The Shaman's Handbook (d20 System) (Master Classes)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • A wonderful addition to the d20 family
The Shaman's Handbook (d20 System) (Master Classes)
Steve Kenson , and Stephanie Pui-Man Law
Manufacturer: Green Ronin Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0971438013

Book Description

The Shaman's Handbook, by Dragon Magazine regular and Shadowrun novelist Steve Kenson, is the first volume of Green Ronin's Master Class series. Each book in the series introduces a new core class for the d20 System and provides everything you need to fully integrate that class into your campaign. The shaman is a master of the Spirit World and a powerful addition to any adventuring party. The Shaman's Handbook provides not only the class itself, but new prestige classes, spells, skills, feats, and magic items (including such new types as charms and fetishes). The book also provides useful information on the Spirit World and real world shamanic traditions, a bestiary of spirits and ghosts, and several new monster templates. Perfect for players and game masters alike, the Shaman's Handbook opens up a whole new world for your d20 campaign.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A wonderful addition to the d20 family.......2002-10-08

This isn't a power class, although a shaman can be quite powerful.

This isn't a class that simply begs, borrows and steals from other classes to make an amalgam. This is a new, unique and interesting class, one that was definitely missing from the spiritual worldview of the d20 universe.

Well-written, intelligent and obviously well-researched, I recommend this book to any players interested in playing a spiritist character and to any DMs looking to add some dimension to their "primitive" or indigeneous cultures.
The Shaman's Game (Shaman Mysteries)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • not bad, not the best
  • Real Fun Book!
  • Good buy and great read
  • Navajo versus Southern Ute
  • Not much of the shaman, and very little mystery, either
The Shaman's Game (Shaman Mysteries)
James D. Doss
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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  3. Grandmother Spider: A Charlie Moon Mystery Grandmother Spider: A Charlie Moon Mystery
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  5. Dead Soul (A Charlie Moon Mystery) Dead Soul (A Charlie Moon Mystery)

ASIN: 0380790300

Book Description

For tribes of the American Southwest, the annual Sun Dance is among the most solemn and sacred of rituals. But lately Death has been an uninvited guest at the hallowed rite.

Ute tribal policeman Charlie Moon is puzzled. The deceased Sun Dancers sustained no visible, life-ending injuries, so he is reluctant to call it murder -- though there is surely nothing "natural" about the sudden, inexplicable deaths of two strong and healthy men. Unlike her skeptical nephew, however, Charlie's aunt, shaman Daisy Perika, trusts the signs the spirits have sent her of a great evil in their midst. And Moon's matukach friend, Police Chief Scott Parris, believes the stubborn, good-natured Ute lawman should look beyond the rational for answers. Yet Charlie Moon knows too well that hatred, bitterness, and delusion are often behind lethal acts -- and he hopes these very human failings will reveal to him a killer. But now a beautiful childhood friend has stepped into harm's way and time is running out. For death is on the prowl once more -- and it will surely darken the Sun Dance again.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars not bad, not the best.......2006-09-05

I am really enjoying the Charlie Moon series of mysteries. Of course they are compared to Hillerman, but Hillerman takes himself very seriously and in contrast the Charlie Moon stories are often quite funny as well as well-imagined. The Shaman's Game is an earlier effort, and the reviewer R.L. (Philadelphia, PA) is correct in saying that Charlie Moon and his girl friends are just annoying - a shuffling shambling naive 7 foot tall aboriginal Jimmy Stewart who just doesn't understand girls. Yuck. However, the rest of the story is pretty good, an unusual plot, loads of interesting characters, fairly good writing. I've noticed that in his earlier books in this series the author uses foreshadowing far too much, in addition to the embarassing love relationships between Moon and every female who approaches him. Just ignore that, you'll find plenty to enjoy in this book.

5 out of 5 stars Real Fun Book!.......2004-03-27

I love this series of books. The characters are reader friendly and without noticing they soon become friends...sort of! HA! A real character connection in this series that's a plus in my book.

5 out of 5 stars Good buy and great read.......2002-01-15

Get this book and then get the rest of the series. It's a great gift for yourself. Great characters who keep developing throughout the series to become like your friends.

