RECLUCE: THE DEATH OF CHAOS
-L.E. Modesitt, Jr-fantasy
-640-We come back to Lerris, from The Magic of Recluce. Hamor is slowly taking over the world with machined order. Technology not as good as Ordered Steel, but close enough. Because of that, free Chaos is gathering under Candar and getting ready to explode. Hamor wants to destroy Recluce. Lerris, along with Justen and Gunnar [and their wives] face the Hamorian fleet, give their lives [except Lerris and Krystal] and use up most of the Order [and hence the Chaos] available. Interesting but this whole balance thing, I'm not sure about it. Modesitt doesn't explain it well enough, so one can't judge what he is doing with it or if he is just making things up as he goes and gets away with it because the reader has no idea of the underlying rules [or lack thereof]. I plan on reading the rest though.
HIKARU NO GO #1-6
-Y. Hotta-manga
-a young boy comes in contact with a GO master and begins playing the game. Kind of like a very, very indepth checkers. Not something you'd expect to find interesting, but this stuff is really intriguing. Makes you want to go out and start playing GO.
BOOK OF THE GODS: ARIADNE'S WEB
-F. Saberhagen-fantasy
-412-a little cleaner than Face of Apollo, but still just a recast of the Sword books. Not enjoyable enough to read any more I think.
MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT PART II
-C. Dickens-classic
-563-Jonas murders someone and is caught. Martin and Mark go to America and come back. Tom Pinch sees Mr Pecksniff for what he truly is. Everything is resolved in the end.
LITTLE WOMEN
-L.M. Alcott-classic
-669-the story of 4 sisters. How they grow up and marry. Rich in lessons. Alcott isn't afraid to say that without God life is empty. Very enjoyable.
MARS: MASTERMIND OF MARS
-E.R. Burroughs-fiction
-160-Apparently, when one goes to Mars, one no longer needs to go to the bathroom. I mean, 4 beings, one a 15ft tall ape, stay hidden in a little closet all day, without leaving? clench those buttocks Bobby!
HIKARU NO GO #7-16
-Y. Hotta-manga
-scanlations can be found at Anime-Eden.com. You'll need an account though.
BATTLE ROYALE #1
-K. Takami-manga
-216- graphic depictions of violence, rape and abuse. Filth. I had no idea.
GRAVITY DREAMS
-L.E. Modesitt, Jr-scifi
-468-this was a schtickload of philosophical crap. I want to label this sophist garbage. It felt like Modesitt was preaching at his audience the WHOLE time. There wasn't much of a plot, needless to say.
THE TWELVE KINGDOMS: SEA OF WIND
-F. Ono-fantasy
-317-chronologically, takes place shortly before Sea of Shadow. Deals with the Kirin of Tai. He was blown into our world by a Shoku and didn't come back for 10 years. His story as he adjusts to the fact that he is a Kirin and must choose the next king of Tai. Much shorter than Sea of Shadow, but MUCH less confusing; mainly because it doesn't deal with as much.
HIKARU NO GO #17-23
-Y. Hotta-manga
-scanlations can be found at Anime-Eden.com. You'll need an account though.
MERUPURI #1-4
-M. Hino-manga
-Shojo's shojo! thankgoodness it wasn't longer than 4vol.
IT
-S. King-horror
-1138- some big space bug comes to earth a long time ago. Now it resides in a Maine town and feeds on kids every 26years or so. Anyway, some kids hurt it and then come back in 26 years to finish the job. The horror in this novel lay in fact that humans are so bad. The people did horrible things, ignored horrible things, etc. Murder, madness, death and destruction. I haven't read any of King's stuff since highschool [and those were some short story collections] and I don't plan on reading anymore. I don't want to fill my mind with evil.
THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP PART I & II
-C. Dickens-classic
-362/355-an old man and his granddaughter are brought to ruin. They wander. Are chased down by the grandfather's brother and the villain who ruined them. The villain, a coarse dwarf, dies by drowning at the end. The brother, who is rich, finds the grandfather and granddaughter, but only after the granddaughter has died. Very melancholic story. I enjoyed it immensely though.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
February '08
STAR WARS: DARTH BANE: RULE OF TWO
-D. Karpyshyn-scifi
-318-the continuing story of Darth Bane. Follows him and his apprentice Zannah. Ends with the Jedi council believing that ALL the Sith are now gone. A light read like the first Darth Bane, but once again, highly satisfying.
MARS: THUVIA, MAID OF MARS
-E.R. Burroughs-fantasy
-124-the adventures of Carthoris, son of John Carter. He is framed for the kidnapping of Thuvia, the woman he loves. Finds her and is bringing her back to stop a war between the city-states.
SPELLSONG: THE SOPRANO SORCERESS
-L.E. Modesitt, Jr-fantasy
-664- a middle aged soprano is transported to a world where magic is invoked through song. Has great power. However, she spends so much time wishing and complaining that it got on my nerves. The idea is interesting, but once again, Modesitt falls back on certain character types who act and re-act like they are on a string.
CASTLE IN THE AIR
-D.W. Jones-juvenile fantasy
-199-a young man daydreams that he is somebody else. Buys a magic carpet and ends up in prison, with a group of bandits, fighting an evil genie and rescuing Princesses with the help of an enchanted Prince. Ends up marrying a Princess. Light and delightful.
DARK LORD OF DERKHOLM
-D.W. Jones-juvenile fantasy
-345-a world is being exploited for its fantasy elements. Tours go through and the people living there have to put on a world wide show. All because one man in our world has control of a demon. It bordered on the funny, but glossed over the horror of what the Tours actually meant-people dying in battle, land and buildings destroyed, livelihoods ruined-if you sat down and thought about it, what was going on was horrific. But it was a good juvie read.
SPELLSONG: THE SPELLSONG WAR
-L.E. Modesitt, Jr-fantasy
-672-Anna unites Defalk and goes after Duram, which has been causing trouble, which in turn has been fueled by the Sturinn. Enjoyable and I'll probably read the rest. However, the whole males=idiots sub-theme is really getting old. Instead of complaining about it, like Anna does in her thoughts almost constantly, do something about it. And that is the problem. Anna is a woman and refuses to understand that the men of Erde will respond to strength alone, so she gets frustrated when "reasoning" doesn't work. Force is her last resort when it should be her first. Modesitt must be trying to get on some woman's good side with this series.
BLEAK HOUSE PART I
-C. Dickens-classic
-511- A young orphan girl grows up and becomes a housekeeper for an older man. He has 2 young cousins who are the principles in a long running legal dispute about some money. There is mystery surrounding the orphan girl and various characters all tie in to her past and present and are attempting to influence her future. Good stuff. Making me realize that without a solid Bible background, many of Dicken's allusions would be meaningless.
THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES
-R. Bradbury-scifi
-182-a series of of short stories chronicling humanities contact with Mars, the decline of Martian civilization, Humanities self-destruction on Earth and ends with a few families becoming the "new Martians". Bradbury has a very unique writing style. Sentences, while whole and complete, are put together in such a way as to suggest fragmentation. His style increases the dark view of humanity that Bradbury seems to hold.
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES
-R. Bradbury-fantasy
-290-A Dark Carnival comes to town, promising to give people what they want, but turning their own dark desires against them and making them slaves of the Carnival. One middle aged man and two teens fight and win, with laughter. I don't like Bradbury's writings. I shall not be reading anymore. His style annoys me. Patricia McKillip writes of shadows and so does Bradbury; however, McKillip's shadows come from the Light, Bradbury's shadows come from the Dark. I don't want to fill myself with shadows from the Dark.
QUADRAIL: THE THIRD LYNX
-T. Zahn-scifi
-350- Sequel to Night Train to Rigel. Going to be a series, that is for sure. The Modhri tries to get its 'limbs' on some sort of weapon. Compton and Bayta draw a little closer. Ends with Compton realizing that there is a whole world of hidden spaceships and weapons for the Modhri, and he has to keep it secret.
The whole flavor is very light and almost fluff. I am looking for a little bit more depth and substance from Zahn. This universe has a lot to offer, I hope that Zahn utilizes it appropriately.
MARS: THE CHESSMEN OF MARS
-E.R. Burroughs-fantasy
-222-follows the adventures of John Carters daughter. A spoiled brat who should have been spanked, imo. Anyway, a Jed from another kingdom falls in love with her, rescues her and everyone is happy. Meet the kaldanes, heads without bodies and another nation that lives on slavery. Burroughs seems to be running out of people to have adventures. Needs to get back to John Carter.
BLEAK HOUSE PART II
-C. Dickens-classic
-540-Richard and Ada [the cousins] marry. Lady Dedlock is revealed as Esther's mother. Many relationships are shown between characters otherwise thought to be unrelated. Richard dies because the Jarndyce and Jarndyce case is ended because the costs have taken up the whole estate. Esther marries Dr. Woodcourt and Mr Jarndyce remains a guardian to them all. Many twistings and turnings. A thoroughly enjoyable novel. Dickens pokes at society's problems but without a preachy attitude.
THE ILLUSTRATED MAN
-R. Bradbury-scifi
-253-many of these stories[and several in the Martian Chronicles] were in The Stories of Ray Bradbury. His old familiar themes of hate, despair, revenge and weirdness. I only read this because I'd gotten it out at the same time as Something Wicked... and it seemed a waste to have taken it out and not read it. But no more.
THE PRINCESS AND THE GOBLIN
-G. MacDonald-fantasy
-161-a young miner boy rescues a princess from goblins and saves a castle from the goblins revenge.
THE PRINCESS AND CURDIE
-G. MacDonald-fantasy
-160-Curdie, the young miner, is sent off to rescue the King and Princess Irene, who are under the sway of evil men bent on taking the kingdom for themselves. The people of the city ignore what is going on and descend towards beastlife. Ends with a new king [after Curdie and Irene] who mines the city for its gold and jewels and ends up bringing about its destruction. A sad ending. One of my favorite books back in elementary school.
THE ROALD DAHL OMNIBUS
-R. Dahl-fiction
-682- short stories from different books for adults. Many had his trademark weirdness and almost horror. A couple near the end were more sexual in nature. Definitely not recommended. I think I'll stick to his juvenile fiction.
MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT PART I
-C. Dickens-classic
-568- A grandfather by that name. A grandson by that name. Both are obstinate and headstrong. Grandfather filthy rich, no direct heir beyond the Grandson, extended family of venial vultures full of greed. Grandfather looked after by a young woman, Grandson in love with said young woman. Grandfather won't allow marriage. Grandson leaves, strikes out for America. Grandfather begins to sound out other relatives as to worthiness of being his heir. My goodness, this is one of Dickens' wordiest books ever! The characters go on and on in their fawnings and moralizings and the American Groups do the same about whatever Cause they are supporting, that half the time I have no idea what they are actually talking about. Gets across the idea of them all being windbags, but still. I read a whole page and hadn't a clue what the talker was blabbing about. Enjoyable though.
THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA
-E. Hemingway-classic
-140- an old man goes out to sea to fish. Gets a huge fish which drags him all over the sea. Subdues it and begins his trek home. Sharks eat all of the meat on the fish. Hemingway blew his head off with a shotgun. After reading this, I'm not surprised. What a complete waste. Not terrible or something that made me hate it, but so pointless. As was the author's life. Glad to have read one book by him though. Now I KNOW to avoid any others.
HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE
-D.W. Jones-fantasy
-329-a young woman is turned into an old woman by a jealous witch. She ends up becoming the cleaning lady for the wizard Howl in an attempt to get him to turn her back. The jealous witch is after Howl. Everything turns out ok in the end. I would have to recommend reading this before watching the movie by Miyazaki. A much more full bodied story and things are explained a bit more.
-D. Karpyshyn-scifi
-318-the continuing story of Darth Bane. Follows him and his apprentice Zannah. Ends with the Jedi council believing that ALL the Sith are now gone. A light read like the first Darth Bane, but once again, highly satisfying.
MARS: THUVIA, MAID OF MARS
-E.R. Burroughs-fantasy
-124-the adventures of Carthoris, son of John Carter. He is framed for the kidnapping of Thuvia, the woman he loves. Finds her and is bringing her back to stop a war between the city-states.
SPELLSONG: THE SOPRANO SORCERESS
-L.E. Modesitt, Jr-fantasy
-664- a middle aged soprano is transported to a world where magic is invoked through song. Has great power. However, she spends so much time wishing and complaining that it got on my nerves. The idea is interesting, but once again, Modesitt falls back on certain character types who act and re-act like they are on a string.
CASTLE IN THE AIR
-D.W. Jones-juvenile fantasy
-199-a young man daydreams that he is somebody else. Buys a magic carpet and ends up in prison, with a group of bandits, fighting an evil genie and rescuing Princesses with the help of an enchanted Prince. Ends up marrying a Princess. Light and delightful.
DARK LORD OF DERKHOLM
-D.W. Jones-juvenile fantasy
-345-a world is being exploited for its fantasy elements. Tours go through and the people living there have to put on a world wide show. All because one man in our world has control of a demon. It bordered on the funny, but glossed over the horror of what the Tours actually meant-people dying in battle, land and buildings destroyed, livelihoods ruined-if you sat down and thought about it, what was going on was horrific. But it was a good juvie read.
SPELLSONG: THE SPELLSONG WAR
-L.E. Modesitt, Jr-fantasy
-672-Anna unites Defalk and goes after Duram, which has been causing trouble, which in turn has been fueled by the Sturinn. Enjoyable and I'll probably read the rest. However, the whole males=idiots sub-theme is really getting old. Instead of complaining about it, like Anna does in her thoughts almost constantly, do something about it. And that is the problem. Anna is a woman and refuses to understand that the men of Erde will respond to strength alone, so she gets frustrated when "reasoning" doesn't work. Force is her last resort when it should be her first. Modesitt must be trying to get on some woman's good side with this series.
BLEAK HOUSE PART I
-C. Dickens-classic
-511- A young orphan girl grows up and becomes a housekeeper for an older man. He has 2 young cousins who are the principles in a long running legal dispute about some money. There is mystery surrounding the orphan girl and various characters all tie in to her past and present and are attempting to influence her future. Good stuff. Making me realize that without a solid Bible background, many of Dicken's allusions would be meaningless.
THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES
-R. Bradbury-scifi
-182-a series of of short stories chronicling humanities contact with Mars, the decline of Martian civilization, Humanities self-destruction on Earth and ends with a few families becoming the "new Martians". Bradbury has a very unique writing style. Sentences, while whole and complete, are put together in such a way as to suggest fragmentation. His style increases the dark view of humanity that Bradbury seems to hold.
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES
-R. Bradbury-fantasy
-290-A Dark Carnival comes to town, promising to give people what they want, but turning their own dark desires against them and making them slaves of the Carnival. One middle aged man and two teens fight and win, with laughter. I don't like Bradbury's writings. I shall not be reading anymore. His style annoys me. Patricia McKillip writes of shadows and so does Bradbury; however, McKillip's shadows come from the Light, Bradbury's shadows come from the Dark. I don't want to fill myself with shadows from the Dark.
QUADRAIL: THE THIRD LYNX
-T. Zahn-scifi
-350- Sequel to Night Train to Rigel. Going to be a series, that is for sure. The Modhri tries to get its 'limbs' on some sort of weapon. Compton and Bayta draw a little closer. Ends with Compton realizing that there is a whole world of hidden spaceships and weapons for the Modhri, and he has to keep it secret.
The whole flavor is very light and almost fluff. I am looking for a little bit more depth and substance from Zahn. This universe has a lot to offer, I hope that Zahn utilizes it appropriately.
