are continually brought into the mystery, making it difficult to know who can be trusted.

The Ruby in the Smoke is a suspense filled mystery with descriptive characters and settings. Mr. Pullman paints vivid pictures, of the settings and characters, which draw the reader into the book. The continuous introduction of new characters and the changes in settings all add to the suspense of the book. This is a well written and intriguing story that is worth reading.

The Shadow in the North (Sally Lockhart Trilogy, Book 2)

Average customer rating:

Confusing, but good
Puts the "Adult" back in "Young Adult"
Not ultimately satisfying
Shadow in the North
My first book by Philip Pullman- surely it is not the last one!

The Shadow in the North (Sally Lockhart Trilogy, Book 2)
Philip Pullman
Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0394825993
Release Date: 1989-09-23

Amazon.com

Six years after solving the mysteries surrounding the death of her father (in The Ruby in the Smoke), Sally Lockhart has set up her own consulting business. But her photographer friend, Fred Garland, has a habit of drawing her into his private detective work owing to her skill in both finances and firearms. When one of Sally's clients loses a large sum of money invested in a shipping firm and Fred encounters a conjurer on the lam from underworld thugs, the two begin to find links in these apparently disparate cases.

Exquisitely written and packed with a wonderfully diverse, often terrifying cast of characters and dark twists and turns of plot, the second installment of the Sally Lockhart trilogy--an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, a Booklist Editors' Choice, and a nominee for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Mystery--is entirely impossible to put down. Make sure book 3, The Tiger in the Well, is close at hand as you near the end of this one. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

The year is 1878, and Sally Lockhart has started her own financial consulting business. When a client loses a fortune in the unexpected collapse of a British shipping firm, Sally is determined to find out why. But as she comes closer to learning the identity of the firm's elusive owner, she discovers that her questions are far from simple --and that the answers could cost her her life.

"Fraud, fire, and bloody murder pursue Sally Lockhart in a fine sequel to The Ruby in the Smoke. Sally, now 22, is in business as a financial consultant. When she and her friends challenge corrupt financial interests, they find themselves in a web of intrigue that stretches from fetid slums of the poor to the corporate offices of the richest man in Europe. Sally's detective work reveals the connections between corrupt power and broken lives. The action is fast, scenes are tight and dramatic, the language is vivid, and the wealth of minor characters are sharply individualized. An immensely entertaining thriller."--(starred) Booklist. Reading level: 6.7.

Customer Reviews:

Confusing, but good.......2007-10-05

I loved Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy so much, so I picked up his Sally Lockhart series to keep my glow going. They're really good; not quite as incredible as the HDM books, but very interesting, engaging and suspenseful. I loved the first book in the series. This one, book 2, was a lot more confusing than book 1. I think there may have been too many characters to keep straight; I kept confusing their names and agendas. That said, it still gripped me and held me in the story through the end.

Puts the "Adult" back in "Young Adult".......2007-02-25

I greatly appreciate Pullman's tendency to treat young readers as capable of dealing with sophisticated ideas like religious controversy, drug addiction, violence, and sex. Indeed, youth deal with these things in their everyday lives, and they need literature that addresses them without the aggrandizement or gloss with which they are so often depicted on TV. This novel, with its vivid characters and life-like depictions of 19th century London, treats its young readers with respect.

Not ultimately satisfying.......2006-06-13

Having read the HIS DARK MATERIALS trilogy, I turned to this, the first so-called "Sally Lockhart" novel I have read, but the second in the series. There's a complex plot which, in its final analysis, doesn't make a whole lot of sense. There's a strange, irrational mixture of the supernatural and the mundane. There are two important female characters that are not brought to any kind of life, so that they are fundamentally voids in the page: Sally and Isabel. There's a villain who always seems to think two or three steps ahead of our (apparently nearly completely mindless) heroes, who basically just sit around or parade around waiting for someone to try to kill them, or succeed in killing them. And the villain himself is vanquished by a moronic, suicidal strategy that wouldn't trick or disarm even a tiny child in our universe. Precisely all these problems are also found everywhere in the DARK MATERIALS trilogy, so I suspect these problems will be found in all the books Pullman has written.

