Mark of the Lion : A Voice in the Wind, An Echo in the Darkness, As Sure As the Dawn (Vol 1-3)

Book Description

This classic series has inspired over half a million readers. Both loyal fans and new readers will want the 10th anniversary editions of this beloved series. These editions include a new foreword from the publisher, a new preface from Francine Rivers, and discussion questions suitable for personal and group use.

#1 A Voice in the Wind: Torn by her love for a handsome aristocrat, a young slave girl clings to her faith in the living God for deliverance from the forces of decadent Rome.

#2 An Echo in the Darkness: Turning away from the opulence of Rome, Marcus is led by a whispering voice from the past into a journey that could set him free from the darkness of his soul.

#3 As Sure As the Dawn: Atretes. German warrior. Revered gladiator. He won his freedom through his fierceness . . . but his life is about to change forever.

Customer Reviews:

Amazing story!.......2007-10-07

An amazing story that brings you back to the foundation of your faith, as they did for me. I laughed, cried, and rejoiced with the characters as they went through their trials and tribulations. Kudos to Francine Rivers for bringing a remarkable story for generations to come!

an insight into 1st century Christians.......2007-08-27

This series was so great. Not only does it keep your attention in an entertaining way but it makes you think more about what it was like for 1st century Christians.

Great christian fiction........2007-08-24

Didn't get a lot done while reading this book, couldn't put it down. The story draws you in and you also learn alot about this time, the Roman Empire and the plight of their conquered peoples. Can be a little gruesome in parts. Highly recommend.

for reading and re-reading - books that keep on giving.......2007-08-09

Francine Rivers' "Mark of the Lion" series provides believable plots; well-crafted, fully-human characters; satisfying love stories; and practical instruction in Christian living. These books are fun to read, but they go beyond that to provide a deep satisfaction that you can't get from mere entertainment. Also delightful are her polished writing and her attention to historical details. Her careful craftsmanship delights the heart AND the mind. History buffs, romance readers, and students of practical Christian living should all enjoy these books.

Excellent novels.......2007-08-09

These books have really spoken to me. Ms. Rivers has done her homework when it comes to historical accuracy, even printing a glossary of terms in the back of the book. The story lines and characters are outstanding, and beautifully illustrate the story of God's love for us.

Average customer rating:

the wheels of darkness
the wheel of darkness, cd
High Seas Horror
Something Lacking -
Leaves you wanting more Pendergast tales!

The Wheel of Darkness
Douglas Preston , and Lincoln Child
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0446580287
Release Date: 2007-08-28

Book Description

FBI Special Agent Pendergast is taking a break from work to take Constance on a whirlwind Grand Tour, hoping to give her closure and a sense of the world that she's missed.They head to Tibet, where Pendergast intensively trained in martial arts and spiritual studies. At a remote monastery, they learn that a rare and dangerous artifact the monks have been guarding for generations has been mysteriously stolen.As a favor, Pendergast agrees to track and recover the relic.A twisting trail of bloodshed leads Pendergast and Constance to the maiden voyage of the Britannia, the world's largest and most luxurious ocean liner---and to an Atlantic crossing fraught with terror.

Customer Reviews:

the wheels of darkness.......2007-10-10

when I read his first book it grab a hold of me and would not let go,but sorry to say as each new book came out,his writting went down hill.this lastest book was a waste of time and money,it did not reflect how good he was in the begining nor how good he cpuld be if only he went back to his basic writting like in the begining.

the wheel of darkness, cd.......2007-10-10

As always, Preston and Child's Pendergast is always intriguing. I have read or listened to every one of the books with this character and look forward to more.

High Seas Horror.......2007-10-10

The latest Agent Pendergast adventure takes him and ward Constance Greene on a chase from a Tibetan monastery to a runaway ocean liner headed for destruction. The pace, action, style, etc are what I have come to expect from the authors and I was not disappointed. However, for over half the book I felt it had too many of the standard murder-on-shipboard events, something like a Charlie Chan Ocean Mystery. There were also too many shipboard characters with points of view expressed, leaving Pendergast sliding through the shadows and Constance seeming to be the primary protagonist. Things turn for a demonic worst about three-quarters of the way through the book and then it's a cliffhanger situation for everyone in sight, with murder, mayhem, and outright horror in non-stop action. I enjoyed the read, dealing once more with the enigmatic agent, but felt the hanging conclusion too similar to The Book of the Dead for my liking.

Something Lacking -.......2007-10-10

Being an avid fan of the Pendergast tales, I have found this new addition to be lacking -- it does not match the writing,insight,or intrigue of the previous books. I agree with the other less positive reviews, especially the feeling that this book was written in haste to fulfill a contractual deadline, that it lacked the detail of earlier books. Looking forward to the next Pendergast tale, and hopefully the next will be more focused as the earlier books were.

Leaves you wanting more Pendergast tales!.......2007-10-09

This is another great Pendergast tale in which the author's have taken him in a "fresh" direction. Pendergast charged with the care of Contance, takes her to a secret learning center for Tibetan monks. While there they learn that an ancient object has been stolen. What is more, it was an object that was to be used to "cleanse" the world from sin when the world becomes out of control. Pendergast is asked to track down the thief and bring the object back before it is unleashed on the world.

Pendergast and Constance follow the thief across Europe and the trail leads to an ocean liner making its maiden voyage (the Britannia) to the US. Mysterious things start happening aboard ship, including some grisly murders. Also, some other things happen that could make the Britannia the next Titanic.

This is an excellent follow-up to the recent trilogy and we learn more about Pendergast's life, what might have really happened to his brother and what really happened between his brother and Constance.

The book picks up momentum like a snowball and heads towards a tense climax!

Babylon Rising: The Edge of Darkness (Babylon Rising)

Average customer rating:

Tim LaHaye you are awesome!
Tim LaHaye does it again
When will book 5 be out?
Unable to Review
This series keeps getting more and more disappointing...

