Kakaku：699 saved$6.99
Wizards of the Coast
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (frakkin awesome!!) 『Screw all those people who say this book sucks or whatever...! The series gets better and better... So many things in here you just don't see happening and when they do, they blow you the frak away!! The battles, the gore, the intrigue, the deciet, it's just too good to say anything negative about it. If they say it wasn't good, ask em why they all read 6!!』
(With both good and bad, this is a solid book in the series but also wishy-washy) 『This book in the series is somewhat difficult for me to review. There are many parts I enjoyed, namely the ongoing battle between the lich drow Dyrr and Gromph Baenre, but also parts that weren't good and seemed to just "fill up space". First off I feel this book makes for the largest departure in character personality and attitude. A certain degree of character difference is to be expected from different authors in such a series, but this book took some of the characters even farther out of their pre-written element. The first 4 books managed to maintain a certain character consistency that didn't seem to hold in this entry. Pharaun and Danifae in particular seemed to be the largest examples of this.
As for the actual meat of the book and its place in the series, the first 3/4 of the book, while enjoyable, seemed to be sort of a filler rather than a true and necessary part of the story. This changed near the end though, when big and important events unfolded that will undoubtedly come to fruition in the final book, Resurrection.
On the brighter side of things, I felt Athans did a good job of telling the story of Hallistra Melarn and her "new way of life". In contrast to some of the other reviews here, I believe it was not to far fetched and made perfect sense for the alienated priestess of House Melarn and the ruined Ched Nasad. I also thouroughly enjoyed the battle between Gromph and the lich drow. It was handled well and allowed for many a different spell and incantation to be unleashed, showing us the true power (and weakness) of the archmage of Menzoberranzan.
All in all I think it was a pretty good book, but could have made more of an impact than it did. Having read it, I can't help but feel half of the book was unnecessary in the telling of this epic story! If I could rate this book 3.5 stars I would, but it was tough for me to give it the benefit of the doubt, when considering other books I've given 4 stars were better. I am looking forward to Resurrection though, as im sure there are big events to come!』
(Not as bad as all that!) 『I should state for the record that I actually know the author. We played D&D together for years back near his hometown. Now that I've disclosed my bias, I will say that I liked this book. It's not Tolstoy or anything. Understand that books like this are outlined to death in committee with all the authors in the room. So possibly there was little to be done about the actual story arc. And I have to say that it's not my favorite series in the world either. But it was interesting to see the dark elves and their interaction with each other. Hopefully with the Forgotten Realms trilogy he's writting he will be given more creative licence.』
(What a trainwreck) 『The first thing that comes to mind is that the characters seem to have had their brains sucked out off-stage while I wasn't looking, so upon this book's beginning, their intelligence score has been dropped by ten points. At the outside. More than a few of them -- oh, screw that, most of them -- seem to have gotten a personality transplant. I hesitate to use this term, but pretty much all the main characters are so out-of-character they're nearly unrecognizable. It's as if a fan-author wrote a sequel to EXTINCTION and managed to get it published, except... oh, wait, except nothing. Philip Athans, after all, brought to us the Baldur's Gate novelizations. And forget about the fanfiction comment, because that'd be an insult; I've read better fanfiction.
There's a massive amount of things not to like: Jeggred's abrupt shift of loyalty to Danifae (for no particular reason; it's not as if Danifae's done anything special or displayed amazing charisma), the death of a certain character (your average woodcutter carries an axe that's not only enchanted but strong enough to cleave through dwarf-made mithral armor? Really? Wow, Faerunian woodsmen must be pretty rich; do they sell drugs on the side?), and Halisstra's sudden drop in IQ (does worshiping Eilistraee decrease your intelligence score? In other novels, no; in this one, apparently) -- she becomes so gullible that she's willing to trust Danifae, a battle-captive of hers who would have every reason to hold a grudge.
I skipped huge sections of battle scenes, because they bore me so very much. Athans isn't one of those authors whose action sequences can engage me, and for the most part I find the battles gratuitous and dragged out. They reveal no important plot points, advance no characterization, and serve as testament that, no, most authors can't make fights cinematic. All I need to do is skim the beginning of the scene and then the end to see who emerges victorious, and that's that. They're boring, and at the end, I don't seem to have missed anything of importance. And speaking of pointless... Gromph is astonishingly inept for someone who's the Archmage of Menzo. He miscalculates again and again and again during his duel with Dyrr, so much that it's pathetic. His trip to the halfling heaven is a waste of pages (seriously, what was the purpose of that?), and it's painful to see one of the short races treated once again either as comic relief or idiot children. Wonderful, isn't it?
