Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

Book Description

Following the traditions of Gabriel GarcÍa Marqu,z, John Gardner and J.R.R. Tolkien, Wicked is a richly woven tale that takes us to the other, darker side of the rainbow as novelist Gregory Maguire chronicles the Wicked Witch of the West's odyssey through the complex world of Oz -- where people call you wicked if you tell the truth.

Years before Dorothy and her dog crash-land, another little girl makes her presence known in Oz. This girl, Elphaba, is born with emerald-green skin -- no easy burden in a land as mean and poor as Oz, where superstition and magic are not strong enough to explain or to overcome the natural disasters of flood and famine. But Elphaba is smart, and by the time she enters the university in Shiz, she becomes a member of a charmed circle of Oz' most promising young citizens.

Elphaba's Oz is no utopia. The Wizard's secret police are everywhere. Animals -- those creatures with voices, souls and minds -- are threatened with exile. Young Elphaba, green and wild and misunderstood, is determined to protect the Animals -- even it means combating the mysterious Wizard, even if it means risking her single chance at romance. Even wiser in guilt and sorrow, she can find herself grateful when the world declares her a witch. And she can even make herself glad for that young girl from Kansas.

In Wicked, Gregory Maguire has taken the largely unknown world of Oz and populated it with the power of his own imagination. Fast-paced, fantastically real and supremely entertaining, this is a novel of vision and re-vision. Oz never will be the same again.

Download Description

Packed with e-book extras, including the original classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum, and the Reader's Group Guide. When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum's classic tale, we heard only one side of the story. Meet Elphaba -- a smart, prickly, little green-skinned girl who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil. When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum's classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her arch-nemesis, the mysterious witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked? And what is the true nature of evil? Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to be the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, a smart, prickly and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil.

Customer Reviews:

It Would Put the Wicked Witch Off Reading.......2007-10-08

I got this book after seeing Wicked the Musical. The character of Elphaba, the predestined Witch, was presented as a sympathetic character. All of the book's best setup ideas are in the musical, and ideas that should have been obvious in the book but weren't were also in the musical. I made the mistake of getting this book to read all the details the musical didn't include.

Simply put, there are no details the musical doesn't include. Possible Spoilers: The foundation of the book is clever, but never developed: Elphaba is an outcast, made more so by her care for the Animals, the ones that can speak, that are being oppressed and worse. She gets hold of a magic book the Wizard can't read, and then proceeds to do nothing with it. Her relationship with Fiyaro, explained fully in the musical, is never explained in the book! Then there are the long, rambling conversations that go nowhere and have no point.
I think the author as a child must have been subjected to long, rambling & meaningless (to him) conversations between family members at social gatherings, as this is how he perceives all such gatherings; as much talk about nothing, vague (and obtuse) reflections on the "nature" of good & evil, etc; he presents all the characters as ninnies in their incoherent discussions, except for the Witch who also participates, and inevitably is seen as a ninny too for participating in them. The author does this dozens (and I mean dozens) of times in his book. To what purpose? It's never explained. What starts as a sympathetic character eventually grates on the nerves as she is never deveoped, her motivations become flatter and flatter, explanations are never forthcoming, and she's seen as weak & ineffective throughout the whole book. If she's so helpless, why does the Wizard see her as a threat? That's never explained either. The dialogue between characters is stilted, disconnected, sometimes illogical to the point where you're shaking your head and putting the book down to spare yourself a headache, when what you want is an engrossing and uplifting read. This book is the opposite of engrossing; it's off-putting, and a continual trudge uphill to find something meaningful in it.

Ultimately, you lose patience and start thinking for yourself about the giant plot holes and contradictions. For me the most basic one became this: Here we have the Wizard, a powerless man magically but who has a lot of guards & spies. Then we have the Witch, a natural magician, in possession of a dangerous tome, as well as part of a huge underground rebellion. The Wizard simply kidnaps her lover's family, and the Witch has to beg on her knees, crying, to the Wizard to get them back, without ever using her powers or her connections to save them. Is this consistent with the character? Is this our brave & indomitable Witch? Should we care about her after this as a viable or even an effective character, since she is not the character described at the beginning of this novel? We understand she's going to be different than the Baum character, but she should at least be consistent in some way within this story. Also the "huge rebellion" is hugely meaningless, as it never succeeds in anything and simply disappears eventually, never mentioned again!

The book makes allusions to Nazi Germany in its persecution of the Animals. In this author's view, from what he has written, Hitler would never have been defeated; he would simply have gone on and on, without opposition, as any rebellion or resistence is futile. And what is the point then? The author doesn't make one; we are left then with the author's perspective that true evil once in power can never be defeated, only endured till it kills us. Whether the author intended it or not, that is the moral of this book. Is it worth slogging through hundreds of pages of disconnected characters and events to get to that charming point?

I can't call it a story, as ultimately, it isn't one -just disconnected scenes & rambling, pointless dialogue. He really should have read his own book before publishing it. I don't understand why the people he credits for "reading the book early" didn't point out these giant flaws, the fact that she never (I mean never) uses her powers, and that she never develops (nor does anyone else) after college. Nor do I understand the Publisher not pointing this out and requesting a decent rewrite. (Which frankly, I think would have been beyond his capacity as a beginning writer). What he needed was an experienced (and better) cowriter to flesh out and develop the characters, and eliminate all of the rambling that does not progress or add to the story.

If you care for this character, don't read the book; you'll get no insight as to her motivations, or anything else.
You'll actually stop sympathizing and caring about her character. See the musical instead. The person that wrote the book for the musical did a better job than the author did in writing the novel. The musical Wicked is far better than this author deserves for it to be, considering the source material.

The musical does the Witch justice; this book, I'm afraid, does just the opposite, both for the Witch, and its readers.

The misunderstood witch.... UNDERSTOOD!.......2007-10-05

What can I say about this book?
Only that it was a honorable classic. I was able to fully understand the madness of the infamous witch, her story corrected my thoughts. We were all lead to believe that Elphaba was hateful and despied poor Dorthey, but that was not the case according to Maguire's novel. As a little girl I asked myself why was she so wicked? and did she have a life before Dorthey's time? This book clearly gave me perspective in that matter. Elphaba's stormy, weird and excitable sexual relationship with Fiyero also mad me love this book, because who would think that The Wicked Witch of The West had sex? Maguire makes it loud and clear that she did and LOVED it!