MARS: THE CHESSMEN OF MARS
-E.R. Burroughs-fantasy
-222-follows the adventures of John Carters daughter. A spoiled brat who should have been spanked, imo. Anyway, a Jed from another kingdom falls in love with her, rescues her and everyone is happy. Meet the kaldanes, heads without bodies and another nation that lives on slavery. Burroughs seems to be running out of people to have adventures. Needs to get back to John Carter.
BLEAK HOUSE PART II
-C. Dickens-classic
-540-Richard and Ada [the cousins] marry. Lady Dedlock is revealed as Esther's mother. Many relationships are shown between characters otherwise thought to be unrelated. Richard dies because the Jarndyce and Jarndyce case is ended because the costs have taken up the whole estate. Esther marries Dr. Woodcourt and Mr Jarndyce remains a guardian to them all. Many twistings and turnings. A thoroughly enjoyable novel. Dickens pokes at society's problems but without a preachy attitude.
THE ILLUSTRATED MAN
-R. Bradbury-scifi
-253-many of these stories[and several in the Martian Chronicles] were in The Stories of Ray Bradbury. His old familiar themes of hate, despair, revenge and weirdness. I only read this because I'd gotten it out at the same time as Something Wicked... and it seemed a waste to have taken it out and not read it. But no more.
THE PRINCESS AND THE GOBLIN
-G. MacDonald-fantasy
-161-a young miner boy rescues a princess from goblins and saves a castle from the goblins revenge.
THE PRINCESS AND CURDIE
-G. MacDonald-fantasy
-160-Curdie, the young miner, is sent off to rescue the King and Princess Irene, who are under the sway of evil men bent on taking the kingdom for themselves. The people of the city ignore what is going on and descend towards beastlife. Ends with a new king [after Curdie and Irene] who mines the city for its gold and jewels and ends up bringing about its destruction. A sad ending. One of my favorite books back in elementary school.
THE ROALD DAHL OMNIBUS
-R. Dahl-fiction
-682- short stories from different books for adults. Many had his trademark weirdness and almost horror. A couple near the end were more sexual in nature. Definitely not recommended. I think I'll stick to his juvenile fiction.
MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT PART I
-C. Dickens-classic
-568- A grandfather by that name. A grandson by that name. Both are obstinate and headstrong. Grandfather filthy rich, no direct heir beyond the Grandson, extended family of venial vultures full of greed. Grandfather looked after by a young woman, Grandson in love with said young woman. Grandfather won't allow marriage. Grandson leaves, strikes out for America. Grandfather begins to sound out other relatives as to worthiness of being his heir. My goodness, this is one of Dickens' wordiest books ever! The characters go on and on in their fawnings and moralizings and the American Groups do the same about whatever Cause they are supporting, that half the time I have no idea what they are actually talking about. Gets across the idea of them all being windbags, but still. I read a whole page and hadn't a clue what the talker was blabbing about. Enjoyable though.
THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA
-E. Hemingway-classic
-140- an old man goes out to sea to fish. Gets a huge fish which drags him all over the sea. Subdues it and begins his trek home. Sharks eat all of the meat on the fish. Hemingway blew his head off with a shotgun. After reading this, I'm not surprised. What a complete waste. Not terrible or something that made me hate it, but so pointless. As was the author's life. Glad to have read one book by him though. Now I KNOW to avoid any others.
HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE
-D.W. Jones-fantasy
-329-a young woman is turned into an old woman by a jealous witch. She ends up becoming the cleaning lady for the wizard Howl in an attempt to get him to turn her back. The jealous witch is after Howl. Everything turns out ok in the end. I would have to recommend reading this before watching the movie by Miyazaki. A much more full bodied story and things are explained a bit more.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
January '08
HOGFATHER
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-354-An assassin sets out to get rid of the Hogsfather, per contract by the Auditors of Reality. Who don't want the sun to come up, and hence all humanity will die. Death takes over for the missing Hogsfather and Susan must figure how to save Hogsfather and all of humanity. Perfect light start to the year.
HYPERION CANTOS: ENDYMION
-D. Simmons-scifi
-563- 200+ years after the end of Fall of Hyperion. Follows Raul Endymion, entrusted by Martin Silenus to guard Aenea, the next 'chosen one' who also happens to be the daughter of Lamia and the cybrid Keats. The Shrike seems to be her protector also. Turns out the TechnoCore is still controlling humanity through the improved Cruciforms, allowing "eternal" life to any willing to submit to the Pax/Church.
HYPERION CANTOS: THE RISE OF ENDYMION
-D. Simmons-scifi
-709-blasphemy. Nothing else needs to be written.
RECLUCE: THE TOWERS OF THE THE SUNSET
-L.E. Modesitt, Jr-fantasy
-359-how the Island of Recluce began. Characters are hard headed and asinine. Seems to be a trait Modesitt enjoys.
RUROUNI KENSHIN #1
-N. Watsuki-manga
-199-I like Kenshin, but not enough to read the manga, which the anime is directly from.
MARS: A PRINCESS OF MARS
-E.R. Burroughs-fantasy
-160- follows the adventures of John Carter, a Virginian Gentleman who goes to Mars. In this adventure he rescues a Princess, who he marries, and unites the red martians [humanoid] and the green martians [not so humanoid]. Pulp fiction through and through. We'll see how the next 10+ stories stand up.
RECLUCE: THE MAGIC ENGINEER
-L.E. Modesitt, Jr-fantasy
-617- how the Black ships of Recluce came into being. Even though these stories seem to follow a VERY predictable pattern and the characters all start out stubborn and headstrong, I find myself staying up to read as much as I can. I like this series.
MARS: THE GODS OF MARS
-E.R. Burroughs-fantasy
-195-John Carter returns to Mars after 10 years. He has a son who is completely grown up. Goes to rescue his wife and in the process discredits the religious beliefs and discovers the white and black men of mars. The white men were masquerading as the red men's gods and the black men were masquerading as the white men's gods. Overthrows the whole system. Ends with his wife being trapped in a prison that won't open again for a year.
MARS: THE WARLORD OF MARS
-E.R. Burroughs-fantasy
-138-John Carter finds the yellow men of Mars. Rescues his wife and is named the Warlord of Mars.
LES MISERABLES
-V. Hugo-classic
-1463-man, what to write. This was the complete unabridged version. The story was great. A convict is given a second chance by a priest and goes on to make millions and help a whole area in France. He is put back in jail. Once he escapes again, he finds the daughter of a woman who was under his care. He takes care of her until she gets married. All the time being pursued by a police officer with a vendetta against Valjean. Ends with the officer dead, Valjean dying and his secret safe. A good story. Now, to the "unabridged" part of this book. Hugo wrote almost twice as much about whatever he felt like instead of the plot. Convents, sewers, the battle of Waterlou and many other unrelated subjects. I would have to recommend an abridged version to anyone. I wish I could hit Hugo for wasting so much of my time with such trivial drivel!
RECLUCE: THE ORDER WAR
-L.E. Modesitt, Jr-fantasy
-598-Introduces Justen the Grey, who we met in "The Magic of Recluce". I really like how Modesitt started things off with "MoR" and then all the following novels have been the history leading up to it. This novel introduces the involvement of the druids, who serve a deeper balance than either just Order or Chaos. Good stuff!
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-354-An assassin sets out to get rid of the Hogsfather, per contract by the Auditors of Reality. Who don't want the sun to come up, and hence all humanity will die. Death takes over for the missing Hogsfather and Susan must figure how to save Hogsfather and all of humanity. Perfect light start to the year.
HYPERION CANTOS: ENDYMION
-D. Simmons-scifi
-563- 200+ years after the end of Fall of Hyperion. Follows Raul Endymion, entrusted by Martin Silenus to guard Aenea, the next 'chosen one' who also happens to be the daughter of Lamia and the cybrid Keats. The Shrike seems to be her protector also. Turns out the TechnoCore is still controlling humanity through the improved Cruciforms, allowing "eternal" life to any willing to submit to the Pax/Church.
HYPERION CANTOS: THE RISE OF ENDYMION
-D. Simmons-scifi
-709-blasphemy. Nothing else needs to be written.
RECLUCE: THE TOWERS OF THE THE SUNSET
-L.E. Modesitt, Jr-fantasy
-359-how the Island of Recluce began. Characters are hard headed and asinine. Seems to be a trait Modesitt enjoys.
RUROUNI KENSHIN #1
-N. Watsuki-manga
-199-I like Kenshin, but not enough to read the manga, which the anime is directly from.
MARS: A PRINCESS OF MARS
-E.R. Burroughs-fantasy
-160- follows the adventures of John Carter, a Virginian Gentleman who goes to Mars. In this adventure he rescues a Princess, who he marries, and unites the red martians [humanoid] and the green martians [not so humanoid]. Pulp fiction through and through. We'll see how the next 10+ stories stand up.
RECLUCE: THE MAGIC ENGINEER
-L.E. Modesitt, Jr-fantasy
-617- how the Black ships of Recluce came into being. Even though these stories seem to follow a VERY predictable pattern and the characters all start out stubborn and headstrong, I find myself staying up to read as much as I can. I like this series.
MARS: THE GODS OF MARS
-E.R. Burroughs-fantasy
-195-John Carter returns to Mars after 10 years. He has a son who is completely grown up. Goes to rescue his wife and in the process discredits the religious beliefs and discovers the white and black men of mars. The white men were masquerading as the red men's gods and the black men were masquerading as the white men's gods. Overthrows the whole system. Ends with his wife being trapped in a prison that won't open again for a year.
MARS: THE WARLORD OF MARS
-E.R. Burroughs-fantasy
-138-John Carter finds the yellow men of Mars. Rescues his wife and is named the Warlord of Mars.
LES MISERABLES
-V. Hugo-classic
-1463-man, what to write. This was the complete unabridged version. The story was great. A convict is given a second chance by a priest and goes on to make millions and help a whole area in France. He is put back in jail. Once he escapes again, he finds the daughter of a woman who was under his care. He takes care of her until she gets married. All the time being pursued by a police officer with a vendetta against Valjean. Ends with the officer dead, Valjean dying and his secret safe. A good story. Now, to the "unabridged" part of this book. Hugo wrote almost twice as much about whatever he felt like instead of the plot. Convents, sewers, the battle of Waterlou and many other unrelated subjects. I would have to recommend an abridged version to anyone. I wish I could hit Hugo for wasting so much of my time with such trivial drivel!
RECLUCE: THE ORDER WAR
-L.E. Modesitt, Jr-fantasy
-598-Introduces Justen the Grey, who we met in "The Magic of Recluce". I really like how Modesitt started things off with "MoR" and then all the following novels have been the history leading up to it. This novel introduces the involvement of the druids, who serve a deeper balance than either just Order or Chaos. Good stuff!
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
2007 In Review
1: Tailchaser's Song- Tad Williams-326
2: Plum Pie- PG Wodehouse-252
3: Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE #10- Clamp-185
4: The Riddlemaster of Hed- Patricia McKillip-222
5: Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE #11- Clamp-183
6: The Circle: Black: The Birth of Evil- Ted Dekker-408
7: The Circle: Red: The Heroic Rescue- Ted Dekker-381
8: The Circle: White: The Great Pursuit- Ted Dekker-370
9: Fullmetal Alchemist #1- Hiromu Arakawa-183
10: Neon Genesis Evangelion #1- Yoshiyuki Sadamoto-171
11: Blink- Ted Dekker-389
12: One Piece #1-Eiichiro Oda-207
13: One Piece #2-Eiichiro Oda-194
14: One Piece #3-Eiichiro Oda-195
15: Death Note #1-Tsugumi Ohba-195
16: Death Note #2-Tsugumi Ohba-197
17: Heir of Sea and Fire- Patricia McKillip-207
18: Death Note #3-Tsugumi Ohba-194
19: Death Note #4-Tsugumi Ohba-204
20: Death Note #5-Tsugumi Ohba-200
21: R.O.D.-Read Or Die #1- Hideyuki Kurata-214
22: R.O.D.-Read Or Die #2- Hideyuki Kurata-194
23: Shaman King #1- Hiroyuki Takei-202
24: Shaman King #2- Hiroyuki Takei-190
25: Shaman King #3- Hiroyuki Takei-187
26: Shaman King #4- Hiroyuki Takei-191
27: Shaman King #5- Hiroyuki Takei-190
28: Shaman King #6- Hiroyuki Takei-191
29: Harpist in the Wind- Patricia McKillip-257
30: Trigun #1- Yasuhiro Nightow-358
31: Hunters of Dune- Brian Herbert & Kevin Anderson-525
32: Deathnote #6-Tsugumi Ohba-217
33: Hunter X Hunter #1-Yoshihiro Togashi-183
34: Hunter X Hunter #2-Yoshihiro Togashi-185
35: Hunter X Hunter #3-Yoshihiro Togashi-185
36: Hunter X Hunter #4-Yoshihiro Togashi-185
37: Hunter X Hunter #5-Yoshihiro Togashi-185
38: Hunter X Hunter #6-Yoshihiro Togashi-200
39: Hunter X Hunter #7-Yoshihiro Togashi-188
40: Hunter X Hunter #8-Yoshihiro Togashi-196
41: Hunter X Hunter #9-Yoshihiro Togashi-192
42: One Piece #4- Eiichiro Oda-192
43: Shaman King #7- Hiroyuki Takei-190
44: Shaman King #8- Hiroyuki Takei-192
45: Shaman King #9- Hiroyuki Takei-189
46: Brothers Karamazov- Fyodor Dostoyevsky-822
47: Megatokyo #1-Fred Gallagher & Rodney Caston-156
48: Megatokyo #2-Fred Gallagher & Rodney Caston-180
49: Megatokyo #3-Fred Gallagher-220
50: The Time Traveler's Wife- Audrey Niffenegger-518
51: FLCL #1- Gainax-172
52: FLCL #2- Gainax-198
53: Deathnote #7-Tsugumi Ohba-211
54: Deathnote #8-Tsugumi Ohba-200
55: Deathnote #9-Tsugumi Ohba-192
56: Congo- Michael Crichton-313
57: Beowulf's Children- Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, Steven Barnes-382
58: Oh My Goddess! #24 -Kosuke Fujishama-172
59: W Juliet #11 -Emura-193
60: W Juliet #12 -Emura-193
61: One Piece #5- Eiichiro Oda-190
62: One Piece #6- Eiichiro Oda-185
63: Ceres: Celestial Legend #1- Yuu Watase-194
64: Ceres: Celestial Legend #2- Yuu Watase-189
65: Ceres: Celestial Legend #3- Yuu Watase-189
66: Ceres: Celestial Legend #4- Yuu Watase-187
67: Ceres: Celestial Legend #5- Yuu Watase-191
68: Tales of the Otori: The Harsh Cry of the Heron:
The Last Tale of the Otori -Lian Hearn-508
69: Megatokyo #4-Fred Gallagher-233
70: Debt of Bones-Terry Goodkind-119
71: Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE #12- Clamp-185
72: Flame of Recca #1-Nobuyuki Anzai-180
73: Flame of Recca #2-Nobuyuki Anzai-182
74: Flame of Recca #3-Nobuyuki Anzai-186
75: Castle on the Hill-Elizabeth Goudge-346
76: One Piece #8- Eiichiro Oda-187
77: One Piece #9- Eiichiro Oda-205
78: One Piece #10- Eiichiro Oda-187
79: 84, Charing Cross Road-Helena Hanff-113
80: StarWars: Legacy of the Force: Tempest- Troy Denning-392
81: The Dean's Watch-Elizabeth Goudge-383
82: Oh My Goddess! #25-Kosuke Fujishima-173
83: Deathnote #10-Tsugumi Ohba-188
84: The Pickwick Papers-Charles Dickens-759
85: W Juliet #13 -Emura-193
86: W Juliet #14 -Emura-207-final volume
87: StarWars: Allegiance-Timothy Zahn-324
88: R.O.D.-Read Or Die #3- Hideyuki Kurata-210
89: R.O.D.-Read Or Die #4- Hideyuki Kurata-210
90: Fruits Basket #1-Natsuki Takaya-206
91: Fruits Basket #2-Natsuki Takaya-194
92: CrossRoads: Spirit Gate- Kate Elliott-445
93: One Piece #11- Eiichiro Oda-185
94: One Piece #12- Eiichiro Oda-190
95: One Piece #13- Eiichiro Oda-182
96: Shaman King #10-Hiroyuki Takei-198
97: Shaman King #11-Hiroyuki Takei-188
98: Fruits Basket #3-Natsuki Takaya-198
99: Fruits Basket #4-Natsuki Takaya-206
100: Fruits Basket #5-Natsuki Takaya-202
101: Tale of Two Cities-Charles Dickens-469
102: Ragnarok #1-Myung-Jin Lee-186
103: Ragnarok #2-Myung-Jin Lee-not numbered. Stupid!