By the way, the "Sally Lockhart" books do not form a trilogy, whatever Amazon may say. Last time I counted there were four books in this series listed on Pullmann's website, and the copy of NORTH I have, a Canadian trade paperback, seems to list five or six different titles!?! I am not very eager to read any of the others!

Shadow in the North.......2005-12-12

Pullman, Philip. (1986). Shadow in the North.
New York: Random House, Inc.

In this book, Sally Lockhart is a financial consulatant and one of her clients, Miss Wlash, comes to see her. She says that since Sally told her to invest in a company called Anglo-Baltic, she has lost 3,270 punds. One of Sally's friends, Jim Taylor meets a stage magician called Makinnon. He tells Sally that Makinnon needs their help. Fred has proposed to Sally several times and she finally gives in and says yes. But that same night, Bellman has his men set fred's house on fire. Eveyone gets out okay, except fred who dies in the fire. Sally decides to go after Bellman and found out the truth behind the Steam Gun. Bellman is expecting her, and proposes to her (she says yes) and he agrees to show her the steam gun. After he explains how the steam gun works she shoots him with her gun.
One of the themes in this book is love, because Sally and Fred love each other, but she won't admit it until the very end.
I loved this book because it had many stall tactics, because throughout the whole book I was wondering if Sally would every say yes to Fred so they would get married. I thought this book was written really well.
The genre of this book is mystery. I would rate this book 4 stars, because it takes a long time to get into the story, but when it finally does, its awesome!

My first book by Philip Pullman- surely it is not the last one!.......2005-10-09

I'm truly amazed. The plot is astonishing, and characters are so realistic. I'm really looking forward to read more books by Philip Pullman.
I just wonder if kids aged 12 are able to understand all the problems and nuisances in "The Shadow in the North". Is this a book for teenagers...?

The Tiger in the Well (Sally Lockhart Trilogy, Book 3)

Average customer rating:

Strange, good, satisfying
Best of the Trilogy
Interesting portrait of immigrants in Victorian England
"You Don't Know Her, She'll Fight..."
A MUST READ!!!

The Tiger in the Well (Sally Lockhart Trilogy, Book 3)
Philip Pullman
Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0679826718
Release Date: 1992-02-18

Book Description

Sally, now 25, is comfortably settled with her child, Harriet, her work, and her London friends. But when a complete stranger claims to be both her husband and Harriet's father, Sally's whole world comes crashing down around her. With nowhere to turn, she escapes with Harriet into the slums of London's East End--and finds help in some unexpected quarters.

"Pullman is fast becoming a modern-day Dickens for young adults. The setting is the same, the strong eye for characters is there, as are the brooding atmosphere, the social conscience, and the ability to spin plot within plot. Sally Lockhart is now a young woman, left alone with a toddler. Nothing prepares her for the shock of receiving a summons from a man she has never even heard of, suing for divorce and the custody of her beloved Harriet. Sally struggles against the net closing around her, seeking to find out who is persecuting her and why. The writing style is lively and direct, and there's lots of action. This is a suspense novel with a conscience, and a most enjoyable one."--School Library Journal.

Customer Reviews:

Strange, good, satisfying.......2007-10-05

I loved Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy so much, so I picked up his Sally Lockhart series to keep my glow going. They're really good; not quite as incredible as the HDM books, but very interesting, engaging and suspenseful. I loved the first book in the series; the second was confusing but very good too. This one, book 3, was a very odd book, with odd characters, to put it mildly. But it was even more gripping than the previous Sally Lockhart installment. Some awful things happen in it, too; I cried several times throughout reading this. I most definitely recommend this, but read books 1 and 2 first, to get the background of the characters and their motivations.

Best of the Trilogy.......2005-08-11

I stayed up until 3 a.m. reading this book on a night before I had to go to work. It was worth every minute: a page-turning thriller that would put any of the "adult" novels of the genre to shame.

