...
Series: Left Behind
Title: Tribulation Force (Book 2)
Author(s): Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins
ISBN: 0-8423-2921-8
Format: Oversized Paperback
Page Count: 449
Overall Concept 8
Execution 7
This is the second book of the Left Behind series that is a fictional telling of what might occur if the Rapture (as described in the Bible and Biblical prophesy) were to occur in the current era.
At the close of the last book, the primary characters had found the truth of the Word of God and have all become 'born again'. They had identified who was the anti-christ and had decided to become the Tribulation Force (the force for Christ who would battle the anti-christ during this time of Tribulation).
This book begins almost immediately where the last book leaves off, and continues the characters faith journeys. There are many points in this book where the journeys of faith the characters are experiencing, despite being fictional and 'contrived', resonate in the world of today. Essentially, "How do I try to do the will of God and be Christ like when the world is seemingly dismissive of this concept and even holds some contempt of those who attempt it?".
The story in this book depicts the first 18 month period of the Tribulation, whereby all is seemingly peaceful and the anti-christ is hard at work in developing a one government, one currency, one religion, one media world, and how this impacts the major characters of this story.
Unlike the first book, which was very much the setup of the concept, this book is more a setup of the changes to the modern world, and it ends with the death of a main character and mass destruction of some major cities of the world. The Tribulation is now in full force and the reader can't help but see where book 3, and the rest, ends up taking this.
I wouldn't say that this book is heady in how it lays things out, nor is it a difficult read. Honestly, I imagine it is written with the common person in mind, as it is obviously trying to not only tell the story of the End Days but also to evangelize the Christian faith. Neither of these are truly off putting, but rather it gives the book a very 'penny dreadful' feel.
My two issues with the events that occur in this book are that 1) they too easily dismiss the faith of the Judaic people of today and 2) they seemingly vilify the Catholic church and its clergy. I take this both with a grain of salt (albeit sometimes a large chunk, due to my recently being a convert to the Catholic faith), as I just see this as a further example of the fact that this is a fictional account of the Rapture, as told from a evangelical Protestant perspective.
I would suggest this book to Christians as a good example of books that can set appropriate examples of 'living the faith', and to non-Christians as an entertaining yarn with a religious overtone, not dissimilar to some horror stories, albeit this is more of a novel of intrigue not horror.
Monday, March 17, 2008
...
Title: X-Men: Messiah Complex
Author(s): Ed Brubaker, Mike Carey, Craig Kyle, Chris Yost, Peter David
Artist(s): Marc Silvestri, Billy Tan, Chris Bachalo, Humberto Ramos, Scot Eaton
ISBN: 0785128999
Format: Hard Cover
Page Count: 352
Overall Concept 9
Execution 9
Art 6
This was the story that brought me back to the X-men and I'm quite glad it did.
Essentially, the story of Messiah Complex is that very recently the mutants of the Marvel Universe had a serious setback, they went from being perhaps millions strong to being only several hundred. Also, it has been assumed that no more mutant births could or would happen. This story begins with this theory being proven wrong. The first mutant birth occurs, and unlike all previous mutants, that don't show their powers until the onset of puberty, this mutant is born fully 'active' and strong enough to fry Cerebro (the computer that is capable of detecting mutants anywhere in the world) and knock all telepaths on their butts for a few hours.
The story goes on to tell the tale of the various forces that are trying to locate this baby; The Purifiers, a racist quasi-religious zealot group, who lay the baby's birthplace to waste trying to destroy it, the Marauders, the evil version of the X-men, who want to corrupt the baby to evil, the X-men who wish to protect it from those that mean it harm, the genetic beast who wants to literally consume the child, Cable the time travelling lone mutant who is willing to do most anything to keep it out of all harms way and the traitor in the midst of the X-men who will do what they need to in order to see the baby dead.
The story has lots of great elements; treachery, betrayal, compassion, time travel, and intrigue. The part that makes this all so great is that despite being told by five different authors and across the five different X-titles, the story comes across with one voice and no major glitches seem to occur (something being told out of sequence).
The same cannot be said for the art, as the five artists are all very unique in their styles and this can be rather jarring for the storyline. The end of one book shows the characters as drawn one way and the beginning of the next is very, very different. And as I stated much earlier in this post, I'm very much not a fan of Chris Bachalo or Humberto Ramos, who each drew two issues in this 13 issue series.
All in all, this is an excellent series as it touches on all the major, and several minor, mutant characters and in ways that will have great impact on the future events of the mutants of the Marvel Universe. The story is very self contained, but has many elements that can be continued in the various X-titles in the years to come.
I would heartily recommend this 13 issue series to not only X-fans or comics fans, but also to anyone, as this is a great jumping on point for the X-titles of the Marvel Universe. And with it representing each of the 5 titles, it lets a reader choose which of those series they will decide to continue reading, should they decide to.
Title: X-Men: Messiah Complex
Author(s): Ed Brubaker, Mike Carey, Craig Kyle, Chris Yost, Peter David
Artist(s): Marc Silvestri, Billy Tan, Chris Bachalo, Humberto Ramos, Scot Eaton
ISBN: 0785128999
Format: Hard Cover
Page Count: 352
Overall Concept 9
Execution 9
Art 6
This was the story that brought me back to the X-men and I'm quite glad it did.
Essentially, the story of Messiah Complex is that very recently the mutants of the Marvel Universe had a serious setback, they went from being perhaps millions strong to being only several hundred. Also, it has been assumed that no more mutant births could or would happen. This story begins with this theory being proven wrong. The first mutant birth occurs, and unlike all previous mutants, that don't show their powers until the onset of puberty, this mutant is born fully 'active' and strong enough to fry Cerebro (the computer that is capable of detecting mutants anywhere in the world) and knock all telepaths on their butts for a few hours.
The story goes on to tell the tale of the various forces that are trying to locate this baby; The Purifiers, a racist quasi-religious zealot group, who lay the baby's birthplace to waste trying to destroy it, the Marauders, the evil version of the X-men, who want to corrupt the baby to evil, the X-men who wish to protect it from those that mean it harm, the genetic beast who wants to literally consume the child, Cable the time travelling lone mutant who is willing to do most anything to keep it out of all harms way and the traitor in the midst of the X-men who will do what they need to in order to see the baby dead.
The story has lots of great elements; treachery, betrayal, compassion, time travel, and intrigue. The part that makes this all so great is that despite being told by five different authors and across the five different X-titles, the story comes across with one voice and no major glitches seem to occur (something being told out of sequence).
The same cannot be said for the art, as the five artists are all very unique in their styles and this can be rather jarring for the storyline. The end of one book shows the characters as drawn one way and the beginning of the next is very, very different. And as I stated much earlier in this post, I'm very much not a fan of Chris Bachalo or Humberto Ramos, who each drew two issues in this 13 issue series.
All in all, this is an excellent series as it touches on all the major, and several minor, mutant characters and in ways that will have great impact on the future events of the mutants of the Marvel Universe. The story is very self contained, but has many elements that can be continued in the various X-titles in the years to come.
I would heartily recommend this 13 issue series to not only X-fans or comics fans, but also to anyone, as this is a great jumping on point for the X-titles of the Marvel Universe. And with it representing each of the 5 titles, it lets a reader choose which of those series they will decide to continue reading, should they decide to.
...
Title: Uncanny X-Men: The Extremists
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Salvador Larroca
ISBN: 0785119825
Format: Trade Paperback
Page Count: 120
Overall Concept 6
Execution 6
Art 6
This is the 5 issues of the X-men that take the story from the events of the Shi'ar story line to the Messiah Complex story line.
The overall concept of this story is that a rogue element of the Morlocks (the mutant community that live below the sewers of New York City) are on a quasi-religious quest to put into motion the series of events as they are written in a book by one of their former members, who not only has precognitive powers but is also now dead, seemingly a martyr to these people.
This is very obviously some filler story that is intended to setup the people and places for the next big story arc, The Messiah Complex.
Mr. Brubaker tells a passable story of these events, but they aren't necessary to the reading of the previous or following story arcs.
A lot of people very much like Salvador Larocca as an artist, but I am not one of them. I just don't like his style. Not so much that it turns me away from the books he pencils, but enough that I don't go out of my way to buy them unless they are well written.
I would only recommend this trade paperback to the X-men completist, as this story is not very integral to the overall X-men events going on, except perhaps for the 'big reveal' at is conclusion. That reveal though doesn't justify the price of this book, especially since it is mentioned in other books as it is needed to be known.
Title: Uncanny X-Men: The Extremists
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Salvador Larroca
ISBN: 0785119825
Format: Trade Paperback
Page Count: 120
Overall Concept 6
Execution 6
Art 6
This is the 5 issues of the X-men that take the story from the events of the Shi'ar story line to the Messiah Complex story line.
The overall concept of this story is that a rogue element of the Morlocks (the mutant community that live below the sewers of New York City) are on a quasi-religious quest to put into motion the series of events as they are written in a book by one of their former members, who not only has precognitive powers but is also now dead, seemingly a martyr to these people.
This is very obviously some filler story that is intended to setup the people and places for the next big story arc, The Messiah Complex.
Mr. Brubaker tells a passable story of these events, but they aren't necessary to the reading of the previous or following story arcs.
A lot of people very much like Salvador Larocca as an artist, but I am not one of them. I just don't like his style. Not so much that it turns me away from the books he pencils, but enough that I don't go out of my way to buy them unless they are well written.
I would only recommend this trade paperback to the X-men completist, as this story is not very integral to the overall X-men events going on, except perhaps for the 'big reveal' at is conclusion. That reveal though doesn't justify the price of this book, especially since it is mentioned in other books as it is needed to be known.
...