Babylon Rising: The Edge of Darkness (Babylon Rising)
Tim Lahaye , and Bob Phillips
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0553803255
Release Date: 2006-08-29

Book Description

Tim LaHaye’s most exciting series ever, Babylon Rising, continues with this explosive new installment, including more revelations than ever before. In The Edge of Darkness, LaHaye reveals the meaning behind some of the most carefully guarded Biblical prophecies to expose a conspiracy with terrifying consequences for our modern world.

This time Michael Murphy sets off in search of the Lost Temple of Dagon and the dark secrets of the strange god once worshipped by the ancient Philistines. His quest will lead to a final confrontation with an old enemy and uncover one of the Bible’s most feared warnings–a prophecy of false miracles, false messiahs, and ultimate evil that will be fulfilled in our time...and that not even Murphy can stop once it’s begun.

Once again Tim LaHaye combines his unmatched insight into Biblical prophecy with his unique skills as a master storyteller to deliver a suspense thriller of nonstop action with a thought-provoking message for our troubled times.

Customer Reviews:

Tim LaHaye you are awesome! .......2007-10-11

What a great book! The next books just get better than the previous.I love this series. The main character'Dr Michael Murphy', is perfect. I finished reading this in 4 days, and with two kids it was so hard to put down. I can't wait 4 the next one.

Tim LaHaye does it again.......2007-09-05

Tim LaHaye has a way with blending fiction into biblical prophecy. His stories are fast-paced, and hard to put down.
"The Edge of Darkness" tells of the fast approaching time of the anti-christ. This series is a must read for everybody.

When will book 5 be out?.......2007-08-30

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book but as with the others it did not conclude. The way scripture is woven into the story line makes it interesting and I believe will lead to further investigation by those not familiar with the themes. A good thing.

Unable to Review .......2007-08-28

I do not have a review as I did not receive the book. The order was cancelled by Amazon stating that they could not deliver the item to the address listed. This is strange as I have received other books at the same address. I was not very happy about it. I will now have to go and purchase it at the Barnes & Noble store.

This series keeps getting more and more disappointing..........2007-06-13

I was a huge fan of the first book in the Babylon Rising series, but I feel that the subsequent novels--including and especially this one--have slowly but surely been going downhill. The Edge of Darkness and the third book, The Europa Conspiracy, have lacked the action of the first book, and even of the second book, The Secret on Ararat. This novel also consisted mainly of lackluster dialogue and ridiculously simple thoughts on the part of its characters, along with childish comparisons (such as toward the end of the book, when the Seven are comparing their actions to fountains etc. at the Chateau de Versailles) that served as a constant annoyance.

Also, Tim Lahaye kills off many important characters in this Babylon Rising installation. I won't name names because I don't want to spoil things for anyone who hasn't read this book yet, but I feel that it's a bit late for the authors to start introducing new MAIN characters into the series, which is what they will have to do now that all but a couple of its main characters are dead. The authors need to go back to the basics of what made the first Babylon Rising book, and even the second one, the hits that they were.

Chronicles of Ancient Darkness #3: Soul Eater (Chronicles of Ancient Darkness)

Average customer rating:

Chronicles of Ancient Darkness
In the great forests of ancient times, Torak and his friend, Renn, once again hunt.
A considerable improvement.
Great series.
Great Companion Book for the Series

Chronicles of Ancient Darkness #3: Soul Eater (Chronicles of Ancient Darkness)
Michelle Paver
Manufacturer: Katherine Tegen Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060728310
Release Date: 2007-02-20

Book Description

It's winter, and Wolf, Torak's beloved pack-brother, has been captured by an unknown foe. In a desperate bid to rescue him, Torak and Renn must brave the frozen wilderness of the Far North.

As they battle for survival amid howling blizzards and the ever-present menace of the great white bear, their friendship is tested to the breaking point, and Torak is forced to get closer to his enemies than ever before. . . .

Soul Eater is a haunting story of loyalty and loss, a chilling portrayal of the nature of evil, and the next step in the perilous journey that began with Wolf Brother and Spirit Walker.

Customer Reviews:

Chronicles of Ancient Darkness.......2007-07-09

I purchased this book for my son who is 13 years old and has never been interested in reading books. I homeschool my son and I purchased the first book in this series "Wolf Brother" for him to read for school. What a GREAT FIND! He loved the book and asked for the next two in the series. My daughter and I have read the series also. We can't wait for book #4 to come out. This series has very high energy, lots of action and it is an interesting read.

In the great forests of ancient times, Torak and his friend, Renn, once again hunt........2007-06-05

In the great forests of ancient times, Torak and his friend, Renn, once again hunt. With them is the giant wolf dog who is never far from Torak's side. Everything seems normal to them until Torak comes across the feather of the fierce eagle owl, which is a bad omen. Though Torak throws it away, the hunt is spoiled when a giant eagle owl swoops from the tree tops and scares their prey away. Then, unexpectedly, Wolf darts away as if in pursuit of new prey. Though they try to follow, he easily out-distances them.

After some debate they decide to continue their hunt for Wolf and not go back to their Raven tribe. Little do they know what this decision will mean as they struggle deeper and deeper into uncharted, frozen lands. This is the beginning of the end for Torak and Renn.

In the meantime, Wolf has fallen into a trap set by the dreaded Soul Eaters; he has been beaten, drugged and caged. The Soul Eaters are in the process of gathering the fiercest animal hunters to sacrifice. It is the strength of these hunters that will help make the Soul Eaters the strongest tribe. They are power hungry, evil and reek of rotting flesh as they move forward with their evil plan.

Without the help of the White Fox Clan, Torak and Renn might have perished. When attacked by the winter bear, it is Fox Clan member Inuktiluk who helps them and takes them to the frozen river so they can attempt to cross into the dangerous unknown. But even in their worst dreams, they have no idea how horrible it will be when at last they find the beloved animal.

