A Son of the Circus,

Book Description

A Hindi film star . . . an American missionary . . . twins separated at birth . . . a dwarf chauffeur . . . a serial killer . . . all are on a collision course. In the tradition of A Prayer for Owen Meany, Irving's characters transcend nationality. They are misfits--coming from everywhere, belonging nowhere. Set almost entirely in India, this is John Irving's most ambitious novel and a major publishing event.

Customer Reviews:

Cleverly spun, wonderful character development.......2007-08-29

Irving is an extremely talented writer. This is apparent in all the books I've read of his so far (Garp, Owen Meany, Son of the Circus) and he is a master at developing characters that are lively and really have human personalities. In fact, I hated A Prayer for Owen Meany because Owen was so incredibly annoying, I couldn't stand the book anytime that Owen was speaking. But A Son of the Circus has fun characters- Dhar, Daruwalla, and I really liked Daruwalla's wife as well, and I love the way Irving connects the characters and the transitions are very smooth between scenes, characters, and time gaps. The writing is very clever, and admittedly the beginning is slow, but the book is worth pushing past it.

Best Irving novel ever written.......2007-01-29

I'm going to be honest, I'm partial to this book. I'm Indian, so anything related to India catches my eye. But I'm a stickler for good literature, and here, again, Irving shines. Regardless of the 600+ pages, I couldn't put this book down. Some say it is a little slow and dry, but that's India! Irving does a fantastic job on his research, this story is very true to life. The plot is gripping and exciting: dwarves, transvestites, actors, doctors, murder, suspense, intrigue. It has it all. I would definately recommend this book for the serious reader with an open mind concerning other cultures. It's also a great insight into Indian life as well. Five stars!

New to Irving?? --> try another one first. .......2006-09-20

John Irving remains one of my most favorite and respected authors, in spite of, not because of this book. After reading Garp, Cider House, and a few others, perhaps it is my own lofty expectations for consistent greatness that led to my genuine disengagement with this particular text. Many of the classic `Irving' traits (sub-plots, interior dialogue, overt sexuality) encompassed the novel but the most important aspect was missing. Even at the conclusion of the story I could not make myself care for or truly understand Dr. Daruwalla (protagonist). After 700-something odd pages, (usually an aspect of Irving's style that I appreciate and embrace), I was ready for the novel to end. And it did, rather expectedly and unceremoniously. This is not to say that the novel should not be read, it was mildly enjoyable (perhaps because I read the majority of it on the beach), but as for John Irving's potential, it pales in comparison to `his greats'. Hesitantly recommended for the veteran Irving reader is the best rating I can give this book.

Editor wanted?.......2006-09-11

I typically find Irving's books to be good, and swift, reads, but this book was an exception--it took me over a month to get through A Son of the Circus. The first half of the book takes its sweet time setting up probably dozens of subplots; the second half goes faster, as various loose ends are tied up.

It was very enjoyable in spite of the slowness, with wonderful characters and great settings. The depiction of Bombay was fabulous; I don't know if Bombay is anything like that, but certainly the picture was imaginatively complete.

So I think it's worth reading, as long as you're not expecting a page-turner.

"Simply Strange".......2006-05-22

John Irving describes his main character, Dr. Daruwalla as having a story that is "simply strange." That is likewise the best way to describe this novel. Dr. Farrokh Daruwalla is a pediatric orthapedic surgeon who spends his time between his native Bombay and his adult residence in Toronto. However, despite being from India, Daruwalla has never felt at home there. He really doesn't feel at home anywhere. Anywhere that is, except the circus. There isn't an Indian circus that Daruwalla will not attend and it was at one of these that he met some of the people that are closest to him in the world.

In addition to being a doctor, Daruwalla is also a closet screenwriter. He writes a series of films that both are wildly popular and hated in India, featuring Inspector Dahr, played by John D., the son Daruwalla never had. Inspector Dahr's character is a detective that uncovers both mysteries as well as corruption within the Indian police system. However, when a real life mystery confronts Dahr and Daruwalla, their real life limitations are exposed as well.

