Book Description
Although business has been slow lately for P.I. Kinsey Millhone, she's reluctant to take on the case of locating Beverly Danziger's sister Elaine Boldt. It's a small matter that Beverly should be able to handle herself. So why is she enlisting Kinsey's services? Beverly claims she needs Elaine's signature on some documents so that she can collect a small inheritance. But the whole affair doesn't sit well with Kinsey. And if there's something she's learned in her line of work, it's to always follow your instincts... Kinsey's hunch proves true when she begins her inquiries into Elaine's whereabouts and discovers that the attractive widow was last seen in a flashy lynx coat boarding a plane for Boca Raton. But the more Kinsey searches for Elaine the more questions she encounters. Is Elaine's disappearance tied in to the brutal murder several months ago of one of her bridge partners? And what happened to Elaine's Persian cat who seems to have also vanished?Things take a turn for the worse when a stranger vandalizes the home of one of Elaine's neighbors and another neighbor turns up murdered. With her reputation and career on the line, Kinsey risks all to find a missing woman and a killer who's waiting in the shadows to strike again...
Customer Reviews:
Kinsey Millhone ABC Mystery Series by Sue Grafton.......2007-08-23
Love these books.. I've read four so far and will continue all through to " Z "... I highly recommend reading these books. It's difficult to put them down...
Series is picking up!!.......2006-12-14
Kinsey Millhone is onto something when she investigates a murder and a missing woman. What she finds is beyond what I guessed. I love Kinsey's character! She is such a confident, smart, and strong woman. I can't even wait to pick up the next. Book is full of mystery and suspence. I recommend it! It was better then the first.
Good.......2006-11-10
Would buy from seller again. My second read in Grafton's series. Not sure I am hooked yet!
When print can be just too small............................2006-02-22
Great story, winner of private eye writers Shamus award. 5 star. Lousy presentation - take off a star. The type in this edition of the book is just too, too small. Really denigrates the reading experience. Publisher, Bantam, was too concerned about the number of pages being printed it seems. Check out other editions before buying this one, you'll regret it if you don't. I know do.
Significantly better than A is for Alibi.......2006-02-10
I still figured out whodunnit by the middle of the book, but at least there was a twist to the story this round. However, towards the end of the book, the action scene was disappointing(me being a hardcore action fan before I switched genres).
At least it moved a step up from A is for Alibi.
Verdict: 3 out of 5.
Average customer rating:
- A good intro to the series
- First Time Audio Book Customer
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Sue Grafton ABC Gift Collection: "A" Is for Alibi, "B" Is for Burglar, "C" Is for Corpse
Sue Grafton
Manufacturer: RH Audio
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Sue Grafton DEF Gift Collection: "D" Is for Deadbeat, "E" Is for Evidence, "F" Is for Fugitive
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Sue Grafton GHI Gift Collection: "G" Is for Gumshoe, "H" Is for Homicide, "I" Is for Innocent
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The Patricia Cornwell CD Audio Treasury Low Price: Contains All That Remains and Cruel and Unusual (Kay Scarpetta Mysteries)
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K Is for Killer (Kinsey Millhone Mysteries)
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J Is for Judgment
ASIN: 0739332244
Release Date: 2005-11-01 |
Book Description
Here together for the first time on CD are the three mysteries that started it all, introducing sexy, savvy ex-cop turned P.I. Kinsey Millhone to listeners everywhere…
“A” Is for Alibi
Nikki Fife, convicted of murdering her husband Laurence, is out on parole after eight years of prison. Now, she hires Kinsey Millhone to find out who really killed Laurence. The trail will twist and turn until finally turning back on itself, bringing Kinsey face-to-face with a killer cunning enough to get away with murder.
“B” Is for Burglar
Elaine Boldt is missing, and her sister wants Kinsey Millhone to find her. It seems to be a routine job–until Kinsey is ordered to drop the investigation just as she discovers that days before Elaine’s disappearance, her next-door neighbor and bridge partner had been murdered. Now, the killer is still at large . . . and looking for Kinsey.
“C” Is for Corpse
Kinsey Millhone is recruited to help Bobby Callahan, a young man struggling back to life after his Porsche was forced to take a near-fatal nose dive over the edge of a canyon. Three days later Bobby is dead and Kinsey must capture a cold-blooded killer before he strikes again.
Customer Reviews:
A good intro to the series.......2007-07-27
First off, excellent reading.