...The tip of Wolf's bushy silver tail was matted with dried blood: but it wasn't that which turned [Torak] ill with fear. It was the slimy greenish-black flesh which showed through in patches. Flesh which stank of rottenness.

"It's the blackening sickness," said Renn. "It's poisoning him. The worms of sickness are eating him up from inside."

Once again, Michelle Paver has created a magical world in which good and evil are constantly at war. Torak and Renn are more fully realized as their characters mature and endure harrowing experiences. Paver's writing is fluid and strong, capturing the language, landscape and personalities of this ancient time. Readers of the first two installments of the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series will be thrilled with this story --- probably the most powerful book yet.

--- Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts

A considerable improvement........2007-04-20

I enjoyed Wolf Brother but hated Spirit Walker and I was weary that this entry in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series was going to be just as meandering and slow. Fortunately it's not and it's just as good as the first book.

Wolf is kidnapped by the evil Soul Eaters so Torak and Renn must chase after them into The Far North to rescue him. Their chase brings them to the Eye of the Viper, a cave deep, deep in a mountain where the Soul Eaters have made their lair and intend to sacrifice 9 hunters to unleash demon hoardes under their control upon the world.

The mythology is getting a tad out of hand though. I don't know whether these forest people simply don't understand science and physics and mistake everything for fate, miracles and magic or if it's just their ancient point of view trying to make sense of it. That complaint aside, it's a good book that you'll not want to put down until you've finished it. It's way more fast moving than Spirit Walker and brings the COAD series back on track.

Great series........2007-04-07

It was a cool book. I like how it took place on a icy snowy mountain. Can't wait for the fourth book to come out!! This from the mouth of an adventurous 10 year old boy.

Great Companion Book for the Series.......2007-03-20

While this book has many surprising twists and turns, it is enjoyable and fun to read. Once again we follow Torak, Wolf, and Renn viewing them all, from there point of view.
Very mild changes do happen though, such as, Wolf now calls Renn 'The Pack Sister' instead of 'Female Tailess'. And Renn also has a much major role in the book then say in WOLF BROTHER, and also the book switches to her view more.
This is a very enjoyable book and I recomend it to any one from 10-100.

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

Average customer rating:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers
Pants on fire?
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
Very Interesting
History as Science Fiction

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2913621058

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.

When Darkness Comes (Guardians of Eternity, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

Three and a Half Stars
Funny Dialogue, Enjoyable Book
Abby, the potty-mouthed nag hag heroine.
Dull, confusing and weak character development
Weak Characters

When Darkness Comes (Guardians of Eternity, Book 1)
Alexandra Ivy
Manufacturer: Zebra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0821779354

Customer Reviews:

Three and a Half Stars.......2007-09-01

Following an incident in her employer's house, Abby Barlow has become the Chalice. She and Dante (the Chalice's vampire protector) set out to discover how this has happened and if there is any way for this process to be reversed.

I've been reading a lot of first books in a series, recently, and this (Book 1 of the Guardians of Eternity) is a definite improvement on most of them.

The book starts with a bang, and the plot doesn't let up 'til about page 180. Unfortunately because it starts at this breakneck speed it does have some uneven pacing, with the middle of the book lagging a little before picking up again.

The characters are well written and there is an undeniable chemistry between Dante and Abby. Dante has a dry sense of humour, with which he is only too happy, to provoke Abby. And the banter between the pair really brings them to life. Though I could have done without being constantly reminded how terrible Abby's early life was.

The secondary characters are well fleshed out, in particular Viper who on first meeting Abby practically oozes sex across the page. I wish we could have spent more time with him and also Troy and The Shalott. (But it isn't their book, fingers crossed we will be seeing more of them in the future). The bad guys are not two-dimensional and their motivations are well explained.

It's not perfect, as well as the above-mentioned pacing problem, there is a reliance on some coincidences to keep the plot moving and I noticed one slip in continuity.

However, it held my interest and I'm looking forward to picking up the second book in the series Embrace the Darkness which will feature Viper and The Shalott.

Funny Dialogue, Enjoyable Book.......2007-08-17

I just finished this book. I did not have any expectations and was pleasantly suprised at how funny the dialogue was. I enjoyed Dante's character, but I loved Viper. I am looking forward to reading his story in Embrace the Darkness (book 2).

If you enjoy paranormal romance, I recommend giving this series a try.

Abby, the potty-mouthed nag hag heroine........2007-07-29

This book is unspeakably awful. The clues are there from the very first page.

First clue. The copyright is owned not by Alexandra Ivy, but by Debbie Raleigh. Which probably means Debbie who lives in Raleigh NC. A whole different ballgame from Alexandra Ivy.

Second clue. On page 13 the heroine says she's an idiot 'when it comes to choosing men.' That means she's had a lot of relationships. That many of them have gone bad. And that she's chosen to blame herself entirely. In other words...a doormat tenement ho'. Well. If you make your partner choices based entirely on looks no wonder things can go a little wrong.

The heroine says she's 'passably average' in the looks department. Passably? Does that mean she is plug-ugly? But all the handsome vampire warriors think she's lovely. Are they blind or just stupid?

Both Dante and Viper talk about the heroine Abby's 'innocence and purity.' Ha, ha, haaa. On nearly every page she's using a phrase like 'Holy hell, holy crap, freaking this, freaking that.' She's a D.O.G. (with capitals) I know some romance readers get very excited when a no-class dog has a handsome guy fall for her. I'm not one of those readers. I tend to feel sorry for the guy. Saddled with a hag as a partner. Or in Dante's case; a nag hag. Because, boy, does Abby whine and like to have the last word. Which is usually a curse. So actually, Dante ends up with a potty-mouthed nag hag.

And who on earth still eats pancakes, eggs and bacon for breakfast?? Apart from our heroine Abby that is. She will be a 20-plus size before she is 30-years old.