104: Bleach #1- Tite Kubo-190
105: Bleach #2- Tite Kubo-190
106: The Hunchback of Notre Dame-Victor Hugo-586
107: Bleach #3- Tite Kubo-190
108: Bleach #4- Tite Kubo-190
109: Bleach #5- Tite Kubo-190
110: Bleach #6- Tite Kubo-190
111: Fruits Basket #6-Natsuki Takaya-196
112: Fruits Basket #7-Natsuki Takaya-192
113: Fruits Basket #8-Natsuki Takaya-196
114: Fruits Basket #9-Natsuki Takaya-192
115: Down the Long Hills-Louis L'Amour-150
116: Hanging Woman Creek-Louis L'Amour-151
117: Psychic Academy #1-Katsu Aki-187
118: Hunter X Hunter #10-Yoshihiro Togashi-200
119: Hunter X Hunter #11-Yoshihiro Togashi-196
120: Hunter X Hunter #12-Yoshihiro Togashi-186
121: Hunter X Hunter #13-Yoshihiro Togashi-196
122: Full Metal Panic! #1-Shouji Gatou-162
123: Full Metal Panic! #2-Shouji Gatou-194
124: Full Metal Panic! #3-Shouji Gatou-166
125: Full Metal Panic! #4-Shouji Gatou-156
126: Full Metal Panic! #5-Shouji Gatou-160
127: Full Metal Panic! #6-Shouji Gatou-170
128: Full Metal Panic! #7-Shouji Gatou-162
129: Full Metal Panic! #8-Shouji Gatou-162
130: Utah Blaine-Louis L'Amour-191
131: Shadowmarch: Shadowplay-Tad Williams-641
132: The King's Fifth-Scott O'Dell-264
133: Gentian Hill-Elizabeth Gouge-317
134: Fruits Basket #10-Natsuki Takaya-196
135: Fruits Basket #11-Natsuki Takaya-200
136: Fruits Basket #12-Natsuki Takaya-198
137: Fruits Basket #13-Natsuki Takaya-192
138: Angelmass-Timothy Zahn-430
139: Fantastic Mr. Fox-Roald Dahl-88
140: Deathnote #11-Tsugumi Ohba-210
141: Landover: Magic Kingdom for Sale/Sold!-Terry Brooks-308
142: Shaman King #12-Hiroyuki Takei-184
143: Elemental Gelade #1-Mayumi Azuma-180
144: Kare Kano #1-Masami Tsuda-188
145: Kare Kano #2-Masami Tsuda-190
146: Kare Kano #3-Masami Tsuda-188
147: One Piece #14- Eiichiro Oda-186
148: Bleach #8- Tite Kubo-191
149: Bleach #9- Tite Kubo-192
150: Bleach #10- Tite Kubo-200
151: Bleach #11- Tite Kubo-208
152: Bleach #12- Tite Kubo-198
153: Sketches by Boz I-Charles Dickens-421
154: Rave Master #1-Hiro Mashima-195
155: Rave Master #2-Hiro Mashima-195
156: Rave Master #3-Hiro Mashima-187
157: Rave Master #4-Hiro Mashima-195
158: Rave Master #5-Hiro Mashima-196
159: Bleach #7- Tite Kubo-200
160: Bleach #13- Tite Kubo-208
161: Trigun Maximum #1-Yasuhiro Nightow-192
162: Trigun Maximum #2-Yasuhiro Nightow-200
163: Trigun Maximum #3-Yasuhiro Nightow-192
164: Trigun Maximum #4-Yasuhiro Nightow-208
165: Trigun Maximum #5-Yasuhiro Nightow-206
166: Trigun Maximum #6-Yasuhiro Nightow-188
167: Trigun Maximum #7-Yasuhiro Nightow-192
168: Trigun Maximum #8-Yasuhiro Nightow-222
169: Bleach #14- Tite Kubo-200
170: Sketches by Boz II-Charles Dickens-465
171: Blade of Heaven- Yong-Su Hwang-290
172: The Icarus Hunt-Timothy Zahn-362
173: Seikai Trilogy: Crest of the Stars-Hiroyuki Morioka-245
174: Bleach #15- Tite Kubo-184
175: Hunter X Hunter #14-Yoshihiro Togashi-202
176: KingKiller: The Name of the Wind-Patrick Rothfuss-662
177: Landover: The Black Unicorn-Terry Brooks-239
178: Winter Rose-Patricia McKillip-262
179: StarWars: Legacy of the Force: Exile- Aaron Allston-337
180: Ceres: Celestial Legend #6- Yuu Watase-189
181: Bleach #16- Tite Kubo-192
182: Bleach #17- Tite Kubo-216
183: Harrowing the Dragon-Patricia Mckillip-308
184: The Changeling Sea-Patricia Mckillip-137
185: Landover: Wizard at Large-Terry Brooks-238
186: The Golden Gate-Alistair Maclean-233
187: Bone: One Volume Edition-Jeff Smith-1332
188: Goodbye California-Alistair Maclean-310
189: StarWars: Splinter of the Mind's Eye-Alan Dean Foster-182
190: Dragon and Thief-Timothy Zahn-248
191: Prince of Tennis #1-Takeshi Konomi-189
192: Prince of Tennis #2-Takeshi Konomi-183
193: StarWars: The Approaching Storm-Alan Dean Foster-344
194: StarWars: Medstar I: Battle Surgeons-Michael Reaves & Steve Perry-309
195: Bleach #18- Tite Kubo-203
196: Naruto #1-Masashi Kishimoto-187
197: Dragon and Soldier-Timothy Zahn-293
198: StarWars: Medstar II: Jedi Healer-Michael Reaves & Steve Perry-302
199: Alvin Maker: Seventh Son-Orson Scott Card-241
200: Fruits Basket #14-Natsuki Takaya-196
201: Naruto #2-Masashi Kishimoto-206
202: Ombria in Shadow-Patricia McKillip-298
203: The White Witch- Elizabeth Goudge-439
204: The Light Fantastic- Terry Pratchett-217
205: Naruto #3-Masashi Kishimoto-205
206: The Forgotten Beasts of Eld-Patricia McKillip-217
207: Alvin Maker: Red Prophet-Orson Scott Card-311
208: Alvin Maker: Prentice Alvin-Orson Scott Card-342
209: Claymore #1-Norihiro Yagi-188
210: Claymore #2-Norihiro Yagi-185
211: Dragon and Slave-Timothy Zahn-320
212: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-J.K. Rowling-759
213: The Candidate for Goddess #1-Yukiru Sugisaki-185
214: The Candidate for Goddess #2-Yukiru Sugisaki-145
215: The Candidate for Goddess #3-Yukiru Sugisaki-155
216: The Candidate for Goddess #4-Yukiru Sugisaki-146
217: The Candidate for Goddess #5-Yukiru Sugisaki-184
218: The Night Gift-Patricia McKillip-156
219: The House on Parchment Street-Patricia McKillip-190
220: Alvin Maker: Alvin Journeyman-Orson Scott Card-400
221: Deathnote #12-Tsugumi Ohba-210 final volume
222: Alvin Maker: Heartfire-Orson Scott Card-336
223: The Howling Stones- Alan Dean Foster-330
224: Fruits Basket #15-Natsuki Takaya-194
225: Fruits Basket #16-Natsuki Takaya-196
226: Nicholas Nickleby part I-Charles Dickens-556
227: Dragon and Herdsman-Timothy Zahn-299
228: Fool's Run- Patricia McKillip-221
229: Jeeves in the Offing-P.G. Wodehouse-200
230: Feet of Clay-Terry Pratchet-249
231: On Stranger Tides-Tim Powers-325
232: Chobits #1-CLAMP-183
233: Sourcery-Terry Pratchett-214
234: Dragon and Judge-Timothy Zahn-318
235: The Age of Discovery: The New World-Michael Stackpole-399
236: Nicholas Nickleby part II-Charles Dickens-548
237: Star Wars: Black Fleet Crisis: Before the Storm-Michael Kube-McDowell-336
238: The Color of Magic-Terry Pratchett-210
239: Mort-Terry Pratchett-243
240: Wyrd Sisters-Terry Pratchett-265
241: Hunter X Hunter #15-Yoshihiro Togashi-197
242: Cygnet-The Sorceress and the Cygnet; The Cygnet and the Firebird-Patricia McKillip-406
243: Pyramids-Terry Pratchett-323
244: Samurai Girl: Realbout Highschool #1-Reiji Saiga-176
245: Samurai Girl: Realbout Highschool #2-Reiji Saiga-164
246: Guards! Guards!-Terry Pratchett-355
247: Star Wars: Black Fleet Crisis: Shield of Lies-Michael Kube-McDowell-338
248: Bleach #19- Tite Kubo-216
249: Bleach #20- Tite Kubo-216
250: Otogi Zoshi #1- Narumi Seto-177
251: Otogi Zoshi #2- Narumi Seto-150
251: Oh My Goddess! #26- Kosuke Fujishama-170
252: Genesis of Shannara: Elves of Cintra-Terry Brooks-376
253: Fruits Basket #17-Natsuki Takaya-198
254: Comic Party #1-Sekihiko Inui-175
255: Comic Party #2-Sekihiko Inui-164
256: Comic Party #3-Sekihiko Inui-162
257: Comic Party #4-Sekihiko Inui-180
258: Comic Party #5-Sekihiko Inui-244
259: Chronicles of the Cursed Sword #1- Yuy Beop-ryong-168
260: One Piece #15- Eiichiro Oda-212
261: David Copperfield Part I-Charles Dickens-578
262: Hunter X Hunter #16-Yoshihiro Togashi-192
263: Eric-Terry Pratchett-197
264: David Copperfield Part II-Charles Dickens-583
265: Reaper Man-Terry Pratchett-353
266: Yotsuba&! #4-Kiyohiko Azuma-190
267: StarWars: Legacy of the Force: Sacrifice- Karen Traviss-367
268: Sandworms of Dune-Brian Herbert & Kevin Anderson-494
269: Yotsuba&! #5-Kiyohiko Azuma-192
270: Witches Abroad-Terry Pratchett-350
271: The Act of Marriage-Tim & Bev Lahaye-393
272: For Men Only- Shaunti & Jeff Feldhahn-185
273: For Women Only-Shaunti Feldhahn-184
274: Lords and Ladies-Terry Pratchett-374
275: Crown of the Isles: The Mirror of Worlds-David Drake-333
276: StarWars: Legacy of the Force: Inferno- Troy Denning-312
277: Bleach #21- Tite Kubo-192
278: Mistborn: The Well of Ascension-Brandon Sanderson-578
279: Orbit 10-Damon Knight-208
280: Discovering the Mind of a Woman-Ken Nair-250
281: Landover: The Tangle Box-Terry Brooks-334
282: Amber: Nine Princes in Amber-Roger Zelazny-192
283: XXXHolic #9-Clamp-192
284: XXXHolic #10-Clamp-192
285: Hunter X Hunter #17-Yoshihiro Togashi-208
286: Men at Arms-Terry Pratchett-400
287: Soul Music-Terry Pratchett-384
288: Amber: The Guns of Avalon-Roger Zelazny-222
289: Amber: The Sign of the Unicorn-Roger Zelazny-192
290: Amber: The Hand of Oberon-Roger Zelazny-261
291: Amber: The Courts of Chaos-Roger Zelazny-183
292: Equal Rites-Terry Pratchett-213
293: Star Wars: Death Star-Michael Reaves & Steve Perry-363
294: Amber: Trumps of Doom-Roger Zelazny-183
295: Amber: Blood of Amber-Roger Zelazny-215
296: Amber: Sign of Chaos-Roger Zelazny-184
297: Dombey & Son Part I-Charles Dickens-582
298: The Sword of Truth: Confessor-Terry Goodkind-603
299: Dombey & Son Part II-Charles Dickens-588
300: YuYu Hakusho #1-Yoshihiro Togashi-199
301: YuYu Hakusho #2-Yoshihiro Togashi-193
302: YuYu Hakusho #3-Yoshihiro Togashi-188
303: YuYu Hakusho #4-Yoshihiro Togashi-188
304: YuYu Hakusho #5-Yoshihiro Togashi-206
305: YuYu Hakusho #6-Yoshihiro Togashi-206
306: YuYu Hakusho #7-Yoshihiro Togashi-199
307: YuYu Hakusho #8-Yoshihiro Togashi-187
308: YuYu Hakusho #9-Yoshihiro Togashi-189
309: Amber: Knight of Shadows-Roger Zelazny-251
310: Interesting Times-Terry Pratchett-368
311: Maskerade-Terry Pratchett-368
312: Amber: Prince of Chaos-Roger Zelazny-225
313: Tales of the Otori: Heaven's Net Is Wide: The First Tale of the Otori-Lian Hearn-484
314: Hyperion Cantos: Hyperion-Dan Simmons-512
315: The Space Vampires-Colin Wilson-214
316: Hyperion Cantos: The Fall of Hyperion-Dan Simmons-528
317: The Twelve Kingdoms: Sea of Shadow-Fuyumi Ono-462
318: King Raven: Scarlet-Stephen Lawhead-449
319: The Magic of Recluce-L.E. Modesitt Jr-501
320: Childhood's End-Arthur C. Clarke-216
2: Plum Pie- PG Wodehouse-252
3: Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE #10- Clamp-185
4: The Riddlemaster of Hed- Patricia McKillip-222
5: Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE #11- Clamp-183
6: The Circle: Black: The Birth of Evil- Ted Dekker-408
7: The Circle: Red: The Heroic Rescue- Ted Dekker-381
8: The Circle: White: The Great Pursuit- Ted Dekker-370
9: Fullmetal Alchemist #1- Hiromu Arakawa-183
10: Neon Genesis Evangelion #1- Yoshiyuki Sadamoto-171
11: Blink- Ted Dekker-389
12: One Piece #1-Eiichiro Oda-207
13: One Piece #2-Eiichiro Oda-194
14: One Piece #3-Eiichiro Oda-195
15: Death Note #1-Tsugumi Ohba-195
16: Death Note #2-Tsugumi Ohba-197
17: Heir of Sea and Fire- Patricia McKillip-207
18: Death Note #3-Tsugumi Ohba-194
19: Death Note #4-Tsugumi Ohba-204
20: Death Note #5-Tsugumi Ohba-200
21: R.O.D.-Read Or Die #1- Hideyuki Kurata-214
22: R.O.D.-Read Or Die #2- Hideyuki Kurata-194
23: Shaman King #1- Hiroyuki Takei-202
24: Shaman King #2- Hiroyuki Takei-190
25: Shaman King #3- Hiroyuki Takei-187
26: Shaman King #4- Hiroyuki Takei-191
27: Shaman King #5- Hiroyuki Takei-190
28: Shaman King #6- Hiroyuki Takei-191
29: Harpist in the Wind- Patricia McKillip-257
30: Trigun #1- Yasuhiro Nightow-358
31: Hunters of Dune- Brian Herbert & Kevin Anderson-525
32: Deathnote #6-Tsugumi Ohba-217
33: Hunter X Hunter #1-Yoshihiro Togashi-183
34: Hunter X Hunter #2-Yoshihiro Togashi-185
35: Hunter X Hunter #3-Yoshihiro Togashi-185
36: Hunter X Hunter #4-Yoshihiro Togashi-185
37: Hunter X Hunter #5-Yoshihiro Togashi-185
38: Hunter X Hunter #6-Yoshihiro Togashi-200
39: Hunter X Hunter #7-Yoshihiro Togashi-188
40: Hunter X Hunter #8-Yoshihiro Togashi-196
41: Hunter X Hunter #9-Yoshihiro Togashi-192
42: One Piece #4- Eiichiro Oda-192
43: Shaman King #7- Hiroyuki Takei-190
44: Shaman King #8- Hiroyuki Takei-192
45: Shaman King #9- Hiroyuki Takei-189
46: Brothers Karamazov- Fyodor Dostoyevsky-822
47: Megatokyo #1-Fred Gallagher & Rodney Caston-156
48: Megatokyo #2-Fred Gallagher & Rodney Caston-180
49: Megatokyo #3-Fred Gallagher-220
50: The Time Traveler's Wife- Audrey Niffenegger-518
51: FLCL #1- Gainax-172
52: FLCL #2- Gainax-198
53: Deathnote #7-Tsugumi Ohba-211
54: Deathnote #8-Tsugumi Ohba-200
55: Deathnote #9-Tsugumi Ohba-192
56: Congo- Michael Crichton-313
