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.

If memory serves me correctly, I discovered Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House" books around the age of seven. I do remember being the envy of my third-grade classmates when I received the entire boxed set AND "On The Way Home" for Christmas. Of course, newer generations only know Laura from the TV series, which, as an earlier reviewer remarked, was the epitome of schmalzy, rose-glassed views of pioneer life, but interestingly enough included some real incidents Laura never put in the books (the death of the baby brother and living in the hotel). The books, however, still stand the test of time. True, some of the harsher elements of frontier life are glossed over to an extent--these are books aimed at kids, after all--but overall the books are an fascinating study of life on the prairie in the post-Civil War years. Much like Harry Potter, the Little House books can be read and enjoyed by adults. My only quibble with the books is that I've always felt that there should have been another book between "On The Banks of Plum Creek" and "On The Shores of Silver Lake," since there's a jump of about five years between the two. According to some of Laura's biographers, however, Laura's family had some rough experiences during that time, so that might explain the lack.

Still, there's a reason these books are classics--the descriptions are top-notch, they're moralistic without smacking you over the head, and they're just plain fun to read. I still have the boxed set (not the same one I got for Christmas, alas), and on snowy days in my own little house I find myself curled up in front of the fire with "Farmer Boy" or "These Happy Golden Years." Enjoy!

I got my first set of Little House Books when I was 8. I read through all of them from start to finish and loved everyone of them. One day while surfing Amazon's site, I found out the series was continued with Laura's daughter Rose. So here I am, 24, running to the childrens section buying the whole new series. I was so happy that someone took the time to expand the books I almost cried. I always had wondered what happened to the Ingalls/Wilder family. My 16 year old, dog eared copies of the original series will go with my brand new Rose books, to my daughter someday. They are on my bookshelf!

Churchill probably ranks as one of the most enigmatic world leaders of the century: bordering on manic-depressive, at once reckless and calculating, egotistical and completely convinced of his own place in history, Churchill seems to defy definitive analysis. But William Manchester makes the best attempt yet. His biography is readable and entertaining as well as profound in its analysis. He brings a wide range of tools, deftly handled, to the work: psychology, history, political and military sciences, and sensitive cultural understanding. With refreshing penetration, he re-examines critical successes and failures, such as the Dardanelles, the invasion of Norway, and the evacuation from Dunkirk. Manchester writes with critical compassion, and rarely excuses Winston's faults without providing evidence. The prose is, if mildly archaic like Winston's own, heroic and rolling. It is a book that will be greatly enjoyed by those who love William Shirer's "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" and similar historical works which challenge a wide range of intellectual faculties

"The Last Lion: Alone, 1932-1940," the second of William Manchester's projected three-volume biography of Winston Spencer Churchill, continues telling the story of the life of the 20th century's greatest statesman. This volume covers the eight-year period from the beginning of Churchill's longest period in the political "wilderness," to his rise to power as Prime Minister of Great Britain at the beginning of World War II. I think this book is even better than the first volume, "The Last Lion: Visions of Glory, 1874-1932." Manchester contends that the inter-war years, and not his years as Prime Minister, were Churchill's personal "finest hour." Politically ostracized by two successive Prime Ministers - Stanley Baldwin and Neville Chamberlain, the main architects of Britain's policy of appeasing Nazi Germany - Churchill was one of only a handful of men in Britain to speak out in favor of increased military preparedness as a means of countering the growing Nazi threat in Europe. Only when it became obvious in the late 1930s that the appeasement of Hitler had failed, did the British nation turn to the one man who had consistently advocated standing up to the Nazi dictator: Winston Spencer Churchill

As he did in the first volume of Churchill's life, Manchester provides an insightful historical overview of the times in which Churchill lived. Especially fascinating to me was the account of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's 1938 trip to Munich, where the most infamous act of appeasing Hitler - the sellout of Czechoslovakia - took place, and where Chamberlain believed he had achieved "peace in our times."

"The Last Lion: Alone, 1932-1940" once again clearly demonstrates why William Manchester is one of the pre-eminent biographers at work today. The book is written with obviously meticulous scholarship, insightful analysis, and crisp, sparkling prose; I have yet to find a better account of Churchill's life. Now, if only Mr. Manchester would give us that third volume . . .

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...

In his introduction to his selection of ghost stories, Roald Dahl notes just how hard it is to create a true classic in children's literature. Out of the hundreds to thousands of children's books written every year, maybe one or two (in a good year) retain a large audience. The Polar Express is one of these rare volumes--and deservedly so.

