M Is for Malice

Amazon.com

"Every investigation has a nature of its own, but there are certain shared characteristics," explains private eye Kinsey Millhone in her 13th alphabetic outing. "Here's what you hope for: a chance remark from the former neighbor on a skip-trace, a penciled notation on the corner of a document, an ex-spouse with a grudge, the number on an account, an item overlooked at the scene of a crime. Here's what you expect: the dead ends, bureaucratic bullheadedness, the cul-de-sacs, trails that go nowhere or simply fade into thin air, denials, prevarications, the blank-eyed stares from all the hostile witnesses. Here's what you know: that you've done it before and you have the toughness and determination to pull it off again. Here's what you want: justice. Here's what you'll settle for: something equivalent, the quid pro quo." All of the above are on display in Grafton's latest entry in her increasingly popular series set in a thinly-disguised Santa Barbara, as the virtually ageless Kinsey finds and loses a missing heir and gets back an old lover.

Book Description

4 cassettes / 4 hours
Read by Judy Kaye

"There are few writers able to sustain the solid mixture of detection, narrative energy and cultural observations that one finds in Grafton." -- Washington Post Book World

"M" is for money.  Lots of it.   "M" is for Malek Construction, the $40 million company that grew out of modest soil to become one of the big three in California construction, one of the few still in family hands.

"M" is for the Malek family: four sons now nearing middle age who stand to inherit a fortune - four men with very different outlooks, temperaments, and needs, linked only by blood and money.  Eighteen years ago, one of them - angry, troubled, and in trouble - went missing.

"M" is for Millhone, hired to trace that missing black sheep brother.

"M" is for memories, none of them happy.  The bitter memoirs of an embattled family.  This prodigal son will find no welcome at his family's table.   "M" is for malice.

And in brutal consequence, "M" is for murder, the all-too-common outcome of familiar hatreds.

"M" is for malice . . . and malice kills.

Customer Reviews:

Slow-paced, cliche detective story with some familiar, likable characters, a breezy tone, and some substance to the plot.......2007-07-11

As soon as I read her earliest books, Sue Grafton became one of my favorite writers of light, straight, credible detective fiction. She can be a terrific storyteller. After rallying from the skimpy, disorganized "G" and "H" stories with stronger efforts in "I," "J," and "K," the "Lawless" book returned to the bottom of the heap. So I was not sure what to expect from "M." At least the book explains, "Mill-hone, ... Accent on the first syllable. The last rhymes with bone."

The book is very slow to get started. The murder does not happen until page 200. Even after it does, the book continues to drag at a self-indulgently slow, lackadaisical pace. The murder is a crude, boring bashing-in of a person's head while he is sleeping, so there is nothing clever or interesting about the method or any detection related thereto.

It looks as if someone from missing heir Guy Malek's bad-boy past has come back to kill him once Millhone runs him to earth for his construction company boss father as a now-humble, changed man. Millhone suspects the crime has its roots in a personal connection, fraud, and death from years ago. Without giving it away, the plot is a familiar cliche, embroidered with some complicated and sentimental details. So intent is the book on making Guy into a sympathetic character that it does not even have the courage of its convictions about his supposedly disreputable past. The characters are hazy and unmemorable.

Again, Grafton paints on some personal subplots. Millhone gets involved in the case because of her relative Tasha. The book mentions Henry Pitts and his brother William and ethnic wife, who runs the diner up the street. The book injects P.I. Robert Dietz into the story. But this is all tacked on, superficially, with no meaningful connection or theme, just as Grafton's attempts to forge a link between Millhone and Guy Malek fall flat. These personal angles seem to get ever more perfunctory; reviews that find great meaning in those in "M" are fooling themselves.

What distinguishes this book for me was its carefree, easy confidence, which makes it breezy reading in one sense. But it also makes the book slack, uninvolving storytelling that only really picks up in the last 50 pages. The book certainly has more to it than "L." "M" is in the ballpark of "J" or "K" only because, though hardly original, its plot ends up being more focused, coherent, and meaningful than those books.

Private Investigator Kinsey Milhone is fun to read about even for guys.......2005-11-18

M is for Malice certainly describes the unjust murder of a multimillionaires son Guy Malek. There are three other siblings still in the will and all of them become suspects to PI Kinsey Milhone. The investigative work is a little bit tedious but that just makes the book seem more like authentic PI life.