Interesting portrait of immigrants in Victorian England.......2005-05-19

This book is quite different from the previous Sally Lockhart Mysteries for a couple of reasons: The story really doesn't involve the characters we'd come to know and enjoy in The Ruby in the Smoke and The Shadow in the North, with the exception of Sally herself. It seems to be more of a political/social history of the "Jewish Question" and the prejudices of and persecutions by the lower classes against the new immigrants from eastern Europe who came to settle and build a new life for themselves in London. Too, the identity of the Tzaddik was pretty transparent. I figured out who it was less than half-way through the book. Now I'm not saying it wasn't a good, fast-paced, exciting read...it was. I just think it was different and less of a YA type novel than the previous two. I think older YA readers (and adults) would be able to understand it more than the younger ones. It's a shame Mr. Pullman didn't continue with the Sally Lockhart series after The Tiger in the Well. I learned quite a bit about the times and the people of 19th Century London and am interested in learning more. Fortunately, I just received a copy of George MacDonald Fraser's latest novel Flashman on the March from amazon.uk. so I can continue my education about Victorian England and laugh at the misadventures of Sir Harry as he lies, cheats, and tries to get as far away from anything that hints of danger as possible...unless there is a beautiful woman somewhere to be pursude, wooed, and abandoned. Tally ho!

"You Don't Know Her, She'll Fight...".......2004-10-20

"The Tiger in the Well" is the third of the Sally Lockhart books, and definitely my favourite. Despite the prolonged absence of Jim Taylor, it is the darkest of the books, where the stakes are at their highest. Whilst Jim Taylor and Webster Garland are away on holiday, Sally receives a letter from a man named Mr Parrish, who claims that she is his wife and her baby daughter Harriet is his own. Making it worse, it accuses her of being an unfit mother, and that custody of Harriet should be given to Parrish. Sally is horrified - not only has she never heard of this man before, but the law is not on her side. Somehow there exists a marriage certificate for the two of them, and a birth certificate that testifies Parrish is Harriet's daughter. Despite help from her financial consultant Margaret Haddow and the servants of the house, Sally's case in a court of law seems hopeless - her lawyer didn't even know that Harriet was a girl! There seems only one thing to do, and that's take Harriet and disappear.

And so Sally and her daughter become fugitives, sinking from hotel rooms to poor houses to the street, whilst the law steadily closes in on her. How can she investigate the mystery surrounding her when she must also look after a baby? Soon however, she comes into the path of a man named Daniel Goldberg, a Jewish political writer who claims that they can help one another - he can give Sally a safe place for Harriet, and she can help him uncover the identity of the Tzaddik. This man is one who few have seen, but is feared by almost all, especially the Jewish community. They say he has a `dybbuk' for a servant, a little imp from hell that waits on him, and that he controls almost all the underworld dealings. More importantly however, Goldberg believes that he is behind Sally's dilemma.

"The Tiger in the Well" is definitely my favourite Sally Lockhart book, where Pullman excels himself in his writing skills. The predicament that Sally finds herself in is truly frightening - just think, at any moment your life could be pulled out from under your feet because of spiteful unknown powers. Her gradual decline is realistic and unsettling, and is made especially difficult with the presence of a young child (one who isn't potty trained and is slightly feverish to boot). Often she seems to be hanging at the end of a thread, and it's scary to see this capable woman put in such a position. In such cases, Pullman often gives us the most poignant scenes, such as a waiter advising Sally to change her give-away accent, or of Sally turning in shock, certain that Fred Garland (Harriet's father) is behind her.

For those who missed them in "The Shadow in the North", Rosa and Trembler make appearances, and although Jim Taylor is away for most of the book, he does return in time to make a splash with the invaders who take over his house. But this is mostly Sally's book, especially since we see her both at her strongest, and her most vulnerable.

Pullman also uses Daniel Goldberg has a device to highlight the exploitation of Jews and other immigrants coming into England, and the prejudice held against them - two realities that are sadly going on even today. Perhaps what comes across most vividly in the stories is the readiness with which people are prepared to turn on unknown foreigners, and eagerly foster their hate for those who seem to have more then them. Likewise is the truly appalling plan that the Tzaddik had organised for Harriet - I won't give it away, but it's just horrible, almost unthinkable. One thing that I didn't like however was the huge `deux ex machina' that Pullman instigates in order to resolve the story - for someone who presents himself as an atheist, he certainly heavily relies on the Hand of God in order to save Sally. Some fans of Fred may also not like the new love interest for Sally, and I myself thought it was a bit unnecessary (especially considering that Sally has always been presented as an independent young woman), but it certainly doesn't overshadow the more important aspects of the book.

