Kakaku：576 saved$5.76
HarperCollins
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Good Book for a Young Reader) 『This is exactly the type of book I was looking for for my granddaughter. She is only 6 but is an advanced reader and very interested in history (thanks to me). It is beautifully illustrated and historically accurate (I fancy myself an expert on Elizabeth I). I didn't want an "adult" book on Queen Elizabeth I, I wanted something a young reader will enjoy that wasn't too childish, but portray real historical information. This book goes from when Elizabeth was young until she died.』
(Guess I'm a Diane Stanley fan now) 『This is our second Diane Stanley book. As in the Cleopatra biography, excellent writing and elegant rich illustrations bring out the drama and emotion of history. I'll be buying all the rest of this author's works.
I read this to a 7 year old. Probably the target age group is more like 8-11.』
(Good Queen Bess) 『It is NOT highlighted that this is a CHILDRENS book. We purchased with expectation of a substantial historical work and have now lost $13 for nothing.』
(Great overview for young people of Queen Elizabeth's life) 『Diane Stanley's biography of Queen Elizabeth I of England follows the great Queen's life from her father's divorce of Catherine of Aragon, to Elizabeth's death in 1603. Without bogging down in the details of Elizabeth's seventy years, Stanley has created a broad look at the important events in the Queen's life.
Stanley's artwork accurately shows the clothing and styles of the time. Anyone familiar with the portraits of the various members of the royal family will easily recognize them in Stanley's illustrations.
Stanley does an excellent job of taking two very complicated but highly significant subjects, the formation of the Church of England and why Henry VIII desperately wanted a son, and explaining them in a simple enough manner that someone with little or no historical background can understand them. Children will be able to read this biography without becoming lost in the multitude of people in Elizabeth's life, or confused about the meaning of the important events.』
(Beautiful, historical and perfect for kids) 『Like all the Diane Stanley books that we have my children and I loved this one. The illustrations are colorful and very fitting for the time. I have always been interested in history and have searched for books that my girls can relate to. The story of Queen Elizabeth is something all children should be familiar with. I think Ms. Stanley has a wonderful way of making history interesting for young readers.』 『
She was a queen whose strong will, shrewd diplomacy, religious tolerance and great love for her subjects won the hearts of her people and the admiration of her enemies.
Elizabeth was born into an age of religious strife, in which plots and factions were everywhere and private beliefs could be punished by death. When she became queen, her counselors urged her to marry quickly and turn the responsibilities of governing over to her husband, But she outwitted them by stalling, changing her mind; and playing one side against another, as she steered her country to the glorious era of peace and security that would be called the Elizabethan Age.
Elizabeth's forceful personality, colorful court, and devoted subjects come vividly to life in this stellar picture-book biography. When it was first published,Good Queen Besswas named a Notable Book in the Field of Social Studies, an American Library Association Notable Book, aBooklistEditors' Choice, anAmerican BooksellerPick of the Lists, aBoston Globe-Horn BookHonor Book, and an IRA Teachers' Choice.
In this welcome reissue, celebrated author and illustrator Diane Stanley and her husband, Peter Vennema, paint an impressive portrait of the remarkable queen who loved her people so dearly and ruled them so well.
Kakaku：799 saved$7.99
Eos
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Slow, shallow and poorly written) 『I picked this book up hoping for a fresh fantasy tale as this was my first Feist novel. Unfortunately I was completely disappointed. The only fantasy elements in this book are stereotypical elves, legends of dwarves and some unexplained magical elements. The most interesting part of the book was the prologue and then it slid downhill from there.
I didn't find a single character interesting enough to care about them. The "hero" of the novel is a murderer that seems to care for horses above all else in his life. His best friend is a hotheaded murderer as well and you won't really care if he lives or dies. This is the same for pretty much every character in the book with the exception of Nakor, and even he is poorly developed.
I had hoped to read this entire series but I can't put up with Feist's repetitive writing style, lack of action and suspense and just plain bad characters. I do not recommend this book to any fan of fantasy, if you want something similar that is actually good please read George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series.』
(Excelent Book) 『He has one of the most inventive mind's that I have seen in modern fiction in a long time.』
(Not Free SF Reader) 『Suicide mission better than hanging around.
