I have been reading these books since I don't know how long and have been revisiting them again as I look for material to read my daughter. These are timeless wonderful novels. I remember the fascination with frontier and pioneer life of America when I was alittle girl. Reading them as an adult I am always charmed and interested in them.

Laura's writing is wonderful - it is packed with details not just of how they lived life, but how they made things - the recipes, the way they lit fires, made button lamps, beds, and everything. The writing is so vibrant and colourful it leaps off the page. It is wonderful that books are so transportable.

Of all the books the two I love best are Little House on the Prarie and On the Shores of Silver Lake. I think because they seemed the most hopeful and the most detailed (of all very very detailed books).

If you haven't read these then buy the whole set - they really are compelling reading, and for all the fuss about Harry Potter (which I enjoy immensely) I love these more, they are pure humanity.

I first read these books about 28 years ago. I had the whole set and loved them. I have just bought them for my daughter who is only one. I look forward to reading them to her and then, hopefully her reading them herself and enjoying them as much as I did. They don't date and I think they belong on every little girls bookshelf. The fact that they are a child's factual account of her life then is also a great introduction to children's non-fiction reading and there is so little of that around. I know that I was amazed as a child to read about people who lived without so many of the luxuries we now take for granted but were happy and close as a family.

I read "Little House in the Big Woods" for the first time when I was four years old, and have re-read the series almost every year since. Wilder's simple, straightforward language is easy for a child to read and understand alone, yet her characters and relationships have a depth and complexity that keep the stories fascinating for adult readers as well.

Perseverance, responsibility, loyalty and cooperation: these are the core values, never explicitly stated but consistently reinforced, that Wilder's characters embody. Yet all is not sweetness and light in the Ingalls family. Their struggles with bad weather, crop failure and economic troubles form a consistent backdrop for the series; and Laura's jealousy of her blonder, "prettier" sister Mary sounds a bittersweet note throughout.

These books are unique in their perspective of the American pioneer experience, and in their capturing of the wanderlust and striving that drove this family across the continent. They are quietly powerful stories that will stick with you forever... whether you are 4 or 74 the first time you read them.

William Manchester's first Churchill volume is one of those books that makes you just love to read.

This clearly isn't a book for all those who are fascinated by the mediocre and skeptical of the possibilities for true greatness. This is an unreconstructed and unapologetic look at a leader whose instincts often cut against the grain of the 20th century, but who would emerge as one of the great heroes of it, just when extraordinary leadership was needed the most.

Manchester is the rare gifted writer who has mastered the biographical craft as well as the sweeping narrative needed to succinctly encapsulate the mores and habits of an entire nation at a particular moment in time. He does this brilliantly in his introduction, about one hundred pages long, which sets the stage with a lavish description of Victorian England. This is one of the best parts of the book.

Early on, it is clear that the ambitious young Winston is headed for big things. This wasn't only because he came from one of Britain's most prominent families -- his father rose to become the second most powerful man in the government, and his mother was romantically linked to the Prince of Wales. Despite this, Manchester convinces us, successfully, that Churchill was the best of his generation, that he would have risen even from less auspicious circumstances (admittedly, this interpretation has its limits, since entire social classes were excluded from Parliament at the time).

Churchill made his career as a political maverick, changing parties not once, but twice, consistently taking positions that brought him close to political death. Yet Churchill survived -- and what's more, he turned out to be one of the most enduring political presences any democracy has ever seen. What is striking about Churchill's career is that it didn't simply culminate in 1940 after a plodding journey up the political ladder. No -- Churchill had first been elected to Parliament forty years earlier, and he rose quickly within a few years of his election. But then his career plateaud for about a quarter of a century. Here you had a man who was considered a future Prime Minister at age 30, who was in a position to be considered the heir apparent in governments of two different parties at various points from World War I until the late 1920s, and yet didn't take the next step. What happened?