"The Tiger in the Well" is also the book that has quite a bit of foreshadowing for Pullman's more famous works, the "His Dark Materials" trilogy, including a nasty little monkey, the power of stories, and even a glass of Tokay. It's always interesting linking up stories by the same author, and there are other little thematic touches that appear both here, and in the "Materials" trilogy. The Sally Lockhart books can be read out of order, but if you want to get the best out of this one, I definitely suggest reading "The Ruby in the Smoke" first - the Tzaddik's true identity won't have the same resonance if you don't.

One last note: the Amazon editorial review is from an entirely different book, and must have been posted on the wrong web page. If you're ordering this book, double-check to make sure you're getting the one you want.

A MUST READ!!!.......2004-08-30

this is the most enjoyable book...
the best ever...
when i started reading this book i didn't want to stop, and i didn't want to finish reading it.
i didn't want to finish those enjoyable days...
well, is philip pullman the best story teller ever???
ofcourse he is ...
this book let u live with sally and feel with her.
the best in the series

Stargate SG-1: A Matter of Honor: SG1-3 (Stargate Sg-1)

Average customer rating:

Fun - should have been an episode!
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stargate Fan Novels
Satisfying, quick and fun
So far best of the bunch

Stargate SG-1: A Matter of Honor: SG1-3 (Stargate Sg-1)
Sally Malcolm
Manufacturer: Fandemonium Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0954734327

Book Description

On a quest to bring colleagues home, O'Neill must face his past.

Customer Reviews:

Fun - should have been an episode!.......2007-05-11

If you are a true fan of the show - then you will love this book. This reads just like and episode and the dialog is perfect and true to the TV characters. It will keep you turning the page.

The author did a fantastic job and would love to see more from them.

The story continues with the book "Cost of Honor" and picks up right where this one leaves off - it was just like watching a two part episode.

Fun read.

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-04-15

This book is sooooo good!!! This is the type of book that makes me love reading and never want to stop! This book has tons of excitement on every page! It never gets dull! I couldn't wait to pick up my book the next morning. And I couldn't put it down even at 10:00pm! I couldn't stop till I'd read a paragraph and not understand a single word! That's when I figured I should get some sleep. This book has everything Stargate fans have been waiting for! YOU SHOULD TOTALLY READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stargate Fan Novels.......2007-02-27

The Stargate fan novels are very true to the characters and are the equivalent to watching an episode on SCI FI, only in most cases better. Some of the books are just new adventures written by fans, good, but not great. While others are Great adventures where the author actually expands on the depth of the character and team, fills in gaps that us fans have always thought or guessed about. So far all the SG-1 books have had Jack in them, not Cam. I am using this as a generic review for all the books rather than risk spoiling anything in the stories. I have watched all episodes in the series (both SG-1 and SG-A), heck I own every published season, and as much as I hate to admit it I have seen every episode at least twice, in short, I am a Stargate nut. I have purchased all books written in the SG-1 and SG-A series, though not all of them through Amazon due to availability. Sometimes the shipping takes a long time since they are published in the U.K.

Satisfying, quick and fun.......2006-10-12

"A Matter of Honor" by Sally Malcolm is a catchy story about SG-1's visit to P4X-481, a planet that has some interesting security technology and even more interesting gravitational machinery. Ordinarily that would be enough for two episodes worth of adventure, or equivalently one trade paperback from Fandemonium Books. Because the adventure has a well wrapped Baal tie-in, a Senator Kinsey hook, and all the pull of the planet-chomping black hole from the season 2 episode, "A Matter of Time" -- it rates a royal treatment -- a double book presentation. "A Matter of Honor" is the first part of the story, and "The Cost of Honor" is its conclusion. The plot of "A Matter of Honor" is very well done. It reads as fast as it is fun.

The hardest thing in the SG-1 universe for an author to do is to get the characterizations right. Sally Malcolm did an admirable job bringing our favorite Jaffa, Teal'c, to life in the pages of this book. The mannerisms were spot on. His subtle humor was natural and effectively presented. I liked her presentation of General Hammond very much.