Another creative part of this book was the description of Nessarose and Galinda. He allowed me to get a full review of the charaters of Oz. And as a child I was scared of Munchkinlanders and after reading this book I confired that I still am!

Filled with hidden messages and funny sexual acts Wicked turned out to be my most beloved book of this year (2007)
And I am off to Broadway to see the play...........

Wicked Wasted My Week.......2007-10-05

Wow was I disappointed in this book!!! Had heard great things about it and thought the concept would be interesting. It was the furthest thing from interesting and in fact was the worst book I've read since high school.

The plot rambles with most of the book irrelevant to the "story". Characters come and go with no direction. They pop up, seem interesting, then they go away without much explanation.

I am no author, but I think Maguire really missed out on creating a truly interesting story. Would be nice if someone else took a real crack at creating somthing intriguing.

Luckily I just borrowed the book from my sister. Don't waste your hard earned cash.

Enigmas, akimbo, and snares, Oh My!.......2007-09-28

I liked the book because of its originality.
However, the story would flow and then get stuck in its attempt to confuse and irritate the reader into skipping over big parts of the book.
The journey of the Witch is so convoluted, that I had to back track. Enjoying this book took a lot effort. I like to be entertained when I read fiction, not work myself into a dither trying to understand where the story is going. When it gets bogged down with theories and who is who and where and when,...it is rather boring. BUT.. the parts that tell you about her childhood, schooling...is entertaining.

Horrors! Horrors!.......2007-09-23

This book was painfully disappointing. The plots meanders here and there and never fully develops. The writing is mediocre, and the book left me feeling cheated. The books sums itself up with the only funny line in it - "Horrors! Horrors!" Don't waste your time!

Average customer rating:

Ugh.
Slender yes, but he still has it !
Worse Ever
TYPICAL McMURTRY
Snow on the Roof-fire in the chimmney

When the Light Goes: A Novel
Larry McMurtry
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1416534261

Book Description

In this masterful and often surprising sequel to the acclaimed Duane's Depressed, the Pulitzer Prize- and Oscar-winning author of Lonesome Dove has written a haunting, elegiac, and occasionally erotic novel about one of his most beloved characters. Duane Moore first made his appearance in The Last Picture Showand, like his author, he has aged but not lost his vigor or his taste for life.

Back from a two-week trip to Egypt, Duane finds he cannot readjust to life in Thalia, the small, dusty, West Texas hometown in which he has spent all of his life. In the short time he was away, it seems that everything has changed alarmingly. His office barely has a reason to exist now that his son Dickie is running the company from Wichita Falls, his lifelong friends seem to have suddenly grown old, his familiar hangout, once a good old-fashioned convenience store, has been transformed into an "Asian Wonder Deli," his daughters seem to have taken leave of their senses and moved on to new and strange lives, and his own health is at serious risk.

It's as if Duane cannot find any solace or familiarity in Thalia and cannot even bring himself to revisit the house he shared for decades with his late wife, Karla, and their children and grandchildren. He spends his days aimlessly riding his bicycle

(already a sign of serious eccentricity in West Texas) and living in his cabin outside town. The more he tries to get back to the rhythm of his old life, the more he realizes that he should have left Thalia long ago -- indeed everybody he cared for seems to have moved on without him, to new lives or to death.

The only consolation is meeting the young, attractive geologist, Annie Cameron, whom Dickie has hired to work out of the Thalia office. Annie is brazenly

seductive, yet oddly cold, young enough to be Duane's daughter, or worse, and Duane hasn't a clue how to handle her. He's also in love with his psychiatrist, Honor Carmichael, who after years of rebuffing him, has decided to undertake what she feels is Duane's very necessary sex reeducation, opening him up to some major, life-changing surprises.

For the lesson of When the Light Goes is that where there's life, there is indeed hope -- Duane, widowed, displaced from whatever is left of his own life, suddenly rootless in the middle of his own hometown, and at risk of death from a heart that also doesn't seem to be doing its job, is in the end saved by sex, by love, and by his own compassionate and intense interest in other people and the surprises they reveal.

At once realistic and life-loving, often hilariously funny, and always moving, though without a touch of sentimentality, Larry McMurtry has opened up a new chapter in Duane's life and, in doing so, written one of his finest and most compelling novels to date, doing for Duane what he did so triumphantly for Aurora in Terms of Endearment.

Customer Reviews:

Ugh........2007-09-07

Duane's Depressed was such a beautiful book. I should have stopped there. While reading When the Light Goes, I kept calculating how many pages I had until the end - I didn't know how McMurtry was going to dazzle me in the last few pages. Oh... He didn't. Yes, I agree - Skip this book - and read one of his other, wonderful tales.

Slender yes, but he still has it !.......2007-08-15

Yes, this is a slender book, full of blank pages, but the fact remains that a late in career Larry McMurtry not at his best is still way above 80% of the writers on the market today.

Worse Ever.......2007-08-08

This series should have ended with DUANE'S DEPRESSED. I have read several of McMurtrys books and it's hard to believe this is the same man who won the Pulitzer for LONESOME DOVE. The gross amount of profanity and the sex scenes did not add anything to the book. In fact, this book did not really add anything to the story line. It should have just ended with Duane flying off to Egypt in DUANE'S DEPRESSED.

TYPICAL McMURTRY.......2007-06-11

Very good read. Am proud owner of all Mcmutry's books. Since I am in the same age group as Duane I can relate to him quite a lot.
Pete

Snow on the Roof-fire in the chimmney.......2007-05-31

I enjoyed this book, even more then Duane's Depressed. I'm glad that there are books that celebrate that season of life. Enjoy.

