Warchild

Average customer rating:

Gripping tale

distinguished

SciFi SciFi

Warchild

The Warchild Project

Warchild
Karin Lowachee
Manufacturer: Aspect
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Space Opera | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Burndive

Cagebird

Grasp the Stars

City of Pearl

Worldwired

ASIN: 0446610771

Book Description

The merchant ship Mukudori encompasses the whole of eight-year-old Jos's world, until a notorious pirate destroys the ship, slaughters the adults, and enslaves the children. Thus begins a desperate odyssey of terror and escape that takes Jos beyond known space to the homeworld of the strits, Earth's alien enemies. To survive, the boy must become a living weapon and a master spy. But no training will protect Jos in a war where every hope might be a deadly lie, and every friendship might hide a lethal betrayal. And all the while he will face the most grueling trial of his lifebecoming his own man.

Download Description

Committed to finding science fiction's voices of the future, Warner Aspect sponsors worldwide searches for debut novels. The competition's first winner, Nalo Hopkinson, quickly became one of the most acclaimed authors of her generation. Now, from a selection of over one thousand entries, Warner Aspect is proud to present Warchild, by Karin Lowachee, the engrossing story of a young boy's coming of age amid interstellar war, a riveting saga in the tradition of Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game. The merchant ship Mukudori encompasses the whole of eight-year-old Jos's world, until a notorious pirate destroys the ship, slaughters the adults, and enslaves the children. Thus begins a desperate odyssey of terror and escape that takes Jos beyond known space to the homeworld of the strits, Earth's alien enemies. To survive, the boy must become a living weapon and a master spy. But no training will protect Jos in a war where every hope might be a deadly lie, and every friendship might hide a lethal betrayal. And all the while he will face the most grueling trial of his life . . . becoming his own man.

Customer Reviews:

Gripping tale.......2006-09-15

Others have done a good job of summarizing the story, so I won't say more about that. I found the book very well written. The story was mesmerizing and haunting it really did stay with you. Jos was a very sympathetic character and I look forward to reading more about him in the later books.

distinguished.......2006-02-27

While recommending this book to any adult reader I cannot but warn him/her that Ms Lowachee has written an extremely disturbing story: I have never spoken with someone who had to endure abuse as a child, but there were passages I felt so realistic I got sick.

The setting is hard SF, very classical, very well knitted. It is the kind of story which is new: the coming of age of a young man who was kidnapped, deprived of his family and cruelly abused as a child and has to cope with all too real wraiths while growing up in an hostile environment.
The author does not indulge in explicit sex or gore, she just hints at them, but many pages of this book scream in your ears with the cruel force of understatement: this may be SF but the characters feel perfectly, painfully real.

The writing is good, the pacing convincing, characterization good if a little obvious, with the possible exception of the main character. I felt extraordinarily moved by Jos' thirst for love and by the mistrust who prevents him from accepting it when it is given.

The book is action packed, so no one will complain about its being dull or slow, but adequate room is given to feelings and reflection, tastefully and convingly done.

SciFi SciFi.......2006-01-14

If you love science fiction, you love this book. Karin Lowachee is cherry, and she's nice as well.

Warchild.......2005-10-05

This book was exceptional. The way the young man must have felt going from a place where evil was born to a place where you cared for one another. He was taught ways he onced insulted loved people he once dispised. This is truly a good book

The Warchild Project.......2005-06-15

Warchild
Karin Lowachee

Based in a futuristic generation when the chief government is threatened by both aliens and pirates, the novel Warchild is a fast pace story told from the point of view of a traumatized young one named Jos Musey. Early in the novel the plot is quick to grab your attention when the Mukodori, a merchant ship working for the Earth hub, is hijacked and Jos gets abducted by Falcone, a pedophile pirate that has political immunity among the top of the hub. He is rescued by a symp (sympathizers of the aliens) and brought up as one of them. In a reconnaissance mission on a leading Earthhub military deep-space ship, Jos and the crew are ambushed and the novels quick uptake slows down and is less exciting, but if you want to find out the other stuff that happens, you'll have to actually read the story. Though I enjoyed reading it, I do not recommend it to a younger audience as it deals with mature subject matter.

