This is one of the finest examples of a near future science fiction book I have read. The mixture of great science fiction with a wonderful examination of prejudice and its impact on a struggling society casts a light on the world of today. The characters are unusual, and develop in a very interesting and non-obvious way. I highly recommend Harmony.

A wonderful tale of exploration, of good and evil, of science and religion, of primitive and sophisticated cultures, of humans and aliens. Full of complexities and paradoxes, this is a really compassionate story of human choices in the face of hardship. Good SF. Not really fast paced, but moves right along, full of suspense. A great pity it is out of print.

Note: this is definitely one or two classes above the later "Dragon quartet" by the first author which, although not really bad, is much more one-dimensional and is pure fantasy, a much easier genre to write.

-and found a mystery as old as time...

Were the Sawls the friendly, primative people they seem to the marooned Terran scientific and mining expedition? Or did their mazelike Cave cities house secrets humans weren't meant to learn? Would conventional Terran science ever explain the baffling extremes in the planet's weather? Or should the expedition pay more attention to the Sawl myths of rival Godesses, warring with fire and flood?

The Terrans were seeking both knowledge and minerals, but on Fiix knowledge could be as deadly as the weather - and could force humans to choose sides in a battle that would prove the salvation - or the end - of the Sawls...

My younger sister found this book first,but once I read the back, I knew I would not be able to resist reading it. Dragons are a favorite fantasy topic of mine, and "Earth" didn't let me down. The characters are wonderfully rich, and the scenery is so well-described that I can actually believe that I'm there

This is the first book I have ever read about Dragons. I loved it. I am hooked and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. If you want another great read try other books written by Marjorie B Kellog (esp. Lears Daughters).

I purchased this book while I was still in high school. I adored it. Not only did the girl on the front look like me, she was my age and had the same temprament as I did also. It is not only a story about dragon lore, the character in this book, Erde, evolves as the story develops. From a slightly selfish, self doubting child into a mature, questioning adult as the story progresses. I have all three books so far. It would be a wonderful read for anyone. I loaned it to my little sister, and she almost didn't give it back. The midival setting is depicted well along with the witch suspicion that is highlighted in this first installment of the epic. I would recomend this to anyone who was just looking into fantasy, or an experienced reader in this grenre.

"Like the Lion's Tooth" is a quick, spare story (147 pages) that revolves mostly around the 11-year-old protagonist (Ben) and his family. They are continuously playing a cat-and-mouse game with their abusive father by packing up and moving whenever he leaves for work overseas; yet he always tracks them down when he returns to the States, and the cycle of abuse resumes from there.

When things finally get out of hand, Ben's mother considers it best if he and his older brother Ray go to a special school for troubled teens so his parents can "work things out". Although relationships in this family aren't too strong, this arrangement severs quite a few ties, particularly between Ben and his autistic younger brother Philip, who later faces a grim fate at the end of this book. Although Philip was pretty much a shadow throughout this book, he was one of my favorite characters. Another favorite was Julie Williams, one of a handful of oddly-placed characters that run in and out of Ben's life. She was abandoned by her father at a young age and consequently ended up at the school Ben's attending. Ever since she's been physically chasing men that resemble her father, yet she can never seem to catch up to them.

I thought this book gave a captivating, realistic look at domestic violence. However, even though it's apparently geared for young adults, I don't consider this book appropriate for most kids. For starters, the writing is a little hard to comprehend; even I had some difficulty following the plot--it switches back and forth sporadically between the past and present, making it quite confusing at times. Also, the content might be a little too disturbing or graphic for younger or more sensitive readers since it involves some physical and sexual abuse.

I did like that there weren't any chapters, just intervals. It was relatively easy to speed through that way. I was also surprised this book was written 30 years ago. It doesn't seem outdated at all. Sadly, though, the topic of child abuse will always be relevant, so I doubt this one will be placed on the shelf and forgotten.

Recommended for adults or more advanced teenage readers.

Yes, I have read this book as req1uired reading in college.
This is the first and last book that I have ever cried. I read this book in one night and after over ten years, I still remember it as it was my favorite.

The plot of this book is excellent, the characters are well-rounded and realistic, and the writing style is VERY engaging. It's a fantasy novel, but not the normal "magician against dragon" plot you normally see. The novel stuck in my mind for several months as one I wanted to reread, and I was SO excited when I found "The Book of Fire".

My only complaint about "Water" is that when N'Doch is narrating, it's in present tense, and when Erde is narrating, it's in past tense, which makes for rather awkward reading at times. But overall, I highly recommend this series.