Average customer rating:

The conclusion to the great Dune Saga
Disappointed
Sandworms...a magical conclusion?
Excellent continuation of a classic story
An Editor would have been nice

Sandworms of Dune
Brian Herbert , and Kevin J. Anderson
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 076531293X
Release Date: 2007-08-07

Book Description

At the end of Frank Herberts final novel, Chapterhouse: Dune, a ship carrying a crew of refugees escapes into the uncharted galaxy, fleeing from a terrifying, mysterious Enemy. The fugitives used genetic technology to revive key figures from Dunes pastincluding Paul MuadDib and Lady Jessicato use their special talents to meet the challenges thrown at them. Based directly on Frank Herberts final outline, which lay hidden in two safe-deposit boxes for a decade, Sandworms of Dune will answer the urgent questions Dune fans have been debating for two decades: the origin of the Honored Matres, the tantalizing future of the planet Arrakis, the final revelation of the Kwisatz Haderach, and the resolution to the war between Man and Machine. This breathtaking new novel in Frank Herberts Dune series has enough surprises and plot twists to please even the most demanding reader.

Customer Reviews:

The conclusion to the great Dune Saga.......2007-10-10

The book wraps up and finalizes the series started by Frank Herbert and finished by his son and Kevin Anderson. All the parts from the machine war trilogy and the dune saga are brought to close.

Disappointed.......2007-10-10

This book was horribly disappointing. I only bought it to get closure on the series.

The writers seemed to me to not understand what DUNE was all about. The story is shallow, uninspiring and very bland.
Go back and read Original DUNE, you'll feel better after reading this trash.

Sandworms...a magical conclusion?.......2007-09-30

If you've bought and read Sandworms of Dune--you must be a REAL Dune fanatic--I am. And for the most part, I've been totally on board with Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson continuing the saga. And you have to suspend a certain amount of belief with any sci-fi, but even moreso with "Sandworms." This book, more than any of their efforts seems to lose steam and even its "Dune" credibility with the "magical" wrapup at the end. If you've made it this far in this series...you HAVE to buy it; it just hasn't brought me back for "re-reads" like most of the others. But hey, genius and creativity aren't bottomless wells.

Excellent continuation of a classic story.......2007-09-27

It must be very difficult to write a continuation to a well-loved sci-fi classic even if your Father did write the original. Brian Herbert has succeeded, along with co-writer Kevin Anderson, to build on the original in an almost seamless manner. I have a few nagging doubts about certain developments but all in all this is the culmination of an excellent series of books. Brian and Kevin - well done!

An Editor would have been nice.......2007-09-27

Thank god (leto or duncan?) I'm done. In the end I was entertained, which is the purpose of reading. That being said, it was a tedious effort to get through this final, maybe?, chapter of Dune. There was a good story to be told in the end, but, it seems the authors were being paid for a word count. An editor should have reigned in the repetitiveness. How many times must they say the names of the reborn gholah's? They have a built in reader base that did not need the retelling of plot lines from five, six or nine books ago. The casual reader will not be reading this. KNOW your audience! It would have been much more compelling to have fleshed out characters (pick a ghola, any gholah..) than to keep retelling what the reader already knew by rote.

Others have posted on the many timeline/plot inconsistencies, but, the one I haven't seen is this....most "plot lines" were tied up in the epilouge save one....whatever happened to Paulo who was in a trance on the floor in synchrony? Is he still there in a trance? Did they rebuild around him? He just kinda got left there. Ooops. Indicative of the book.

I was entertained though.

Average customer rating:

Hunters of Dune
it's okay
Reading time you never get back...
Would it have been better if this book hadn't been written?
Hunters of Dune

Hunters of Dune
Brian Herbert , and Kevin J. Anderson
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0765312921
Release Date: 2006-08-22

Book Description

Hunters of Dune and the concluding volume, Sandworms of Dune, bring together the great story lines and beloved characters in Frank Herbert's classic Dune universe, ranging from the time of the Butlerian Jihad to the original Dune series and beyond. Based directly on Frank Herbert's final outline, which lay hidden in a safe-deposit box for a decade, these two volumes will finally answer the urgent questions Dune fans have been debating for two decades.At the end of Chapterhouse: Dune-Frank Herbert's final novel--a ship carrying the ghola of Duncan Idaho, Sheeana (a young woman who can control sandworms), and a crew of various refugees escapes into the uncharted galaxy, fleeing from the monstrous Honored Matres, dark counterparts to the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood. The nearly invincible Honored Matres have swarmed into the known universe, driven from their home by a terrifying, mysterious Enemy. As designed by the creative genius of Frank Herbert, the primary story of Hunters and Sandworms is the exotic odyssey of Duncan's no-ship as it is forced to elude the diabolical traps set by the ferocious, unknown Enemy. To strengthen their forces, the fugitives have used genetic technology from Scytale, the last Tleilaxu Master, to revive key figures from Dune's past-including Paul Muad'Dib and his beloved Chani, Lady Jessica, Stilgar, Thufir Hawat, and even Dr. Wellington Yueh. Each of these characters will use their special talents to meet the challenges thrown at them.Failure is unthinkable--not only is their survival at stake, but they hold the fate of the entire human race in their hands.

Customer Reviews:

Hunters of Dune.......2007-10-04

First, I read Battle of Corrino by curiosity, a very bad book, the feud Atreides-Corrino very weak, the war machines and humans very long, and finaly , when the ship leaves the planet with a copy of Omnius, it was clear the link to the 7th Dune Book.
It was very convenient for the authors to "find" the manuscript of Dune 7, and wait several years to increase the curiosity of Dune fans.
I waited one year to decide to read Hunters of Dune, very disappointing, a lot of violence, planetary genocide, for Honored Matres and Bene Gesserit alike.
It is absurd to kill a 100 000 Honored Matres for 20 new members to the New Sisterhood. Destroying the Matres to fought the Enemy, what is the reason?.
The Symek empire waiting for the attack of the Matres to retaliate against the humanity?. They did'nt need a reason.
The authors are using Dune 7 to introduce as many of their own
creations as possible, like Omnius and Erasmus in the new novels.
Now is the season for Paul gholas, every one can have their own. How many Pauls are going to be created simultaneously?. The gholas acting and reasoning as adults?. It is not possible
Don't lost your money and time reading this book, the next, Sandworms of Dune, or any of the Dune books of Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson.

it's okay.......2007-09-26

i haven't had time to read it completely yet,but it looks okay.
Good that the writters remind us of past stories in the previous books.
Lettertype was a bit small,but that's because it was a pocket edition.
I like the cover art well !

Reading time you never get back..........2007-09-14

Simply put, it's trash. As a long time reader of Frank Herbert's novels (not just his Dune work), I've come to expect a certain standard in the writing. As a writer, I've learned to be more cirtical in my reading of fiction. This book in no way meets the minimum standards Dune fans should expect from someone who actually puts "Herbert" on their work.