The next point's that sections of the book made me laugh aloud, but I've a feeling that wasn't quite intended. There's the scene where the Master of Sorcere lecture about Dyrr's invulnerabilities and weakness, because those? Could've come out of an RPG strategy guide. The sentence describing the wizards casting protective spells on Gromph and Gromph being sure that he will be "immune to everything" made me giggle like a loon. All I could think was an MMORPG raid party preparing to face the raid boss. "Okay, everybody, the lichdrow is immune to the following spells. Nukers, don't bother with X, Y, and Z. Buffers, line up to cast buffs on the tank so he'll be immune to A, B, and C." It's so incredibly inane. And the line about Gromph "wasting energy" to cast a spell quicker? Priceless. Oh, look, he's making use of his metamagic feat, Quicken Spell, and he has to cast the spell as a higher-level one for it.
Dice rolling in the background? You've got to be kidding me; that's too complicated and gritty. I can practically see numbers floating up the characters' heads the way I do when playing Neverwinter Nights, along with messages that say "Character is casting spell [name]." It's that mechanical and that hilarious.
Bother with this book only if you're absolutely *desperate* to see how the series turns out. Or, actually, just ask someone to summarize it for you.』
(Disappointed - this book is a let down in the series) 『This is - in my opinion - the WORST book in the series. Be warned!
Where previous books were maintaining a clear and consistent tone in terms of charactes, this one is just WAY off.
The characters seem to converse in much different manner, more simplifieg, often childish, lacking the depth and substance that the in the previous books.
Nearly ALL conversations are broken up - it's very annoying, tiring, and makes the story hard to follow.
Quenthel telling Pharaun "I hate you" close to the beginning of the book dispels the magic that the previous four books have successfully woven together.
This book is filled with this type of "gems" that made me wonder if author actually read the previous ones before sitting down and writing it.
The characters also are reacting and thinking differently, almost as if they had personality changes.
While I understand different authors' styles, this book has offered the least consistency in the character department.
After blazing my way 4 books back-to-back, I have lost interest in the story because of this single book.
The book also has several continuity issues that have not been quite addressed. Those of us that do remember what happened in the previous parts of the storey, can spot those easily.
Honestly, it makes me wonder whether this was a first attempt of the author into writing, it was so bad. ARGH! 』 『
TheNew York Timesbest-seller, now in paperback! This paperback edition of theNew York Timesbest-selling title expands the civil upheaval among the drow, one of the most popular races in the Forgotten Realms setting. Best-selling author R.A. Salvatore wrote the prologue to Annihilation and continues to consult on the series, lending his expertise as the author who brought drow society to the forefront of the Forgotten Realms setting.
Kakaku：399 saved$3.99
DK CHILDREN
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Good book for kids that love Star Wars) 『A lot of nice pictures of the people, places and events that Padme encounters throughout Episode l. Easy enough for kids to read and understand on their own. Very nice, short, sweet... I would recommend.』
(So is she an angel? Yes, but she's so much more!) 『The release of Star Wars books for young people has always been related to a theatrical promotion. In a world that has a seen all six films, a new wave of DK Readers is much appreciated. It gives us comfort that even though the movies are finished, the Star Wars experience isn't completely 'done.' As the title suggests, "A Queen's Diary" looks into the life of Queen Amidala of the Naboo. In the beginning of her diary, Amidala discusses what it's like to be queen. We get to find out who she is as a person as she describes how she feels about her position. Eventually, the book discusses the time when the Trade Federation invaded her planet. Queen Amidala met some Jedi and a boy named Anakin Skywalker. Eventually, she and her people are victorious. The diary ends by the Queen wondering if she'll ever see that Anakin boy again. As with many of these books, Padmé Amidala is the token Star Wars character for girls. As in "Queen in Disguise," she is a humble heroine. Despite depicting a great role model for girls, this title is not 'girly.' The feminine dynamics simply add some balance to the usual testosterone that should make this appeal to both the guysand gals. "A Queen's Diary" offers some redundancy in the Star Wars pantheon. It is remarkably similar to 2000's "I Am a Queen." It also has overlap with Queen Amidala's "Episode I: Journal." Despite such overlapping, it is forgivable when considering that the other books mentioned are all out-of-print. This book keeps the Queen's story alive for a younger generation of readers. In terms of the illustrations, the vast majority were lifted from "the Phantom Menace." While the pictures are high quality, the writing is also good. This new series has books for most levels of elementary readers.Given the length and vocabulary, this title is best suited to readers on a third grade level. "A Queen's Diary" offers a personal look at Padmé Amidala during Episode I.』
Kakaku：210 saved$2.10
Roc Trade
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Strong finish to a fascinating trilogy) 『Queen of the Darkness finishes the Black Jewels Trilogy with a bang. It sums up Bishops extreme talents and ability to have the world end but have your favorite characters have a good outlook to a happily ever after. There is a lot that happens in this book, lots of action and heart-throbbing decisions that could tear apart even the strongest bonds. I salute this book!』
(Witch-Storm) 『Book 3 of the Black Jewels trilogy brings this epic tale to its conclusion. The tainted Queens, Hekatah and Dorothea, have joined forces to bring the Kaeler Realm to its knees and have ultimate control over Jaenelle. Carefully plotted battles, plans for abduction, torture, execution and the spinning of lies have twisted the people of the Realms in such a way that war between them is the only option.