John Irving has again done a wonderful job of telling a bizzare tale filled with imaginative characters. Only Irving could possibly dream up these characters. And also in true Irving fashion, the characters themselves drive the story. Unfortunately I did not find that this was one of his better books. While I enjoyed it, the pages did not easily turn for me and there were times where I found the story to have wandered too far and I wondered how it would ever make it's way back. Ultimately the story does wrap itself up and in a very clever way, but it takes a while to get there and can sometimes be frustrating in the process.

Caleb, Son of None (Caleb Pascal & the Peculiar People)

Average customer rating:

Very enjoyable book
Circus Freaks - like me!
Caleb, Son of None
Encourages kids to walk in faith
A great book

Caleb, Son of None (Caleb Pascal & the Peculiar People)
Kersten Hamilton
Manufacturer: Standard Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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A Freaky Kind of Courage (Caleb Pascal & the Peculiar People)

ASIN: 0784718598

Book Description

Calab's world has turned upside down. And when the circus comes to town-Daggett and Bartlebee's Phantasmagoria of Dangers and Delights-Caleb's world changes again. Caleb encouters strange creaturs and even strangers people, along with a fatherly old circus clown. He also meets a heavenly Father who hears the cry of an orphan...and answers in a dangerous and delightful way

Customer Reviews:

Very enjoyable book.......2007-08-16

I enjoyed this book very much both times I read it! Reading this book out-loud is delightful, because it is so well written. The dialogue and descriptions bring the circus to life.

I am excited for the rest of the series to come out!

Circus Freaks - like me!.......2007-08-08

Thrown out with the trash as a baby, Caleb has lived most of his life feeling like someone's unwanted left-overs. Things don't get any better when he's "adopted" by Mr. Groeger, who treats Caleb worse than hired help. Over-worked and beaten, Caleb has begun to accept this miserable life when he meets an old circus clown who tells Caleb that he wasn't created to live this way.

Kids (and adults) who enjoyed the dynamic characters of The Series of Unfortunate Events, will also enjoy the motley crew that Kersten Hamilton has assembled in Caleb, Son of None. With Caleb Pascal & the Peculiar People, Hamilton has created a series that young and old will love to read, featuring dramatic plots, compelling characters, and solid faith lessons. The author also places a verse or two of scripture at the beginning of each chapter; children and parents can have fun figuring out how each verse relates to the chapter it precedes. In conclusion, Read This Book! You might just have fun and maybe learn more about God's grace too.

Caleb, Son of None.......2007-07-13

Always on the lookout for books to recommend to young readers, I hit a bonanza with Kersten Hamilton's series Caleb Pascal & the Peculiar People. When the circus comes to town, Caleb, Son of None, meets a clown who shows the young, abused orphan the Heavenly Father's love in practical ways. Although Hamilton doesn't shy away from the hard issues of life, her books are satisfying on various levels--physical, emotional, and spiritual. After I turned the last page, then turned out the lights, I gave a sigh of contentment.

Encourages kids to walk in faith.......2007-05-16

My son is in the first grade and It has been tough to get him reading. When we started on this book his attitude changed. It is a real page turner for young boys. He kept wanting to read one more chapter. Now he can't wait till the next book in the series is out.

A great book.......2007-05-03

A child with no father, abandoned by his mother, a throw away child, Caleb longs for a Father. When the richest man in town decides to take him into his home, it looks like a dream come true, but is it?

Kersten Hamilton has set her readers on a new adventure, join the circus with Caleb and learn what a family really is.

Average customer rating:

A Son of the Circus
John Irving
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GQHYVQ

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Son of the Circus
Irving John
Manufacturer: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0747518459

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Son of the Circus
John Irving
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NP8R5W

3 Titles By Irving - A Son of the Circus - The Cider House Rules - A Prayer for Owen Meany

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3 Titles By Irving - A Son of the Circus - The Cider House Rules - A Prayer for Owen Meany
John Irving
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Product Description

3 Titles By Irving - A Son of the Circus - The Cider House Rules - A Prayer for Owen Meany

4 Book Set By John Irving; a Window for One Year; a Prayer for Owen Meany; the Water Method Man; a Son of the Circus.

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4 Book Set By John Irving; a Window for One Year; a Prayer for Owen Meany; the Water Method Man; a Son of the Circus.
john irving
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WMQYHO

