Kakaku：599 saved$5.99
Mirrorstone
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Definitely an improvement over first book) 『First off, I usually buy these series all at once. I know its not the best strategy if you don't like the first book (which is what happened here), but I figure they're not that expensive and sometimes they get better as you go along. And this is certainly the case here. Queen involves some classic characters like Dalamar and the council of mages in Palanthas, which is a nice tie in. In this volume, our venturing band (consisting of three mages, a couple clerics, and of course a kender) go in search of the second elemental pillar of water. The plot moves along and the mystery begins to thicken somewhat in this book as the band of adventurers go underwater. I think the characters start to fit a little more into their personalities here.』 『Dragonlance'sfavorite girl wizard takes on the Crescent Cabal!
A tempest off the coast of Krynn threatens to overwhelm Planthas, and once again the Wizard's Conclave sends Nearra on a treacherous journey. As Nearra works to uncover the Crescent Cabal's machinations, her sister Jirah struggles in the service of her newfound anonymous god. With the storm raging around them, Nearra must locate the Queen of the Sea and the Pillar of Water. But will the evil Crescent Cabal find them first?』
Kakaku：480 saved$4.80
Image Comics
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review ("THIS IS MY CITY!", Bomb Queen III divides...) 『...But doesn't quite conquer. Still, I enjoyed this chapter of Bomb Queen and the cover showcased here by Joseph Michael Linsner is quite pretty too. As always though, this book is Jimmie Robinson through and through; story and art. I felt compelled to write a counterpoint review so potential readers might be able to better gauge whether they'd enjoy this collection. The trade collects Bomb Queen III: The Good, The Bad and The Lovely issues 1-4, published by Image Comics under the Shadowline imprint (Jim Valentino's line of books).
First of all, this comic book is billed as "America's Best Villain Comic Book" and that should be kept in mind while trying to decide if it's your cup of tea. The story is set in the Image universe (just barely) within the ficticious New Port City where superheroes are outlawed and the Bomb Queen rules with an iron fist but this is all explained in the first volume of Bomb Queen and if you haven't, I suggest you start there and read in published order to maximize your enjoyment of this irreverent title. Each volume recaps a bit though so if a reader were determined to read out of order, they wouldn't be completely lost (which is something not all comics can claim and should be noted at least). This chapter is entitled for the three female leads featured in the story. The Good: Blacklight; a superhero with agoraphobia who is learning to master her powers. The Bad: Bomb Queen; the title character, dictator of New Port City. The pinnacle of Alpha Female and powered by an explosive/concussive blast generating suit that does little to protect her from the elements. The Lovely: Jen; not sure if she's gained a superhero monicker but she does have limited powers (apparently a supporting character from the recent iteration of Shadow Hawk; his girlfriend) and aside from her relationship with Shadow Hawk and New Port City, nothing is really explained in regard to her. Each issue is headlined by a quote from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (Sergio Leone) by such characters as Blondie, Tuco and Angel Eyes. Beyond that, no real connection to the inspiration for the title of this volume.
The story is fairly straightforward in that Bomb Queen is pursuing Red Cross, an assassin hired (it's learned later) by The Shadow Government to take The Queen down so they can replace her and take control of New Port City. The Shadow Government in Bomb Queen ACTUALLY refers to themselves as The Shadow Government so that should give you an idea as to how silly the book is. The story becomes complicated when Red Cross calls on her daughter (Jen) to help her when she botches her assassination attempt and then Jen calls on Blacklight for help. Previously there was a Bomb Queen/Blacklight one-shot where the two characters tangled so that is referenced a little in this story as well. So Bomb Queen roughs it up with Red Cross, Blacklight and Jen in varying order and to varying affects (mostly with Bomb Queen dominating and making the others look quite the fools which is amplified by the citizens of New Port City participating against the heroes). Somehow though, her top always gets shredded to ribbons and her nipples tend to spill onto the subsequent panels. I'm not complaining!
Here's the real question though: Is the humor in this book offensive? Can you, the potential reader, enjoy this comic book without being offended? I did. Maybe I'm sick. Okay, I AM sick but still let's look at the gags in this volume really quick and then you can decide if it's worth your time. I'll try not to actually spoil things so this might be more complicated than it needs to be.
