History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Blue Moon (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Book 8)

Average customer rating:

Super Reader
shallow
The end is nigh...
Still Great
When the good little Boy Scout gets into trouble...it's Anita Blake to the rescue!

Blue Moon (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Book 8)
Laurell K. Hamilton
Manufacturer: Jove
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0515134457

Amazon.com

Anita Blake makes a living raising the dead. She also executes rogue vampires and villains among the local were-folk. Marks bind her to Jean-Claude, the Master vampire of St. Louis and her lover, and to her ex-fiancé, a powerful werewolf who heads up the local pack. Anita shares some of their magic, and her own power over the dead keeps growing. But so does the body count and the situations that force Anita to bend or break her own rules.

In Blue Moon, Anita's ex Richard is jailed in Tennessee, accused of rape. When Anita arrives with a lawyer and an entourage of vampires and 'weres' supplied by Jean-Claude, it's clear that something is rotten in Myerton. The local cops are corrupt, and the trolls Richard was studying are threatened. But if she sticks around to investigate, the local Master vampire will attack her and her friends. The local werewolf clan isn't rushing to welcome her either, and her self-control is going to the, um, wolves.

Blue Moon is the eighth book in Hamilton's Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series; newcomers should start with earlier books. The protagonists' development and their relationships to each other and to the large cast of continuing secondary characters are what make these books so compelling. Be warned--there's steamy sex and graphic violence here, though Anita does reflect on her moral position. But if dark urban fantasy featuring those who hunt the night appeals, pounce on this series. --Nona Vero

Book Description

"Richard was an alpha werewolf. It was his only serious flaw. We'd broken up after I'd seen him eat somebody." Still, you never forget your ex-fiancé. And when Richard calls Anita Blake at three in the morning, she knows it won't be good news. It seems Richard had gotten himself thrown in jail on a rape charge. But Anita knows that though he is a monster, Richard's no rapist. And it's up to her to prove his innocence--before the blue moon creates even bigger problems for Richard...

Download Description

"""Richard was an alpha werewolf. It was his only serious flaw. We'd broken up after I'd seen him eat somebody."" Still, you never forget your ex-fiancé. And when Richard calls Anita Blake at three in the morning, she knows it won't be good news. It seems Richard had gotten himself thrown in jail on a rape charge. But Anita knows that though he is a monster, Richard's no rapist. And it's up to her to prove his innocence--before the blue moon creates even bigger problems for Richard... "

Customer Reviews:

Super Reader.......2007-08-26

Anita discovers it is tricky to have all those supernatural powers and supernatural leadership responsibilities. So much so, she has to get lessons from others, and help from a witch to deal with some of it before she is overwhelmed.

Throw in werewolf shagging and her having to deal with the jealousy of the situation with Richard, who reckons if she can do whoever, so can he. He, of course, has some hot wolf girls after him, considering he is the boss.

shallow.......2007-08-19

I was terribly disappointed with this book.
Introduction of all type of vague monster lore that culminates to nothing.
Plot development is weak.
Constant sexual inuendo that serves no purpose.
So much sexual reference it totally distracts from any plot development.
Painful to read.

The end is nigh..........2007-02-28

Ah for those innocent days when this series still had potential and we didn't know what was coming next. Back when Blue Moon was released things still looked good, we had the possibilities of a true Triumvirate of Power being formed to look forward to, we saw Richard stand up to Anita and set terms for their relationship, well before his unexpected and poorly written meltdown in later books. The book still had a plot and a purpose back then.

What a shame it wouldn't last.

Blue Moon is the last book in what was the original series. Though many fans will tell you the next book Obsidian Butterfly is still good, Blue Moon is the last book when all the real characters where on the page together, even if only in spirit. It was the last book that had any real emotion to it, any real zip. It was the last book before Hamilton began retroactively changing her series into something unrecognizable. Blue Moon is the last book that suggests there is a positive future ahead for Anita, Richard and Jean Claude. Blue Moon is the last book most people should ever read in this series.

Blue Moon takes Anita out of town, out of her element. Richard has been arrested for rape, and Anita in usual fashion doesn't believe he can get himself out of trouble and so against Jean Claude's wishes rushes off to save him. Corrupt cops, a demon summoning wizard, a rival Master vampire, a ghost from the past and werewolf pack politics drives the last real Anita Blake Vampire Hunter story, and once upon a time it was good. There's plot, purpose, action, character development, sex that was still fresh and new, and even a Richard who can stand up to Anita without coming across as a jerk.

But the writing is as they say on the wall; looking back many of the flaws that would so cripple the last books Hamilton has released are there in larval form, just waiting to chew their way maggot like through the writing. Dropped plot threads, shifting details, grammatical weaknesses, and an over abundance of re-used lines fill the book, but at least the editor at the time could catch basic spelling mistakes unlike now.

Still Great.......2006-12-04

I very much enjoyed Blue Moon. This book focused on the relationship between Richard and Anita. They've been at war of sorts since Anita left him for Jean Claude.

In Blue Moon, Anita is forced to face Richard and how she really feels about him. At this point the books are REALLY focusing on sex a great deal. It seems a little overboard but the storyline is still great for the series.

When the good little Boy Scout gets into trouble...it's Anita Blake to the rescue!.......2006-11-18

Just when she thought that things couldn't get any more complicated, Anita receives a call from Richard's brother telling her that her ex-fiancé is in jail for allegedly raping a woman. To make matters worse, it is only a few days from full moon and if Richard's real identity is revealed, all hope of ever getting him out of prison will be lost. And so with vampires and lycanthropes in tow, Anita heads to Tennessee to rescue the werewolf king. However, things take a turn for the worse when the local Master of the City accuses them of trying to dethrone him. To add to the problem, Anita is feeling the burden of her ever-growing powers and the responsibility of being werewolf Lupa and were-leopard Nimir-Ra.