Chris Van Allsburg's holiday classic is full of lovely illustrations. One can feel the chill of a long ago Christmas Eve, the warmth of the inside of the train, the vastness of the Polar landscape. Yet, the real attraction with The Polar Express is its timeless, haunting story. Like the last echoing strains of the sweetest ringing bell, this story will stay with you long after you are done reading.

With all the "stuff" that has come to surround and obscure Christmas--this story, of a boy who finds wonder in the face of surrounding disbelief, is a perfect book to read during the season.

I give it my full recommendation.

"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.

Oh, what a beautiful book this is! I've owned this book for over fifteen years, and every year during the holiday season I take it down from the shelf and read it, and I am immediately taken back into time. For the few minutes that it takes me to read this book I once again become a child full of wonder and innocence. I begin to believe in the magic of the holiday season, and yes, for a moment I even believe in Santa Claus again.

This is the story of a boy lucky enough to ride The Polar Express to the North Pole on one magical night to see Santa Claus and his elves. While the destination is exciting, the real fun is riding in this train full of children, all dressed in their pajamas and snacking on cookies and milk. The story is beautifully told by Chris Van Allsburg, but the real reason why reading this book is an annual tradition for me is the brilliance of the illustrations. The pictures are painstakingly detailed, especially the beautiful images of the train, the light from the stars in the sky, and the fallen snow.

While Santa Claus is incorporated into the story and the illustrations, he is not the focal point. The crux of this book centers around this train, the wintery environment, and the youthful magic that makes it all so special.

I am now 22-years-old, and this book is just as compelling for me today as it was when I was 5. I look forward to the day when I will have children of my own and will be able to make it an annual tradition to read this book to them. This book is a must-have for anyone's personal library, especially if you are a parent, a child, or a child-at-heart like me. I give this book the highest of recommendations.

"Tears of Rage" is a compelling look at John Walsh's tragedy and triumph as an advocate for missing children: the legal and personal heart break he and his family had to endure after his only son, Adam,6, was kidnapped from a Florida shopping mall and murdered. The charismatic Walsh proved that one person can make a difference. As host of "America's Most Wanted" he has been a crusader for children and adults alike, making this a safer world for all of us. "Tears of Rage" will remind you just how important it is to stay close to your children and family, remind them how much you love them and always be there for them and to protect them. John Walsh is an exemplary role model and a man's man, as he has proven in keeping America safer for all of us. One man who made a difference through his own personal tragedy and has gone on to triumph.

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.

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.

This is one of the best of Alexander's Prydain series--definitely an improvement over _The Book of Three_, which was pretty good itself. Once again, Taran has to make tough choices between seeking fame as a hero or just trying to get the job done. His quest for the Black Cauldron, which can be used to reanimate the bodies of slain warriors to create an army of invulnerable zombies and thus must be destroyed if the power of Arawn Death-Lord (i.e., Sauron) is to be broken, takes him and his companions to the Marshes of Morva for a rendezvous with Alexander's offbeat version of the three Fates, one of whom, Orgoch, has some disturbing culinary tastes. As so often happens in Alexander, Taran can win the Cauldron only by giving up his most precious possession. Will he make the sacrifice? And what will he choose? Read this exciting, moving, and thought-provoking adventure to find out.

I saw this book in a book sale our class was having and I bought in on the spot! I'd already read The High King and I had been searching for all of the other Chronicles of Prydain. Right now, I'm searching for the movie that Disney made out of this book.

This story all starts when it becomes evident to Prince Gwydion that The Black Cauldron-- the tool which Arawn, the Lord of Death, uses to create deathless warriors which will forever be his slaves-- must be destroyed. Gwydion leads the quest to Annuvin, Arawn's domain, in hope of finding and destroying the Black Cauldron. But it is a surprise in store for Taran, Eilonwy, Gwydion, and everyone else, including the Death Lord hinself, when they get there and find out that the cauldron has disappeared!

I discovered Lloyd Alexander quite by accident while browsing through a shelf of books. From the moment I picked this book up I could not put it down. Taran is a wonderful character whose high hopes for fame and glory any reader can understand to some extent. I love Princess Eilonwy and how she was every bit as independent as any man. All of Mr. Alexander's stories that I have read have strong female characters, but Eilonwy is my favorite. Gurgi can always make me laugh and I love the way he talks ("crunchings and munchings") The story of the Black Cauldron is my favorite of all the Chronicles of Prydain.