About the stories, they are fine, well writen books. Kinsey Milhone is a female PI in a small costal California town who takes on a series of murders in these three books. Better written than most of the series murder mysteries.
First Time Audio Book Customer.......2006-08-18
This collection was my first ever audio book and I have already ordered more. The reader uses a variety of voice changes, emotions and just the right amount of pauses to add to the suspense and enjoyment of listening. I hope to get the whole alaphabet!
Book Description
A New York Times bestselling author appears for the first time ever in an omnibus edition! Old fans and new friends will welcome this collection of Sue Grafton's first three alphabet crime novels:
A Is for Alibi, B Is for Burglar, and
C is for Corpse. The award-winning mysteries all feature former cop turned detective, Kinsey Milhone, one of the most loved heroines of modern mystery fiction.
Customer Reviews:
I got stuck with "Gumshoe".......2007-10-11
"G is for Gumshoe" was my first Kinsey Millhone novel. I will tell you that I went back and read everything leading up to "G" before "H" came out. I have been an avid Sue Grafton fan since the beginning. She makes Kinsey so fun and fallible. You just have to love her and her stories. I especially love Henry.
Gotta Read!!.......2007-07-07
I love all the alphabet books, but even better was having three in one!
I am currently reading K is for Killer, each one gets better and better!
Wonderful, I love Kinsey.......2007-06-14
I have read almost all of Grafton's books, I still have a few that I have missed, she is ingenious, every single novel is original. The reading is easy, I can devour a book in one to two days, and then I am looking around for another. I have just finished J,K,L,M, am working on N, and am now looking for the ones in between that I have missed.
Dorothy Harper, Northridge, CA
I loved them all.......2007-06-03
I've read the whole series and can't wait for the next one to come out.
"G" is for Gumshoe.......2007-05-14
This novel by Sue Grafton is very light hearted and fun to read. Reading a novel about Kinsey Millhone is addictive! I can't put it down.
Average customer rating:
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B De Bestias / B Is for Burglar (Andanzas / Adventures)
Sue Grafton
Manufacturer: TusQuets
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 8472231534 |
Book Description
This valuable lesson in home and business security will help you identify and improve the vulnerable areas of your security alarm system for maximum protection, safety and peace of mind. An eye-opening expose of the whole security business, the book reveals the glaring weaknesses of popular security devices. It also gives plenty of advice for making your system more secure and equips you with the savvy needed to deal with alarm installers, monitoring stations and local law enforcement.
Customer Reviews:
The Book Tells of The Most Fatal Flaw in Security.......2004-01-19
I read the other reveiws and wanted to leave one also. If one reads the book it tells of the single most vulnerable part of any security system. It is easily circumvented from the exterior of the building. If the communications link goes down then it's over. The system becomes useless and will not summon the police. After reading the book I have corrected the problem and can't believe the company never told me about the flaw. Apparently they almost all have it. Must back up the communication link for assured response. Glad I bought the book.
I now have a better alarm system.......2002-03-02
This book helped up update our alarm systems at our home and business. It was simple to read and the one point it made about how the alarm communicated to the central monitoring facility was eye opening. We never realized how vulnerable we were. It told us how to have a better alarm system. I would recommend it to anyone who currently has an alarm or is thinking about buying one. I think it really exposes what many alarm businesses don't want you to know.
A Total waste of money and time.......2002-01-16
I have to say that this book is yet another attempt of a so called security professional to rip off the consumer. There is absolutely no information in this book on how to circumvent an alarm system. His circumvention techique can be summed up in two steps: if the alarm system is disabled and you are already inside the house(hello!) twist the wires together which are connected to the transmitter. Otherwise cut the phone line. Gee thanks for the insight. Please don't waste your [money] like I did as this buck isn't worth a penny.
No-Buy for PROFESSIONAL THEIVES.......2001-02-22
For all You PROFESSIONAL THEIEVES out there, this book is a no buy. This book assumes you work for the company and so can easily switch around wires, while on a break. This book really should be renamed to employment theft made easy. You cannot bypass alarm systems inside peoples houses with this book, unless your gonna rob your own house. Then this book is very useful.
My Security System Had Holes But No More.......1998-12-09
I am a Security Manager for a large firm in CA and found this book very valuable. It opened my eyes to many possible weak links in our security systems and told me how to correct them. Every security manager should read this book.