R for revenge.......2005-10-29

PI Kinsey Millhone is hired to locate a missing son who is named a a beneficiary in a will under probate. One of the four sons of multi millionaire, Bader Malek, Guy is now a middle aged man who walked out on his family as a teenager, when he was constantly in trouble with drugs, drink and theft. Upon the death of the old man, Guy must be located so that the assets may be distributed, even though his brothers insist that their father had made a later will disinheriting him. Kinsey finds him working as a janitor of a small church, where he claims to have found the Lord, dried out and generally cleaned up his act, and warms to him, believing that he genuinely has turned over a new leaf. She returns him to his family who are less than overjoyed, realising that the millions will now have to be divided four ways. A few days later, Guy is discovered with his skull caved in and the search begins for the murderer. The story has some neat twists and turns before the end, making it a not bad read.

Sibling Rivalry at it's Worst!.......2005-04-15

I've read several "professional" reviews written on this book and they basically hate this one. I couldn't disagree more. One reviewer went so far as to say that Kinsey Millhone was so depressed that she went back to Robert Dietz, which was a mistake. Huh? I sure didn't see that one in this book.

It's another simple case that turns into something very different. Kinsey is hired to find a missing brother so he can collect his part of the father's estate. What the other Malek brothers conveniently don't tell her is that they also want him dead so they can get all of the money for themselves. The reason this brother has to be found: Bader Malek, the father, sent his son, Guy, away when Guy was a teenager and kept getting in trouble for marijuana, underage drinking, etc. Out of sight, out of mind - that is until he wrote his will.

Finding Guy is not the hard part of Kinsey's job. She finds him working as a janitor in a church not far from home and learns he is nothing like the person he used to be. After hearing why Kinsey is there, Guy decides to try to reconcile with his long lost brothers. Not a good idea as he turns up dead a couple of days later. This only irritates Kinsey to the point of her becoming determined to find out who killed Guy and she again is placed in the middle of trouble. Seems to be her trademark!

I'm not sure if the appeal of these books is the no-nonsense character of Kinsey Millhone, or the situations in which Kinsey often finds herself. Maybe it could be the very good "who dun it" type plot that usually keeps the reader on his/her toes all through the book. The exact fascination of these tales eludes me, I can only hope, along with millions of other Kinsey Millhone fans, which Sue Grafton keeps turning out great novels.

Now that she's over halfway through the alphabet, it does make me wonder if she's going to stop at Z is for... or if she'll turn around and start with A is for... again. Hmmm, something to ponder...

Who Did Kill Guy Anyway? Kinsey Gets Tangled Up!.......2004-05-07

This book was pretty good to read. I didn't find it that hard to get into as many people said on here-but the ending could have been better.

Kinsey was assigned a job to try and find the missing member of the Malek family-Guy. He has a share coming from his father's will of 5-million dollars, but the family is holding a lot of hatred against Guy for their own reasons. Therefore, when Kinsey does find Guy almost right away in the story, there is another reason the Malek's wanted him back-for malice, and evenmore so for Murder. And this is what happens when Guy chooses to try and make amends. Kinsey sort of liked the man, and is feeling guilty for leading him back to his malicious siblings. One of them had the nerve to kill-but whom? Was it Donovan, Jack, or Bennett? Or maybe it was Kristie or Myrna? Kinsey is watching everything with a very close eye to see exactly who the guilty one is.

Average customer rating:

What a wonderful diabolical mind!!!

Hilariously Funny

The COMPLETE Guide to getting Even

Fantastic - plenty of evil thought provoking material!

Spite,Malice and Revenge: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Even (3 Diabolical Volumes in 1)
M. Nelson Chunder
Manufacturer: Random House Value Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Sweet Revenge: The Wicked Delights of Getting Even

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Screw Unto Others: Revenge Tactics For All Occasions

ASIN: 0517676044
Release Date: 1988-12-28

Customer Reviews:

What a wonderful diabolical mind!!!.......2003-09-06

The book is so wonderful, you will laugh until you cry over some of the ideas presented. You will wonder what kind of mind came up with these great ideas. I am purchasing another copy for a friend of mine who has borrowed mine and wants a copy of her own. It gives a person great satisfaction to read the book and "dream" of getting even with the tedious people in their lives that are giving them such a bad time. It's a great read for a day that you are having the blues. I can't praise it enough!!!

Hilariously Funny.......2003-03-24

This book is filled with some of the most diabolical tricks I've heard of. People who are serious about getting even have a lot to choose from. Some of them can land you in jail if you get caught. Thisbook is intended for entertainmentpurposes only.

The COMPLETE Guide to getting Even.......1999-08-10

Anyone every pull a prank on you? Steal your girlfriend? Need to be punished? This is a dictionary of pranks and stunts to pull on those people that you really don't like. Or just want to read and dream of revenge? Either way, a hillarious read.