In three places in "A Matter of Honor" the author missed the characterization mark. These EXTREMELY jarring gaffs happened in the characterization of Samantha Carter and Jack O'Neill. The first happens very, very early in the story when Samantha Carter thinks about when she will HAVE to relieve Colonel O'Neill of his command. There is an unfortunate and out of place discussion of military service being equivalent to legalized murder. The last and most appalling is when Colonel O'Neill shoots Teal'c in the ear because he mistook Teal'c for an enemy. Daniel Jackson, Teal'c, Samantha Carter and Jack O'Neill are heroic characters. The SG-1 canon has never wavered on that point. Taking liberties with the heroic nature of these four characters is -- CHEATING. Don't do it! These three miscues are the only weakness that mattered to me in the story because the storyline is so strong and (otherwise) well done.

This book is definitely worth a read, even if you have to hold your nose to cross three bad paragraphs. All the rest of the 236 pages of "A Matter of Honor" are a pleasure to read.

So far best of the bunch.......2005-11-13

Finally Stargate Tie-in novels. I read TV tie-ins to relax my brain, I write fan fiction to de-stress from my commercial writing as there are no "expectations" to fulfil. Unfortunately too many TV tie-in writers (Highlander, anyone?) write the novels as if they were writing "just fan-fic" to no expectation of quality and are clearly blinded by $ signs. On saying that, A Matter of Honor is a very good book, though I've given it 4 stars for Sally Malcolm's obvious effort rather than strictly the book's content. Let's hope Fandemonium sensibly retain this author.
The plot of the book is how an opportunity to rescue Major Boyd from the black hole is presented to SG-1. It doesn't go well (hence the sequel). I'm not going to lengthily describe the plot as that would spoil it. Ms Malcolm's SG-1 are finely drawn characters and most importantly she does her best to include those exchanges of dry wit amongst them that make the show so enjoyable. She keeps a good pace and strong dialogue throughout. Some writers use a tie-in as an excuse to be gratuitously graphically gory or macho gung-ho in a way the show won't allow, and Ms Malcolm thankfully avoids this very well. She also doesn't have SG-1 acting in completely uncharacteristic ways, such as in Sacrifice Moon where Daniel is unbelievably willing to risk his friend's lives and friendship with flimsy justification.
Of course there are flaws, mainly that Teal'c is the one who often comes through as stilted. There's an art to writing formal diction (how Teal'c talks) and it's a pain mostly. The main problem is so much of Stargate communicates on the visual level -Teal'c's "eloquent stillness" being the prime example. Watch any given episode and note how Jack & Daniel, Jack & Teal'c, Sam & Daniel, etc., do nothing more than exchange raised eyebrows yet convey 10 minutes worth of conversation. It's hard to convey that on the page without becoming tediously repetitive (I should know, fanfic, remember?)Occasionally this leads Ms Malcolm's SG-1 towards being wooden, but this is entirely forgivable - trust me, as a writer, it's difficult to maintain this balance especially when you are aiming at particular audience (for instance, I dislike the tendency for Rodney McKay in Atlantis to be a 1 dimensional comic character. He said, "My parents hated each other and took it out on me", which indicates at the least mental cruelty and probably beatings received from his parents' fists. So far however this dark edge to the character has been totally ignored). In short, if you are going to "try" a Stargate TV Tie-in, I strongly recommend that you use A Matter of Honor as the gauge of quality, because it's a strong, positive effort.

Stargate SG-1: The Cost of Honor: SG1-5 (Stargate Sg-1)

Average customer rating:

Stargate team on the go and dealing with past enemies and old problems
Excellent Book, Fast Ship from the UK, Perfect Condition!

Stargate SG-1: The Cost of Honor: SG1-5 (Stargate Sg-1)
Sally Malcolm
Manufacturer: Fandemonium Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0954734343

Book Description

Sequel to A Matter of Honor: O'Neill pays a heavy price for loyalty.