The Great War and its aftermath, more than anything, foreordained Churchill's postponed "rendezvous with destiny." It was here where Churchill was the most out of step with prevailing political attitudes. Churchill held close to his heart a heroic vision of Britain, and believed deeply in the nobility of a war fought for a just cause. He also believed in the Empire, and did not think that Britain should relinquish what was already hers, even in a time of relative decline vis a vis the United States. Where most saw senseless slaughter in the trenches of France, he saw selfless heroism, a nation at its best.

The nation, or at least the political classes, did not agree with this interpretation. In a time that Walter Lippman proclaimed was "tired of greatness" and where the great fear was that Britain had overextended herself, Churchill defended greatness and Empire. In his view, strength in the service of democracy, and not blind disarmament, would prevent future wars. This view, ascendant in World War II, and in many ways, ascendant again in America today, was seen as discredited at the time, and Churchill in the 1920's repeatedly butted heads with a Conservative leadership over disarmament and withdrawal from India. The trend was so strong in the other direction that Churchill was effectively cast out of his party by the end of the 20's, and looked destined to repeat the fate of his iconoclastic father, who was cast permanently out into the political wilderness for his own apostasies.

But with this son, there would always be a second act.

William Manchester does much more here than tell the story of perhaps the greatest person of the 20th century--he transports you back to the pre-WWII England to see the events that shaped Winston Churchill's life and political destiny. You not only come away with a true sense of who Churchill was (and he truely was the hand that slammed the door to Hell during WWII)--you also gain real insight into other key British politicial figures of the day including Lloyd George, Lord Halifax, Nevile Chamberlain and many others in the context of their often-changing relationships with Winston.

I came away with a fresh perspective of the key people and geopolitical events of the time; and gained a wealth of useful historical information as well. This, and Manchester's first volume of Churchill's bigography should be required reading in any proper 20th century college-level history course. (They're crafted so well that students might actually read them!)

Beware--you will not want to put it down once you start reading; I didn't.

Manchester begins the book by describing what life for Winston Churchill was like in the 1930s. He goes into detail about Churchill's home Chartwell and the expenses Winston had to meet to live his lifestyle. Winston earned the necessary money writing histories and newspaper columns. His writing gave him not only an income, but a voice about the coming Nazi aggression that most of England was blind to.

We've seen promising political careers derailed due to self-indulgence and Churchill's career seemed just that in the 1930s. He was a young member of the cabinet in World War I, but after a principled cabinet resignation in the early 30s, he became an outsider in his own party. This didn't stop Churchill from antagonizing everyone who wouldn't listen to him. Eventually, his rise to Prime Minister in 1940 was one of history's biggest I told you sos. But it wasn't his ability as War Prime Minister that made Churchill great, according to Manchester, but his ability to see early Nazi aggression and danger when the whole world slept. Whether you agree or disagree, Manchester has created a wonderful detailed comprehensive biography of the time period.

Manchester's easy way with words, apt scholarship and detailed descriptions really bring the time period to life...

This amazingly illustrated Christmas story about a little boy who is anxiously awaiting Santa's visit on Christmas Eve. When he hears a train whistle he runs outside to meet a beautiful train which takes him to the North Pole where he is given the first Christmas present, a bell from Santa's sleigh. Sadly when he returns home he finds that the bell is missing. It had slipped through a hole in his pocket. The disappointed little boy returns to bed. On Christmas morning he opens a small box to find his sleigh bell nestled inside. The parents complement the beautiful bell. But oddly it does not make a sound. Only the little boy really knows the truth that only the people who truly believe in Santa Claus can hear the bells ring.
I love this story. I used to love having this story read to me. With the recent reading of it I remembered just how much I love the story and illustrations. The pictures are amazing, add that to the story and this book completely captures the season of Christmas. The author does a wonderful job with the miracle of Christmas. The author illustrate with word and picture the importance of the miracle of Christmas and how important it is for you to believe in that miracle. As well as all the miracles life has to offer, all it takes is a little bit of faith and imagination.