5 out of 5 stars Navajo versus Southern Ute.......2001-04-27

I had already read Tony Hillerman, many of his books and found them fascinating and informative. My daughter looked for other authors of like books and this was a gift from her. From the very first few paragraphs, this book opened up a new world into Native mysteries. Love Hillerman, but these books of James D. Doss (I am on my second) are his equal in many ways, with a tad more comic touches at times. The Shaman is Charlie Moon's sometimes crochety old aunt, the kind you have to respect but sometimes wince over. Charlie is laconic but loveable. The Sun Dance was particularly interesting as it is Native 'culture', well described and spread over several tribes. Modern and yet traditional at the same time. I have no doubt this author researched thoroughly. It has an air of magic, of the ancient and yet modern America creeps through. I could feel the heat, the dryness, and the suspence is sustained throughout the book. This book convinced me I should 'learn' more about Charlie Moon, Daisy Perika and Scott Parris (the matukach policeman). I have purchased all so far and am waiting for Grandmother Spider to come out in paperback. Mr Doss, more please in this vein.

2 out of 5 stars Not much of the shaman, and very little mystery, either.......2001-02-22

While I loved the first two of Doss' "Shaman" series, this one was a big disappointment. The author seemed more infatuated with his hero, Charlie Moon, whom he presents as a sort of Native American Jimmy Stewart, than interested in constructing an efficient plot. There are an endless number of jokes about "the big Ute's" voracious appetite for fried foods, his impressive masculine physique, and his total bafflement over the behavior of the opposite sex. In fact, Doss' depiction of women was one of the most irritating things about this book: They all (with the exception of Daisy, the shaman) seem to belong more in a comic book than in a novel for grown-ups. Every last one of them has "tiny, delicate hands," "a small foot," "crimson nails," and has no thought in her head other than how to land Charlie Moon (why they would want to is the only mystery in the book). I had been very impressed with Doss' handling of the mystical in his previous novels, but this one is so choked with cliches that I quit two thirds of the way through. And the shaman of the title, a vibrant character, gets little attention in this one. So if you want a well-paced mystery with touches of poetry in the writing and well-developed characters, go to Tony Hillerman.
Shaman (Ad&D Accessory)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Great Book, interesting concepts.
Shaman (Ad&D Accessory)
Kevin Hassall
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0786903260

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great Book, interesting concepts........1999-10-22

I actually picked this up from an auction on ebay, though I thought it great enough to put my comments up on here.

First thing first. This book is packed with information on bringing Shaman characters into the game with not one, not two, but three different shaman classes. Each has a separate spell list though the other shaman's can gain those spells as though they were one level higher than if they were that specific shaman. Itis 96 pages that fits in a Players and DMs section, as well as a mini Monstrous compendium for Spirits (which take up about the last fifth of the book. Needless to say, this is definately well worth getting, especially if you want to take your campaign in previously unexplored territory.
The Shaman's Game (Shaman Mysteries)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Needs to improve female characters.
  • A mystical mystery
The Shaman's Game (Shaman Mysteries)
James D. Doss
Manufacturer: William Morrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0380974258

Book Description

On a parched plain, encircled by a dry embrace of willow bones, the ritual begins. Here, there is searing heat, bleeding feet, unimaginable thirst This is the Sun Dance.

Author James D. Doss blends spinetingling mystery with Native American mysticism as no one else can. Through his expert and justifiably acclaimed storytelling abilities, two very different worlds come together: the modern world, where human greed, anger, and jealousies can drive mortal men and women to commit terrible crimes; and the spirit world of dreams and omens, and a Power older than civilization. The former is the realm of tribal policeman Charlie Moon and his sometime associate Granite Creek, Colorado, Police Chief Scott Parris. The latter is the province of Charlie's aunt Daisy Perika, Ute elder and shaman.

For the Ute of Southern Colorado, the annual Sun Dance is among the most solemn and sacred of rituals. But too often recently Death has been an uninvited guest at the hallowed ceremony. None of the deceased has sustained visible, life-ending injuries, so Charlie Moon is reluctant to call it murder. Yet he knows there was nothing "natural" about the unexplained deaths of young and strong dancers, like the blue-armed Shoshone, Joseph Sparrow.