Braedon Quarles

Average customer rating:

Excellent book with a very original setting

Warchild
Richard Bowes
Manufacturer: Warner Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0445201770

Customer Reviews:

Excellent book with a very original setting.......1997-01-22

This book is part of a fascinating, weird, surrealistic series that reminds me of Roger Zelazny. Many alternate worlds exist, all of them modeled after our own, all of them terrorized by the Goblins and all created by the mysteriouse Gods. Only telepaths can travel between these worlds. The technologically advanced Goblins conquer world after world, enslave the population, and wait for the Gods to make another one. A long fortold hero called the Warchild is destined to put an end to this.

Warchild (Star Trek Deep Space Nine, No 7)

Average customer rating:

Good, involving ST:DS9 novel
Better than most.
DS9 #7 Warchild - A rather decent early DS9 novel!
nice mix of tech and bajoran mystique
Absolutely Horrible

Warchild (Star Trek Deep Space Nine, No 7)
Esther Friesner
Manufacturer: Star Trek
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0671881167

Book Description

Surrounded by thousands of dying children, Bashir goes A.W.O.L. from Deep Space Nine TM, vowing not to return until the plague has been stopped. But by the time Dax finds the girl from the Kai's prophecy the child has fallen victim to the plague. Now, with the fate of the entire planet at stake, Commander Sisko must find Dr. Bashir in time to save the child who may be Bajor's last chance for peace.

Download Description

A message left behind by the Kai Opaka gives Commander Benjamin Sisko a fateful mission: find a young Bajoran girl destined to be a great healer who could bring together the warring factions of Bajor. While Lt. Dax tries to find the healer, Dr. Bashir goes planetside to treat a rare disease that is killing the children in Bajor's resettlement camps. Surrounded by thousands of dying children, Bashir goes A.W.O.L. from Deep Space Nine, vowing not to return until the plague has been stopped. But by the time Dax finds the girl from the Kai's prophecy the child has fallen victim to the plague. Now, with the fate of the entire planet at stake, Commander Sisko must find Dr. Bashir in time to save the child who may be Bajor's last chance for peace.

Customer Reviews:

Good, involving ST:DS9 novel.......2004-07-20

"Warchild" is surprisingly good, not because of the author (Ms. Friesner is well known and I've always enjoyed her work in the past), but because of the subject matter. When I saw this book in the bookstore way back when it was originally published, I passed because it was dealing with the Bajorans, and at the time, I just didn't care about that.

However, after watching all seven seasons of DS9 and getting a better flavor for the Bajorans (and gaining more interest in them), I tried this novel, and was very pleasantly surprised. Ms. Friesner obviously "got" the Bajorans far sooner than I did, and wrote an excellent novel that combines elements of faith, philosophy and morality (along with the SFDS9 mythos) with adventure and gets more than the sum of its parts.

The quick synopsis here is, the Bajorans are in trouble (this book is between seasons one and two) due to how much the Cardassians nearly ruined Bajor before they were driven off. The Cardassians basically raped the world, and many of the people who've returned to Bajor from the refugee camps (or who never left) are tired, hungry, footsore and shellshocked.

They need a sign that things will improve, and the Provisional Government isn't giving them one.

Into this mix comes a message from the missing Kai Opaka -- one she wrote long years before -- about a child being the key to uniting Bajor again. Someone has to go after the child, but of course no one knows who she is (they do know the child needed is female), and the various religious factions are already fighting over the privilege of finding her (and some don't want the child found, too, making everything worse). Which is why a Bajoran monk goes to Commander Sisko and asks for help . . . .

Does he get the help? Of course, but it doesn't go quite as expected (if you're a fan of DS9, you're probably used to that by now) and there's lots of interested byplay between the various children and the officers, as well as some fun scenes between Jake, Nog and one of the Bajoran kids, Cedra. Ms. Friesner also managed to cram in a very credible, though understated, romance for Julian Bashir, not an easy task.

So, it's a coming of age story for Bashir, an adventure story, a mystery, and a race against time. Very good work.

Four stars, recommended.