This is a book about a Christmas memory. A little boy gets woken up on Christmas Eve by a train's whistle blowing. He finds a train waiting outside his house to take him to the North Pole. When he gets to the North Pole he sees Santa and he finds out that he has been chosen to receive the first Christmas gift. All he wants is one of Santa's bells off his sleigh. He is the happiest boy until on the way home from the North Pole he realizes that there was a hole in his pocket and he has lost his bell. This really makes him upset but he wakes up on Christmas morning to find the bell as one of his presents. The thing is only people that truly believe in Santa Clause can hear the bell when it is rung.
This is a great book. It is beautifully illustrated and it really pulls in the reader. I loved it when I was little and I still love it today. I read it every year around Christmas and love it just as much every time I read it. The pictures really draw the reader in also, and they follow the story greatly. I think through this book, the author was trying to show that you have to have faith sometime. Only the ones that truly believe can hear the bell and I think that goes for a lot of things in life. I think it is a great story for children and adults of all ages.

"On Christmas Eve, many years ago, I lay quietly in my bed. I did not rustle the sheets. I breathed slowly and silently. I was listening for a sound -- a sound a friend had told me I'd never hear ...." And so begins one the of the most beautiful stories of all time. Although I am now a senior in college, The Polar Express has remained the most valued and cherished book in my ever-expanding library. A childhood Christmas gift, Chris Van Allsburg's timeless masterpiece has become a fixture at our family gatherings each and every holiday season. Every member of the family, from the youngest to the oldest, appreciates it's simple but elegant story-telling style illustrated by the soft and soothing silhouettes of Van Allsburg's full-color art. The Polar Express is the story of a young boy and his magical journey aboard a mythical train to the North Pole. The reader is taken along this incredible ride and rediscovers the true joy and pure spirit of a child at Christmas. Van Allsburg's beautiful illustrations become as important to the story as the words themselves. These life-like pictures encourage children of ALL ages to explore their own imaginations and to become active participants in the young boy's journey. In the end, the young boy has grown into an old man, but the spirit of Christmas still rings for him, "... as it does for all who truly believe." I hope you enjoy this book half as much as I do.

TEARS OF RAGE is the compelling story told by John Walsh of the trauma he and his wife Reve and family experienced when their 6-year-old Adam disappeared from a store. Walsh describes the agonizing days of the search for Adam; the torture of knowing Adam had been kidnapped and murdered; and the frustration of inept law enforcement agencies to coordinate their efforts. The reader is taken through the saga of the Walshs' struggles which finally led John Walsh to host the highly successful "America's Most Wanted." Few books have captured the intense emotion experienced by the family of a murdered child. Walsh pulls no punches. His raw honesty is refreshing. He attacks apathy and hypocrisy with ample justification: we cannot ignore the needs of helpless children. The reader is drawn into the realism of a world where evil co-exists with good, and anyone naive enough to ignore that fact may become a victim. He clearly shows that the efforts to work for the benefit of children and other victims has paid off and is continuing. Walsh is clearly a fighter who will not give up his battle to get murderers and other criminals off the streets. He urges support for victims' rights laws and support of various organizations that are helping victims. He advocates support for the proposed "The Crime Victims' Rights Constitutional Amendment." The reader is left with the feeling that in spite of everything, good people can make a difference.