New Port City is depicted as a city without morals that embraces the fact that they, as a whole, have no morals. In the backgrounds of many panels, there are storefronts with obscene and suggestive marquees and the TV programming in this city destroys the bottom of the network pandering barrel that exists in our actual reality reaching record lows in Urge/Satisfaction/Voyarism category. Background denizens of New Port also wear slogans like "Nazi", or "KKK" or "Kill White Boys/KWB" or often dress themselves (or don't dress at all; depicted entirely nude) in "traditional" garb like white hoods or military uniforms (SS/Nazi). Occassionally, in the distant background, sketched figures can be seen committing obscene acts on one another too. What I'm describing is just a taste of the humor that Jimmie Robinson is incorporating into his narrative and while it is plainly offensive, it is also plainly satirical in nature. Robinson is criticizing superheros in forefront with his Villain As Protagonist vehicle while also criticizing American Pop Culture and The TV Generation and it's oftentimes presented in a single panel as such. No, this book isn't for the faint of heart as Robinson obliterates all lines in regard to good taste but for someone who is game for some over the top commentary and has a "no rules" sensibility when it comes to their entertainment, then this book totally delivers.
I mean think about it. Top network shows deal in voyarism and interpersonal drama; Robinson just takes it up a notch (or ten, to 11!) when there are no network censors in place, so to speak. It's an allegory for Image Comics compared to Marvel and DC too since the freedom of creators working with Image is leaps and bounds above that of creators doing work-for-hire at "The Big Two". If you don't like jokes about sexually aberrant behavior, sensationalism versus substance, obscene language, nudity and/or amoral doctrine then please don't read this book. If none of that offends you, then you're in for some fluffy superhero fiction with Tn'A in spades that turns traditional superhero comics on it's head and will likely crack you up and tickle your fancy (to put it lightly).
As a story, BQ v.III suffers from dividing the focus of the narrative between Queen, Blacklight, and Jen. It doesn't benefit from the initial shock that the original series generated and it doesn't place The Queen in any situations that really allow her to shine as The Villainess Incarnate that she is. Still, it's funny and great escapism and that's something to be said in an industry that is lately bogged down by editorial interferance and slavish acknowlegement to continuity.』
(Sigh...) 『It was with a certain grim resolve that I decided to plunge into yet another Bomb Queen collection from Jimmie Robinson and Image Comics to see what the anti-heroine of New Port City was up to this time. Once again, I was impressed with Robinson's overt cheesecake art and the clever ideas he put into play in a city ruled by fear and murder -- but once again he spoiled the brew with a sense of humor that just doesn't sit well in comics -- or, for that matter, any medium I can think of.
Sure, that wacky Bomb Queen is a spitfire, and she kills people without forethought or regret for the tiniest of slights. She dominates an entire city and lets those residents who don't cross her get away with murder -- literally -- as well as any crime that doesn't directly trouble her day.
When trouble -- often in the form of a misguided hero who wants to end her evil reign -- rears its head, she beats it down with a wicked smile, an endless supply of explosives and a supersuit that starts off as revealing and quickly becomes shredded and torn in ways the old Comics Code would never have condoned. Oh, that wacky, silly Bomb Queen!
But as I keep saying, the humor falls flat when it includes little nuances like a date-rape reality show on TV and a sexual lubricant designed for use with animals and children. I just can't think of any context where a fairly normal, well-adjusted person would find that sort of thing funny.