Product Description

4 Book Set By John Irving; a Window for One Year; a Prayer for Owen Meany; the Water Method Man; a Son of the Circus.

7 Titles By Irving - A Prayer for Owen Meany - World According to Garp - Son of the Circus - Widow for One Year - Hotel New Hampshire - Water-method Man - Cider House Rules

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7 Titles By Irving - A Prayer for Owen Meany - World According to Garp - Son of the Circus - Widow for One Year - Hotel New Hampshire - Water-method Man - Cider House Rules
John Irving
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Product Description

7 massmarket paperback Titles By Irving - A Prayer for Owen Meany - World According to Garp - Son of the Circus - Widow for One Year - Hotel New Hampshire - Water-method Man - Cider House Rules

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A quirky puzzle of a novel
Calling all CinderFELLAS...
Highly Imaginative and Funny
This Circus is Loony

The Circus Lunicus
Marilyn Singer
Manufacturer: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0805062688

Book Description

Solomom Yanish uncovers his family ties to a celestial circus in this quirky middle grade novel.Solly heard a noise coming from his closet. This time it wasn't a rattling. It was a small, spongy noise, like a balloon bobbing. Cautiously he opened the door.The plastic lizard was standing there, its feet in the trash can, its head grazing the top shelf. It looked at Solly with yellow eyes and spoke: Freeble, freeble, freeble.Solomon Yanish has it rough. His mother has disappeared from his life, his father is constantly away on business trips, and now Solly is stuck with two crabby stepbrothers and an evil stepmother he calls Old Staircase. What's worse, Solly can't seem to get a straight answer about his family's past. But who's keeping it from him, and why?Enter The Circus Lunicus, and Freeble -- a fairy godmother in shrink-wrapped disguise. Suddenly things start to make sense. Until some strange transformations begin . . . Can Solly uncover the mystery behind his heritage before the circus leaves town?This fast-paced novel is full of bizarre characters and surprising revelations. So forget what you know about the circus and grab a bucket of worms. Things are going to get weird....

Customer Reviews:

A quirky puzzle of a novel.......2001-03-08

A modern Cinderella, Solly lives with his stepmother Casey (aka Staircase) and his stepbrothers Jason & Mason while his dad grieves his first wife's loss overseas. In a life overrun by chores, Solly anticipates the coming arrival of a bizarre circus whose performers are rumored to be from outer space, but his stepmother forbids him to go to punish him for a crime he didn't commit. Solly luckily stumbles upon the circus as it is setting up, and before he knows it he is performing for the Ringmaster he idolizes, befriending a red haired girl who looks like his mom, and trying to discover why people only say his mother is gone, not dead. Singer's fast paced mystery has adventure, humor, and magic. Add talking lizards, a few spells, a giant guinea pig, mischievous stepbrothers, a mysterious scrapbook, and real spaceships, and you have a quirky puzzle of a novel that somehow comes together logically. The ending is a bit too neat, but satisfying nonetheless. Solly is a likeable character with appeal to both sexes - curious, sympathetic, and independent. He steps out of character once to cuss. Throughout the novel, Singer freely invents not only adjectives, but also a whole new lizard language - a creative curse would have fit nicely here. The brightly colored cover and festive fonts fit well with the circus theme. Offer to your Lemony Snicket fans for something a bit more cheery and less dreary and funny in an entirely different way.

Calling all CinderFELLAS..........2000-12-21

For generations, girls have dreamed of having their problems magically put into focus via a fairy godmother, no matter how bleak their lives (with or without ugly-hearted step families) might be. Young MEN now have a hero in mysterious shoes, courtesy of charming and prolific children's author, Marilyn Singer. Thanks to an absentee mother, a work-weary father, a nasty stepmother and two creepy step bros, Solly has it tough. But stumbling on (and in) to the Circus Lunicus will definitely put a new spin on his odd little life. Peeking in on Solly's curious adventure is sure to delight readers from 8 to 10 (not to mention the grown-ups smart enough to snuggle up and read it with them).