As part of the powerful triumvirate, Anita is finding out more and more each day that her power comes at a heavy price. Everyone wants a piece of her; her newly-adopted wereleopards are becoming more dependent on her, the werewolves want her to act like a real lupa, but the scariest of all is the vengeful spirit that is intent on possessing her--that of Raina's. Having discovered her power to control the call of the munin, it appears that Anita has one more lesson to learn, that of controlling the munin that calls to her from beyond. She either rides it or let it ride her, in which case she could very well lose her sanity. As if worrying about her love life isn't enough to lose her sanity over...

When Hamilton took a different spin by forming the triumvirate between Anita, Jean-Claude and Richard, it was also the start of Anita's invincibility. It was pretty much like we knew that she could handle everything that came her way. So how do you make her more human like she was at the start of the series? Make her vulnerable. And that's what the author does in BLUE MOON. In this book, we see Anita's struggle to accept her powers and deal with her fears that she is becoming the very thing that she used to annihilate without a second thought--a monster.

But moral dilemma aside, BLUE MOON keeps the horror going and also takes on a kinky aspect (as what happens at the lupanar). We knew that sexually things would eventually progress between Anita and Richard; it was simply a question of when. Beware: this isn't a stand-alone book, don't start with this one if you haven't read any of the earlier books.

Dark Side of the Moon (A Dark-Hunter Novel, Book 10)

Average customer rating:

The "weakest link" in the series
Loved this book
No Anne Rice here
She has something here, but...
i thought it was a gag

Dark Side of the Moon (A Dark-Hunter Novel, Book 10)
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0312934343
Release Date: 2006-11-28

Book Description

Susan Michaels was the hottest reporter on the Beltway Beat until she walked into a setup that ruined her reputation. Now she’s working for a small Seattle paper, penning stories about killer moths and alien babies, convinced that her life couldn’t get any worse…

That was before an idea for a breaking news piece brought her to a local animal shelter where she ends up listening to her source rant about vampires and gets coerced into adopting a cat despite her allergies. But when her new pet suddenly reveals himself to be a gorgeous—and lethal—shapeshifter, Susan realizes that there’s far more at stake than a career-saving by-line.

Born into a world of predators, Were-Hunter Ravyn Kontis was betrayed by those he loved best. Soulless, pitiless, he has spent three hundred years battling the Daimons who seek to subjugate humankind. Against all odds, Susan evokes in Ravyn feelings of tenderness. Desire. Love. And with the ultimate battle about to begin, this one very human woman holds the power to shatter both their worlds...

Customer Reviews:

The "weakest link" in the series.......2007-09-28

I love the Dark Hunters and have enjoyed learning about the world that SK has created. There have been some good books and some outstanding books in the series, but this one has been my least favorite. First of all, it was not written well and seemed to be thrown together. There were certain things that were repetitive. The characters were not well developed, and like another reviewer said, Susan was just way too sarcastic. I did not feel any empathy for her at all. I like the sexy scenes as much as other fans, but the scenes in this book were bordering on the ridiculous. It's pretty telling, when some of my favorite characters in the book were the bad guys! Please write a better one next time, Sherrilyn. I'm still a big fan and will forgive you this one.

Loved this book.......2007-07-12

I picked this up randomly in a library while shopping for something else. I am an avid reader, and I just couldn't put this book down. Other D-H's fans may be disappointed, but since this is the first of the series I read, it sent me running to read the others.
Heros are likable, even if some of them have flaws... as everything else, it's not perfect (as I am sure, not meant to be). Some people will like/love it, others won't.
As for me, I just had a great time reading it.

No Anne Rice here.......2007-06-15

I've read Anne Rice, and loved it. I don't love this. This is a combination of romance novel (which I don't enjoy in general) and fantasy/occult which I often like quite a bit. Perhaps it's not fair of me to review this book because I don't as a rule like romances. But I was willing to give it a shot, and I'm sorry. The characters were unbelievable, their "Rules" of engagment were just silly (e.g. immortal killer beasts cannot enter a home without an invitation), and there were many inconsistencies (e.g. Ravyn's bullet holes heal in a matter of hours, but he still has blisters on his hands or bruises on his neck long afterwards).
I enjoyed the sarcasm of Susan, though.

She has something here, but..........2007-06-15

I bought it when it came out in hardcover because I was still a loyal--if closeted--DH fan. Even though that loyalty is waning, I have to give props to Sherrilyn Kenyon for this book, which serves a few purposes.

The first is to give you a mix of her two genres: Dark-Hunter and Were-Hunter. I'll spare you the story of those and begin by telling you that our hero, Ravyn Kontis, is both, which makes him special (he kills vampires and can turn into a leopard or a cat) but hated by his family. The prologue says he's lethal and would kill anyone in a heartbeat-- and yet this is never seen.

In fact, he warms up quickly to this reporter named Susan Michaels, who works for a tabloid paper but is seeking the chance to get her fame back. So these two meet after one of her friends asks to pick up a cat (Ravyn) even though she's allergic to them, and she's attacked by his enemies. She's pulled into the Dark-Hunter world, becomes infatuated with Ravyn (and vice versa. I'm still waiting for him to take people down).

This is a nice effort on Kenyon's part. She has a tortured hero (got to have one in her books) who doesn't let the tortured part bother him. What? I know, I'm shocked too. And even though the heroine is only two dimensional, she's an okay person.

BUT...

Like the other readers say, WHAT THE BLEEP DID SHE DO TO ACHERON? I was so in love with that mysterious, wonderful man and she reduces him down to a sex slave for Artemis. I have to put the book down for a bit and vent out my frustration. This isn't the guy I love. I'm left with a depressing piece of fluff.

And Nick. My sweet Southern boy just does something so despicable because he wants to show Ash who's boss, and I have to shake my head.

Even though there are some disappointing elements in this book, I must admit I liked it the story (when it wasn't being disappointing). Sherrilyn Kenyon still has a long way to go before she finds writing perfection, but she'll get there one day.