Jaenelle has finally become Queen of Ebon Askavi, has set up her Dark Court and her first circle and has come into her full power as Witch. She now wears the Ebony, a jewel so dark and powerful, no one truly knows the depth of its strength, or what can be achieved by the one who wears it. Jaenelle is a good and strong leader, but is still vulnerable when it comes to Daemon, her lover and Consort.
Daemon at last has made his way out of the Twisted Kingdom and found his home in the Dark Court, spending the first half of the book tip-toeing around Jaenelle: wanting her, loving her, but afraid to approach her in "that" way. The buildup is intense, but sadly, the consummation is a bit bland and leaves this reader wishing for some descriptive details regarding his incredible bedroom skills now that he is no longer a pleasure slave and is instead with someone he truly wants .
As the story moves along, Witch does not want another war between the Realms, as the last one 50,000 years ago ripped the world apart, but she soon learns there is no other way. She does not form an army to fight, but instead decides SHE will be the one to go to war...SHE will be the weapon to cleanse the Blood of its foul taint. Jaenelle only tells Daemon of her final plan leaving out the fact that once all is said and done, she will most likely not survive. She promises Daemon they will be married and with that hope, Daemon becomes an integral part of the plan. He arrives at the designated site of the battle. Even more of the Sadist's cruelty is revealed and it is quite chilling.
Once the elaborate set up is complete, Daemon is able to get his brother and his family, his father, Saetan and his cousin, Surreal to safety just seconds before Witch releases all her amazing power. She has spiraled down to the depths of her strength, something that takes even the darkest of the Blood a few minutes to do, but for Jaenelle it takes 72 hours to reach her full power. When she releases her force, a Witchstorm like the Realms have never seen is unleashed upon the Blood. The after effects show that the taint of the Blood has indeed been cleansed. Many are dead and only a small percentage survive. The people celebrate, but Witch is nowhere to be found. Jaenelle is presumed dead. Draca and Lorn, the ancient dragons, reveal that although she has shattered her jewels and is therefore no longer the Queen of Ebon Askavi, Jaenelle/ Witch still lives and is in the healing web made by the Kindred. The lovers are finally reunited in a less than moving scene and they live happily ever after(?)
There is potency in this conclusive novel, but the crazy thrill ride we were introduced to in Book 1 is not to be found here and therefore the ending of the trilogy sputters out a bit. Some phrases are mercilessly overused, but it is a small price to pay for the entertainment value the Jewels Trilogy offers. All in all, it is and most likely will remain my favorite series of all time. The story is incredibly unique and most certainly worth the read. Enjoy! 』
(Almost as Good as the Others) 『The first part of it was quite good. I was just as much in love with the characters as I was in the first two books. I enjoyed the small amusements even in the face of the adversity. The kindred Blood were more important in this book and so we got to see more of them; this was a pleasant happenstance for me because I enjoyed how Bishop wrote them. Unfortunately, the ending was less than satisfactory for me. Don't get me wrong, it was "good" as these things go but it left me with more questions than it did answers! I know the main outcome of the story but I want to know how things continued from that point. It's my understanding that Bishop has written another book with for novellas of a sort from this world. One continues the story and so I think I'm going to have to find it and devour it like I did the other books in this series.』
(Loved it!) 『I've read this book twice and I imagine I'll be reading it again. The first two books are great but this one is a whole new species. Daemon and Jaenelle are finally reunited and after maybe a rough start they're hot (without being vulgar)! The battle you've been waiting for finally comes to a head but it's not the usual good verses evil crap. Bishop proves how original she can be, with lots of twists and an ending that blows you away.』
(Stunned and awed) 『Mystifying, sensual and radiating with dark magic, tests of faith and compassionate love. This book just lungs for your heart, rips it apart, just to put it back together on the very, very last page.
I admit I havent been stunned and awed over a sci-fi/fantasy novel since the first coming of G.R. Martin. And I havent ached, fought, hoped and feared for a character like the one of Daemon Sadi since I read the first chapters about Tyrion "The Imp" Lannister in Martin's Game of Thrones. I mean, how can one writer catch her reader's uninhibited emotional attention, like Anne Bishop did with this last book of her terryfic Black Jewels Trilogy?