John Walsh is a man of tremendous courage. He has helped countless victims, and in this book, he gives his own heartbreaking story. I cried when I watched the movie on TV, but the book gives all the details that a movie simply cannot. Everyone who cares about children should read this book, whether you are a parent or not. Reve Walsh went shopping at a local mall, and let Adam play in the toy department while she quickly went to pick up something. That is when a pedophile got a hold of Adam and took him. John takes us through this miserable journey of searching for Adam, and then the horror of learning about the way he was killed (they only found Adam's head). We find out how little law enforcement did in those days for missing children, and how one man, John Walsh, fought to change those laws. Many people would have had nervous break-downs if they went through what John Walsh did, but he chose to fight for all missing kids instead. He also gives advice to parents about keeping their kids safe. For instance, he said that parents should never hire a male babysitter, no matter how nice he seems. I thought this was a bit extreme, but he had a point. Since most child molesters are male, he feels it is best to always hire a female to take care of your children. John also gave advice on how to deal with extreme grief. He said that you should take care of yourself, eat right, work out, get enough sleep, etc. Too many people neglect themselves physically when they are in the midst of a tragedy. It is uplifting to see how John came out of the depths of despair to be the crusader he is today on America's Most Wanted. John Walsh won't rest until every last criminal and pedophile are behind bars. He is an inspiration to people everywhere.

I Especially enjoyed this book because I remember when Adam was taken, my son was 3 at the time and from that time on I was always so careful not to EVER let him out of my sight anywhere. I really feel John Walsh will never really know how many children have been saved by his story being told, but it's definitely worth telling, and hearing. I feel you can never be TOO careful where our children are concerned. I appreciated especially hearing Reve's side of the story as I had never known just what she went through. I've always had alot of respect for John Walsh from what I'd seen of him on Television, but now I feel so MUCH MORE respect for him and his wife. THanks for giving us all an insight into just how horrible it was, and helping us see just what one (or two) people can do to make a difference for children! I spent most of the time reading the book with tears running down my face, but it was definitely worth it!!

The Companions, as the author frequently calls them, are summoned by Prince Gwydion and the venerable wizard, Dallben, to undertake a perilous quest: to march into the stronghold of the evil Lord of Annuvin, to remove and destroy the black cauldron of heavy iron, which Arawn uses to spawn a vicious breed of Middle World Undead. We are pleased to meet again our old friends from THE BOOK OF THREE: Taran, the Assistant Pig Keeper, who longs to be considered a man, Princess Eilonwy with her ready tongue, the story-stretching bard with his fickle harp, and other faithful followers. Yet this book, #2 in a series of 5 Prydain Chronicles, retains its integrity when read alone.

Alas, pride and treachery are rampant in the land bordering Annuvin, whence the dark lord of evil reigns and schemes. Our hot-tempered hero must use both his wits and his heart his to gradually acquire wisdom in this difficult and dangerous odyssey. The small company of adventurers are eager to prove their valor and gain honor, yet they experience the inevitable personality conflicts. How will the companions ward off attacks by The Hunstmen and the foul Cauldron-born who do Arawn's bidding? And who can defeat the black beast that travels on Ellidyr's tattered shoulders?

Yet there is much more to this book than a mere succession of adventures, traps and twists of fate. Many serious themes bubble up between the mayhem that Alexander has set in motion. One reminded me of a later book, THE GIVER: "Give us--the nicest summer day you can remember!" Ah, but is it easy to part with something intangible like a dream or a memory which has become a part of onesself? And this black Crochan, as it is called, emanates evil and possessiveness towards those who think they own it--reminiscent of the ring in THE HOBBIT. Evil can completely dominate one's neutral or natural personality. Just how much will Taran sacrifice or allow his friends to sacrifice for him, in order to obtain and destroy the Black Cauldron?

Taran, Eilonwy, Gurgi, and Fluddur Fflam are back in another enchanting fantasy in the land of Prydain as described in The Book of Three.The companions set out on a journey to destroy the Black Crochan,a cauldron used to make cauldron- born zombies. Packed with action, wisdom, and courage, this is an excellent read for Princesses of Llyr, bards, princes and Assistant Pig Keepers the same.