When a couple of young men get into trouble and are goaded into some foolish action i.e. attacking rich guys when they get mad, it is execution for them.
After a nasty near death poo your pants scaffold experience they realise they have been given a reprieve of sorts. Time for a Dirty Dozen experience. So, horrible boot camp trainig for them and others like them, because there is a Dark Lordess that needs stopping. 』
(War brews once more in Midkemia) 『With this book, Feist launches into a new trilogy - the Serpentwar Saga. The prior book (The King's Buccaneer) introduced us to the new continent of Novindus. In this novel we learn that war is brewing on Novindus. Although far away, it is caused by the fanatical Pantathian serpent priests. As they are behind this war, it doesn't take long to realize that they intend to invade the Kingdom once more, to try again to seize the Lifestone to free the trapped Dragon Lord Alma-Lokada, who they worship as a godess.
Into this war-torn continent gone mad, a group from the Kingdom must venture to learn more of the plot, and hopefully find a way to stop it. It is decided that "desperate men" must be found to go on this quest, those with nothing to lose, to try where so many others have failed. When Erik von Darkmoor, illegitimate son of the Baron, together with Roo, his oldest friend, manage to kill the Baron's son, after he rapes a girl both Erik and Roo care about, they find themselves bound for the gallows, and end up in this band of desperate men, on this seemingly suicidal mission. They are led by Calis, son of Thomas (the part-human, part Dragon Lord), and we also see several old familiar faces, such as Nakor, Praji and Vaja, along with a few brief appearances by James (aka Jimmy the Hand) and Prince Nicolas.
Feist does well, as usual, in bringing his characters to life, and making you root for them, even if this time some of them are cut-throats. Likewise he does an excellent job of portraying a land torn by war, the confusion, chaos, heartache and death.
Finally, those who like Pug (such as me) will be glad to see a few appearances by him, along with an introduction of the powerful and mysterious Miranda.
An excellent start to a new trilogy, and I recommend this book.』
(Shadow of a Dark Queen) 『This is an amazing book, I love all of Feist's work but there is now way anyone should pay $60.00 for this book, it can be found on this site, also in Hardcover for $17.00. That is a ridiculous price to ask for any book.』 『
A dread darkness is descending upon a great land called Midkemia—a powerful and malevolent race of monsters that has slipped through a hole in the dimensions. And two unlikely young heroes—a bastard heir denied his birthright and an irrepressible scoundrel with a penchant for thievery—must take up arms in the struggle to protect their besieged world...twofriends chosen by Destiny to stand at the fore of the battle that is to come against the gargantuan reptile army of the terrible Emerald Queen.
Kakaku：279 saved$2.79
Company
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Learn about bees) 『I have not yet finished this book, but have enjoyed it very much. My husband is a beekeeper, so I have enjoyed learning about bees, but in a format that is more enjoyable than a technical manual. Mr. Longgood has an easy manner of writing, the chapters are very short, so I can read and learn a little at a time as suits my schedule. I think anyone who enjoys learning will find this book insightful.』
(The Queen Must Die) 『This author speaks to the scientist, philosopher and naturalist in all of us! My family bought this book to determine whether we wanted to start a beekeeping hobby but received much more from it. It's brilliant and not only guides and instructs but encourages one to reflect on the mysteries, miracles and humor in nature, one's own life and society. This is one author I'd love to invite to a dinner party! 』
(Excellent read for all - whether you're a bee "lover" or not.) 『What a great read about all things bees - and our interaction with them. I discovered this gem on a search at the library and recognizing it as the book frequently quoted in "The Secret Life of Bees", and thought it might be interesting. Well it was much more than interesting. Mr. Longwood presents his insights and information in a delightful, informal manner. Even if you have little interest in bees or their "affairs", you will still be entertained and enlightened. I highly recommend this book.』