Customer Reviews:
Principles of burglar alarm bypassing.......2002-03-18
A good book for anyone who wants to know the principles of burglar alarm bypassing, but it's not a great book for the person who wants to get all the technical stuff about all the different types of burglar alarm brands.
Well worth a read.......1999-11-03
Probably the best book I've seen on the subject from this point of view (bypassing). Very interesting even for the professional. Some strange omissions however such as electronics perhaps due to time of publication. However maybe because of this it remains fairly up to date. Should be read by anyone interested in the field.
Average customer rating:
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'B' is for Burglar
Sue Grafton
Manufacturer: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000H8KDZM |
Product Description
6 mass market paperbacks. 6 Titles in Kinsey Millhone Mysteries A-F - A is for Alibi - B is for Burglar - C is for Corpse - D is for Deadbeat - E is for Evidence - F is for Fugitive
Average customer rating:
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B IF FOR BURGLAR
Sue Grafton
Manufacturer: Holt Rinehart Winston
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000RJ1Z5S |
Amazon.com
Created by a misuse of magic in a shaman's war, were-dragons mediate between the five "truehuman" kingdoms and between truedragons and truehumans as well. In The Last Dragonlord, Bertin told of Linden Rathen, who spent 600 years without a "soultwin." (Each Dragonlord is made from two souls--one human, one dragon--so for each there is a match created from the "extra" halves.) He found his soultwin, Maurynna. In Dragon and Phoenix, the second book in the Dragonlords series, Maurynna's draconic half, Kyrissaean, won't speak to other Dragonlords or even another dragonsoul, and won't let her Change, which would give her the greater magics of the Dragonlords--healing fire and flying.
Linden and Maurynna are at Dragonskeep when Maurynna's great-uncle, the bard Otter, and her cousin Raven arrive with a man who claims he escaped from Jehanglan, a kingdom resembling Imperial China. There they have imprisoned a truedragon, using his magic to hold a phoenix captive. The phoenix provides magical power protecting Jehanglan and maintaining the Emperor's rule at the price of agony and madness for the dragon. The Dragonlords plan a daring rescue. The plan hinges on Maurynna, for her "hidden" dragon half will enable her to elude the priest-mages yet destroy the magical wards binding him.Bertin shifts between Maurynna's story and that of Shei-Luin, a barbarian concubine of the Phoenix Emperor who is scheming to gain power and protect her sons.
Bertin delivers a colorful setting, engaging characters, complex plotting, and an intriguing magical system. Fans of Anne McCaffrey's Pern stories and fantasies using Oriental elements like Barry Hughart's Master Li novels will find plenty here to enjoy. --Nona Vero
Book Description
Once every thousand years the phoenix of Jehanglan burns to death in a magical release. For millennia the emperors of Jehanglan have tried to harness the awesome power of the phoenix's rebirth. One has finally succeeded, using black magic and the enslavement of a dragon.Far away at the Crown of the World, Dragon-lord Linden and his new wife, Maurynna, are trying to live the life of happy newlyweds. But all is not well. Since her first Change into dragon-form, Maurynna has been unable to duplicate it. And as her inability to Change drives her into a dark abyss of depression, Linden begins to doubt the love he was once so sure of....At this time of personal crisis, these two must journey to Jehanglan and marshall all of their diplomatic and martial skill to penetrate the treachery of the empire and set free the phoenix. But to do so they must face the dragon--the dragon who just might be a Dragonlord gone mad......
Customer Reviews:
Very disappointing sequel after an entertaining debut.......2007-03-21
A Review, spoilers galore.
Unfortunately for me, Bertin's DRAGON AND PHOENIX accentuates all the things I disliked about THE LAST DRAGONLORD while diminishing aspects of THE LAST DRAGONLORD I enjoyed thoroughly. I consider THE LAST DRAGONLORD an endearing, an enjoyable reading experience, even for guys. However, I found DRAGON AND PHOENIX a jarring, if not offensive, read. Male characterizations don't get much worse than the ones we find in DRAGON AND PHOENIX.
