May Bird Among the Stars: Book Two (May Bird)

Customer Reviews:

adventurous and creative! 5 stars.......2006-12-16

well, i must say this book rocked. Its the second book in a trilogy, starting out right where May Bird and the ever after left off. Its about a timid young girl who finds friends in unexpected places and grows in bravery. The "crew" travels around the ever after, searching for the fabled North Farm and the lady who is calling to May. There are many suprises, like when the location of Beatrice's mother is found, when the group of the undead is found, and the face-off with May and Bo Cleevil. It shows how May learns to see past her fear, and to be brave for the sake of the world (or the dead world, at least). The action isnt overdone, and it doesnt have a hero who is good at everything. Nothing exceedes the limit of what any normal girl May's age could do. I really think that in the third book, May will return to the ever after, although the reason is uncertain. (like when it says at the end " how could May leave? For here was where her friends lay, and where a world needed her" or something close to that. I really look forward to the third book, and would recomend this to anybody. Happy reading!

Shiny Stars.......2006-09-25

What happens when you're lost in a strange world and need to find your way home? If you're May Bird, you enlist the help of some unique friends, face the bad guys head-on, and believe that you'll get home, no matter what.

May Bird Among the Stars is the second book in a trilogy. It picks up right where the first book, May Bird and the Ever After, leaves off. May is the only living human in the Evil After, where ghosts and the undead roam. She and her loyal cat, Somber Kitty, must escape before the evil Bo Cleevil finds them.

This book does just what the middle book in a trilogy should do: continue the story set up in the first book, offer changes, dangers, and rewards to existing characters, introduce new characters, and have skirmishes with the villains.

May Bird Among the Stars is just as funny and well-paced as its predecessor. It delicately balances the humorous bits with the scary parts, and is intelligent enough to engage adults while fun enough for the target audience of kids.

As soon as the third and final book comes out, I plan to read it all in one sitting. I am quite anxious to see how this wraps up!

Abacar the Wizard and the Dark Lord of Dragons: Book Two of the Abacar the Wizard series (The Abacar the Wizard Series)

Average customer rating:

Abacar Returns!
Abacar becomes all powerful!

Abacar the Wizard and the Dark Lord of Dragons: Book Two of the Abacar the Wizard series (The Abacar the Wizard Series)
Timothy Erenberger
Manufacturer: iUniverse, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0595429572

Book Description

Three years have passed since the defeat of the great goblin army at the hands of Abacar, a young wizard boy with exceptional powers. Now the goblins are back, armed with powerful magic, they are intent upon Abacar's destruction.

However, an even more powerful foe is headed for Earth. Shakiba, the Dark Lord of Dragons has also been commanded by the Great Devourer to destroy the wizard boy known as Abacar.

Travel to underground kingdoms and the fires of the Abyss itself with Abacar, greatest and most powerful of all wizards!

Customer Reviews:

Abacar Returns!.......2007-03-15

Abacar is back in this worthy sequel to the original, delightful fantasy tale about a magical prodigy. The story picks up a few years after the first concludes... and like the first book, is a wonderful tale of adventure!

As I wrote in my review of the first book, the Abacar series is written by someone that is obviously a fan of fantasy, action/adventure, and young-adult fiction -- and it shows. The book is paced much less like the typical Tolkien or Rawlings fiction, and much more like an action/adventure film... younger readers are going to find themselves rivited to their chairs as they devour each scene.

The book is quite good, and I eagerly await more in the life of Abacar, and the developing history of this Magical Earth!

Abacar becomes all powerful!.......2007-03-05

For those of you who read the first Abacar the Wizard book, Abacar is back and he's bad in this awesome sequel. He has learned all sorts of new spells, and can cast his old ones a lot more powerfully than he could before. His lightning bolts, for example, fill the sky with crisscrossing lightning, annihilating anything in its path.

He has also learned how to animate powerful statues, which act as his bodyguards and servants. These statues are almost indestructible, made of a very rare purple metal which is almost inpervious to physical attacks, they can fly, are extremely strong, and can cast spells of their own.

The dragon, Shakiba (the Dark Lord of Dragons) is so powerful that he is almost unstopable, even by Abacar and his statues. This creature has been sent from outer space by the Great Devourer (the evil god of the goblins) to destroy Abacar once and for all. The fight between Shakiba and Abacar is epic on every level, taking place upon the Earth and in the Abyss!

The Strongbow Saga, Book Two: Dragons from the Sea (The Strongbow Saga)

Average customer rating:

I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Breathless excitement!
Well written
Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Met my expectations all the way!