In the meantime, I'll wait until Ash and Nick become the characters I rememeber them to be, and for Ravyn to kill someone because he can.

i thought it was a gag.......2007-06-13

disclaimer: i dont buy romance novels. i have read all of anne rice's books though and bought this in amsterdam airport with 6 hours to spare. after the first chapter, i continued reading because it was so bad i thought it must have been some kind of a gag. after the second chapter i was just caught like a deer in headlights until making it to the end where i left it on the bookshelf of an Italian beach resort in Zanzibar. it's the worst novel i can remember reading. i read at least a book a week and buy lots of random authors to see whats out there and i've never been this disappointed. if this is all it takes to be a novelist im definitely giving it a shot.

Average customer rating:

THIS BOOK IS GREAT
A truly great writer who deserves more recognition!
I just wish she was more prolific
The worst of her three novel, is still well worth reading
Hodgell's Fantasy Trilogy is a "not-to-miss" wonder!

Dark of the Moon
P. C. Hodgell
Manufacturer: Atheneum Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0689311710

Customer Reviews:

THIS BOOK IS GREAT.......2003-08-12

I've been a fan of PC Hodgell's books since I first came across a paperback copy of Godstalk in my teens. I spent YEARS looking for a copy of the sequel, only to find one in my own public library. D'OH!
While not quite as gripping as God Stalk or Seekers Mask, this book illuminates much of the history of both Jame and the Kencyrath...a MUST read!

A truly great writer who deserves more recognition!.......2001-08-30

Dark of the Moon by P C Hodgell is one those books that you put down after you've read it. And consider this burning question why the HELL! isn't she more widely known and acknowledged as one of the leading writers in fantasy? Her world building, construction of characters and plot and most importantly her beautiful fluid prose are matched only by the sparse brilliance of LeGuin's original Earthsea trilogy and Michael Moorcock's original Elric series. In recent times Only Paul Edwin Zimmer's world of the Dark Border rivals her creation for completeness of vision. Though it must be said despite some of the savagery of the action that takes place, it lacks his sense of relentless pressure that his heroes constantly face at least Hodgell has a sense of humour. To cut to chase it is a sequel to Godstalk, where we first met Jamie. In this book we meet her twin Tori mysteriously 10 years older than she. He now leads her people while she tries to link up with him bearing the symbols of heirloom that she has acquired. I found both characters engaging Jamie with her almost naive veiw of the world and strict code of honour and Tori an older version of her, age has given him a cynical sense of deprecating humour. Hodgell skilfully weaves their two stories into a flowing tapestry filled with battle, angst and a resolution of sorts. Its not often that you find a story where the heroes are every bit as interesting as the villians. Hodgell is to be complimented on her handling of magic it exists, it is powerful but it is not convenient. There are strict rules that govern it with echoes of LeGuin in the way it's used. I hope that more people read her books just for her writing...it's that good well enough of my rant guys- read it and enjoy!

I just wish she was more prolific.......1999-09-06

Five or six years ago I was going through a stack of about fifteen or twenty books. They were SF Book Club monthly shipments that I had never gotten around to reading. There was one by C.J. Cherryh(sp?) but most of them weren't memorable. With one BIG exception.

Dark of the Moon from the very first chapter captured my imagination. This book was able to pull some deep chords in my psyche. Some of the written passages gave me the most indescribable feelings of having been through this before, in a nightmare. The plotline itself isn't as strong as some other books but it is good and the action is very good. The main attraction of this book to me though is the world it's set in. I could imagine countless stories set on this ghostly and fantastic plane. I liked the portrayal of evil in this book as what was once good but is now lost. Evil is sort of a distorted reflection of good so the beauty you see in one is also there in the other.

Even if the book doesn't resonate with you on a deeper level it's still just a very good read. In my opinion the best thing that happened in fantasy in the eighties(weis and hickman are good but I like resolution).

Unfortunately Mrs. P.C.Hodgell's name is so hard to remember, it sounds like an English historian, barrister, something other than a writer of fantasy. The books might come out again in paperback around this time next year. I hope so and I hope you can get a chance to read this book and find out for yourself how good it is.

The worst of her three novel, is still well worth reading.......1999-07-27

Although this book lacks the crispness, depth and beauty of God Stalk, it is still one of the better fantasy books I have read. Although the plot is disappointingly linear and stereotypical the characters, dialogue and descriptions make this a wonderful read.

Hodgell's Fantasy Trilogy is a "not-to-miss" wonder!.......1999-06-02

Dark of the Moon is the fantastic second book of an outstanding trilogy from an author who certainly deserves to be better known and more widely published. The world created is vibrant and powerful, with characters that seem as real as family members. To top it all off, there is a wonderful sense of humour which adds to an already amazing read. This trilogy may be hard to find, but is certainly worth the effort! (There's also a set of short stories out there about Jame.)

If you're a real fan, look for the Kencyr website, which has interesting facts and some book-finding advice! (Reviews aren't allowed to list URL's, so you'll need to do a web search to find it.)

If you enjoy well-written fantasy, DON'T MISS THESE BOOKS!

Dark Moon Defender (A Novel of the Twelve Houses)
Average customer rating:

Disappointing romance

Shinn's New Series

Best of the Saga of the Twelve Houses so far

Excellent!