So, let's take a closer look. Queen of Darkness actually is neatly divided in two parts. In the first two thirds it's a - sometimes a bit slow - dance of longing, hope and finally passion. As Daemon Sadi, sworn consort to Jaenelle, the powerful Witch queen who rules the Shadow Realm, reenters the stage, he not only has to overcome his own fears: Would his beloved lady still want him after all that happened before? He also has to overcome her youthful uncertainties: Will she be enough for a man who has lived for 1700 years? Or will she break him apart if she claimed his heart, like those other witch queens tried by forcing him into a slave's service? Of course love prevails - that was never in question.
Had the story ended at this point, I would have considered QoD a good fantasy romance coming to a long awaited conclusion. But Anne Bishop got me there. She really tricked me into believing, that the rest of this novel would be a swift clean-up. Many otherwise good SF&F stories tend to conlude with a good deal of disappointment when the main protagonists become too strong and powerful (I just name Eddings as the master example for way too omnipotent leading characters). But in QoD all of sudden Jaenelle and her friends really face destruction of everything they treasure. And I swear, it's not some deus et machina out-of-nowhere threat, but some evil developments of ongoing machinations and a few well-placed twists of fate. When it seems as if even the greatest sacrifice wouldnt be enough, Daemon Sadi and Jaenelle come up with a devilish plan. And betraying those who trust the most is just a minor part of it. What follows is as mind-blowing as anything I've ever read. It's phenominal in detail, painful in execution and exhilarating in conclusion.
Anne Bishop - you've really crowned yourself as one of the gendre's best with those last 150 pages of Queen of Darkness.
>"Daemon?" There was so much uncertainty in her voice. >"Hi, sweetheart" he said, his voice husky from the effort not to cry. "I've missed you." >Her hand moved slowly, with effort, until her palm rested against his face. Her lips curved into a smile. "Daemon." >This time, when she said this, it sounded like a promise, like a lovely caress.
Oh, what a jewel of beauty! Thank you, Anne Bishop. Thank you very much for this lesson about pure and unconditional love. And if it comes to that, no sacrifice can be too big. No price too high. And no faith too deep. So, after I read the last page, it was way past midnight. I went to my beloved wife who was already sound asleep and held her tight, so tight. What more can I say? I'm still weeping.』 『Jaenelle Angelline now reigns as Queen-protector of the Shadow Realm. No longer will the corrupt Blood slaughter her people and defile her lands. But where one chapter ends, a final, unseen battle remains to be written, and Jaenelle must unleash the terrible power that is Witch to destroy her enemies once and for all.
Even so, she cannot stand alone. Somewhere, long lost in madness, is Daemon, her promised Consort. Only his unyielding love can complete her Court and secure her reign. Yet, even together, their strength may not be enough to hold back the most malevolent of forces.』
Kakaku：544 saved$5.44
Dial
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Hilarious and Original) 『What an original idea! This is a great book. It also includes a little moral that being useful and getting to know people is more important (and more fun) than having power over them. Especially good lesson for little ones who tend to force their choices on their little friends. It encourages listening to what others want.
The illustration is great in this book, very humourous! The sheep are to die for.』
(Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children) 『Queen Sophie, who ruled over a small land of farmers and sheep, had too much time on her hands and not enough work to keep her occupied. When she researched new opportunities, she came across an advertisement for a correspondence course offered by the Royal College of Beauty. It seemed perfect! The only stumbling block was the requirement to practice each cutting, styling, plucking, and manicuring lesson on fifty different people. It did not take long before all the people and sheep in the kingdom had a whole new look, but just how much longer could Queen Sophie mandate their participation in her practice sessions?
The Queen of Style offers readers an amusing story about the challenges and rewards of training for a vocation and starting a business. Cleverly mixed into the tale is a simple lesson about the market economy: once Sophie realized that the farmers should be able to choose which styling treatments they wanted, the demand (and appreciation) for her services took off. The illustrations are hilarious and further add to the appeal of this first-rate book. 』 『Queen Sophie rules a small, happy kingdom of farmers, but she herself isn’t happy. Nobody ever comes to her with a problem, and she is bored to tears . . . until she spots an ad for the Royal College of Beauty correspondence course. Soon she is memorizing directions and practicing her lessons in a frenzy. She starts writing proclamations, demanding that her subjects come to the castle so that she can cut and curl and color their hair. Even the sheep must be coiffed. It’s not long before Sophie finds herself facing an angry—though very stylish!—mob.