Customer Reviews:

Stargate team on the go and dealing with past enemies and old problems.......2007-06-20

With this one you have to wonder why they bothered on bringing in that arrogant senator since he has been nothing but trouble since the end of season 1. I really think that they should've of done away with him years before this one came up. But the story had a nice touch to it.All the characters were there and they had a nice line with thier off-world friends that brought up the old "don't mess with alien technology when you don't know what you're doing" cliche not to mention reference of bringing up the sarcophagus which from the issue in the season 2 episode "Need" basically made it pretty clear just how dangerous that technology could be if used to many times as well as the devices' origin in that season 7 episode. But all in all it was a really good story and I recommend this to any who like the story and the tv show.

Excellent Book, Fast Ship from the UK, Perfect Condition!.......2007-02-19

I bought this book as a gift for a relative. They loved it! (We're both avid Stargate people.) It arrived quickly for having to travel across the Atlantic Ocean, and it was in perfect brand new condition when it arrived. I highly recommend this seller to others. I rate them A++++++++++, which in my book is very, very good. Best of luck to you!

Stargate Atlantis: Rising (Stargate Atlantis) (Stargate Atlantis)

Average customer rating:

Stargate Fan Novels
Great Stargate Atlantis Story
A fun read
Really enjoying this novelization!
Great Writer

Stargate Atlantis: Rising (Stargate Atlantis) (Stargate Atlantis)
Sally Malcolm
Manufacturer: Fandemonium Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Movie Tie-Ins | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Adventure | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0954734351

Product Description

Atlantis will rise again Following the discovery of an Ancient outpost buried deep in the Antarctic ice sheet, Stargate Command sends a new team of explorers through the Stargate to the distant Pegasus galaxy. Emerging in an abandoned Ancient city, the team quickly confirms that they have found the Lost City of Atlantis. But, submerged beneath the sea on an alien planet, the city is in danger of catastrophic flooding unless it is raised to the surface. Things go from bad to worse when the team must confront a new enemy known as the Wraith who are bent on destroying Atlantis. Stargate Atlantis is the exciting new spin-off of the hit TV show, Stargate SG-1. Based on the script of the pilot episode, Rising is a must-read for all fans and includes deleted scenes and dialog not seen on TV with photos from the pilot episode.

Customer Reviews:

Stargate Fan Novels.......2007-02-27

Great Stargate Atlantis Story .......2006-05-07

My purpose is not to tell the storyline, but to let you know about buying this book from Amazon.com. I purchased Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis Fandemonium Books published in the UK using both E-bay and Amazon.com services. Both ways worked fine for me. I prefer using Amazon.com. Just a note, though. If you order from Amazon.com, your order might take longer than the initial estimate (especially if you order books not published yet). My order took about six weeks, but that was OK with me. I preferred waiting on Amazon.com rather than trying to buy from the UK and paying a high price on the exchange and shipping rates. So, I recommend using Amazon.com (United States) and waiting (if you have to). As for the book, it was fine. Like other fans, I've watched the pilot Rising so many times, there were no surprises in the book for me, but if you have not seen the pilot episode of Stargate Atlantis, this is a must-read. There was one funny scene in the book that made me laugh out loud that was cut from the pilot episode (has to do with Teyla taking Sheppard on the hike to the cave). Whoever wrote about the Power Bar had a huge sense of humor. I really enjoyed that. Yes, if you are collecting Atlantis books, you need this one.

A fun read.......2006-03-17

I love Stargate Altantis, the show is smart and fun. The novelization of the pilot "Rising" is just the same. There are wonderful "inside their heads" moments for almost every character. This book is a quick, fun read, with lovely color photos in the center of the book.
The book is true to the script, which means that certain scenes are played out in a slightly different order than you see them in the aired pilot. Some lines are spoken by different people so that might be a little jarring if you've watched it as many times as I have. There are a few very good scenes that are not in the show that are in this book that I really liked.

So if you like novelizations, I hightly recommend this one. If you've never read one, this would be a good one to get. And if you've never seen SG-Atlantis, who knows, it might peek your interest in a really well made show.

Really enjoying this novelization!.......2005-12-30

I am currently reading Sally Malcolm's novelization of the Stargate Atlantis pilot episode, "Rising". I am a huge fan of this show and, therefore, very particular about the way the characters are portrayed in stories. I am finding that Ms. Malcolm has a very good grasp of the characters from the show. She writes them well and has, as far as I've read, kept the characters true to the premise of the tv show. She also has added some wonderful insights into the characters that would help explain the story to those readers who are not as familiar with the tv show. I would definitely recommend this book and I also hope that Sally Malcolm will write more Atlantis novels!