Phrases like "they collided like asteroids" are indicative of the authors limited imagination and tell us something about his discomfort with prose.

The authors inabiity to properly pace his stories, his knack for foiling epic drama in a single paragraph, and dragging out cliche and trite banter for unending pages, makes the whole experience stomach turning.

Taking the intricately woven universe of his father's books, and lacking imagination to come up with his own characters, Brian Herbert (and to an extent Kevin Anderson) employ the cheapest technique ever: Let's clone them!

Now, I could even believe, that in this far flung culture where Gholas are, if not common, at least not unheard of, that they might Ghola a Hero or two to help them out in the battle. But they actually Ghola Dr. Yueh? To give hima chance to redeem himself or to steal another one of Frank Herbert's excellent plot points? It's just not well thought out.

On top of the authors obvious lack of mastery in his craft, it's just not a very good story.

Would it have been better if this book hadn't been written?.......2007-09-14

The urge to read Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson's continuation of Frank Herbert's Dune series is a bit like the urge to purchase a lottery ticket. Buying the ticket makes sense because what you're gaining is the thrill of anticipation. What makes very little sense is checking your numbers as your chance of being disappointed is infinitely greater than your chance of actually winning. Checking your numbers is frankly a complete waste of time.

Almost.

Frank Herbert died in 1986, one year after his sixth novel in the outstanding Dune series, Chapterhouse Dune, was published. Chapterhouse ends with a cliff hanger - it's clearly not intended as the end of the series but death has a way of stuffing up good intentions. Twenty years later Herbert Jnr and Anderson's Hunters of Dune picks up where Herbert Snr left off.

In the Authors' Note to Hunters of Dune we're told that in 1997 Brian and Kevin had discussed writing the fabled Dune 7 but that with no extant notes by Frank they would need to base the work solely on their own imaginations. For a number of reasons they decided to write a three book prequel to the series - House Atreides, House Harkonnen and House Corinno. Somewhere along the way, we're told, they made the serendipitous discovery of two safe-deposit boxes containing notes by Frank Herbert for Dune 7. And thus from the master's notes we have Hunters of Dune and its companion Sandworms of Dune (due out in August 2007).

I doubt whether Tor's marketing division could come up with a better idea than the serendipitous discovery of the note books, an implausible (but not impossible) story: in an infinite universe I'm sure there are several good reasons why an author would keep the notes for what was presumably a work in progress in a safe-deposit box with not even a single copy around the house in case he had a desire to do some writing.

Hmmm.

Hunters of Dune was released in August 2006 and for several reasons it's taken me almost a year to get around to reading it. For a start I hadn't read the Dune series for more than a decade and I was keen to read the whole thing from beginning to end. And the verdict: the whole series stands up extremely well. Dune itself really does deserve its ranking as the greatest SF novel of all time.

That was one reason it took me a while to pick up Hunters of Dune.

Another is that I'd already been burned reading House Atreides, the writing duo's first offering and one that I'd read with great anticipation on its release in 1999. And the verdict: I haven't been game to read House Harkonnen and House Corinno or, until now, anything else the duo has done in the Dune universe. To be fair to Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson, it's a tough task to pick up where the master left off, particularly as there are so many devotees of the master's work. Expectations are high and perhaps unrealisable even if you do a good job.

Unfortunately they don't even do a good job. Their writing is often poor and the complexity of plot, of ideas and of character that typified Frank Herbert's work and made the reading experience so satisfying is, frankly, absent. This is not the criticism of a Dune purist or conservative fan, jealous of Frank Herbert's legacy: if the new works were good, I'd be delighted.

My hope was that after honing their skills on six prequels (the three in the Prelude to Dune series and three others in the Legends of Dune series) Brian and Kevin would have improved enough to produce a worthy conclusion to the series. And there is definite improvement but in the end there really is only one thing to recommend Hunters of Dune and its companion Sandworms of Dune. I'll get to that one thing in a moment. In Hunters of Dune the prose is often flat, frequently reading like a stilted report about the protagonists. We're not invited to get inside these characters, and in any case they'd need to have an inside first: these characters might have the same names as they had in Chapterhouse, but they've lost the immense depth that Frank Herbert had bequeathed them and there's only surface left.

Also lost is any complexity and intellectual sophistication. Take this example of a discussion between mentat Miles Teg (a human computer) and Garimi, a Bene Gesserit. They've discovered a planet formerly belonging to the Honoured Matres, devoid of life although the infrastructure of civilisation is untouched (except by time). It's known that the Honoured Matres who invaded the Old Empire were fleeing something and that they wanted knowledge from the Bene Gesserit about how to manipulate and control their immune functions. So we have a planet with no living people but no obvious signs of destruction and a people seeking to control their immune functions as the Bene Gesserit do in order to overcome any pathogen:

Garimi held up one finger. "The whores came to the Bene gesserit demanding to know how we control our bodies. They were frantic to understand how Reverend Mothers can manipulate our immune functions, cell by cell. Of course!"

"Speak clearly, Garimi. What do you mean?" Teg's voice was abrupt, the hardened battle commander.

"She tuned a sour look on him. "You are a Mentat. Make a prime projection!"

Teg did not bristle at the scolding. Instead, his eyes became glazed for just a moment, and then his expression returned. "Ahh. If the whores wanted to learn how to control immune responses, then perhaps the Enemy attacked them using a biological agent..."

Frank Herbert's Miles Teg was a genius. Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson's Miles Teg is a moron. A Sinclair ZX81 (circa 1981 with a huge 1K of memory!!) could have pulled that one out of the box.

So, the one thing to recommend these books: they are a continuation of Herbert's work, purportedly based on his notes and the loose ends will therefore be tied up. And sadly, that's sufficient reason to read them.

Although some (Leto II for instance) might argue that the uncertainty of non closure is preferable.

(This review first appeared on www.sffmedia.com)

Hunters of Dune.......2007-09-13

Very satisfying for fans of the Dune series with interesting plot twists and, of course, a cliffhanger to the next novel Sandworms of Dune

Average customer rating:

Great Book
Excellent follow-up
A good book
God at work in every way
Day With a Perfect Stranger

A Day with a Perfect Stranger
David Gregory
Manufacturer: WaterBrook Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1400072425
Release Date: 2006-07-18

Book Description

What if a fascinating stranger knew you better than you know yourself?

