Smoke and Mirrors (The Smoke Trilogy, Book 2)

Book Description

When Tony and his TV crew find themselves shooting in an actual haunted house, all hell threatens to break loose. Locked into the house overnight, can Tony keep the diabolical controling spirit from turning the crew against one another in an orgy of blood?

Customer Reviews:

What To Do When Your Ghosts Refuse to Stop Dying.......2007-08-09

Smoke and Mirrors is the middle novel in the Smoke trilogy which tells the continuing story of two characters from Tanya Huff's Blood... series. Henry Fitzroy is a vampire, retired nobility and romance writer who, with lover/friend Tony Foster, has moved to Vancouver. Tony is the real star of these stories - grown up from a trouble making street kid into an adult determined to make his way in the city's vibrant filmmaking business. Tony has landed a job as junior assistant gofor in the production company of a vampire detective TV series. A production company with a knack for falling into supernatural traps.

Tony discovered that he has the makings of being a wizard in the previous volume. Despite this potential, Tony really just wants to be your basic production assistant with a cute boyfriend. Unfortunately, life (or rather, unlife) has different plans for him. Sure enough, when the company rents a spooky old house to film in for a week you can bet that it's not just the atmosphere that is spooky. A whole host of ghosts lurk in the corners re-enacting their violent endings. It seems that the house has a particularly unpleasant history. Lurking in the basement is something that wants everyone to die screaming and fuels its effort to ruin the neighborhood.

Tony, as a neophyte wizard is the only one who is aware of all that is going on. In short order he is trying to keep everyone alive (fails), keep the cameras running (fails), and get the ghost problem under control (fails). Henry flies to the rescue, but this is a locked house crisis, and the simple fact is that Tony must work through his personal issues and solve the mystery of the strange force in the basement all on his own - or with the aid of a few helpful ghosts and some very paranoid movie people.

Tanya Huff is too well established a writer for it to be necessary for me to laud her skills. Smoke and Mirrors, like all the volumes before, continues to present an approach to the vampire/supernatural thriller that combines an intelligent story and good characters into a whole that will always please a reader interested in more than blood oriented bodice rippers. I'm looking forward to reading the next volume, and believe that you will quickly become a fan if you aren't already.

Best one of the trilogy.......2007-08-06

I loved this installment to Huff's Smoke trilogy. Tony and crew head to a real haunted house to an episode for the series Darkest Night. Although, some may view the haunted house as a cliche, I loved the irony of it. The jaded view of the film industry was so funny. I laughed out loud many times throughout the book.

well done.......2007-06-26

I have read several reviews complaining about this book and the series in general, the focus of disappointment being Tony, the main character, supposedly dull and uninteresting.

Tony is a young adult (in Ms Huff's fiction he is 24), not particularly educated, a past of street urchin and gay hustler. Within the set circumstances the author makes a full rounded character of him, giving him depth and consistency. He does not behave the way I would, but I am 37, college educated with a sound family in my past and no addicting relationship with a 450 y.o. powerful vampire who is not able to really let me go in my present.

Of course I am annoyed at him at times (as if he were real - good job Ms Huff!) and I am annoyed at Ms Huff's throwing him in the arms of several men to keep the sexual tension of the story from abating.

An extremely skilled writer would have been able to stick to Tony's crush for the handsome Lee making meaningless one night stands of the others.

A better author would have given us better rounded side characters and more thrill in the depiction of the haunted house.

Ms Huff is good and gives us instead a no nonsense no problem quick read, well crafted and entertaining, at least for those readers who like supernatural/fantasy/vampire fiction and make no fuss about gay characters.

Funny & Frightening Paranormal Adventure.......2007-04-03

Smoke and Mirrors, by Tanya Huff, is the second book in her new Tony Foster series, highlighting the mystical adventures of a production assistant (and junior wizard) who occasionally pals around with vampire Henry Fitzroy in his off time. The first book was quite good; the second book is fantastic. A traditional "haunted house" story, it simply explodes beyond the confines of the genre, primarily through the strength of Huff's writing and characterization. Fans of shows like Forever Knight or Buffy: the Vampire Slayer or even Blood Ties--based on the Vickie Nelson/Henry Fitzroy series by Huff--may find great pleasure in the affectionate skewering of the type in this book. Smoke and Mirrors has a wry sense of humor. It's laugh-out-loud funny in some places and genuinely horrific in others, manipulating reader's emotions deftly as Tony and his hapless companions set out to save the day.

Some readers, I know, have been disturbed by the fact that Huff's hero is gay--unabashedly so--and some reviewers have mentioned discomfort with Tony's active, on-page love life. I personally found nothing distasteful about Tony's interactions with other men, which are no more explicit than I've encountered in many other books of this type and *considerably less so* than some (Laurell K. Hamilton, anyone?). If the idea of men kissing is a buzz-killer for you, you probably ought to look for another series. For me, the protagonist's keen interest in his love life just contributes to his three-dimensional nature. I find him charming.

Smoke and Mirrors dazzled me from very nearly the first page, and I read the whole with tremendous pleasure. It goes on my "enthusiastically recommend" list, and I will be looking forward tremendously to my opportunity to read Installment 3.

The Show MUST go on..........2007-02-13

The house was great for the next episode of Darkest Night and CB Productions had rented it for the whole week. It was the perfect turn of the century, last century, mansion and was a great setting for the ghost story.
Only problem Tony Foster had with it was that it really had ghosts. Lots of ghosts. Many who had died in the house. The house, or something in the house, fed off the ghosts. And it wanted more food.
Now Tony, without Henry Fitzroy to help him, must find out what is going on, get the rest of the crew to listen to him and get out using his knowledge of how the house works and what magic he knows. Before too many people die.
Dark humor, not that scary unless reading it at night, good, dirty, fun. In some ways I enjoyed this more than Smoke And Shadows.