Daisy Perika is also aware of the events unfolding around her, but unlike her skeptical policeman nephew, she trusts the rumors of sorcery that travel like smoke on the wind. For there is much the eyes cannot see and the hands cannot touch; and the spirits have sent her words and signs warning there is great evil in her midst. . .and that there are many more corpses to follow.

The return of a childhood friend--a beautiful Ute woman back from college to write a newspaper story revealing who, or what, is stealing men's lives--has raised the stakes in Charlie Moon's investigation. With those he cares for deeply suddenly in harm's way, perhaps he should heed his friend Parris's suggestion that he look beyond the rational for a

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Needs to improve female characters........1999-02-01

I grew up in the Four Corners area and generally enjoy Doss' portrayal of the area and of the Utes. I felt this book was not up to the others because of the annoying habit of portraying two of the main characters as child-women. There was an abundance of tiny hands, tiny waists, and tiny feet in tiny red shoes. Surely there are some tough, intelligent, and attractive Ute women. By the end I was ready for the two tiny women to jump off the Rio Grande Gorge, tiny hand in tiny hand.

5 out of 5 stars A mystical mystery.......1998-08-24

It is a healing ritual for the Utes living in Southwestern Colorado. However, the Sun Dance is also a physically demanding event. Still, when hale and hearty tribesmen die during the dance, tribal police officer Charlie Moon suspects foul play even though the official report is death due to natural causes.

However, the skeptical Charlie refuses to accept the explanation of his shaman aunt Daisy, who believes that an evil presence amidst the tribe is killing the participants. While Charlie continues to investigate the deaths, tribal reporter Delly Sands feels that she can ferret out the identity of the witch behind the recent deaths. However, Delly soon becomes a target and is hurt. Charlie begins to take Aunt Daisy seriously as he realizes that he is fighting something outside his understanding.

The fourth entry in the Moon mysteries, THE SHAMAN'S GAME, is a great new edition to one of the best Native American detective stories on the market today. The characters feel genuine, even though their beliefs are very diverse. Some believe deeply in the Indian spiritual world while others have been Anglicized. The story line brilliantly balances the dance between police procedural and ethnic heritage. However, what makes this particular novel stand out is James D. Doss's delightful description and dazzling deference to the power of the Sun Dance.

Harriet Klausner
Old John Neptune and Other Maine Indian Shamans
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Old John Neptune and Other Maine Indian Shamans
    Fannie H. Eckstorm
    Manufacturer: University of Maine Press
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    ASIN: 0891010440
    Encyclopaedia Divine: Shamans The Call Of The Wild (Encyclopedia Divine)
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Encyclopaedia Divine: Shamans The Call Of The Wild (Encyclopedia Divine)
      Alejandro Melchor , and Ralph Horsley
      Manufacturer: Mongoose Publishing
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

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      ASIN: 1903980259
      Shaman King: Legacy of Spirits, Soaring Hawk and Sprinting Wolf (Prima Official Game Guide)
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Shaman King: Legacy of Spirits, Soaring Hawk and Sprinting Wolf (Prima Official Game Guide)
        Greg Kramer
        Manufacturer: Prima Games
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback

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        1. Shaman King: Master of Spirits (GBA) and Power of the Spirits (PS2) (Prima Official Game Guide) Shaman King: Master of Spirits (GBA) and Power of the Spirits (PS2) (Prima Official Game Guide)

        ASIN: 0761547665
        Release Date: 2005-02-15

        Book Description

        Get Ready for a Spirited Battle
        ·Stats for every spirit from Soaring Hawk and Sprinting Wolf
        ·Tips for merging and trading spirits to increase your spirit party's strength
        ·Expert battle strategies reveal how spirits fight, attributes, techniques, and how to use items
        ·Detailed list of all techniques
        ·Locations and maps
        ·Expert walkthroughs
        ·Item directory
        Shaman King: Master of Spirits (GBA) and Power of the Spirits (PS2) (Prima Official Game Guide)
        Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
        • Two guides in one.
        • very detailed very usefull!!
        • the best
        Shaman King: Master of Spirits (GBA) and Power of the Spirits (PS2) (Prima Official Game Guide)
        Eric Mylonas
        Manufacturer: Prima Games
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback

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        2. Shaman King Master of Spirits Shaman King Master of Spirits

        ASIN: 0761545654
        Release Date: 2004-11-16

        Book Description

        Harness the power of the spirits
        ·Complete walkthroughs for Shaman King: Master of Spirits & Power of Spirits
        ·Bios, strategies, and moves for each character
        ·Strategy nuts and bolts for single- and multi-character battles, special techniques, and provoking
        ·Tips for using the right spirits for each level
        ·Guaranteed tactics for defeating the toughest bosses
        ·A look at Shaman King manga and anime

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars Two guides in one........2005-03-23

        This is a great deal to have two game guides in one. I got it when for Power of Spirit but saw that Master of Spirits guide was in it too, so I got that game at the same time. So far, it's helped me with both games so far. It even includes a little bit of information about the anime and manga. I heard Master of Spirits can be difficult so this for anyone who likes to know what to expect. You don't really need it for Power of Spirit but unless you're really stuck, like I was, then it helps.

        5 out of 5 stars very detailed very usefull!!.......2005-01-30

        Autimatically when i baught shamen king power of spirit i knew that i would not need help but when i baught master of spirits that game was fun but difficult the guide shows where all the chests are where to go and how to beat bosses along with how to get to certain things and it tells you about shamen king so if you need any help pick up this stratedgy guide.

        5 out of 5 stars the best.......2004-11-14

        i have the japanese guide and it is awesome so this should be too
        Shaman Sudoku
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Shaman Sudoku
          Cheryl, L Kirk , and Barry Herem
          Manufacturer: Expanding Books
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Paperback

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          ASIN: 0972176462

          Book Description

          Shaman Sudoku is there to guide you thru solving over 150 different Sudoku puzzles of all levels. He will give you hints, along with encouraging words of wisdom from fellow 'world-wide' shamans. And if that's not enough, Barry Herem, whose artwork is featured in international galleries nationwide, and in major airports like Seattle and Portland's international airports provides the inspiring artwork. Each page is carefully design to include a black and white piece of Barry's Pacific Northwest Native artwork. The book is beautifully adorned with his images and his spirit. This treasure box contains 160 Sudokus of varying levels, both challenging and easy, along with supernatural powers to help you solve them. Let the Shaman Sudoku guide you every step of the way. This is a great book for anyone who lives or is traveling thru the Pacific Northwest including Washington, Oregon, Idaho or Alaska. It's truly a piece of artwork itself with a beautiful black and red cover depicting a Shaman Spirit on the front.
          The Shaman's Game
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            The Shaman's Game
            James D. Doss
            Manufacturer: NY Avon 1998.
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Paperback
            ASIN: B000GQQZV6

            Daughter of the Shining Isles (The Magdalen Trilogy, Vol. 1)
            Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
            • Spoiler Alert: Book contains sexual violence
            • BRAVO !
            • Excellent start!
            • Bawdy, but entertaining
            • Blessed Be !
            Daughter of the Shining Isles (The Magdalen Trilogy, Vol. 1)
            Elizabeth Cunningham
            Manufacturer: Barrytown Limited
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Hardcover

            United StatesUnited States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | 18th Century | 19th Century | 20th Century | African American | Asian American | Classics | Collections & Readers | Drama | General | Hispanic | History & Criticism | Humor | Jewish American | Letters & Correspondence | Native American | Poetry | Short Stories | Women Writers
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            Similar Items:
            1. The Passion of Mary Magdalen: A Novel (The Maeve Chronicles) The Passion of Mary Magdalen: A Novel (The Maeve Chronicles)
            2. Magdalen Rising: The Beginning (The Maeve Chronicles) Magdalen Rising: The Beginning (The Maeve Chronicles)
            3. The Return of the Goddess: A Divine Comedy The Return of the Goddess: A Divine Comedy
            4. The Wild Mother The Wild Mother
            5. How to Spin Gold: A Woman's Tale How to Spin Gold: A Woman's Tale