Title: X-Men: Emperor Vulcan
Writer: Christopher Yost
Artist: Paco Diaz
ISBN: 0785125515
Format: Trade Paperback
Page Count: 120
Overall Concept 7
Execution 8
Art 7
This 5 issue limited comic series picks up immediately after the events at the end of the Rise and Fall of the Shi'ar Empire (see previous post). The story follows the exploits of the heroes (Havoc, who has become the leader of the Starjammers due to events in the aforementioned story line, the Starjammers, the disposed Shi'ar Emperess, her military advisor, and the X-men who stayed behind with Havoc) as they try to fight against and take down Vulcan and what he has become. And this is all while a previously unknown threat to the Shi'ar arrives to eradicate them.
Christopher Yost does an excellent job of picking up where Ed Brubaker left off, and does such without the reader knowing the distinction. The story flows very naturally from the Shi'ar events. Mr. Yost has done a very good job of maintaining the feel of the story and keeping the 'voice' of the characters both the same to what Mr. Brubaker setup and to what us X-fans expect of these characters.
The art of Paco Diaz is not disparate enough from Billy Tan disjoint the story from the previous arc, and is enjoyable of itself.
The story does a great job of wrapping up elements left from the Shi'ar arc, yet also make new ones that can, at some future date, be appropriately addressed.
If as the old adage goes, "Always leave them wanting more", then Mr Yost and Mr Diaz have succeeded. I'm nearly chomping at the bit to find out what happens next with our heroes and the state they are left in at the end of the story.
I would recommend this story only to those X-fans who have already read the Deadly Genesis and Rise and Fall of the Shi'ar Empire stories, and only if they, as I do, like the characters in question in this series. I say this as this story is isolated from the rest of the Marvel universe and as such is not required reading.
Title: X-Men: Emperor Vulcan
Writer: Christopher Yost
Artist: Paco Diaz
ISBN: 0785125515
Format: Trade Paperback
Page Count: 120
Overall Concept 7
Execution 8
Art 7
This 5 issue limited comic series picks up immediately after the events at the end of the Rise and Fall of the Shi'ar Empire (see previous post). The story follows the exploits of the heroes (Havoc, who has become the leader of the Starjammers due to events in the aforementioned story line, the Starjammers, the disposed Shi'ar Emperess, her military advisor, and the X-men who stayed behind with Havoc) as they try to fight against and take down Vulcan and what he has become. And this is all while a previously unknown threat to the Shi'ar arrives to eradicate them.
Christopher Yost does an excellent job of picking up where Ed Brubaker left off, and does such without the reader knowing the distinction. The story flows very naturally from the Shi'ar events. Mr. Yost has done a very good job of maintaining the feel of the story and keeping the 'voice' of the characters both the same to what Mr. Brubaker setup and to what us X-fans expect of these characters.
The art of Paco Diaz is not disparate enough from Billy Tan disjoint the story from the previous arc, and is enjoyable of itself.
The story does a great job of wrapping up elements left from the Shi'ar arc, yet also make new ones that can, at some future date, be appropriately addressed.
If as the old adage goes, "Always leave them wanting more", then Mr Yost and Mr Diaz have succeeded. I'm nearly chomping at the bit to find out what happens next with our heroes and the state they are left in at the end of the story.
I would recommend this story only to those X-fans who have already read the Deadly Genesis and Rise and Fall of the Shi'ar Empire stories, and only if they, as I do, like the characters in question in this series. I say this as this story is isolated from the rest of the Marvel universe and as such is not required reading.
...
Title: Uncanny X-Men - Rise and Fall of the Shi'ar Empire
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Billy Tan
ISBN: 0785118004
Format: Trade Paperback
Page Count: 312
Overall Concept 7
Execution 8
Art 8
This is the trade paperback collection of the 12 issues of Uncanny X-Men that occur immediately after the events of Deadly Genesis, which was a stand alone mini-series event.
As soon as I had finished Deadly Genesis, I felt not only comfortable reading this X-men series but was very interested in doing so.
And I was not disappointed with the results. This story is very much a space opera with the X-men in the very midst of it all. It has to do with large galactic empires that are crumbling, a single individual bent on the destruction of a king, a man who wishes to help the one he loves despite her having exiled him from her land, and a few rag tag fighters that help everyone along their way.
Mr. Brubaker has done an excellent job in making the events of this story very, very entertaining while being both fresh for the long time fan and the 'newbie'.
Billy Tan, who did most of the art on the series, has a very nice look to his drawings and pays all these characters great homage with his skills.
This series not only kept me interested and entertained, but demanded that I find out what happens next, as at the stories end the initial groups have split into two, one that returns to Earth and the other that stays behind to deal with the galactic menace Vulcan becomes.
Again, to any fan of comics, and especially to those X-men fans who may have been away for a while, I would easily recommend this book. And to those non-comic fans, there might just be a tad too much expectation on behalf of the reader knowing the finer details of who's who for this to be truly enjoyable. Though the writing can easily show a non-comic fan why there are comic fans.
Title: Uncanny X-Men - Rise and Fall of the Shi'ar Empire
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Billy Tan
ISBN: 0785118004
Format: Trade Paperback
Page Count: 312
Overall Concept 7
Execution 8
Art 8
This is the trade paperback collection of the 12 issues of Uncanny X-Men that occur immediately after the events of Deadly Genesis, which was a stand alone mini-series event.
As soon as I had finished Deadly Genesis, I felt not only comfortable reading this X-men series but was very interested in doing so.
And I was not disappointed with the results. This story is very much a space opera with the X-men in the very midst of it all. It has to do with large galactic empires that are crumbling, a single individual bent on the destruction of a king, a man who wishes to help the one he loves despite her having exiled him from her land, and a few rag tag fighters that help everyone along their way.
Mr. Brubaker has done an excellent job in making the events of this story very, very entertaining while being both fresh for the long time fan and the 'newbie'.
Billy Tan, who did most of the art on the series, has a very nice look to his drawings and pays all these characters great homage with his skills.
This series not only kept me interested and entertained, but demanded that I find out what happens next, as at the stories end the initial groups have split into two, one that returns to Earth and the other that stays behind to deal with the galactic menace Vulcan becomes.
Again, to any fan of comics, and especially to those X-men fans who may have been away for a while, I would easily recommend this book. And to those non-comic fans, there might just be a tad too much expectation on behalf of the reader knowing the finer details of who's who for this to be truly enjoyable. Though the writing can easily show a non-comic fan why there are comic fans.
...
Title: X-Men Deadly Genesis
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Trevor Harsine
ISBN: 0785118306
Format: Trade Paperback
Page Count: 200
Overall Concept 6
Execution 8
Art 7
I must admit I was a HUGE X-Men fan from issue #199 of the Uncanny X-Men all the way to the Age of Apocalypse debacle from 1995 (that series was the point when I stopped buying comics all together). I bought Uncanny X-Men, X-Factor, X-Force, X-Men and all the crossovers throughout those years.
Recently, I got back into comics, in 2002 with the 9 cent issue #489 of the Fantastic Four, and I shied away from the X-Men series for 2 reasons; 1) X-titles were notorious for being very continuity driven, so I was dearthly afraid of being completely lost after a 7+ year absence and 2) I wasn't very fond of the art being produced by Ramos, Young and Pachelo.
What brought me back was the very recent 13 issue Messiah Complex, which I will review later on when I receive the Trade Paperback. I was reading this series and wanted to understand the back story more (specifically who the heck was Vulcan, how come they refer to Prof X having lost /regained his powers, and why was there so much vitriol between Charles and Scott) and started researching the previous issues.
Well, it seems that Ed Brubaker's run on the X-Men begins with this limited series, which happens to also tell the story of Vulcan, the missing Summers brother.
I read this series over the coarse of 2 days and found it to be a very entertaining read. I was initially concerned that this series would be a huge 'retcon' (retroactive continuity - a popular writing device in comics whereby something that is told in the present is either a retelling of the past events or a previously unknown past event which causes a total restructure or very different viewpoint on the present story lines) as this was the story that brought this new powerful 'villain' to the X-titles, and he happens to be the long lost Summer brother.
My fears, fortunately, were very unfounded as the tale is not only well told but well worth reading. The concept is very much a comic book concept ("I was ripped from the womb of my murdered mother, raised in a tank and made a slave of the murderer of my mother"), yet isn't terribly unrealistic or simple, despite my oversimplification.
The art was pleasant and did a very fine job of representing the characters, I know so well, appropriately and accurately.
The interesting 'gimmick' to this series was the use of back-up stories that initially seem to have nothing to do with the main tale. They are not only good stories of themselves but also mesh seamlessly with the overall story before it is all over. And, without them the overall story would be diminished significantly.
I must thank and damn Mr. Brubaker all in the same breath, as he's writing the X-men in a way that makes me both interested and care for them again yet this now means that I'm spending even more money on comics..........
As I said on a blog posting, this series, and the rest of the Brubaker story line, are like finding an old comfortable pair of slippers you had lost in the back of the closet, they are old and comfortable and yet new at the same time.
To any fan of comics, and especially to those X-men fans who may have been away for a while, I would easily recommend this book. And to those non-comic fans, there might just be a tad too much expectation on behalf of the reader knowing the finer details of who's who for this to be truly enjoyable. Though the writing can easily show a non-comic fan why there are comic fans.
Title: X-Men Deadly Genesis
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Trevor Harsine
ISBN: 0785118306
Format: Trade Paperback
Page Count: 200
Overall Concept 6
Execution 8
Art 7
I must admit I was a HUGE X-Men fan from issue #199 of the Uncanny X-Men all the way to the Age of Apocalypse debacle from 1995 (that series was the point when I stopped buying comics all together). I bought Uncanny X-Men, X-Factor, X-Force, X-Men and all the crossovers throughout those years.