Just why does Abby find it so hard to get proper work? Her cultural references seem to be TV soaps, Buffy, Dawn of the Dead and shopping in malls. So obviously she's not had an education. Why is she so convinced she'll end up as a bag-lady pushing a shopping cart around? Ok, her parents were not the greatest but it's not as though either they or her six siblings are still around to weigh down her life. At one point Abby says she's afraid of becoming 'a cheap hooker servicing drunks in a sleazy motel.' But that is exactly how she talks and behaves for the whole of the novel. This is not a heroine who has any good aspirations of what she is going to do with her life. I thought Buffy was a middle-class teenager not a no-class loser.

Later there is a petty squabble between the main couple about whether he thinks she is stupid. The poor guy has to spend time stroking her horrible, shallow ego. How is that of any relevance to the plot?

There is a mystery in this story. Why did Selena, the supposed all powerful previous Chalice, die? But this question is dragged out for the whole of the book. The hero, Dante, who's mission is to protect the Chalice, hasn't a clue. Or a clue about getting a clue. He confesses that he spent his time lusting after Abby instead of carrying out his job. Jerk.

This novel has everything in it. Witches, zombies, lightning-bolt shooting wizards, onion (?) demons, and vampires who are not afraid to sink their fangs into their enemies. None of it amounts to anything like a coherent plot. Just one lightweight TV episode after another. Suddenly in chapter 12 the chief baddie, up til that point known as 'The Master' changes into someone called 'Rafael.' So he promptly loses all his charisma and mystique, becoming just another expendable bozo in the process. And around this point it also becomes clear that someone changed their mind about who was going to be the chief baddie in the story. The focus becomes the witches not the wizard.

Like I said. Awful.

Dull, confusing and weak character development.......2007-06-17

As someone already mentioned the endearment lover was used and every time I read it it felt wrong. The endearment Love would have worked much better.

I have no idea who these characters. We get a whole bunch of awful stuff from Abby about how horrible her life was, but nothing in how she acts is really influenced by her past. I have no idea how she came to work at the mansion for Selene. I have no idea why should would be attracted to Dante after initially being introduced to him as an irritant. I have no really good idea why he is an irritant. I have no idea what this world is? Does everyone know about the paranormal or is there and underground of it? What is this clan that Dante belongs to? What does it consist of? Who is the head of it and if Vampires are a solitary lot why is there a Clan? is there more than one clan?

The writing is subpar. The descriptions of scenes are usually very difficult to figure out.

In the beginning we meet Abby wondering wondering what to do about a broken Ming vase. She's on the ground getting ready to hide the pieces when Dante enters the room. She turns around and blocks the view of the broken vase. How she can block the view of the broken vase from someone who is standing, I don't understand, but she does. In that same scene there is a mention of her not backing up because she will back into the broken pieces then then a big bang and she's knocked onto her back. But she doesn't land on the broken pieces.

Another scene that I still don't know what I missed after reading 4 times, Dante is giving Abby a bath in a, I'm pretty sure, sunken bath tub. I never read that he took his clothes off or that she was taken out of the bath or the water was drained. One minute she's lifting her damp arms to pull him closer and closer he comes. After that interlude he does dry her off and lifts her and takes her to the bed, that is covered in silk sheets and puts her to bed. She asks him to stay with her and he gets into bed. This whole scene I'm wonder how he's not dripping and how he manages to not make the bed wet.

This is a poorly written and poorly edited book.

Weak Characters.......2007-06-12

I have been reading the vampire genre for quite some time now and there are many authors out there who do a remarkable job weaving their stories of these otherworldly cast of characters.

Unfortunately, this wasn't one of them. I really tried to get into this story but I found the main characters lacking in depth. Dante had the potential to be a great hero vampire but regrettably, the author didn't delve into the character enough. He was bound to the chalice for the soul purpose of protecting her. Where were those great powers that he should have been endowed with to enable him to fulfill the job. As for chemistry between Dante and Abby, there was none... Yes there were sex scenes, but I couldn't see where Dante's attraction to Abby stemmed from. There were also too many contradictions in Abby's character for me to connect with her.

The story line sounded great, but unfortunately it did not hold up to what I expected. If you truley want to read some great masters of the vampire genre, I would recommend Sherrilyn Kenyon, J.R. Ward and Kresley Cole.

Paths of Darkness, Collector's Edition (Forgotten Realms)

Average customer rating:

The conclusion to the 'Legend of Drizzt' (finally)
Salvatore rolls a critical hit again!
Doesn't get much better.
Great Story
quick but sloppy

Paths of Darkness, Collector's Edition (Forgotten Realms)
R. A. Salvatore
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0786939958
Release Date: 2005-08-11

Book Description

A collection of four best-selling R.A. Salvatore novels available in paperback for the first time.
This collection of four New York Times best-selling novels from premiere fantasy author R.A. Salvatore includes The Silent Blade, The Spine of the World, Servant of the Shard, and Sea of Swords. These titles continue the tale of Salvatore’s signature character Drizzt Do’Urden™, one of the most well known figures in the Forgotten Realms setting.

Customer Reviews:

The conclusion to the 'Legend of Drizzt' (finally).......2007-07-17

The Paths of Darkness compendium includes R.A. Salvatore's Forgotten Realms novels published from 1998 to 2001. The principle storyline for this series is the return of Wulfgar from imprisonment by the demon Erttu, and his stuggle to come to grips with his new life. Three of the books included in this one make up the final part of the 'Legend of Drizzt'. One book, Servant of the Shard, seems to have been included in this volume only because of publication order. It is actually the first book of the separate 'Sellswords' trilogy and doesn't really have anything to do with Drizzt and Co.