Great Writer.......2005-12-05

Can't review what I've not read. But I have read her two previous books in the SG-1 universe. And take it from a fanfic writer, she's worth reading. Don't pass her up, I'm not!
JoleneB

Trail of Bones: Danger Boy Episode 3 (Danger Boy)

Average customer rating:

An Enticing and Appetizing Read
Eli Sands and his friends are trapped in 19th century America after an accident with their time-travel vessel
science fiction and history in one place

Trail of Bones: Danger Boy Episode 3 (Danger Boy)
Mark London Williams
Manufacturer: Candlewick
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0763621544
Release Date: 2005-04-12

Book Description

Danger Boy and his time-traveling companions are in for some shocking surprises when they meet up with an earlier expedition — the historical journey of Lewis and Clark.

Fresh from a dangerous time-traveling mission, Eli Sands and his friends Clyne, the evolved dinosaur, and Thea, the scholar from Alexandria, are thrown into nineteenth-century America after an accident with their time-travel vessel. Unfortunately, Clyne is stranded alone in potentially hostile territory, while Thea and Eli pop up at the beginning of the famed Lewis and Clark expedition. After Thea is mistaken for an escaped slave and taken into custody, Eli joins Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery in hopes of finding Clyne, a means to rescue Thea, and transportation home. While trying to escape and regroup, Eli and his friends make important discoveries about their "accidental" stumble into 1804. It looks like they were lured by a Prime Nexus, which they may have caused, and which will surely change all of history to come.

Customer Reviews:

An Enticing and Appetizing Read.......2007-01-08

Recently coming from a dangerous time-traveling mission, Eli Sands and intergalactic friend Clyne the evolved dinosaur and an Alexandrian scholar Thea, are thrown into late nineteenth-century America after an "minor" mishap with their plasmachanichal time-travel vessel. Unfortunately, Clyne is separated from his friends in potentially hostile and unknown territory. While Thea and Eli on the other hand, pop up at the beginning of the famous Lewis and Clark expedition (pre-Sacagawea). After Thea is taken from Eli as she is mistook for an escaped slave and taken into the custody of president Jefferson (though he prefers to be called Tom). Eli then joins up with Captans Meriwether Lewis and Clark's "Corps of Discovery" whit the hope of finding his pal Clyne, that in turn will be a means to rescue Thea, and safe transportation home. However, while trying to escape the clutches of slave drivers and glory-hungry native warriors with hopes to regroup, the trio make an important discovery about their "unforeseen" stumble into 1804. It looks like they were attracted by a so called Prime Nexus, which they may have produced, which will surely change all of history to come.

-Jackson Courey

Eli Sands and his friends are trapped in 19th century America after an accident with their time-travel vessel.......2005-07-06

Eli Sands and his friends are trapped in 19th century America after an accident with their time-travel vessel, stranded in different times. Separated, the group must not only make contact with each other again; they must assure their accident doesn't change history itself.

science fiction and history in one place.......2005-05-10

This is the first book I have read in this series, but it is still enjoyable on its own. It is well written, flows well, and kids will learn a lot of history without it being overdone. It has enough gross factor to appeal to boys, but not so much to turn off parents or a female reader (one of the secondary characters, who tells part of the story, is a girl). It will encourage kids to pick up the next book in the series...

Average customer rating:

A great resource
Great Campground book
Our Favorite Florida Campground Guide!
Where to Stay In Florida with Your RV
3rd edition

Foghorn Outdoors: Florida Camping
Marilyn Moore , Tom Dubocq , Sally Deneen , and Robert McClure
Manufacturer: Avalon Travel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Camping | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1566912156

Book Description

Never be stuck without a place to stay again. This camper's bible covers virtually every camping option in the Sunshine State, giving you detailed descriptions of more than 900 campgrounds. That's more than 110,000 campsites! Whether you're an avid tenter or a roving RVer, you'll find all the information you need, including campsite listings that take you to public parks, national forests and secluded beaches. You'll appreciate the detailed trip notes and straightforward icons that describe the scenery, activities and amenities of each campground. Instruction on essential gear, safety and first-aid tips, advice for camping with kids, contact information, and precise directions to each campground make Foghorn Outdoors: Florida Camping an essential companion to your camping adventures.