The Dark Mirror: Book One of the Bridei Chronicles

Average customer rating:

A Pleasant Surprise
Another great novel by Marillier
Magical
Wow . . . just . . . wow
Mediocre Marillier

The Dark Mirror: Book One of the Bridei Chronicles
Juliet Marillier
Manufacturer: Tor Fantasy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0765348756

Book Description

THE DARK MIRROR is the first book in Juliet Marillier's Bridei Chronicles.

Bridei is a young nobleman fostered at the home of Broichan, one of the most powerful druids in the land. His earliest memories are not of hearth and kin but of this dark stranger who while not unkind is mysterious in his ways. The tasks that he sets Bridei appear to have one goal-to make him a vessel for some distant purpose. What that purpose is Bridei cannot fathom but he trusts the man and is content to learn all he can about the ways of the world.

But something happens that will change Bridei's world forever...and possibly wreck all of Broichan's plans. For Bridei finds a child on their doorstep on a bitter MidWinter Eve, a child seemingly abandoned by the fairie folk. It is uncommonly bad luck to have truck with the Fair Folk and all counsel the babe's death. But Bridei sees an old and precious magic at work here and heedless of the danger fights to save the child. Broichan relents but is wary.

The two grow up together and as Bridei comes to manhood he sees the shy girl Tuala blossom into a beautiful woman. Broichan sees the same process and feels only danger...for Tuala could be a key part in Bridei's future...or could spell his doom.

Customer Reviews:

A Pleasant Surprise.......2007-07-15

I picked up the abridged CD version of Dark Mirror in a factory store for a couple bucks. I wasn't expecting much. The story started kinda slow (especially for an "abridged" version) but it grew on me. Marillier's prose is completely enjoyable.

It is definitely NOT a historical novel but can be enjoyed as an "alternate reality" story. I recommend this novel for romantics, young women, lesbians, druids, people who read manga, people who play World of Warcraft, vampires, sci-fi & fantasy buffs, and cheap guys like me who buy our books at random in factory stores.

Another great novel by Marillier.......2007-06-06

After reading Sevenwaters trilogy I decided Juliet Marillier was an author worth investing time and money in. I was not disappointed in the least. The Dark Mirror's hero Bridei falls in the category of young, brilliant and defiant. This book has much - intrigue, magic, love, plot surprises, and a wonderfully rich background for the story to take place. I recommend this for anyone who enjoyed the Sevenwaters trilogy by Juliet Marillier and the Liveship trilogy by Robin Hobb

Magical.......2007-05-10

I really enjoyed this series. Magic is very prominent in this series. It really makes you realize how less we have to overcome compare to other people. A great book.

Wow . . . just . . . wow.......2007-02-19

I am not sure where to start with this amazing book, the first in the Bridei Chronicles. I myself have studied the Picts a bit and Juliet Marillier seems to hit the nail right on the head with her depictions of their lives and times. Many of the people and situations in this book are absolutely real - based upon historical documentation. The remainder is based upon her best guesswork and imagination and she does a bang-up job.

Somewhat akin to the story of Arthur and Merlin, Bridei is raised by a foreboding Druid in the forest. Unknown to Bridei, he is meant to be the future king of Fortrui, which comprised much of modern-day Scotland. Her descriptions of Druidic teachings, their overall lifestyle, the courts and the rituals of their religion ring true in all their splendor and (in some cases) horror.

Of course there is a twist - there is always a twist. A child of the Good Folk - the faeries - is left on their doorstep at Midwinter when Bridei is young. He takes her in, much to everyone's dismay. They all know it is dangerous to have anything to do with the Good Folk, who are at their best capricious. However, Bridei firmly believes that the child, whom he names Tuala, was left for him by the Shining One (Goddess and moon) and vows to care for her. Eventually he wins over everyone except his foster father, the druid. She is accepted into the household and loved almost universally - until the year Bridei goes off to his first war and she matures. . .

There is not much else I can say without ruining a great deal of the story for you. However, I heartily endorse this book, being a fan of historically based fiction, especially that doing with ancient cultures and their clashes (and eventual destruction) by "tolerant, loving" Christians. But . . . such musings are for another day. For this one, if you do not have this book yet, run - don't walk - to your nearest bookseller and find a copy. You won't regret it.

Mediocre Marillier.......2007-01-22

Juliet Marillier never strays far from the elements that made her Sevenwaters Trilogy a success: introspective heroes, dynamic heroines, and human wilfullness colliding with otherworldly manipulations. Marillier's books work becase of her skill at creating a sense of the mythic and timeless. Here, however, she has created something which, while head and shoulders above a lot of other fantasy works, lacks a kind of spark.
Part of this can be attribted to the characters. In her previous novels, Marillier created characters who sometimes skated perilously close to being too perfect but still managed to feel real and occasionally quirky. In the Sevenwaters stories, we had Sorcha the brave and beautiful who was also capable of being sulky and scared. Red who was grim and dry-humored, Liadan who was down-to earth and loyal, and Fainne who commited some unforgivable acts during her tenure as heroine. And in her Wolfskin stories, we had the complex friendship between Eyvind and Somerled.
Here, however, we're left with Bridei and Tuala. There is a lot of potential in these characters. Bridei is destined to be a great king but is snatched from his home as a boy for a life of isolation and study. Tuala is a child of the Good Folk and faces prejudice and distrust as well as her own fears concerning her heritage.
Unfortunately, Marillier does not develop them. Bridei is a nice guy but there's not much incentive to root for him. When he finally emerges from his isolated existence as the druid's student, does he show the slightest bit of social awkwardness? No. Does he show any slowness in his learning, any faults he needs to conquer in his bid to be king? No. And Marillier skips over a significant part of his life, aging him from child to man in the blink of a few pages. Tuala is a somewhat more interesting character but also seems to have been written on auto-pilot as her own conflict over her unusual heritage is never given the full treatment it needs, making the climax not quite as powerful as it could be.
The secondary characters are a mixed bag. The druid Broichan is blinded by his desire to mold Bridei into the perfect king but Marillier renders him so unlikable that his more human qualities, like his love for Bridei and his doubts over the brutal ritual he must perform come off like hastily-written postscripts. The wise woman Fola is a much better character and is a breath of fresh air whenever she appears, perhaps by virtue of having a sense of humor. The girl Ferada is also the same and her arch intelligence as well as her nastiness steal a few scenes. I also enjoyed Faolan, the mercenary and I'm not surprised Marillier put him in the sequel. The enemies, however, get little page time and fall completely flat.
My main gripe, as I mentioned before, is that the book suffers from a case of reliable rather than creative writing. Marillier glosses over important events, creates conflicts that are easily resolved, and describes the natural setting one too many times (but my tolerance for that was never high anyway).
There's still plenty to recommend about this book. Marillier is never better than when she sets up the conflicts between the Real World and the Other World. Her tales-within-tales, especially the story of Amna, are chilling. She's not afraid to gloss over some of the undeniable brutality of the Druids and she doesn't romanticize either the fairies or the Christians at their expense. It's also a credit to her that the romance between Bridei and Tuala didn't feel incestuous. Okay, it felt a little incestuous but it didn't detract from my reading. And once she sets up her characters, the suspense shoots up like a geyser.
Do I recommend this book? Yes, since it's still Juliet Marillier and she can get away with things I wouldn't tolerate with other authors. But I might suggest a first-time reader of hers to start with the Sevenwaters Trilogy.