Recently, I got back into comics, in 2002 with the 9 cent issue #489 of the Fantastic Four, and I shied away from the X-Men series for 2 reasons; 1) X-titles were notorious for being very continuity driven, so I was dearthly afraid of being completely lost after a 7+ year absence and 2) I wasn't very fond of the art being produced by Ramos, Young and Pachelo.
What brought me back was the very recent 13 issue Messiah Complex, which I will review later on when I receive the Trade Paperback. I was reading this series and wanted to understand the back story more (specifically who the heck was Vulcan, how come they refer to Prof X having lost /regained his powers, and why was there so much vitriol between Charles and Scott) and started researching the previous issues.
Well, it seems that Ed Brubaker's run on the X-Men begins with this limited series, which happens to also tell the story of Vulcan, the missing Summers brother.
I read this series over the coarse of 2 days and found it to be a very entertaining read. I was initially concerned that this series would be a huge 'retcon' (retroactive continuity - a popular writing device in comics whereby something that is told in the present is either a retelling of the past events or a previously unknown past event which causes a total restructure or very different viewpoint on the present story lines) as this was the story that brought this new powerful 'villain' to the X-titles, and he happens to be the long lost Summer brother.
My fears, fortunately, were very unfounded as the tale is not only well told but well worth reading. The concept is very much a comic book concept ("I was ripped from the womb of my murdered mother, raised in a tank and made a slave of the murderer of my mother"), yet isn't terribly unrealistic or simple, despite my oversimplification.
The art was pleasant and did a very fine job of representing the characters, I know so well, appropriately and accurately.
The interesting 'gimmick' to this series was the use of back-up stories that initially seem to have nothing to do with the main tale. They are not only good stories of themselves but also mesh seamlessly with the overall story before it is all over. And, without them the overall story would be diminished significantly.
I must thank and damn Mr. Brubaker all in the same breath, as he's writing the X-men in a way that makes me both interested and care for them again yet this now means that I'm spending even more money on comics..........
As I said on a blog posting, this series, and the rest of the Brubaker story line, are like finding an old comfortable pair of slippers you had lost in the back of the closet, they are old and comfortable and yet new at the same time.
To any fan of comics, and especially to those X-men fans who may have been away for a while, I would easily recommend this book. And to those non-comic fans, there might just be a tad too much expectation on behalf of the reader knowing the finer details of who's who for this to be truly enjoyable. Though the writing can easily show a non-comic fan why there are comic fans.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
...
Title: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Author: J.K. Rowling
ISBN: 978-1551929767
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 608
Overall Concept 7
Execution 9
And so it comes to a close, the Harry Potter novels that started with a small adolescent novel over a decade ago.
After the previous two novels in this series (Order of the Phoenix and Half Blood Prince) were quite differing in my enjoyment of them. Order being not a very good book and Half Blood Prince making me pine for the last novel. And with the fact that several major plot points are left off at the end of the penultimate book, it was with much trepedation that I read this book. Mostly because I was terribly afraid that J.K. might take the easier path with regards to wrapping up those plot points.
Most fortunately my fears were ungrounded and this book was both well written and an excellent finish to the series. I will easily say that this book was the best of the Harry Potter novels and J.K. Rowling deserves her place as a world renowned author.
Unlike the Order of the Phoenix, where Harry was a self indulgent and whiny teen, in Deathly Hallows, Harry proves his worth as wizard and becomes the man of prophecy he was meant to be.
Again, as I have said for all the novels previously, this novel is best appreciated by someone either of the age of the protaganist or someone who can remember that pinnacle time when we transition from teen to adult. I wouldn't say this book was any grittier than the preceeding one, but rather grander of scope with regards to the implications of cause and effect. Which is a lesson we, and Harry, learn about the world being much larger than what we have seen, what we can immediately effect and that it is full of lots of people who we should have compassion and understanding for. Also, I think one of the key points of this book is that eventually we all come to realize that our parents/mentors are not without faults of their own, and this shouldn't make us love or respect them less. In some cases it should aid us to respect them more. And the final lesson this series has made apparent is, to quote It's a Wonderful Life, "no man is poor who has friends". Harry could have gotten to the places he needed to be to do the things he needed to do if it wasn't for his friends. As much as Sam Gamgee is a hero for aiding Frodo in his quest in the Lord of the Rings, Hermione, the Weasley family, Luna, and Neville (as well as some others I'm probably forgetting right now) are important heroes to the Harry Potter series.
All in all, this was an excellent finish to a series that took a young boy out of his place in the world and into a world that was quite foreign to him. Not only that, but he is a boy of prophecy that has the weight of the world on his shoulders for the entirety of this seven year period. J.K. did a fine job of showing the boy in all stages of pre-teen, teen, young adult and finally adult.
My only 'complaint' about this book, is that in the epilogue that makes mention of what the various characters are doing sometime in the future, the author seems to have failed mentioning Luna. Considering that she is just as major a character as Neville (who is mentioned) and more major than some others who are mentioned, it seems an oversight on behalf of the author.
In closing, I must thank whomever it was who passed me a 'copy' of the first Harry Potter movie, as I might have missed exposure to a wonderful series, that is made all the sweeter as I can enjoy it with my children as they grow to watch the movies and read the books.
Hats off to Ms. Rowling!
Title: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Author: J.K. Rowling
ISBN: 978-1551929767
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 608
Overall Concept 7
Execution 9
And so it comes to a close, the Harry Potter novels that started with a small adolescent novel over a decade ago.
After the previous two novels in this series (Order of the Phoenix and Half Blood Prince) were quite differing in my enjoyment of them. Order being not a very good book and Half Blood Prince making me pine for the last novel. And with the fact that several major plot points are left off at the end of the penultimate book, it was with much trepedation that I read this book. Mostly because I was terribly afraid that J.K. might take the easier path with regards to wrapping up those plot points.
Most fortunately my fears were ungrounded and this book was both well written and an excellent finish to the series. I will easily say that this book was the best of the Harry Potter novels and J.K. Rowling deserves her place as a world renowned author.
Unlike the Order of the Phoenix, where Harry was a self indulgent and whiny teen, in Deathly Hallows, Harry proves his worth as wizard and becomes the man of prophecy he was meant to be.
Again, as I have said for all the novels previously, this novel is best appreciated by someone either of the age of the protaganist or someone who can remember that pinnacle time when we transition from teen to adult. I wouldn't say this book was any grittier than the preceeding one, but rather grander of scope with regards to the implications of cause and effect. Which is a lesson we, and Harry, learn about the world being much larger than what we have seen, what we can immediately effect and that it is full of lots of people who we should have compassion and understanding for. Also, I think one of the key points of this book is that eventually we all come to realize that our parents/mentors are not without faults of their own, and this shouldn't make us love or respect them less. In some cases it should aid us to respect them more. And the final lesson this series has made apparent is, to quote It's a Wonderful Life, "no man is poor who has friends". Harry could have gotten to the places he needed to be to do the things he needed to do if it wasn't for his friends. As much as Sam Gamgee is a hero for aiding Frodo in his quest in the Lord of the Rings, Hermione, the Weasley family, Luna, and Neville (as well as some others I'm probably forgetting right now) are important heroes to the Harry Potter series.
All in all, this was an excellent finish to a series that took a young boy out of his place in the world and into a world that was quite foreign to him. Not only that, but he is a boy of prophecy that has the weight of the world on his shoulders for the entirety of this seven year period. J.K. did a fine job of showing the boy in all stages of pre-teen, teen, young adult and finally adult.
My only 'complaint' about this book, is that in the epilogue that makes mention of what the various characters are doing sometime in the future, the author seems to have failed mentioning Luna. Considering that she is just as major a character as Neville (who is mentioned) and more major than some others who are mentioned, it seems an oversight on behalf of the author.
In closing, I must thank whomever it was who passed me a 'copy' of the first Harry Potter movie, as I might have missed exposure to a wonderful series, that is made all the sweeter as I can enjoy it with my children as they grow to watch the movies and read the books.
Hats off to Ms. Rowling!
Sunday, February 04, 2007
...
Series: The Rogues
Title: The Alabaster Staff (Book 1)
Author: Edward Bolme
ISBN: 0-7869-2962-6
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 309
Overall Concept 7
Execution 8
As most of you may have gleaned by now, I am an avid Fantasy reader as well as a 'gamer'. The Forgotten Realms novels, by Wizards of the Coast, are a great amalgam of these two interests of mine.
This book, The Alabaster Staff, is one of the large number of Forgotten Realms novels that have been published thus far.
This book is the kick off book in the concept series that WotC have started releasing, each series of four books focusing on one of the four archetypal classes from the DnD roleplaying game; rogue, cleric, fighter and wizard. Though each of these books are complete stand alone novels, the theme of the archetypal class is what ties them together. Essentially each book shows a different facet of the same class, so as to represent the robustness and variation that can exist amongst said classes.
This novel deals with the world of rogues, thieves and scoundrels and does so in the Forgotten Realms city of Messemprar, a large coastal city in the disputed territory of Unther in South Eastern Faerun.
The prologue of the novel gives a quick yet detailed overview of the slaying of the God king Gilgeam of Unther and its subsequent occupation by the nation of Mulhorandi. This gives us a fair understanding of the turmoil of the region and the general attitudes of its peoples.
During the coarse of the novel the author does a fair impression of letting the reader know that the closest Earth analogy to Unther would be Babylon, which he does by explaining its attire, laws, and overall geographical features. This is most important, as it helps us to understand the harsh militant rule that hangs over the land and the risks that those who thieve take should they ever get caught. There also several mentions of the Untheric quality of stoic acceptance of hardship or pain.