            ASIN: 158177060X

            Book Description

            With keen psychological insight and disarming humor, Elizabeth Cunningham re-imagines the beginnings of Christianity from a Celtic point-of-view. Her Celtic Magdalen invites us to wonder how a woman trained in the mysteries of Druidism and ancient Celtic spirituality might have fallen under the spell of the young Jesus of Nazareth and cast her own magic over him. The evolving tale of love, challenge, and triumph will captivate readers seeking fresh perspectives into the Celtic and Christian elements of our Western spiritual heritage.-Tom Cowan, author of Fire in the Head, Shamanism and the Celtic Spirit

            "Cunningham wears her reverence at a such a rakish angle that it's easy to overlook the deeply religious sensibility that informs her work. In treating the pious and priggish denial of Christ's physicality as the set-up for her outlandish comic effects, she is fall-out-of-your-chair funny. She could crack up the Mater Dolorosa. But she is also mounting a serious challenge to that denial. Nor does she spare the more recent pieties of New Age spirituality, which tend to bury the personality of Magdalen under a mawkish heap of female archetypes. Her mouthy Magdalen won't sit still for being anyone's icon or emblem. She is here to tell you that Jesus, her friend, sweetheart and "cosmic sibling rival" was adorably, poignantly--and sometimes annoyingly--human. In less grace-full hands, this sassy treatment might amount to no more than a smart-aleck deconstruction of Christ's divinity. But Cunningham is up to no such thing. She insists on humanity as one who sees in its every awkward aspect the image and likeness of God. Beneath her sense of the ridiculous and the ribald, is a subtext that sings "Alleluia!" -Catherine MacCoun, author of The Age of Miracles

            "Cunningham has outdone herself. Always an imaginative writer, as such books as The Return of the Goddess and The Wild Mother show, Cunningham here mixes Celtic mythology with the emergent feminist tradition of the Magdalen to create a powerful and spiritually charged visionary novel. Red-haired Maeve was born on the legendary Isle of Women, where her weather-witching mothers (yes, the plural is intentional) raise her to be utterly self-assured as

            Customer Reviews:

            1 out of 5 stars Spoiler Alert: Book contains sexual violence.......2007-03-16

            Confused tone, modern narrator voice with ancient setting, is not convincing. Also, there is confusion between who is speaking as the narrator. Is it the young Maeve, the older Mary Magdalene, or the author herself 2000 years later looking back. (Are we supposed to believe that the narrator is Maeve/Mary living 2000 years after the story occurs?)

            The story tries to be a comedy at times, a drama at others.
            Warning: In the midst of a humorous section, there is a violent rape and incest scene, wherein the main character is violated. This contradictory tone failed for me and ruined the entire story.

            I also didn't buy the notion of Jesus and Mary meeting up as children in Celtic Britain. This is myth, and it makes the dramatic portions of the story less credible as an attempt at alternate history.

            The concept and technique (story-within-a-story) appear clever, but they ultimately don't work. I agree with Publishers Weekly that this book misses its mark. This is another among the plethora of stories along the lines of the Da Vinci code fantasy. There are some good ones, but this isn't one of them.

            Since zero is not available, I justify giving even 1 star, for the author's ability to get the book published.
            Don't buy this book; check it out from the public library.

            5 out of 5 stars BRAVO !.......2005-04-03

            Three cheers for Elizabeth Cunningham and `Daughter of the Shining Isles'.

            While weaving a picture of the ancient cults - their mysteries, their ceremonies, and their assumptions - this novel defines the concept `incarnate' like nothing I have ever read.

            Between the lines of a dramatic love story, (I'm not a fan of love stories, so believe me, if I was yanked in, anyone who already likes them will be swept away.) Cunningham shows us how Roman civilization collided with the long established culture of the Celts. The feminine side to our understanding of `deity' is clearly explained through parable, and I for one was in awe as the balance was struck in page after page.