Dark Mirror (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

Average customer rating:

A chore.
Yes a Great story and a Good ending
Great story, weak ending
How the Mirror Universe should have been handled.
Well Read With A Weak Story

Dark Mirror (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
Diane Duane
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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

ASIN: 0671793772

Book Description

One hundred years ago, four crewmembers of the U.S.S EnterpriseTM crossed the dimensional barrier and found a mirror image of their own universe, populated by nightmare duplicates of their shipmates. Barely able to escape with their lives, they returned, thankful that the accident which had brought them there could not be duplicated, or so they thought.

But now the scientists of that empire have found a doorway into our universe. Their plan is to destroy from within, to replace a Federation Starships with one of their own. Their victims are the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D, who now find themselves engaged in combat against the most savage enemies they have ever encountered, themselves.

Customer Reviews:

A chore........2007-07-22

This book was a chore to get through. I've read a handful of Trek novels, and this is my least favorite by far. It was dry, boring and difficult to get through. The novel had no structure of any kind (no build up and no climax) and the "suprise ending" was pretty lame. I found a lot of the characters saying and doing things they normally wouldn't do. I know that Duane is no stranger to the Trek franchise, but if I didn't know better I would assume that she didn't know these characters at all.

Yes a Great story and a Good ending.......2007-04-10

I did read some of the previous reviews, and I do agree that this is one of the best stories to come from the Mirror universe idea that I've ever read. The author really conveys both the good and evil quite well and in a believable way. All the Star Trek characters are well written and you hear their voices clearly. The ending is not that bad, don't be alarmed. I liked everything about this book.

Great story, weak ending.......2006-05-23

This is a wonderful story--the author really knows the characters and stays true to their personalities. Also the story is solid, and unfolds in a steady pace. But the end doesn't seem satisfying--the outcome almost seems too easy, and the pacing doesn't feel right (things happen too quickly as we get close to the end, and cause the outcome to be almost unbelievable).

I can't say more because I don't want to give away any of the story to those of you who still care to read it. It truly is a great read. Just be prepared for a slightly disappointing ending.

How the Mirror Universe should have been handled. .......2005-10-07

Well, as is said in several other reviews, this novel does not follow what is "cannonical" Star Trek. Anyone familiar with the DS9 Episodes and William Shatner's later extension of those premises knows that in "Official History" The Terran Empire fell to its own corruption and greed, perhaps assisted by Shatner's Kirk-centeric view of things focused on the evil Emperor Tiberius AKA evil James Kirk.

You have to remember when this lovely novel was written. It was published in 1993, at the end of Next Generation's TV run. That was a year before the DS9 Episodes first aired, and a decade before Shatner's novels. It's not unusual for books to be contradicted by the series, and this is an example.

The book begins slowly, with a wordy introduction about quantum physics and an overly descriptive introduction to the floating dolphin scientist. This character could have been so much more than just a gimmick alien, but it was still nice to experience a non-humanoid alien. Soon, a strange intruder is found on the ship, and he appears to be a doppelganger of a crewmember; a twisted and paranoid one at that.

Picard and company find the ship is transported to a mirror universe, with a hideously beweaponed mirror of their ship, and a truly evil crew. As they struggle to thwart an invasion of their own universe, they encounter grotesque caricatures of themselves.

With Crusher as an abused "kept" woman, and Troi the deliciously power-hungry dominatrix, we get great incites into two of the lesser known characters via this plot device. While the ending relies heavily on Treknobabel and Treknology, the meat of this story is great reading. The author crafts masterful doubles that don't stray too far into the absurd in their inverted personalities.

Well Read With A Weak Story.......2005-04-28

This review is for the Abridged Audio version (2 tapes, 3+ hours). Let me start by saying that John De Lancie has a great gift for reading audio books and replicating all of the characters very well (even the women!). If it had not been for him, I would have rated this book three stars. The premise was a little vague. On the one hand there were the physical limitations of how much matter could exist in the alternate universe, but on the other the Enterprise crew was trying to stop an invasion? Perhaps some of the story ended up on the cutting room floor? It seemed very weak to me. Also, the crew does the usual pulling an improbable series of miracles out of a hat in order to win the day. Predictable. I enjoyed the special effects, quite good; they did not drown out the narration at any time, and added much to the story. Hmmm, in retrospect, perhaps the story would rate two stars, and De Lancie actually brings it up to a 4? If you like De Lancie, then buy this audio book, if not then the story is not worth the purchase.