Customer Reviews:

A great resource.......2007-04-10

Have browsed a number of books that say they cover this information, but none do it as well as this one. Everything you need is there. A wonderful resourse for anyone camping/RVing in Florida.
Scotty

Great Campground book.......2006-11-10

I sell rv's and give this book as a gift. I hear how great it is all of the time. I have used books like this for years, they are very accurate.

Our Favorite Florida Campground Guide!.......2006-11-02

As indicated by other reviewers, the Foghorn series of campground guides is not without flaws. Even so, we know of no directories which do a better job of addressing campground aesthetics than these wonderful guides. In our experience, the look and feel of a campground is often the single greatest factor influencing the quality of a camping experience . . . and the factor totally ignored by nearly all other campground guides.

There are a number of directories which rate facilities, provide directions, tell you how to make reservations and give you an idea of the cost for a night's stay in a specific campground. This series gives similar basic information and then goes beyond that. The Foghorn guides actually give you a feel of what it is like to stay in a specific campground - a bit of a narrative description and a "scenic beauty rating" for each campground plus information about nearby recreation opportunities. We like that a lot.

Have we found instances where we liked a campground more or less than the book's author? Of course. Tastes differ and things change over time. Even so, we would rather have an admittedly subjective rating of a campground's intangibles than to have nothing to go on but a recitation of facts and figures.

Are the Foghorn Outdoors guides the only ones we use? No. But they are ALWAYS the first place we turn when selecting a destination campground.

Where to Stay In Florida with Your RV.......2006-07-02

I was pleased to find this book which gives quite a bit more detail than the huge regional campground books (Woodall's, etc.). Looking up some campgrounds that we'd already tried (Lazy Days and St. Augustine), I could see it captures the character of the place and lets you know what to expect.
This will be invaluable for us as we explore Florida with our motorhome.

3rd edition.......2004-01-15

Please be sure to look and ask for the third edition of the book, released in December 2003. It's got new campgrounds across the state, including some newly opened state park campgrounds such as Alafia River State Park and Silver River State Park. The book has been completely updated and revised. Look for the red cover!

Book Description

Sally's earlier books have proven themselves as perennial favorites, and now she has taken herself to the perfect holiday locale: a ski lodge. While at the resort, Sally makes lots of new friends, including two rescue dogs. She enjoys the comforts of the lodge, and tries her paws at various winter sports. But when night falls, Sally gets lost in the woods. How will she find her way back to the lodge?

Featuring a sweet story and Stephen Huneck's unique illustrations, Sally's Snow Adventure will appeal to children and dog-lovers of all ages.

Customer Reviews:

Sally's Snow Adventure .......2007-08-09

Beautiful print art and a great story for any dog-lover! I bought this to complete my collection of all of Stephen Huneck's books.

Sally's Snow Adventure.......2007-05-10

Having two wonderful black labs of my own I fell in love with Sally instantly. Her adventures, or misadventures as the case seems to be, are fabulously entertaining. As a preschool teacher I have had a marvelous time sharing these stories with my four-year-old friends. They are always asking me to read "a Silly Sally Book!" What a great time for all!

Excellent Childrens Book.......2007-03-24

This book is beautifully illustrated and the story is an adventure in children who have experienced snow to add to their knowledge base.

Sally's Snow Adventure.......2007-01-11

Another wonderful Sally book. I have read this book to several story hours and the children loved it.

Average customer rating:

Goldwhiskers (Spy Mice)
Heather Vogel Frederick
Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 1416914420

Book Description

Winter break is off to an exciting start with Oz and D. B. jetting off to London for Oz¹s mom¹s opera premiere. And Glory Goldenleaf, private eye, comes along for a pleasure trip.

But this jolly holiday winds up being anything but when Goldwhiskers, the richest rat in the entire world, is discovered enslaving the orphan mice of Great Britain to do his thievery.

And when the Crown Jewels are stolen, Oz, D. B., and Glory are in store for a James-Bond-meets-Scotland-Yard kind of mission‹the likes of which the spy world has never seen!

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