A playful, funny fairy tale with a decidedly contemporary sensibility,The Queen of Stylehas all the vibrancy and wit we’ve come to expect from this husband-and-wife team, the creators of theNew York TimesbestsellingSnowmen at Night.』
IPhone 3G used's review (Interesting read...) 『This is a good book to get into the Queen's life and see what she went through rising to the top, her ups and downs, and the painstaking loss of her brother. Very interesting.』
(If you like Latifah ...) 『... you're going to love this. This book candidly reveals a lot about Latifah that you probably didn't know. Did you know QL doesn't like celery? Well, Chapter 6 is devoted to finally telling you the whole story. Ever wondered why Larry Storch and Queen Latifah have never worked together? Well, QL tells all in Chapter 28. Ever wonder what hip-hop's first lady likes to think about while shaving her armpits? Look no further than Chapter 87. Refreshingly honest, like the woman herself, Ladies First isn't just about the rise of one strong woman to entertainment's pinnacle, it's also a gripping account of Pete Gray, the first and still only, one-armed man to play in the Major Leagues.』
(Queen Latifah 's autobiography is excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) 『I have Queen Latifah's autography and I LOVE IT and I know almost everything about Queen Latifah that there is to possibly know. Just in case you all don't know her real name is Dana Elaine Owens.Queen Latifah's career has blossomed a whole lot. She has had her own synicated talk show and she also had an acting career and she has starred in movies such as:Brown Sugar, Beauty Shop, Bringing Down The House,Barbershop 2:Back In Business, Set it off just to name a few. I'm a huge fan Of Queen Latifah because she has had to endure the terrible pain of her brother which I think is horrible and sad. But inspite of all of the things that has happened to her in her young life she still strong as she has ever been before. Queen Latifah is also the President of own company Flavor Unit Inc.
Your #1 fan, Tiffany Miller』
(Yes, I Am A Queen) 『I purchased this book initially to get to know more about Dana Owens but instead I learned more about myself. I took my time reading the book because after every chapter or so I had to stop and check myself. I felt as though Queen Latifah was seated in front of me and reading pages from my life. My life does not come close to hers but yet I felt as though it did. I agree that every now and then as women we must stop and do our own personal inventory. Am I who I want to be and is God pleased with who I am?』
(Positivley Uplifting!!!!!!!!!!!!!) 『She's been through it all to stand the test of time. She instantly became smart and wise from her mistakes and moved on to become the Blessed and Strong Queen of the Millineium. All Hail to the Queen.』 『Queen Latifah is a sensation.
At nineteen, she was the first female solo rapper to have a major record deal. Four years later she had become a top television actress and movie star. She earned a Grammy, started a record label, and became the president of her own company. Today she is rap music's most enduring female force.
But how did Dana Owens, a young girl from Newark, New Jersey, become Queen Latifah and make it to the top of the charts? The most powerful voice in rap has always been quiet about her life.
Until now.
At once autobiographical and inspirational,Ladies Firstis the story of a young woman, making tough decisions and terrible mistakes -- about sex and drugs and about who was real and who wasn't -- before she was old enough to drive. It is about the reign of depression that descended on her after her brother's tragic death and how she found a sustaining love in God when it seemed the world was trying to break her.Ladies Firstis about being confident and sensual in a big, strong body and about blocking out the junk to let in the good. It is about how anyone -- whether from the poorest means or the richest -- can hold her head high in a world full of attitude.
In a queen's universe, each experience is a lesson. Keeping it real and making no excuses, Queen Latifah shares her truth about what's important in life. Full of wisdom and revelations,Ladies Firstwill instill in you the same self-esteem, respect, and courage that brought Queen Latifah peace and her independent edge. Allow her to guide you to discover who you are -- inside and out-as you discover who she is.
Ladies Firstis one woman's journey to find the riches that were in her life all along, and it is a message of majesty for everyone.WithLadies First,the queen who lives within all of us will rise.』
『"I am not a psychologist or a sociologist," Queen Latifah points out. "I don't have any degrees, and I'm not an expert on life. What I am is a young black woman from the inner city who is making it, despite the odds, despite the obstacles I've had to face in the lifetimes that have come my way." InLadies First, she talks about the importance of women making the move to be strong and self-reliant, using her own rise to stardom as a rapper and actress as an example. The drive and ambition have been with her since childhood: when she was very young and boys would ridicule her for wanting to play basketball with them, she retorted, "I'm not a tomboy--I'm just an athlete." Later, as a teenager, she would sneak out at night and go with friends to New York City to explore the emerging hip-hop scene, eventually cutting her first single in 1987. She talks about the choices she's made about drugs and sex and how she's learned as much from her mistakes as from her successes. And she addresses, glancingly, the rumors about her sexuality that have dogged her for years, and why she'd rather just ignore them: "I want people to see me as someone who is proud and comfortable with who I am.... Be secure in yourself. You don't need me--or any other public person, for that matter--to validate you." That basic principle, applied to all aspects of life, is the core ofLadies First.--Ron Hogan』
Kakaku：999 saved$9.99
Berkley Trade
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (The Story Siren Reviews:) 『The Queen Geek Social Club is in full force. Becca's ideas never seem to wane and her latest idea may be the biggest of them all.