57: Beowulf's Children- Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, Steven Barnes-382
58: Oh My Goddess! #24 -Kosuke Fujishama-172
59: W Juliet #11 -Emura-193
60: W Juliet #12 -Emura-193
61: One Piece #5- Eiichiro Oda-190
62: One Piece #6- Eiichiro Oda-185
63: Ceres: Celestial Legend #1- Yuu Watase-194
64: Ceres: Celestial Legend #2- Yuu Watase-189
65: Ceres: Celestial Legend #3- Yuu Watase-189
66: Ceres: Celestial Legend #4- Yuu Watase-187
67: Ceres: Celestial Legend #5- Yuu Watase-191
68: Tales of the Otori: The Harsh Cry of the Heron:
The Last Tale of the Otori -Lian Hearn-508
69: Megatokyo #4-Fred Gallagher-233
70: Debt of Bones-Terry Goodkind-119
71: Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE #12- Clamp-185
72: Flame of Recca #1-Nobuyuki Anzai-180
73: Flame of Recca #2-Nobuyuki Anzai-182
74: Flame of Recca #3-Nobuyuki Anzai-186
75: Castle on the Hill-Elizabeth Goudge-346
76: One Piece #8- Eiichiro Oda-187
77: One Piece #9- Eiichiro Oda-205
78: One Piece #10- Eiichiro Oda-187
79: 84, Charing Cross Road-Helena Hanff-113
80: StarWars: Legacy of the Force: Tempest- Troy Denning-392
81: The Dean's Watch-Elizabeth Goudge-383
82: Oh My Goddess! #25-Kosuke Fujishima-173
83: Deathnote #10-Tsugumi Ohba-188
84: The Pickwick Papers-Charles Dickens-759
85: W Juliet #13 -Emura-193
86: W Juliet #14 -Emura-207-final volume
87: StarWars: Allegiance-Timothy Zahn-324
88: R.O.D.-Read Or Die #3- Hideyuki Kurata-210
89: R.O.D.-Read Or Die #4- Hideyuki Kurata-210
90: Fruits Basket #1-Natsuki Takaya-206
91: Fruits Basket #2-Natsuki Takaya-194
92: CrossRoads: Spirit Gate- Kate Elliott-445
93: One Piece #11- Eiichiro Oda-185
94: One Piece #12- Eiichiro Oda-190
95: One Piece #13- Eiichiro Oda-182
96: Shaman King #10-Hiroyuki Takei-198
97: Shaman King #11-Hiroyuki Takei-188
98: Fruits Basket #3-Natsuki Takaya-198
99: Fruits Basket #4-Natsuki Takaya-206
100: Fruits Basket #5-Natsuki Takaya-202
101: Tale of Two Cities-Charles Dickens-469
102: Ragnarok #1-Myung-Jin Lee-186
103: Ragnarok #2-Myung-Jin Lee-not numbered. Stupid!
104: Bleach #1- Tite Kubo-190
105: Bleach #2- Tite Kubo-190
106: The Hunchback of Notre Dame-Victor Hugo-586
107: Bleach #3- Tite Kubo-190
108: Bleach #4- Tite Kubo-190
109: Bleach #5- Tite Kubo-190
110: Bleach #6- Tite Kubo-190
111: Fruits Basket #6-Natsuki Takaya-196
112: Fruits Basket #7-Natsuki Takaya-192
113: Fruits Basket #8-Natsuki Takaya-196
114: Fruits Basket #9-Natsuki Takaya-192
115: Down the Long Hills-Louis L'Amour-150
116: Hanging Woman Creek-Louis L'Amour-151
117: Psychic Academy #1-Katsu Aki-187
118: Hunter X Hunter #10-Yoshihiro Togashi-200
119: Hunter X Hunter #11-Yoshihiro Togashi-196
120: Hunter X Hunter #12-Yoshihiro Togashi-186
121: Hunter X Hunter #13-Yoshihiro Togashi-196
122: Full Metal Panic! #1-Shouji Gatou-162
123: Full Metal Panic! #2-Shouji Gatou-194
124: Full Metal Panic! #3-Shouji Gatou-166
125: Full Metal Panic! #4-Shouji Gatou-156
126: Full Metal Panic! #5-Shouji Gatou-160
127: Full Metal Panic! #6-Shouji Gatou-170
128: Full Metal Panic! #7-Shouji Gatou-162
129: Full Metal Panic! #8-Shouji Gatou-162
130: Utah Blaine-Louis L'Amour-191
131: Shadowmarch: Shadowplay-Tad Williams-641
132: The King's Fifth-Scott O'Dell-264
133: Gentian Hill-Elizabeth Gouge-317
134: Fruits Basket #10-Natsuki Takaya-196
135: Fruits Basket #11-Natsuki Takaya-200
136: Fruits Basket #12-Natsuki Takaya-198
137: Fruits Basket #13-Natsuki Takaya-192
138: Angelmass-Timothy Zahn-430
139: Fantastic Mr. Fox-Roald Dahl-88
140: Deathnote #11-Tsugumi Ohba-210
141: Landover: Magic Kingdom for Sale/Sold!-Terry Brooks-308
142: Shaman King #12-Hiroyuki Takei-184
143: Elemental Gelade #1-Mayumi Azuma-180
144: Kare Kano #1-Masami Tsuda-188
145: Kare Kano #2-Masami Tsuda-190
146: Kare Kano #3-Masami Tsuda-188
147: One Piece #14- Eiichiro Oda-186
148: Bleach #8- Tite Kubo-191
149: Bleach #9- Tite Kubo-192
150: Bleach #10- Tite Kubo-200
151: Bleach #11- Tite Kubo-208
152: Bleach #12- Tite Kubo-198
153: Sketches by Boz I-Charles Dickens-421
154: Rave Master #1-Hiro Mashima-195
155: Rave Master #2-Hiro Mashima-195
156: Rave Master #3-Hiro Mashima-187
157: Rave Master #4-Hiro Mashima-195
158: Rave Master #5-Hiro Mashima-196
159: Bleach #7- Tite Kubo-200
160: Bleach #13- Tite Kubo-208
161: Trigun Maximum #1-Yasuhiro Nightow-192
162: Trigun Maximum #2-Yasuhiro Nightow-200
163: Trigun Maximum #3-Yasuhiro Nightow-192
164: Trigun Maximum #4-Yasuhiro Nightow-208
165: Trigun Maximum #5-Yasuhiro Nightow-206
166: Trigun Maximum #6-Yasuhiro Nightow-188
167: Trigun Maximum #7-Yasuhiro Nightow-192
168: Trigun Maximum #8-Yasuhiro Nightow-222
169: Bleach #14- Tite Kubo-200
170: Sketches by Boz II-Charles Dickens-465
171: Blade of Heaven- Yong-Su Hwang-290
172: The Icarus Hunt-Timothy Zahn-362
173: Seikai Trilogy: Crest of the Stars-Hiroyuki Morioka-245
174: Bleach #15- Tite Kubo-184
175: Hunter X Hunter #14-Yoshihiro Togashi-202
176: KingKiller: The Name of the Wind-Patrick Rothfuss-662
177: Landover: The Black Unicorn-Terry Brooks-239
178: Winter Rose-Patricia McKillip-262
179: StarWars: Legacy of the Force: Exile- Aaron Allston-337
180: Ceres: Celestial Legend #6- Yuu Watase-189
181: Bleach #16- Tite Kubo-192
182: Bleach #17- Tite Kubo-216
183: Harrowing the Dragon-Patricia Mckillip-308
184: The Changeling Sea-Patricia Mckillip-137
185: Landover: Wizard at Large-Terry Brooks-238
186: The Golden Gate-Alistair Maclean-233
187: Bone: One Volume Edition-Jeff Smith-1332
188: Goodbye California-Alistair Maclean-310
189: StarWars: Splinter of the Mind's Eye-Alan Dean Foster-182
190: Dragon and Thief-Timothy Zahn-248
191: Prince of Tennis #1-Takeshi Konomi-189
192: Prince of Tennis #2-Takeshi Konomi-183
193: StarWars: The Approaching Storm-Alan Dean Foster-344
194: StarWars: Medstar I: Battle Surgeons-Michael Reaves & Steve Perry-309
195: Bleach #18- Tite Kubo-203
196: Naruto #1-Masashi Kishimoto-187
197: Dragon and Soldier-Timothy Zahn-293
198: StarWars: Medstar II: Jedi Healer-Michael Reaves & Steve Perry-302
199: Alvin Maker: Seventh Son-Orson Scott Card-241
200: Fruits Basket #14-Natsuki Takaya-196
201: Naruto #2-Masashi Kishimoto-206
202: Ombria in Shadow-Patricia McKillip-298
203: The White Witch- Elizabeth Goudge-439
204: The Light Fantastic- Terry Pratchett-217
205: Naruto #3-Masashi Kishimoto-205
206: The Forgotten Beasts of Eld-Patricia McKillip-217
207: Alvin Maker: Red Prophet-Orson Scott Card-311
208: Alvin Maker: Prentice Alvin-Orson Scott Card-342
209: Claymore #1-Norihiro Yagi-188
210: Claymore #2-Norihiro Yagi-185
211: Dragon and Slave-Timothy Zahn-320
212: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-J.K. Rowling-759
213: The Candidate for Goddess #1-Yukiru Sugisaki-185
214: The Candidate for Goddess #2-Yukiru Sugisaki-145
215: The Candidate for Goddess #3-Yukiru Sugisaki-155
216: The Candidate for Goddess #4-Yukiru Sugisaki-146
217: The Candidate for Goddess #5-Yukiru Sugisaki-184
218: The Night Gift-Patricia McKillip-156
219: The House on Parchment Street-Patricia McKillip-190
220: Alvin Maker: Alvin Journeyman-Orson Scott Card-400
221: Deathnote #12-Tsugumi Ohba-210 final volume
222: Alvin Maker: Heartfire-Orson Scott Card-336
223: The Howling Stones- Alan Dean Foster-330
224: Fruits Basket #15-Natsuki Takaya-194
225: Fruits Basket #16-Natsuki Takaya-196
226: Nicholas Nickleby part I-Charles Dickens-556
227: Dragon and Herdsman-Timothy Zahn-299
228: Fool's Run- Patricia McKillip-221
229: Jeeves in the Offing-P.G. Wodehouse-200
230: Feet of Clay-Terry Pratchet-249
231: On Stranger Tides-Tim Powers-325
232: Chobits #1-CLAMP-183
233: Sourcery-Terry Pratchett-214
234: Dragon and Judge-Timothy Zahn-318
235: The Age of Discovery: The New World-Michael Stackpole-399
236: Nicholas Nickleby part II-Charles Dickens-548
237: Star Wars: Black Fleet Crisis: Before the Storm-Michael Kube-McDowell-336
238: The Color of Magic-Terry Pratchett-210
239: Mort-Terry Pratchett-243
240: Wyrd Sisters-Terry Pratchett-265
241: Hunter X Hunter #15-Yoshihiro Togashi-197
242: Cygnet-The Sorceress and the Cygnet; The Cygnet and the Firebird-Patricia McKillip-406
243: Pyramids-Terry Pratchett-323
244: Samurai Girl: Realbout Highschool #1-Reiji Saiga-176
245: Samurai Girl: Realbout Highschool #2-Reiji Saiga-164
246: Guards! Guards!-Terry Pratchett-355
247: Star Wars: Black Fleet Crisis: Shield of Lies-Michael Kube-McDowell-338
248: Bleach #19- Tite Kubo-216
249: Bleach #20- Tite Kubo-216
250: Otogi Zoshi #1- Narumi Seto-177
251: Otogi Zoshi #2- Narumi Seto-150
251: Oh My Goddess! #26- Kosuke Fujishama-170
252: Genesis of Shannara: Elves of Cintra-Terry Brooks-376
253: Fruits Basket #17-Natsuki Takaya-198
254: Comic Party #1-Sekihiko Inui-175
255: Comic Party #2-Sekihiko Inui-164
256: Comic Party #3-Sekihiko Inui-162
257: Comic Party #4-Sekihiko Inui-180
258: Comic Party #5-Sekihiko Inui-244
259: Chronicles of the Cursed Sword #1- Yuy Beop-ryong-168
260: One Piece #15- Eiichiro Oda-212
261: David Copperfield Part I-Charles Dickens-578
262: Hunter X Hunter #16-Yoshihiro Togashi-192
263: Eric-Terry Pratchett-197
264: David Copperfield Part II-Charles Dickens-583
265: Reaper Man-Terry Pratchett-353
266: Yotsuba&! #4-Kiyohiko Azuma-190
267: StarWars: Legacy of the Force: Sacrifice- Karen Traviss-367
268: Sandworms of Dune-Brian Herbert & Kevin Anderson-494
269: Yotsuba&! #5-Kiyohiko Azuma-192
270: Witches Abroad-Terry Pratchett-350
271: The Act of Marriage-Tim & Bev Lahaye-393
272: For Men Only- Shaunti & Jeff Feldhahn-185
273: For Women Only-Shaunti Feldhahn-184
274: Lords and Ladies-Terry Pratchett-374
275: Crown of the Isles: The Mirror of Worlds-David Drake-333
276: StarWars: Legacy of the Force: Inferno- Troy Denning-312
277: Bleach #21- Tite Kubo-192
278: Mistborn: The Well of Ascension-Brandon Sanderson-578
279: Orbit 10-Damon Knight-208
280: Discovering the Mind of a Woman-Ken Nair-250
281: Landover: The Tangle Box-Terry Brooks-334
282: Amber: Nine Princes in Amber-Roger Zelazny-192
283: XXXHolic #9-Clamp-192
284: XXXHolic #10-Clamp-192
285: Hunter X Hunter #17-Yoshihiro Togashi-208
286: Men at Arms-Terry Pratchett-400
287: Soul Music-Terry Pratchett-384
288: Amber: The Guns of Avalon-Roger Zelazny-222
289: Amber: The Sign of the Unicorn-Roger Zelazny-192
290: Amber: The Hand of Oberon-Roger Zelazny-261
291: Amber: The Courts of Chaos-Roger Zelazny-183
292: Equal Rites-Terry Pratchett-213
293: Star Wars: Death Star-Michael Reaves & Steve Perry-363
294: Amber: Trumps of Doom-Roger Zelazny-183
295: Amber: Blood of Amber-Roger Zelazny-215
296: Amber: Sign of Chaos-Roger Zelazny-184
297: Dombey & Son Part I-Charles Dickens-582
298: The Sword of Truth: Confessor-Terry Goodkind-603
299: Dombey & Son Part II-Charles Dickens-588
300: YuYu Hakusho #1-Yoshihiro Togashi-199
301: YuYu Hakusho #2-Yoshihiro Togashi-193
302: YuYu Hakusho #3-Yoshihiro Togashi-188
303: YuYu Hakusho #4-Yoshihiro Togashi-188
304: YuYu Hakusho #5-Yoshihiro Togashi-206
305: YuYu Hakusho #6-Yoshihiro Togashi-206
306: YuYu Hakusho #7-Yoshihiro Togashi-199
307: YuYu Hakusho #8-Yoshihiro Togashi-187
308: YuYu Hakusho #9-Yoshihiro Togashi-189
309: Amber: Knight of Shadows-Roger Zelazny-251
310: Interesting Times-Terry Pratchett-368
311: Maskerade-Terry Pratchett-368
312: Amber: Prince of Chaos-Roger Zelazny-225
313: Tales of the Otori: Heaven's Net Is Wide: The First Tale of the Otori-Lian Hearn-484
314: Hyperion Cantos: Hyperion-Dan Simmons-512
315: The Space Vampires-Colin Wilson-214
316: Hyperion Cantos: The Fall of Hyperion-Dan Simmons-528
317: The Twelve Kingdoms: Sea of Shadow-Fuyumi Ono-462
318: King Raven: Scarlet-Stephen Lawhead-449
319: The Magic of Recluce-L.E. Modesitt Jr-501
320: Childhood's End-Arthur C. Clarke-216
Monday, December 31, 2007
December '07
DOMBEY & SON Part I
-C. Dickens-classic
-582-follows the life of one Florence Dombey, whose mother dies and father ignores, because she is not the son he wanted. A younger brother, the cause of the mothers death, lives until his 6th year or so and then dies. A sad story so far.