(Lively, Intelligent Treatise on Bees) 『I found this book by chance and what a delight it is. This guy can really write! I have read many books about bees and beekeeping and this is one of the best--he brings the bees to life and clearly explains bee behavior, anatomy, etc. in vivid, entertaining prose. His observations are wide-ranging and generous. Highly recommended!』
(A must read for novices and experts alike.) 『This delightful book was the inspiration I needed in deciding to take up the hobby of beekeeping. Mr. Longood has a kind way of bringing the yearly life of beekeeping to a warm and understandable level. I have taught beginer introductory beekeeping courses, and require this book as course reading. As former president of the Maine State Beekeepers Association,and a beekeeper for nearly 20 years, I highly recommend this fine, delightful book.』 『"An engaging collection of observations about honeybees and their activities."--Publishers Weekly.』
Kakaku：799 saved$7.99
Del Rey
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Quite good I must say!) 『This is the first "Shannara" related book i've read (read "The Magic Kingdom.... series some years ago)&thought it to be a very enjoyable book. I will now want to eventually read the other books in the "Shannara" storyline!』
(Possibly my least favorite of the series) 『The Elf Queen, predictably, follows Wren in her quest to find the missing Elves and bring them back to the Westland. She and her Rover protector and friend, Garth, are taken by a Wing Rider to an island many hours off the coast, where she has learned the Elves relocated without word to anyone more than a hundred years ago. The island had been a reclusive paradise, an escape from the encroaching Federation rule and the dark Shadowen that had started infecting the land. But all is not well, anymore, on Morrowindl, the once-paradise refuge. While the Wing Riders and the Land Elves had corresponded for years during the Elves self-imposed exile, no Elf has come out of Arborlon (the relocated version of the city!) in decades. The island has become overrun with all sorts of horrendously bad demons, and the Elves are trapped in their city behind a wall of magic...which happens to be failing. Meaning soon, the demons could invade the city and destroy them. Wren insists on making her way to the Elves and fulfilling her charge. I won't give any more plot away, but this also is a fairly entertaining and unique book in the series. At times I felt there were actually too many deaths, and that the sadness for these deaths was a bit contrived. Characters that other characters had just met are horribly devastated over the loss. I mean, I've never been in a battle, facing deprivation, exhaustion and the constant threat of death. Maybe it's natural to form...unnatural...connections to people in a situation like that. But at times it just felt like Brooks was trying to pull my heartstrings. I think that's the only reason this wasn't my favorite over Druid, there was just too much insincerity.』
(please make it stop) 『Well, I read the Magic Kingdom series years back, and that was fun and lively story. I haven't read the original Shannara series. This is my first. Book 1 of the series was good with some action. Brooks did an average plus job of introducing the story line; enough to keep me wanting to read. Book 2 continued on with the average plus. Good story line and engaging characters. You can almost feel Walker Boh's plight. However, Book 3, the story of Wren, is nearly horrid in reading. This book made me want to quit reading the series. Poor Wren has to use some magic pebbles(the Elfstones) to get her out of trouble. And she must cry about it every time. The storyline would be pretty good, if Brooks would not stop every other page to show us Wrens crybaby attitude. OK already, we know her history, quit reminding us after every other scene. Brooks skips over much of the action, and fight scenes are usually done in a sentence or two, while Wren's continuous fretting over growing up and having to use magic goes on page after page. If you take out Wren's constant crying and descriptions of acacia trees, you might have 150 pages of story. Uggh!!! Boring!!! I'm just starting Book 4 and already we are back to almost good plot and action. I hope Wren dies in this book. Will be the last time I read Brooks. Anybody want these books???』
(worst of brooks) 『I love Brooks, i love all his stories, but this one was no so great. I was so sick of Wren and Garth in the jungle by the end i almost couldnt take it. I love Brooks' descriptive writing but i think he should have shortened this series up a bit.』
(Entertaining Book) 『This book deals mostly with Wren and Garth and their struggles to follow Allanon's commands and move the Elves back to the four lands.