            Quotable quotes: Maeve, speaking of Esus: `To lay on him a geis of danger and destruction was an act of sheer redundancy.' (I cannot define this word, `geis' accurately without context)

            If her earthy indulgences seem offensive - the pissing, the fornication, the bleeding, and all that, you must chalk up your discomfort to the fact that you are being whisked away into ancient history by a pro. The symbolism of earth goddess to earthly existence is intricately layered as only a writer with complete authority over her subject matter can do. While she is wooing you with mundane metaphors, you are actually being set up for the lighting strike.

            As with all great works, Cunningham's humility is the fiber holding irony and discovery at one.

            I'm sold.

            -Moe Dickson (author of Atlantis Continued...)

            4 out of 5 stars Excellent start!.......2005-01-09

            I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I don't usually enjoy first-person fictional accounts; however, this was an exception. There are a couple of reasons why I didn't give it five stars, however:

            1. The protagonist occasionally wanders off on tangents in the middle of some of the premier events during the story. I do expect some tangents, especially when a book is written from a first-person POV; however, it seems like these could be a bit shorter to make the story more powerful.

            2. The menstrual blood thing was kind of...strange. It didn't bother me the first time, and it at no point disgusted me, but I thought that the differences between the protagonist and the way other women were brought up were quite marked without the incident with the menstrual blood while she was at the druid college.

            In all, I loved the story and am very much looking forward to reading the next one in the trilogy.

            3 out of 5 stars Bawdy, but entertaining.......2003-08-09

            This is the Magdalene.org review: "Daughter of the Shining Isles" is the first part of an ambitious trilogy by Elizabeth Cunningham. She takes us to the Celtic-speaking world of 9 C.E. where the main character, Maeve Rhaud, is born and raised by eight weather-warrior witches on the island of Tir na mBam. There, she has a startling vision of her cosmic twin, Esus, in a back alley of Jerusalem: he is relieving his bladder.

            If this is a startling image for you, then you should avoid the book. Cunningham's Maeve Rhaud is a headstrong, earthy character with no qualms about speaking of bodily functions, and she does so with great frequency. They are, in fact, important plot points in the story. This was a great drawback for me when I first started the book, and it wasn't until I was halfway through it that I decided the story was entertaining enough to compensate for Cunningham's Celtic witches' apparent scatalogical fascination.

            A majority of the story takes place at the legendary Druid college of Mona, where Maeve Rhaud undertakes bardic training. The author accounts for the "lost years" of Jesus (Esus) by placing him in the college with her. He has a difficult time believing that his cosmic twin is someone so "unclean," and they have frequent theological arguments about monotheism versus her polytheistic ways. Maeve is constantly in trouble with the faculty of the college, clashing with personalities and breaking taboos. It is in this setting that she falls in love with the 15 year old man from Jerusalem and pledges her life to him.

            Cunningham's novel is narrated by Maeve, who uses modern metaphors to describe the events in her tale. In spite of this chronological inconsistency, the story is extremely entertaining and told with good humor. It moves along quickly, and the main characters are well developed. If you are familiar with biblical accounts of the life of Jesus, you will be amused by the references to how his legend was shaped by people after his death.

            If you're able to laugh at bawdy humor and don't have an easily tweaked sense of the blasphemous, this book will leave you satisfied and waiting eagerly for the next novel in the series.

            1 out of 5 stars Blessed Be !.......2003-07-26

            Hark fellow pagan wymen ! Here be a tome of most rightious truth and beauty, consistent with the guidance of the Goddess! Herein all honor is given to the sacred moon-time flow. Blessed Be!
            Shining Isle (Urban Fantasy)
            Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
            • A Satisfying Surprise
            • Needs A Bit More Shine
            Shining Isle (Urban Fantasy)
            Ly De Angeles
            Manufacturer: Llewellyn Publications
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Paperback

            ContemporaryContemporary | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
            GeneralGeneral | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
            Visionary FictionVisionary Fiction | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
            MetaphysicalMetaphysical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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            ASIN: 0738708348

            Book Description

            Among us walk a race older than time-called the Travelers, Tuatha d Dannan, the Sidhe, the Fair Folk, and the Fdh, they are the magical beings who remember when forests covered much of the earth and people revered the older gods and goddesses.