Fantastic - plenty of evil thought provoking material!.......1997-10-28

This book should be in the reference section for anyone who's ever wanted to get even with someone! The scary thing is the number of variations on a theme your mind comes up with as you read it.

Malice in Miniature: A Dorothy Martin Mystery (Dorothy Martin Mysteries)

Average customer rating:

A good read
A Dollhouse Cozy
Another winner in a charming series
Dorothy meows!
A great surprise ending

Malice in Miniature: A Dorothy Martin Mystery (Dorothy Martin Mysteries)
Jeanne M. Dams
Manufacturer: Walker & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0802733220

Amazon.com

Jeanne M. Dams continues her successful venture into writing mysteries featuring protagonist Dorothy Martin with Malice in Miniature. Dorothy, an American matron, has remarried and resettled in the fictional cathedral town of Sherebury. In the midst of toast and tea on a November afternoon, Dorothy and her husband, Alan, are startled by the arrival of Dorothy's friend Ada Finch, who is in a state of panic. Ada's son (Dorothy's gardener) has been arrested for stealing, and while Bob may have a soft spot for liquor, he is no thief--particularly when the article concerned is a 17th-century tea set created for a doll's house.

Dorothy agrees to help clear Bob's name, but she soon realizes that something more is afoot at Brockelsby Hall and its Museum of Miniatures than a mistake over a tea set. A few well-placed questions and Dorothy's growing interest in the dolls' houses and furnishings contained in the Victorian pile has her on the spot when the Danvers-esque housekeeper is poisoned. Bob is once again a suspect, but Dorothy is determined to find the real culprit. While Dams's prose is confident and polished, Dorothy as a nosy American sorting out British justice can be a bit grating. But the novel is amusing--our heroine's hat collection is a treat--and a proper follow-up to the author's previous Dorothy Martin novels: The Body in the Transept, Trouble in the Town Hall, and Holy Terror in the Hebrides. --K.A. Crouch

Book Description

Dorothy Martin's husband, the illustrious Chief Constable Nesbitt, has long claimed that if the Olympics held an event for conclusion jumping, Dorothy would be a contender for the gold medal. Her bold American ways occasionally offend the Brits' proper sensibilities, but even her husband can't deny she has a nose(or perhaps the nosiness) for first-rate investigative work.

When a friend enlists Dorothy to clear her son--who has a wee problem with the bottle--of thievery charges. Dorothy dons one of her most outlandish hats and sets out for the Doll House Museum at the imposing Brocklesby Hall. But two murders put more than a miniature Sevres tea set at stake and Dorothy finds herself maneuvering a complicated plot that is trickier and more dangerous than any of England's daunting roundabouts.

Customer Reviews:

A good read.......2007-06-07

I'm new to the Dorothy Martin mysteries but I did enjoy the book. It's quick reading; you don't have to think; and the characters are believable and lovable. It's a great escape when you want to unwind.

A Dollhouse Cozy.......2003-08-26

Dorothy Martin is an American matron living in England, and married to a very senior policeman (how handy for getting those tidbits of inside information). In this, the fourth book of the series, she feels obligated to rush to the rescue of the drunken son of her cleaning lady who is wrongly accused of stealing some dollhouse furniture.

Now, as an expatriate English person living in North America, I'm kind of sensitive to an American writing an English who-dun-it. I like that this writer, writing in the first person, remains American and doesn't try to be British, even though she tries to out-Brit the Brits by wearing a succession of outlandish hats. I don't mind that she looks down her nose at some aspects of British life and is thoroughly confused by others (I do the same myself here). I really like the way she accepts her age and all that goes with it, including the stiff knees and the way young people patronize her (boy, do I empathize with that). All in all, this is an experienced writer who makes the reader identify with her protagonist.

This is a thoroughly competent book, and a good read. It takes a lot of confidence to have your sleuth fall asleep in the middle of the climax and the big chase scene. I shall look for some more of Jeanne M. Dams books.

Another winner in a charming series.......2000-08-20

In this, the fourth in a wonderful cozy mystery series, retired American schoolteacher Dorothy Martin, who is living in Sherebury, England, has married Chief Constable Alan Nesbitt. Her gardener, Bob Finch, is suspected of having stolen a toy tea set from the local dollhouse museum at Brocklesby Hall, a grotesque country house owned by the eccentric, elflike Sir Mordred. In her quest to exonerate Bob, Dorothy spends time at the museum investigating and, in the process, learns much about miniatures and the little houses in which they are displayed. Two murders ensue, and Dorothy, of course, decides to find out who the culprit is. The story's big surprise revelation is easy to foresee, but the book is so charmingly written and has so many endearing characters that it doesn't matter at all. For maximum enjoyment, read the series in order, beginning with "The Body in the Transept," so you can get to know the people (and cats) in this delightful series.