Barb Caffrey

P.S. If you like this, you may enjoy Sandy Schofield's "The Big Game" and/or Daffyd ab Hugh's "Fallen Heroes," both also excellent stories.

Better than most........2003-11-12

This story is quite well-written; it captures the established characters well, creates some new characters and does it well, has a reasonable amount of action without devolving into a shoot-em-up, and a plot that moves well and stays interesting.

I've never much cared for the aspect of DS9 that gives credence to fuzzy, new-age Bajoran mysticism, and this book had more than its share of that. But that's really my only objection; if you enjoy (or even don't mind) stories that center around Bajoran mysticism, consider this a five star rating.

DS9 #7 Warchild - A rather decent early DS9 novel!.......2003-10-12

This is the first of only two Star Trek titles for author Esther Friesner, both of which, I thought were well thought out and rather well written novels. "Warchild" is set between the first and second season of Deep Space Nine and is very true to the type of stories being told on the show at that time. This was a time of course, when the series was fleshing itself out and hadn't quite kicked into its main theme of dealing with the Dominion and I believe the author captured that rather well.

If one pays attention to the plot of this story, you'll also see certain similarities to aired episodes, especially in Dr. Bashir's case, a character she captured with ease in this story. I found her writing to be fairly fluidic and the pacing of the book, though it slows in some areas, was set reasonably well! Overall, the premise for "Warchild" is a very intriguing and interesting one, but the pacing detracts from the overall experience.

The cover art for this title is, unfortunately, from a time when not an excessive amount thought went into the cover art for Star Trek books and it falls into the old, "slap some caricatures on there and an image of the station and everything will be fine."

The premise:

A message left behind by Kai Opaka gives Commander Sisko a fateful mission; find a young Bajoran girl who is destined to be a great a great healer and who can stop the warring between Bajoran factions. Jadzia heads for Bajor to find this young girl and at the same time, Dr. Bashir goes there to treat a rare disease that is killing Bajoran children in resettlement camps. Dr. Bashir goes absent without leave in his quest to find a cure for this disease and Jadzia finds the young girl, but she too, is suffering from this strange disease. Sisko must now find Bashir in order to save this girl who "may" be Bajor's last chance for peace...

What follows from there is definitely a fairly decent early Star Trek Deep Space Nine story that, as stated above, faithfully fits right in with the type of stories being told during the shows first couple of seasons. I would definitely recommend this title to any and all fans of the series. {ssintrepid}

nice mix of tech and bajoran mystique.......1999-12-16

This was a good mix of science fiction, in which science combats the odds, and fantasy in which a child is sought and found to save a world. The writer must have made some study of refugee camps to give such a lively impression, and she sure has a way of looking at people that is revealing and kind at the same time.

There were some uncomfortable points in which the story comes to a virtual stand still, and then restarts again, that's why I can't give the 5 points I had in mind "It does not matter we cannot live to taste the fruit; still we must plant the trees"

Absolutely Horrible.......1999-05-09

I must say, this is one of the worse Star Trek books I have ever read. The plot seemed to be good, but the way it was written it could not keep my interest/attention. After reading over 50 Star Trek books, I would say skip this one, as it's not worth getting it.

Average customer rating:

Kids' Night in (Warchild)
Warchild
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Short Story Collections | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0007157983

Average customer rating:

Warchild
Esther Friesner
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S9IRYY

Average customer rating:

Warchild #2 Vol. 1 February 1995
Rob Liefeld
Manufacturer: Maximum Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic

General | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000RTZN3S

Average customer rating:

Warchild #4 August 1995
Rob Liefeld
Manufacturer: Maximum Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic
ASIN: B000W62NQ6

Warchild #4 Vol. 1 August 1995 (Cover Art By Liefeld)

Average customer rating:

Warchild #4 Vol. 1 August 1995 (Cover Art By Liefeld)
Rob Liefeld
Manufacturer: Maximum Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic

General | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

All French Books | French | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: B000RBWNUW

Warchild (Doctor Who: The New Adventures) (The New Doctor Who Series)

Average customer rating:

Not a disciplined Warchild
Roz Rules!
Disappointing

Warchild (Doctor Who: The New Adventures) (The New Doctor Who Series)
Andrew Cartmel
Manufacturer: London Bridge (Mm)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Doctor Who | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0426204646

Customer Reviews:

Not a disciplined Warchild.......2003-11-03

I thought that WARHEAD was absolutely fantastic. I was a big fan of WARLOCK. But WARCHILD is where the Cartmel train went catastrophically off the track. What happened? There are a few passages that echo some of the more successful elements of Cartmel's previous two books, but those sections are few and far between. The references to his earlier works (WARCHILD is a sequel of sorts to WARHEAD and WARLOCK, but knowledge of those shouldn't be required) are unfortunate, as they only served to remind me of much better books.

The story brings us back into the lives of a few characters from the aforementioned Cartmel novels. This book begins the Psi-Powers story-arc and given the events of WARHEAD and WARCHILD, it made sense to have Cartmel write a third story featuring psychic powers. Cartmel does a good job of reusing these plot elements without rehashing them.

So, what is the single biggest flaw in this book? I think for me it was that I could never escape the feeling that I was reading a sloppy work. We know that Cartmel is capable of writing very disciplined material, but he didn't accomplish that this time. The jumbled mood is present in many different aspects of the novel. For instance, the plot can only continue due to laughably outrageous coincidences and implausible actions. Character motivations aren't terribly strong, as people do things for no reason other than the story requiring them to. The themes and allusions that the novel is making might have actually been interesting had they not had all the subtlety of a bulldozer.

Another area of sloppiness is in the use of the regular characters. In the first two books of the War-trilogy, the Doctor is a player behind the scenes. He has few actual appearances in the story, but when he does appear, he's a force of nature to be reckoned with. His presence is felt on every page as his plans gradually unfold. By contrast, in WARCHILD the Doctor spends most of his time defrosting a skinny, naked guy. He may get more actual screen-time in this book then in any other portion of the Cartmel trilogy, but his impact on the story is a fraction of what it was in those other books.

I know I won't be the first person to state this, but this felt horribly like a Benny and Ace book that was hastily and clumsily altered to accommodate the change in lineup. Roz becomes virtually indistinguishable from Ace (I imagine a simple search-and-replace was involved and then a quick addition of a few cursory "the scowling black woman walked into the room" sentences). And poor Chris Cwej must still have the bruises from where he was awkwardly stapled into the plot.

Something else that I am also not the first person to report was finding the book's portrayal of women to be somewhat... well... let's be polite and call it "old-fashioned". At first, I thought it was just me; after all, I read WARCHILD immediately after completing Neal Stephenson's CRYPTONOMICON, which has a dearth of strong women characters and a similar immature attitude towards the female of the species. However, a quick search through Google's archives and reading other reviews revealed that I am not alone in this observation. On the other hand, this may have been a deliberate stylistic choice -- one of the book's main themes is a load of nonsense concerning the concept of the "Alpha Male". But whatever the reason, it left a very bad taste in my mouth.

WARCHILD had one or two excellent set pieces, which are horribly let down by everything that surrounds them. I don't know the circumstances concerning the writing and publication of this novel, but it certainly reads like something that was rushed to print without the necessary time and care being put into it to ensure that it all makes sense. Even the quality of the prose of WARCHILD seems like a step down from the heights of Cartmel's previous novels. A huge disappointment.

Roz Rules!.......2001-06-18

-And so do the other characters in this book-the Doctor is in the background in this story-but somehow the story works. It is exciting, funny, and all-around great book and my personal favorite.

Disappointing.......2001-05-26

Andrew Cartmel made his mark in the Whoniverse as Script Editor during the final season of the show. His work in the Who novel arena has been mixed, with this one coming out on the bottom.

Sometime in the near future, a young man develops the ability to be, well, interesting. That is, he can subconsciously affect the feelings of others. The Doctor, as happens in too many of the original novels, gets pushed into the background while we get a group of not quite as interesting new characters foisted upon us. A subplot dealing with a pack of killer dogs seems grafted onto the novel. Could have used a massive rewrite.