In The Silent Blade (Forgotten Realms: Paths of Darkness, Book 1), a fresh new adventure for the Companions of the Hall is began. As Drizzt and Co. head out to Spirit Soaring to have Cadderly destroy the (same old) Crystal Shard, monsters hound them at every turn. Wulfgar struggles with inner demons until he finds a place as a bouncer for a rough tavern in Luskan, where he has a great time bashing heads and drinking booze. Artemis Entreri travels back to his roots in Calimport to begin reestablishing his name and fortune. Jarlaxle has ventured out of Menzoberanzan in the search for power and wealth and coaxes Entreri to join his plans. Character development is the primary thing that stands out in this book. Wulfgar, Entreri, and Jarlaxle especially grow as characters. [4-star rating].

The Spine of the World (Forgotten Realms: Paths of Darkness, Book 2) is completely devoted to the continuing struggle of Wulfgar, who cannot seem to overcome his inner demons and allows himself to fall into a rather shameful existence. The story consists of two separate plot-lines that briefly come together near the end of the book. Wulfgar and Morik (who develops nicely here) fight, are framed, get beat, leave Luskan, fight, are framed, get beat, and so on. The other story was actually the more intriguing to me. It involves characters that we've never met before and their emotional wrangling. A hi-bred lord courts a lowly peasant (Meralda), who goes along with it for her family's sake but makes a big mistake in getting knocked up by another man. The two stories come together in an unpredictable way that results in a hugely surprising and satisfying ending. [3-star rating]

The third book in the Paths of Darkness, Servant of the Shard (Forgotten Realms: Paths of Darkness, Book 3), probably shouldn't have been included in this collection. It is really somewhat of a duplicate book, released two different times with different looking covers, the second time as book one of The Sellswords. It is also one of the most enjoyable Salvatore books to date. The Sellswords series follows the adventures of Artemis Enreri and Jarlaxle. This perfect couple is extremely well-developed and are fun to read about. In book 1, the Crystal Shard occupies center stage as the story began in The Silent Blade is continued. The annoyingly pious Cadderly plays a part in the latter parts of the book, but doesn't do too much harm to the story. Excellent fighting scenes and plenty of action make for a fun and exciting read. [5-star rating].

In Sea of Swords (Forgotten Realms: Paths of Darkness), the story of Wulfgar is rejoined for the final book of the Legend of Drizzt. As the Companions of the Hall set out to retrieve Aegis-Fang from the pirate Sheila Kree, it seems nothing could stand in their way. Wulfgar finally comes to terms with his new place in life, and is reunited with his old friends before the final battle. A mysterious elf from Drizzt's past has plotted to slay Drizzt for years and the two meet in an epic clash. Overall, this was a bit disappointing for a Drizzt novel, particularly because of its being the last in the series. [3-star rating].

Overall, these books really start to lose interest as the reader becomes inundated with Drizzt and his friends. The heroes (except Wulfgar ironically) become practically invincible and the stories become predictable. I'm just glad that I'm finally through the Legend of Drizzt (although I probably will read The Hunter's Blades trilogy).

Salvatore rolls a critical hit again!.......2007-06-09

First and foremost, there are four books in the series and unless you have an idea what these books are, like this particular genre, like what they deal with or play D&D then you probably should start at the beginning. It made several references to the old books and although it didn't annoy me since I read them, another reader might not like it. For the most part, this storyline speaks mostly about Wulfgar, his life and redemption after he returned from Errtu's grasp.

In any case, the four books are listed and summarized below:

The Silent Blade
The Spine of the World
Sea of Swords
Servant of the Shard

The first one dealt with Drizzt and an old grudge a thief named Artemis had with him. The thief was apparently an assassin for Pasha Pook who was the Guildmaster Regis stole his magical gem from. The book was great and although there was some mature content, it wasn't anything near what a teenager sees online at a porn site or on the movie 300 in terms of explicitness of gore. Besides, I believe if you can read then you're entitled to some juicy bits of writing. If you're a DM much like me and play D&D then this might give you an idea or two or a theme. It could even give you several comical or devious characters and scenarios to copy into your own campaign.
The Spine of the World was great. At first it threw me off by introducing the story of some prissy Lord of a no-name town in the backwaters of Faerun but as the book progressed, the author meshed the two distinct storylines together into an intricate web which of course featured Wulfgar. This book is primarily about Wulfgar and his redemption. A daring rescue and a few lies later and Wulfgar found his life changed. I don't want to ruin the book or the ending but it's a strong read in my opinion! There was more drama and storyline than action in this book. There weren't many battles and the few that were in the book were obviously one-sided. There were some good plots there if you are a DM and I strongly encourage you read about how shoddy the fiefdom of Auckney really is. At times DM's make small hamlets too powerful and often their best fighter can take out the heroes in one or two hits. A perfect example is the gnome fighter who claims to be the best fighter in all of Auckney.
The next book is off to a promising read with a couple of guys tracking down Drizzt and they are enlisting magical aid. Apparently from what I gathered in the first few pages I've read Bruenor is going to look for Wulfgar's hammer and the King of Mithral Hall is dying of old age. There is much to read as I am only a few pages shy of the fourth chapter. All his books thus far from the previous series have done his name and his claim justice. Read them all if you wish, but be forewarned, make sure you've got nothing to do as time will fly by!

Doesn't get much better........2007-05-07

If you're a fan of Salvatore- this is a must.
If you're a fan of fantasy- this is a must.
If you are a fan of reading- this is... a nice read.

I love the character development in Salvatore's books- and this series easily has the most of that compared to any of his others.

A good place to pick up if you've never read any of Salvatore's Forgotten Realms books- or if you already love the series, as I do.

Great Story.......2007-03-21

This collection continues the excellent tradition of Dnd based Fantasy writing established by R.A. Salvatore, Gary Gygax, and many others!

This collection continues an epic saga focused on R.A. Salvatore's most popular characters: Drizz't, Cattie-Brie, etc. It reads fine stand-alone, but I would highly recommend reading the other collector's editions from the beginning just to get the full character backgrounds and history.

In many cases, series that run so long based on the same characters get stale, but surprisingly, each new series of books in this series is as fresh as the first!

Can't wait to read the next one!