When her husband comes home with a farfetched story about eating dinner with someone he believes to be Jesus, Mattie Cominsky thinks this may signal the end of her shaky marriage. Convinced that Nick is, at best, turning into a religious nut, the self-described agnostic hopes that a quick business trip will give her time to think things through.

On board the plane, Mattie strikes up a conversation with a fellow passenger. When she discovers their shared scorn for religion, she confides her frustration over her husband’s recent conversion. The stranger suggests that perhaps her husband isn’t seeking religion but true spiritual connection, an idea that prompts her to reflect on her own search for fulfillment.

As their conversation turns to issues of spiritual longing and deeper questions about the nature of God, Mattie finds herself increasingly drawn to this insightful stranger. But when the discussion unexpectedly turns personal, touching on things she’s never told anyone, Mattie is startled and disturbed. Who is this man who seems to peer straight into her soul?

Customer Reviews:

Great Book.......2007-09-17

This book is the sequel to "Dinner with a Perfect Stranger." Whereas the first book involves Jesus speaking with a man, this one is Jesus' witnessing to the man's wife. Like him, she's not a Christian. Jesus slowly leads her where he wants her to go, always dealing with her in love. Jesus meets the woman on an airplane, where he also entertains the child ahead of him by making faces. Yes, I think Jesus would do that! Another wonderful book that shows witnessing done God's way. It's a book you'll want to keep.

Excellent follow-up.......2007-09-10

I thought this book was an excellent follow-up/sequel to Dinner with a Perfect Stranger. As in the original...it is easy to read, thought-provoking, not bogged down or time consuming. Really, if you've read the first one...THIS is a MUST read as well!

A good book.......2007-07-14

I enjoyed this book but not as much as Dinner With a Perfect Stranger. I wished God would have revealed Himself sooner.
They're both books I will suggest to others.

God at work in every way.......2007-05-24

My wife and I read this after reading _Dinner with a Perfect stranger_ and they both compliment each other. These books give some terrific insight into life's 'workings' and provide another viewpoint about love, life, religion that can be intimately identified with for each of us, although in a different manner for each.
It was a thouroughy enjoyable read.

Day With a Perfect Stranger.......2007-05-13

I found this book to be so very awesome in it's presentation, purpose and perspective. I got lost in the book and when I was finished it I felt a sense of loss; I would not have this literary "friend" to read each night before retiring.
David Gregory presented some very thought provoking ideas.
I passed it on to a friend who also gives this book a rave review.

Conversations with God, Book 1 Guidebook: An Uncommon Dialogue

Average customer rating:

What IF
Guidebook
Hilarious
Christians beware.....
A Hindu girl found this book to be brilliant!!

Conversations with God, Book 1 Guidebook: An Uncommon Dialogue
Neale Donald Walsch
Manufacturer: Hampton Roads Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Mysticism | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Comparative Religion | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Inspirational | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1571740481

Customer Reviews:

What IF.......2006-08-30

It seems to me that the people who have given this book a less than desireable review are the ones who are steeped heavily into the brainwashed religious diatribes of what religions have been pushing down their throats as the truth. What they forget is that the bible was written and re written and edited so many times over and over, that one can only believe that the end result is nothing more than what those religions want you to believe....which of course is for their own agenda.

After being a student of many books along these lines, it only comes to say that these people are "young souls" and are NOT ready for the next step. So you can only go by what they say, with that in mind. Eventually in some life time they will awaken.

This book is one of the best ones I have read, other than Sheppard Hoodwin's "The Journey of Your Soul." These two books together answer and explain any question that you may ever have. I belong to no organized religion, nor ever will be as I find that the "rules" that have been made up in them are just not believable at all.

Open your mind and really look inside these books. You will find a wealth of information beyond anything that you could ever hope for. A world so totally amazing it will boggle your mind.

Guidebook.......2006-02-24

It goes one more further step in the book of the Conversation with God (Book1). Very analytical and offers tips and guidance along CWG book1.

Hilarious.......2006-02-24

It's amazing what some people believe. This is basically
blasphemy. The author's definitely inspired from something,
but it's not God. And all of you so-called "ministers" that
are buying into this trash is mind-boggling.

When the Bible says in 2 Tim.3:16 that God's Word is inspired by God, God was saying through Paul that it is God-breathed, that these words are actually God's Words to us of the salvation story. NO ONE since the conclusion of the writing of the books of the New Testament are inspired by God in the same way. No one
can write or speak today without fallacy or error. Those writers of the Bible wrote what God said to write without error or contradiction. Those words are life-changing words as no other writings are. They are living words from God's mouth.

Christians beware............2006-02-22

If you are a Christian and believe in the Bible, then you need to stay away from this book. As the old adage goes, "You can't judge a book by its cover".

The author purports to answer various questions from kids using the "voice of God". However, the "answers" that he gives are not Bible-based and go against the very infallible word of God. For instance (and I paraphrase), when a girl asks the question "Why am I a lesbian?" His answer is that she was born that way because of genetics (just as you were born right-handed, with blue eyes, etc.). Then he tells her to go out and "celebrate" her differences.

Another girls poses the question "I am living with my boyfriend. My parents say that I should marry him because I am living in sin. Should I marry him?"
His reply is, "Who are you sinning against? Not me, because you have done nothing wrong."

Another question asks about God's forgiveness of sin. His reply "I do not forgive anyone because there is nothing to forgive. There is no such thing as right or wrong and that is what I have been trying to tell everyone, do not judge people. People have chosen to judge one another and this is wrong, because the rule is "'judge not lest ye be judged.'"

And the list goes on. Not only are these books the false doctrine, but in some instances, it even quotes the Word of God in error.