by Tom Knapp, Rambles.(net) editor』 『When Bomb Queen (the bad) discovers her old sparring partner, Blacklight (the good), has broken New Port City law to rescue Rebound's (the lovely) mother, all hell breaks loose! No rules, no laws, no holding back - just how the bloodthirsty Queen loves it! But that's not all... introducing Bomb Teen! Who is she? Where did she come from? What does she want? And, more importantly, will she turn our menage-a-trois into a fantastic foursome?! Answers, yuks and salacious double entendres abound in this third volume of the wildly popular Bomb Queen series!』
IPhone 3G used's review (Grace's Biography) 『Anne Chambers is the authority on Granuaile O'Malley, and she has written the definitive scholarly work in this biography on her.』
(Inspiring!) 『Anne Chambers' book provides a fascinating and inspiring glimpse into the life of an extraordinary Irish woman. Ms Chambers does an excellent job painting a picture of life in Ireland during the 16th century and the role of women in Ireland through the ages. Anyone traveling to Ireland or interesting in Irish history and the role of women in Irish society will benefit from reading this biography.』
(Much too dry and fact oriented) 『It's my fault really but this book is just not what I was looking for and I could not get through it.』
(Granuaile) 『This book was excellently written. To the person who said the anti-christian statements were not true- Let me guess? Your a christian right. Thats the problem with christians, they still deny the truth no matter what. Christianity has always been a man's religion and its the most degrading religion to women and womens rights that has ever existed. I'm glad this author had the guts to be more unique and unconventional to tell the TRUTH. Sorry Christians. I know you never appreciate that.』
(Beware of the anti-Christian, radical feminist rants in this book) 『I'm an O'Malley, so you can bet I was looking forward to this book. However, with all due respect to the author, at least in the early going, this book contains some anti-Christian, radical feminist claims that put into question the integrity of the rest of it. For instance, on page 17-18 (paperback edition) the author states: "The writings of the early Christian saints, such as Paul, John, Ambrose, Jerome and Augustine, reflected the degraded position of women in Roman society. Augustine wrote of the 'horrible beastliness of women'..."
Not surprisingly, the author can not substantiate this claim and therefore does not give reference to the original source documents in her endnotes as she does with other claims. Don't get me wrong, there is no doubt that the period in which Granuaile lived was male dominated, and at times, shamefully so. However, that doesn't give an author a license to try to right any injustices by yet another injustice.
It's a shame that the apparent good intentions of this author were laid waste by her seeming desire to bash males and Christianity. A biographer should, at the very least, seek, know and uphold the truth, and then tell the good, the bad and the ugly in an even handed way. This isn't too much to ask.
』 『Using state papers and manuscripts of the period, Anne Chambers reveals the woman behind the legend and presents one of history's most remarkable women against the turbulent political environment of her time. What emerges is a woman who challenges our predisposed sense of convention, who, over four hundred years ago, was one of the first women to break the mold and make a unique contribution to history.』
Kakaku：137 saved$1.37
Gambit Publications
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (An average repertoire book) 『This book is divided into three parts. Part 1 consists of queen gambit accepted lines which not include the classical variation, part 2 handles the classical variation and part 3 handles openings where white do not follow up with c4 (Colle, London, Veresov, etc.)
Rizzitano handles the 3 parts very differently. While the classical variation is very deeply explained (as for 2300 players), Rizzitano handles for instance the Torre Attack more lightly (as for 1700 players).
So this book is not for ordinary club players. In many positions where white has more than just one alternative, Rizzitano often just describe just one alternative. The other alternatives may be less attractive, but for an ordinary club player who plays black, it is not easy to understand why. This book is full of variations and variations. Rizzitano surely knows how to use a chess database. But I miss some informative text, and not just variations after words like: Alternatives:, then:, now:, White has some alternatives here:, Let's examine: When someone write "Let's examine" I want some explanation text, not just variations. I believe it may be difficult for a normal chess player to benefit 100% from this book, without doing his one opening description from this book.
So I will not recommend this book for players rated below 2000.
What I also miss in this book is a more specific description of strategically ideas about each variant and some complete games showing when these strategically ideas are successful.』
(Great Book) 『This is an amazing book, extremely detailed and thorough. It is a totally complete repertoire against 1.d4. I don't know what the last reviewer is talking about. Contrarily, this one of the most complete and thorough opening repertoire books I've ever seen.
This is your road map when white plays 1.d4. Keep in mind that it's a repertoire book, not an instructional manual on how to play every single move in every single position. (But it comes close!) One thing the book lacks is an "Illustrative Games" section. If this is your only reference, then you will need to either find a supplemental book, well annotated QGA games, or a coach to help you work through the positions once the analysis stops.