Emotionally strong fantasy adventure

Dark Moon Defender (A Novel of the Twelve Houses)
Sharon Shinn
Manufacturer: Ace Hardcover
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

In this story of hidden magic and forbidden love, the King's Rider Justin befriends Ellynor, a young novice at a convent-only to discover that she is a mystic being manipulated by the fanatical Daughters of the Pale Moon into hunting down and killing other mystics.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing romance.......2007-06-08

I was reluctant to pick up this installment after reading reviews that little of the main storyline significantly progressed, and especially knowing that the six main characters would be separated. Fortunately, Shinn provided enough tidbits on the doings of our favorite characters, notably concerning Senneth and Tayse that my curiosity on their lives was satisfied. However, as much I've always harbored a soft spot for Justin, I just couldn't care too much about his romance with Ellynor. I cannot even say I disliked her character; in fact reading her portions I found her a sympathetic, lively personality. I didn't even think she was overly feminine. I simply found their relationship completely uninteresting and boring. Maybe it was overly predictable and their "suspicions" of one another's secrets didn't seem all that long lasting to me. Their romance was not only unlikely but it didn't convince me the way the previous novels had. As I said, I was pretty disappointed since Justin was my favorite barring Cammon. I just hope that Cammon's turn at forbidden romance brings something fresh. But I would keep reading just to see how the war turns out.

Shinn's New Series.......2007-05-13

All three books are good, altho' I liked the first and the third more than the second. The third books lets us see the growth of one of the characters and the expansion of his relationship with his world and the people he meets. I really liked it and am anxiously awaiting the next volume of this extended adventure of the small group of comrades.

Best of the Saga of the Twelve Houses so far.......2007-05-03

Dark Moon Defender is the third book in the Saga of the Twelve Houses. The second book in the Saga, The Thirteenth House, was such a disappointment to me that I've been anxious for the next installment to redeem the series. After months of waiting for the local library system to get the third book, it finally arrived. Like a chug of hearty soup after taking a swig of milk gone bad, the bad taste left by the last book was washed away and replaced with something truly satisfying. In short, I liked it.

Justin has been sent to spy on the Lumanen Convent, the stronghold of a group of religious fanatics bent on overthrowing the government of Gillengaria and eradicating all those endowed with magical abilities, the mystics. While performing his clandestine duties he falls in love with Ellynor, a convent novice who could only love him in return if she abandoned religious and family bonds. The situation is further complicated when Ellynor is exposed as a mystic and must fight for her life.

Once again, Ms. Shinn successfully weaves deeper themes into the story without allowing them to dominate the story. This episode emphasizes the true self, the essence of who we are regardless of our setting or our position in life. Neither Justin nor Ellynor are living as their heart would lead them - Justin is cloaked in his clandestine role, while Ellynor's path in life has been chosen for her. In spite of the apparent incompatibility of their stations, and even though they both know the other is keeping secrets, they come to trust each other. Each senses who the other is at the core. Their confidence in each other's true character is what allows their relationship to blossom and eventually grow into complete devotion.

It's interesting to me that I liked this book so much. It has so many of the same characteristics I didn't appreciate in the previous book. Like episode two, the main story line is an undercover romance between two people that would be wise to avoid a relationship. Not only that, but the one thing that saved the second book is nearly absent in this one, namely the advancement of the overall saga (well, that's not quite true - there are some potentially significant alliances forged between various groups, but you can only guess at the future importance of those alliances). With so much in common with the previous book you might expect a similar reading experience, yet in this case I really liked the result.

Can't wait for book four...

Excellent!.......2007-03-16

The book was in excellent condition and it got here quickly. It was also cheaper than I could find in stores, even with shipping!

Emotionally strong fantasy adventure.......2007-01-22

Fanatic followers of the moon goddess are actively hunting down and murdering mystics, and the King and his Riders can do little to stop them. The people have no particular use for mystics and the priestess of the moon goddess has been preaching against them convincingly. King's rider Justin is sent to investigate the monastery where the Daughters of the Pale Mother are headquartered. Still, actually getting information about the cult will be difficult.

Ellynor dreams of finding a middle way between the constraining rules of her culture and independence. When her cousin falls for an inappropriate man, Ellynor joins her in becoming novices with the Daughters of the Pale Mother. But while Ellynor has plenty of respect for all goddesses, her primary faith centers on another goddess, the Black Mother, Goddess of Night. When she is accosted by a drunk nobleman, Justin rescues her--and the two begin a relationship that is forbidden both by the rules of the Daughters and even more by the rules of Ellynor's culture and family. Since Justin is not from her people, her relatives are bound to rescue her, whether she wants it or not. And they won't stop until either they, or Justin, are dead. For Ellynor, who loves her family, neither is acceptable.

Author Sharon Shinn creates a compelling fantasy world. Aside from his loyal Riders, the King is weak and has no male heir. The nobles are restless and looking for an excuse to rebel--and the King's support for the hated mystics gives them just that. Conflict with Ellynor's clan just might be the final blow to the hopes of the mystics and of the King.

Shinn does a nice job describing the magic. Ellynor's powers, in particular, and the mythology of the Black Mother, are compelling and emotionally strong, as is Ellynor's impossible dilemma of falling for the wrong man.

I would have liked DARK MOON DEFENDER to have taken a bit higher-level look at the political situation and the ramifications of Justin's and Ellynor's decisions. Making the King's opponents a bit more three-dimensional and sympathetic would have helped, I think, make the story even stronger. From a romance perspective, I thought that the resolution to Ellynor's dilemma was telegraphed too obviously, and delivered with almost anti-climactic ease. That said, however, DARM MOON DEFENDER is a hard book to put down, delivers both exciting action and a high emotional charge, and is set in a wonderfully strong world. Shinn's writing sucked me into the story and made me care about the characters.

DARK MOON DEFENDER is a fantasy story, but it will appeal very strongly to romance readers as well as the romance plays at the very center of this novel.

Average customer rating:

true to life
The Speed of Dark
A fascinating insight into autism, and an analysis on what it means to be "me"
Great reading
Five Star

The Speed of Dark
Elizabeth Moon
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0345481399
Release Date: 2005-06-28

Amazon.com

Corporate life in early 21st-century America is even more ruthless than it was at the turn of the millennium. Lou Arrendale, well compensated for his remarkable pattern-recognition skills, enjoys his job and expects never to lose it. But he has a new boss, a man who thinks Lou and the others in his building are a liability. Lou and his coworkers are autistic. And the new boss is going to fire Lou and all his coworkers--unless they agree to undergo an experimental new procedure to "cure" them.