At first I didn't think I would like this book as much as I did because they were the most uninteresting characters in the first two books. However, I thought this book was very enjoyable. This book is mostly non stop action/peril sequences and will not go down in history as a literary masterpiece but it is very entertaining, the action is great (although a little less action and more character development would have been a little better)and the characters are for the most part well developed. It's a little predictable but still a good addition to the Heritage series.』 『"Find the Elves and return them to the world of Men!" the shade of the Druid Allanon had ordered Wren. It was clearly an impossible task. The Elves had been gone from the Westland for more than a hundred years. There was not even a trace of their former city of Arborlon left to mark their passing. No one in the Esterland knew of them -- except, finally, the Addershag. The blind old woman had given instructions to find a place on the coast of the Blue Divide, build a fire, and keep it burning for three days. "One will come for you." Tiger Ty, the Wing Rider, had come on his giant Roc to carry Wren and her friend Garth to the only clear landing site on the island of Morrowindl, where, he said, the Elves might still exist, somewhere in the demon-haunted jungle. Now she stood within that jungle, remembering the warning of the Addershag: "Beward, Elf-girl. I see danger ahead for you . . . and evil beyond imagining." It had proved all too true. Wren stood with her single weapon of magic, listening as demons evil beyond all imagining gathered for attack. How long could she resist? And if, by some miracle, she reached the Elves and could convince them to return, how could they possibly retrace her perilous path to reach the one safe place on the coast?』
Kakaku：480 saved$4.80
Back Bay Books
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (A good little adventure) 『Although personally I do not believe the writers best work (Hornblower is just incredible), it is still a fantastic read. One of the best writers I believe in anything associated with maritime and naval stories. This story has only a few elements to work with but creates a great light read. The story is so good there is no need for any major complex twists, turns or tricks making it very digestible. A welcome read if you have just spent the last few books in heavy intense thrillers or of the like. The writer obviously knew what they were talking about as some of the details are not only incredibly interesting, but also incredible at creating suspense. The details do not bore you at all and treats you like you are intelligent enough to understand what is being said, which is a massive relief from the spoon feeding of other writers. The book is a well written breath of fresh air. Like tea on the porch in the fall. lol. 』
(African Queen - too little for a book - but a fine screen play) 『The African Queen - C.S. Forrester. Weak. Good, but weak. The movie may have won an academy award but the book comes up short. More of a novella, or screenplay than a book. The author could have doubled the text and it may well have been a good book. I appreciate the drama of the two people pulled from separate worlds that are changed dramatically by unfolding events and raise themselves to previously unimagined feats of character and bravery. Still, it was a wasted effort, two little to hang it all on and a pointless ending.』
(in this case the movie was better) 『If I love a movie, I will often read the book with the expectation that it will be better. In this case I think the movie is better than the book. Not that it is a bad book, I found it enjoyable enough. I just think that Bogey's and Hepburn's interpretation of the characters is what really brought this story to life.』
(The ending redeems itself) 『Throughout most of the book, I found myself thinking, "This is one case where I like the movie better." Although the plot for the first 3/4 of the book is the same as the movie's, the characterization is a bit different. For example, the movie portrays Rose as a determind, principled, yet prim woman who slowly learns to love; in the book, she comes across as a bit immature, supposedly the result of being repressed by men her entire life, and is so thrilled with the freedom earned by her brother's recent death that she decides to kamikaze a German boat. Personally, I found the movie's Rose more realistic and likeable; the book's Rose felt too much like a poster child of feminist propoganda.
In general, most of the novel is a bit heavy-handed is describing the character's motives, characters, and thought processes, and leaves very little to the imagination. Subtlety, apparently, is not Forester's strong point.
The only thing keeping me from giving this book a lower rating is the ending. Forester truly redeems himself in my eyes with the ending, which is far darker and more realistic than the movie's. The ending calls into question everythng that you assumed that Forester was trying to tell you -- all the notions of heroism, patriotism, and true love. The last line is probably one of my favorite of all last lines,
(Spoiler space)
forcing you to ask yourself: Are Charlie and Rose truly soulmates, or has an extreme situation simply brought them together and instigated passion? While in the movie it is clear that Charlie and Rose truly love another, the book suggests that their "love" may simply be due to the arousal that arises during a near-death situation. For me, this very human, bittersweet ending enabled me to forgive Forester for his earlier heavy-handed treatment of the characters.