The main protagonist of the story is a young native of Unther who grew up under the despotic rule of the God king and his priests, and is now maturing in a world that is constantly on the edge of war or invasion. She is not a rogue in the truest sense, yet she has many of the qualities of a good rogue; quick wit and even faster hands, lithe, dexterous and ingenuity and cunning.
The story starts with her plying her trade of sleight of hand in a public courtyard, trying to gain a few coppers with which to feed her hungry belly and find her a roof for the night. Due to a series of unfortunate events, and the actions of a cruel member of the thieves’ guild, she is coerced into stealing an item of magic from a local merchant.
The story goes on from there as one event leads to several more and the protagonist gets ever more and more entwined in the large scale politics and powers of this land on the verge of war.
Mr. Bolme has done a very good job of reflecting the ideas that rogues are as much con artists and opportunists as they are simple thieves. He has also admirably set up the various cast members with their own personal ambitions and very often people are not at all what they initially seem to be. Additionally he has done a great job of blurring the lines between good and evil and altruistic and selfish, as again, people aren't what they seem to be.
All in all this is an excellent book and I would heartily recommend it to anyone who either likes fantasy or is a fan of the Forgotten Realms.
Series: The Rogues
Title: The Alabaster Staff (Book 1)
Author: Edward Bolme
ISBN: 0-7869-2962-6
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 309
Overall Concept 7
Execution 8
As most of you may have gleaned by now, I am an avid Fantasy reader as well as a 'gamer'. The Forgotten Realms novels, by Wizards of the Coast, are a great amalgam of these two interests of mine.
This book, The Alabaster Staff, is one of the large number of Forgotten Realms novels that have been published thus far.
This book is the kick off book in the concept series that WotC have started releasing, each series of four books focusing on one of the four archetypal classes from the DnD roleplaying game; rogue, cleric, fighter and wizard. Though each of these books are complete stand alone novels, the theme of the archetypal class is what ties them together. Essentially each book shows a different facet of the same class, so as to represent the robustness and variation that can exist amongst said classes.
This novel deals with the world of rogues, thieves and scoundrels and does so in the Forgotten Realms city of Messemprar, a large coastal city in the disputed territory of Unther in South Eastern Faerun.
The prologue of the novel gives a quick yet detailed overview of the slaying of the God king Gilgeam of Unther and its subsequent occupation by the nation of Mulhorandi. This gives us a fair understanding of the turmoil of the region and the general attitudes of its peoples.
During the coarse of the novel the author does a fair impression of letting the reader know that the closest Earth analogy to Unther would be Babylon, which he does by explaining its attire, laws, and overall geographical features. This is most important, as it helps us to understand the harsh militant rule that hangs over the land and the risks that those who thieve take should they ever get caught. There also several mentions of the Untheric quality of stoic acceptance of hardship or pain.
The main protagonist of the story is a young native of Unther who grew up under the despotic rule of the God king and his priests, and is now maturing in a world that is constantly on the edge of war or invasion. She is not a rogue in the truest sense, yet she has many of the qualities of a good rogue; quick wit and even faster hands, lithe, dexterous and ingenuity and cunning.
The story starts with her plying her trade of sleight of hand in a public courtyard, trying to gain a few coppers with which to feed her hungry belly and find her a roof for the night. Due to a series of unfortunate events, and the actions of a cruel member of the thieves’ guild, she is coerced into stealing an item of magic from a local merchant.
The story goes on from there as one event leads to several more and the protagonist gets ever more and more entwined in the large scale politics and powers of this land on the verge of war.
Mr. Bolme has done a very good job of reflecting the ideas that rogues are as much con artists and opportunists as they are simple thieves. He has also admirably set up the various cast members with their own personal ambitions and very often people are not at all what they initially seem to be. Additionally he has done a great job of blurring the lines between good and evil and altruistic and selfish, as again, people aren't what they seem to be.
All in all this is an excellent book and I would heartily recommend it to anyone who either likes fantasy or is a fan of the Forgotten Realms.
Monday, December 25, 2006
...
Title: Crime, Insured (The Shadow Double Novel Vol #1)
Author: Walter B. Gibson
ISBN: 1-932806-48-2
Format: Oversized Paperback
60 Pages (pages 7 - 66)
Overall Concept 8
Execution 8
Having been a fan of The Shadow in the movies (the 1994 movie starring Alec Baldwin in the titular role), comic books (The Shadow series by Howard Chaykin), and radio dramas (the snibbets of the various shows I've gotten to hear over the years), I was quite pleased to find out that Nostalgia Ventures had secured the rights to begin to reprint the 1930's novels that were originally published by Street and Smith in The Shadow magazine.
It was very refreshing to finally get to read some of the original pulp adventure stories from that era, as I've heard so much over the years.
I was very pleased to see that despite the fact that these stories take place over 70 years ago, the style and substance of the stories are not lost. One can easily see how these stories could be adapted to the modern television or movie screen. Actually, Sam Raimi the director of SpiderMan 1-3 is reputed to having secured the rights to make a movie version of The Shadow.
Pulp is often known for its over the top adventure and suspense, and I did see some of that here. However, not near enough to be considered trite or unenjoyable. Actually, I found the story to be very well told and quite the good read.
According to wikipedia.org, there were 325 Shadow novels almost exclusively written by Walter B. Gibson between the years of 1931 and 1949. Considering these were published at an average rate of 1 and a half per month, and had a word count of >50000 words each, Mr. Gibson deserves some serious respect for the speed and quality of what he was producing during this time. I am no longer in awe at the quantity of books some authors have and do produce, and if anything I wonder more towards why some authors don't produce more.
I would whole heartly suggest this read to any lovers of action movies or good mystery tales, and perhaps more people should read these stories as a way of understanding and appreciating a dead/dying genre, the adventure pulp.
Title: Crime, Insured (The Shadow Double Novel Vol #1)
Author: Walter B. Gibson
ISBN: 1-932806-48-2
Format: Oversized Paperback
60 Pages (pages 7 - 66)
Overall Concept 8
Execution 8
Having been a fan of The Shadow in the movies (the 1994 movie starring Alec Baldwin in the titular role), comic books (The Shadow series by Howard Chaykin), and radio dramas (the snibbets of the various shows I've gotten to hear over the years), I was quite pleased to find out that Nostalgia Ventures had secured the rights to begin to reprint the 1930's novels that were originally published by Street and Smith in The Shadow magazine.
It was very refreshing to finally get to read some of the original pulp adventure stories from that era, as I've heard so much over the years.
I was very pleased to see that despite the fact that these stories take place over 70 years ago, the style and substance of the stories are not lost. One can easily see how these stories could be adapted to the modern television or movie screen. Actually, Sam Raimi the director of SpiderMan 1-3 is reputed to having secured the rights to make a movie version of The Shadow.
Pulp is often known for its over the top adventure and suspense, and I did see some of that here. However, not near enough to be considered trite or unenjoyable. Actually, I found the story to be very well told and quite the good read.
According to wikipedia.org, there were 325 Shadow novels almost exclusively written by Walter B. Gibson between the years of 1931 and 1949. Considering these were published at an average rate of 1 and a half per month, and had a word count of >50000 words each, Mr. Gibson deserves some serious respect for the speed and quality of what he was producing during this time. I am no longer in awe at the quantity of books some authors have and do produce, and if anything I wonder more towards why some authors don't produce more.
I would whole heartly suggest this read to any lovers of action movies or good mystery tales, and perhaps more people should read these stories as a way of understanding and appreciating a dead/dying genre, the adventure pulp.
...
Title: Crossroads (Shadowrun #30)
Author: Stephen Kenson
ISBN: 0-451-45742-0
Format: Paperback
273 Pages
Overall Concept 7
Execution 6
As I've mentioned a few times in this blog, I am a big fan of the Shadowrun RPG and its novel series.
This is another example of the typical fare from this franchise, it is some entertaining 'mental bubble gum'.
The book does have some interesting concepts and ideas, but overall it is fairly formulaic.
If you are a fan of the cyberpunk or sci-fantasy genres, I would suggest you give this book a read, just don't expect an amazing book but an alright one.
...
Series: Anita Blake - Vampire Hunter
Title: Guity Pleasures (Book #1)
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
ISBN: 0-515-13449-X
Format: Paperback
265 Pages
Overall Concept 7
Execution 5
Okay, one of my 'guilty pleasures' is that I am a vampire-phile and usually gobble up most things that have to do with fangs, blood and sensuality. Hence, after all the press this series has been getting, the fact that Marvel is now publishing a line of comics that serializes this novel and that the back cover boasts "An R-Rated Buffy the Vampire Slayer...the action never stops." - The New York Review of Science Fiction, I thought I would give this series a try.
Well, after reading the book I will say the following.
1) it is obviously an early novel from this author as she hasn't truly found their polish
2) the situations are contrived and often presented unecessarily
3) several points in the characters 'history' are never explained despite being mentioned often
4) the author used, and the editor(s) didn't correct, the use of the word 'tireder', which I could excuse if it was being said by an uneducated lout, but I believe neither the author nor her character to be such
Overall the book was an acceptable distraction, and barely piques my interest to see where the 'series' goes from here. But considering the following this series has, I can only assume that the tastes of the general public, with regards to this genre (crime-horror), are not as discerning as mine.
Tireder indeed!!!
Title: Crossroads (Shadowrun #30)
Author: Stephen Kenson
ISBN: 0-451-45742-0
Format: Paperback
273 Pages
Overall Concept 7
Execution 6
As I've mentioned a few times in this blog, I am a big fan of the Shadowrun RPG and its novel series.
This is another example of the typical fare from this franchise, it is some entertaining 'mental bubble gum'.
The book does have some interesting concepts and ideas, but overall it is fairly formulaic.