Average customer rating:
Warchild World War II: I remember 60 years ago, by young Burt age 6
Bartholomeus J Busker
Manufacturer: BookSurge Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1419614665
Release Date: 2005-10-26

Book Description

"WARCHILD" WORLD WAR II "MEMOIR" BY YOUNG BURT AT AGE SIX IN HOLLAND. THE AUTHOR RELATES THE HORROR OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD OF A SIX YEAR OLD BOY AND THE REMINISCENCES OF AN OLDER MAN. NOWHERE DID HE EMBELLISH OR FABRICATE FACTS. EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED HE HAD SEEN WITH HIS OWN EYES AND HAD HEARD WITH HIS OWN EARS. THE "MEMOIR" CHRONICLES VARIED THE HARDSHIPS OF STARVATION THE BOMBING OF HIS HOME WHEN SITTING AT THE TABLE AND WAS WOUNDED. THE AUTHOR DESCRIBES IN HIS "MEMOIR" THE BOMBING OF THE ELECTRICAL TRANSFORMER THE ENCOUNTERS WITH THE GERMAN GASTAPO SOLDIERS AND OFFERS A THEORY ABOUT THE DEATH OF TWO ALLIED SOLDIERS WHO DIED UNDER MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER THE LIBERATION DAY IN THE TOWN OF BREUKELEN, HOLLAND.

Average customer rating:

What Happens vs. What Is

Wonderful Book!

What Happens At Mass
Jeremy Driscoll
Manufacturer: Liturgy Training Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Jesus of Nazareth

Theology at the Eucharistic Table (Studia Anselmiana) (Studia Anselmiana)

History of the Liturgy: The Major Stages

Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

A Monk's Alphabet: Moments of Stillness in a Turning World

ASIN: 1568545630

Book Description

What Happens at Mass presents an understanding of the Mass, how it is to be celebrated, and its profound meaning for the Church and the individuals within the Church. Perfect for parish study groups, mystagogia programs, parish liturgical committees, those involved in catechumenal ministry, and anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge of the liturgy. All will find this to be an intelligent yet widely accessible guide.

Paperback, 6 x 9, 144 pages.

Customer Reviews:

What Happens vs. What Is.......2007-03-08

I used Fr. Driscoll's book as a basis for a formation program for my parish. His clear writing enabled clear presentations and helped me "stay on track". Just the whole idea of "what happens" vs. "what is" is, in itself, worthy of a true catechetical presentation. The reaction of parishioners has been very positive. I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to love the Mass even a little bit more. It should be required reading for RCIA programs.

Wonderful Book!.......2006-11-29

This book was highly recommended by a professor. It has been a great find. Not only is the book very accessible and great for teaching anyone from children to RCIA candidates about the Mass, but it is also rich enough to give anyone a deeper understanding of the Mass. It is always within reach and used constantly as a reference. This is a wonderful book and I highly recommend it to you.

Average customer rating:

What Happens to Bad Girls? (Nexus)
Penny Birch
Manufacturer: Virgin Nexus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Adult Fiction | Erotica | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Erotica | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0352340312

Book Description

What Happens to Bad Girls? finds Natasha Linnet retreating to a life of idyllic perversity in the Channel Islands, where she expects to be able to indulge herself without interference, especially from the press. Unfortunately she hasn't bargained for the locals, who have no intention of leaving her in peace, while her efforts to avoid her misbehaviour catching up with her become increasingly desperate. The book is designed to stand alone, but continues Natasha's exploits from In Disgrace, while it is also something of a pastiche of the overused island setting for erotic novels.

What's the Worst That Could Happen? (Dortmunder Novels)

Average customer rating:

Well written, fast and funny
Westlake's best since Hot Rock
Excellent remedy for a hangover
this IS a FUN book... but is that enough?
Not a good first Dortmunder to read

What's the Worst That Could Happen? (Dortmunder Novels)
Donald E. Westlake
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0446604712

Amazon.com

When Max Fairbanks, a vastly wealthy and powerful magnate, catches John Dortmunder breaking into his Long Island mansion, he thinks he is dealing with some regular loser. It amuses him to deprive Dortmund of his lucky ring. In Westlake's ingenious and dazzling comic thriller, Fairbanks lives to regret that gratuitous humiliation. The engaging Dortmund gathers a band of cronies, and exacts revenge at a series of the rich man's fancy palaces, from a penthouse on Broadway to a fantasy retreat in Las Vegas.