』
(Was This A College Writing Assignment?) 『I was shocked to learn how bad this book really is. The title is so beloved by many as the Bogart/Hepburn classic, and one would expect the book to not only match the Hollywood translation but to dwarf it with typical literary superiority. Not so. The basic plot itself is brilliant enough in its simplicity: two unlikely characters (the archetypical Cockney grease monkey and the chaste maiden) have an adventurous float down an untamed river on a cocked-up mission to sink a German gunship. Ok so far. What Forester does with this promising seed is ridiculous and leaves the reader wondering whether this was all just a vehicle for Forester to deliver a little saucy "maiden-missionary-loses-her-virginity" stuff mixed in with his clearly evident views that missionaries are idiots. Forester's story is outrageous on all levels. From the timely and chance first meeting between Rose and Allnut, to the mere minutes that it took for Rose to hatch her ignorant plot to sink a German warship, to Allnut's agreement to participate, to the absurd success of the journey, to the ridiculous "Cockney ingenuity" with which Allnut fashions a propeller out of a coconut or some such stunt, Forester lays a number of eggs. The creme de la creme is Rose's glorious fall from grace. This whole angle of the book borders on soft porn, at least by 1930's standards. Are we to believe that this apparently devout missionary woman has maintained her purity for all these years just to give it all to this unbathed louse? Forester clearly delighted in this stuff: at one point, he actually describes Rose's 'chests' as literally levitating with her newfound vigor and energy - having replaced her former existence of Christian bondage with a new life of unbridled jungle boogie. Come on. Last criticism, with a SPOILER ALERT: the movie's ending is much better than the novel's. Whereas the movie made the boat (the very namesake of the book) into one of the main characters that ultimately sunk the German gunboat, Forester sinks the Afican Queen early and unceremoniously, and then takes the reader through an irrelevant account of Belgian naval manuevers and German military justice. Anyway, I've written enough: stick to the movie.』 『First published in 1935, The African Queen is the story of Charlie Allnut and Rose Sayer, a disheveled trader and an English spinster missionary, who are thrown together when World War I reaches the heart of the African jungle.』
IPhone 3G used's review (Make sure the reviews correspond to the edition!) 『I wish to make it clear that the 2001 review published below when I was at Oberlin College is NOT of this Oxford World Classics edition-- with which I am unfamiliar-- but rather of a previous Dover Thrift Edition.
I am shocked that Amazon places reviews of different translated editions of the same title(s) interchangably.
-David Shengold Philadelphia PA』
(Six short stories - Good Introduction to Alexander Pushkin) 『This Dover Thrift edition - The Queen of Spades and Other Stories - offers an enjoyable introduction to Alexander Pushkin, an early nineteenth century Russian poet and writer. This collection includes Pushkin's popular The Queen of Spades and his five short stories published under the title The Tales of the Late P. Belkin. The translation was by T. Keane, originally published in 1894 by G. Bell&Sons, London.
The Queen of Spades is a haunting story of one man's obsession with gambling. Hermann, German by birth but a young officer in the Russian military, is notable among his fellow officers in St. Petersburg for his restraint: "He has never had a card in his hand in his life; he never in his life had a wager, and yet he sits here till five o'clock in the morning watching our play". Hermann becomes intrigued with a tale of a closely held secret, one that reveals a bidding sequence that always wins.
Unlike the title story, the other five stories have settings in rural Russia at great distance from cosmopolitan Moscow and St. Petersburg. Apparently Pushkin originally published these stories under a pseudonym. P. Belkin, supposedly a somewhat mysterious individual that liked to collect tales.
An Amateur Peasant Girl: The wealthy landowner Ivan Petrovitch Berestoff, feuds with his nearest neighbor, Gregory Ivanovitch Mouromsky. Unknown to either, Mouromsky's daughter, Lizaveta Gregorievna, while dressed as a peasant girl, has attracted the attention of Berestoff's son, leading to considerable confusion.
The Shot: In a formal Russian duel one duelist, chosen by chance, fires first from a fixed distance at the other. If the first duelist misses his opponent (or does not critically wound him), the second duelist now fires. In this tale the second duelist, a superb marksman, holds his fire, but with the understanding that at some future time he will return and kill his opponent.