Dark Is the Moon (The View From the Mirror, Book 3)

Average customer rating:

I love it
A question of trust.
In the same vein...
In the same vein...
an amzing book

Dark Is the Moon (The View From the Mirror, Book 3)
Ian Irvine
Manufacturer: Aspect
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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

ASIN: 0446609862

Book Description

n the third volume of this stunning and original saga, Ian Irvine continues The View from the Mirror, his brilliant epic fantasy.THE TALE OF THE BETRAYERSRulke, the last and most powerful of the Charon, escapes from the alien dimension where he has been imprisoned for a millennium. As he amasses a conquering army of telepathic monsters, the other immortal mancers scatter in desperate quests to control or re-create the terrible, arcane magics of the Forbidding. But young Llian, his mind controlled by Rulke, becomes an unwilling spy against all who've befriended him-while Karan, the tormented daughter of three human species, discovers her beloved homeland of Gothryme has become the center of a sorcerous vortex. For there, in a mystic, ancient citadel built by a madman, Rulke plans to wield powers that will reconnect worlds-or unleash the insatiable horrors of The Void. And the key to the Charon's scheme...is Karan herself.PUPPETS OF THE TWISTED MIRRORKaran of Gothryme: To save her people, her land, and her lover, she will have to sacrifice the entire world...Llian of the Zain: Born cursed to serve the Charon, he now must use his knowledge to overcome his very nature...Yalkara of the Charon: The Demon Queen warped the Twisted Mirror to escape Santhenar and the Forbidding, but she may have left her darkest secrets behind...Maigraith: She has the strength to lead armies against inhuman foes, yet she cannot free herself from the one person who would destroy her...Shand: He has spent an eon burying his past but if he does not reveal the truth now, Santhenar may be doomed...Faelamor of the Faellem: The Lady of Illusions plans to lead her people back to their homeworld of Tallallame, even if escape means sacrificing all other worlds to The Void...

Customer Reviews:

I love it.......2004-04-16

I read this book over a year ago, but i still remember can remeber how much i enjoyed reading it.
This novel is different from most fantasy novels in that the main characters have very little control on what happens around them or even control over their own fate. although extraordinary on their own, Karan and Llian are small in comparison to Faellamor, Rulke, Tensor and Mendark. They are pulled back and forth and are tangled in a deadly game where the entire world is at stake.
one thing i liked about this series is the way that your opinion of the characters changes dramatically over the length of the series. those people that seemed noble and good turn out to be the most evil characters of all and the most evil characters the most noble. It blurs the black and white lines between good and evil that are normally so sharp in fantasy novels.
This sets this series apart from others, it is unique in many ways and not as cliched as many fantasy novels are prone to be.

A question of trust........2003-05-18

I am really going up and down about this series. I found the first book lukewarm, while reading the second book interested me enough to run out immediately and buy the third. However, now that I have read the third I have to confess to feeling a little bit let down.

The two main characters, Llian and Karan, spend most of the book stressing out about whether they trust each other. Somehow, this point is more important than the lives of their friends or the fate of the world. I have to say that I still find Karan one of the more remarkably unlikeable female leads in recent fantasy. I sincerely hope that in the 4th book, they get a therapist offline and the rest of the book can continue without further whining.

That said, the adventure *does* continue and other of the characters become more interesting. I like very much the direction Rulke is taking and I am curious to hear more about him.

Not a terrible read, just not a great one.

In the same vein..........2003-04-03

This is the third book in The View from the Mirror tetralogy (after A Shadow on the Glass and The Tower on the Rift, and before The Way Between the Worlds).

Dark Is the Moon starts in the tower of Katazza, where Tensor has just opened a gate to the Nightland. In the process, Rulke the Charon has managed to escape from his imprisonment of a thousand years, while Karan and Llian have been sucked throught the gate. Mendark, Malien, Tallia and Yggur have to overcome their differences and ally against their common enemy and try to use the power of the Rift to seal the Nightland. Karan and Llian's lives are at stake.

And so in the Nightland, Karan and Llian have no choice but to team with Rulke, or they'll be trapped forever. But in the battle, the new alliance draws to much power from the Rift and Katazza collapses over them. Thanks to that diversion, Karan manages to escape throught the gate and lands in the rubble of the destroyed citadel. However, Llian is still stuck with Rulke, who compels him to tell the Histories but finally lets him go five days later. When with Karan they catch up with Yggur, Mendark, Shand and the others, everyone suspects he's become Rulke's spy.

After crossing the Dry Sea again, the group realizes that their only chance to beat Rulke is to make a replica of the golden Flute, a legendary artifact that is said to have the power to open the Way between the Worlds. But for this they need Aachan red gold, which is extremely rare, and information on how to use the instrument.

In this thrid volume, all roads diverge, to converge again at the end for another confrontation: Mendark sets off to Havissard in search of the gold, Yggur goes back to Thurkad where his army is at war, Tallia and Shand go look for young Lilis's father, and Karan wants to go back to her estate in Gothryme to see how her people are faring. Llian accompanies her, and on the way they stop in Chanthed, where lies the College of the Histories, and where he thinks he might gather new information for his Great Tale.

In the meantime Faellamor, with the help of her always faithful Maigraith, is searching for a way to break the Forbidding and tries to link with fher far away kin, the Faellem, and ask them for help. They manage to open a gate to Havissard.

Dark is the Moon is of the same quality as the previous books in the series, that is, full of entertaining adventures and well written, but nothing outstanding, although the characters have started to grow in depth, and me to consider reading Ian Irvine's next series, The Well of Echoes. But on to the fourth and final volume first.

In the same vein..........2003-04-03

This is the third book in The View from the Mirror tetralogy (after A Shadow on the Glass and The Tower on the Rift, and before The Way Between the Worlds).

an amzing book.......2002-07-11

It is an amzing book. Now I can only wait to read the others.

Average customer rating:

X-Men
A very good book by all kinds of standards
A very good book by all kinds of standards
Pretty decent
Excellent!

Dark Mirror (X-Men)
Marjorie M. Liu
Manufacturer: Pocket Star
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 141651063X

Book Description

Feared and mistrusted by the very people they have sworn to protect, the X-Men are a band of mutant heroes dedicated to defending humans from those mutants who would use their powers to harm and destroy. Blessed -- some would say cursed -- with awesome abilities, the members of the X-Men are Earth's last defense against villains and madmen...and the future's only hope.