Book Description

Download Description

It started with a ring. A cheap ring. The yellow metal said brass, not gold, and the sparkly bits were certainly not diamonds. But the ring belonged to May's horse-playing uncle, who swore it brought good luck. Dortmunder, who wouldn't kick a little good luck out of bed, puts it to the test when he goes to burglarize Long Island billionaire Max Fairbanks. As luck would have it, Dortmunder is greeted by Fairbanks himself--and a loaded gun--as soon as he strolls through the door. When the cops arrive, the mogul adds insult to injury by claiming that Dortmunder's lucky ring is actually his. Big mistake, big guy. As soon as Dortmunder can give the cops the slip, the world's most single-minded burglar goes after the fat cat with a vengeance and a team of crooks that only he can assemble. And from the get-go everything will go Dortmunder's way--everything that is, except the ring. Plowing through Fairbanks's many residences, from New York's Great White Way to Washington's Watergate Hotel, Dortmunder and his gang rob the unlucky billionaire blind, all in search of one ridiculous ring. By the time Fairbanks understands what's going on, it's much too late.

Customer Reviews:

Well written, fast and funny.......2007-08-14

John Dortmunder, professional thief, is asked by an associate to participate in what appears to be an exceedingly simple heist--robbing an empty mansion on Long Island. Dortmunder, appraising the situation, sees little risk. After all, the house is guaranteed to be empty, and he is wearing his lucky ring, a gift from his girlfriend's uncle.

Of course, if you are at all familiar with this series, you know that luck and Dortmunder are like water and oil. While engaged in this seemingly foolproof job, Dortmunder is accosted by the mansion's owner, billionaire communications giant Max Fairbanks. Armed with a shotgun, he corners Dortmunder and calls the police. To add insult to injury, Fairbanks impulsively tells the officers who respond that the ring on Dortmunder's finger is his. Dortmunder can only stand there gaping as Fairbanks robs him.

Enraged by this turn of events, Dortmunder escapes from the police and begins his campaign to get his ring back. Over the course of several weeks, Dortmunder haunts Fairbanks, narrowly missing several opportunities to regain his precious ring. For the first time in his life, however, he can do no wrong criminally--obsessed with getting his ring back, he scarcely notices that his pursuit of Fairbanks is netting him a fortune.

What's the Worst That Could Happen? is typical Westlake, well written, fast and funny. Fans of the series can savor the familiar elements of the Dortmunder books, while newcomers can sit back and enjoy the ride, and look forward to reading other entries in this hilarious series.

Westlake's best since Hot Rock.......2007-05-23

This is Westlake at his best. It had me laughing out loud. I gave it as a Christmas present to a friend because I enjoyed it so much. It is definately work reading.

Excellent remedy for a hangover.......2006-06-21

I gotta say, the Dortmunder series feels a little like the perpetual sequel disease to me. But I still enjoy them. At least he doesn't have little elves and hobbits running around or something.

Not his best, but not so bad. Has its moments of hilarity, no argument there. What really amused me was spotting the I Ching imagery. That is pure Westlake. See if you can identify it when you read it. Westlake pulls something new out of his sleeve with every new installment.

My recommendations if you like Westlake: My favorites are "I Gave at the Office," "Adios Scheherazade," and "The Hot Rock."