Dorothy meows!.......1999-10-27

A rather disappointing addition to the otherwise charming Dorothy Martin series. Dorothy usually pokes fun at other characters, but this time becomes downright nasty when describing other female characters. Maybe all isn't bliss with the adorable Alan, hmmm? Too, the ending is contrived, twee, and generally incredible. The addition of a auditorially challenged youngster is a welcome nuance, but the sub-plot never really leads anywhere. Finally, from a legal point of view, I must wonder if Dorothy now functions as an agent of the police and that all of her findings would be tossed (sorry, just the paralegal in me). Oh, well, Ms. Dams, nobody but Dorothy L Sayers ever batted 1.000!

A great surprise ending.......1999-07-15

A friend of mine told me about the Dorothy Martin books and I loved the first two, and then didn't care at all about Holy Terror. Therefore I was reluctant to read Malilce in Miniature.

However, I am glad my friend talked me into reading the book. It was wonderful. I love Ms. Dams descriptions of the house and the people.

Customer Reviews:

THRILLING!!!!!!!! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):).......1999-04-27

It was great! It had the perfecct balance of the two most important things: mystery, and suspence. You may like this book, or you may LOVE it, I happen to be one that loves it, it was cunning, and abouve all, smartly written. As a college student, I was scared to receive sleep that nite! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):) HI dad!

Average customer rating:

"M" is for Malice
Sue Grafton
Manufacturer: Fawcett Crest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OELOA2

Average customer rating:

M is for Malice
Sue Grafton
Manufacturer: Henry Holt
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HKKH2E

Average customer rating:

Beyond Malice
Richard M. Clurman
Manufacturer: Plume
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0452010292

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M Is for Malice.

Manufacturer: Holt
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000I84HEE

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

The Usurper's Crown: A Novel of Isavalta (Isavalta, Book 2)

Average customer rating:

A lot like "Treason"
More Isavaltan magic
Very enjoyable prequel
Isvalta of the past
enchanting fantasy

The Usurper's Crown: A Novel of Isavalta (Isavalta, Book 2)
Sarah Zettel
Manufacturer: Tor Fantasy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0812565185
Release Date: 2004-02-03

Book Description

In a sweeping new epic of breathtaking excitement and adventure, Sarah Zettel, author of A Sorcerer's Treason, tells the enthralling story of a courageous woman from small-town Wisconsin caught up in a maelstrom of empire-shaking politics and sorcerous conspiracy on a dazzling world far removed from our own.It is 1872. Ingrid Loftfield and her sister Grace are living uneventful lives with their family on Sand Island, Lake Superior, until the day Grace nearly drowns. Grace becomes inexplicably ill, for she has been saved by the spirit of a drowned sailor which rests uneasily beneath the water. Ingrid can only watch as her sister drifts toward death, lured by the restless spirit, until an immegrant Finnish fisherman, Avan, helps Ingrid release Grace from the spell that binds her.Having rescued her sister, Ingrid herself begins an odyssey stranger than she could imagine. For Avan is not what he's assumed to be. He's Avanasy, a powerful sorcerer who's been banished from another world, Isavalta, where he tutored Medeoan, the princess-heir to the empire until she married a prince of a rival realm. Prince Kacha has won Medeoan's heart, and with the aid of his mentor, a subtle and ambitious sorcerer, plans to win Isavalta, using sweet Medeoan's love and an array of magical means to usurp her crown. Once Avanasy is gone, Kacha acts swiftly to isolate Medeoan from other allies, and to weave a spell that will weaken her so he can rule in her stead. When Medeoan discovers Kacha's treachery she flees, determined to win back her crown. She can only succeed if Avanasy, her oldest friend and most powerful ally, will return to help her. Because Avanasy loves Ingrid Loftfield and she loves him, together they must cross the vast gulf that separates our world from the magical realm of Isavalta. to rescue Medeoan, and fulfill a destiny far beyond Ingrid's wildest dreams.

Customer Reviews:

A lot like "Treason".......2007-03-13

"The Usurper's Crown" tells the story of Ingrid and Avanasy, who are Bridget's parents, and of Medeaon's past. Many of the criticisms I had for "A Sorcerer's Treason" are still valid for this novel, so I will not repeat them here. But once again, despite those flaws, the novel was still an enjoyable read.