In The Speed of Dark, Elizabeth Moon has created a powerful, complex, and believable portrayal of a man who varies radically from what is defined as "normal." The author insightfully explores the nature of "normality," identity, choice, responsibility, free will, illness and health, and good and evil. The Speed of Dark is a powerful, moving, illuminating novel in the tradition of Flowers for Algernon, Forrest Gump, and Rain Man . --Cynthia Ward

Book Description

In the near future, disease will be a condition of the past. Most genetic defects will be removed at birth; the remaining during infancy. Unfortunately, there will be a generation left behind. For members of that missed generation, small advances will be made. Through various programs, they will be taught to get along in the world despite their differences. They will be made active and contributing members of society. But they will never be normal.

Lou Arrendale is a member of that lost generation, born at the wrong time to reap the awards of medical science. Part of a small group of high-functioning autistic adults, he has a steady job with a pharmaceutical company, a car, friends, and a passion for fencing. Aside from his annual visits to his counselor, he lives a low-key, independent life. He has learned to shake hands and make eye contact. He has taught himself to use “please” and “thank you” and other conventions of conversation because he knows it makes others comfortable. He does his best to be as normal as possible and not to draw attention to himself.

But then his quiet life comes under attack. It starts with an experimental treatment that will reverse the effects of autism in adults. With this treatment Lou would think and act and be just like everyone else. But if he was suddenly free of autism, would he still be himself? Would he still love the same classical music–with its complications and resolutions? Would he still see the same colors and patterns in the world–shades and hues that others cannot see? Most importantly, would he still love Marjory, a woman who may never be able to reciprocate his feelings? Would it be easier for her to return the love of a “normal”?

There are intense pressures coming from the world around him–including an angry supervisor who wants to cut costs by sacrificing the supports necessary to employ autistic workers. Perhaps even more disturbing are the barrage of questions within himself. For Lou must decide if he should submit to a surgery that might completely change the way he views the world . . . and the very essence of who he is.

Thoughtful, provocative, poignant, unforgettable, The Speed of Dark is a gripping exploration into the mind of an autistic person as he struggles with profound questions of humanity and matters of the heart.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

true to life.......2007-10-05

Started this book last night and am already halfway through, it is so engaging and well written. One thing that the other reviewers have not mentioned is that the author's son is mostly likely autistic. I surmised that from the dedication and acknowledgements pages. Although the only people who really understand autism are autistics themselves, I'd say that Moon has a special insight based on her personal experience and no doubt wide knowledge of it. Add that to her great writing and you've got a great read.
I work in the mental health field and plan to recommend it to all my coworkers.

The Speed of Dark.......2007-09-28

This was a great book. We read it for our Book Club and it promoted a lot of discussion. The book did have a torn page in it.

A fascinating insight into autism, and an analysis on what it means to be "me".......2007-09-03

Lou Arrandale is autistic, but one that can usually function in "normal" society. When a new (experimental) therapy is developed, in which the brain is tricked into creating new neural pathways to replace/substitute for the damaged ones that lead to autism, Lou is left with a dilemma. Should he take the treatment? Will it fundamentally alter who he is? Will it work well enough that he can function as a "normal" person? Will the treatment cost him his abilities at mathematical pattern analysis (something autistics do better than non-autistics), and therefore his current job?

The strength of Moon's book is that she focuses on the second question: will changing an autistic person from "disabled" to "normal" cause a fundamental change in who he is? The fact that "Speed of Dark" is (mostly) written in the first person is key: we enter the mind of the autistic main character so we learn to care about him like a friend, and would not have him risk irretrievably changing himself for the nebulous promise of becoming more normal in an experimental treatment. We are also introduced to Lou's world of fellow autistics (who work in his pattern-analysis section at the Company) and his fencing group of normals. Again, the first-person writing style is key in illuminating Lou's world and giving us an idea of how the autistic mind works. Having met few autistics in my time, I cannot vouch for the veracity of the portrayal of autism - I do know that they have difficulty picking up social signals and take things strictly literally - but the details Moon brings seem genuine and it's a fascinating look into the autistic mind.

The details of the plot are not as important as the portrait of the main character. A junior vice-president in Lou's Company tries to bully the autistic section into taking the experimental treatment as the first cohort of human volunteers. Meanwhile, Lou's extra-curricular activities include fencing every Wednesday night, and he attends his first tournament. He also loves a "normal" woman in that group, arousing the jealousy of a rival suitor. Unusually, for a science fiction novel, Lou is a regular church-goer, and Moon very effectively uses a homily by Lou's priest as an example of the literal-mindedness of autistics. In the most interesting passages of the book, Lou's car is vandalised twice in one week (coincidence??), and Lou is removed from his comfort zone in having to deal with the police and insurance company.

This book won the Nebula Award (voted on by the members of the Science Fiction Writers Association) for best novel. It is very nearly a 5-star story, one that will inevitably draw comparisons to the old classic "Flowers for Algernon". Unfortunately, it just doesn't pack the emotional punch of "Algernon", and "Speed of Dark" is also marred by a common sci fi problem - Moon has set up a very compelling problem and characters, but then she doesn't quite know how to wrap up the story satisfactorily. It is not as bad in this book as in, say, "Darwin's Radio" (Greg Bear) or "Andromeda Strain" (Michael Crichton), but it is enough to lower the rating to 4 stars, in my opinion. Still, it's a very interesting book (and a good read!) and I recommend it highly.

Great reading.......2007-08-27

Absolutely loved this book from the first page to the last. Read it while vacationing in the Bahamas, it was the perfect remedy for flight delays and long waits.

I had also read and enjoyed The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Haddon, which is a similar novel in that it is first person from an autistic viewpoint. I much prefer this one, though to be fair no one is demanding a comparison. I came to know and appreciate the characters here, the dialogue was not contrived, it felt natural. I loved the simple observations of the world from Lou's perspective, and the calming effect that structured music can have.