Jean Grey awakens in an unfamiliar room. She is weak, disoriented, stripped of her telepathic and telekinetic powers -- and trapped in someone else's body. Also prisoner are her teammates Cyclops, Wolverine, Rogue, and Nightcrawler -- their minds held hostage within the bodies of strangers. Who has brought them here, and for what purpose? The answers lead to a terrifying plan that threatens not only the X-Men, but all of mutantkind...

Customer Reviews:

X-Men.......2007-06-09

This X-Men book was fantastic, I like X-Men the x-men stories from the comics and the movies. This book was funny, interesting and I couldn't put it down. My favourite parts were about Logan in the woman's body, the way he talked and the things he did was like Logan would do but being described as him coming from her body was so funny. I felt for Rogue who has wanted to touch but it being forced on her, it not being what she wanted. The way this book is written is great, hearing what the characters think and feel, I love how the author has described what they do and say is amazing, you get so much more from the book then you can you can get from the comics.
I can't wait to read more X-Men books like this.

A very good book by all kinds of standards.......2007-04-21

I love this book.

The premise, which you presumably already know, is that five of the X-Men (Phoenix, Cyclops, Wolverine, Rogue, and Nightcrawler) have been switched into the bodies of other people, who just happen to be inmates of a mental institution. Meanwhile, a group of people wearing their bodies return to the Mansion, and the three X-Men left behind there (Storm, Gambit, and Jubilee) slowly figure out what's going on.

So what's new? Mind-switching isn't original for this universe; I can remember a fairly ancient story in which Storm is mindswitched with the White Queen. What make this special is _how_ it's done.

Other X-Men books I've read have read like transcribed comic books- all action, no anyhing else. Which is fine in comic books, but lousy for regular-type books. THis is not like that at all. It deals with the X-Men as people, not as powers, and takes time to explore their personalities and their reactions to being deprived of their powers, and (in some cases)living in a body that's teh wrong sex.

It also manages to touch on "regular" mutants, ones whose powers aren't that powerful, some of whom manage to live fairly normal lives. THe book also touches on prejudice and the ways it does or does not influence people.

The five X-Men were fairly believable in their reactions to their new circmstances, although I was rather surprised that Nightcrawler, who'd always been the most physically different X-Man, found it so easy to adjust to a regular human body. THe ways their transformations affect them- Rogue and Nightcrawler are injured because the aren't as quick as they're used to being, Rogue kills someone because she assums she wouldn't be strong enough to do serious damage- are well handled.

I can't say how good the charicteristizations of Jubilee and Gambit were, as this is my first encounter with them. However, they were very fun. Especially Jubilee, whose attitude, and relationhip with Wolverine, were very well drawn. I don't know if it was accurate, but she seemed like a really neat person. Storm was true to my idea of her; very calm and very powerful. Their detective work at hte Mansion- as small things add up, and the fake X-Men act more and more weird- occupies a fairly small part of the book, but it is quite interesting.

The other five X-Men were well handled too. My only complaint there is that I would've liked more about Nightcrawler, my favorite character, and Rogue, who's my favorite after him and Storm. Phoenix (also a favorite, although I wish they would observe a seemly moderation of reserections) had more time; she had the hardest time adjusting, since she is suddenly not a telepath.

There were a few references to stories I've never heard of- Nightcrawler at two points refers to Rogue as his sister, which confused me since until then I hadn't realized Mystique was his mom; Gambit remembers meeting Storm when she was a child; Phoenix's constnat reserections are mentioend in passing; so is SHIELD- but these were handled well and kept to a minimum.

All in all this is a great book. It takes an easy subject to mess up and gets a working, very good novel out of it.

A very good book by all kinds of standards.......2007-04-21

Pretty decent.......2006-10-09

This is better than most of the X-men novels. Tho, be prepared that the heroes are powerless for most of the book. Better than some of the current X-men comics.

Excellent!.......2006-09-02

Dark Mirror was the only X-Men novel I have ever read, aside from the movie novelizations of Chris Claremont, that actually suceeds as a novel. It is well-written, with only a few cheesy lines (extremely rare in a comic book novel). Flashes of deeper thought and emotion are often seen; the novel skips from hilarity to violence to bittersweet. Definitely recommended, and most definitely a marvelous read.

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Entertining Riff on an Interesting Idea
This book was good
Double, Double, Toil and Trouble
don't waste your hard earned cash!
Tightly written, well paced story

Dark Mirror (Angel)
Craig Shaw Gardner
Manufacturer: Simon Spotlight Entertainment
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0689867018

Book Description

Even if it takes an eternity, he will make amends...

THE SINCEREST FORM

In his two-plus centuries on Earth, Angel's seen his share of imitators: kindly, misguided people intrigued by the exotic business of being a P.I.; not-so-kindly misguided people drawn to the lure of the undead unlife. But so far he's not encountered a clone -- a true double.

Enter Angel, the Second. And Fred 2.0. And Wesley Redux....A steady parade of perfect doubles arrives at Angel Investigations, but they're not looking for help. They want the original humans (and vampire) dead. And if Angel, Lorne, and their friends can't band together to figure out where the clones are coming from, a murder spree that starts in their lobby might spread to the entire city. But how do you defeat someone who knows your every thought, your every battle plan, your darkest fear? How can Angel defeat himself?

Customer Reviews:

Entertining Riff on an Interesting Idea.......2007-01-23

When a steady parade of doubles for the intrepid heroes of Angel Investigations shows up and wants the originals dead, Angel and company know it's part of a sinister plan. But these doubles are more than just looks, they have the goods too. The team quickly finds out it's difficult to kill someone who knows you inside and out, and who thinks exactly like you do. But kill them they must, and quickly.

Dark Mirror takes a plot that's not new to the universe of Buffy and Angel. After all, Willow faced her doppelganger, even alluding to facets of her own personality the young witch hadn't known at the time. Yet, the idea of a copy of Angel, Wes, Fred, Gunn, and Lorne, trying to kill our heroes sounds intriguing.