Gone is the romantic characterization of Maurynna Kyrissaean, a girl who dares to dream of loving her lifelong hero in THE LAST DRAGONLORD. However, we can hardly fault Bertin for this since Maurynna lands her hero by the end of THE LAST DRAGONLORD. Gone are the well-crafted humorous and romantic scenes from THE LAST DRAGONLORD, it's down to business in DRAGON AND PHOENIX. Gone is the lighthearted, pleasant tone of the LAST DRAGONLORD. And I wouldn't describe the conspiratorial events in an oriental Jehanglan as politically intriguing. They were drab, inelegant and lumbering, the characters therein entirely uninteresting. Not that THE LAST DRAGONLORD's "political intrigue" in Casna was a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination, but its political backdrop was certainly a few levels above this novel's.
I was disinterested by all the "story arcs" in Jehanglan, even the climax of the story from there when Shei-Luin kills the Emperor was meh. I thought our hero Linden was thoroughly effeminated with a fair amount of estrogen. I've rarely read a weaker, dumber, more sensitive male character than Linden Rathan. I found Rathan (Linden's dragon soul) very interesting from the last book, so full of rage and mirth. We don't see Rathan in DRAGON AND PHOENIX until the very end, and only for a couple paragraphs.
Raven's entire behavior from beginning to end was baffling and inexplicable. And I thought it's girls I'd never understand, but I'd pin our young boy Raven's personality and behavior as though of a pregnant woman.
If you thought THE LAST DRAGONLORD jumped around between too many characters while adding little, if nothing, to the plot, you'll find DRAGON AND PHOENIX compounds the issue tenfold. I didn't realize it in THE LAST DRAGONLORD, but it's apparent from DRAGON AND PHOENIX that Bertin _really_ likes writing 2,3,4,5-paragraph passages from a wide number of character perspectives. The goal of these passages: accelerate the momentum of the novel, make the novel a page-turner; perhaps these desultory passages _do_ meet that goal, but maybe not the way it was intended.
The worldbuilding of Jehanglan? Nonexistent, if not downright callow, so you need only read a sentence or two from a character's dialogue in order to gleam the gist of the passage. But worldbuilding isn't Bertin's strength anyway, THE LAST DRAGONLORD will testify to that. The point is, too many disjoint, amorphous and insubstantial passages from a whole army of character perspectives in Jehanglan paralyze the plot rather than driving it forward.
As bad as the male characterizations in THE LAST DRAGONLORD were, they deteriorate to new lows in DRAGON AND PHOENIX. I found the Linden Rathan characterization in DRAGON AND PHOENIX worst of all and very crippling to the entire novel. It's clear that Linden Rathan represents a girl's perfect guy: broad-shouldered, deep voice, big, shoulder-length blond hair and a buttock-length braid signifying his heritage as a Yerrin. He's as dense, as stupid and as dumb as ever, traits clearly carried from the last novel. For all intents and purposes, Linden Rathan is Maurynna's love-sick lapdog. In =every= sentence, Linden includes "Maurynna-love" or "love." Again, big, tall, deep voice, obedient, servile, understanding and an overbearing feminine sensitivity. Oh and let's not forget, a complete halfwit.
You may wonder how I find Linden both understanding and dumb at the same time. Well, he's understanding/sensitive about everything having to do with Maurynna while completely dense about any of any plots, until of course the last minute, where enlightenment comes to him all at once in one paragraph! Like Baisha's plot to betray the dragonlords and their companions. Not only a nitwit, once again there's no on-screen evidence of Linden Rathan's so-called skill with the sword.
Let's run through these rather appealing traits in Linden Rathan with examples from the book, shall we?
At one point in the novel there's three - yes, I kid you not, three - paragraphs on Linden thinking how he can't control Maurynna's life after he hears that she must travel to Jehanglan. He fears for her safety, but our Linden Rathan understands that he can't imprison her either. He drones on and on about it. Since Maurynna can't Change again, Lady of the Dragonskeep orders her to remain at the Dragonskeep lest she'll endanger herself. Maurynna feels jailed and longs for the sea from her life as Captain of the Sea Mist, but the Lady of the Dragonskeep refuses. Unbeknownst to Maurynna, Linden pleads to the Lady almost every day, asking the Lady to allow Maurynna to sail and see her family and friends one last time, with the Lady refusing each time. How considerate of Linden, though, right?! Thanks for playing, Linden, buddy, maybe next time!
When Otter comments that truehuman life spans are to dragonlord lifetimes "like moths in a flame," Maurynna recoils, and yes, our compassionate, sensitive Linden Rathan is right there to slip a hand underneath her cloak for comfort. For that matter, whenever Maurynna is emotionally or physically pained, our sensitive hero says and does all the right things like a happy, servile lapdop!