In Lloyd Alexander's second book in his five-book series on the Land of Prydain, our brave young antagonist, Taran Wanderer, the Assistant Pig-Keeper of Caer Dallben, joins the battle host led by the honorable Prince Gwydion of Don in its quest to liberate and destroy the evil Black Crochan, an enormous iron cauldron. It is in this kettle that the dark lord, Arawn of Annuvin, creates the Cauldron-Born, his indestructible warriors, from the corpses of men. He who controls the Crochan, wields the power. Taran and his comrades must face witches in the Marshes of Morva and some surprising traitors before the climatic conclusion of this story.

Alexander weaves a masterful tale of good versus evil, with Taran wedged between, forced to choose time and again between right and wrong, loyalty and self-preservation, or blind obedience and moral obligation. This second book notches up the excitement. The plot is more curvy and better-conceived than book one. Taran's burden grows as does his reputation. Taran is one of the strongest and most likeable characters of all time, and as readers we begin to question his true origins. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes

A Twist of Fate accurately reflects the critical struggle many artists face as they seek to find their fortune in the over glorified music industry. Robyn Williams readily demonstrates the strength of over-ambitious characters who are driven to reach the type of super-star status that many others only dream about. I thought these characters were true-to-life, heartwarming, and very believable as they went through all their ups and downs. I really enjoyed the way the author showed Sam and Ashela's bad sides and not just their good ones. I was able to relate to the best friend, Kyliah, simply because I myself am bi-racial. Even this aspect of the book was realistic as it portrayed the pains that many of us experience as children. I felt A Twist of Fate was certainly an enjoyable read. I thought the writing was remarkable and I couldn't bring myself to put the book down.

Finally! A serious story with heavy tones of romance that even a brotha can relate to. From a male perspective, A Twist of Fate was an awesome book to read. I heard the author on the Tom Pope radio station and liked what she had to say. (Anyone who has the tenacity to mortgage their home to self-publish their book and then turn around and sell them door-to-door out of the trunk of their car, definitely gets my respect!) After reading Ms. Williams' second book, I'm givin' her much props. Sam Ross was a positive male role model and icon that men will certainly relate to just as I'm sure women will relate to Ashela. I think what I enjoyed most about this book, aside from the love scenes, were the intriguing sub-plots that Ms. Williams wove into the story line. The music business is a fascinating industry in itself so the topic of the book was right on target. Even the way the author chose to have music lined throughout the story was another plus for me. As a music lover, what jazz fan doesn't love Grover Washington? I also enjoyed the feel of chemistry that Sam and Ashela had for one another. In a time when people assume that chivalry is dead, A Twist of Fate is a most refreshing read because it sheds positive light on the fact that men and women can make their relationships work when there's honesty and communication! I'll certainly purchase Ms. Williams first book, Preconceived Notions. If it's as good as A Twist of Fate, I look forward to reading it.

Robyn Williams' novel, A Twist of Fate is the first book I've read in a long time and it gave me a feeling that I have been missing out on a lot of fun reading. She deserves recognition for this literary masterpiece! It's filled with passion, wit, and a profound understanding of the inner workings and machinations of the characters herein. Williams paints a very accurate, real life picture of the way power and money tend to corrupt. Ashela Jordan is a naïve but talented individual seeking her own brand of success. She has all the odds against her, but overcomes them and succeeds. Sam Ross, on the other hand, is a man who does not lose his individuality in a crowd and one who has the courage of his convictions. Together, they provide the perfect mixture of sensuality and complexity which makes them memorable characters. I really enjoyed the ending because it was realistic and not the typical "all questions answered" type. A Twist of fate stimulates the reader's imagination and is worth buying in hardcover.

When I was in 5th grade, I picked up my first DL book, Dragons of Autum Twilight. I wasn't much of a reader, meaning I thought books were boring. Then came my friend and suggested that I read these books. Needless to say, I couldn't put them down. Now some 12 or 13 years later and after countless hours of reading, I still have to find a book that even comes close. I haven't read these three books in a long time, but now that I have found this site, you can be assured that I will read them once again and agian. I myself have turned many people on to these books and they all feel the same way that I, and many other people do. If you are reading this and have not yet read the trilogy, stop right now and go to your nearest bookstore and try to find them, or order from here. You will not regret it.