It is prom times at Green Pines High and the student government is set to sell outrageously priced tickets to the Junior/Senior Prom. The Queen Geeks manifest the idea to have their own prom, Geek Prom! Becca not only wants to invite the students from Green Pines to the Geek Prom, but she wants people from all over the world to be invited, in a world wide cyberific Geek Prom night!
Shelby is torn once again between Fletcher and Becca and the Queen Geeks. She wants to help Becca out with the Geek Prom, but she also wants to attend the "real prom" with Fletcher.
Prom Queen Geeks is once again the same old song and dance, no pun intended. The Geek Prom was a very neat idea, but I think that Becca was doing it for all the wrong reasons. Only justifying my overall dislike for her character. Shelby did redeem herself slightly in this novel, but I wish she had stood up for herself a little bit more and not took "the easy way out." The series did continue to get better as it went along, but I think that maybe these books just aren't for me. It might have had something to do with the fact that I read them back to back.... but I am geeked out!』
(Courtesy of Teens Read Too) 『It's been awhile since The Queen Geek Social Club has taken their next step in trying to conquer the world. And Becca is getting pretty antsy about the sudden lack of ideas.
Desperately trying to become sane once again, she's on the hunt to find that one thing that everyone is crazy about. Is it just a coincidence or luck that prom season has just arrived?
Despite the constant reminders from Fletcher and Carl, Shelby and Becca aren't too sure they want to accompany their boyfriends to the worst social event in the history of high school. Although Shelby actually wouldn't mind going with Fletcher, who is a shoo-in for court, choosing Fletcher's side could possibly push Becca over the edge, and we all know what kind of trouble that would cause.
What's Becca's solution to this problem? Geek Prom! The first ever prom that isn't about the fancy dresses, the overpriced tickets, and the need to become the queen and king for one night. Sure, it may take some time and lots of effort to complete this mission, especially when certain people, including boyfriends, aren't so hot on the idea that it is to be held on the same night as the "normal" prom.
All the Queen Geeks seem perfectly fine with this plan - who would dare cross Becca? Maybe Shelby? Trying to sustain her relationship with Fletcher while tending to Becca's crazy idea isn't the easiest thing in the world.
Of course, Shelby isn't the only one with love troubles. Carl is definitely not happy with Becca, but who needs him when the newest queen geek, Evie, is like her clone? And Shelby's dad just found himself in a pickle when a certain someone interrupts his relationship with Becca's mom.
Two proms, one night, plenty of drama.
Hilariously entertaining, PROM QUEEN GEEKS carries on the momentum from the previous two novels in the series. The characters are crazier, the relationships are even cuter, and the beginning, middle, and end will make you squeal with excitement. Laura Preble continues to satisfy her fans with this great series that will ultimately make the reader want to strike up their own Geek Prom.
Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen』 『The Queen Geeks take on the prom queens in the third of the Queen Geek novels, hailed as“thoroughly enjoyable.”(Kliatt)
The Queen Geek Social Club includes a firstgeneration geek, a tattooed misfit, a goth poetess, a mathlete, and an exchange student. And together they’re so out, they’re almost in…
It’s prom season, and Green Pines High is split between those who can afford the tickets and those who can’t. So the Queen Geeks plan a low-cost Geek Prom. It’ll be loads of work, especially when the popular kids do everything they can to stop it.
Friendships will be tested and boyfriends jilted. But when they expand the Geek Prom, hoping to make this the biggest prom on record, the girls will realize they’re fighting for geeks everywhere…』
Kakaku：1400 saved$14.00
Scribner
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (More even handed than you might think.) 『A very eye-opening portrait of urban poverty and the economic circumstances that lead to it in addition to the dysfunctional relationship with money and lack of "personal responsibility" that aggrevate it.
The first few chapters deal with the economic changes in America's inner cities since the 70's such as job loss and factory closings and outlines, through Odessa, the dysfunctional family dynamics that have arisen out of that situation. The author makes no judgements of the lifestyles of these people, especially the children who don't take care of their own kids or want to live off the dole (not all do, some are hell bent on getting off welfare and working, a nice refutation of that old stereotype) merely offering these facts and allowing the reader to decide, and I greatly appreciate the author's willingness to inlude that information. However, I admire Odessa for being such a determined person and trying her hardest to keep the rent up and raise those children right and keep them out of trouble.
Cheri, I don't have as much sympathy for, but I'll leave it at that.