This is one of, no the best book I have ever read. Ashela, Sam, and Kyliah were well developed characters. I could not put this book down. I read Preconceived Notions, and loved it also, but Twist of Fate is by far Robyn's best book. I am so proud to call her a friend. I can easily picture this book as a movie, a movie that I would go see over and over again. I will definitely reread this book, over and over again. My book club, (the Black Book Club Online) will read this book in May, and I can't wait to see if everyone loves this book as much as I do (I'm sure they will). The information on the music industry was so accurate, that I had to remind myself that the book wasn't real. Robyn, I want to thank you for writing a book that I have truly loved, from start to finish. Keep up the good work girl. I know, and I hope you know, that you are going places far.

Well folks, Robyn has done it again. She really knocked my socks off with "Twist of Fate." I loved the way she took the lead character, Ashela Jordan, through so many trials and tribulations only to have victory in the end. Ashela had such a strong spirit to endure everything that she did. Through the midst of it all, she meets a strong black man named Sam Ross. They have the type of relationship that only people dream about and the romance........well you have to check the book out yourself! I read this book in one weekend. As SIZZLING HOT as it was, I just couldn't put it down. It has been a while since I read a page-turner such as this book. Robyn Williams is truly a talented author and I can't help comparing her to the likes of Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, and Terri McMillian. Though she has her own style that no other can touch with a ten foot pole, Her name will be among the great authors. I can't wait for the next book. Keep up the FABULOUS work Robyn :-)

I can't say enough about Robyn Williams' A Twist of Fate. She provides the reader with a complex view of love and relationships from a refreshing perspective. Ashela Jordan is her most appealing creation: beautiful, intelligent, tough, and secure. We are with her from the moment her music aspirations are obliterated to her fantastic rise to the heights of a successful songwriting career. Sections about the senator and the drug addict's obsession were truly ingenious. Who would have ever thought of this? I was completely wrapped up in this book, even the friend's death scene surprised me. How horrible, I was crying so hard. I was, however, not a fan of the ending. If the ending had been different, I would have been more pleased. I would have liked to have known how Sam reacted to the knowledge that he had a three-year old son. I would have liked to have seen him grovel a bit more before Ashela accepted him back into her life, and I would like to have known more about how Kyliah and Arron ended up. All in all, A Twist of Fate has just the right combination of suspense and erotica to keep the reader enthralled from cover to cover.

I bought the 1st novel in the Dragonlance Chronicles. I read it. I became the biggest fan of Dragonlance and now I try to keep up with every new book Weis & Hickman writes. They're just GREAT!!! I never enjoyed so much reading a book! I LOVE this series! You start reading and get into a so magical and exciting world... you'll never want to stop reading! It has what every book should have: beautiful descriptions of places, characters.. it is EXCITING... it is funny... I just wish Maragaret & Tracy will keep writing great books as the Dragonlance Chronicles. By the way: if you play AD&D and haven't read the Chronicles yet - be ashamed!!! It's the mother of all fantasy books! Tolkien has some serious competition here! I TRUELY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK. Email me if you have doubts..

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.

Dragonlance is by far the most obsessively wonderous and complex series I've seen. It was (and still is) a great honor (saluris?) to experience the environment of Krynn. I found myself reading the entire histories of all the characters (just finished tying Theros in with Chronicle I) and staring at the atlas, making minor additions such as Mudhole in the East Warrens of Thorbardin. My compliments to Fonstad, by the way. This series, in its entirety, is a must read for anyone who has imagination enough to dream. I can never type the words to do this story justice, however, I will say that the words flow like thought, the depth of characters is unbelievably accute, and in the books that branch off from the Chronicles, so far, I have only found one singular disparity in the entire series. Chronicle I, page 317, lines 9-11. (refer to Kindred Spirits, Meetings Vol.1.) That's probably sad to be able to spot that, but that is how this compelling story grips and doesn't let go. Thank you Weis and Hickman.

In this conclusion to the trilogy, Roberts once again makes us laugh till our sides ache and cry our hearts out, often within the same page. She has a wonderful knack of getting to the core of each character and placing them directly into our view. I see Ray Quinn, the recently dead father, so clearly in my mind, and he only makes about 5 appearances. That's what she does best--makes all of the characters real. However, I did note that in this book, and also in "The Reef", Roberts is repeating a few of her characters. Sybill Griffin reminds me of a cross between Dr. Rebecca Knight in "The Fall of Shane McKade" and Sydney Hayward in "Luring a Lady". Not that I didn't enjoy both characters in each of their stories, but it was definitely a touch of deja vu when reading this story. I can also tell there's a fine line between the explicit descriptions of J.D. Robb and the sexual abuse described in the trilogy. Nonetheless, I will still continue to recommend her to every person I know and continue to haunt every bookstore until I have every book she has ever written. They, as is she, are exceptional.