A Hindu girl found this book to be brilliant!!.......2006-01-26

What can I say about this book, WOW!! it really is a must read for all, I have read books 1 and 2 and am now on book3 I am Hindu by birth and naturally have not followed a Christian path but I do believe that all beliefs are very similar and there is one creator-one god for everyone. That is how I was bought up. I was never bought up to believe in Satan God created everything and as he says in his book 1 why would he create Satan? There is no hell, there is no judgment. This book is not for people who have only one vision and can only relate to what they have been taught. This book is for people who have expanded views on life and are looking to find there way to there soul/God and there is nothing in this book that would change a person for the worst it can only change a person for the better or not at all, so I guess you have nothing to loose. There is much to absorb from book 1 and books 2&3 and they may need to be read many times. I find pleasure in reading them over and over. They truly fascinate me.
No one recommended this book to me I just stumbled upon the book at my temple, whilst looking for a different book. The name of the book intrigued me and the back of the book drew me in! From the time I bought the book I do not want to put it down. I am grateful that I found it; it has been enlightening for me! This is a book of substance and everyone can draw their own conclusions but for me I believe they are the words from God! And I am the biggest skeptic!

Dragon's Fire (The Dragonriders of Pern)

Average customer rating:

A disappointment
Reads like microwaved leftovers taste
well, it isn't the best
Why????
Worst Pern Book Ever

Dragon's Fire (The Dragonriders of Pern)
Anne McCaffrey , and Todd J. McCaffrey
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Epic | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

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

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

ASIN: 0345480287
Release Date: 2006-07-11

Book Description

Bringing fresh wonders and dangers to light in the skies of Pern, Anne McCaffrey and her son, Todd, who demonstrated his writing talents in the bestselling novels Dragon’s Kin and Dragonsblood, return with their second collaboration: a thrilling adventure of discovery and fate.

Pellar is an orphan taken in by Masterharper Zist. Though born mute, Pellar is a gifted tracker, and when Zist sets off to take over as harper for Natalon’s coal-mining camp, Pellar–along with his fire-lizard, Chitter–joins him on a secret mission of his own: to find out if reported thefts of coal are the work of the Shunned, criminals condemned to a life of wandering and hardship.

Halla is one of the children of the Shunned. Though innocent of their parents’ crimes, these children have inherited their cruel punishment. Lack of food, shelter, and clothes is their lot; hope is unknown to them. And what future would they hope for? Without a hold to call their own, there will be no protection for them when the lethal Thread inevitably falls again. Life is even tougher for Halla. Her family gone, she must fend for herself. Yet despite the brutality of her surroundings, Halla is kind and gentle, devoted to those more helpless than she.

As depraved as Halla is good, Tenim is in league with Tarik, a crooked miner from Camp Natalon, who helps him steal coal in exchange for a cut of the profit. But Tenim soon realizes there is a lot more to be made from firestone, the volatile mineral that enables the dragons of Pern to burn Thread out of the sky. Tenim doesn’t care what he has to do, or whom he has to kill, in order to corner the market.

Cristov is Tarik’s son. Dishonored by his father’s greed and treachery, the boy must make amends somehow, even if it means risking his life by mining the volatile firestone, which detonates on contact with the slightest drop of moisture.

When the last remaining firestone mine explodes in flames, a desperate race begins to find a new deposit of the deadly but essential mineral, for without it there can be no defense against Thread. But Tenim has a murderous plan to turn tragedy to his own advantage, and only Pellar, Halla, and Cristov can stop him–and ensure that there will be a future for all on the world of the Dragonriders.

Customer Reviews:

A disappointment.......2007-09-26

I love the Pern novels and was quite excited to see a new one. What a disappointment! Too much crammed into one book and none of it done well. The story lines would have made great books on their own (the firestone problem, the shunned, the mute harper, the watchweirs) but by trying to include it all in the same book, the story lines lost any impact they may have had. The characters were not well devleoped, the timelines became confused. What a mess!

Better would have been to create multiple books with overlapping characters and better develop the story lines. Anne has certainly done it before and it has worked really well.

While it is in my collection, I doubt I will read it very often.

Reads like microwaved leftovers taste.......2007-08-28

I'm sorry to say this is by far the worst writing I've read in a long while. Calling it a young adult's book is no excuse, as there are many worthy titles in that category. As another reader describes it, the characters, timeline, and locations are impossible to follow...and what's worse, I am halfway through and I don't really care to finish. Perhaps I should at least try, as at least the two main characters are likeable even if I have no idea where they are, where they've been, or what their purpose is. (Having finished reading now, I can confirm that the book remains poorly written through to the end.)

well, it isn't the best.......2007-07-24

Since following the first serialized episodes of the Dragons of Pern trilogy in the late 1960's, I have looked forward to the Pern books (novels, short stories, etc). This one falls below the usual quality, and altho's I gave it 4 stars initially I think that it might rate 2 stars on reflection. (It has been a long interval since my last read of a book on Pern!)

The first think that I reacted to were the egregious typographical errors. Then there are the grammatical errors--missing words, scrambled sentences, additional nonsensical words...often requiring the reader to use context to make some sense of the sentence (or even, paragraph). Then there is the herky-jerky way the book is put together. This is reminiscent of the collaborations between Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Moon (books I have avoided like the plague) where it is painfully obvious that 2 different authors are colliding in the same book.

Next, character development is sketchy. The "personae" page lists 2 characters (Cayla and Carissa) whose parts in the book are brief and who contribute nothing more to the storyline except a brief insight into who and what Pellar is. And Pellar, who should have been a strongly developed character, is, despite his presence throughout the book, strangely 1 dimensional. The same holds for Tenim. And the denouement between Pellar and Tenim lacks any real drama or ability to engage the reader. Much the same can be said for almost all characters. Halla is the best developed, but still tends to be sketchily drawn.

Overall the book is like an ensemble TV series that tries to do too much with too many "stars"; some get their moment(s) while others come and go or just languish in the scenery until they are dismissed. To fully develop this book and its cast would have taken maybe 2 books--something that Anne McCaffrey has not been afraid to do in the past. I'll try the other books (Dragon's Kin, Dragonsblood and Dragonholder) I haven't yet read. I'll get back to you on those.

Why????.......2007-06-17

Is Anne Mccaffrey losing her falculties that she is just aggreeing to allow her son to write these "stories"? Anne, take your meds and open your eyes, your son is destroying the Pern series. Stop agreeing with him. Stop writing with him. He is ruining your masterpiece. Everytime I see a new Pern book with todd McCafrey's name on it, I cringe. I read it in the store first. If I like half the story, then I will buy it. This story is ridiculous. A mute harper? harpers are supposed to teach through song. How does a mute harper do this, through sign language? The "Shunned" reminds me of the "others" in Lost. I miss my heros, Lessa, F'Lar, Brekke, Menoly, Robinton, F'Nor, T'gellan, etc. I miss my heros.