The good news is that he basically quotes his sources on every book, game fragment, and annotator. If you want to see more, just pull the game up on your computer and have at it. This is a window into a titled player's opening preparation, so be prepared to do some work to digest the material.
I think this is good for players rated 1800+, because it can be an overwhelming amount of material at some points. It is definitely *not* the "Easy Guide" to the QGA.
I am looking forward to seeing more from the meticulously thorough Rizzitano.』
(Good Repertoire Book, But....) 『Missing a couple of critical lines that Black should be aware of.
Of course, all the initial analysis through the earlly stages of the ooening is spot-on, but at that nebulous threshold between the end of an opening and the onset of a full-blown middle game, this book serves the function of dropping us off at a couple of key (and very complex) intersections with a map that does not show all the avaliable roads that can be taken. Of course, this is not an real big deal if these are options for our side (the good guys!-- it is a repertoire book afterall), but when these options are important (and powerful) moves that are opponent can spring, and they are not even mentioned, it makes me wonder what the full intent of the author really was.
Don't get me wrong, I like this book, and if the player with the white pieces cooperatively stays within the confines of the repertoire proffered, Black is doing fine. But for a volume of this size and reputation, I was disappointingly surprising to see it completely overlooks some key lines that Black will probably see OTB.』
(Won my first two QGA games after reading this book) 『I'm an ICCF Master Class player and I recently bought Rizzitano's book "How to beat 1.d4". I ever had problem with black vs 1.d4 and I read with great interest Rizzitano's book. The book was clear, extremely interesting, up to date, with all strategic ideas behind the opening well analysed and explained.
I recently tried the QGA in an ICCF Master Class tournament (EM-M-307) and the result was : +2 =0 -0 that is 100% for the first 2 QGA I ever played!!!!
Compliments to the author: the good result I get in the tournament is fully due to his book!!!
Dr.Mauro Marchisotti, Torino, Italy
』
(An Exemplar of Chess Opening Books) 『Rizzitano's "How to Beat 1 d4" is an example of how opening repetoire books should be written. The reader can tell how meticulously the author approached this work- all the relevant analysis, along with many suggested improvements from the author himself. The book presents the Queen's Gambit Accepted as the centerpiece of the repetoire, and also offers lines against all of White's second-move alternatives. A welcome bonus is analysis of 3 e3 e5 in the QGA, which allows Black to play alternatives such as 4...Bg4 in the main line after 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 e3. A great work.』 『Rizzitano, author of Understanding Your Chess, presents a full repertoire for Black against 1 d4, based on the Queen's Gambit Accepted (QGA). The QGA is an extremely popular opening amongst players of all levels, as it gives Black free development and counterpunching potential, especially if White takes up the challenge and tries to set up a broad pawn centre. The QGA's soundness is shown by the number of top-class grandmasters who have used it in critical games - it was a key factor in Short's victory over Karpov, and has even been used by Garry Kasparov at world-championship level. Rizzitano has chosen to recommend dependable main lines of the QGA, and throughout emphasizes how Black can create winning chances and White's typical ways to go wrong. The repertoire is completed by a set of weapons against White's alternatives to offering the Queen's Gambit, ranging from the stolid Colle to the weird Hodgson Attack and the reckless Blackmar-Diemer.』
IPhone 3G used's review (Very Well Done) 『Eyes of the Lich Queen is a roller coaster ride through Eberron. This adventure is very substantial promising hours upon hours of excellent gaming time. With Dragons, Dungeons, Dragonmarks, and adventure all across the land, what more could you ask for?』
(Great Adventure) 『This is a great twist for Dragonmark and non Dragonmark races alike. The four pc's I am running through it are loving it. The new encounter system is great. You don't need to lug around all your monster books, it has everything you need to know in the book itself. From tactics to different scenarios, depending on what the pc's do. This adventure will easily take characters from 5th to 9th. Keeps the pc's rockin with little down time.』
(LENGTHY BUT VERY GOOD ADVENTURE) 『Eyes of the Lich Queen is a campaign/adventure book designed for the Eberron setting although with a little creativity and work, it can really be dropped into any fantasy campaign of your choosing if you do not play in Eberron. You'll require all of the standard books to play. The adventure is designed for four 5th level characters although five or six may be more reasonable. This is a good ol' fashioned quest adventure with the players seeking an artifact called The Dragon's Eye. The ancient artifact was created during the age of Demons and its said the Eye can give the holder total domination over dragons. The dragons are none to happy about someone finding the artifact that had been considered mere legend. They set out to find the Eye for safekeeping. Meanwhile, the lich queen Vol is dead set on finding the Eye for herself and has set her agents about finding the artifact.