The Strongbow Saga, Book Two: Dragons from the Sea (The Strongbow Saga)
Judson Roberts
Manufacturer: HarperTeen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060813008
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Book Description

The thrilling Strongbow Saga continues with this fierce sequel chronicling the adventures of a young man learning the ways of the Viking warriors. As fifteen–year–old Halfdan embarks on a perilous mission in a foreign land, he shows signs of greatness. But will he live up to his family name, or die trying? Author and Viking expert Judson Roberts draws on his detailed knowledge of this bloody time and culture to bring a young hero's exploits to life.

Ages: 14+

Customer Reviews:

I LOVED THIS BOOK!.......2007-09-13

The Strongbow Saga, Book Two: Dragons from the Sea
by Judson Roberts
Historical Fiction *****
This story is about a young man named Halfdan. He has a large past that is very painful for him. When he just turned 15, He and his half brother set off to show him his new inheritance, his own little bit of land. But only at the first night of being there, Toke, his half brother turns up wanting revenge for inheriting nothing. Toke is a berserk (someone who is crazy about killing) very mean and evil. Late at night he attacked the land and killed the innocent people of it while promising their safe exit, he wanted no one to tell of his treachery. Halfdan managed to get away with the sacrifice of his brother while making a path to let him escape. They needed someone to escape, so he could avenge them all. Now he is looking for a ship to serve in a port called Hedeby. He finds a Jarl who he impresses with his bow skills. The Jarl normally doesn't just anyone join his crew of vikings but he believes that the norns (the gods that weave everybody's life line)have sent the boy as a sign to him. Halfdan joins the crew that soon after leaves to the call of the king of the Danes. The king declares that they shall all go to war against the Franks, who had done the same thing to them many centuries ago. So with little experience at all Halfdan ventures to war.
This book sort of relates to this book that I read called Hatchet. It was a story about a boy who was 13 and he got lost in the wilderness with only his hatchet, and his will to live. It is actually a very powerful story because this boy is just doing well when all the sudden, something terrible happens to him and his new way of life, he had to start all over, just like Halfdan. So i guess they are sort of similar.
The author is a very talented writer for all I'm concerned. He really knows how to describe something without boring me to sleep. I loved his first strongbow saga book as well. He really brings the words alive and paint pictures in my mind. He is also very good at leaving you hanging at the end of the first and second of these books. Almost everyday for about a month I would ask my mom if this book had arrived in the mail. So about two days ago it actually did come, I've been reading 24/7 since then. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!! ******************************** !!!!!!KOOB SITH EVOL
*****

Breathless excitement!.......2007-09-04

This book is filled with suspense. I was exhausted by the end of it! I look forward to the next book. LONG LIVE HALFDAN!!

Well written.......2007-08-28

This book was well written and had an exceptional storyline. The problems: the book was 300 pages and the margins were so small that only 5 words could fit on a line.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2007-08-20

The year is 845 A.D. and fifteen-year-old Halfdan Hroriksson vows to find and kill the man who murdered his brother, Harald. He travels to the fortress, Hedeby, where he hopes to join the crew of a Viking longship and go i-viking.

The fierce, epic STRONGBOW SAGA continues with this exciting sequel (The Strongbow Saga, Book One: Viking Warrior (The Strongbow Saga)), following the adventures of a young man learning the ways of the Viking warriors.

Halfdan is ready for action, armed with an amazing longbow that he made himself, and an axe that he took from a man that he killed. Halfdan's skill as an archer gains him acceptance into the crew of the Viking ship, The Gull, as it embarks on a quest to conquer the Franks. The large armada of Viking ships sail to make war on the Franks, the followers of the white Christ, and their sworn enemies. The electrifying battles and dialogue that fits the era feel realistic -- it's a can't-put-down chronicle with fast action and a multi-level plot.

Judson Roberts' extensive research is evident in this thrilling Viking yarn with compelling characters. Halfdan's honor and loyalty make him likable and sympathetic even when his violence is intense, frightening, and explicit, as it sometimes is in the fierce battles depicted in this provocative story.

The back of the book has a complete list of the characters, along with the part they play in the story, and a glossary of Viking terms, which I found very helpful. I greatly enjoyed this novel and I'm looking forward to the next volume in this electrifying saga. I'm definitely hooked on this series, and impatient for more.

Reviewed by: Grandma Bev

Met my expectations all the way!.......2007-06-22

I read the first book to the Strongbow Saga, Viking Warrior and it is definetly one of my favorite books I've read in quite a while. "Dragons from the Sea" is not as good as the previous book but it is a great read and anybody that loves the history on vikings, action, and other things packed in between will adore this novel and will want to complete the entire series!