The Snowstorm: This highly contrived story is singularly Russian. Love, chance, and honor ultimately mitigate the unexpected consequences of a senseless prank by a young military officer.
The Postmaster: This story is perhaps less contrived, and yet it still relies heavily on coincidences. The postmaster is not a postman, but is one that manages a way station for resting horses and travelers.
The Coffin Maker: In what appears to be a dream, an undertaker is harassed by his previous clients, now all dead and buried, who return to his home for festivities. The ending is somewhat ambiguous.』
(Excellent Introduction to Pushkin) 『From what I can learn this present volume ISBN 0192839543 from 1999 replaces ISBN 0192832131 from 1997.That volume is almost identical but is just 273 pages versus the present. I am not clear on all the changes but the books contains similar material and identical covers.
Roughly, here is the contents:
Introduction Bibliography Life of Pushkin Milestones of the Pugachev Uprising
The Puskin Stories:
Tales of the Late Ivan Petrovich Belkin - The Shot, 12 pages - The Snowstorm, 12 pages - The Undertaker, 7 pages - The Stationmaster, 12 pages - The Lady Peasant, 18 pages
The Queen of Spades, 29 pages
The Captain's Daughter: a novella, 108 pages
Peter The Great's Blackamoor, 35 pages, an unfinshed work.
Then summary Notes.
Comments:
The book contains a very long introduction to the works and has many notes at the end. In reading just the present book, you will receive a good idea of the general works of Pushkin - abbreviated - and a lot of detail on the present works.
The stories are excellent, well written, and one is instantly converted to being a Pushkin fan. I am not a literary expert but I have read works by Gogol, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, etc, and clearly one sees the connection in style and subject matter. It is easy to see how Tolstoy drew inspiration from these works.
The stories are grounded mostly in realism and 18th and 19th century historical events although there are romantic touches and Queen of Spades has elements of the supernatural.
Overall, these are excellent stories that bring a smile to one's face.』
(either fantasy or reality) 『If someone comes to me and asks what I think true Russian
spirit is, I would say, "duel" is. Russian duel is very reckless
and even absurd because the percentage of survival is only 50%.
Each load their gun and go to the opposite end and they shoot
from distance in turn until either one is shot.
In the book, German,the main character, is a half-bood of
Russian and Germany. Due to his birth,mixed with German blood,
he is usually very realistic and doesn't believe in magic or
tricks. In numerous gatherings German never participates in the
card games but always watches people play. When he hears that
an old woman knows how to win the game he sniffs and ignores
it. But ironically it is he who arrives at the gate of her
house. However, it is not his intention but he himself is
dragged by some magical power.
As quite an ordinary and poor man, German believes in
diligence and reason, but not fantasy or fate. That's why he
never participates in any games. Their game is like a duel. The
players say some number and they take cards until either of
them get to reach the number and he wins. Then a new game
starts as if they already forgot about the former game. Usually
the loser loses a huge sum of money, which means that the
winner becomes enormous rich. In other words, the game actually
changes their lives in totally different ways.
Everyone who has read this book would never forget the last
scene of the Queen of Spades. Perhaps she really does say so,
or he only dreams or imagins. No one knows except Pushkin.
Bytheway, he is not telling something moral to persuade or
teach us. All he shows is something like Matrix, I guess. Maybe
the whole story is just a trick or magic or some parts are. The
judgement is up to the reader. We all are German in a way.』
(Teachers (and others): Avoid this edition!) 『I had been happy to read about a supposedly unabridged and very inexpensive edition of "Queen of Spades" and the Belkin tales, as (as a college instructor) I often assign "Queen of Spades" in courses on opera or Petersburg, or in which one would not neces sarily need the student to order a whole compilation of Pushkin's fiction, such as Norton's very solid COMPLETE PROSE TALES.
However, this edition is *far* from unabridged. The editor has taken it upon himself to cut not only ALL the epigraphs from ALL t he stories (an absurd economy which distorts the tone of these parodic stories) but also fails to provide the two-page "From the Editor" frame without which the purpose of the Belkin tales is obscured.