It made me think how so many of my own thoughts and feelings could be considered borderline autistic at times, or rather be similar to what an autistic person thinks or feels. I also felt for the boss as he struggled with his good intentions, but never truly understood where Lou and the others were coming from. I identified with him, how often do I apply my own rules/views to other people's problems?

Moon is a seasoned and expert novelist, the descriptions and dialogue flow naturally. I also enjoyed the brief introduction to fencing, and appreciate learning about it through the plot devices, not in a flooded rush like Tom Clancy explaining how nuclear weapons work. A favorite part were the restaurant servers, referred to literally by their name tags "Hi my name is X". Now every time I see one of those tags, I need to word it out in my head...

One final note, though labeled "science fiction" it really is not what most would consider sci-fi. It takes place in what seems to be the not too distant future, but that is only as a plot device. The same novel could just as easily have been written to take place in 2007 with some minor changes.

Five Star.......2007-06-27

Lou is an autistic living in the near future as a computer analyst. The story revolves around his perspectives and dealings with "normal" people.
He functions well due to a supportive environment and adaptation of the workplace to his needs. His workplace is disrupted by a new CEO that wants him to undertake a experimental drug treatment so that he can be like "other people".

I also agree that the ending was very weak.

Well told story from the Autistic world view, I could relate to his difficulties and his triumphs despite others "expectations".

Dark Moon Rising: Pagan BDSM & the Ordeal Path

Average customer rating:

SIMPLY AN AMAZING JOURNEY INTO THE ABYSS!
Authentic + Insighful
Beautiful and invaluable
Spiritual journeys await you in this book
Finding your way through the Labyrinth

Dark Moon Rising: Pagan BDSM & the Ordeal Path
Raven Kaldera
Manufacturer: Lulu.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1847288928

Book Description

Throughout history, from the Hindu Kavadi ceremony to the Lakota Sun Dance, the Ordeal Path has been an honored spiritual road to the magic of the flesh, and to touching the Gods. Today many Pagans are discovering this path, by accident or by design. Simultaneously, many practitioners of secular BDSM are finding themselves having spiritual experiences in the middle of their most secular scenes. This book explores the crossover points between both these communities and practices, a cross-section which is growing steadily, baring controversial articles on topics as diverse as sacred pain, bondage, hook suspension, cathartic Pagan ritual, the spirituality of dominance and submission, and being the slave of the Gods. With contributions by noted authors and activists in both communities, and stunning photography by artist and Shibari-Do master Bridgett Harrington, this book is an awe-inspiring gateway into the Realm of the Underworld. and back again.

Customer Reviews:

SIMPLY AN AMAZING JOURNEY INTO THE ABYSS!.......2007-09-09

THIS BOOK WAS GIVEN TO ME AS A GIFT AND I AM OVERWHELMED AT THE SCOPE OF THIS WORK. RAVEN KALDERA IS AN AMAZING PERSON AND HAS EMBARKED UPON AN AMAZING JOURNEY AND THROUGH HER WORK HAS MADE ME A BETTER AND STRONGER MASTER IN THE ART OF BDSM. AS A DEDICATED PAGAN, I NOW INCORPORATE BDSM INTO ALL MY RITUALS AND HAVE FOUND BAPHOMET LIKE NEVER BEFORE.......YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!! THE HEFTY PRICE TAG IS WELL WORTH IT!

Authentic + Insighful .......2007-08-14

Ravena Kaldera writes with autenticity and deep insight. This book will be treasured for time to come, helping my understanding where BDSM goes beyond the bounds of humanistic experience.

Beautiful and invaluable.......2007-01-12

Raven Kaldera has given the world an amazing gift. In this book, he draws on his many years of first-hand experience to guide those of us who are called to BDSM and spirituality. His writing is intelligent, intimate, and eloquent. Explaining both "why" and "how," the book includes enlightening essays and useful suggestions for spiritual practice. I have read several books that promised to explore these issues. This is the one book I wish I had when I started along this path, and one of the most life-changing books I've read.

Spiritual journeys await you in this book.......2006-09-04

I liked this book a lot. It focuses on some topics in BDSM that are rarely addressed, including an in-depth exploration of the mixing of spirituality and BDSM, as well as dynamics with D/S in spirituality, god-slavery, and comfort zones for tops and bottoms.

The rituals included in the book were a nice touch that can give people some good ideas for rituals that they can use. I felt like I could take most of those rituals, and with a few personal touches, incorporate them into my own practice.

With that said, I do want to emphasize that this book focuses on spirituality based approach to BDSM. Practical magical applications, beyond personal transformation magic, aren't explored in depth. This isn't a bad thing, just part of an on-going trend in BDSM/occult books that is focused on that particular venue, as opposed to other venues.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for inspiration and also spirituality in how they approach BDSM. Raven is an excellent writer who will make you feel as if you're chatting with him.

Finding your way through the Labyrinth.......2006-08-31

If the reader is seeking insight into modern pagans who offer profound sacrifice this book will act as a communion with the experiences of practitioners on the Ordeal Path. For those who are moved to offer the flesh of our bodies, the blood that flows within, the flower of our pain, and the fruit of our endurance Dark Moon Rising provides a framework to begin to understand why we are moved to do so.
The mental health industry and religious reformers would have us believe many ancient spiritual practices are no longer appropriate for modern spiritual needs. Yet countless people seek union with the Divine through body modification, BDSM play/work, and difficult and exhausting physical tasks. There is a strong connection between the exertion of the body and altered states yet the use of these techniques are looked down upon by many people as inappropriate and abusive.
Raven Kaldera presents an array of experiences involving the sacred use of the body, mind, and soul as conduits of transformation. The rituals themselves are not the focus of the book as much as the compassionate exploration of how and why many of us are called to worship in this way.