I started out reading Dragonlance a few years ago and with the instructions of my friend, I went to the bookstore in search of a book "with a red dragon and a bunch of people on the cover." Upon reading the first of the Chronicles, I zipped off to the bookstore, bought the 2nd two, bought Legends and pretty soon I ended up with over 50 of the Dragonlance saga novels/novellas/anthologies. I was so mesmerized, enthralled, captivated, and in love with the world and its people (and most definitely its creators) that I found a RARE edition of the compilation (Collector's Edition) of the Chronicles and that of Legends and bought them just to keep them nice and fresh looking! An absolute 10! Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman at their very best! Nothing can come even close to comparing with Dragonlance! A marvelous read - spell-binding and enthralling! A great book!

The Dragonlance Chronicles is one of those rare books which has the same effect and offers the same degree of novelty on the reader no matter how many times he/she has read it before. It drags you inside the world it creates and makes you feel the wonder and excitement its characters feel. It makes you a part of its great adventure. I always tell my friends that if they haven't read The Dragonlance Chronicles, then they haven't really experienced the real essence of fantasy literature. In fact, after I read this wonderful book, all other contemporary fantasy books paled in comparison. The Dragonlance Chronicles is not just the best in the genre of fantasy books, it can definitely hold its own when compared to other books of fiction as well.

When I finished this book, I got up and left the room in search of a tissue...and I'm not often moved to tears by a book! While Sybill is initially a difficult character to warm up to, in the end -- and thanks to Nora Roberts skill -- we not only understand her, we've come to care for her, just as we have all the wonderful characters in this series. INNER HARBOR is moving, quite funny in parts (Anna is in rare form again), full of surprises, and altogether too excellent to miss. But be sure to read its predecessors first!

I really enjoyed this book and am starting to re-read it. But, first I had to read the first two books of this trilogy. For some reason, wasn't previously interested in these books, but decided to try this last one when it came out, and after I read it ran out and bought the others. I loved reading about all three adult Quinn brothers (and the women they met) - maybe some day there will be a book about Seth so we can find out how they all turned out. (I just wonder, tho, how children could really live the way the Quinns did when they were boys. I would hope such child abuse would be discovered.) But, still, thank you, Nora Roberts for writing these interesting books!

A superbly sensitive book full of love, hope, and humour. Phillip Quinn's reaction to his deceased father's ghost was perfect and gave him a chance for closure. The book accurately shows that money can not buy happiness or love. Dr. Sybill Griffin is wonderful as the latest of the Quinn women. She is perfect for Phillip. The revelation of Seth's true relationship to raymond Quinn was great. It would have been so easy to bungle it and make it look silly but Nora Roberts comes through again. With her talent for vivid characters and fabulous story, I eagerly await her next novel. Jennifer Thrower

This book, The Count of Monte Cristo, is an engrossing tale of loyalty, revenge, and obsession that can still teach lessons today. Edmond Dantes seems set for life: the young man is now the captain of a ship, his best friends are his father and his boss, Morrel, and he is set to be married to a beautiful girl named Mercedes. But two men, Danglars and Fernand, are jealous of him for different reasons (Danglars for his job, Fernand for his fiancee). This jealousy comes in the form of a conspiracy so that both will be benefited: a letter is written saying that Dantes is a Napoleonic agent (he is not). He is further crossed by the ambitious magistrate de Villefort, who destroys the only piece of evidence because it implicates his father and sends him to prison, using the Napoleonic phobia of the time. While there, he meets the brilliant yet enigmatic Abbe Faria, who teaches him several languages and they collaborate on how to escape. The Abbe has an attack, he tells Dantes to leave without him, so he does. But before the Abbe dies, he tells Dantes about the magnificent treasure of Monte Cristo, and then the adventure begins as Dantes gets the treasure and lives extravagantly for a while, then he comes to pay vengeance to his enemies and rewards to his friends. This book is quite long, but I could not imagine it being shorter: it is the perfect size for the story. This is one of the best books of all time for a reason, and I would highly recommend it to anybody interested in adventure.