Overall, a nice, easy read about life in modern urban america.』
(great reporting) 『This book gave a first hand account of the life of welfare moms (and grandmas and great-grandmas) living in one of the poorest neighborhoods of Philadelphia. The book gives no answers for how to solve the problem of urban poverty but it does show you how these families live, day in and day out. You see that some women are trying to make wise choices, such as education, while others have given up hope and turned to drugs, prostitution and laziness. One grandma is getting job training so she can get a good job until her teenage daughter falls asleep during the day while her 2 young boys set the house on fire.
This book also shows the incredible value placed on family in this culture. When these fires occur (there are more than one), the whole family comes together to rebuild. When one mom succumbs to prostitution, the grandmother takes in her 3 children and raises them as her own. On Thanksgiving day, everyone is invited and included -- the prostitute, the drug user, the jail bird -- because family is family.
The book also follows the life of a activist fighting for the rights of the homeless. She is frustrated with the bureaucracy of the city's homeless solution and attempts to house the homeless herself in a tent city, in an abandon church and finally in abandoned homes meant for those who have worked the system. She is clearly breaking the law and yet it is hard to say who is helping the homeless more.
At the end of the book I had more questions than answers.』
(Engaging and human) 『I was hoping for more academic writing, studies, statistics and other tools used to debunk the myth of the welfare queen.
The writing is engaging and effectively humanizes the individuals involved, taking your through their trials and tribulations, but doesn't seem to prove anything beyond the idea that people on welfare are, in fact, people. Now that I think about it, that might be a radical idea for some.』
(The Myth of the Welfare Queen enthralls reader) 『The beauty of this book is the simplicity with which it is written. There are not technical terms to maneuver around. It takes a very candid look at a world many of us will never experience. It shows the very human characteristics of single mothers on welfare. The book never gets boring because it reads like a story. This is a non-fiction piece with all the compelling attributes of a fictional novel. This is not just a light rainy-day read either. It forces you to look into the lives of these women. Zucchino describes Odessa and Cheri's horrible necessicities like dumpster diving and prostitution so flippantly, it makes you want to scream, "But these women shouldn't be living like this!"』
(Unbiased Journalistic View That WIll Make You Think) 『This is not the book to read if you are trying to make up your mind about welfare issues or reinforce the ideas that you already have. It is an amazingly unjudgemental look at the lives of those on welfare in the inner city that will at times make you raving mad, whether at the people who refuse to work with the system for the sake of their children or at a system that fails those who give everything they have to take care of children they only want the best for, and sometimes have no direct responsibility for (grandchildren, children they have taken in). It puts real situations and struggles in the place of the abstract idea of public assistance. Within the pages you will meet kindhearted, incredibly nonbitter people, like Odessa, who you will admire and, at the same time, long to reach out to. Those who you would pity for their horrible circumstances if only you could not tell from reading about their lives that they are far too good of people to need or want pity. You will also meet people who you cannot feel sympathy for. People you will want to just slap for their irresponsibility and for not putting their children's needs before their own whims. This book shows just how complex the issue of welfare is, and that a set of laws or policies is not going help some people who are just stuck between a rock and a hard place. It will show you that there is no typical welfare recipients, even among those living in one neighborhood. Though some of the people are unbelievably good , and some horrible individuals, it will show the many greys in between. It is a portrait of those suffering for the nation's view of the "Welfare Queen." Those with huge hearts and horrible circumstances infinity entitled to whatever they need to do the job that we would not want to (raising troubled grandchildren amd great-grandchildren with meager means like Odessa, or being the self-appointed guardian of the homeless like Cheri). It is also a portrait of those who stubbornly refuse to help themselves, and fully live up to the idea of the irresponsible, neglectful mother who rather hang out with different men and continue to get pregnant than think of her own children. This is not a book that will make up your mind, but it is one that will give you an understanding of why this is such a hard issue to even begin to think of any sort of solution for.』 『Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter David Zucchino spent a year sharing the lives of Odessa Williams and Cheri Honkala -- two "welfare mothers" in Philadelphia -- to gain an intimate look at their day-to-day existence. Odessa, supporting an extended family, exhibits almost superhuman strength and resolve. Cheri, a single mother, is a tireless advocate for the homeless. Zucchino beautifully portrays them as figures of profound courage and quiet perseverance, systematically shattering all misconceptions and stereotypes about these women and so many others like them.』 『Welfare moms are "the most hated women in America," says Cheri Honkala, a dynamic activist from Philadelphia who is profiled in the engrossingMyth of the Welfare Queen. As the American mood toward welfare turned mean in the mid-1990s and politicians worked to radically change who got benefits and for how long, Honkala used her considerable talents in guerrilla theater to fight bureaucrats on behalf of a rising tide of dispossessed women and children. She keeps the TV news spotlight on the homeless with a host of inspired acts: a long-term tent city for displaced families, the takeover of a church, a grungy encampment next to the Liberty Bell. Nonetheless, folks dispute how helpful such confrontations are. Odessa Williams, a resourceful, resilient woman who supports four grandchildren and then doubles that number when new troubles strike, is the other sympathetic subject in this tough, humanizing portrait of women on welfare by Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper editor David Zucchino.』
IPhone 3G used's review (Even better than the first book) 『What a sequel - a great follow-up to an amazing first book. Often it's hard for authors to beat the first offering. This one keeps up with the first and keeps you reading and turning the pages till the very end.』
(Not Free SF Reader) 『Another massively long novel set on the world of Tiamat, like in the Snow Queen. As the seasons shift, things change, but the wealthy and powerful still want their longevity treatments, so the hunting of the mer race continues.