Long live Pern, it was great while it lasted. May it rest in peace.

Worst Pern Book Ever.......2007-05-28

I found this book to be the worst of the Pern series. How the same author (Anne McCaffery) who brought us the incredible Dragonriders of Pern original series could put her name on such a lame novel is beyond me. Although many of the spin-off books have not been of the same quality as the original, they were still highly enjoyable and generally believable. This book however, relies on gimmicky cliches, obvious devices to effect the reader's emotions and is just unbelievable: 4 days to create a working mine with three shafts and an entire Hold? Sort like Genesis...;-)

The hit-you-over-the-head social commentary about the "shunned" is also pretty unbelievable as is the redemption of several of the characters and the ultimate turnaround in the end. The very real world of Pern created in the earlier books is shattered by weak plot lines, one dimensional characters and poor writing. It seems like this book was merely written so Todd McCaffrey could benefit financially from the Pern franchise.

Average customer rating:

Book - "At Home in Mitford"
SUPERB WRITING
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
Such FUN to read!
Mitford series review

At Home in Mitford
Jan Karon
Manufacturer: Penguin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Domestic Life | Women's Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 014025448X

Amazon.com

Father Tim, a cherished small-town rector, is the steadfast soldier in this beloved slice of life story set in an American village where the grass is still green, the pickets are still white, and the air still smells sweet. The rector's forthright secretary, Emma Garret, worries about her employer, as she sees past his Christian cheerfulness into his aching loneliness. Slowly but surely, the empty places in Father Tim's heart do get filled. First with a gangly stray dog, later with a seemingly stray boy, and finally with the realization that he is stumbling into love with his independent and Christian-wise next-door neighbor. Much more than a gentle love story, this is a homespun tale about a town of endearing characters-- including a mysterious jewel thief--who are as quirky and popular as those of Mayberry, R.F.D. --Gail Hudson

Book Description

Combining the stellar script-adaptation skills of award-winning writer Paul McCusker with the best-selling novel by Jan Karon, Radio Theatre's At Home in Mitford will leave listeners longing for more. Set in the charming village of Mitford, this book will delight listeners as it draws them into the life of Father Tim, an Episcopal rector who finds himself running on empty and longing for change. His bachelor existence is changed and enriched by a lovable cast of characters, including a stray dog, a lonely boy, and a comely neighbor.

Customer Reviews:

Book - "At Home in Mitford".......2007-09-21

It's an absolutely wonderful story. It's about the experiences of Father Tim over his lifetime of being a minister. Some of his experiences were funny, some sad. I highly recommend it. There are 9 books in the series, but this one should really be read first.

SUPERB WRITING.......2007-08-27

In my opinion AT HOME IN MITFORD is one of the most fantastic books you can't help but feel like your there.

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.......2007-08-27

What a wonderful find ! I love books and am an avid reader,I have been blessed to have received this wonderful book from my sister.A pleasure to read and impossible to put down. No bad language,no violence,just pure love,joy,and how most anyone would love to live their life as this.Keeps you interest at high level all the way through the book,and leaves you with such a good feeling,can't wait to get to the rest of them.Jan Karon has to be a truly blessed author.Thank You

Such FUN to read!.......2007-07-24

A friend of mine insisted that I'd like this book but I wasn't so sure - because for some reason I'd presumed that it would be simple and silly. Was I wrong! This book is so much FUN to read! And you never know what will happen next. Spending time with these folks in this village is like a vacation. I will read the entire series. It reminds me of the style of James Herriott, the veterinarian in England stories.

Mitford series review.......2007-07-15

I have read all the books in the Mitford series. I could not put them down. I thought they were all very good. I think Jan Karon did an excellent job making the reader feel these characters were real and that we were right there with them in the story (and I'm not one to be like that at all!) I haven't found many books that I enjoyed reading as much as I did this series. I can't wait for more stories written by Jan Karon.

A Light in the Window (The Mitford Years #2)

Average customer rating:

Part of a great series of books!
A Light in the Window (The Mitford Years #2)
Almost but not quite too nice
A Light in The Window
Book

A Light in the Window (The Mitford Years #2)
Jan Karon
Manufacturer: Penguin Group, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Domestic Life | Women's Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0140254544

Amazon.com

A Light in the Window is the second installment in this enormously popular series about a small-town rector, Father Tim, and the heartwarming cast of characters surrounding him. This time Father Tim, a lifelong bachelor, finds his heart distracted by his free-spirited neighbor Cynthia, but his stomach and the rectory cash box are distracted by Edith, a wealthy widow who is wooing the rector with love potion casseroles. At every turn, including when a brooding Irish cousin decides to move in, Father Tim must decide whether he will practice what he preaches.

Fans of the series say they long to buy real estate in Mitford, just so they can live next door to these funny and endearing characters and feel the embrace of such a loving community. But what author Jan Karon probably knows, and many readers are starting to figure out, is that the integrity and solid Christian values that these characters possess can be found in just about every neighborhood, and with inspiration like this book, anyone can build their own Mitford community. --Gail Hudson

Book Description

Mitford's village rector, Father Tim, is running scared. he can no longer deny (even to himself), that he's in love with his neighbor, Cynthia Coppersmith. Cynthia, after all, sees in him a man of warmth and daring and mdash;if only he'll meet her halfway. But now a wealthy widow is pursuing Father Tim with hot casseroles. And the mysterious Cousin Meg has moved into the rectory bag and baggage and mdash;not to mention uninvited. Abounding with characters both old and new, A Light in the Window compels readers to do something they treasure: laugh out loud.

Customer Reviews:

Part of a great series of books!.......2007-10-10

Terrific book -- easy to read & understand. Did not want to put it down. Am now collecting the rest of the 9 books in this series & can't wait to get started on #3.