The Count of Monte Cristo is the best book I've read in quite a long while. I wasn't expecting it to be. Frankly, I tend to have low expectations for 19th-century European novels in regard to sheer readability. Like vegetables and trips to the dentist, they tend to be more good for you than simply good. Add in the fact that the unabridged version is over 1000 pages, and I felt sure that the Count would be a somewhat difficult companion.

Nothing could be farther from the truth! Edmond Dantes' adventures kept me fully engrossed from beginning to end. I was disappointed to turn the final page, left longing for more.

If you've seen a movie version of Count of Monte Cristo, expect surprises. I had seen both the Richard Chamberlain and Jim Caviezel versions before reading the book (mmmm . . . Jim Caviezel), but neither were entirely true to the storyline or the mood of the original.

Edmond himself is a thoroughly satisfying and seductive hero. (The reader must take with a grain of salt the numerous references to his drug habit; at the time, opium was unfortunatly de rigeur for a Romantic hero.) The secondary characters are equally engrossing, from the admirable Maximilian Morrel to the villainous Danglars; and the ingenious machinations by which Edmond contrives to reward the deserving and doom the guilty make the chapters fly by.

I would encourage everyone to be sure and get the unabridged version of this masterpiece. It is by no means slow or ponderous, and the thought of what must be left on the cutting room floor to reduce this book to half its size makes me wince.

If you enjoy literature, then you must read The Count of Monte Cristo. In this book, a young sailor named Edmond Dantès is arrested on false charges of treason. He spends the next fourteen years in prison trying to figure out how to exact complete revenge on his enemies. Once he gets out of prison he begins his quest for vengeance. The author, Alexandre Dumas, portrays this struggle for vengeance by mixing action and serenity together. By using both, Dumas makes the character seem like a real person. Throughout the entire book I felt like I knew Edmond Dantès feelings. Dumas' writing style made Edmond Dantès come alive. Instead of being on the outside watching in, I felt like I was in the middle of all the action. By making the reader feel like a part of the book, Dumas gets the reader involved in the plot; this makes the reader not want to stop reading. The Count of Monte Cristo continually makes you think about the characters and the plot. As the reader, I observed a great battle of intellect between the main characters, and this strife makes the book enjoyable to read. You constantly wonder who will get the upper hand. This book, with its many levels, will make a reader lose him or her self in the book. I read the abridged edition, which sometimes made me feel like I had missed an important detail or event. Other than this small drawback, I enjoyed the book thoroughly. I recommend The Count of Monte Cristo to anyone who enjoys reading books with an entertaining story and believable plot.

Reading all of the reviews so far for this book you'd think it was the greatest fantasy ever written. Well, I'm here to tell the truth . . . It's a good read, but could have been better. I found elements of the plot shallow, and often only a semi-tangible relationship the game. A problem which gets worse as the series goes on. I am a serious magic player, and therefore am very critical of a work such as this. In closing though, for the price of a paperback, it's worth the read . . . just don't expect greatness.

When I first picked up Arena I was into Magic:the Gathering and I was into books. This was the ideal Magic fighting book, but I never expected it to be this good. It is more than that, however, Arena has a great plot to it. It is a mystery also, who is this Garth One Eye, and where did he get his exeptional powers? What is his intrest in the fifth house? From the opening fireball to the final drain life this story sucks you in and doesn't let go. This is a must read for all Magic fans.

I first borrowed this book from a friend of mine, because I was bored and wanted something to read. I could barely put it down, and then only because I had to. The story of Garth One-Eye and his companions is an enthralling read. Once I finished my friend's copy, I tracked down the book at my favorite bookstore, and got a copy of my own. Anyone who is a fan of fantasy should read this book.