'In the Beginning, four mighty dragons raised of elemental energies were put to work creating the World. They were called Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. No one of them had power greater than another, and no one of them is powerful alone. When the work was completed and the World set in motion , the four went to ground, expecting to sleep out this World's particular history and not rise again until World's End.' -from the beginning of The Book of Earth by Marjorie B. Kellogg

This is a fantastic series of dragon novels that let's you follow the Dragon's and their Guides adventures one at a time. I can't wait until The Book of Fire and The Book of Air are finished. Hopefully very soon! Enjoy you're reading and have fun! : )

I have been extreamly impressed with this whole series so far. The main characters, N'doch & Erde are very believable & well writen. The author, Marjorie B. Kellogg makes you belive her dragons are real. The Book of Water has a good plot & leaves you with an air of mystery at the end. At the first of the book I was a little unsure because it didn't start exactly where the last one left off, but I was not dissapointed. Also, like every one else who has read this book, I can't wait for the next to come out.

This quirky story about three disabled people who decide to live together in a nice bungalow in the suburbs offers beautiful insight on the quest to be "normal." I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to explore what it means to be vastly different.
Great for a Disability Literature class or for any literature class.

The emotional and sexual intricacies explored in this story would make this a difficult book for young readers to appreciate and I was somewhat shocked to find it listed in the "Children's" (young adult) category. But for those who are mature enough it is a rewarding, if heartbreaking, read.

I first read this book when I was in 7th grade. That was 34 years ago and I still have it - yellowed with age and every other page held together with tape and clear packaging tape all over the cover. That must give you some idea how much I cherish this book. I have read it several times over the years, reliving the warmth I felt from the first time I read it. The story is so quirky that the reader will enjoy it simply as a narrative adventure full of unexpected twists and turns. Woven into the story is a lesson about embracing our own uniqueness, loving others for their unigueness, and appreciating each person's difference. It is a story of loving in the absence of love, learning tolerance in the absence of tolerance, and overcoming obstacles even when overwhelmed by obstacles. This story was a beacon during the my difficult teenage years and has been a guding light for the 34 years since I first read it.

So far I have read the entire series, and of course am waiting for the last. But "Fire Dragon" left me feeling disheartened, and angry. I found it to be well written, but there are far too many cliche's. When I finished I had basicly two main trains of thought, the first being that *of course* the guy would go to the most *beautiful* girl in the story. Not the one who saved his life, over and over. Not the one who took all the mental battering, and who even sold her beloved broach so that he may find his redemption in his old mentor's sword. Nope, not poor Erde... And Paia's explanation...well you "might as well ask the sun not to shine." So much for camaderie in Dragon Guides! My other train of thought was: how many guys does Erde have to go through, only to find out that it was always *only* a crush, or so completely one-sided! I mean, just how many more guys will it take before she completely swears off love and men forever??? I pity her, and I feel that Marjorie Bradley Kellogg is *Very* misleading when it comes to Erde's heart. With the ending of each book she gives the promise of hope or heartache...only to have her heart dashed repeatedly!! Just what is this...am I to assume that because Erde is young her feelings are immature, and meaningless?? I am hoping for something much better in the last...like a futuristic train that cripples both Paia, and the Baron Kothen. Maybe even a little joy for Erde...who knows, at least she still has N'Doch, the Lady Air, and Earth, her true and great friend.

Ok, here's how the story goes: One year for my birthday, my friend was looking for a gift for me; she told her aunt that I loved reading. Her aunt said, "Why don't you give her one of my friend's new novel and see if she likes it?". This is how it all started. I love this entire series and I can't wait until the final one comes out. However, this book was very dissapointing, not for the plot twist but for the way Ms. Kellogg portrays Erde. I do agree with the other reviewers that N'Doch improves greatly, but Erde is very annoying in my opinion! I love Erde in the first two books, but in this one, she is a love sick puppy and annoys the heck out of me. Overall tho, this book is good, but definately read the first two to understand the series!

I'd like to say that I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a good addition to an excellent Quartet.I liked that she gave old characters more depth and all the little plot twists in the story would have kept me on the edge of my seat had i not looked ahead. I wasn't very happy with the ending though. Not because it was badly written but because i just thought it was so unfair. I can so far only see two ways that can turn out and the one that seems most likely in my opinion, I don't like. But aside from that I think it's one of the best series i've read and I'm gunna have alot of fun trying to figure out all the ways this story could turn out. But I can only keep doing that for so long before i start to go insane, so I really, really hope that the next book comes out soon so i can see how close my speculations were to the actual ending. All in all a good book in an excellent series that's being dragged on to eternity