Halfdan hasn't caried much with him. One thing he is carying right now is a promise that must be fulfilled. He is after the man that killed his brother and his people. The mans name is Toke. He's an evil murderor, striving to take over all he can. Halfdan's path leads him to be in a ship's crew on the GULL. His wonderful skills as an archer lead him on a ship that only has warriors that are specially picked and assigned. As Halfdan goes on his adventure many things happen and they all lead...to the next book. It's a cliffhanger folks!

Please try out this book and hopefully you'll enjoy it as much as I have!

Average customer rating:

Graphic Novel Depiction the Robert Asprin "MYTH" Series
Very funny, good illustrations.

Myth Adventures Two
Phil Foglio
Manufacturer: Walsworth Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0898654734

Customer Reviews:

Graphic Novel Depiction the Robert Asprin "MYTH" Series.......1999-01-26

Excellent Graphics novel depicting the 2nd and 3rd books in the Myth Adventures. Books gives some greater detail into the past of you favorite characters such as "Ahhz" and "Tanda" that add depth the the original stories. Artwork is comical yet can pull off a very complex story rather well. A Must have for anyone who appreciates Phil Foglio's work, or anyone who has read any of the Myth Adventure series and enjoyed them.

Very funny, good illustrations........1998-03-07

This is a marvelous adaptation of Robert Asprin's Myth book. The writing is hilarious and, as always, Phil Foglio's illustrations add charm and humor. Those who enjoy this book may wish to read Robert Asprin's Myth series.

The Sphere of Secrets: Book Two of The Oracle Prophecies

Average customer rating:

Pretty good
Birds, stars and diamonds
fascinating and good, but some improvement possible
She outdoes herself again

The Sphere of Secrets: Book Two of The Oracle Prophecies
Catherine Fisher
Manufacturer: Greenwillow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060571616
Release Date: 2005-06-14

Book Description

Everything has gone wrong.

The drought should have ended, but the land is still parched.

Mirany should be savoring her role as priestess, but someone may be trying to poison her.

Seth should know to stay away from smuggled goods, but his greed has led him to blackmail.

Alexos should stay and rule as the Archon, but his plan is to journey to the Well of Songs -- a place from which no one has ever returned.

Everything is wrong. And in the midst of such chaos, The Two Lands should collapse. But an ancient map carved into a silver sphere may be enough to make things right and save their world.

Customer Reviews:

Pretty good.......2007-02-01

I liked it a lot. not as good as her first one or her third one. although i didn't understand what Mirany had to do with the plot. I really liked the desert journey though. I didn't understand the point of the Fox either. I really liked the Archon, and the Jackal although his character development I though could be better.

Birds, stars and diamonds.......2005-11-04

Catherine Fisher continues the tales of incarnate gods, desert kingdoms and plots that would shame Machievelli. "Sphere of Secrets" suffers from some awkward, rushed storylines and an unfortunate heroine, but it does have a spellbinding quest story wrapped up in it.

The Archon, a peasant boy named Alexos, has been found, but things haven't improved. The drought continues, General Argelin is still plotting to seize power, and Mirany is still enmeshed in the lies and schemes of the Nine priestesses. So Alexos tells the people that he will bring back prosperity by making a journey to the mystical Well of Songs, to atone for stealing three stars. But he doesn't know that Argelin is blackmailing his pal Seth to kill him.

Meanwhile Mirany is trying to deal with the Oracle's corruption, and the fact that one priestess is secretly in league with Argelin's enemies. Plots are exposed and Mirany finds herself made into a puppet Speaker. Her only hope is that Alexos survives the journey to the Well of Songs...

In concept, there's very little wrong with a story like this. Fisher piles on the wonder and beautiful prose, including everything from a ragged bird-worshiping civilization to a mountain made of diamond. At the same time, she also exposes the frightening results when a religion tries to use lies for its own benefit.

But despite some tense moments, the schemes and plots never come to life, even when the god makes a convenient cameo to save a little girl. Fisher seems more comfortable in Alexos' desert quest, in which the god-boy has to deal with drunks, savages, fallen stars, and a master thief who thinks he's just a crazy little kid.

The biggest flaw is the heroine Mirany. While Seth is struggling to protect his family, we're never really told why Mirany cares about any of this. She also seems a trifle wimpy and naive beside the mysterious desert thieves and the enigmatic Alexos, who can be a cheerful boy one minute and an overpowering god the next.