The adventure is plated out over four parts and at 126 pages, is a fairly lengthy adventure, designed to take the player characters from 5th to 9th level by the time the campaign is finished. The journey will take the group over 5,000 miles in their travels although DM's are encouraged to give players a sense of the vast distances they are traveling without bogging them down with random encounters every step of the way. The designers are looking for an epic feel to their adventure, not a tedious one. The players will be drawn into their adventure with the promise of a great treasure, hired by a Silver Dragon named Sur'Kil, who will appear to them in the form of a middle-aged human.
The first target is the Temple of Kha'shazul, located in the jungles of Q'barra, and home to various tribes of Lizard Folk. Sur'Kil speaks only of ancient relics to be found within the temple but does not mention the Eye specifically. With the ancient temple is where the players will first hear mention of the Eye and, should they survive the temple, report their findings to Su'Kil. Sur'kil then sends the players on the path of another ancient artifact hunter who sought the Eye. Next up the players go island hopping, encounterin pirates, and eventually finding themselves at the prison fortress of Dreadhold, searching for an old gnome who has important symbols and notes tattooed into his skin that will lead the players to their next clue on the trail of the Dragon's Eye.
Like the other adventure books, Eyes of the Lich Queen presents the locations in full, and in brief overview, with the specifics of each encounter area coming after that. The thing I like most about the book is the sense of wonder and scope of the entire adventure. This isn't just a jungle crawl but a truly epic, world-spanning quest to exotic locations, cities, and yes, dungeon settings as well. There's also a strong sense of intrigue as well. The players are not only pitted against the creatures they encounter along the way, but also against the forces of the Lich Queen Vol and her deadly agents who believe the players may have already located the eye. Of course, it will take a deft DM to really bring this all home to the players and hopefully, yours is one!
There's a lot to do in Eyes of the Lich Queen and it need not be followed in linear fashion...again, a skilled DM can really make this a great time for the players. There are scores of maps in the book! I personally don't play Eberron, but as I said, it's no big deal to drop this into, say, a Forgotten Realms campaign or even one of your own designs. One Beef...I'd have liked to seen this at around $20 rather than $25.
REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON』
(Since this is soft bound) 『This is a well written adventure with some extremely good ideas on DMing and keeping the story moving. My only real problem with it is the price and the fact it is a soft bound book. If I wanted to overpay for something I would have bought this at a comic book shop.』
(Very good addition) 『This seems to be one in the latest trend of WoTC adventure products for its various gameworlds. Once again, this is a set of adventures that make up a mini-campaign taking the players through various levels. It uses the latest formatting design from WoTC. That is, having encounters in a separate area, at the end of the chapters, complete with maps. Honestly, it is confusing at first, having to jump back and forth between the non-combat description and the tactical scenarios. It takes maybe two sessions to get the hang of it, in my opinion.
The adventure itself is very intriguing to read, and hopefully this will translate to the gaming table. The encounters are challenging, and the authors seem to have made very tough, and memorable opponents instead of your basic cookie-cutter monsters. There are a few typos and omissions in the text, which unfortunately, bring a good quality product slightly down.