Average customer rating:

Fascinating characters
Cat Burglar of a Werewolf Falls for Heiress with a Mysterious Family
corney
not so great >> 1.5 stars
Awful...

Crimson Moon (The Moon Series, Book 4)
Rebecca York
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0425199959
Release Date: 2005-01-04

Book Description

Needing a fresh start, a young werewolf heads west and changes his identity. As Sam Morgan, he meets Olivia Woodlock--a woman of many secrets, whose life is in jeopardy. If he can't protect her, they'll never have a chance to explore the passion that promises to bind them together for an eternity.

Customer Reviews:

Fascinating characters.......2007-09-23

One of my favorite of the Moon series. I have read others say this book was underdeveloped, but I disagree.

Yes, the main characters, Johnny Marshall (one of my favorite of the Marshall men), and Olivia Woodlock, fall in love quickly. Has no one had love at first sight in their books? Doesn't intense situations seem to make emotion heightened? What can be more sensitive than the theft of an artifact that can heal a family - or break it apart?

And the villian... this is a truly twisted villian, with just enough realism to make you wonder if someone like this is next door to you.

I enjoyed this book and I think most others will, too.

Cat Burglar of a Werewolf Falls for Heiress with a Mysterious Family.......2006-06-22

I really don't have much to say about CRIMSON MOON by Rebecca York. It's the fourth in a series of suspenseful werewolf romances that she's written, and it's all right. It's not great, it's not lousy - it's somewhere in between. The hero, Sam, is a werewolf who also happens to be a cat burglar. He's hired by the heroine, Olivia, an heiress whose family is suffering from a mysterious malady that only has one cure, which was stolen by the novel's villain. Sam's job is to get the cure back. The relationship between Sam and Olivia starts off with immediate lust, and I can't help but feel it remains lust-driven throughout. The family secret is interesting, but not enough is explained or revealed about it to satisfy the reader's curiosity. And the bad guy is something of a stock bad guy, with no real personality other than he is obsessive and grossly manipulative.

I don't want to spoil the end of the book (spoiler warning), but I am kind of tired of how this series went from the werewolf being the only supernatural element (and the romance being between a werewolf and a regular woman who must learn to deal with it) to a series about people with different supernatural abilities. The werewolf aspect is no longer special now, and the heroine ends up accepting his powers quickly because she has her own secret powers. That really bores me. I want some human conflict in the story not related to the bad guy. In this book, the drama revolves mostly around external reasons (bad guy[s]) versus internal reasons (the lovers' fears and feelings, especially about him being a werewolf), and that gets old quick. Give me some characters I can relate to! Thanks!

P.S. The series starts with KILLING MOON (Ross), EDGE OF THE MOON (Jack), WITCHING MOON (Adam), and CRAVINGS with short story "Burning Moon" (Grant).

corney.......2005-11-02

Didn't care for it. The author went off in different directions and brought up not logical developments. Could have lived without reading it.

not so great >> 1.5 stars.......2005-09-24

This story is not nearly as good as Beyond Control, York's latest. I really had to work hard to finish Crimons Moon. The werewolf and his "mate" just didn't have any chemistry. The plot was convoluted and there were too many convenient coincidences to make it suspenseful. The bad guy, Ethridge, was crazy and twisted - I would have liked to see his character developed a little more.
Sorry to say, but this one is going to the used book store. If you want to give it a try, buy it used.

Awful..........2005-06-27

CRIMSON MOON is about a werewolf who finally meets his match...wait, I mean his 'mate' in a woman with some supernatural abilities of her own. He's a criminal, but a good one--Werewolf Robin Hood, if you will. And her father is a target because of her father's indifference to the harmful effects of his business policies on the evironment (wholly unbelivable). He wants to make her father pay; he also wants his daughter for a wife. HE is Johnny Marshall also known as Sam Morgan. SHE is Olivia Woodlock.

Together with this story is a subplot regarding a crazy business competitor of Olivia's father. Apparently, this very disturbed villain has hatched a scheme to replace Olivia with another woman-whom he has kidnapped, molested and surgically altered against her will (to look like Olivia, of course). Olivia spurned him, and he wants her all the more.

The story is thin and undeveloped, as are: the romance, the lead characters, the villain. The villain and environmental protection burglar/hero business are the weakest part of CRIMSON MOON. Olivia loses her heart to Sam inside of 30 pages: "...she couldn't shake the disturbing feeling that he had taken some part of her with him [I think she means her heart]...," though she had met him only moments before and talked with him for a few minutes, showing him some of her father's art collection. Okaaaaay.... CRIMSON MOON is convoluted and suffers from a lack of depth of intellect or emotion. If you are into excessive, inessential sex scenes then this flat, tall tale of a story from Rebecca York also known as Ruth Glick will be just the thing.

And if I haven't been clear enough, I have another way of putting it: I started reading this book two months ago and only got about halfway through. Last night I tried again (I like to finish books I've paid for...if I can), but I only made it about 10 pages further. And that took a colossal effort!

If This Book Were Food, I'd Rather Starve Than Clean My Plate.

Dark Moon (A Nightcreature Novel, Book 3)

Average customer rating:

Enjoyed the Story Line
Entertaining
A Dark Romance to Howl About
Loved it!
A smart male character too!

Dark Moon (A Nightcreature Novel, Book 3)
Lori Handeland
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0312991363
Release Date: 2005-06-28

Book Description

Elise Hanover feels the pull of the moon--even in its dark phase. She is a werewolf who feels nothing but disgust for the bloodlust and violent tendencies inside her. Nick Franklin is the man she met and fell in love with in college, and the man whose touch first awakened her beast. When she realized that her lust for him inspired the wolf inside her, she ran as far and as fast as she could. To defeat her furry side, she has spent the last five years in a secret location in Montana, trying to find a cure for lycanthropy. Just as she feels she's at the edge of a breakthrough, her research is interrupted. Nick is now an FBI agent--and he's standing in her lab. Minutes after they leave the building, it explodes, destroying all of Elise's research and the serum she needs to fight her bloodlust. Together, Nick and Elise must race to find a cure for before the next full moon rises. Dark Moon is full of dry wit, steamy chemistry, and truly scary villians.