I actually found it very interesting getting to know the full details behind the characters we were only briefly introduced to in "Treason". It's one thing to know that Bridget's mother died in childbirth, and that her father gave his life to seal the firebird, but it's another thing to read the tale in its entirety. Readers got to know those heroes that sacrificed their lives for Isavalta. We see how the love formed between Ingrid and Avanasy; we get to know first-hand the kind of man Everett Lederle was; we learn the reasons behind Grace's estranged relationship with her niece; we meet Peshek in his youth. And the part I found the most interesting was reading of Medeaon's broken history.

In "Treason", Medeaon is a hard, vengeful woman who has succumbed to madness. But in "Crown", we see her as a young woman who is afraid of her destiny and beset by treachery. She genuinely loved her husband Kacha and was irrevocably broken by his deceit. Reading about her struggles, her strength, and her intelligence as she tries to regain her kingdom makes her eventual downfall all the more poignant. Readers finally understand why those who remained loyal to Medeaon even throughout "Treason" did so -- despite her flaws, she was a hero in her own time.

One additional issue I had with this book was that Ingrid's role was never really elaborated on. She fell in love with Avanasy and returned with him to Isavalta, which was apparently what one of the spirit powers wanted. But it was never explained why Ingrid was so special to this power. In a sense, she really didn't do anything, but it was repeatedly insisted upon that she was needed. She was a good character in her own right, but fell flat as a heroine. At least with Bridget we understood where her power came from; not so with Ingrid.

Again, many parts could have been better, but it was still a good read.

More Isavaltan magic.......2005-03-12

The second book in Sara Zettle's Isavaltan trilogy is unusual in that it pre-dates the first book. Although that seems strange at first, it actually works really well.
This time the story revolves around Bridget Lederle's parents, again the story moves between Earth and Isavalta, a land of magic and intrigue. To get there Ingrid Loftfield must follow the sorcerer Avanasy across the land of Death and Spirit.
This is a highly enjoyable read that is skilfully written. Sara Zettle is proving as competent a writer of fantasy as she is of sci-fi.

Very enjoyable prequel .......2004-10-04

I was reluctant to read this when I learnt that it was the story of Avanasy and Medeoan... there are things which we already know, but as is revealed, knowing of them and knowing the WHY of them are completely different. The tradgedy is in Medeoans blind love for Kasha and his complete contempt for it.. We learn what can make Medeoan so completely ruthless, and how it happened... Absolutely fascinating and VERY Enjoyable.

Isvalta of the past.......2004-02-08

I must say, that I at first was disappointed, when I learned that this book was a prequel to "A Sorcerer's Treason". Now though I would not have missed it. It is true that you know how things between Avanasy, Ingrid and Medeoan will end, but still this time you get the details and get to know the characters on their own accord.
So I ended up liking the book, it's well written, and I think "The land of death and spirit" are a very interesting mythology.
But I do hope that the last book in the series takes us back to Bridget.

enchanting fantasy.......2003-04-17

When it is discovered that the princess and heir of Isavalta is a sorceress, the emperor and empress ask the powerful sorcerer Avanasy to teach her how to use her powers. Over the years the two become friends until a political marriage is arranged to Kacha, the nephew of the king of Hastinapura. The princess falls in love with him, but Avanasy warns her that he is treacherous and not to be trusted. His charge turns on him sending him into exile.

When the two are wed, she doesn't realize that Kacha is taking over her duties and replacing her loyal supporters with his own people. Only when it is almost too late does she see Kacha for what he is and flees the kingdom, ordering a loyal retainer to find Avanasy and bring him to her at a place she designates. When Avanasy hears her summons, he is posing as a fisherman on Sand Island in Wisconsin. He stands ready to return to his homeland to help the empress defeat her enemies but he brings with him Ingrid Loftfield, the woman he loves, the wife who will sacrifice much to give her husband what he desires.

This novel takes place twenty years before the events in A SORCERER'S TREASON and it is just as good as its sequel. Readers watch the empress grow wiser and stronger, willing to admit she is wrong and take steps to rectify the problems her emotional blindness brought about. Avanasy is a true hero torn between duty and love while the mere mortal Ingrid contains more inner strength than the two sorceresses do. THE USURPER'S CROWN is an enchanting reading experience.

Harriet Klausner

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Usurper's Crown:A Novel Of Isavalta
Sarah Zettel
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTW9BA

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Usurpers Crown
Sarah Zettel
Manufacturer: UNSPECIFIED VENDOR
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UPA6OA

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Usurper's Crown

Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 141764754X

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USURPERS CROWN PB ISAVALTA 02
Sarah Zettel
Manufacturer: Voyager
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O8WR4A

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