This story is a fun romp. It takes place during the fourth season of Angel, and I found a bit of the continuity a bit off, or at least that's the way it felt to me. But as far as an interesting idea, and running with it, Dark Mirror provides an entertaining way to spend a few hours.

This book was good.......2006-04-30

I finally read Angel: Dark Mirror. I really enjoyed this book. The plot was good so was the background story about Wesley. I wish they were making more Angel books.

Double, Double, Toil and Trouble.......2004-09-09

If it isn't enough that Angel is scheduled to be part of a coming apocalypse, now Angel Investigations must deal with the Seven Sinners, a demon cult that intends to hijack that apocalypse and substitute one of their own - 'The Remorse,' which is something akin to a wave of world destroying guilt. To accomplish this the Sinners must create doubles of a select group of characters, drawn from both the good and evil sides of the coming conflict.

From the first moments of the story, when the residents of the Hyperion watch a private eye shoot himself, the Angel team must deal with an enemy that can look like anyone they know. In particular, each other. And every double is intent on killing its original. This we have a dark comedy where the only way to be sure that people are really who they seem to be is to have them sing for Lorne. If you can be sure that Lorne is Lorne.

Craig Shaw Gardner is a prolific writer who has proven his capabilities with several mainstream series as well as the 'specialty' trade of such as the Angel/Buffy books. He brings a measure of balance to these books, less interested in creating yet another marathon adventure than he is in putting together something that really does merit being called a novel.

It is almost unexpected to be reading an Angel story that actually takes a look into the interior motivations of the lesser characters, and spends some time scene building. As such, Dark Mirror stands out both for an interesting plot and for its unique portrayals of Fred and Lilah. This is much more of a team book than other Angel efforts as well. Nobody gets to hog the spotlight.

The flaw of the book is a weak ending in an otherwise solid effort. Along the way on is lead to expect something of a battle royal type ending. Yet, while the characters might feel they are in a last ditch struggle, Gardner doesn't quite communicate that feeling to the reader - things are a bit too cut and dry. Still, I feel this is one of the better Angel books and a worthwhile read even if just for its interesting portrayal of Lilah.

don't waste your hard earned cash!.......2004-09-05

After reading the synopsis for this book I was looking forward to an exciting read. What I got was something a high school student could do better... The characters seemed forced and the villans frankly boring. There were many times I thought 'when is this book going to end'?? I kept reading to find out how the villans were defeated - the answer? - much too easily and without anyone at Angel Investigations even raising a sweat! The much hyped battle between Angel and his double was over in about two paragraphs, and how they knew how to kill their doubles was never explained.
I won't waste any more time or money on Angel novels and will enjoy my DVD's instead!

Tightly written, well paced story.......2004-05-17

In Dark Mirror, Angel Investigations must face a group of demons capable of becoming duplicates of anyone they get close to -- complete with their personality and memories. The duplicates just happen to reflect their darker, angrier selves. And their duplicates are out to destroy them.

The book is well written and fast paced. The character portrayals are strong and the interrelationships are accurate for the timing of the book (clearly early in season 4).

Gardner does a good job of capturing the strained relationship between Wesley and Angel Investigations, the complex relationship between Wesley and Lilah and Conner's confusion about who he is and what (and who) he should believe.

The ending seems to wrap up quickly (...). But, really, that mirrors the format of a one hour television series, where all is neatly wrapped up in the last 10 minutes. It is, in essence, exactly what we expect and saying that gives away nothing of the plot!

I was a little unclear about how the characters knew how to put a final end to their duplicates (and I won't go into that as it does give something away). I'll just say that I didn't see that part explained -- it may have been edited out or I may just have missed it, as I did read the book in a hospital waiting room.

Amazon.com

Kai Meyer's engaging fantasy portrays Venice as a city alive with wonder--stone lions pad with heavy paws on the canal banks and sometimes fly (as steeds for the Venetian Guard); the canals are full of mermaids with wide shark jaws, and the island city has been under siege by Egypt for 36 years. Only the power of The Flowing Queen, the mysterious spirit of the waters, has kept the city safe. But now the essence of the Queen has been stolen by traitors within the government, and the powers of Hell are offering a blood treaty. Two orphan girls, Merle, 14, and blind Junipa, 13, have become apprentices at the workshop of Arcimboldo, the maker of magic mirrors. He treats them kindly and restores gentle Junipa's sight by replacing her eyes with two round silvery bits of mirror. Merle soon emerges as the more adventurous of the two, and experienced fantasy readers are not surprised when she is given a quest to save the doomed city. American readers of this German bestseller will be reminded of Cornelia Funke's The Thief Lord, by the intriguing mix of actual Venetian locations and a fantasy underworld, and also Neil Gaiman's Coraline, by the matter-of-fact acceptance of grotesqueries. In this unusually short (for fantasy) initial volume, Kai Meyer has planted enough backstory, hints, foreshadowings, and unanswered questions to fuel several sequels. (12 and up) --Patty Campbell

Book Description

In Venice, magic is not unusual. Merle is apprenticed to a magic mirror maker, and Serafin -- a boy who was once a master thief -- works for a weaver of magic cloth. Merle and Serafin are used to the mermaids who live in the canals of the city -- beautiful creatures with hideous mouths that split their faces from ear to ear -- and to the guards who patrol the streets on living stone lions. Merle herself possesses something magical: a mirror whose surface is water. She can reach her whole arm into it and never get wet.

But Venice is under siege by the Egyptian Empire; its terrifying mummy warriors and flying sunbarks are waiting to strike. All that protects the Venetians is the Flowing Queen. Nobody knows who or what she is -- only that her power flows through the canals and keeps the Egyptians at bay.

When Merle and Serafin overhear a plot to capture the Flowing Queen, they are catapulted into desperate danger. They must do everything they can to rescue the Queen and save the city -- even if it means getting help from the Ancient Traitor himself.

Kai Meyer's bold, original fantasy conjures up a land of magic and menace as Merle and Serafin begin a journey to unimagined realms in the extraordinary world of Dark Reflections.