Though the scheming priestesses get tiresome after awhile, the desert quest for the three fallen stars is reason enough to read "Sphere of Secrets." Not Catherine Fisher's best, but an intriguing read.

fascinating and good, but some improvement possible.......2005-09-09

I absolutely love Catherine Fisher's books. Their characters are real, their plots fascinating, and I can never put them down. However, there is just something about them, especially this one, that bothers me a little bit. The character development is all present, but it seems rushed. An example is the internal struggles within the character of The Jackal, in The Sphere of Secrets. It was an excellent idea, but the conflict wasn't even noticable until halfway through the book. Then it grew quickly, was resolved (or so we believe) and died within 150 pages. If only there could have been more...

She outdoes herself again.......2005-08-21

Cathrine Fisher is one of my favorite authors, and she makes world full of history and myth, making a one-of-a-kind story.

But it' rather confusing, with two theives, Jackal and Fox, and everyone knows that i can't keep two people with similar names straight, and conversations are realistic, but you can't be sure who's talking when.

Another problem is the strange mix of ideas and contridictary remarks the different characeters make, escpecially Seth, the Scibe.

Never the Less, most of the story progresses smoothly, and it remains capitvating the entire way through. It's also mysterious with gods and hidden gardens, and fallen stars.

If a man plans to fail and he achieves it, has he succeeded?
-loser anonymous

The Dark Is Rising Sequence, Book Two: The Dark Is Rising (The Dark Is Rising Sequence)

Average customer rating:

DaRk Is RiSinG~ KCS
Disappointing Indeed
Uneven
Super Reader
good story, poor writing

The Dark Is Rising Sequence, Book Two: The Dark Is Rising (The Dark Is Rising Sequence)
Susan Cooper
Manufacturer: Listening Library (Audio)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 0739359738
Release Date: 2007-08-28

Amazon.com

"When the Dark comes rising, six shall turn it back,
Three from the circle, three from the track;
Wood, bronze, iron; water, fire, stone;
Five will return, and one go alone."

With these mysterious words, Will Stanton discovers on his 11th birthday that he is no mere boy. He is the Sign-Seeker, last of the immortal Old Ones, destined to battle the powers of evil that trouble the land. His task is monumental: he must find and guard the six great Signs of the Light, which, when joined, will create a force strong enough to match and perhaps overcome that of the Dark. Embarking on this endeavor is dangerous as well as deeply rewarding; Will must work within a continuum of time and space much broader than he ever imagined.

Susan Cooper, in her five-title Dark Is Rising sequence, creates a world where the conflict between good and evil reaches epic proportions. She ranks with C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien in her ability to deliver a moral vision in the context of breathtaking adventure. No one can stop at just one of her thrilling fantasy novels. Among many other prestigious awards, The Dark Is Rising is a Newbery Honor Book and a Carnegie Medal Honor Book. (Ages 8 and older) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

On the Midwinter Day that is his eleventh birthday, Will Stanton discovers a special gift–he is the last of the Old Ones, immortals dedicated to keeping the world from domination by the forces of evil, the Dark. At once, he is plunged into a quest for the six magical Signs that will one day aid the Old Ones in the final battle between the Dark and the Light. And for the twelve days of Christmas, while the Dark is rising, life for Will is full of wonder, terror, and delight.

“Susan Cooper is one of the few contemporary writers who has the vivid imagination, the narrative powers, and the moral vision that permit her to create the kind of sweeping conflict between good and evil that lies at the heart of all great fantasy. Tolkien had it. So did C. S. Lewis. And Cooper writes in the same tradition.” –Psychology Today

Download Description

On the Midwinter Day that is his eleventh birthday, Will Stanton discovers a special gift-- that he is the last of the Old Ones, immortals dedicated to keeping the world from domination by the forces of evil, the Dark. At once, he is plunged into a quest for the six magical Signs that will one day aid the Old Ones in the final battle between the Dark and the Light. And for the twelve days of Christmas, while the Dark is rising, life for Will is full of wonder, terror, and delight.

Customer Reviews:

DaRk Is RiSinG~ KCS.......2007-10-04

When Will Stanton turns 11, he experiences a birthday different than most and learns that he is the last of the old ones. The old ones were put on earth to protect the world from being over taken by an evil power, the Dark. He has to find six signs that will be of key importance in the battle between Dark and Light. Will the Dark take over the world? or will he be able to prevent it?

I didn't really care for this book because I lost interest in certain parts. I would recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy books and although I got bored the writers craft is pretty good.