If you are a fan of the cyberpunk or sci-fantasy genres, I would suggest you give this book a read, just don't expect an amazing book but an alright one.
...
Series: Anita Blake - Vampire Hunter
Title: Guity Pleasures (Book #1)
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
ISBN: 0-515-13449-X
Format: Paperback
265 Pages
Overall Concept 7
Execution 5
Okay, one of my 'guilty pleasures' is that I am a vampire-phile and usually gobble up most things that have to do with fangs, blood and sensuality. Hence, after all the press this series has been getting, the fact that Marvel is now publishing a line of comics that serializes this novel and that the back cover boasts "An R-Rated Buffy the Vampire Slayer...the action never stops." - The New York Review of Science Fiction, I thought I would give this series a try.
Well, after reading the book I will say the following.
1) it is obviously an early novel from this author as she hasn't truly found their polish
2) the situations are contrived and often presented unecessarily
3) several points in the characters 'history' are never explained despite being mentioned often
4) the author used, and the editor(s) didn't correct, the use of the word 'tireder', which I could excuse if it was being said by an uneducated lout, but I believe neither the author nor her character to be such
Overall the book was an acceptable distraction, and barely piques my interest to see where the 'series' goes from here. But considering the following this series has, I can only assume that the tastes of the general public, with regards to this genre (crime-horror), are not as discerning as mine.
Tireder indeed!!!
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
...
Series: A Song of Fire and Ice
Title: A Game of Thrones (Book 1)
Author: George R. R. Martin
ISBN: 0-553-57340-3
Format: Paperback 835 Pages
Overall Concept 7
Execution 8
After all the hype about this series and George R.R. Martin in general, I thought I would give this series a try.
Despite my initial misgivings that this book might not be as good as it was being touted to be, I was pleased to find that I very much enjoyed this novel.
My wife had read this book before I and was very much turned off by the dark tone of the book and the seemingly unnecessary grit of the tale as it was told.
I will admit that I flinched at what ended up happening to Bran, especially since he is only a young boy. And, as I was warned, don't get too attached to any one character as odds are they might die in a most horrible way. My favourite character of the book died under very spiteful circumstances......very nasty.
For a Fantasy novel, which is typically expected to employ elements of magic and the supernatural, this book was more of a historical fiction, as the only real elements of magic and the supernatural are few and fleeting, until the last 100 or so pages of the novel. Actually it was quite refreshing to have a Fantasy novel that was more driven by politics and courtly intrigue than by spells and dragons.
My only misgiving about this book is that George has been a little heavy handing in ensuring that the villains were villainous, the heroes virtuous, and the fools foolish. It didn't truly detract from my overall enjoyment of the book, but it did make me sometimes feel the story was a little too forced.
I would suggest this book to any reader of series such as The Wheel of Time or Wizards First Rule, but I would provide the caveat that it is a more 'realistic' tale of the medieval period, specifically with the brutality of the courts and that people can die horribly.
Series: A Song of Fire and Ice
Title: A Game of Thrones (Book 1)
Author: George R. R. Martin
ISBN: 0-553-57340-3
Format: Paperback 835 Pages
Overall Concept 7
Execution 8
After all the hype about this series and George R.R. Martin in general, I thought I would give this series a try.
Despite my initial misgivings that this book might not be as good as it was being touted to be, I was pleased to find that I very much enjoyed this novel.
My wife had read this book before I and was very much turned off by the dark tone of the book and the seemingly unnecessary grit of the tale as it was told.
I will admit that I flinched at what ended up happening to Bran, especially since he is only a young boy. And, as I was warned, don't get too attached to any one character as odds are they might die in a most horrible way. My favourite character of the book died under very spiteful circumstances......very nasty.
For a Fantasy novel, which is typically expected to employ elements of magic and the supernatural, this book was more of a historical fiction, as the only real elements of magic and the supernatural are few and fleeting, until the last 100 or so pages of the novel. Actually it was quite refreshing to have a Fantasy novel that was more driven by politics and courtly intrigue than by spells and dragons.
My only misgiving about this book is that George has been a little heavy handing in ensuring that the villains were villainous, the heroes virtuous, and the fools foolish. It didn't truly detract from my overall enjoyment of the book, but it did make me sometimes feel the story was a little too forced.
I would suggest this book to any reader of series such as The Wheel of Time or Wizards First Rule, but I would provide the caveat that it is a more 'realistic' tale of the medieval period, specifically with the brutality of the courts and that people can die horribly.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
…
Series: Narnia
Title: The Magician’s Nephew (Book 1)
Author: C. S. Lewis
ISBN: 0-00-671667-9
Format: Paperback 171 Pages
Overall Concept 7
Execution 6
Title: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (Book 2)
Author: C. S. Lewis
ISBN: 0-00-671663-6
Format: Paperback 171 Pages
Overall Concept 7
Execution 7
Despite the fact that I am a lover of fantasy, have been reading fantasy since I was 11 (or younger), and have read a lot of the ‘standard’ fantasy series, I have several I still need to read (Narnia, Earthsea, Oz, Wonderland). What finally forced my hand to read the Narnia series was the fact that this past Christmas the most recent movie rendition of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe was released.
Being a bit of a stickler for reading books in their ‘proscribed’ order, I couldn’t read The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe without first reading The Magician’s Nephew, as both chronologically and by the box set I have, The Magician’s Nephew is book one.
I had heard many years ago that the order that the books were written is not the one that is normally associated to the box sets, and, in the case of The Magician’s Nephew, it shows. You can tell by the fact that the story isn’t as well laid out and seems a patchwork book, as compared to The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, that this was written sometime later and as an intended prologue to explain some pieces of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (i.e. the lamppost in the middle of the woods and the magic of the wardrobe).
The overall premise of the first novel is that a boy and girl of preteen age are magically transported to magic places and the adventures that ensue, both in those places and back home, because of their travels and interactions with a very nasty witch. This book is nicely written as a fanciful escape from the doldrums of life and has a few morals to impart along the way.
The second book follows the adventures of four siblings that begin their adventures in an English countryside manor during WWII and upon entering a magical wardrobe are plunged into an epic battle between good (Aslan the Lion) and evil (the Ice Queen). As with the first book this is a good fanciful tale with morals interspersed. However, it has often been said that this story is allegorical to the crucifixion of Christ, and having recently read the New Testament of the Bible, I can readily see how this assertion could be made. Mr. C. S. Lewis emphatically denied this claim, but I don’t see why, as he told the story in a beautiful way that can easily be captured by children (a benevolent lion being tortured and slain by a evil witch to save the life of a misguided boy is more digestible to children than Christ being crucified for the sins of the world).
I am quite glad to have read these two books, and most certainly intend to complete the series. I would whole heartedly suggest to anyone who is willing to read Harry Potter or Tolkien, that they should take the time to digest these novels as well.
To quickly touch base on the movie that came out this past Christmas season, I must say I wasn’t all that impressed by it. The visual effects were quite stunning and the movie painted a pretty picture, but it just didn’t seem to capture the overall fanciful nature of the story and too often took liberties with the story (adding or removing scenes). Frankly, I am more a fan of the 1978 cartoon version of the story, as it is seems to hold closer to what I perceive when I read the book(s). My wife has said that she feels the same way about the BBC production that came out recently. Perhaps it could be said that the movie tried too hard and focused away from the spirit of the story in order to be visually spectacular.
Series: Narnia
Title: The Magician’s Nephew (Book 1)
Author: C. S. Lewis
ISBN: 0-00-671667-9
Format: Paperback 171 Pages
Overall Concept 7
Execution 6
Title: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (Book 2)
Author: C. S. Lewis
ISBN: 0-00-671663-6
Format: Paperback 171 Pages
Overall Concept 7
Execution 7
Despite the fact that I am a lover of fantasy, have been reading fantasy since I was 11 (or younger), and have read a lot of the ‘standard’ fantasy series, I have several I still need to read (Narnia, Earthsea, Oz, Wonderland). What finally forced my hand to read the Narnia series was the fact that this past Christmas the most recent movie rendition of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe was released.
Being a bit of a stickler for reading books in their ‘proscribed’ order, I couldn’t read The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe without first reading The Magician’s Nephew, as both chronologically and by the box set I have, The Magician’s Nephew is book one.
I had heard many years ago that the order that the books were written is not the one that is normally associated to the box sets, and, in the case of The Magician’s Nephew, it shows. You can tell by the fact that the story isn’t as well laid out and seems a patchwork book, as compared to The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, that this was written sometime later and as an intended prologue to explain some pieces of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (i.e. the lamppost in the middle of the woods and the magic of the wardrobe).
The overall premise of the first novel is that a boy and girl of preteen age are magically transported to magic places and the adventures that ensue, both in those places and back home, because of their travels and interactions with a very nasty witch. This book is nicely written as a fanciful escape from the doldrums of life and has a few morals to impart along the way.
The second book follows the adventures of four siblings that begin their adventures in an English countryside manor during WWII and upon entering a magical wardrobe are plunged into an epic battle between good (Aslan the Lion) and evil (the Ice Queen). As with the first book this is a good fanciful tale with morals interspersed. However, it has often been said that this story is allegorical to the crucifixion of Christ, and having recently read the New Testament of the Bible, I can readily see how this assertion could be made. Mr. C. S. Lewis emphatically denied this claim, but I don’t see why, as he told the story in a beautiful way that can easily be captured by children (a benevolent lion being tortured and slain by a evil witch to save the life of a misguided boy is more digestible to children than Christ being crucified for the sins of the world).
I am quite glad to have read these two books, and most certainly intend to complete the series. I would whole heartedly suggest to anyone who is willing to read Harry Potter or Tolkien, that they should take the time to digest these novels as well.