Customer Reviews:

A fantastical Venice with a gripping and mysterious plot.......2007-09-23

This Venice isn't a tourist's Venice. It's a puzzling, magical Venice at its most extreme, a perfect mythical setting for the first of Kai Meyer's trilogy. The Water Mirror is targeted at teenagers, but like other successful trilogies such as Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials, many adults have become increasingly attracted to Kai Meyer's work.

I read this in one sitting, thrilled to the bone by what I read and imagined. It's nothing like what I've read before. It's evocative, it's mysterious, it's deliciously dark, and it doesn't shy away from the grotesque, reminding me vaguely of the the computer game, "American McGee's Alice", in which a children's story becomes warped and sinister and extremely enticing.

On par with Jonathan Stroud or Garth Nix.......2007-04-16

I found this to be a very engaging beginning. I know Kai Meyer is doing just fine with being a bestseller in Germany and published in many other countries, but I'm surprised this doesn't have a larger readership here in the U.S. It should, and you won't be disappointed if you give it a try.

I found it to be well-written and inventive. Meyer's Venice is both grounded and surreal. At times it has touches of magic realism. Like with the mermaids that open the book. Instead of mermaids being something to feel awe about, they're essentially enslaved by Venetians and treated harshly. Basic human nature uncovered. I don't think that's that far from a type of fantastic/reality that Gabriel Garcia Marquez would recognize.

But without a doubt this is a fantasy adventure that's deservedly on par with the work of Jonathan Stroud -The Amulet of Samarkand (The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 1) or Garth Nix -The Abhorsen Trilogy Box Set. Like those author's works, this if YA that can hold an adult's interest. What's actually more enjoyable about is that the main characters, Merle and Junipa, are very likable and sympathetic. They're smart, make reasonable decisions, and deal admirably with the challenges thrown at them.

You might as well know that the novel doesn't really end with any sort of completion. It cries to be carried on in the next volume. I, for one, will be happy to do so.

I "Heart" Venice ..........2007-01-02

It seems Venice has become a hot commodity in children's literature ever since Cornelia Funke's "Thief Lord" appeared. But Kai Meyer gives the ancient city a new, dark twist in "The Water Mirror". Filled with sharp-toothed mermaids and flying stone lions, the "Water Mirror" is a satisfying begginning in this new series.

Merle and Junipa are two orphan girls who live in an alternate Venice, one which is under seige by the powerful Egyptian Empire and its mummy armies. Magic is not unusual in this Venice, as mermaids swim through the canals and the city is patrolled by flying stone lions. But only the Flowing Queen, who is said to be the very water herself, can truly protect Venice from the Empire.

One day for reasons unknown to them, Merle and Junipa are whisked away from their orphanage and apprenticed to the mysterious magic mirror-maker, Arcimboldo. Here is where their adventure starts, and Merle learns that her water mirror, the one she's had since she was a child, is mysteriously linked to the Flowing Queen. Soon, Merle along with her new neighbor boy Serafin, learn of a plot in the Venetian Council to betray the Flowing Queen to the Pharaoh. If Merle has any hope of saving Venice, she knows she must first save the Flowing Queen.

"The Water Mirror" is an exciting fantasy, richly detailed and interesting. The characters are believable and the magic is enticing. Venice is the true star of this story. The city is alive with magic and detail, yet there is also an extremely atmospheric foreboding about its fate. Meyer manages to keep the reader interested long enough with mermaids, flying stone lions, and political intrigue until they reach the ending where the story truly picks up. The book ends in mid-adventure hinting at more to come, but Meyer skillfully leaves the reader wanting more by revealing a bigger plot at plan than what was originally shown before.

While stopping in mid-adventure, "The Water Mirror" is still an interesting and magical read. It's the most original story I've read in a while, and the sudden new plot details revealed in the end left me and I'm sure will also leave readers wanting more. Highly reccommended, "The Water Mirror" is not to be missed if you are looking for high fantasy with a dark twist.

Clever, But Ending is Unsatisfying.......2006-08-06

This book started out fantastically. I was excited by the characters and plot, and could not wait to find out what happened next. I thought Serafin was a very rich and detailed character, and I liked the slight creepiness of Junipa's mirror eyes. However, as it got nearer and nearer to the end, I thought the book began to unravel a bit. It was like Kai Meyer got bored of writing the story and decided to hurry it along a bit by adding unrealistic plot twists. I know this is the first book in a trilogy, so I can only hope that Mr. Meyer manages to get this wonderful story back on track in the next two books. Even though the ending to The Water Mirror is unsatisfying, I would still recommend buying the book, or at the very least, getting it out of the library.

Fresh new fantasy..........2006-02-08

As a fan of the fantasy genre, I was very happy to read this innovative book, which finally breaks free of the tired conventions authors have been following for years.

From the very start, the setting (a magical Venice, in the early 1900s) is a change from the standard Middle Earth ripooffs and medieval castles. Main character Merle is a well-rounded character who acts quite a bit more like an actual person than any heroine in recent memory. And the supporting cast is no slouch, either; in this well-crafted universe, even standard archetypes have been transformed into fresh new personalities.

As is required for any magical world, the fantasy Venice is sprinkled with all kinds of mythical objects and creatures, from stone lions and mummy warriors to "mirror phantoms" and mermaids. All of these are described in a way that makes them seem like they could really exist.

The constant stream of unique ideas only helps to drive an intriguing plot. Since this is the first in a series, the ending leaves plenty of loose ends for readers to ponder until the translation of book 2.

This book's pretty cover art drew me in, but its strong plot hooks and great writing will keep me coming back until the series concludes.