Highly Imaginative and Funny.......2000-12-04

Writers have always been attracted to circuses and carnivals. Marilyn Singer is no exception. But in her circus, there's more going on than meets the eye (or claw). Solly, her main character, has been stepped on by life (and especially by his step mother and step brothers). But when the circus enters his life, along with various lizards, the scales start to tip in his direction. Why does the ring master seem to know so much about him? Who is the mysterious little girl he keeps running into? And why does his father have such a strange reaction to lizards? Everything is tied together with wit and humor, making this book a fun and satisfying read.

This Circus is Loony.......2000-11-14

This is an odd little story with some bizzare twists and turns that ultimately entertains but does not satisfy the reader. Solomon Yanish is the youngest of three boys in a disfunctional family. Solly quickly realizes there is a connection between his mothers disappearance six years ago and the return of the Circus Lunicus. The first half of the book reads like a whimsical mystery as Solly creeps around the circus trying to discover it's secrets. The second half of the book is a science fiction farce. Solly's toy lizard becomes a real six foot tall reptile named Freeble. She helps Solly become a reptile too! Solly finds out that the whole circus crew are from planet Reptilia. Eventually, we find out that Solly's mom is a reptilian and that they came back to reclaim Solly as one of their own. In one of the more "realistic" passages, Solly and his stepmother argue and she smacks him. While this is a bizzare enough tale to hold a child's attention, it lacks focus and meaning.

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Circus Play
Anne Carter
Manufacturer: Orca Book Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1551432250

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ENCORE, MS. Randell!

The perfect bed; the perfect fantasy; the perfect hero.

Hot and funny! A winning combination.

Way too little danger and excitement for me.

Warm and witty supernatural romance
In the Midnight Hour (Haunting Hearts)
Kimberly Randell
Manufacturer: Jove
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Whispers on the Wind (Haunting Hearts)

ASIN: 0515124834

Customer Reviews:

ENCORE, MS. Randell!.......2001-09-08

This book was a blast to read! Very well written and totally enjoyable. It is the build up, not the actual sex scene that makes this story work, although, once our couple decides to indulge, there is no room for wondering if Ms. Randell can deliver. What a talented lady! This book has left this reader screaming, "MORE! MORE! MORE!"...please? =)

The perfect bed; the perfect fantasy; the perfect hero........1999-07-12

Kimberly Randell has found a way to bring every woman's ultimate midnight fantasy to life. Every single woman should have an instructor in the arts of love like Valentine Tremaine waiting only for her, alive only for her.

Hot and funny! A winning combination........1999-06-04

I'll never look at a bed in the same way after reading Kimberly Randell's IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR. Valentine is a hero to die for.

Way too little danger and excitement for me........1999-05-07

Valentine Tremaine was murdered in his bed in 1848 by a woman's protective father. Now his spirit is linked to the bed and he cannot cross over until he learns some answers about what had happened back in 1848.

Veronica purchased the bed from an antique store. She was astonished to find she had a haunted bed. The ghost is extremely handsome too. However, she is about to graduate from college. One term paper depends whether she does or not. Her final exam paper is on Fifty Steps To Ultimate Sexual Fulfillment. Not an easy paper for a woman who is still a virgin.

They make a deal. Veronica will research his past and help him find his answers. In return, Valentine will teach her the fifty steps so she can write her term paper.

***There are a lot of sexual hints and moves, but no intercourse till the ending. In my opinion, if it had not been for Veronica's stalker and my curiosity on what happens to Valentine when finally gets his answers, I would never have finished the book. To me, there just was not enough real danger or excitement.***

Warm and witty supernatural romance.......1999-02-07

In 1848, the father of Valentine Tremaine's latest lover killed the libertine. For the next century and a half, an unhappy Valentine lives a ghostly life, celibate as a monk as he is tied to the murder spot, a Victorian bed. In 1998, for no logical reason, college student Veronica Parrish purchases Valentine's haunt, the now antique bed.

Valentine finds himself attracted to Veronica, looking forward to sharing the bed with her. He helps her with her term paper, "Fifty Ways to Ultimate Sexual Fulfillment", but is stunned to find his bunkmate to be a virgin. Though he rejects taking the body he so desires, he cannot help falling in love with Veronica. She reciprocates his feelings. However, there seems to be no realistic way for a ghost and a mortal to share a lasting relationship at least on this plane.

IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR is a warm, wonderful, and witty supernatural romance that showcases the talent of Kimberly Randall. The poignant story line is quite jocular due to the antics of the female lead protagonist. Though a specter, Valentine makes a huggable scoundrel with a conscience. Ms. Randell demonstrates why she is a former RITA nominee with this ghostly romantic romp.

Customer Reviews:

superb book.......2005-02-28

Are you all other reviewers insane? This work is a gothic classic on werebeasts! I love the characters!! Robert J King's BEST!! His literary style flows with dark and gothic imagery. Pick this book up, you would not regret it!!!

The Tale of A Misguided Heroic Bard.......2003-02-25

It was very good, chilling. It belongs in Ravenloft because it accentuates the love of bardic entertainment in Kartakass. The book tells of the longing of life and love but adds a sinister and evil twist of fate to the tale.

So so book, but doesn't belong in Ravenloft..........2002-12-05

This book was mostly a waste of time. Way too many poems and songs. I remember one song spanned several pages. Sorry but if I wanted to read lyrics or poetry I'd read the book of Psalms in the Bible. Besides that, this book just didn't really feel like it belonged in the Ravenloft series. If you are considering reading this book, I'd say don't bother. Get "Vampire of the Mists", "I, Strahd", or "Knight of the Black Rose" instead. All that said, this book was still better than "Carnival of Fear" in my opinion.

pretty good.......2000-12-23

Certainly my least favorite of the Ravenloft series thus far. Although it continuing to be in print while the same can't be said of most other RL books speaks some on its popularity and quality. Most of the characters were thought out and developed, but none were overly memorable. The powers of the chief antagonist were way too powerful to be believable...suspension of disbelief goes only so far. Some pretty good plot twists and typically morose Ravenloft ending made for good reading.

It's length makes it boring.......1999-10-28

It was an okay idea and the writing was acceptable (but not great by any means) but the story was just too long. If it would have been 200 pages I would have liked it a lot more. 'Knight of the Black Rose' was much better.

The Cat and the Queen of Hearts: A Midnight Louie Las Vegas Adventure (Five Star Mystery Series)

Average customer rating:

Another great entry!

The Cat and the Queen of Hearts: A Midnight Louie Las Vegas Adventure (Five Star Mystery Series)
Carole Nelson Douglas
Manufacturer: Five Star (ME)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0786221739

Customer Reviews:

Another great entry!.......2000-03-07

This book is another great entry in the Midnight Louie series, giving us the back story on Darcy McGill and Steven Austin. I really enjoy finding out about the characters before we got to know them in the other Midnight Louie "The cat and the..." books. If only I didn't have to wait until June to find out what happens next...

Customer Reviews:

Those Old Wives Were Pretty Sharp!.......2007-09-10

This wonderful collection explains the reasoning behind many "old wives' tales". My grandmother used a number of these so-called "cures". (As she often stated, "It'll either cure ye or kill ye!")
The history and mysteries of Appalachia are well preserved within this book!

Now and Forever, Meeting At Midnight, The Castaway Heart (Encore Romance, 18)

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Now and Forever, Meeting At Midnight, The Castaway Heart (Encore Romance, 18)

Manufacturer: MacFadden
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Best Is Yet To Come (Silhouette Desire, No. 643)

ASIN: B000BX1672

Product Description

Three romance novels in one book.

Heart Of Midnight (Silhouette Intimate Moments)

Average customer rating:

Exceptionally wonderful book! Loved it!
Another superb story by Fiona Brand
Wow - what a story!
One of the Best!
Heart of Midnight

Heart Of Midnight (Silhouette Intimate Moments)
Fiona Brand
Manufacturer: Silhouette
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 037307977X

Customer Reviews:

Exceptionally wonderful book! Loved it!.......2000-08-22

This was like reading a fantasy. Gray Lombard is so sexy and darkly brooding--what woman doesn't fantasize about a man like that loving her from a distance for years! Fiona Brand is terrific and I am so glad to add her to my favorite authors list. You won't be disappointed in this exceptionally wonderful book. I loved it!