Customer Reviews:

Enjoyed the Story Line.......2006-12-12

I am truly enjoying the additional characters as well as getting to know the current ones. I can't wait for the new book to come out.

Entertaining.......2006-05-20

This book came in a lot that I bought on ebay. I had never heard of the author, but decided to give it a try. Several entertaining hours were spent reading it.

The transformation of Elise from a hurt, fragile woman who protected herself by being an "ice queen" to a confident, loving woman was worth the time spent. Nic, the abandoned loved one, and she take up where they left off. I really like this kind of story. They did not take too long to get over the bad period between the time they had originally known each other. He took the whole werewolf thing quite well.

I could have done with less with the whole threating thing by the other characters. Some of the banter got a bit obnoxious. On the whole, this book is recommended. I plan to look for others by the author.

A Dark Romance to Howl About.......2006-05-12

Dr. Elise Hanover works alone. Secluded deep in the wilderness, she searches for a cure to her condition. As a werewolf and researcher, her rare ability to resist killing is all that keeps her alive. She was getting close to a breakthrough when the man she once loved shows up in her office. Nic Franklin is with the FBI now, and a double threat-to her safety, and to her heart.

When the hidden lab is firebombed, Elise and Nic are thrown together on a wild ride where the rules of normalcy are abandoned. More frightening to Elise is the increasing power of her werewolf influence, which could earn her a silver bullet from her boss. Somehow, Elise must survive the two biggest challenges of her life: facing what she is, and facing a forbidden love.

The writing is wonderfully descriptive, bringing the reader deeply into each scene. While Elise possesses a great deal of strength, her employer's promise to kill her if she loses control is a huge onus, which undermines her confidence and strength until she grows into her role.

The only thing that detracts from the reading is Elise's tendency to turn tail and run in the direction her boss tells her to go. Even though she's under his ruthless thumb, it's a turn-off for readers who expect a strong, no-excuses heroine.

Overall, fans of paranormal, specifically werewolf, romance, will enjoy this novel, the third installment of Handeland's series.

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
5-11-2006

Loved it!.......2006-03-29

I must admit I have really become a fan of the "Moon" series by Handeland. I have to admit that I have read all four to date and find them entertaining and easy to read.

Imagine the possibilities, Doctor (Elise)attempting to cure "lycanthropy", and guess what she has the disease, and she left her lover several years ago for fear of how he would react to her condition, only to be reunited with her lost love (a studly agent) to solve a mystery. It's a wonderful story with a happy ending.

A smart male character too! .......2006-03-16

At first I was impatient with this book because it seemed so simple--sixth grade level, ya know. But keep reading because not only does the female heroine show growth but in a nice twist in this genre the lead male faces an unbelieveable facet of the women he loves and must make a choice. This choice requires a total shift in HIS world view. Is love enough to overcome disbelief, fear and eventually destroy all he knows to be true? Then secondary characters continue to build a strong paranormal story with depth and, as odd as it sounds, reasonable responses to unreasonable situations.

Average customer rating:

More great fantasy paperback
An Outstanding Book, Best in the Series
Excellent book

Moon of the Spider (Diablo, Book 1)
Richard A. Knaak
Manufacturer: Pocket Star
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Birthright (Diablo: The Sin War, Book 1)
Kingdom of Shadow (Diablo #3)
The Black Road (Diablo, Book 2)
Diablo #1: Legacy of Blood
Scales of the Serpent (Diablo: The Sin War, Book 2)

ASIN: 0743471326

Book Description

Since the beginning of time, the angelic hosts of the High Heavens and the demonic hordes of the Burning Hells have been locked in a struggle for the fate of all Creation. That struggle has now come to the mortal realm...and neither Man nor Demon nor Angel will be left unscathed....

DIABLO

Driven by nightmares to the ruins of a mysterious tomb, Lord Aldric Jitan hopes to awaken a terrible evil that has slept since the fall of Tristram. Drawn by the growing darkness in the land, the enigmatic Necromancer, Zayl, stumbles upon Jitan's plot -- unaware that one of his own brethren has set these dire events in motion. Now, as the celestial Moon of the Spider rises, the nefarious demon, Astrogha, prepares to unleash his minions upon Sanctuary.

MOON OF THE SPIDER

An original tale of swords, sorcery, and timeless struggle based on the bestselling, award-winning M-rated computer game from Blizzard Entertainment. Intended for mature readers.

Customer Reviews:

More great fantasy paperback.......2007-04-01

This novel is the spiritual sequel to the last Diablo series novel written by Knaak. The story continues the comedic adventures of the necromancer Zayle and his talking skull Humbart. Although not as good as some of his previous work, Knaak thoroughly entertains. His desciptions are superb, allowing his reader to easily visualize any sort of described locale or monstrosity. Despite the fact that the reader can easily guess who the villan might be and how it might end, the story is still worth reading, and the comedy value of a talking head in a sack alone is worth it.

An Outstanding Book, Best in the Series.......2006-09-11

This has to be one of the most suspenseful and exciting books in the series (thus far). The necromance Zayl and his animated friend Humbart return in this book and fight against an even greater evil than in their last adventure (see Kingdom of Shadow).

In this book, a powerful lord looks to unleash a demon back into the mortal world. Zayl is drawn to this evil and encounters a lovely noblewoman who somehow ties into all of this, but unbeknownst to him, one of his own is masterminding the sinister plot and find out the connection that the noblewoman has to the evil demon Astrogha before all of Westmarch is engulfed by the evil.

Totally awesome book, and the end will make you hunger for more.

This is definetly a 10/10.

Excellent book.......2006-03-28

Read through it in less than a day. Storyline is always on track, and good characters as well(wb Zayl & Humbart).

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