Good easy read. Not as enjoyable as the first, as I enjoyed the Tolkien references in the first. But a fun book. I look forward to the 3rd, hoping thi...moreGood easy read. Not as enjoyable as the first, as I enjoyed the Tolkien references in the first. But a fun book. I look forward to the 3rd, hoping this time Gary's Girlfriend gets to go too!(less)
A very enjoyable read. It is a nice homage to Tolkien, while keeping it original in its characters. This is the second time I have read it and I will...moreA very enjoyable read. It is a nice homage to Tolkien, while keeping it original in its characters. This is the second time I have read it and I will read it again.(less)
This was a best seller for a very good reason. I absolutely love the moral of this story and the story in general and of course the crisp, well-define...moreThis was a best seller for a very good reason. I absolutely love the moral of this story and the story in general and of course the crisp, well-defined characters. The 'Many lives' idea again, the religious aspect, ect. A fast read, I wish this would be on the mandatory reading list for all Kids.(less)
I don't read many 'romances' as rule. But Kathleen Woodiwiss is an outstanding author. Her characters are well-defined (a must for me) and the story-l...moreI don't read many 'romances' as rule. But Kathleen Woodiwiss is an outstanding author. Her characters are well-defined (a must for me) and the story-line carry's me away. She is also an excellent historical author. The timeframe of this novel is the civil war. Her descriptions are clear... I can picture it as I read it. And the ending is positive (preferred by me) - good triumps over evil sort of thing. The 'romance' is spectacular...(less)
Salvatore is one of my favorite writers as his characters are crisp and well- defined.
In this introduction to the Drow society, I like the way he tak...moreSalvatore is one of my favorite writers as his characters are crisp and well- defined.
In this introduction to the Drow society, I like the way he takes elements of our society (male domination from the time period of 200 years ago) and switches it up with having it be a Female dominated society. How the characters wonder about how much they are losing by continuing this domination... What things must be done to continue that domination...
He also touches on the ideas of mass brain washing with the Drow Academy... Giving the Drow a common enemy (Surface Elves) - reminiscent of Hitler... In many ways, I wonder if he did not in fact model the Drow society, somewhat off of Hitler's "Glory" days.
As such, I relate to Dritzz's character, fighting the confusion of brain washing from the dominaters in my life. I rally behind him, the underdog. The adventure is good but dark... I have read many reviews which talk of "redemption", I guess I am confused by that. In that, I have never felt I needed to redeem myself for the sins of my family/friends.
I am eagerly reading the following books to see his rise from Darkness.(less)
**spoiler alert** Again another author who gets the characters well-defined. I love exploring Kinsey's character, a female private detective in the 19...more**spoiler alert** Again another author who gets the characters well-defined. I love exploring Kinsey's character, a female private detective in the 1980's... Her handsome eighty-year-old landlord... The other characters in her books... The re-occuring characters stay true to who they are.... I love learning how the investigations were done BEFORE computers and cell-phones... I totally relate to being a female in a male dominated field... Her character in general, being independant...
SPOILER The only disappointment I had in this series is on the storyline of her estranged grandmother. The final meeting of the two was grazed over, blah... total disappointment... I followed the books for the main reason of seeing what would happen when the two stubborn women FINALLY got together and it was covered in a measly paragraph of not as it happened but as it was summarized in Kinsey's report. I will still read each new book that comes out... but I no longer will be re-reading the previous books to remind myself on the storyline.(less)
This is where in Salvatore's books that he starts to move to many, MANY, MANY scenes of fighting. The focus seems to be on fighting technique... okay....moreThis is where in Salvatore's books that he starts to move to many, MANY, MANY scenes of fighting. The focus seems to be on fighting technique... okay... but YAWN. I agree has its place, but although I am rereading his books... Too many fight scenes BORE me. I prefer properly placed fight scenes and more focus on the characters and story. He has some very good points that are now Drittz commentary between chapters and not as interwoven with the characters and story as before. The substance (for me) comes in small sporatic packages instead of interwoven in the storyline.... I am still going to continue to read this series until I can not take it any more. But I prefer his earlier works best (less)
While many of Louis L'amour's books are quick read adventures, which have their place in my world, this book I think introduces many more sub-ideas. I...moreWhile many of Louis L'amour's books are quick read adventures, which have their place in my world, this book I think introduces many more sub-ideas. I find it hard to articulate them because they are subtle in nature. And right now I am unable. However, I recommend it from the perspective of the 'unknown' element or supernatural if you will that he hints at in this book (and in a few of his other longer novels). I like that. There are many unexplained things in this world, which he points out, perhaps suggests an explaination, but ultimately leaves for you to decide.
Regardless of what you may think of his subject matter, I do and always will respect the morality that his books try to pass on. Doing what is right, regardless.... Not placing blame... or coming up with excuses.... I like this... I wish we had more of this out there in the public eye where it is so needed.....(less)
This was the first book that I ever read by this author. I read it in my tweens and I loved it. I think it totally relates to the tween mind with the...moreThis was the first book that I ever read by this author. I read it in my tweens and I loved it. I think it totally relates to the tween mind with the silliness... the exploration of fears... the hints into that yet unknown sexual world... The story is good and I love the usage of everyday phrases like "out of your gourd", made into a plausible different meaning in the story line. It taught me to explore language more. I didn't read much more of the series because I was introduced into his 'Robot Adept' series and my all-time favorite book of his 'On a Pale Horse', both written for an older audience. But for all tweens and some younger, I highly recommend the Xanth series, they are a fun read.(less)
I just re-read this for the umpteenth time... I first read these in highschool... fell in love immediately... Characters are fully defined and unique....moreI just re-read this for the umpteenth time... I first read these in highschool... fell in love immediately... Characters are fully defined and unique.. The adventure is great... Salvatore became one of my favorites and still is...(less)
This was my first introduction to Charlaine Harris. I loved it. As always, for me the characters need to be well defined and they were. The story was...moreThis was my first introduction to Charlaine Harris. I loved it. As always, for me the characters need to be well defined and they were. The story was AWESOME as it blended many of my favorite Genras. A very fast read... I couldn't wait to get to the next book... Another that I re-read on a regular basis.(less)