To quickly touch base on the movie that came out this past Christmas season, I must say I wasn’t all that impressed by it. The visual effects were quite stunning and the movie painted a pretty picture, but it just didn’t seem to capture the overall fanciful nature of the story and too often took liberties with the story (adding or removing scenes). Frankly, I am more a fan of the 1978 cartoon version of the story, as it is seems to hold closer to what I perceive when I read the book(s). My wife has said that she feels the same way about the BBC production that came out recently. Perhaps it could be said that the movie tried too hard and focused away from the spirit of the story in order to be visually spectacular.
...
Series: Left Behind
Title: Left Behind (Book 1)
Author: Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
ISBN: 0-8423-2912-9
Format: Oversized Paperback 468 Pages
Overall Concept 8
Execution 8
This is the first book I’ve read that has a lot of religious concepts/issues that wasn’t a horror novel, although this book does have horrible aspects to it, in terms of murder and mass hysteria.
The overall premise of this book, and the other 11 books in this series, is that the Rapture, as outlined in the Bible, is occurring at this time in history and what exactly would that mean to people in North America today.
The Rapture is essentially the idea that just before the End of Days as outlined in the Gospels and the Book of Revelations, half of all the people on the planet would be taken directly to the kingdom of God and that the other half would have to choose their side, between God and the Antichrist, and live through the end of the world.
The authors have done a good job with the realistic depiction of what would happen if half of all people, doctors/caregivers, drivers, pilots, etc., were to mysteriously vanish and what total chaos would ensue for those left behind. They have also done a good job of choosing protagonists that are non-believing or non-practicing Christians and how they learn the truth of the situation and the Word of God.
The fact that Tim LaHaye is one of the foremost experts on Biblical prophecy and the Book of Revelation, is quite evident as the story he paints and his choice of interpretation is very believable.
Had you have told me, as little as 2 years ago, that I would not only read this book but look forward to the next, I would have ridiculed you. Now here I am recommending this book to Christians, as an entertaining way to understand what the Rapture could mean, and to non-Christians, as a entertaining read.
Series: Left Behind
Title: Left Behind (Book 1)
Author: Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
ISBN: 0-8423-2912-9
Format: Oversized Paperback 468 Pages
Overall Concept 8
Execution 8
This is the first book I’ve read that has a lot of religious concepts/issues that wasn’t a horror novel, although this book does have horrible aspects to it, in terms of murder and mass hysteria.
The overall premise of this book, and the other 11 books in this series, is that the Rapture, as outlined in the Bible, is occurring at this time in history and what exactly would that mean to people in North America today.
The Rapture is essentially the idea that just before the End of Days as outlined in the Gospels and the Book of Revelations, half of all the people on the planet would be taken directly to the kingdom of God and that the other half would have to choose their side, between God and the Antichrist, and live through the end of the world.
The authors have done a good job with the realistic depiction of what would happen if half of all people, doctors/caregivers, drivers, pilots, etc., were to mysteriously vanish and what total chaos would ensue for those left behind. They have also done a good job of choosing protagonists that are non-believing or non-practicing Christians and how they learn the truth of the situation and the Word of God.
The fact that Tim LaHaye is one of the foremost experts on Biblical prophecy and the Book of Revelation, is quite evident as the story he paints and his choice of interpretation is very believable.
Had you have told me, as little as 2 years ago, that I would not only read this book but look forward to the next, I would have ridiculed you. Now here I am recommending this book to Christians, as an entertaining way to understand what the Rapture could mean, and to non-Christians, as a entertaining read.
...
Series: Tom Clancy’s Net Force
Title: Net Force (Book 1)
Author: Created by Tom Clancy and Steve Pieczenik
ISBN: 0-425-16172-2
Format: Paperback 372 Pages
Overall Concept 8
Execution 6
Title: Hidden Agendas (Book 2)
Author: Created by Tom Clancy and Steve Pieczenik
ISBN: 0-425-17139-6
Format: Paperback 366 Pages
Overall Concept 8
Execution 5
Being a fan of Tom Clancy’s novels (despite only having currently read Without Remorse and no others), I was intrigued when he put his name to this concept. What further intrigued me was it was a spy thriller series with an emphasis on technology. Being a person who both works and hobbies with technology this seems a natural set of books to at least give a chance.
The overall premise of this series is that in the near future the FBI ends up having a division (Net Force) that is solely responsible for investigating and dealing with ‘techno crime and/or terrorism’. With it being the near future, the technology is based enough on current technology to be plausible yet advanced enough to allow the authors a fair amount of creative license.
In the first book the head of Net Force is assassinated and the assistant director must step in and find his killer while avoiding being killed himself. This first book does a good job of introducing and fleshing out the main characters and the organization as a whole.
The 2nd book deals with a criminal mastermind and his minions that are attempting to discredit Net Force while simultaneously manipulating the stock market to amass vast fortunes. This book is a seamless continuation from the first book and does a good job of trying to further humanize the characters and events.
My first caveat to the reader of this series is that neither of the two listed authors actually writes the books, but are the co-creators and overseers of the series. I am rather disappointed not to be able, so far, to find out who the ghost writers are for these books, as I would like to see what other materials they have written in an effort to ascertain if it is the series concept which is ‘weak’ or if it is their particular writing styles.
My second caveat is that although the premise is to be a tech based thriller series, the way in which the tech is handled is minimal and has quickly been turned into a literary device that doesn’t force the authors to have an actual working knowledge of modern or soon to be tech.
All in all these novels are entertaining enough to read but not good enough to be considered more than they are, the modern equivalent to the ‘penny dreadful’ of the Victorian era.
I would recommend these books to fans of ‘mental bubble gum’ like Mack Bolan novels or people looking for a quick entertaining read without concerns for realism or depth. But true fans of Tom Clancy or techno-thrillers might be best to fill their wants from other shelves.
Series: Tom Clancy’s Net Force
Title: Net Force (Book 1)
Author: Created by Tom Clancy and Steve Pieczenik
ISBN: 0-425-16172-2
Format: Paperback 372 Pages
Overall Concept 8
Execution 6
Title: Hidden Agendas (Book 2)
Author: Created by Tom Clancy and Steve Pieczenik
ISBN: 0-425-17139-6
Format: Paperback 366 Pages
Overall Concept 8
Execution 5
Being a fan of Tom Clancy’s novels (despite only having currently read Without Remorse and no others), I was intrigued when he put his name to this concept. What further intrigued me was it was a spy thriller series with an emphasis on technology. Being a person who both works and hobbies with technology this seems a natural set of books to at least give a chance.
The overall premise of this series is that in the near future the FBI ends up having a division (Net Force) that is solely responsible for investigating and dealing with ‘techno crime and/or terrorism’. With it being the near future, the technology is based enough on current technology to be plausible yet advanced enough to allow the authors a fair amount of creative license.
In the first book the head of Net Force is assassinated and the assistant director must step in and find his killer while avoiding being killed himself. This first book does a good job of introducing and fleshing out the main characters and the organization as a whole.
The 2nd book deals with a criminal mastermind and his minions that are attempting to discredit Net Force while simultaneously manipulating the stock market to amass vast fortunes. This book is a seamless continuation from the first book and does a good job of trying to further humanize the characters and events.
My first caveat to the reader of this series is that neither of the two listed authors actually writes the books, but are the co-creators and overseers of the series. I am rather disappointed not to be able, so far, to find out who the ghost writers are for these books, as I would like to see what other materials they have written in an effort to ascertain if it is the series concept which is ‘weak’ or if it is their particular writing styles.
My second caveat is that although the premise is to be a tech based thriller series, the way in which the tech is handled is minimal and has quickly been turned into a literary device that doesn’t force the authors to have an actual working knowledge of modern or soon to be tech.
All in all these novels are entertaining enough to read but not good enough to be considered more than they are, the modern equivalent to the ‘penny dreadful’ of the Victorian era.
I would recommend these books to fans of ‘mental bubble gum’ like Mack Bolan novels or people looking for a quick entertaining read without concerns for realism or depth. But true fans of Tom Clancy or techno-thrillers might be best to fill their wants from other shelves.
Monday, August 21, 2006
…
Title: Candide
Author: Voltaire
ISBN: 0-14-044004-6
Format: Paperback 144 Pages
Overall Concept 8
Execution 5
This book was one of two, the other being The Man Who Was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton, that were given to me as a wedding gift from one of my best friends, and since this is to be the 10th anniversary year of my wedding, I felt it was high time I actually read it.
This book was written in the mid 1700’s and has the general premise of trying to dissuade the young naïve protagonist from his ‘belief’ that "everything is for the best" and that he lives in “the best of all possible worlds”. It achieves this by taking the protagonist through greater and greater incidents of pain, suffering and strife, all the while forcing him to argue the veracity of his claim of how what is happening is "for the best".
Despite the age of the book, and the fact it was originally written in French and has been translated into English, I wasn’t having great difficulty with either the diction or the general style of the novel. However, the incredibly dry wit of the piece was oft lost on me and as such I didn’t fully appreciate why it is considered a classic of literature. I think I am somewhat ‘jaded’ by the modern world and therefore cannot fully immerse myself into the age in which the novel occurs. Perhaps if someone were to write an adequate modernization of the novel, I could better understand the overall gist and nuances of the text.
I do not begrudge my friend for the novel, as I am glad that he has allowed me to broaden my reading horizons. I just hope he’ll forgive the fact that I am not cultured in classic literature enough and am perhaps a little to obtuse to appreciate the novel to the same extent he does.
Perhaps, should I pick the book up later in life, I can find future joy in the words of Monsieur Voltaire.