Another superb story by Fiona Brand.......2000-05-20

Fiona has done it again. Heart of Midnight is another sensational story by Fiona Brand. The desire between Gray and Samantha never died, even after seven years apart. The need for Gray to protect Sam is overpowering. He put her life in danger, and it is up to him to protect her. She belongs to him and he will never willingly let her go again! Can't wait for Blade's Lady to be published.

Wow - what a story!.......2000-02-25

Great book. Story set in New Zealand/Australia. Story has a lot of action and character depth. Her writing is comparable to Linda Howard's story telling ability. Gray Lombard is a SAS Agent bent on capturing an old nemisis who killed his brother 7 years earlier. However the new target is Gray's old girlfriend, Samantha. He goes back to protect her & see if their love can be rekindled. Its a great story. I want more of Fiona Brand's books. This story promises many more sequels.

One of the Best!.......2000-01-17

This book was one of the best books ever written. I loved the charecter's. I got so engrossed in the book, I totally messed up my plans for the day! It was worth it though. Gray was totally sexy, and I loved Sam's stubborness. She should write a prequel about how they met in the first place. That would be a great story!

Heart of Midnight.......1999-12-19

Fiona Brand has something special, a touch with characterization that doesn't come along very often. Her books are sexy, well-written, and out of the ordinary. It's not a question of "if" she goes mainstream, but "when."

Upon a Midnight Clear/Secrets of the Heart (Love Inspired Classics)

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Upon a Midnight Clear/Secrets of the Heart (Love Inspired Classics)
Gail Gaymer Martin
Manufacturer: Steeple Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0373652690

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Into the Heart

Midnight: Heart of Shadow
Eric Olson Iain J. brogan
Manufacturer: Fantasy Flight Games
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1589941837

Book Description

Beautifully designed and illustrated in the Legends & Lairs tradition, Darkness & Dread offers a wide variety of exciting new features, including: New rules for madness, fear, and other psychological effects, new monsters utilizing fear, a complete pantheon of god-like beings that grant their followers powers and madness, new prestige classes, feats, and spells designed for survival in a dark fantasy campaign, and information on integrating the horrific into your world setting.

Customer Reviews:

Into the Heart.......2007-07-15

This supplement to the Midnight campaign setting turns our attention to the place were all the suffering of Eredane comes from; the place where the Shadow's essence is strongest, where resistance is nonexistent, and where odrendor, the chosen of Izrador, the orcs, come from: the land beyond the Fortress Wall.

As most Midnight supplement, this one too is a 64-page, black and white soft-cover. The full-color front cover depicts a cavalry of orcs on large evil looking boars going through the desolate northlands, giving one hints as to what is inside, as well as telling us upfront: this is orc-land. Enter at your own risk! The interior art is, as usual in the Midnight products, excellent with its dark themes and showing us equal measures of those living in this land, vistas of the land itself, and of course, the hardship that it is to live in this inhospitable land.

The book has four chapters:

Chapter 1 describes the Marchlands, the area immediately north of the Fortress Wall and the land where the Dornish houses once ruled, and the Marchland itself is divided into four different areas from west to east. These areas are excellently described with vivid language, usually telling us how the place was before it was corrupted by the shadow, how it was corrupted, and how it stand today; along with these descriptions, particular areas and special characters, along with dangers that one might encounter while traveling through the northland, are given. From the horrors of Udasha's Grove in the Withered Woods, to the first and greatest orc warren of them all Gasterfang where the orcs promised their souls to Izrador, to the Eye of the Shadow where the oldest Mirror of them all is and a thousands of years old legate experiments with souls far away from the eyes of the fractured and intrigue-ridden Order of the Shadow.

This chapter also describes how several tribes have migrated south during this last age, moving to greener pasture, and tells us of the great hostilities between some of the greater tribes, each one with its own allies, and how this might easily grow into a civil war. Another hostility that is described, just bellow the surface and just as dangerous, is the one between the Kurasatch udareen, Izrador's mother-wives, the priestesses and leaders of the orcs, and the legates of the Order. Both sides resent each others power, but none dare act on that resentment... yet.