THE SWORD OF TRUTH: CONFESSOR
-T. Goodkind-fantasy
-603-ends the Sword of Truth saga. It is obvious that Goodkind has an axe to grind against organized religion and it really comes through in this book. A socio-philosophical diatribe in many respects. Quite a few of the conversations between characters were simply mouthings of Goodkind's thoughts on Determinism. I am glad this is done.
DOMBEY & SON Part II
-C. Dickens-classic
-588-Dombey betrayed by his second wife and pride, Florence marries Walter. Florence and her father reconciled after his ruination. I cried at the reconciliation, which goes to show how sick I was at the time.
YUYU HAKUSHO #1-9
-Y. Togashi-manga
AMBER: KNIGHT OF SHADOWS
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-251-Zelazny delights in blindsiding his characters [and readers] with all sorts of father issues, family issues and friend issues. Turns out the Pattern and the Logrus are sentient powers and that Chaos and Amber may simply exist to give them place to battle. Merlin is in the position that Corwin was, in the first 5 books, ie, confused and with a bad case of a dad doing something that nobody else knows about.
INTERESTING TIMES
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-368-Rincewind ends up in the Counterweight Continent, along with Cohen the Barbarian and the Silver Horde. They are attempting to take over the Empire. Rincewind ends up in XXXX, the unknown land.
MASKERADE
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-368-first off, you have to a fan of Phantom of the Opera to really get this book. Pratchett lifts the story wholesale, and proceeds to slaughter it with the witches of Lancre and one witch-in-training, who doesn't want to be a witch. Good stuff.
AMBER: PRINCE OF CHAOS
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-225-Ok, Merlin is going to become the King of Chaos, to keep peace between the Pattern and the Logrus. Corwin has been imprisoned, and basically it is Corwin/Oberon all over again. How dumb can guys get? Zelazny simply cannot seem to allow his characters to live their lives. I believe this is the last original Amber novel. I've heard there are prequels written by another author, but I don't have any interest in those.
TALES OF THE OTORI: HEAVEN'S NET IS WIDE: THE FIRST TALE OF THE OTORI
-L. Hearn-historical fantasy
-484-follows Shigeru and his brother Takeshi; Otori who are betrayed and fall under the power of Iida. Gives the back story of all that happened before Takeo is found. This series is a brutal look at feudal life. Women were helpless, those not of nobility were helpless and death was but one step away for almost everyone. Also delved into the Hidden a lot more. Showing the difference between their regard and love for life in contrast to the Warrior Class's lust for death and personal power. Truly, Christianity is the only thing that will save this world.
HYPERION CANTOS: HYPERION
-D. Simmons-scifi
-512-The Hegemony of Man, the TechnoCore[AI's] and the Ousters[humans who fled into space to escape the Hegemony] all collide on the world of Hyperion. A world where Time Tombs are in an entropic field which seems to be moving backwards. 7 travelers come together to seek the Shrike, mystical/mythical Lord of Pain, thinking that one of them will be granted their wish and the other 6 taken in sacrifice. This book concentrates on their backstories and what brought them to Hyperion. Excellent writing. The only things I had against it was the profanity used, frequently, by one character and a couple of instances of semi-graphic sexuality.
THE SPACE VAMPIRES
-C. Wilson-scifi
-214-oh man, written in the 70's, this was pure crap! The whole story is centered around Freudianism, masochim/sadism and some mumbojumbo about "lifeforce". Why anyone would consider this entertaining is beyond me!
HYPERION CANTOS: THE FALL OF HYPERION
-D. Simmons-scifi
-528-the Tombs open, Mankind destroys the Farcaster web to escape domination by the TechnoCore and the Ousters show the Hegemony the path to the future. Full of philosophical dialogue, religious overtones and weird ideas. Well done.
THE TWELVE KINGDOMS: SEA OF SHADOW
-F. Ono-fantasy
-462. A girl is confronted by a stranger who gives his allegiance to her and then is swept into another world. Yoko starts out as a self-centered, cowardly whining girl. By the end of the novel she is a strong, capable woman. Turns out she is the next Queen of Kei. This is the book that the anime was based on but this was much tighter and focused exclusively on Yoko. I really liked it and look forward to the next 10 novels as they are released.
KING RAVEN: SCARLET
-S. Lawhead-historical fiction
-449-Continues the tale of Robin Hood, set in a more historic Welsh setting. Thoroughly enjoyed this tale. I have to say, I think that this series is fast moving up in my favorites list.
THE MAGIC OF RECLUCE
-L.E. Modesitt Jr-fantasy
-501-definitely a shallow book, but enjoyable. You don't see the character grow up, they simply change. But I liked the whole reversal of the typical White, Grey and Black of the types of magic. This is a series about Order vs Chaos.
CHILDHOOD'S END
-A. C. Clarke-scifi
-216-humanistic. Humanity gives up its individuality and becomes one with some great Over-mind. Depressing.
-C. Dickens-classic
-582-follows the life of one Florence Dombey, whose mother dies and father ignores, because she is not the son he wanted. A younger brother, the cause of the mothers death, lives until his 6th year or so and then dies. A sad story so far.
THE SWORD OF TRUTH: CONFESSOR
-T. Goodkind-fantasy
-603-ends the Sword of Truth saga. It is obvious that Goodkind has an axe to grind against organized religion and it really comes through in this book. A socio-philosophical diatribe in many respects. Quite a few of the conversations between characters were simply mouthings of Goodkind's thoughts on Determinism. I am glad this is done.
DOMBEY & SON Part II
-C. Dickens-classic
-588-Dombey betrayed by his second wife and pride, Florence marries Walter. Florence and her father reconciled after his ruination. I cried at the reconciliation, which goes to show how sick I was at the time.
YUYU HAKUSHO #1-9
-Y. Togashi-manga
AMBER: KNIGHT OF SHADOWS
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-251-Zelazny delights in blindsiding his characters [and readers] with all sorts of father issues, family issues and friend issues. Turns out the Pattern and the Logrus are sentient powers and that Chaos and Amber may simply exist to give them place to battle. Merlin is in the position that Corwin was, in the first 5 books, ie, confused and with a bad case of a dad doing something that nobody else knows about.
INTERESTING TIMES
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-368-Rincewind ends up in the Counterweight Continent, along with Cohen the Barbarian and the Silver Horde. They are attempting to take over the Empire. Rincewind ends up in XXXX, the unknown land.
MASKERADE
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-368-first off, you have to a fan of Phantom of the Opera to really get this book. Pratchett lifts the story wholesale, and proceeds to slaughter it with the witches of Lancre and one witch-in-training, who doesn't want to be a witch. Good stuff.
AMBER: PRINCE OF CHAOS
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-225-Ok, Merlin is going to become the King of Chaos, to keep peace between the Pattern and the Logrus. Corwin has been imprisoned, and basically it is Corwin/Oberon all over again. How dumb can guys get? Zelazny simply cannot seem to allow his characters to live their lives. I believe this is the last original Amber novel. I've heard there are prequels written by another author, but I don't have any interest in those.
TALES OF THE OTORI: HEAVEN'S NET IS WIDE: THE FIRST TALE OF THE OTORI
-L. Hearn-historical fantasy
-484-follows Shigeru and his brother Takeshi; Otori who are betrayed and fall under the power of Iida. Gives the back story of all that happened before Takeo is found. This series is a brutal look at feudal life. Women were helpless, those not of nobility were helpless and death was but one step away for almost everyone. Also delved into the Hidden a lot more. Showing the difference between their regard and love for life in contrast to the Warrior Class's lust for death and personal power. Truly, Christianity is the only thing that will save this world.
HYPERION CANTOS: HYPERION
-D. Simmons-scifi
-512-The Hegemony of Man, the TechnoCore[AI's] and the Ousters[humans who fled into space to escape the Hegemony] all collide on the world of Hyperion. A world where Time Tombs are in an entropic field which seems to be moving backwards. 7 travelers come together to seek the Shrike, mystical/mythical Lord of Pain, thinking that one of them will be granted their wish and the other 6 taken in sacrifice. This book concentrates on their backstories and what brought them to Hyperion. Excellent writing. The only things I had against it was the profanity used, frequently, by one character and a couple of instances of semi-graphic sexuality.
THE SPACE VAMPIRES
-C. Wilson-scifi
-214-oh man, written in the 70's, this was pure crap! The whole story is centered around Freudianism, masochim/sadism and some mumbojumbo about "lifeforce". Why anyone would consider this entertaining is beyond me!
HYPERION CANTOS: THE FALL OF HYPERION
-D. Simmons-scifi
-528-the Tombs open, Mankind destroys the Farcaster web to escape domination by the TechnoCore and the Ousters show the Hegemony the path to the future. Full of philosophical dialogue, religious overtones and weird ideas. Well done.
THE TWELVE KINGDOMS: SEA OF SHADOW
-F. Ono-fantasy
-462. A girl is confronted by a stranger who gives his allegiance to her and then is swept into another world. Yoko starts out as a self-centered, cowardly whining girl. By the end of the novel she is a strong, capable woman. Turns out she is the next Queen of Kei. This is the book that the anime was based on but this was much tighter and focused exclusively on Yoko. I really liked it and look forward to the next 10 novels as they are released.
KING RAVEN: SCARLET
-S. Lawhead-historical fiction
-449-Continues the tale of Robin Hood, set in a more historic Welsh setting. Thoroughly enjoyed this tale. I have to say, I think that this series is fast moving up in my favorites list.
THE MAGIC OF RECLUCE
-L.E. Modesitt Jr-fantasy
-501-definitely a shallow book, but enjoyable. You don't see the character grow up, they simply change. But I liked the whole reversal of the typical White, Grey and Black of the types of magic. This is a series about Order vs Chaos.
CHILDHOOD'S END
-A. C. Clarke-scifi
-216-humanistic. Humanity gives up its individuality and becomes one with some great Over-mind. Depressing.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
November '07
BLEACH #21
-T. Kubo-manga
-192
MISTBORN: THE WELL OF ASCENSION
-B. Sanderson-fantasy
-578-Everything I thought I knew from Final Empire is turned on its head! Vin and Elend get married, Luthadel is sacked, but Vin realizes she has powers unlike any other Mistborn. Goes to the Well of Ascension to destroy the Deepness, only to set free some being that has been manipulating the Terris religion for that very purpose. The Hero of Ages is a deception wrought by this being. Looking forward to the next volume.
AN ANTHOLOGY OF ORIGINAL SF STORIES: ORBIT 10
-Edited by D. Knight-scifi
-208-this was released back in '72, and man, does it show. Every story seems to involve some sort of sex, some form of psychological front and a lot of angst, whining and general immaturity. If this was a true representation of SF back then, I'm glad I missed it.
DISCOVERING THE MIND OF A WOMAN
-K. Nair-counsel
-250- I have to admit, I was expecting a bit more. I was looking for specific insights on how to deal with the feminine and instead he went into generalities about being Christlike. Good stuff, just not at all about the "mind of a woman", imo. It should have been entitled "...the Emotions of a Woman". I'm going to have to read it through in another year or so and see what I think then cause right now, I got nothing.
LANDOVER: THE TANGLE BOX
-T. Brooks-fantasy
-334-some evil faery creature gets loose and traps Ben, Nightshade and Strabo in his old trap. Willow gives birth. The inept conjurer who started all this mess fixes things by releasing Ben & Co and trapping the Gorse again. I enjoyed this novel the most since Magic Kingdom for Sale/Sold, which is surprising. Cause I remember hating this when I read it for the first time. Now I'm looking forward to the next one :-)
AMBER: THE NINE PRINCES IN AMBER
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-192-Too choppy a narrative style for my taste. Quite effective though considering. A man with amnesia discovers that he is a Prince of Amber, the True City on which all other cities are but shadows. Fights, and loses, to be the king. Ends with him fleeing after imprisonment.
XXXHOLIC #9&10
-Clamp-manga
HUNTER X HUNTER #17
-Y. Togashi-manga
-208
MEN AT ARMS
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-400-The Night Watch embraces diversity and someone tries to set things up so Cpt. Carrot comes into his royal birthright.
SOUL MUSIC
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-384-Susan, Death's granddaughter, has a go at the family business. Some bard discovers a magical guitar which uses him and his band to play the "Primal" music played at the beginning of the universe. Nothing memorable.
AMBER: THE GUNS OF AVALON
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-222-Corwin allies with another brother against Eric and gets a gunpowder that works in Amber. Takes over just as Eric dies from repelling forces from Chaos
AMBER: SIGN OF THE UNICORN
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-192-It becomes apparent that there is more than just intriguing for the Throne of Amber. It would seem that some faction has allied with the Courts of Chaos, the reality where Dwork and his son Oberon came from.
AMBER: THE HAND OF OBERON
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-261-Oberon, long thought dead, is shown to be alive and orchestrating everything to date, all to save Amber from complete destruction at the Hands of the Courts of Chaos. Amber is NOT the ultimate Reality, but simply the First Shadow.