Title: Candide
Author: Voltaire
ISBN: 0-14-044004-6
Format: Paperback 144 Pages
Overall Concept 8
Execution 5
This book was one of two, the other being The Man Who Was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton, that were given to me as a wedding gift from one of my best friends, and since this is to be the 10th anniversary year of my wedding, I felt it was high time I actually read it.
This book was written in the mid 1700’s and has the general premise of trying to dissuade the young naïve protagonist from his ‘belief’ that "everything is for the best" and that he lives in “the best of all possible worlds”. It achieves this by taking the protagonist through greater and greater incidents of pain, suffering and strife, all the while forcing him to argue the veracity of his claim of how what is happening is "for the best".
Despite the age of the book, and the fact it was originally written in French and has been translated into English, I wasn’t having great difficulty with either the diction or the general style of the novel. However, the incredibly dry wit of the piece was oft lost on me and as such I didn’t fully appreciate why it is considered a classic of literature. I think I am somewhat ‘jaded’ by the modern world and therefore cannot fully immerse myself into the age in which the novel occurs. Perhaps if someone were to write an adequate modernization of the novel, I could better understand the overall gist and nuances of the text.
I do not begrudge my friend for the novel, as I am glad that he has allowed me to broaden my reading horizons. I just hope he’ll forgive the fact that I am not cultured in classic literature enough and am perhaps a little to obtuse to appreciate the novel to the same extent he does.
Perhaps, should I pick the book up later in life, I can find future joy in the words of Monsieur Voltaire.
…
Title: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Author: J. K. Rowling
ISBN: 1-55192-756-x
Format: Hardcover 607 Pages
Overall Concept 7
Execution 8
This is the sixth, and penultimate, book in the Harry Potter series and continues the tale of the orphan boy trying to get through his private school education while dealing with the larger issue of a homicidal megalomaniac, who he is magically tied to, trying to take over the world.
In this book Harry is no longer the petulant punk that he was in book five, but he is becoming the responsible man, capable of accepting his fate, that he will need to be to finally confront his nemesis Voldemort.
This book is more about Voldemort and who he was, is and can be, how Harry comes to learn these details and what he’ll begin to do once he understands them.
Really this book is an excellent lead up to the next, which will be the last in the series and the one where Voldemort and Harry come to their final encounter.
My only concern with this novel it that it appears that Ms. Rowling might fall into the trap of having Snape actually be a major villain of the series, and should she do this I will be most disappointed. Personally, I think she will be better off if she uses Snape as an example of the moral that life if full of very hard choices, sometimes seemingly beyond one’s control.
I enjoyed this book more than I enjoyed the last and because of such I am most certainly looking forward to seeing how Ms. Rowling ends the series, not to mention just how large of a book it will take her to wrap it all up.
I most certainly would recommend this book to anyone who has read the others in the series, and I would recommend that anyone who likes a good tale of fantasy pick up the entire series.
Title: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Author: J. K. Rowling
ISBN: 1-55192-756-x
Format: Hardcover 607 Pages
Overall Concept 7
Execution 8
This is the sixth, and penultimate, book in the Harry Potter series and continues the tale of the orphan boy trying to get through his private school education while dealing with the larger issue of a homicidal megalomaniac, who he is magically tied to, trying to take over the world.
In this book Harry is no longer the petulant punk that he was in book five, but he is becoming the responsible man, capable of accepting his fate, that he will need to be to finally confront his nemesis Voldemort.
This book is more about Voldemort and who he was, is and can be, how Harry comes to learn these details and what he’ll begin to do once he understands them.
Really this book is an excellent lead up to the next, which will be the last in the series and the one where Voldemort and Harry come to their final encounter.
My only concern with this novel it that it appears that Ms. Rowling might fall into the trap of having Snape actually be a major villain of the series, and should she do this I will be most disappointed. Personally, I think she will be better off if she uses Snape as an example of the moral that life if full of very hard choices, sometimes seemingly beyond one’s control.
I enjoyed this book more than I enjoyed the last and because of such I am most certainly looking forward to seeing how Ms. Rowling ends the series, not to mention just how large of a book it will take her to wrap it all up.
I most certainly would recommend this book to anyone who has read the others in the series, and I would recommend that anyone who likes a good tale of fantasy pick up the entire series.
...
Title: The DaVinci Code
Author: Dan Brown
ISBN: 0-385-50420-9
Format: Hardcover 454 Pages
Overall Concept 8
Execution 7
CAVEAT: I hate to have to spell this out, but this is a work of fiction and as such all of the ‘history’ of this book should be taken with both a question as to its authenticity and with the understanding that it has most likely been altered to best suit the needs of the author and the story he wishes to tell, despite any claims he may make to the contrary.
This is the 2nd novel with our intrepid Harvard History Professor, Robert Langdon. In this tale of history (gone wrong) our protagonist is called to a murder scene by the French police while on lecture in the city of Paris. It seems that a man he was to have met with that evening has been murdered in the Louvre and has been positioned in a way similar to Leonardo’s Vitruvian Man. This incident quickly escalates to one where Robert is on the run from the French authorities and, with the aid of a French cryptographer, on the chase to find what the Holy Grail is and where precisely to find it.
Angels and Demons, Brown’s first novel with Robert Langdon, is not only a better read but a more plausible story. Also, it would seem that Mr. Brown is rather formulaic in his writing style and therefore The DaVinci Code seems stale, after having read Angels and Demons.
With regards to the heresy this book is presenting to the world, I will say two things. Firstly, see my CAVEAT above and secondly this is not the first time this idea has been brought forward and dismissed or forgotten. If anything I think Mr. Brown is a brilliant marketer as by making the Church take a stand against his novel he has received a significant amount of free press and that has generated a lot of sales. I also believe that the way Mr. Brown is presenting the information, from a Harvard professor and with a lecture type air to it, it is being leant a great deal of versimilitude. And this versimilitude is only aiding in people becoming blind to the fact that this is a work of fiction and should be treated as such.
As with Angels and Demons, I would heartily suggest this to any one who takes entertainment out of the concepts of a good mystery, conspiracies and/or anachronistic history lessons. But for any devout Catholics or Christians, the big historical reveal of this novel needs to be assumed to be quite fanciful.
Title: The DaVinci Code
Author: Dan Brown
ISBN: 0-385-50420-9
Format: Hardcover 454 Pages
Overall Concept 8
Execution 7
CAVEAT: I hate to have to spell this out, but this is a work of fiction and as such all of the ‘history’ of this book should be taken with both a question as to its authenticity and with the understanding that it has most likely been altered to best suit the needs of the author and the story he wishes to tell, despite any claims he may make to the contrary.
This is the 2nd novel with our intrepid Harvard History Professor, Robert Langdon. In this tale of history (gone wrong) our protagonist is called to a murder scene by the French police while on lecture in the city of Paris. It seems that a man he was to have met with that evening has been murdered in the Louvre and has been positioned in a way similar to Leonardo’s Vitruvian Man. This incident quickly escalates to one where Robert is on the run from the French authorities and, with the aid of a French cryptographer, on the chase to find what the Holy Grail is and where precisely to find it.
Angels and Demons, Brown’s first novel with Robert Langdon, is not only a better read but a more plausible story. Also, it would seem that Mr. Brown is rather formulaic in his writing style and therefore The DaVinci Code seems stale, after having read Angels and Demons.
With regards to the heresy this book is presenting to the world, I will say two things. Firstly, see my CAVEAT above and secondly this is not the first time this idea has been brought forward and dismissed or forgotten. If anything I think Mr. Brown is a brilliant marketer as by making the Church take a stand against his novel he has received a significant amount of free press and that has generated a lot of sales. I also believe that the way Mr. Brown is presenting the information, from a Harvard professor and with a lecture type air to it, it is being leant a great deal of versimilitude. And this versimilitude is only aiding in people becoming blind to the fact that this is a work of fiction and should be treated as such.
As with Angels and Demons, I would heartily suggest this to any one who takes entertainment out of the concepts of a good mystery, conspiracies and/or anachronistic history lessons. But for any devout Catholics or Christians, the big historical reveal of this novel needs to be assumed to be quite fanciful.
...
Title: Angels and Demons
Author: Dan Brown
ISBN: 0-7434-8622-6
Format: Hardcover 569 Pages
Overall Concept 9
Execution 8
This is the first novel staring the intrepid Harvard Professor Robert Langdon. In it, Robert, a historian with a specialty in Symbology and Religious Iconography, is approached by the head of CERN, the world's largest particle physics laboratory, to investigate the death of one of their head scientists who was killed in his locked apartment with a ambigram of the word Illuminati seared into his chest. Robert then spends the next 24 hours to keep ahead of the criminal, and his accomplices, who is planning to use some specific research of the initial victim to level the Vatican with an anti-matter bomb. All this is occurring during the time that the Catholic Church is electing a new pope.
I must admit that I was intrigued into reading this book because it is the first novel with the protagonist of the other bestseller by Brown, The Davinci Code, and that I tend to be a bit of a stickler when it comes to reading books in chronological order. But I was further intrigued by the fact that this was a modern murder mystery with its roots, and ultimately clues, in the details of common and not so common history.
First off, I hate to have to spell this out, but this is a work of fiction and as such all of the ‘history’ of this book should be taken with both a question as to its authenticity and with the understanding that it has most likely been altered to best suit the needs of the author and the story he wishes to tell.
If one can keep this above point in mind during the reading of this novel, it is a very entertaining and rewarding read, with many twists and turns that take you by surprise. It will be hard pressed for someone to ascertain the identity of the villain long before the final reveal.
My only other concern with this novel is the accelerated timeline and how much the protagonist is capable of accomplishing within a 24 hour timeframe. Fortunately, the entirety of the activity occurs within the city of Rome and the Vatican proper, so it doesn’t come off as completely impossible, just improbable.