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

= Wonderful!!!! NR has done it again!
Reviewer: Jojo from Oklahoma
Wow, I really needed this one after the heavy stuff I've been reading lately. I enjoyed 'Inner Harbor' immensely. It's a very well written, heart-warming family story. Well.... ok, maybe you wouldn't want your kids reading the sex scenes! ha! Those were pretty hot... (that wasn't the focus of the book though)! :) I had read the first 2 in this trilogy (Sea Swept & Rising Tides) quite some time ago; Not sure why I didn't finish up with this one. I remember really enjoying this whole family in those 2 books also but, if I remember correctly, this is the best of the series. This had a great story for Sybill (our leading lady). Watching her come to terms with her own past & self-defense mechanisms was just great; She surely wasn't perfect in some of her past decisions, but she did a lot of growing, admitted her own mistakes, & worked to correct them as best she could. I loved the way Phillip kind of just pushed her along in this relationship; It was fun & the relationship obviously wasn't going to happen any other way. I also love the secondary characters (as with most of NR's books); They add so much to the story. I won't say this is exactly a light read - there are some real hard truths about real lives in it, but the focus of the book is not about that, it's about growing past it. Once again, NR could make me fall in love with the main characters & really want to spit at the bad ones! :) I do suggest, however, that these books be read in order, the story builds from one to the next. Happy Reading!

The Count of Mote Cristo is a really exciting and fabulous story; I really enjoyed the book while reading it. The main character Edmond Dantes is about 21 years old, and for him, life is just full of success. He is a successful merchant and is about to be promoted to captain of a ship. At the same time, he is also about to marry a beautiful young girl whom he has loved for a very long time. But amidst all of these happy things, misfortune strikes, and Edomnd Dantes finds himself to be a prisoner in the Chateau D'If for life. He is a prisoner because he is betrayed by his so-called "friends" and rumored to be a servant of Napoleon Bonaparte. However, something miraculously happens, so read it to find out.

Although this novel is usually thought of as a story of revenge, it has an even deeper meaning than that. This story not only warns people who betray others, but it also promotes love, friendship, and most of all hope. When the Count of Monte Cristo comes back and seeks revenge, he also meets some friends on the way that move his heart. Some of his friends become poor and have a sad life because of his imprisonment long ago, but they still hope that he will return and they wait for him day by day. The count rewards them in a secret way, and shows how important it is to have hope in one's life even when there looks like no hope. So when you read this book, keep in mind that there is more to it than just vengeance.

This book is very pleasant and I finished it in a couple of sittings. It will definitely put you on the edge of your chair and you will hardly be able to put the book down. This book is for all kinds of people, but it is especially for people that think life is hopeless, because as this book will point out, nothing in life is ever hopeless.

I've reviewed this book before. I'm writing another review of it now so that it will appear on my list of reviews next to my review of the butchered 2002 screen adaptation of this epic work.

Alexandre Dumas's _The Count of Monte Cristo_ is one of the greatest novels of all time and in fact stands at the fountainhead of the entire stream of popular adventure-fiction. Dumas himself was one of the founders of the genre; every other such writer -- H. Rider Haggard, C.S. Forrester, Zane Grey, Louis L'Amour, Mickey Spillane, Ian Fleming, Tom Clancy, John Grisham -- is deeply in his debt.

The cold, brooding, vampiric Count (born Edmond Dantes; known also, among other aliases, as "Sinbad the Sailor," Lord Wilmore, and a representative of the firm of Thomson and French) is the literary forebear of every dark hero from Sherlock Holmes and the Scarlet Pimpernel to Zorro, Batman, the Green Hornet, and Darkman. And the intricate plot provides everything any reader could want: adventure, intrigue, romance, and (of course) the elegant machinations of the Count himself as he exacts his terrible revenge on those who have wronged him -- thereby serving, or so he believes, as an agent of divine justice and retribution. Brrrrrrrr.

The book is also a good deal _longer_ than many readers may be aware. Ever since the middle of the nineteenth century, the English translations have omitted everything in the novel that might offend the sensibilities of Victorian readers -- including, for example, all the sex and drugs.