A technological advancement does allow the isolated planet more offworld communication, but that certainly doesn't solve all their problems.
』
(This One's a Slog) 『Last year I re-read 'The Snow Queen' after first reading it twenty-five years ago. It amazed me how much of it I remembered and how well it holds up. It's a five-star classic. Sadly, I can't say the same for its sequel.
Picking up exactly where 'The Snow Queen' left off, 'The Summer Queen' quickly turns into an over-the-top, over-written slog. It's almost three-hundred pages longer than the first one; judicious editing could have cut two hundred of those pages. Vinge never says anything with ten words when she can do it with twenty or thirty, and don't get me started on the sex scenes. Love scenes in 'Snow' were tender and tasteful. The ones in the sequel would make Michael Moorcock blush.
In spite of this, the story perks along pretty well. BZ Gundhalinu rediscovers the star drive that makes return to Tiamat possible; the Hegemony wants the Water of Life, made from the blood of the seal-like mers, who seem to be a vital part of the vital sybil net. (I asuume anyone reading this review had already read 'The Snow Queen.') Various factions are after all kinds of power. Moon and Spark's marriage is on the rocks. Then about three-fourths of the way through, things fall apart. Incidents occur for no real reason-a kidnapping, an arrest-except to drag out the conclusion. And after all the mess, all the terrible personal losses that these people suffer, there's a happy ending!
I didn't buy it.
If you liked the first one, you should read this. I'm glad I did but I wish that it were better.
And 'the burning sword of his manhood' is just plain bad.』
(Heartbreaking, but still a must.) 『Vinge has outdone herself again by this sequel, engaging the readers with unpredictable events that makes it hard to even stop once the enchantment begins. Personally, I admire and even love how Vinge had developed the character's into more complex plots, further creating a story within a story as her novel progresses. Most of them were downright splendid, but in my opinion, there are at times when I can't help but feel sad to the characters that are reduced in role, as well as their demise (Sparks, for example).
Vinge's story seem to have a particular connection with sorrow and happiness entwined, making her work that much more engaging as well as alluring. The readers cannot help but feel the character's conflict; the emotions, the problems, the situations...
And, for Moon, I just find it sad that she chose BZ to be her lover, when her husband Sparks only wanted to regain her love, only to lose almost everything in the end...
But that's just me.
The Summer Queen is a must-read for any readers who enjoy plot development as well as emotional ties with the characters. It's not a surprise why Vinge has earned the Hugo Award for her work the Snow Queen; She had earned it with flying colors.』
(More complex and haunting than its predecessor) 『I avoided reading this book because I feared that it, like the sequel to Dune, would not be as engaging as the original. How wrong I was! This book is better than the original, and since the original was a Hugo award winning classic, that is saying an awful lot. Moon's major quest is not just to recapture her lost lover; it is to save an entire race of intelligent sea creatures. And her adversary is not one woman, her genetic equal; it is the entire might of the Hegemony. As in the first, her undeniable pluck and good will help her overcome the most difficult obstacles only to find herself faced with more hardship, so much that your heart cries out to her and everyone around her.
As Moon has grown up, I think Vinge also has grown up. The relationships in this book are much more mature and complicated, and I was constantly reminded of true feelings in my own life as I read this book. I think Vinge also fell in love with BZ, because he becomes so much more dear in this book, so much more complete. There are flaws, of course. The first book was much tighter; Vinge is contantly re-iterating events from the past, particularly concerning BZ, extending the pages with excessive exposition. And it does not have the same "Ah-Ha!" revelation as the first one, as the story is pretty clear to the reader from the beginning. It more than makes up for it, though, in small surprises, in moments of beauty and tragedy that forced me to read the last 300 pages in a single day...
There is something about this book, something so much more than real, that makes it hard for me to stop thinking about it. I think what makes it so wonderful is that even though, in the end, Moon and her cause accomplish so much, they lose so much in the process. It is a bittersweet ending, both happy and sad, and there is nothing better.』 『Pledged to forever end offworld exploitation and save the mers, the Lady of Tiamat, also known as Moon Dawntreader, finds her job made difficult by Summer tribes and the treacherous Winters. Reprint.』