I would heartily suggest this to any one who takes entertainment out of the concepts of a good mystery, conspiracies and/or anachronistic history lessons.
Title: Angels and Demons
Author: Dan Brown
ISBN: 0-7434-8622-6
Format: Hardcover 569 Pages
Overall Concept 9
Execution 8
This is the first novel staring the intrepid Harvard Professor Robert Langdon. In it, Robert, a historian with a specialty in Symbology and Religious Iconography, is approached by the head of CERN, the world's largest particle physics laboratory, to investigate the death of one of their head scientists who was killed in his locked apartment with a ambigram of the word Illuminati seared into his chest. Robert then spends the next 24 hours to keep ahead of the criminal, and his accomplices, who is planning to use some specific research of the initial victim to level the Vatican with an anti-matter bomb. All this is occurring during the time that the Catholic Church is electing a new pope.
I must admit that I was intrigued into reading this book because it is the first novel with the protagonist of the other bestseller by Brown, The Davinci Code, and that I tend to be a bit of a stickler when it comes to reading books in chronological order. But I was further intrigued by the fact that this was a modern murder mystery with its roots, and ultimately clues, in the details of common and not so common history.
First off, I hate to have to spell this out, but this is a work of fiction and as such all of the ‘history’ of this book should be taken with both a question as to its authenticity and with the understanding that it has most likely been altered to best suit the needs of the author and the story he wishes to tell.
If one can keep this above point in mind during the reading of this novel, it is a very entertaining and rewarding read, with many twists and turns that take you by surprise. It will be hard pressed for someone to ascertain the identity of the villain long before the final reveal.
My only other concern with this novel is the accelerated timeline and how much the protagonist is capable of accomplishing within a 24 hour timeframe. Fortunately, the entirety of the activity occurs within the city of Rome and the Vatican proper, so it doesn’t come off as completely impossible, just improbable.
I would heartily suggest this to any one who takes entertainment out of the concepts of a good mystery, conspiracies and/or anachronistic history lessons.
...
Series: R. A. Salvatore’s War of the Spider Queen
Title: Dissolution (Book I)
Author: Richard Lee Byers
ISBN: 0-7869-2714-3
Format: Hardcover 344 Pages
Title: Insurrection (Book II)
Author: Thomas M. Reid
ISBN: 0-7869-2786-0
Format: Hardcover 338 Pages
Title: Condemnation (Book III)
Author: Richard Baker
ISBN: 0-7869-28-24-7
Format: Hardcover 344 Pages
Title: Extinction (Book IV)
Author: Lisa Smedman
ISBN: 0-7869-2989-8
Format: Hardcover 344 Pages
Title: Annihilation (Book V)
Author: Philip Athans
ISBN: 0-7869-3237-6
Format: Hardcover 342 Pages
Title: Resurrection (Book VI)
Author: Paul S. Kemp
ISBN: 0-7869-3640-1
Format: Hardcover 343 Pages
Overall Concept 9
Execution 6
This is a six book series that is situated in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game by Wizards of the Coast. The general premise of this series is that Lloth, the god of the Drow (evil elves), has shut herself off from her priestesses and followers, and what kind of impact that holds for her ‘children’.
The first book deals with the jewel of the underdark, Menzoberranzan and how the loss of Lloth impacts the power struggles and day to day life of those in this city.
The 2nd book follows the ‘protagonists’ of the story and their traveling to the next closest city of the Drow in an attempt to discern if the issue is isolated or universal.
The 3rd – 6th books continue on the journey and the various external people that impact on the ‘antagonists’ journey to find their goddess and how they help or hinder for the reasons of their own.
I have put the term ‘antagonists’ in quotes as the heroes of this story are all members of the evil race of the Drow and as such are neither good or lawful, so for some readers it might be distasteful to see how callous and selfish they are during their mission.
Each book has a short prologue that deals with Lloth and what she is doing during the time of the book in question. These were rather well done as they were written in a dreamlike or allegorical method and were such that I was finding myself looking forward to these prologues of every book.
These novels were written by six different authors, despite their being one continuing tale of six primary characters. I found that this cooperative story telling method was both a good and bad thing. It was bad as the differing styles and tones of the authors were quite apparent and nearly distracting from the story, but was good as if the story was only written by one of these authors, I most likely would not have continued it, as not all the authors were to my liking.
Overall I found the concept of what was being set forth by this series to be an excellent idea with lots of opportunity for engaging stories, but I found the overall final product to be rather lacking to the point of finding myself saying “for such a huge concept, they didn’t seem to go very far with it”.
I would suggest to any lovers of the Drow or of the Forgotten Realms, that this would be a worthwhile series to borrow or loan from the library, but not anything one would or should invest their personal monies into.
Series: R. A. Salvatore’s War of the Spider Queen
Title: Dissolution (Book I)
Author: Richard Lee Byers
ISBN: 0-7869-2714-3
Format: Hardcover 344 Pages
Title: Insurrection (Book II)
Author: Thomas M. Reid
ISBN: 0-7869-2786-0
Format: Hardcover 338 Pages
Title: Condemnation (Book III)
Author: Richard Baker
ISBN: 0-7869-28-24-7
Format: Hardcover 344 Pages
Title: Extinction (Book IV)
Author: Lisa Smedman
ISBN: 0-7869-2989-8
Format: Hardcover 344 Pages
Title: Annihilation (Book V)
Author: Philip Athans
ISBN: 0-7869-3237-6
Format: Hardcover 342 Pages
Title: Resurrection (Book VI)
Author: Paul S. Kemp
ISBN: 0-7869-3640-1
Format: Hardcover 343 Pages
Overall Concept 9
Execution 6
This is a six book series that is situated in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game by Wizards of the Coast. The general premise of this series is that Lloth, the god of the Drow (evil elves), has shut herself off from her priestesses and followers, and what kind of impact that holds for her ‘children’.
The first book deals with the jewel of the underdark, Menzoberranzan and how the loss of Lloth impacts the power struggles and day to day life of those in this city.
The 2nd book follows the ‘protagonists’ of the story and their traveling to the next closest city of the Drow in an attempt to discern if the issue is isolated or universal.
The 3rd – 6th books continue on the journey and the various external people that impact on the ‘antagonists’ journey to find their goddess and how they help or hinder for the reasons of their own.
I have put the term ‘antagonists’ in quotes as the heroes of this story are all members of the evil race of the Drow and as such are neither good or lawful, so for some readers it might be distasteful to see how callous and selfish they are during their mission.
Each book has a short prologue that deals with Lloth and what she is doing during the time of the book in question. These were rather well done as they were written in a dreamlike or allegorical method and were such that I was finding myself looking forward to these prologues of every book.
These novels were written by six different authors, despite their being one continuing tale of six primary characters. I found that this cooperative story telling method was both a good and bad thing. It was bad as the differing styles and tones of the authors were quite apparent and nearly distracting from the story, but was good as if the story was only written by one of these authors, I most likely would not have continued it, as not all the authors were to my liking.
Overall I found the concept of what was being set forth by this series to be an excellent idea with lots of opportunity for engaging stories, but I found the overall final product to be rather lacking to the point of finding myself saying “for such a huge concept, they didn’t seem to go very far with it”.
I would suggest to any lovers of the Drow or of the Forgotten Realms, that this would be a worthwhile series to borrow or loan from the library, but not anything one would or should invest their personal monies into.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
...
Well I have been a rather naughty blogger, having neglected updating this site in over a year and a half. Hence, I will be making several updates over the coming days, in order to add all the books (and perhaps some comics) I've read since my last update.
Title: The Bible – New Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition
Author: Various
ISBN: 0-88834-021-4
Format: Softcover 1344 pages
Since I am neither a prophet, a biblical scholar nor an enlightened one, I will not be so presumptuous as to attempt to critique The Bible. However, I will say that this was a very good book to have read, mostly because of how it affirms my belief that despite the age of the human race, we are still the same mentally/emotionally as we were in the beginning.
I was also quite impressed to fully appreciate how much of the nomaclature of The Bible has made its way into daily parlance, and we just don't realize what it is we are quoting/paraphasing and what truly it means or pays reference to.
Having adopted (returned) to the Catholic faith this past Easter, I can now begin to fully appreciate how much of an impact the word of God has on our daily lives and how much teachings, guidance, courage, compassion and understanding we can recieve from The Bible.
I will admit that I took a full year to read this, which is partially why I haven't been updating this blog very often, and that despite how long I took to read it, I am certain I will need to reread this book again and again to fully BEGIN to appreciate what it has to offer mankind.
Well I have been a rather naughty blogger, having neglected updating this site in over a year and a half. Hence, I will be making several updates over the coming days, in order to add all the books (and perhaps some comics) I've read since my last update.
Title: The Bible – New Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition
Author: Various
ISBN: 0-88834-021-4
Format: Softcover 1344 pages
Since I am neither a prophet, a biblical scholar nor an enlightened one, I will not be so presumptuous as to attempt to critique The Bible. However, I will say that this was a very good book to have read, mostly because of how it affirms my belief that despite the age of the human race, we are still the same mentally/emotionally as we were in the beginning.
I was also quite impressed to fully appreciate how much of the nomaclature of The Bible has made its way into daily parlance, and we just don't realize what it is we are quoting/paraphasing and what truly it means or pays reference to.
Having adopted (returned) to the Catholic faith this past Easter, I can now begin to fully appreciate how much of an impact the word of God has on our daily lives and how much teachings, guidance, courage, compassion and understanding we can recieve from The Bible.
I will admit that I took a full year to read this, which is partially why I haven't been updating this blog very often, and that despite how long I took to read it, I am certain I will need to reread this book again and again to fully BEGIN to appreciate what it has to offer mankind.
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