I would not recommend this edition even to the casua l reader who wished to get the true flavor of Pushkin's Sternean, self-referential prose works. 'eo』
『The Queen of Spades has long been acknowledged as one of the world's greatest short stories. In this classic literary representation of gambling, Alexander Pushkin explores the nature of obsession. Hints of the occult and gothic alternate with scenes of St Petersburg high-society in the story of the passionate Hermann's quest to master chance and make his fortune at the card-table. Underlying the taut plot is an ironical treatment of the romantic dreamer and social outcast. This volume contains three other major works of Pushkin's fiction, moving from the witty parodies of sentimentalism and high melodrama in The Tales of Belkin to an early experiment with recreating the past in Peter the Great's Blackamoor. It concludes with the novel-length masterpiece The Captain's Daughter, which combines historical fiction in the manner of Sir Walter Scott with the colour and devices of the Russian fairy-tale in a narrative of rebellion and romance. These new translations, as well as being meticulously faithful to the original, do full justice to the elegance and fluency of Pushkin's prose.The Introduction provides insightful readings of the stories and places them in their European literary context. A chronology of the Pugachov Uprising illuminates the events in The Captain's Daughter.』
Kakaku：699 saved$6.99
Starscape
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Very enjoyable to read, once you get into it. Mild spoiler warning.) 『As I said, the Thief Queen's Daughter took me a little bit of time to get into, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. The characterization is lovely for the most part, especially that of Ven himself, who can sound like a 12 year old or a 50 year old, whatever your age and however way you prefer.
(He's a self-proclaimed 12 year old, but his species, the Nain--who I assume are similar to dwarves--live five times as long as humans and therefore consider 20 years old to be 5 years old, for example.)
Ven loves his mother and speaks very highly of her, even while acknowledging her legendary strictness. He has a dry sense of humor. He also has an empathetic heart, as indicated by his reaction to the title character's relationship with her mother. The other characters traveling with Ven are indeed their ages: Ven's own age. (Now I leave you to figure it out until you go and buy the book to relieve you of the torture of not knowing. Okay, maybe not.
Above all, the story is fun to read. It has good descriptiveness, making it easy for you to visually picture where Ven and the others are and what they are doing. Not a minute goes by without something happening.
The prose is easy to read. That combined with the colorful story leads me to particularly recommend this book to those of Ven's age. Oh, not that I think people of other ages aren't allowed to enjoy it. I'm five, myself. ...In Nain years, that is.』
(My son loved this book) 『My son, age 14, didn't put this book down for 2 days. Great book!』
(appeals to the Harry Potter crowd) 『Ven Polypheme is fifty years old, but he is a Noin which translates to twelve in human age. He lives on the Island of Serendair in the lodge of Hare Warren located behind the Crossroads Inn where he eats and does odd jobs. He is also the Royal Reporter to the High king Vanemere so when he is called to come to the palace for his first assignment he is excited.
The King meets Ven in the garden before taking him to a hidden room where he shows him a special artifact that comes from the Gated City in Kingston, a former penal colony in which the citizens can never leave. He orders Ven to go there accompanied by four friends to learn who sent the artifact and why and what does it mean. When they enter the Gated City, they are immediately dazzled by its glitter, games, and market. However when one of them is stolen, the others must reach the inner city governed by the Thieves Guild. There they are taken prisoner so they must find a way to escape while seeking the person who sent the artifact but the gates are close so they will have to find an alternate means pf leaving.
Elizabeth Haydon is a great storyteller whose current work will appeal to the Harry Potter crowd. Her hero Ven is likable and willing to learn which makes him intelligent as he lives in a place where life is cheap. There is lots of action The Thief Queen's Daughter and Ven's curiosity makes him want to learn about the Inner City culture. Not all the people who reside inside the Gated City are evil as some risk their lives to try to help the children as best they can, knowing they will never leave. The villain has a surprising relationship to one of the children leaving the audience with hope that maybe the heroes will survive their ordeal although that is doubtful.