AMBER: THE COURTS OF CHAOS
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-183-Amber fights against Chaos while Oberon tries to restore the Pattern. He succeeds, but Corwin also creates a new pattern. In the end, everything is back in balance, with Corwin about to enter the Realm of Chaos to travel with his son Merlin.
EQUAL RITES
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-213- a wizard, about to die, confers his powers on what he thinks is the 8th son of an 8th son. Only "he" turns out to be a "she". Deals with Granny Weatherwax and Esk, the girl who wants to be a wizard. Only kind of funny.
STAR WARS: DEATH STAR
-M. Reaves & S. Perry-scifi
-363-ties in characters from Medstar. Basically about the 1st Deathstar from about halfway through its construction to its destruction. Follows 4 different sets of characters. They escape in the end because they can't countenance working for something that destroys millions and billions of lives just to make a point. A very interesting look at the flow and ebb of life on the Death Star.
AMBER: TRUMPS OF DOOM
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-183-The adventures of Merlin, son of Corwin and Dara. Half Amberite, Half Lord of Chaos. More machinations. Someone is trying to kill him and other Amber royalty. The whole fragmented sentence thing used for shadow traveling is visually effective, but I simply skip it. Nothing happens in it.
AMBER: BLOOD OF AMBER
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-215-turns out the assassin is Brand's son. Who is Merlin's best friend. But that is not all. More family and outer family rivalry. Corwin has disappeared and no one can walk the pattern he created. This is truly the 2nd Chronicles of Amber. More of the same "keep the reader in the dark and guessing right up til the end and give lots of false, confusing info and trust no one, etc, etc" but with a new generation added to the mix.
AMBER: SIGN OF CHAOS
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-184-the Masked one turns out to look like Merlin's old girlfriend Julia, who was attacked and killed right at the beginning of Trumps of Doom. I can't speculate, simply hold on for the ride that Zelazny insists on us riding to read his books. Oh, we now have a self aware AI that Merlin created that is able to manipulate Shadow too. Add another confusing factor.
-T. Kubo-manga
-192
MISTBORN: THE WELL OF ASCENSION
-B. Sanderson-fantasy
-578-Everything I thought I knew from Final Empire is turned on its head! Vin and Elend get married, Luthadel is sacked, but Vin realizes she has powers unlike any other Mistborn. Goes to the Well of Ascension to destroy the Deepness, only to set free some being that has been manipulating the Terris religion for that very purpose. The Hero of Ages is a deception wrought by this being. Looking forward to the next volume.
AN ANTHOLOGY OF ORIGINAL SF STORIES: ORBIT 10
-Edited by D. Knight-scifi
-208-this was released back in '72, and man, does it show. Every story seems to involve some sort of sex, some form of psychological front and a lot of angst, whining and general immaturity. If this was a true representation of SF back then, I'm glad I missed it.
DISCOVERING THE MIND OF A WOMAN
-K. Nair-counsel
-250- I have to admit, I was expecting a bit more. I was looking for specific insights on how to deal with the feminine and instead he went into generalities about being Christlike. Good stuff, just not at all about the "mind of a woman", imo. It should have been entitled "...the Emotions of a Woman". I'm going to have to read it through in another year or so and see what I think then cause right now, I got nothing.
LANDOVER: THE TANGLE BOX
-T. Brooks-fantasy
-334-some evil faery creature gets loose and traps Ben, Nightshade and Strabo in his old trap. Willow gives birth. The inept conjurer who started all this mess fixes things by releasing Ben & Co and trapping the Gorse again. I enjoyed this novel the most since Magic Kingdom for Sale/Sold, which is surprising. Cause I remember hating this when I read it for the first time. Now I'm looking forward to the next one :-)
AMBER: THE NINE PRINCES IN AMBER
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-192-Too choppy a narrative style for my taste. Quite effective though considering. A man with amnesia discovers that he is a Prince of Amber, the True City on which all other cities are but shadows. Fights, and loses, to be the king. Ends with him fleeing after imprisonment.
XXXHOLIC #9&10
-Clamp-manga
HUNTER X HUNTER #17
-Y. Togashi-manga
-208
MEN AT ARMS
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-400-The Night Watch embraces diversity and someone tries to set things up so Cpt. Carrot comes into his royal birthright.
SOUL MUSIC
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-384-Susan, Death's granddaughter, has a go at the family business. Some bard discovers a magical guitar which uses him and his band to play the "Primal" music played at the beginning of the universe. Nothing memorable.
AMBER: THE GUNS OF AVALON
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-222-Corwin allies with another brother against Eric and gets a gunpowder that works in Amber. Takes over just as Eric dies from repelling forces from Chaos
AMBER: SIGN OF THE UNICORN
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-192-It becomes apparent that there is more than just intriguing for the Throne of Amber. It would seem that some faction has allied with the Courts of Chaos, the reality where Dwork and his son Oberon came from.
AMBER: THE HAND OF OBERON
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-261-Oberon, long thought dead, is shown to be alive and orchestrating everything to date, all to save Amber from complete destruction at the Hands of the Courts of Chaos. Amber is NOT the ultimate Reality, but simply the First Shadow.
AMBER: THE COURTS OF CHAOS
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-183-Amber fights against Chaos while Oberon tries to restore the Pattern. He succeeds, but Corwin also creates a new pattern. In the end, everything is back in balance, with Corwin about to enter the Realm of Chaos to travel with his son Merlin.
EQUAL RITES
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-213- a wizard, about to die, confers his powers on what he thinks is the 8th son of an 8th son. Only "he" turns out to be a "she". Deals with Granny Weatherwax and Esk, the girl who wants to be a wizard. Only kind of funny.
STAR WARS: DEATH STAR
-M. Reaves & S. Perry-scifi
-363-ties in characters from Medstar. Basically about the 1st Deathstar from about halfway through its construction to its destruction. Follows 4 different sets of characters. They escape in the end because they can't countenance working for something that destroys millions and billions of lives just to make a point. A very interesting look at the flow and ebb of life on the Death Star.
AMBER: TRUMPS OF DOOM
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-183-The adventures of Merlin, son of Corwin and Dara. Half Amberite, Half Lord of Chaos. More machinations. Someone is trying to kill him and other Amber royalty. The whole fragmented sentence thing used for shadow traveling is visually effective, but I simply skip it. Nothing happens in it.
AMBER: BLOOD OF AMBER
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-215-turns out the assassin is Brand's son. Who is Merlin's best friend. But that is not all. More family and outer family rivalry. Corwin has disappeared and no one can walk the pattern he created. This is truly the 2nd Chronicles of Amber. More of the same "keep the reader in the dark and guessing right up til the end and give lots of false, confusing info and trust no one, etc, etc" but with a new generation added to the mix.
AMBER: SIGN OF CHAOS
-R. Zelazny-fantasy
-184-the Masked one turns out to look like Merlin's old girlfriend Julia, who was attacked and killed right at the beginning of Trumps of Doom. I can't speculate, simply hold on for the ride that Zelazny insists on us riding to read his books. Oh, we now have a self aware AI that Merlin created that is able to manipulate Shadow too. Add another confusing factor.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
October '07
CHRONICLES OF THE CURSED SWORD #1
-Y. Beop-ryong-manwha
-168-this was crap. It was stupid and I won't be reading anymore.
ONE PIECE #15
-E. Oda- manga
-212
DAVID COPPERFIELD Part I
-C. Dickens-classic
-578-David is born, his father is dead, his mother a poor stupid woman. She remarries, David goes through many hardships, and ends up under the care of his great-Aunt. He makes many friends and we see how their lives go on. One particular friend, Steersforth, I am convinced will end up being the ruination of a childhood friend of David's. Nothing of his childhood hardships are gruesome, for which I am glad.
HUNTER X HUNTER #16
-Y. Togashi-manga
-192
ERIC
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-197-Rhincewind is mistaken for a demon by a 14year old Demonologist. Hilarity ensues.
DAVID COPPERFIELD Part II
-C. Dickens-classic
-583-Copperfield grows up, marries Dora, rescues Mr W, has Dora die sees friends off to Australia, and ends up marrying Agnes. I really enjoyed this, enjoyed my wrong predictions, enjoyed how it all ended up.
REAPER MAN
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-353-Death is given his walking papers by servants of Azrael, the Ultimante End. Chaos ensues and Ankh-Morpork is over run with Life force and a City Predator [a mall] begins to evolve. Death faces the New Death [and takes his old job back] and one Un-dead Wizard helps destroy the Mall. Several Laugh Out Loud moments.
YOTSUBA&! #4
-K. Azuma-manga
-190- Hilarious! I read this late one night and had to cover my mouth several times to stifle laugher so as not to disturb the neighbors.
STAR WARS: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: SACRIFICE
-K. Traviss-scifi
-367-Ben is sent on an assassination mission, grows up quick. He finds out that Lumiya and Jacen are in cahoots and Mara tracks down Jacen and tries to kill him. Mara dies, leaving clues for Ben and Luke about her true killer. Luke kills Lumiya. On the Mando side, Boba finds the clones who aren't aging and gets the treatment, finds precious metal on Mandolore and recalls all Mando's. At the very end he finds out his wife is not dead. Jacen becomes a Sith Lord, Darth Caedus.
SANDWORMS OF DUNE
-B. Herbert & K. Anderson-scifi
-494-The End of the Dune Saga! Lets see. Sandworms are modified to live in water. Facedancers plot to bring down Humanity AND Thinking Machines. Omnius and Erasmus are sweeping all before them. Norma Cenva, aka the Oracle of Time, aka the Guild Navigators 'god', is searching out for Omnius, to completely eradicate 'him'. The No-ship passengers are captured by Omnius. In the End of All, ie Krazilec, Oracle of Time removes Omnius; Duncan Idaho[who is the last and perfect Kwisatz Haderach] melds with Erasmus, much like Leto II did with sandworms, so that Humanity and Thinking Machines may live together instead of seeking mutual destruction; Erasmus activates a death code in the Facedancers and tells their leader he was aware of their plots the whole time; sandworms, with the Leto II ghola absorbed into them hence making them not so susceptible to water, make the homeworld of Omnius their new home. There is a lot. This is what happened. My thoughts on it are another whole matter. I think I'm going to write a post and put a link in here to it.
Thoughts on the Dune Saga
YOTSUBA&! #5
-K. Azuma-manga
-192
WITCHES ABROAD
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-350-Magrat becomes a Fairy Godmother, for awhile, and with the 'support' of Nanny and Granny, goes head to head with the evil Godmother, who thinks that she is the good one.
THE ACT OF MARRIAGE
-T. & B. LaHaye-counsel
-393-a frank, indepth and educational book about sex. By Christians for Christians. It made me realize how much I didn't know or what I thought I knew was wrong.
FOR MEN ONLY
-S. & J. Feldhahn-counsel
-183-rather simplistic, but a good look for men on how the mind of a woman works. I'm just glad I am a guy :-)
FOR WOMEN ONLY
-S. Feldhahn-counsel
-184-I did a lot of underlining so Crystal knew what applied to me.
LORDS AND LADIES
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-374-'bout time Magrat gets married. and Elves as the badguys and witches as the good guys, well, that is an interesting perspective.
CROWN OF THE ISLES: THE MIRROR OF WORLDS
-D. Drake-fantasy
-333-More of the same. I figure if I wait 3 years to read the final book [whenever it comes out], I should be able to make it through. Ilna's "hating of the world" just really wears thin really quick. AND, how did the world survive? It seems like there are super gods, or superbadpowerful men, or creatures, just lined up to the horizon to personally make the world hard for Garric and Co.
STARWARS: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: INFERNO
-T. Denning-fantasy
-312-Luke is shown for the Grand Master of the Jedi Council that he is. The Society of One Sith are revealed and pave the way for the Legacy Comics. I hope Caedus dies a slow painful death.
-Y. Beop-ryong-manwha
-168-this was crap. It was stupid and I won't be reading anymore.
ONE PIECE #15
-E. Oda- manga
-212
DAVID COPPERFIELD Part I
-C. Dickens-classic
-578-David is born, his father is dead, his mother a poor stupid woman. She remarries, David goes through many hardships, and ends up under the care of his great-Aunt. He makes many friends and we see how their lives go on. One particular friend, Steersforth, I am convinced will end up being the ruination of a childhood friend of David's. Nothing of his childhood hardships are gruesome, for which I am glad.
HUNTER X HUNTER #16
-Y. Togashi-manga
-192
ERIC
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-197-Rhincewind is mistaken for a demon by a 14year old Demonologist. Hilarity ensues.
DAVID COPPERFIELD Part II
-C. Dickens-classic
-583-Copperfield grows up, marries Dora, rescues Mr W, has Dora die sees friends off to Australia, and ends up marrying Agnes. I really enjoyed this, enjoyed my wrong predictions, enjoyed how it all ended up.
REAPER MAN
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-353-Death is given his walking papers by servants of Azrael, the Ultimante End. Chaos ensues and Ankh-Morpork is over run with Life force and a City Predator [a mall] begins to evolve. Death faces the New Death [and takes his old job back] and one Un-dead Wizard helps destroy the Mall. Several Laugh Out Loud moments.
YOTSUBA&! #4
-K. Azuma-manga
-190- Hilarious! I read this late one night and had to cover my mouth several times to stifle laugher so as not to disturb the neighbors.
STAR WARS: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: SACRIFICE
-K. Traviss-scifi
-367-Ben is sent on an assassination mission, grows up quick. He finds out that Lumiya and Jacen are in cahoots and Mara tracks down Jacen and tries to kill him. Mara dies, leaving clues for Ben and Luke about her true killer. Luke kills Lumiya. On the Mando side, Boba finds the clones who aren't aging and gets the treatment, finds precious metal on Mandolore and recalls all Mando's. At the very end he finds out his wife is not dead. Jacen becomes a Sith Lord, Darth Caedus.
SANDWORMS OF DUNE
-B. Herbert & K. Anderson-scifi
-494-The End of the Dune Saga! Lets see. Sandworms are modified to live in water. Facedancers plot to bring down Humanity AND Thinking Machines. Omnius and Erasmus are sweeping all before them. Norma Cenva, aka the Oracle of Time, aka the Guild Navigators 'god', is searching out for Omnius, to completely eradicate 'him'. The No-ship passengers are captured by Omnius. In the End of All, ie Krazilec, Oracle of Time removes Omnius; Duncan Idaho[who is the last and perfect Kwisatz Haderach] melds with Erasmus, much like Leto II did with sandworms, so that Humanity and Thinking Machines may live together instead of seeking mutual destruction; Erasmus activates a death code in the Facedancers and tells their leader he was aware of their plots the whole time; sandworms, with the Leto II ghola absorbed into them hence making them not so susceptible to water, make the homeworld of Omnius their new home. There is a lot. This is what happened. My thoughts on it are another whole matter. I think I'm going to write a post and put a link in here to it.
Thoughts on the Dune Saga
YOTSUBA&! #5
-K. Azuma-manga
-192
WITCHES ABROAD
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-350-Magrat becomes a Fairy Godmother, for awhile, and with the 'support' of Nanny and Granny, goes head to head with the evil Godmother, who thinks that she is the good one.
THE ACT OF MARRIAGE
-T. & B. LaHaye-counsel
-393-a frank, indepth and educational book about sex. By Christians for Christians. It made me realize how much I didn't know or what I thought I knew was wrong.
FOR MEN ONLY
-S. & J. Feldhahn-counsel
-183-rather simplistic, but a good look for men on how the mind of a woman works. I'm just glad I am a guy :-)
FOR WOMEN ONLY
-S. Feldhahn-counsel
-184-I did a lot of underlining so Crystal knew what applied to me.