This emotional understanding and compassion Linden constantly feels for Maurynna can't be from their soultwin bond since Kyrissaean has shut herself off from that sort of magical connection, right? Must be a one-way street, because Maurynna fails to show the affection, compassion, understanding, and swarming devotion Linden relentlessly exhibits for Maurynna. Even during unromantic, business conversations, Linden abuses the appellations "love" or "Maurynna-love" mercilessly. After Linden suffers a badly bruised shoulder from a Llysathian being hauled up to a ship, Maurynna is pretty much unconcerned.
When Raven makes a move for Maurynna alone in the stables, Linden "understands" and lets it go. When Raven uses every opportunity to gloat over Linden on some piece of knowledge or decision, Linden lets all of that go too, respecting Raven's feeling for Maurynna. Wow, Linden is nothing if not the virtue of understanding and sensitivity.
When they learn that after arriving in Jehanglan, Maurynna & Raven must venture off alone without Linden, Linden is enraged and fearful for Maurynna beyond belief. He destroys a wine goblet, and walks out of the room. Maurynna soon follows. On the stairwell outside Linden, in the midst of his fury, suddenly remembers his manners, and makes room on the steps for her! I love it! When Linden mentions he hopes she will never come to know how much it hurts for him to agree to this, she calmly answers, "I know," and explains how she had gone through a similar thing during the climax of THE LAST DRAGONLORD because it hurt to feel the danger Linden would be in. Interesting to note that unlike Linden in similar circumstances, there's no coddling or comforting touches on Maurynna's part here, just a patronizing "I know." In true lapdog fashion, Linden shortly thereafter acquiesces. Nice pointless display of anger to no end. So, so, _sooooo_ very understanding of Linden to take it all so well and take it on good faith from the Seer truedragon Morlen that only Maurynna can go into the mountain to free the imprisoned truedragon there.
Screw everything else, why not do something because you want to for a change, not because you're supposed from a prophecy and definitely not because someone else wants you to? If you really believe Maurynna will be in danger and you want to help, find a way to make it happen! Linden doesn't show any spirit, any personal volition. A perfect, servile lapdog for Maurynna.
In Stormhaven, when you thought it wasn't possible for Linden to play the servile lapdog any better than he already was, guess again. When Maurynna sees her extended family the Erdons for the first, she finds they all behave differently now that she's a dragonlord. Linden is always there for a comforting arm-around-the-waist or some or words of assurance with the obligatory "love" or "Maurynna-love." There's little purpose to Linden's presence here. It's Maurynna who fends off a mean uncle (Darijen) from Raven, it's Maurynna who intercepts Raven's father blow intended for his son with lightning-quick dragonlord speed. But let's not forget Linden is there for a good'ole arms-around-the-waist! Linden goes insofar as to talk to Maurynna's nice uncle (Kesselandt) so he'd address Maurynna as "dear" instead of "Your Grace." Wow, that Linden, he's swell! I think I'll go throw up now....
An effeminated Linden pouts insufferably over being separated from Maurynna after it finally happens. More than Maurynna! As though Linden needed more estrogen in his body...
The pinnacle of Linden's idiocy comes when something he feels a sneaking suspicion that keeps taunting him regarding something Taren/Baisha said, but he just can't put a finger on it. In this case, Linden is sufficiently pampering Maurynna in their quarters when he's thinking about something Taren and the Dragonkeep archivist (librarian) said earlier. Next thing you know, Linden dreams of ferrets and how they looked like mages herding rabbits. In a =shocking= moment of revelation (gasp!!), it dawns on Linden that Jehanglan has priest mages and they're drawing magic from the imprisoned dragon to ward off would-be attackers. Linden promptly arrives at the Lady's apartment next morning to share his brilliant discovery! The Lady of the Dragonkeep and the other truedragons however already know. Aweee, thanks for playing, Linden, better luck next time, buddy! Uh what was the point of all that, couldn't we just have learned about the Jehanglan priests and their sorcery earlier when the truedragon Morlen and the Lady are talking about it? Why go to such great lengths to make Linden out to be such blockhead?!
Linden's ineptitude with sword, magic and dragon continues from THE LAST DRAGONLORD. Linden Rathan is weak beyond belief. We're constantly _told_ how Linden is a remarkable soldier, a formidable mercenary and a great sword, but we simply find no evidence of it in the books. Of course I'm not sure if combat writing is one of Joanne Bertin's fortes.