*Laugh* Just read the fine print on reviews. THIS PRODUCT IS UNSAFE! YOU WILL LOSE SLEEP AFTER PURCHASING IT!

quick but sloppy.......2006-08-06

the book arrived promptly and the price was fair. I was fairly dissapointed though at the fact that i purchased a brand new book and it arrived with scratches on the cover and a bent corner.

Embraced By Darkness (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 5)

Average customer rating:

Couldn't put the book down!
Wanting more
Fifth in the 'Riley Jenson, Guardian' series
wonderful author
Riley Jensen Series

Embraced By Darkness (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 5)
Keri Arthur
Manufacturer: Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 055358961X
Release Date: 2007-07-31

Book Description

She's hunting a killer—
and shattering every boundary—
she's ever known.…

Part vamp, part werewolf, Riley Jenson plays by her own rules, whether it’s her stormy love life or her job as a guardian. But when her family’s alpha male demands that she solve the mystery of a vanished girl, Riley can feel a trap closing in around her. Because the job comes with a catch: if Riley fails, her own mother will die.

Now the stakes are raised, the hunt is on...and when more women vanish, Riley is caught between a lover who demands that she give up her work, a serial killer who knows no boundaries, and a club where humans and supernaturals mix—at their own peril. Thrust into a realm of seduction and violence unlike any she could have imagined, Riley has to battle to save everything she holds dear. But the ultimate hunt has only just begun....

Customer Reviews:

Couldn't put the book down!.......2007-09-21

Like all the other Riley Jensen guardian books, I couldn't put the book down! Hopefully they're be more books of the series ahead because the end leaves you wanting more!

Wanting more.......2007-09-13

I can't wait for the next one! I even got my family hooked on the series.

Fifth in the 'Riley Jenson, Guardian' series.......2007-08-27

This book is a real improvement over Keri Arthur's earlier stories in Riley Jenson, Guardian series - there is a greater focus on plotting and characterisation and less emphasis on sex to carry the story along. The book starts with Riley on holiday on an island to recover from all the events of the last year (and last four books). She is contacted there by a member of her former pack who demands that she looks into the disappearance of a pack member, Adrienne, and threatens to hurt Riley and Rhoan's mother if she doesn't comply. Shortly afterwards the Directorate ask her to look into the strange murder of a woman who appears to have been torn limb from limb by her fiancé and Riley discerns a supernatural element to the crime. She works on both investigations at the same time, also finding herself under attack from an unknown assailant, dealing with the memories that contact with her pack has dredged up, and trying to make sense of her relationship with Kellen who wants to 'go solo' with her. Riley's not sure if she can commit to that and clearly has some feelings still for vampire Quinn, although he doesn't appear in person in this story.

The plotting in this book was excellent with good pacing and with the variety of two simultaneous investigations. The caustic relationship between Riley and Salliane, 'The Cow', is very amusing, and adds some light relief in a story with a fair amount of darkness. Riley's skills are growing and strengthening and she discovers a new aspect of her nature in this book following the drug treatment that she received in the first instalment. Her brother Rhoan features in this story as he helps Riley at the denouement at the end of the story when they uncover the evil behind a string of grisly deaths from the UK to Germany to Australia.

This book relied far more on plot and characterisation, particularly Riley's workaholic nature and her complete absorption in being a Guardian and how that plays out with her personal relationships, rather than sex; for me, this made it a much stronger read and made Riley a more sympathetic character. It ended on a cliffhanger in Riley's personal life (although the major plot lines were all completed) and made me look forward to the next book. Although part of a series all the relevant backstory was given in a smooth and concise way and so this book would be easy to understand for a first-time reader despite the complex supernatural world and the varied skills that the non-humans have. "Embraced by Darkness" is a great addition to the series and a book that will probably win this author new readers.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book, [...]. © Helen Hancox 2007

wonderful author.......2007-08-23

the author has a way of writing where to me i seem to be the person or with her. her books are full of comedy danger sex and mystery

Riley Jensen Series.......2007-08-19

This series is wonderful. I loved each and every book int he series. This one was just as hard to put done as the last. I am eagerly awaiting the rest of the series to be published.

Heart of Darkness (Norton Critical Editions)

Average customer rating:

The Devil Froze From Fear
One of the Great novels of all time
Very good...
On Time, as Described
Impenetrable, maddening, and brilliant!

Heart of Darkness (Norton Critical Editions)
Joseph Conrad
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0393926362

Book Description

The Fourth Edition is again based on Robert Kimbrough's meticulously re-edited text. Missing words have been restored and the entire novel has been repunctuated in accordance with Conrad's style. The result is the first published version of Heart of Darkness that allows readers to hear Marlow's voice as Conrad heard it when he wrote the story.

" Backgrounds and Contexts" provides readers with a generous collection of maps and photographs that bring the Belgian Congo to life. Textual materials, topically arranged, address nineteenth-century views of imperialism and racism and include autobiographical writings by Conrad on his life in the Congo. New to the Fourth Edition is an excerpt from Adam Hochschild's recent book, King Leopold's Ghost, as well as writings on race by Hegel, Darwin, and Galton.

" Criticism" includes a wealth of new materials, including nine contemporary reviews and assessments of Conrad and Heart of Darkness and twelve recent essays by Chinua Achebe, Peter Brooks, Daphne Erdinast-Vulcan, Edward Said, and Paul B. Armstrong, among others. Also new to this edition is a section of writings on the connections between Heart of Darkness and the film Apocalypse Now by Louis K. Greiff, Margot Norris, and Lynda J. Dryden.

A Chronology and Selected Bibliography are also included.

About the Series: No other series of classic texts equals the caliber of the Norton Critical Editions. Each volume combines the most authoritative text available with the comprehensive pedagogical apparatus necessary to appreciate the work fully. Careful editing, first-rate translation, and thorough explanatory annotations allow each text to meet the highest literary standards while remaining accessible to students. Each edition is printed on acid-free paper and every text in the series remains in print. Norton Critical Editions are the choice for excellence in scholarship for students at more than 2,000 universities worldwide.