LORDS AND LADIES
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-374-'bout time Magrat gets married. and Elves as the badguys and witches as the good guys, well, that is an interesting perspective.
CROWN OF THE ISLES: THE MIRROR OF WORLDS
-D. Drake-fantasy
-333-More of the same. I figure if I wait 3 years to read the final book [whenever it comes out], I should be able to make it through. Ilna's "hating of the world" just really wears thin really quick. AND, how did the world survive? It seems like there are super gods, or superbadpowerful men, or creatures, just lined up to the horizon to personally make the world hard for Garric and Co.
STARWARS: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: INFERNO
-T. Denning-fantasy
-312-Luke is shown for the Grand Master of the Jedi Council that he is. The Society of One Sith are revealed and pave the way for the Legacy Comics. I hope Caedus dies a slow painful death.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
September '07
STAR WARS: BLACKFLEET CRISIS: BEFORE THE STORM
-M. Kube-Mcdowell-scifi
-336-Blah, blah, blah. This is definitely NOT canonical, considering that Luke and Leia's "mom" is named Shira and is some sort of weird White Force Witch. The more I read of Kube-McDowell the less I like the idiot.
THE COLOR OF MAGIC
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-210-the beginning of the Discworld hilarity! I wish I had read this before "The Light Fantastic". Luggage is GREAT! :-D
MORT
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-243-Death takes on an Apprentice, who fails miserably and almost upsets the whole universe. So Death fixes things by appealing to the gods and the Apprentice, Mort, marries Death's adoptive daughter. A light enjoyable read.
WYRD SISTERS
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-265-Cross Hamlet and other Shakespearian plays with Pratchett, and this is what you get. Good stuff.
HUNTER X HUNTER #15
-Y. Togashi-manga
-197
CYGNET
-P. McKillip-fantasy
-406-comprising The Sorceress and the Cygnet & The Cygnet and the Firebird.
The first book I got really annoyed at the Wayfold man, who seemed insistent on being pigheaded and stupid. But it made the story, and it worked.
I really enjoyed the second one more. Dragons hunting Cygnets, love, time, magic and far away places. This wasn't as poetical as some of her other stuff, but would be a great intro, since it is a bit more "prosey".
PYRAMIDS
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-323-reading this felt very familiar, but I couldn't place it. Then I checked my reading list, and sure enough, I had read it back in '04. Figures. It was enjoyable and I'm used to his stuff enough now that nothing grated :-)
SAMURAI GIRL: REALBOUT HIGHSCHOOL #1-2
-R. Saiga-manga
-anatomically impossible figures, no plot, some sort of "romance", nothing was stable. Bleh.
GUARDS! GUARDS!
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-355-The Story of how Vimes gets hitched, and Dragons are involved. Not as funny as some, but still a good brainless read.
STAR WARS: BLACKFLEET CRISIS: SHIELD OF LIES
-M. Kube-Mcdowell-scifi
-338-the only reason I read this was because I had ordered it through Interlibrary loan before reading the first one. This was no better. Ugh. I shall NOT be reading the final book. I simply don't care and it isn't worth my time.
BLEACH #19-20
-T. Kubo-manga
OTOGI ZOSHI #1&2
-N. Seto-manga
-these are the only 2 volumes in this series. Based off the anime, I gather, and just covers the opening chapter. Interesting.
OH MY GODDESS #26
-K. Fujishama-manga
-170-The Eater of Angels is defeated and Keiichi takes on Bell's "familiar", but it is wearing his body out, and Bell is being worn out; so Urd, Skuld and Peorth take things into their own hands to exorcise it. Ends with Kei flying out of the house to escape. While I really like the new unflipped versions, they are a little short to be paying $10.95 a volume. Sigh, the life of a fan ;-)
GENESIS OF SHANNARA: ELVES OF CINTRA
-T. Brooks-fantasy
-376-Very enjoyable. Logan takes the Ghosts under his wing, Hawk/Morph is rescued by the River Master and told his destiny. Angel meets the elves and goes off with one of the Chosen and a tracker to find the Lodenstone. They find it and 2 demons are destroyed. This story just continues to show how humanity completely fell apart. Because of the spiritual aspect of it, I can really relate. It is the worst of humanities nightmares brought forth without the hope of Jesus. Thank God there is a God and not just demons.
COMIC PARTY #1-5
-S. Inui-manga
FRUITS BASKET #17
-N. Takaya-manga
-198-Akito is a woman! and she has a crazy mother. This family just gets weirder and more and more screwed up.
-M. Kube-Mcdowell-scifi
-336-Blah, blah, blah. This is definitely NOT canonical, considering that Luke and Leia's "mom" is named Shira and is some sort of weird White Force Witch. The more I read of Kube-McDowell the less I like the idiot.
THE COLOR OF MAGIC
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-210-the beginning of the Discworld hilarity! I wish I had read this before "The Light Fantastic". Luggage is GREAT! :-D
MORT
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-243-Death takes on an Apprentice, who fails miserably and almost upsets the whole universe. So Death fixes things by appealing to the gods and the Apprentice, Mort, marries Death's adoptive daughter. A light enjoyable read.
WYRD SISTERS
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-265-Cross Hamlet and other Shakespearian plays with Pratchett, and this is what you get. Good stuff.
HUNTER X HUNTER #15
-Y. Togashi-manga
-197
CYGNET
-P. McKillip-fantasy
-406-comprising The Sorceress and the Cygnet & The Cygnet and the Firebird.
The first book I got really annoyed at the Wayfold man, who seemed insistent on being pigheaded and stupid. But it made the story, and it worked.
I really enjoyed the second one more. Dragons hunting Cygnets, love, time, magic and far away places. This wasn't as poetical as some of her other stuff, but would be a great intro, since it is a bit more "prosey".
PYRAMIDS
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-323-reading this felt very familiar, but I couldn't place it. Then I checked my reading list, and sure enough, I had read it back in '04. Figures. It was enjoyable and I'm used to his stuff enough now that nothing grated :-)
SAMURAI GIRL: REALBOUT HIGHSCHOOL #1-2
-R. Saiga-manga
-anatomically impossible figures, no plot, some sort of "romance", nothing was stable. Bleh.
GUARDS! GUARDS!
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-355-The Story of how Vimes gets hitched, and Dragons are involved. Not as funny as some, but still a good brainless read.
STAR WARS: BLACKFLEET CRISIS: SHIELD OF LIES
-M. Kube-Mcdowell-scifi
-338-the only reason I read this was because I had ordered it through Interlibrary loan before reading the first one. This was no better. Ugh. I shall NOT be reading the final book. I simply don't care and it isn't worth my time.
BLEACH #19-20
-T. Kubo-manga
OTOGI ZOSHI #1&2
-N. Seto-manga
-these are the only 2 volumes in this series. Based off the anime, I gather, and just covers the opening chapter. Interesting.
OH MY GODDESS #26
-K. Fujishama-manga
-170-The Eater of Angels is defeated and Keiichi takes on Bell's "familiar", but it is wearing his body out, and Bell is being worn out; so Urd, Skuld and Peorth take things into their own hands to exorcise it. Ends with Kei flying out of the house to escape. While I really like the new unflipped versions, they are a little short to be paying $10.95 a volume. Sigh, the life of a fan ;-)
GENESIS OF SHANNARA: ELVES OF CINTRA
-T. Brooks-fantasy
-376-Very enjoyable. Logan takes the Ghosts under his wing, Hawk/Morph is rescued by the River Master and told his destiny. Angel meets the elves and goes off with one of the Chosen and a tracker to find the Lodenstone. They find it and 2 demons are destroyed. This story just continues to show how humanity completely fell apart. Because of the spiritual aspect of it, I can really relate. It is the worst of humanities nightmares brought forth without the hope of Jesus. Thank God there is a God and not just demons.
COMIC PARTY #1-5
-S. Inui-manga
FRUITS BASKET #17
-N. Takaya-manga
-198-Akito is a woman! and she has a crazy mother. This family just gets weirder and more and more screwed up.
Friday, August 31, 2007
August '07
ALVIN MAKER: ALVIN JOURNEYMAN
-O.S. Card-fantasy
-400-Alvin is well on his way to creating the Crystal City. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop though.
DEATHNOTE #12
-T. Ohba-manga
-210- a satisfying conclusion. Melo dies, but Near is Triumphant over Light/Kira/NewL. Light was simply over the edge, a psycho mass murderer. But in the end, I was hoping that Kira would win, to create a better world. I REALLY liked this series. Confusing, and forcing you to read VERY carefully, but oh so worth it in the end. This series is one that I am looking forward to enjoying reading again. And quite possibly again :-)
ALVIN MAKER: HEARTFIRE
-O.S. Card-fantasy
-336-A good ending, imo, to the Alvin Maker series. Alvin has gathered a group of people with knacks who believe in the Crystal City like he does. But the book ends as they are setting out. Card does not make the mistake of actually showing the Making of the City, for that will be Heaven on Earth, and no man knows how to accurately write that out.
THE HOWLING STONES
-A.D. Foster-scifi
-330- a Humanx commonwealth novel. 2 xenobiologists uncover a great power/mystery in an aboriginal tribe on a new world. Through it, one of the protagonists comes across the "great, mindless, relentless evil" that Flynx has been tasked to deal with. A good standalone novel.
FRUITS BASKET #15-16
-N. Takaya- manga
-I am getting sick of everyone feeling sorry for themselves. If it were just a couple of people, that would be one thing, but when it is EVERY single one of the Zodiac family, all feeling "bad", it gets on my nerves. Probably because I want to read encouraging, positive stories and these don't seem to be. If Tohru is supposed to be some kind of Curse Breaker/Savior for them all, she is taking her sweet time doing it. It is just weepy/girly, too much so.
NICHOLAS NICKLEBY PART I
-C. Dickens-historical fiction
-556-a man dies, leaving his wife, son[19] and daughter[15] to the mercy of his brother. Said brother is a money-loving scoundrel. The son, Nicholas, sets out to earn money to support them while the Uncle throws the daughter[Kate] into the path of a foppish nobleman and the older lord who is leaching off of him, to entice them for money's sake. Ends with Nicholas returning to London and getting into a fight with the older lord.
DRAGON AND HERDSMAN
-T. Zahn- teen scifi
-299- The best of the Dragonback novels so far. Alison comes back into the story, Jack and Drayco find a "colony" of K'da, who seem to have reverted back to animalism, and one of them bonds with Alison and becomes intelligent again. Right at the end there are "leads" that point to Alison working for Neverlin. Personally, I think she is working for Braxton. The plot starts to be less simplistic and more "Zahn'y" ;-). I really am liking this series, the more it goes on, the better!
FOOL'S RUN
-P. McKillip- scifi
-221-what McKillip has done for her fantasy novels, she does for scifi. Incredible vivid words. Swirls, colors, thoughts, emotions. All dancing, colliding, drawing away and in the end telling a good story.
JEEVES IN THE OFFING
-P.G. Wodehouse-humor
-200-yet another story about how stupid Bertie is. This series just goes to show how dumb the idle rich become. I find it funny, but not as funny as other people do, because the sheer idiocy of the characters turns me off.
FEET OF CLAY
-T. Pratchett-comedic fantasy
-249-golems make themselves a king and some kind of Ankh-morpork politics going on. And a lady dwarf. It was just odd. Funny bits, but not funny overall.
ON STRANGER TIDES
-T. Powers-fantasy
-325-magical, piratical adventures. Follows one man who is sucked into the world of pirates and magic against his will. Many of Powers ideas from The Anubis Gates are present here: reincarnation, destiny, magic. I really enjoyed this book. Maybe more so than The Anubis Gates.
CHOBITS #1
-CLAMP-manga
-183-borders on the pornographic. Will not be reading any more.
SOURCERY
-T. Pratchett-comedic fantasy
-214- the 8th son of an 8th son is a Sourcerer. This ten year old is taken over by his father [who has escaped Death, for the time being, by becoming part of his son's staff] and the End of the World is almost brought about. Rincewind the Wizzard manages to stave it off. I love the 4 Horsemen of the Apocrylipse, they crack me up!
DRAGON AND JUDGE
-T. Zahn- teen scifi
-318- Jack goes to the planet where his parents died. Finds out that they were Judge-Paladins and that someone from Braxton Universi engineered it. Drayco and Jack are discovering even more abilities, telepathy. Alison and Taneem go off to another planet and are kidnapped by Neverlin to work on cracking the safes that tell where the rendezvous point for the incoming K'da fleet is. She succeeds. Jack also rescues a Starforce pilot who then begins to infiltrate Neverlin right at the end of the book. Enjoyable.
NICHOLAS NICKLEBY PART II
-C. Dickens-historical fiction
-548-Nicholas marries Madeline, Kate marries Frank Cheeryble, Ralph hangs himself after Smikes dies. Good prevails and Evil fails.
THE AGE OF DISCOVERY: THE NEW WORLD
-M. Stackpole-fantasy
-399-The trilogy finishes, very quickly in my opinion. The problem I had with this series were the massive number of side characters, names/places/thing/positions in italics[which made them somehow special?] and he just wrapped everything up in 2 chapters. I was hoping for something a little more drawn out. Oh well. I'll still be buying it.
-O.S. Card-fantasy
-400-Alvin is well on his way to creating the Crystal City. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop though.
DEATHNOTE #12
-T. Ohba-manga
-210- a satisfying conclusion. Melo dies, but Near is Triumphant over Light/Kira/NewL. Light was simply over the edge, a psycho mass murderer. But in the end, I was hoping that Kira would win, to create a better world. I REALLY liked this series. Confusing, and forcing you to read VERY carefully, but oh so worth it in the end. This series is one that I am looking forward to enjoying reading again. And quite possibly again :-)
ALVIN MAKER: HEARTFIRE
-O.S. Card-fantasy
-336-A good ending, imo, to the Alvin Maker series. Alvin has gathered a group of people with knacks who believe in the Crystal City like he does. But the book ends as they are setting out. Card does not make the mistake of actually showing the Making of the City, for that will be Heaven on Earth, and no man knows how to accurately write that out.
THE HOWLING STONES
-A.D. Foster-scifi
-330- a Humanx commonwealth novel. 2 xenobiologists uncover a great power/mystery in an aboriginal tribe on a new world. Through it, one of the protagonists comes across the "great, mindless, relentless evil" that Flynx has been tasked to deal with. A good standalone novel.
FRUITS BASKET #15-16
-N. Takaya- manga
-I am getting sick of everyone feeling sorry for themselves. If it were just a couple of people, that would be one thing, but when it is EVERY single one of the Zodiac family, all feeling "bad", it gets on my nerves. Probably because I want to read encouraging, positive stories and these don't seem to be. If Tohru is supposed to be some kind of Curse Breaker/Savior for them all, she is taking her sweet time doing it. It is just weepy/girly, too much so.
NICHOLAS NICKLEBY PART I
-C. Dickens-historical fiction
-556-a man dies, leaving his wife, son[19] and daughter[15] to the mercy of his brother. Said brother is a money-loving scoundrel. The son, Nicholas, sets out to earn money to support them while the Uncle throws the daughter[Kate] into the path of a foppish nobleman and the older lord who is leaching off of him, to entice them for money's sake. Ends with Nicholas returning to London and getting into a fight with the older lord.
DRAGON AND HERDSMAN
-T. Zahn- teen scifi
-299- The best of the Dragonback novels so far. Alison comes back into the story, Jack and Drayco find a "colony" of K'da, who seem to have reverted back to animalism, and one of them bonds with Alison and becomes intelligent again. Right at the end there are "leads" that point to Alison working for Neverlin. Personally, I think she is working for Braxton. The plot starts to be less simplistic and more "Zahn'y" ;-). I really am liking this series, the more it goes on, the better!