That's why I strongly recommend that anyone interested in this novel read Robin Buss's full-text translation. Unlike, say, Ayn Rand (whose cardboard hero "John Galt" also owes his few interesting aspects to Monsieur le Comte), Dumas was entirely capable of holding a reader's undivided attention for over a thousand pages; Buss's translation finally does his work justice, restoring all the bits omitted from the Bowdlerized versions.

The heart of the plot, as most readers will already know, is that young sailor Edmond Dantes, just as his life starts to come together, is wrongfully imprisoned for fourteen years in the dungeons of the Chateau d'If as the victim of a monstrously evil plot to frame him as a Bonapartist. While in prison he makes the acquaintance of one Abbe Faria, who serves as his mentor and teaches him the ways of the world (science, philosophy, languages and literature, and so forth), and also makes him a gift of a fabulous treasure straight out of the _Thousand and One Nights_. How Dantes gets out of prison, and what he does after that -- well, that's the story, of course. So that's all I'm going to tell you.

However, I'll also tell you that the 2002 screen adaptation doesn't even begin to do it justice. The plot is so far "adapted" as to be unrecognizable, except in its broad outlines and the names of (some of) the characters. Pretty much everything that makes Dumas's novel so darkly fascinating has been sucked out of it. It's not a bad movie on its own terms, but if you're expecting an adaptation of this novel, you'll be disappointed. And if you've already seen it, don't base your judgment of the novel on it.

The Count of Monte Cristo is a hurting, vengeful, magnificently wealthy man who is bent on paying back the people from his past who took away all of life's gifts in one action - love, family, peace, and hope when he was a nineteen year old child still full of vision, love to give, tenderness, and dreams. Throughout this story I am constantly amazed at the insight into human emotion, pain, intricacy and joy that Alexander Dumas had. The story fills your head with another time and place- it takes you there. You hurt for the Count, begin to understand his thinking and are with him as he incredibly takes revenge on the men of his past and their families by becoming one of them, and later begins to see that vengence is, in fact, not his alone. As he begins to desire peace once again, he begins to feel again...and to weep for the love lost. This book is more than amazing - it is an experience that has put into me considerations and dreams that move me still - long after I have finished looking at its pages. The invitation? ...Come and ache and love and hate and hurt and grow and LIVE! Go to another time, another place that will effect and move you, and perhaps change you, here and now. It's worth your time.

Arena;the story of One-Eye Garth, a seasoned combat mage and tactition. The timeline of this story covers the time when Garth returned to his city of birth, betting on fights and sleeping in the streets, to when he becomes a planes walker:one of the most powerfull dimensional beings. In the story,Garth does things that will come as a suprise to the reader to start a "gang war" kind of chaos between thedifferent colored clans of the Magic colors. I think the best part of this story is that any body can enjoy it if they like the D&D type of midevil fiction, though I will give a word of warning to all Magic:The Gathering players:This book is not at all like Magic the way I thought it would be, because it carys no traits of Magic, other than the different colors, and the mention of a few cards from Beta and Arabian Nights(none of the Urza-Mishra stuff, it is a stand alone storyline). The book has a great cast of charecters that you will come to love, and hate, over time, and it has a plot so gripping that you will not be able to put it down untill you are done! Jacob Thornburg, 8th grade, Arcata, California

This book was incredible! I was a little dubious about this book as i've had mixed experiences long running comercialized series, but this book is a first class fantasy novel. It grabs your attention right in the first few pages, and dosn't let go till the very end. The book is full of nonstop action, vivid magic, clever tricks, and has a main character whos coolness factor is off the charts. I've just got two pieces of advice. 1) Unless you have good self control, set asside enough time to read the whole book in one sitting, 'cause you're going to have trouble puting it down. 2) Consider this book to be a single volume, not part of a series. The rest of the books in this series are by a different author, and...well...they suck. I made it till about book 5 before I couldn't stand any more. However if you like fantasy this is a must read. I'd compare it to some of the best fantasy writers out there. It's a quick read, but what Forstchen does in these 200 or so pages is really very impressive.

This was (I think) the first MTG novel published. It is also one of the strongest novels of the entire line. Centered around a mysterious one-eyed magicker, the reader sees the opulence and greed that has taken over the annual Wizard's Duel. The main characher, Garth One-Eye, comes to the annual event in order to sow some chaos himself and to exact some revenge. One nice thing about this book was that, originally, you could order away for a MTG card, The Arena. Overall, this is a very well-written novel with a super story and excellent characters (we do meet Garth again later on in the series). While this book is sometimes hard to find, it is well worth the effort. I'd rank it as one of the top two or three Magic books along with The Thran and Tapestries.