In summary though, well worth purchasing. Plenty of surprises for players, and so far, loads of fun to run.』
Kakaku：480 saved$4.80
Ballantine Books
Not yet published 『Susan Carroll’s Dark Queen series comes to a stunning conclusion in this mesmerizing historical novel of passion, power, and revenge
Set during the Renaissance in 1588, this sweeping historical novel takes readers back to the home of Ariane, the Lady of Faire Isle, who must choose a successor to her throne. While the Faire Isle is beset by warring factions that have sprung up around the three rivals for the throne, her arch enemy Catherine de Medici is working desperately to retain her power in France. When Ariane names Lady Jane Danvers as the successor to her throne she instantly becomes the enemy of the Dark Queen herself, Catherine de Medici. The tables are turned on the Dark Queen, however, when the one man she believes can help her retain her powers in France, Louis Xavier, falls in love with Jane.
The once peaceful Faire Isle must prepare itself for The Dark Queen’s fury and her search for revenge.』
Kakaku：247 saved$2.47
Phoenix Press
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (An 18th Century true crime whodunnit) 『Copies of this book are on sale in the gift shop at the Palace of Versailles. That's saying something for a book published, in English, in 1961. I figured there must be a reason and I was right. This fascinating page-turner is equal parts social history, shadowy mystery, and riveting tale of intrigue. The story is told primarily through masterfully translated excerpts from contemporary source materials--diaries, memoirs, autobiographies. In all honesty I rarely read books this long anymore, but this did not seem long at all. Finally, this title will expand your vocabulary--I guess readers were familiar with more words in 1961!』
(History and Heredity) 『The Queen's Necklace is a remarkable book. As an avid reader of French Revolutionary history, I was initially daunted by its 500+ pages, but the style of writing with it's excerpts from period memoirs, made it eminently readable. I found myself unable to stop reading. The use of the memoirs, particularly when they contradict each other so strongly, presents the reader with the opportunity to weigh each version and use them to "read between the lines" to obtain the story - or in some cases, "a" story - by the memoirs' authors themselves.
It was a delightful read with virtually no connection to the movie of the same name. What a wasted opportunity that was! The real story is the stuff of movie making, had the writer and producer used this book, the film might have been a hit. Sophia Coppola, with her "Marie Antoinette" film could have benefitted from this book as it accurately presents Marie Antoinette at a time when her fate had already been decided in the minds of the public by libelous pamphleteers and the actions of such self-interested, self-involved charlatans as Madame La Motte-Valois, the central character in this story.
I was fortunate to be able to see the San Francisco Legion of Honor exhibit on Marie Antoinette and the Grand Trianon as I was reading this book. It served to reinforce what a great book this is.』
(The Scam of the century) 『In 1785 The Queen's Necklace scandal broke over France. Queen Marie Antoinette was alleged to have bought a diamond necklace worth over 1.6 million franks and refused to pay for it, and had Cardinal Prince Rohan, a long time courtier out of favour, arrested for it along with his accomplices the Countess de la Motte-Valois and the famous mystic Count Cagliostro.
This book is a series of fascinating first person accounts of how the necklace swindle occurred and the trial that followed it. Most of the people involved in the scandal wrote their memoirs and virtually all the court related documentation is still available in France in archives. This book is a compilation of these memoirs and legal statements made by all the parties involved in this crime which opened the monarchy and France to the fury of the revolution.
The author does not impose her own interpretation of the events on the reader, but does provide explanations to the backgrounds of the people involved and the social and political niceties of the time that explain why people acted as they did.
This book is a lively account of this important French scandal that, because of the first person accounts, reads like a novel. If the story wasn't true it would be hard to credit such a cast of interesting characters, with their extravagant and wildly different backgrounds, coming together like this to play a crucial role in the downfall of the French Monarchy. Its also very interesting to compare this book to what is portrayed in the movie of the same name. There are a number of very significant differences!
』 『Written in 1961 and now back in print, this classic and fascinating true crime story stars none other than Marie Antoinette. Four years before the French Revolution, some priceless diamonds were purchased in elaborate secrecy from a court jeweler. The jewels, not yet paid for, were delivered into the hands of the first Prelate of the Church of France. He, in turn, gave it to a countess who claimed to be acting for Marie Antoinette. Although essentially an innocent bystander, the Queen became embroiled in a scandal that fatally weakened the monarchy. 』
大満足！北国のホタテ・いくら・ボタンエビがぎっしり！