FOOL'S RUN
-P. McKillip- scifi
-221-what McKillip has done for her fantasy novels, she does for scifi. Incredible vivid words. Swirls, colors, thoughts, emotions. All dancing, colliding, drawing away and in the end telling a good story.
JEEVES IN THE OFFING
-P.G. Wodehouse-humor
-200-yet another story about how stupid Bertie is. This series just goes to show how dumb the idle rich become. I find it funny, but not as funny as other people do, because the sheer idiocy of the characters turns me off.
FEET OF CLAY
-T. Pratchett-comedic fantasy
-249-golems make themselves a king and some kind of Ankh-morpork politics going on. And a lady dwarf. It was just odd. Funny bits, but not funny overall.
ON STRANGER TIDES
-T. Powers-fantasy
-325-magical, piratical adventures. Follows one man who is sucked into the world of pirates and magic against his will. Many of Powers ideas from The Anubis Gates are present here: reincarnation, destiny, magic. I really enjoyed this book. Maybe more so than The Anubis Gates.
CHOBITS #1
-CLAMP-manga
-183-borders on the pornographic. Will not be reading any more.
SOURCERY
-T. Pratchett-comedic fantasy
-214- the 8th son of an 8th son is a Sourcerer. This ten year old is taken over by his father [who has escaped Death, for the time being, by becoming part of his son's staff] and the End of the World is almost brought about. Rincewind the Wizzard manages to stave it off. I love the 4 Horsemen of the Apocrylipse, they crack me up!
DRAGON AND JUDGE
-T. Zahn- teen scifi
-318- Jack goes to the planet where his parents died. Finds out that they were Judge-Paladins and that someone from Braxton Universi engineered it. Drayco and Jack are discovering even more abilities, telepathy. Alison and Taneem go off to another planet and are kidnapped by Neverlin to work on cracking the safes that tell where the rendezvous point for the incoming K'da fleet is. She succeeds. Jack also rescues a Starforce pilot who then begins to infiltrate Neverlin right at the end of the book. Enjoyable.
NICHOLAS NICKLEBY PART II
-C. Dickens-historical fiction
-548-Nicholas marries Madeline, Kate marries Frank Cheeryble, Ralph hangs himself after Smikes dies. Good prevails and Evil fails.
THE AGE OF DISCOVERY: THE NEW WORLD
-M. Stackpole-fantasy
-399-The trilogy finishes, very quickly in my opinion. The problem I had with this series were the massive number of side characters, names/places/thing/positions in italics[which made them somehow special?] and he just wrapped everything up in 2 chapters. I was hoping for something a little more drawn out. Oh well. I'll still be buying it.
Monday, July 30, 2007
July '07
STARWARS: THE APPROACHING STORM
-A.D. Foster-scifi
-344- taking place before Attack of the Clones, it is the story of 2 Jedi and 2 Padawans forging an alliance on a world so that it doesn't secede from the Republic and draw many others with it. Obi-wan, Anakain, and Luminara Unduli and Barris Offee. This story was plodding, to put it nicely. It bordered on the "I'm not gonna finish this" line. Would never buy it, for sure.
STARWARS: MEDSTAR I: BATTLE SURGEONS
-M. Reaves & S. Perry-scifi
-309-Barris Offee is the only "Jedi" in this book. Much more medically oriented. Also ties the droid from Darth Maul: Shadowhunter in. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Not action oriented, or super Jedi oriented. Very character driven and I could see why many people wouldn't like it. I have to say, I was surprised to like it, given that I have NOT liked Reaves & Perry's previous stuff. Always nice to be surprised.
BLEACH #18
-T. Kubo-manga
-203. Ichigo rescue Rukia, but now its all about escaping.
NARUTO #1
-M. Kishimoto-manga
-187- a boy, who is training to become a ninja, finds out that his body is the holding vessel of a demon known as the 7 Tailed Fox.
DRAGON AND SOLDIER
-T. Zahn- teen scifi
-293-Jack and Draycos continue their search for the ships that destroyed Draycos' scouts. Introduces a female character who is setup so that she will obviously be in later books, investigating Jack and Draycos. I enjoyed this very much.
STARWARS: MEDSTAR II: JEDI HEALER
-M. Reaves & S. Perry-scifi
-302-the Bota is mutating itself out of usefulness. The spy is revealed and everybody leaves. I really enjoyed this series. I'd buy it if I could find it through SFBC [they no longer carry it]. Very character driven and very few instances of flashy force stuff. It ended well too.
ALVIN MAKER: SEVENTH SON
-O.S. Card-fantasy
-241-an alternate history of the USA. Frontiers time, about a boy who is the 7th son of a 7th son. He can do things, and it becomes apparent that he is to walk a greater path than most. This book ends when he is 10. There are several more in this series, I look forward to reading them.
FRUITS BASKET #14
-N. Takaya-manga
-196
NARUTO #2
-M. Kishimoto-manga
-206-I have up to volume 5 reserved at the library. I shall not be reading any more. Naruto is a spoiled brat and I feel no sympathy for him at all.
OMBRIA IN SHADOW
-P. McKillip-fantasy
-298-I still don't understand the ending at all. I understood the beginning, the middle and very close to the end. But the end? Everything got switched and I couldn't follow.
THE WHITE WITCH
-E. Goudge-historical fiction
-439- This book, the last Goudge book I plan on reading, typifies what I dislike about her. A banal, feel good, all good things are God mix. Her obvious dislike of an ordered Christian life comes through very strongly in this book. There is no such thing as "white" magic and Goudge refuses to acknowledge that. In her world there is God, "good spirits" and "bad spirits", 3 sources, not just 2. Her sentimental blather about children, nature, love, and life itself really got on my nerves. I couldn't recommend this to anyone.
THE LIGHT FANTASTIC
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-217- Rincewind, a young wizard, has 1 of the Great 8 spells in his head. His comical adventures about why he has it and how he saves Discworld. I laughed out loud at least 5 times reading this. Pratchett is just funny...
NARUTO #3
-M. Kishimoto-manga
-205-
THE FORGOTTEN BEASTS OF ELD
-P. Mckillip-fantasy
-217- a young sorceress is given a child to raise. He goes back to his father when a teen and the sorceress is caught up between her love for the boy, her love for a prince and her fear of the boy's father. Not so poetic as some of her others, but it made for an easier to understand story.
ALVIN MAKER: RED PROPHET
-O.S. Card-fantasy
-311-This takes the viewpoint of the Indian who becomes The Prophet mentioned in 7th Son. A bit too much of "redman is just SO in touch with the land and practically perfect and the whiteman is nothing but evil". Other than that, it was a good story.
ALVIN MAKER: PRENTICE ALVIN
-O.S. Card-fantasy
-342-Alvin's apprenticeship as a blacksmith, but it is also his apprenticeship as a Maker. Very good story, but a little to graphic right at the beginning.
CLAYMORE #1-2
-N. Yagi-manga
DRAGON AND SLAVE
-T. Zahn- teen scifi
-320-Jack and Drayco infiltrate a slave camp to gain access to computers with the info they need. They get the info, but not from the computers. This is a good series and it gets better with each book.
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS
-J.K. Rowling-fantasy
-759-My general thoughts. I enjoyed the book overall. However, the ending in no way diminishes Harry's pisspoor attitude ever since book 5. I have no problems with Harry Potter on a theological level, but I sure wouldn't let my kids read this series until they are well into their teens. His attitude was horrible and I wouldn't want that passed on.
In no way can Harry Potter be considered a Hero. The Protagonist, yes, Hero, no. Any and all sacrifices were because Harry was selfish and refused to believe in his friends, to trust them, to trust that what he learned about them was true. Instead of trusting what he knew about them from personal experience, he chose instead to believe half truths and lies from sources that he KNEW would twist things to their own ends.
Harry Potter is the worst kind of friend to have. He will believe the guttersnipe that tells him his friend would stab him in the back. All the while the friend has shown himself true OVER and OVER again. But does this mean anything to Harry? No. His inherent selfishness forces others to prove themselves, to Harry's satisfaction, to him over and over again.
Friend: "But Harry, I've saved your life 38.89 million times!"
Harry: "Doesn't matter. You never told me you liked red socks. You must hate me and want to really kill me cause a REAL friend would have told me that fact when we first met!"
Ridiculous, yes. But that is how things have been since The Order of the Phoenix.
The only redeeming part of this book is the end. I enjoyed it and I thought it ended the storyline satisfactorily. AND, more importantly, there is no real room for sequels, thank goodness!
THE CANDIDATE FOR GODDESS #1-5
-Y. Sugisaki-manga
THE NIGHT GIFT
-P. McKillip-teen fiction
-156- 3 highschool freshman girls spend the summer making a "happy" place in an abandoned house for the older brother of one of them who has depression issues. During this time they learn about love, heartbreak and their families.
THE HOUSE ON PARCHMENT STREET
-P. McKillip-teen fiction
-190- a young girl moves to England for a month to visit relatives. During that time, she and her cousin Bruce uncover and solve a 300 yearold mystery of a young girl's ghost. This novel, like the one above, was very much about self-discovery and finding out about other people. Enjoyable simply because they are completely different from her fantasy writings.
-A.D. Foster-scifi
-344- taking place before Attack of the Clones, it is the story of 2 Jedi and 2 Padawans forging an alliance on a world so that it doesn't secede from the Republic and draw many others with it. Obi-wan, Anakain, and Luminara Unduli and Barris Offee. This story was plodding, to put it nicely. It bordered on the "I'm not gonna finish this" line. Would never buy it, for sure.
STARWARS: MEDSTAR I: BATTLE SURGEONS
-M. Reaves & S. Perry-scifi
-309-Barris Offee is the only "Jedi" in this book. Much more medically oriented. Also ties the droid from Darth Maul: Shadowhunter in. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Not action oriented, or super Jedi oriented. Very character driven and I could see why many people wouldn't like it. I have to say, I was surprised to like it, given that I have NOT liked Reaves & Perry's previous stuff. Always nice to be surprised.
BLEACH #18
-T. Kubo-manga
-203. Ichigo rescue Rukia, but now its all about escaping.
NARUTO #1
-M. Kishimoto-manga
-187- a boy, who is training to become a ninja, finds out that his body is the holding vessel of a demon known as the 7 Tailed Fox.
DRAGON AND SOLDIER
-T. Zahn- teen scifi
-293-Jack and Draycos continue their search for the ships that destroyed Draycos' scouts. Introduces a female character who is setup so that she will obviously be in later books, investigating Jack and Draycos. I enjoyed this very much.
STARWARS: MEDSTAR II: JEDI HEALER
-M. Reaves & S. Perry-scifi
-302-the Bota is mutating itself out of usefulness. The spy is revealed and everybody leaves. I really enjoyed this series. I'd buy it if I could find it through SFBC [they no longer carry it]. Very character driven and very few instances of flashy force stuff. It ended well too.
ALVIN MAKER: SEVENTH SON
-O.S. Card-fantasy
-241-an alternate history of the USA. Frontiers time, about a boy who is the 7th son of a 7th son. He can do things, and it becomes apparent that he is to walk a greater path than most. This book ends when he is 10. There are several more in this series, I look forward to reading them.
FRUITS BASKET #14
-N. Takaya-manga
-196
NARUTO #2
-M. Kishimoto-manga
-206-I have up to volume 5 reserved at the library. I shall not be reading any more. Naruto is a spoiled brat and I feel no sympathy for him at all.
OMBRIA IN SHADOW
-P. McKillip-fantasy
-298-I still don't understand the ending at all. I understood the beginning, the middle and very close to the end. But the end? Everything got switched and I couldn't follow.
THE WHITE WITCH
-E. Goudge-historical fiction
-439- This book, the last Goudge book I plan on reading, typifies what I dislike about her. A banal, feel good, all good things are God mix. Her obvious dislike of an ordered Christian life comes through very strongly in this book. There is no such thing as "white" magic and Goudge refuses to acknowledge that. In her world there is God, "good spirits" and "bad spirits", 3 sources, not just 2. Her sentimental blather about children, nature, love, and life itself really got on my nerves. I couldn't recommend this to anyone.
THE LIGHT FANTASTIC
-T. Pratchett-fantasy
-217- Rincewind, a young wizard, has 1 of the Great 8 spells in his head. His comical adventures about why he has it and how he saves Discworld. I laughed out loud at least 5 times reading this. Pratchett is just funny...
NARUTO #3
-M. Kishimoto-manga
-205-
THE FORGOTTEN BEASTS OF ELD
-P. Mckillip-fantasy
-217- a young sorceress is given a child to raise. He goes back to his father when a teen and the sorceress is caught up between her love for the boy, her love for a prince and her fear of the boy's father. Not so poetic as some of her others, but it made for an easier to understand story.
ALVIN MAKER: RED PROPHET
-O.S. Card-fantasy
-311-This takes the viewpoint of the Indian who becomes The Prophet mentioned in 7th Son. A bit too much of "redman is just SO in touch with the land and practically perfect and the whiteman is nothing but evil". Other than that, it was a good story.
ALVIN MAKER: PRENTICE ALVIN
-O.S. Card-fantasy
-342-Alvin's apprenticeship as a blacksmith, but it is also his apprenticeship as a Maker. Very good story, but a little to graphic right at the beginning.
CLAYMORE #1-2
-N. Yagi-manga
DRAGON AND SLAVE
-T. Zahn- teen scifi
-320-Jack and Drayco infiltrate a slave camp to gain access to computers with the info they need. They get the info, but not from the computers. This is a good series and it gets better with each book.
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS
-J.K. Rowling-fantasy
-759-My general thoughts. I enjoyed the book overall. However, the ending in no way diminishes Harry's pisspoor attitude ever since book 5. I have no problems with Harry Potter on a theological level, but I sure wouldn't let my kids read this series until they are well into their teens. His attitude was horrible and I wouldn't want that passed on.
In no way can Harry Potter be considered a Hero. The Protagonist, yes, Hero, no. Any and all sacrifices were because Harry was selfish and refused to believe in his friends, to trust them, to trust that what he learned about them was true. Instead of trusting what he knew about them from personal experience, he chose instead to believe half truths and lies from sources that he KNEW would twist things to their own ends.
Harry Potter is the worst kind of friend to have. He will believe the guttersnipe that tells him his friend would stab him in the back. All the while the friend has shown himself true OVER and OVER again. But does this mean anything to Harry? No. His inherent selfishness forces others to prove themselves, to Harry's satisfaction, to him over and over again.
Friend: "But Harry, I've saved your life 38.89 million times!"
Harry: "Doesn't matter. You never told me you liked red socks. You must hate me and want to really kill me cause a REAL friend would have told me that fact when we first met!"
Ridiculous, yes. But that is how things have been since The Order of the Phoenix.
The only redeeming part of this book is the end. I enjoyed it and I thought it ended the storyline satisfactorily. AND, more importantly, there is no real room for sequels, thank goodness!
THE CANDIDATE FOR GODDESS #1-5
-Y. Sugisaki-manga
THE NIGHT GIFT
-P. McKillip-teen fiction
-156- 3 highschool freshman girls spend the summer making a "happy" place in an abandoned house for the older brother of one of them who has depression issues. During this time they learn about love, heartbreak and their families.
THE HOUSE ON PARCHMENT STREET
-P. McKillip-teen fiction
-190- a young girl moves to England for a month to visit relatives. During that time, she and her cousin Bruce uncover and solve a 300 yearold mystery of a young girl's ghost. This novel, like the one above, was very much about self-discovery and finding out about other people. Enjoyable simply because they are completely different from her fantasy writings.
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