A Light in the Window (The Mitford Years #2).......2007-05-17

Mr. John McDonough, who narrates all of the Jan Karon books on Mitford is extremely talented. His voice is clear and deep and can accommodate many characters. When I listened to the first Mitford book I believed Jan Karon and John McDonough were equally matched. The writing and narration was of the highest caliber. I believe that A Light In the Window was not as well written as At Home In Mitford, however McDonough was still an excellent reader. There were touching moments in Book #2. But it was obvious that Ms. Karon's first love was her first book and the second seemed a bit rushed as the characters were less three dimensional and at times repeated themselves. I would still recommend this book to those wanting a heartwarming story to keep them company as they perform daily tasks and fall asleep at night.

Almost but not quite too nice.......2007-04-13

I read this immediately after finishing the first book in the Mitford series, and, although it was not quite as enjoyable as the first novel, it was still a rare pleasure. It is almost (but not quite) too nice. The story takes up where the first book left off; Father Tim is back from Ireland and bedeviled (perhaps a poor choice of verb on my part) by the same doubts and problems as before. There's what to do about the crude boy, Dooley; how does the priest feel about his neighbor; etc. And there are new problems: the wealthy and obnoxious widow who is intent upon seducing him; a "cousin" from Ireland who invades his home and takes advantage of his good nature; the forced closing of his favorite reastaurant haunt; the profane presence of the foreman at the job site of the new nursing home, etc. All in all, it is the usual stuff of small town life.

And there is a great deal of very announced and public praying for this and that and for various people. I found that slightly troubling. Jesus said that prayer was quite a private activity, to be done in "closet," i.e., private. Those who pray in public have their reward. Saying you will pray for someone has a haughty tone, a free way of putting the addressee under a vague obligation. Moreover, one is supposed to pray to put oneself and others attuned to God's plan, not alter God's plan for temporal reasons. But perhaps I am all wrong on that. Someone will surely put me aright--or think they have.

Again, I enjoyed my stay in Mitford very much. It's the Prairie Home Companion with grits. The plot is episodic, as one might guess from the previous comments. The characters are well drawn. The dialogue sounds right. And the atmosphere is comfortable. In fact, it is the atmosphere alone that makes it all worthwhile.

I was a bit troubled by a few lapses in writing, especially with pronouns that did not refer to the closest antecedent noun. In fact, I had to stop several times to try to figure out what was what.

A Light in The Window.......2007-02-15

I'm going to be so sad to have this series end. I hate to arrive at my destination because I know I will need to turn my car off. I bought my first CD at Costco only because I couln't find anything else I wanted to listen to. I was hooked after the 1st CD. This is Americana at it's best! Age is not a factor in this book. Sit back and enjoy!

Book.......2007-01-09

Awesome book series! My sister in law gotted me hooked on this and it is a great book. Would highly recommend it.

MasterHarper of Pern (Dragonriders of Pern)

Average customer rating:

The Masterharper of Pern
Finally, background on the Masterharper
Great if you like Sci Fiction
If you love Robinton...
Favorite

MasterHarper of Pern (Dragonriders of Pern)
Anne Mccaffrey
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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

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

ASIN: 0345388232
Release Date: 1998-01-12

Book Description

Pern: a beautiful world colonized by humans, terrorized by the deadly spores called Thread, and defended by magnificent flying dragons. Anne McCaffrey's bestselling tales of this planet have yielded a multitude of unforgettable characters. And now, after years of urging by devoted readers, one of the most popular denizens of Pern takes center stage in a novel that chronicles his extraordinary life.

Along with the dragonriders, perhaps none are so revered on Pern as the harpers, whose songs record history, warn of the coming of Thread, and prepare Pern's people for the future. And no one is more influential than the Masterharper of Pern. The son of renowned composer Petiron and gifted singer Merelan, Robinton is a prodigy from birth and enjoys a special rapport with the telepathic dragons. But it is a time when Thread has not been a threat for centuries, the harpers have fallen into disfavor, and one despotic man is plotting to take over Pern. In this climate of unrest, Robinton will come into his own . . . driven by his belief in music, in the dragons, and in the salvation of his beloved Pern.

Download Description

In a time when the deadly scourge Thread has not fallen on Pern forcenturies -- and many dare to hope that Thread will never fall again --a boy is born to Harper Hall. A musical prodigy who has the ability tospeak with the dragons, he is called Robinton, and he is destined to beone of the most famous and beloved leaders Pern has ever known.

It is a perilous time for the harpers who sing of Thread -- they arebeing turned away from holds, derided, attacked, even beaten. In thisclimate of unrest, Robinton will come into his own. But despite thetragedies that beset his own life, he continues to believe in music andin the dragons, and he is determined to save his beloved Pern fromitself -- so that the dragonriders can be ready to fly against thedreaded Thread when at last it returns.

"At last, Robinton has his own book... McCaffrey adds another absorbingchapter to dragon lore... Readers will revel in this compellingcharacterstudy of a fascinating personality."
    ROMANTIC TIMES

"The story takes wing... when McCaffrey's beloved dragons roar and theirriders soar upon the beasts' mighty backs... Fans of Pern will likely beenthralled."
    PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

"McCaffrey succeeds again in depicting the serenity and beauty ofdragons in their symbiotic relationship with humanity on a world calledPern."
    BOOKPAGE

Cover art by Brom

Customer Reviews:

The Masterharper of Pern.......2007-10-02

Very enjoyable. Not a book easily put down even if you are not a Pern fan.

Finally, background on the Masterharper.......2007-05-23

I found this history of Masterharper Robinton to be interesting, although some of it seemed contrived (the last chapter). It does fill in many of "the blanks" that we had about the Masterharper, and it explains some of Sebell's background as well.

Overall, I liked it. It is a great addition to the Pern series.

Great if you like Sci Fiction.......2007-05-13

The Pern series of books from Anne McCaffery are great. Better if you read them in order, (look online at her website for recommendations). This is futuristic science fiction, but if you liked Aregon, you would probably like this series too

If you love Robinton..........2007-04-26

There are so many good reviews of this book already. I will only say this: if you love Robinton as so many Pern fans do, this is his long-wished for background story. As well as one of the best Pern books, IMHO.

Favorite.......2007-04-09

I have read all of Mrs. McCaffrey's books and I totally Love them! This one though, The MasterHarper of Pern, is my favorite. It might be just because MasterHarper Robinton is one of my favotite characters, but I think it is the most well written and emotional book out of all of them. If you even partially like her other books I think you will love this one. It is a very good read, especially if you have read or plan on reading all of her other books about Pern.

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