Disappointing Indeed.......2007-10-02

Normally I like these sorts of children's series; however, this is quite poorly done. I was disappointed not only with the stylistic elements of this book, but with the story itself. Perhaps it's just the way Susan Cooper tells a story, but the action sequences are rather dull; after they're over you're rather unsure of what happened. Also, nothing difficult is ever required of the main character; things, it seems, just happen to or for him.

I hate to compare this book with the genius of J.K. Rowling, but, in Harry Potter, we are always told what is happening during action sequences. Harry casts such-and-such a spell, Volde-pardon me-he who must not be named casts such-and-such back etc. Whereas in Susan Cooper's book there's always some kind of unexplained grandios event, a blinding light, and then the fight with the abstract entity is over.

Maybe it's just me; the book almost won the Newberry Prize for children's literature.

I, however, recommend staying away from this book and this series -especially if you're suffering from Harry Potter withdrawal and looking for a replacement.

Uneven.......2007-09-21

After seeing the trailer of the upcoming movie, I decided to read this book. However I decided to read the first in the series `Over Sea, Under Stone' first, and I enjoyed it. `The Dark is Rising' is a much different book, in style, in tone and with new characters (with one exception). It is a fantasy story, whereas `Over Sea, Under Stone' was more of an adventure story. Many of the reviews I read of the first book complained it wasn't as good as The Dark is Rising because of the lack of magical elements. But frankly the magic in the Dark is rising is a bit of a mess.
First of all it is unclear what the signs are for, or what exactly their power is. It is mentioned that when all six signs are joined then the Dark will be defeated, but by the time the signs have been joined, the Dark has already been defeated.
Secondly the use of time travel is really problematic here. I will just give one example; the Book of Gramarye has to be destroyed after Will has read it, so that it won't be in danger of being stolen by the dark. Will travels back to the 1800's to read it, it is then destroyed- but what's to stop the Dark from traveling further back in time and stealing it then? The whole exercise seems pointless. There are many other plot points like that.
Also the story lacks tension, the Dark Rider is not really menacing, and Will being immortal is never in any danger. He is `The Sign Seeker' but he doesn't do much seeking, he basically goes somewhere and someone gives him a sign- because it is the anointed time.
Having said all that it is enjoyable in parts, and I will probably continue the series, but I must say if cold weather is a sign of the Dark, then the Dark must really be powerful here in Alberta!

Super Reader.......2007-08-07

Will Stanton's 11th birthday is different. He learns that he is one of the Old Ones, the newst, and is now a warrior for the Light, and things will never be the same again, as he is drawn into the battle.

Supernatural happenings begin to occur, but he does have a mentor, and a prediction to live by.

When the Dark comes rising, six shall turn it back;
Three from the circle, three from the track;
Wood, bronze, iron; water, fire, stone;
Five will return, and one go alone.

Iron for the birthday, bronze carried long;
Wood from the burning, stone out of song;
Fire in the candle-ring, water from the thaw;
Six signs the circle, and the grail gone before

Fire on the mountain shall find the harp of gold
Played to wake the Sleepers, oldest of the old;
Power from the green witch, lost beneath the sea;
All shall find the light at last, silver on the tree.

It will be Will's task to find the Six Signs of Power, needed by the Light to turn back the Dark. The forces of Light are week, so Will, barely a boy becomes a necessary soldier, despite the risks.

Will must travel in time, master the Gramarye and powers of the Old Ones, find the Signs, encounter mythological figures, and weather a supernaturally harsh winter, all while staying alive and fitting into his normal, large, mortal family.

good story, poor writing.......2007-07-26

The story in this book is pretty good and interesting, but the characters annoy me. Maybe I was expecting them to be as good as Harry Potter, where, unlike this book, the main character can solve his own problems and is courageous. I know this book was written before Harry Potter, but JK Rowling had Harry Potter in her head long before. her story is more interesting and has more subplots and a unique style of writing. this book is sort of unique, but I have read ones quite like it. If you want a good book, read the Harry Potter series. Oh, contrary to other comments, Harry does not just revolve around quiddich, in the last book, he doesn't even play it.

Amazing Adventures of Hercules (Usborne Young Reading: Series Two)

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Amazing Adventures of Hercules (Usborne Young Reading: Series Two)

Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: School & Library Binding

ASIN: 1417633158

Amazing Adventures of Ulysses (Usborne Young Reading: Series Two)

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Amazing Adventures of Ulysses (Usborne Young Reading: Series Two)

Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: School & Library Binding

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