Harriet Klausner 』
(Even better than the first, if that's possible) 『I loved the Floating Island. It was one of the best books of any genre that I have read in a long time, and reminded me of my favorite childhood tomes, with the right amount of magic and adventure, and probably the most likable hero I've encountered. Second books are usually very disappointing, especially when the first is as amazing as that one was, so I was shocked and delighted to discover that The Thief Queen's daughter, which I've awaited anziously since I read the last page of the Floating Island, is even more engagingly magical.
This is a series I recommend, as a teacher, parent, and proud perennial kid, to everyone and anyone. There is nothing offensive about it, but the lessons woven artfully into the plot are good ones for anybody to adopt. The characters, especially Felonia the Thief Queen, will stay in your memory long after the last page of this book is done. I am now anxiously awaiting The Dragon's Lair, the next of Ven's adventures. The little trailer for it at the end hooked me immediately.』
(Her Masjesty: Haydon, is back with the newest installment!) 『Almost seven years ago, Haydon introduced Rhapsody, whom became a Namer and befriended two half-breeds on the island of Serendair. People all over the world fell in love with the Symphony of Ages, and the series quickly became a World Wide Bestseller! Haydon created memorable characters, like Rhapsody, Grunthor, and Achmed the snake whom traveled to the tree of Sagia and escaped the destruction of the Lost Island of Serendair. In 2006, Haydon introduced a new hero, a new character which we had heard of from Requiem for the Sun, and The Assassin King of the SOA series. Ven Polypheme, the Nain explorer who went on to write: The Book of All Human Knowledge, and All the World's Magic. Which takes place in the Second Age: The Broken World. (Arrival of Man whom dominate as the surpreme beings after the Racian Wars against the F'Dor [demonic fire spirits]). While The Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme are more for the 'Young at Heart,'we can still enjoy Haydon's wonderful skill of creating memorable characters and her wondeful imagination. We don't see a very detailed plot, (of course, this series is for young readers) but we do get to enjoy exploring Serendair more. Since Haydon only showed us Easton and Sagia in Rhapsody. Which is one reason why I bought the book series in the first place, I wanted to learn more about Serendair. But, in the bargain I grew to love Ven Polypheme and his close friends. The Floating Island was a real treat! And the magic in it seemed so more original and familar than the epic Mythical atmosphere in the SOA series. The novel was a nice, easy read and didn't cause me to have a headache afterwards. Nevetheless, if you are over 13 and haven't checked out the SOA series, you should do so. But, anyway back to the real reason why I'm here. The Thief Queen's Daughter brings Ven back to life. The only problem is that, first, The King of Serendair wishes Ven to travel into The Gated City (a place where long ago thieves lived without following the laws and there decendants are not allowed to leave the city) and is a very dangerous place. And two, The King of Serendair fires Ven infront of the entire court (for a reason which you will learn later on) and the Albatross that was always following Ven turns out to be watching him by somebody afar... Ven than journeys into The Thieves Market with his friends, Char, Saeli, Nick, and Clem to find out about a treasure in the Inner Market when he ask Madame Sharra a question, and the Seren reads from The Stolen Deck (dragons scales that appear gray, but turned in the light, reveal there true hue) for Ven, three scales, and Ven finds out three things. One inludes that something will be stolen from him by The Thief Queen herself. So begins the second tale of The Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme. I wish not to spoil anymore than I had. So your going to have to read the book for yourself. This series is a delight, and I'm already looking forward to the next installment (The Dragon's Lair) and Haydon's next novel in the Symphony of Ages.』 『
On his first day on the job as Royal Reporter of the land of Serendair, Charles Magnus Ven Polypheme—known as Ven—is sent by King Vandemere on a secret mission within the walls of the Gated City. The king warns Ven to take care—because once you enter the Gated City, you might never be allowed to leave. The Gated City is ruled by the powerful Raven’s Guild, and the guild is ruled by the Queen of Thieves.
Ven and his friends enter the Gated City ready for adventure. But when one friend is kidnapped and it is revealed that they are traveling in the company of the runaway daughter of the Queen of Thieves herself, their adventure turns deadly. For the ruthless Thief Queen will stop at nothing to get her daughter back….