            The Shining Isle is the story of Holly Tremenhere and the small island of Inishrm. Holly was awakened to the mysteries at a young age, but could not cope with their seemingly alien reality and turned away from them. Now, disillusioned with the senselessness of day-to-day existence, she is ripe for change. Meanwhile, Inishrm has been targeted for takeover by those who do not understand its significance. The isle and its inhabitants harbor an ancient secret-one they will fight to the death to keep safe.

            Customer Reviews:

            5 out of 5 stars A Satisfying Surprise.......2007-06-04

            I'd never heard of Ly de Angeles before getting this book, and I will confess straight up that I bought it in spite of, not in addition to the cover art, but because I believe the old adage, you can't tell a book by its' cover, I went ahead and purchased it. Now I am very glad that I did. I found this a most satisfying read, and with a nod to some of the comments by another reviewer, I agree it wasn't flawless, but it had enough heart and poetry in it to cause me to have to put extensions on two library books I have out, because once I started _The Shining Isle_ I could not put it down. Some stories are't just literary, they go into a level of a deeper sort of art, an older art that is primal, true, and nourishing to the soul. This book when I come to think of it, is rather like a fiction version of [[ASIN:1577312112 The Mist-Filled Path: Celtic Wisdom for Exiles, Wanderers, and Seekers]by Frank MacEowan. It touches on a comment I made in one of my journals when I was first reading Juliet Marillier [[ASIN:0765343436 Daughter of the Forest (The Sevenwaters Trilogy, Book 1)] and said, "To read her is like someone sitting close telling you a very old story -- you already know this story, it is as old as your ancestors, yet you cannot have enough of it. It fills you, it validates our long questing,done mostly with the compass of instinct, back to the hearth-home, the touchstone, the well of wisdom, the ring fort's magic, the dance that draws you ever on." de Angeles book was that and more, since it drew past and present together, a reminder that all of us on the path have to cherish and save all we can of the beauty and the magic of the world for it is us.

            2 out of 5 stars Needs A Bit More Shine.......2006-05-24

            I purchased both The Quickening and The Shining Isle after becoming enamoured of the author's non fictional works. After reading the former, I almost didn't bother to read the latter but I am pleased that I did because The Shining Isle turned out to be a reasonably entertaining read. The plot was quite enjoyable and nicely pulled together, though the ending gave the impression that the author had run out of interest and ideas. Ly de Angeles weak point is her character development. I would like to see more fully developed characters with more believable relationships & interactions with others. The characters of The Shining Isle, as her previous book are one dimensional, with almost cartoon like over stated heroes and villains. Perhaps less characters with more depth would have resulted in greater reader involvement. Finally, after two books that are beating the same drum, a departure from the rag-tag underdogs versus the evil academic or corporate world would probably be refreshing for her next novel.

            Again I say it - Ly de Angeles, an author I respect, is capable of so much more. Her fictional works seem almost to be written by a different author.
            Daughter of the Shining Isles
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              Daughter of the Shining Isles
              Elizabeth Cunningham
              Manufacturer: Station Hill
              ProductGroup: Book
              Binding: Hardcover
              ASIN: B000KBHBRE
              Shining Isle
              Average customer rating: Not rated
                Shining Isle
                Ly De Angeles
                Manufacturer: Llewellyn Publications
                ProductGroup: Book
                Binding: Paperback
                ASIN: B000MC4CQE

                Books:

                1. The Sugar House: A Tess Monaghan Mystery
                2. The Thin Woman
                3. The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club
                4. Three Complete Novels (The Servants of Twilight / Darkfall / Phantoms)
                5. To Collar a Killer
                6. Top Of The Heap (Hard Case Crime)
                7. Wicked Fix: A Home Repair is Homicide Mystery (Mainely Murder, The)
                8. A Catskill Eagle, a Spenser Novel
                9. A Darker Place
                10. Act of Mercy (Sister Fidelma Mysteries)

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