Customer Reviews:

The Devil Froze From Fear.......2007-08-08

Daytime scents of nightmare horrors. Man and his insane ways - bushman, postman, commoner, who to blame? Unless you are familiar with the background of this stunning novel do yourself a favor and get the Norton Critical Edition. For a century Conrad's novel has drawn raves and rage. Each is left to decide where the sanity line lies, to the right or to the left. Upriver or downriver? Riveting every page of the way.

One of the Great novels of all time.......2007-05-12

One of the must reads in literature. Probably my favorite novel ever written. The short length is decieving. It is not a novel to be blown through without thought. The themes of this novel resonate more in our day and age than ever before. Literary greatness.

Very good..........2007-04-11

I was satisfied with purchasing this book from Amazon.
The shipping was fast and it was packaged in a nice box.

On Time, as Described.......2007-03-15

Book arrived shrink wrapped, in excellent condition, on time and as described. Would order from this supplier again.

Impenetrable, maddening, and brilliant!.......2007-01-03

I have started and stopped, started and stopped this maddeningly impenetrable short novel more times than I care to admit, finally finishing it (once) two years ago. There is something really quite remarkable about it. The journey upriver is supposed to be difficult, dark, dangerous, and hard to get through -- and reading the book is an experience of exactly the same sort. And not in the sense that the book is badly written or boring. No, it's more like the *experience of reading* the book mirrors the experiences *in* the book. And that, in itself, is quite an accomplishment! There is also a touch of brilliance in the morally ambiguous archetypes presented in the story. You can read it once (or less than once, as with my many previous attempts), and something about it stays with you. Like a bad rash. Yet as difficult as it is to get through, something about it, something you can't quite put your finger on, keeps you wanting to come back for more. Astonishing!

A Darkness More Than Night (Harry Bosch)

Average customer rating:

Exhaustively detailed, fascinating, and a little dry
observing Harry Bosch
Not sure yet
This book won't make you a Connelly's fan.
First timer: somewhere between three and four

A Darkness More Than Night (Harry Bosch)
Michael Connelly
Manufacturer: Vision
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0446667900

Amazon.com

Gunn was a small-time criminal who had been questioned repeatedly by LAPD Detective Harry Bosch in the unsolved murder of a prostitute, most recently on the night he was killed. McCaleb knows the tense, cranky Bosch (Michael Connelly's series star--see The Black Echo, The Black Ice, et al.) and decides to start by talking to him. But Bosch has time only for a brief chat. He's a prosecution witness in the high-profile trial of David Storey, a film director accused of killing a young actress during rough sex. By chance, however, McCaleb discovers an abstruse but concrete link between the scene of Gunn's murder and Harry Bosch's name:

"This last guy's work is supposedly replete with owls all over the place. I can't pronounce his first name. It's spelled H-I-E-R-O-N-Y-M-U-S. He was Netherlandish, part of the northern renaissance. I guess owls were big up there."
McCaleb looked at the paper in front of him. The name she had just spelled seemed familiar to him.
"You forgot his last name. What's his last name?"
"Oh, sorry. It's Bosch. Like the spark plugs."

Bosch fits McCaleb's profile of the killer, and McCaleb is both thunderstruck and afraid--thunderstruck that a cop he respects might have committed a horrendous murder and afraid that Bosch may just be good enough to get away with it. And when Bosch finds out (via a mysterious leak to tabloid reporter Jack McEvoy, late of Connelly's The Poet) that he's being investigated for murder, he's furious, knowing that Storey's defense attorney may use the information to help get his extravagantly guilty client off scot-free.

It's the kind of plot that used to make great Westerns: two old gunslingers circling each other warily, each of them wondering if the other's gone bad. But there's more than one black hat in them thar hills, and Connelly masterfully joins the plot lines in a climax and denouement that will leave readers gasping but satisfied. --Barrie Trinkle

Book Description

When a sheriff's detective shows up on former FBI man Terry McCaleb's Catalina Island doorstep and requests his help in analyzing photographs of a crime scene, McCaleb at first demurs. He's newly married (to Graciela, who herself dragged him from retirement into a case in Blood Work), has a new baby daughter, and is finally strong again after a heart transplant. But once a bloodhound, always a bloodhound. One look at the video of Edward Gunn's trussed and strangled body puts McCaleb back on the investigative trail, hooked by two details: the small statue of an owl that watches over the murder scene and the Latin words "Cave Cave Dus Videt," meaning "Beware, beware, God sees," on the tape binding the victim's mouth. Gunn was a small-time criminal who had been questioned repeatedly by LAPD Detective Harry Bosch in the unsolved murder of a prostitute, most recently on the night he was killed. McCaleb knows the tense, cranky Bosch (Michael Connelly's series star--see The Black Echo, The Black Ice, et al.) and decides to start by talking to him. But Bosch has time only for a brief chat. He's a prosecution witness in the high-profile trial of David Storey, a film director accused of killing a young actress during rough sex. By chance, however, McCaleb discovers an abstruse but concrete link between the scene of Gunn's murder and Harry Bosch's name:"This last guy's work is supposedly replete with owls all over the place. I can't pronounce his first name. It's spelled H-I-E-R-O-N-Y-M-U-S. He was Netherlandish, part of the northern renaissance. I guess owls were big up there."McCaleb looked at the paper in front of him. The name she had just spelled seemed familiar to him."You forgot his last name. What's his last name?""Oh, sorry. It's Bosch. Like the spark plugs."Bosch fits McCaleb's profile of the killer, and McCaleb is both thunderstruck and afraid--thunderstruck that a cop he respects might have committed a horrendous murder and afraid that Bosch may just be good enough to get away with it. And when Bosch finds out (via a mysterious leak to tabloid reporter Jack McEvoy, late of Connelly's The Poet) that he's being investigated for murder, he's furious, knowing that Storey's defense attorney may use the information to help get his extravagantly guilty client off scot-free.It's the kind of plot that used to make great Westerns: two old gunslingers circling each other warily, each of them wondering if the other's gone bad. But there's more than one black hat in them thar hills, and Connelly masterfully joins the plot lines in a climax and denouement that will leave readers gasping but satisfied. --Barrie Trinkle