Nobody likes the damsel in distress storyline, and it seems like these dragonlord books goes to great lengths to make the damsel's slippers fit Linden's feet. Our young, headstrong heroine - Maurynna - scoffs at the notion of being saved from anything.
Towards the beginning, Morlen the truedragon attempts to mindspeak Kyrissaean, Maurynna's dragon self. When that doesn't go well, Morlen calls to Linden to come quickly for help for his soultwin looks to be in danger. Linden jumps out of the window from a cliff, and then all the characters judiciously note how trying to Change while in motion is dangerous. For over a page, the person really in danger becomes Linden as he struggles beyond comprehension to Change and take flight away from the cliff. Linden expends an exorbitant amount of energy and effort to Change but he finally manages. Then he unfortunately scratches his wing against the cliff bleeding all over. When he arrives at the meadow where 5 truedragons and Maurynna are, the danger to Maurynna has already passed and now Maurynna must save Linden. Maurynna screams for Linden to not attack, he has no chance against that many truedragons, one truedragon is a more than a match for a dragonlord. Linden though finally Changes back to human form and Maurynna rushes to him, saving our Captain Genius yet again. Linden once again has accomplished =nothing= . Thanks for playing though Linden, please try again!
Maurynna is able to sense well in advance when something is about to go badly for Linden. Linden cannot do that for Maurynna and instead usually ends up getting himself into trouble.
After it's decided that Raven will travel with Maurynna alone to the mountain in Jehanglan, Linden teaches both Raven and Maurynna how to fight. Conveniently, we find no actual scenes of Linden proficiently using the sword or teaching someone else with it.
At one point, Raven - a truehuman - is capable to sneak up on Linden and his heightened dragonlord senses without a single problem with a sword intent to kill. Linden calmly explains how everything will be alright, relaying a story from his childhood when Linden wanted to kill his father but didn't. Sooo understanding, sooo inept to let Raven walk up to him like that. It appears the goal here is to use Linden's incompetence to begin softening Raven so Raven won't betray Linden & Maurynna later on.
The other male characters are stalkers/nothing-is-wrong friends (Raven), or villains (Taren, Jhanun, Haoro) or obedient, stupid lapdogs similar to Linden (Xiane, Yesuin, Lleld's soultwin Jekkanadar). Among these, Raven's characterization especially makes no sense. He's hot/cold, angry/warm, friend/foe like a pregnant woman. In the beginning, he's very antagonistic towards Linden and makes a move on Maurynna. When Maurynna throws him away, Raven is cold with anger. Next thing we know, all 3 are together, learning languages and sword like nothing ever happened. He's pleasantly calling Maurynna "beanpole" after storming away when Maurynna puts her foot down that he can't accompany her to the Iron Temple for what she must do ("Dragonlord's orders"). At the very end of the novel, Linden, Raven and Maurynna are joking like old friends like nothing ever happened. Uh, okayyyyy, I must of have missed something.
In DRAGON AND PHOENIX, even Maurynna's characterization dulls considerably from the last novel. She just isn't fun to fun to read anymore, she's brooding about going back to sea or how she can't Change again or how she's a pretty weak and insignificant dragonlord since she can't Change. This sulking over one's insignificance ("I'm the least of the dragonlords") is a common ruse employed by a lot authors to make a character feel insubstantial when it's glaringly obvious they're the key to the entire plot and will perform a powerful act during the climax, when it counts the most.
Maurynna didn't know anything about the political plots in THE LAST DRAGONLORD, and she was a fledgling then. Yet, after her first Change she manages to save Linden by torching a dragauth _and_ kill the primary antagonist in that novel, a powerful mage.
With DRAGON AND PHOENIX, simply rinse and repeat this formula. Although she doesn't save Linden per say in this novel, she does finally manage to Change during the climax and heal Linden at the end.
Lleld is insanely annoying. I don't think there's a single redeeming quality about Lady Mayhem.
The Story, a quick summary.
With a billion character arcs from Jehanglan, none of them end satisfactorily, and I didn't even care about any of'em.