Other recommendations: Also, any film with Peter Falk such as "In-Laws" with Alan Arkin, and episodes of the series "Columbo." Now, years later, I get such a laugh from Columbo, and it really feels reminiscent of Westlake's brand of humor. Also, check out Falk in "Wings of Desire" by Wim Winders, where Winders has captured the essence of the beauty that is Peter Falk. And BTW, the "Hot Rock" movie from the 1970s was a beaut, not well executed, what with Fonda cast in the lead role. That was NOT my Dortmunder. And the end had to be sanitized also, so it was a botched movie generally. But definitely had its moments.

this IS a FUN book... but is that enough?.......2005-08-01

This is a breezy book making its entry into a series that is based on fun uncomplicated prose or plots. Dortmunder is a pretty decent protagonist, thrown out there by the illustrious Donald E. Westlake. As a character, Dortmunder is an unassuming and humble crook. He is not the brightest of bulbs out there, but in the end he manages to whip together one big time heist after another. What is kind of lacking with Dortmunder or with this series as a whole is character development. Other than a few quirks, the characters are really only skin deep. The main draw with these books are that they are always interesting takes from the other side of the fence. Instead of following around a PI busting an evildoer, with these books we follow around the slime presented in a kindly light while they make fools of authority.

With `What's the Worst that could happen?' Westlake offers up a sort of Oceans Eleven plot here. Only this plot is much more complicated and in the end more satisfying than the movie. Dortmunder stalks a Billionaire who through circumstances I wont go into here, takes possession of Dortmunder's ring. Now he wants his ring back and the exploits that follow are enjoyable to follow.

A lot is lacking in this series. They are fun. I wont deny that. But they are on par with a decent 80's TV show like Magnum PI rather than attempting to become an earth moving force like Raymond Chandler. These are throwaway novels... pulp in the extreme. Nothing bad about that, but you should know that with these books you should not expect greatness.

Not a good first Dortmunder to read.......2004-12-23

Professional criminal Dortmunder, who is characterized by his sad-sack appearance and his inoffensive demeanor, is suddenly a man on a mission after his ring is stolen by Fairbanks, a rich homeowner. Dortmunder was breaking into Fairbank's estate, and got caught. When the police arrive, Fairbanks can't resist an impulse to tell the police that the ring belongs to him, and Dortmunder is driven to try to recover his ring. He chases Faribanks from one domicile to another, always netting plenty of cash, but never attaining his goal. The climax involves clashing armies of crooks and security guards in Las Vegas.
The Good and the Bad:
I enjoyed the early portions of this book, in which the situations and the characters are both fresh and interesting. But as the book wears on, believability is stretched further and further, and an explosion of new characters leaves only enough time for a stereotypical understanding of each (as with the hulking thief named Tiny--- yawn!). The problem with continually escalating the stakes and the forces at play on either side is that eventually you're just repeating yourself, but louder. Westlake falls into this trap, and the climax is only mildly suspenseful. I would have liked to have seen Dortmunder himself in a wider variety of situations, so that we could more fully explore and appreciate his quirkiness, but sadly, that was not the direction that Westlake chose.
I picked up this book because I enjoy the Parker novels so much, but I don't think I'd give Dortmunder another try. To me, Stark is the real author and Westlake is the pseudonym.

Average customer rating:

needlessly confusing

The Music of What Happens
John Straley
Manufacturer: Crimeline
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0553572059
Release Date: 1997-02-03

Amazon.com

"I never find the smoking gun or the lead pipe with the bloody fingerprints on it, because everyone is looking for those. I find everything else, everything that has been left in the overturned rooms: the surface that wasn't blood-spattered, the dust on the knickknacks and family photo albums, but not on the exceptionally clean retirement plaque; the music on the radio in the empty hallway after everyone has been taken to jail or the morgue. I do this because there is always trace evidence of innocence, and innocence is largely overlooked, even by a man oiling a gun with a child crying in the background on the day before a killing." That voice is so original it can only belong to Straley, who introduced us to Alaskan investigator Cecil Younger in The Woman Who Married a Bear and The Curious Eat Themselves. This time out, Younger is trying to help the sister of an old girlfriend keep custody of her little boy. The wealthy, powerful family she has married into says she's unstable, an unsuitable mother -- but their opposition has sinister roots.

Book Description

A defense investigator working out of Sitka, in the Alaskan coastal archipelago, Cecil Younger walks a narrow line between the truth and what his clients pay him to find....The Music of What Happens.