Lastly are described those who do not follow the Shadow: a lone warrior that hunts the orc; a clan of Dorns known as the Pale Dorns who several thousands of years ago decided to hide right under the Shadow's nose; and an old orc who says that something about how all this was is being waged stinks.

Chapter 2 goes deeper into the north from the Weal, through the Vale of Tears and then plummets into the Scar, the place where Izrador's crushed body fractures the earth. This chapter is as descriptive and interesting as the first chapter, full of the dangers of traveling, and living, in this hostile land; from the Rime Witches of the Spire of Black Ice (shown on the cover), to the Pit of the Cold Mother and her growing army of ice-cold undead. Once the Scar is reached, the presence of the dark god is all around, and this fractured and corrupt land is portrayed very vividly, with both physical dangers of enemies and mad spirits, as well as mental difficulties that one should expect from nearing the grave of a Dark God. A description is given o n how to reach deep into the Tomb of God Flesh through the Black Chantry, the Lichgate, and other difficulties; but such an accomplishment is of such epic proportions that it is not really expect to happen, and it is (as usually in Midnight products) left up to the DM to decided how the players, if at all, the can affect anything about this ultimate enemy.

Chapter 3 is all about the denizens that have been mentioned and described throughout the past two chapters. Five new creatures, four new templates (such as Cold Ones, and the Ghulam, slaves of the Zordrafin Corith), and three major NPCs are described and stated here. And as for the NPCs, some more of their story is revealed here.

Chapter 4 has a new Prestige Class, the orc priestesses, the Kurasatch Udareen, which is very nice and, of course, fitting to the setting even though it would probably come to play only by the DM with NPCs, the fact that several new spells that were apparently written for this PrC are missing doesn't help much. The second part of this chapter is the Taint rules which are very deadly, for you are damned if you get them (and continue getting more and more) and damned if you loose them, and by damned I mean: you get killed. This dark theme that Taint will kill you either way, might be very fitting to the dark setting of Midnight, but is very punishing and might be too much. All creatures suffer from taint, and some might even have to apply one of the new templates presented in chapter 3, but of special note are the channelers. They have special rules, and gain a taint pool of spell energy that may be used in conjunction with their normal Spell Energy pool and has the special ability to not cost more while casting in the area of a Mirror. Catch is, every time a tainted spell energy is used, the channeler must succeed at a Will save or gain more taint. Tainted Channeler also might start getting special abilities ("good" things) and conditions (bad things) that mark them as tainted, and this coupled with the tainted spell energy pool they gain might make channelers who embrace the taint very powerful being... at a high cost, of course.

Throughout the book there are numerous "letters" that were supposedly sent by a junior legate to his master. These letters inform what the legate has learned about the various orc tribes in the region, their numbers, allies and enemies, and other facts that add life to these tribes, as well as giving us glimpses into the personality of this Brother Corlian who supposedly wrote these letters. These are very well written, and one of my favorite parts of this book.

In conclusion, this is a very good book. It is very well written and interesting, and gives DMs enough information to run their party through this harsh land, or, for those so inclined, to run an evil campaign comprised of orcs, legates, or any other minion of the Shadow.

For those not running Midnight unless you might want to look at the new creatures and rules, and lets face it there are plenty of books out there offering much more monsters and rules, there is not much here to find. This product is for Midnight DMs who want to expand their knowledge of this area of Eredane, the Heart of the misery of the land. You will not be disappointed.

Three Complete Western Love Stories: First Love, Wild Love; Sweet Savage Heart; Midnight Secrets

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Three Complete Western Love Stories: First Love, Wild Love; Sweet Savage Heart; Midnight Secrets
Janelle Taylor
Manufacturer: Random House Value Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Janelle Taylor: Three Complete Novels: Promise Me Forever; Follow the Wind; Kiss of the Night Wind

ASIN: 0517149249
Release Date: 1996-01-15

5 Titles By Edwards - Midnight Falcon - Fire Cloud - Winter Raven - Thunder Heart - Sun Hawk

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5 Titles By Edwards - Midnight Falcon - Fire Cloud - Winter Raven - Thunder Heart - Sun Hawk
Cassie Edwards
Manufacturer: leisure historical romance
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000QFMXX6

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Multiple books shipped as one item. Save on Shipping/Handling charges.

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