Basically there's a prophecy. Companions must travel to a faraway, unknown land (Jehanglan), where One Who Holds the Key (Maurynna) must separate from the others. The One Who Holds the Key is our typical, underrated character and she must travel to the depths of a Mountain in enemy territory where only she can perform a task. While the One awaits certain death from her enemies wading across the stream, there's a magic flood which wipes out her enemies ultimately saveing the One. There's someone within the companionship who will betray them.
Any of this sound familiar?
Unlike LORD OF THE RINGS however, one of the groups split up from the One has nothing to do until the One completes her task in the Mountain.
Overall, a very unsatisfying reading experience, even torturous at times.
Too slow and too many subplots.......2006-07-12
Being a fan of McCaffrey's Pern, I was excited to find this series, especially given some of the other reviews of this and the Last Dragonlord. However, I could not make it past the first 50 pages because there were too many subplots and the writing was not clever enough to keep me interested. Because she frequently skips from complex subplot to complex plot, it is difficult to care about the characters.
Literary Divinity.......2005-12-11
Ok. Not sure what some people are complaining about. I've skimmed the reviews and seen "too long" "not as good as the first", etc, etc, etc.
Listen people, this is a sequel, say it with me, SEQUEL. They never make the same impact as the first book, they are the bridge from teh first to the third. I mean c'mon people, this book was AMAZING if you look ahead.
Joanne Bertin is a goddess of the text, she is my idol and i can only dream of being as good as she is one day.
Her characters come alive to you, become like people you know. The worlds she creates are more vast and full of so much!!
If there was ever a series to read, it is Joanne Bertin's "The Last Dragonlord" and "Dragon and Pheonix".
I can't wait for "bard's Oath" and have no doubt it will bring about more than even the most hardcore fantasy fan couldever imagine.
Brave new world.......2005-09-13
This was an excellent addition to the fantasy genre, with an original take on dragons. I highly recommend it.
Great sequel to a great book - I want more!.......2005-08-19
I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel to The Last Dragonlord. Linden and Maurynna are the kind of characters that come alive, and you want to read more about them.
I liked the fact that even the great and ancient dragons were not perfect, in fact sometimes downright silly! Most stories are just too black-and-white. I've always enjoyed books where even the wisest have their flaws.
My only big disappointment is that Joanne Bertin hasn't produced any more books since 1999. I'd love to read more of her stories!
Customer Reviews:
Great, rare reprint of Frank Mentzer's RPGA modules.......2000-05-02
By far the rarest module in the I series, this one is also the most coveted by collectors and DMs alike, because it is one of the best adventures ever written for the game. High praise, but I've run this one 6 times throughout the years, and every group hailed it as one of their favorites! The Holy Grail of AD&D, the Egg of the Phoenix is a magical artifact whose true powers have grown wilder over the centuries with every retelling. Now, the heroes (levels 5-9) will have months of adventure as this 100-page epic sweeps them through caravans, thievery, diabolical machinations, and a level 20 cleric/25 arch-mage who happens to have the four Elemental Princes of Evil on his case. Impossible? Only if you don't give your heart and soul, as a team, to survive... a wonderful tale, highest recommendation.
Average customer rating:
- Fun!
- A Great Reference Book
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Wonder Beasts: Tales and Lore of the Phoenix, the Griffin, the Unicorn, and the Dragon
Joe Nigg
Manufacturer: Libraries Unlimited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Literary Theory | History & Criticism | United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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Similar Items:
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The Book of Dragons & Other Mythical Beasts
-
Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth
-
The Writers Complete Fantasy Reference: An Indispensable Compendium of Myth and Magic
ASIN: 156308242X |
Book Description
Focusing on the phoenix, the griffin, the unicorn, and the dragon, this book combines tales and lore of each, presenting primary sources (e.g., the writings of Herodotus and original fairy tales and poems) within the context of background material and commentary. The shifting images of these animals offer a unique perspective on myths, religions, art, literature, and science in history. Discussion questions and learning activities at the end of the chapters guide students in exploring the worlds surrounding each beast. Sure to appeal to all ages, this fascinating collection makes a wonderful supplement to world history courses and is a great resource for reports.
Customer Reviews:
Fun!.......2003-06-13
This little book packs a powerful punch. It's got everything, and it's presented concicely. Definitely a "buy" recommendation!
A Great Reference Book.......2000-07-09
This book provides accurate, concise information about the legends associated with several mythical beasts. It's both a great quick reference for writers and an enjoyable read for fantasy fans who want to know more about the origins of their favorite creatures.
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