The Water Mirror: Dark Reflections, Book 1 (Dark Reflections)

Average customer rating:

The Water Mirror: Dark Reflections, Book 1 (Dark Reflections)
Kai Meyer
Manufacturer: Listening Library (Audio)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 0307284476
Release Date: 2006-02-14

Book Description

In Venice, magic is not unusual. Merle is apprenticed to a magic mirror maker, and Serafin–a boy who was once a master thief–works for a weaver of magic cloth. Now, Venice is under siege by the Egyptian Empire; its terrifying mummy warriors and flying sunbarks are waiting to strike. All that protects the Venetians is the Flowing Queen. Nobody knows who or what she is–only that her power flows through the canals and keeps the Egyptians at bay.
When Merle and Serafin overhear a plot to capture the Flowing Queen, they are catapulted into desperate danger. They must do everything they can to rescue the Queen and save the city.
Kai Meyer’s bold, original fantasy conjures up a land of magic and menace as Merle and Serafin begin a journey to unimagined realms in the extraordinary world of Dark Reflections.

A ROOM WITH DARK MIRRORS - a Novel of Suspense

Average customer rating:

A ROOM WITH DARK MIRRORS - a Novel of Suspense
VELDA JOHNSTON
Manufacturer: Dodd, Mead
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GKXE16

Broken Mirrors/Broken Minds: The Dark Dreams of Dario Argento

Average customer rating:

Broken Minds
Amazing work on an interesting filmmaker
Fascinating look at the Gialli Rancher
Excellent Book With a WEALTH of Knowledge
Excellent Argento introduction

Broken Mirrors/Broken Minds: The Dark Dreams of Dario Argento
Maitland McDonagh
Manufacturer: Carol Publishing Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0806515147

Customer Reviews:

Broken Minds.......2005-07-29

Broken Minds is a soon to be published book. It should 'hit the streets' October 2005. Its sub title is "Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It".
The book is about mood disorders, especially as one who has "been there", author Steve Bloem. It is co-authored by his wife Robyn Bloem. An aim of the authors is to help both the sufferer of mental illness and her/his caregivers, get out of the dark pit of depression. Stigma still surrounds depression and other forms of mental illness. The church of Jesus Christ is asked to deal with the taboo of suicide and also the pervasive pain that is inherent in maladies of the mind.
It is easy to read and chocked full of important truths for the reader. Kregel publications says it well, "A deeply personal, yet practical, book for Christians who are clinically depressed or have been diagnosed with a mental illness. Mental illness. Those words bring to mind frightening scenes of padded walls, white straightjackets, and screaming people. But mental illness is often much more subtle-and much more prevalent than we imagine. Unfortunately, people who are diagnosed as being mentally ill may not understand what is happening to them. And for Christians, some "helpful" leaders heap on guilt, saying that the problem is spiritual rather than physical in nature. This book takes Steve's personal story of major depression and weaves through it Robyn's insights and Steve's professional knowledge. The result is a tapestry of practical information- including definitions, treatment options, government services available, and interactions with the church and God-and a deep compassion for those who feel like their world is falling apart".

Amazing work on an interesting filmmaker.......2002-02-11

Maitland has written a very admirable study of one of the world's most interesting horror filmmakers. She even goes to the trouble of defending the more nonsensical moments of Arengto's films. For example, the scene in Suspiria where a murder victim stumbles across a room full of barbed wire makes no logical sense, but after you read Maitland explain how Argento works (kind of like surrealists, he uses a technique called "Automatic writing" which involves very little, if any, editing) you begin to understand that maybe Argento isn't neccesarily TRYING to make sense. At any rate she does a fine job of defending him, as well as delving into recurring themes. One of the better books on a director you will ever read.

Fascinating look at the Gialli Rancher.......2001-09-24

This is a great book. If you're a fan of Dario Argento, the Italian maestro of horror, or if you're just a fan of well-made, artistically-minded horror films, you should read this book (and should take a closer look at the films of Dario Argento).

"Broken Mirrors/Broken Minds" is out of print, but you can buy a used copy through Amazon.com (as I did) for a cheaper price. But then you must prepare yourself for a whirl-wind.

This book discusses in intimate detail the films of the great Dario Argento. The introduction gives us some context of who he is (ex-film critic, master of the beautiful and profane), where he came from (an Italian movie-making family and the tutelage of spaghetti-western-maker Sergio Leone), what he does (makes a particular style of thriller called a giallo and often draws on the broken imagery of dreams for his most effective material).

Then we're off on a film-by-film analysis of Argento's career. We study the films he's made, the choices he's made within those films, and gain an appreciation, if we don't already have one, of why this Argento is such a unique, talented film-maker.

"Broken Mirrors/Broken Minds" often reads like the film school thesis which it is. Words and phrases like "diegetic," "filmic," and the old favorite "mise-en-scene" abound. But you shouldn't let that deter you, even if you aren't of the overly critical, or analytical stock. There is a lot of fascinating stuff in this book, and you're sure to walk away from it with a bigger, more profound appreciation for the films and career of one of the greats in the horror field, Dario Argento. And if you haven't seen all of Argento's films, or if it's been a while, reading this book is a great excuse to catch up on them.

What surprised me most about this book was that it was written by a woman. I didn't realize until I turned the last page of the book and read the "about the author" section that Maitland McDonagh has two X chromosomes. I guess I assumed because of the subject matter--the deliriously violent, at times arguably woman-unfriendly world of Dario Argento's deep red "filmic" nightmares--that a man must have written the book. But what a great perspective is given from the eyes and mind of a woman writing intelligently about horror films. You must go get this book.

Excellent Book With a WEALTH of Knowledge.......2001-07-05

I have learned so much from reading this book.

I purchased it when it first came out (long ago kiddies) but since then have ordered an extra copy.

McDonagh is an excellent writer, very cerebral, very descriptive, and thorough.

She dissects each film bit by bit until you, the reader, have a COMPLETE understanding of Argento's films and the way he thinks.

This is SUCH a small price to pay for such excellent, in-depth research; it is like taking a film course for free, considering how inexpensive the book is.

Take my advice. If you love Argento (and not just because of the gore) read his films.

On the other hand, if you're the type who likes his films cause "the death scenes are cool" PULEAZE don't bother!

Excellent Argento introduction.......1999-03-03

McDonagh provides an excellent introduction to Argento's films. I found it very helpful in writing my book on the Poe cinema. Her critiques are insightul and on the mark.

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