Download Description

Terrence McCaleb, the retired FBI agent who starred in the bestseller Blood Work, is asked by the LAPD to help them investigate a series of murders that have them baffled. They are the kind of ritualized killings that McCaleb specialized in solving with the FBI, and he is reluctantly drawn from his peaceful new life back into the horror and excitement of tracking down a terrifying homicidal maniac More horrifying still, the suspect who seems to fit the profile that McCaleb develops is someone he has known and worked with in the past: LAPD homicide detective Harry Bosch.

Customer Reviews:

Exhaustively detailed, fascinating, and a little dry.......2007-08-31

Connelly covers everything in exhaustive detail, from the process by which Terry (the initially reluctant investigator) profiles the killer---and Bosch, his unlikely suspect---to each moment of the courtroom testimony in Bosch's high-profile case. It rides a fine line between fascinating and dry, illustrative and dull, and I think which side of the line it falls on depends very much on the individual reader. It certainly gave the story a great deal of authenticity, and for people who particularly enjoy following each and every detail of investigation and trial it's ideal. For me, however, the courtroom material in particular stepped over the line into overly-dry, using short, staccato sentences that evoked a court transcript more than anything. I imagine for some people that's a plus, but for me it was a minus.

Connelly also has a tendency to go off on extended tangents about one or another past event. While he does tie them all together in the end and they do all become relevant, it does give the book a rather slow, meandering feel at times. Again, something that some will enjoy while others won't.

This book is obviously very carefully constructed, and I fully believe that each of the things I wasn't entirely thrilled with were done very deliberately and will appeal to some segments of Connelly's audience; I mention them primarily so that you can choose for yourselves whether they're characteristics you'd be likely to enjoy or not. The plot itself is extremely well-constructed and interesting, with several interesting red herrings of various types and quite a few well-detailed characters that I certainly enjoyed spending the length of a book with.

If you enjoy highly-detailed mysteries and procedurals with plenty of detective-work and courtroom drama, then A Darkness More Than Night makes quite a good read.

observing Harry Bosch.......2007-06-16

I've read most of Michael Connelly's work and found this one on par with all the other excellent reads. There were the usual plot flaws that reviewers and I agree on (why wasn't it obvious to McCaleb that Harry was being set-up?) BUT, once again Connelly's great writing helped me easily downplay stuff like that.

Being a fan of the Bosch series, it was cool to see Bosch being observed, scrutinized and analyzed by the main protagonist ex-FBI agent Terry McCaleb (he from a previous Connelly book "Blood Work"). Easy 4 stars.

Not sure yet.......2007-06-07

I have not listened to the book yet. It was sent in a timely manner.

This book won't make you a Connelly's fan........2007-03-26

This was the first book by M. Connelly that I picked and I have to say that if the author is indeed as good as they say then I probably should have chosen his other title.

I gave two stars because I think the author writes a good prose. The book is readable.

As far as plot is concerned, it is simple but weak. It is hard to show what I mean without giving away a story. But frankly, if someone told me in advance what to expect, I would have only said 'thank you' and picked something else to read.

Some folks refer to twists and turns in the plot and I have no idea what they are talking about. What twists and turns???

Warning... what follows may be a spoiler.........

We have this super ex-criminal profiler, who apparently lives and breathes only when he works. He's been doing this for a loooooong time. So he is an expert in profiling a criminal. He studied the crime scene, made couple inquiries and wholaaa.... he's got a suspect. The crime scene construction was suppose to lead to the name of the "killer." Which it did. But even I, who understands nothing about the profiling, know that there is not one killer on earth who would committ a crime and provide clues to investigators that spell out their name (THEIR FULL NAME!!!). Oh, but our 'expert' thought that this was ok. And you don't have to be too smart to guess that he was, of course, wrong. I knew it from the moment he named a suspect, but our expert did not realize it until way later into the book.

This plotting is what killed the book for me. Very sloppy and I cannot believe M. Connelly sold it to publishers. No first timer would get anywhere with this kind of plot.

Something else stood out..... According to M. Connelly cell phones only chirp. In this novel they did every other page (ok, almost every other page). If you decide to read this book you'll know what I am talking about.

First timer: somewhere between three and four.......2006-12-02

I don't recall ever hearing about Michael Connelly until spotting a couple of his books in a pile of giveaways. Most online reviews gave him high marks, so I took the thinner of the two first.

Connelly moves the story right along, with a fast pace and not a lot of distractions or parallel threads unrelated to the major plot. The writing is crisp and not especially complex, and the characters are fairly sharply defined, even for a reader who had no familiarity with any of the other books. Both Bosch and McCaleb have enough flaws to be reasonably interesting, and I liked their little meeting at the end.

I assume that Connelly doesn't make a habit of hooking the story to the painter of the same name in other books, as presumably he can't use that more than once. I waffled on that as a plot device, in that it would seem to be way too much of a clue or too far-fetched for a real scenario. McCaleb fell for the idea too quickly, in my opinion. At least the paintings were suitably dark, as opposed to having some character named Grant Wood kill people with a pitchfork.

The reader will grasp immediately that the murders will be related and not just two independent stories to be solved ala CSI. I had a pretty good idea of the basic outcome well before the end. Even so, there was enough doubt in my mind and suspense to keep my engagement.

For this new reader, the inclusion of characters from other books was OK, as it feeds the regular fans or people reading the books in rough order. They neither added a lot nor caused too much distraction. As an example, Jack McEvoy could probably have been replaced just as easily by a new character, but no big deal.

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