Younger's got the child custody case from hell, and a client to match.  Shrill, confrontational, and obsessed, Priscilla DeAngelo is sure her ex is conspiring
with a state senator to wrest her son from her.  When she storms off to Juneau for a showdown, Younger's custody case swiftly turns into a murder.  Fired from her defense team, Younger stays with the investigation.  He's not sure what keeps him bulldogging the case--Priscilla's sister, his lost love; his regard
for truth as a rare commodity; or the head injury Priscilla's ex gave him--but he won't let go until it's solved.

But this time, the truth is less likely to set him free than to get him
killed....

Customer Reviews:

needlessly confusing.......2001-02-27

I consider John Straley one of my favorite authors. I pick up one of his books when I can't think of what else to read, because I know I will not be disappointed, but this time he failed me. He's a fine writer and his descriptions of the down-and-out life in Alaska are right on the money, but I found the plot in this particular book to be needlessly confusing. Poor Cecil is confused enough the way it is without having to wade through the conspiracies in this one. But any book that starts with the line "It was early spring when I was released from the psychiatric ward" can't be all bad.

What Happens In Paris (Stays In Paris?) (Harlequin Next)

Average customer rating:

Great Book!
A refreshing read
fine character study

What Happens In Paris (Stays In Paris?) (Harlequin Next)
Nancy Robards Thompson
Manufacturer: Harlequin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0373880766

Customer Reviews:

Great Book!.......2006-06-24

I love how this book goes full-circle. It was a funny, creative, and interesting book. I felt like I could relate to the character in certain situations. Thompson did a wonderful job! I also like how the book has a good message to send.

A refreshing read.......2006-05-02

So nice to see a character come into her own in a believable manner. This was definitely not a book where you know on page one who's going to end up with who and flip to page 191 to see it happen. Nancy's writing for NEXT shows us a new take on romance themes, and I'm waiting for the next one. (No pun intended.)

fine character study.......2006-01-14

For almost two decades Annabelle Essex thought her marriage was pretty solid. Their son was in college. That all changes when her spouse is arrested in an incident that makes it into the newspaper with a picture worth a thousand words informing her that her spouse is gay.

Since she hates her job and her husband has been outed and wants out of their marriage, Annabelle wonders if this might be a good time to fulfill the dream of three months in the Left Banke in Paris. She begins to paint and encouraged by her sister travels to Paris where she meets a younger sculptor Jean Luc Le Garric who stirs her hormones, but she remains raw from her spousal debacle.

Annabelle is an intriguing protagonist struggling with what she perceives is a betrayal that makes her reassess her values starting with men, employment, and what she really wants out of life. The romance in Paris is fun to follow though some of the fortyish Annabelle's reactions to other women in Jean Luc's life seem to fast for someone whom was happily married for eighteen years just a few weeks ago. Fans will enjoy this tale of a woman trying to rediscover herself following a shocking revelation that turns her belief system upside down.

Harriet Klausner

Confessions of a Racy Receptionist (or, What Happens When a 44-24-37 Girl Goes 9 to 5!)

Average customer rating:

Confessions of a Racy Receptionist (or, What Happens When a 44-24-37 Girl Goes 9 to 5!)
Graham Masterton
Manufacturer: Pinnacle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: 052300849X

The Experiment: What Would Happen If You Really Tried to Live Everyday As Jesus Would?

Average customer rating:

a awesome book
Keeps You Going
Review
Interesting -- Keeps you thinking!

The Experiment: What Would Happen If You Really Tried to Live Everyday As Jesus Would?
Todd Temple
Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

School | Issues | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0310223482

Book Description

Two high schoolers experience profound changes in thier own lives - and influence countless others - when, as part of a class assignment, they attempt to live each day, every minute, just as Jesus would. Based on WWJD, this captivating, frank novel will inspire teens ages 11-16 to live like Jesus--not because life will get easier, but because it will get much better.

Customer Reviews:

a awesome book.......2002-08-03

this book was great. It taught me the difference between a being a good or bad christian plus it was realistic. The characters messed up sometimes and weren't perfect. it gave me an idea of how hard it would be to try and be like jesus. Hey, i might even try to do what jesus would do myself.

Keeps You Going.......2001-08-21

I really liked this book. It was something I could actually relate to, with realistic characters and real-life situations. It is about a popular Christian girl and a grunge Atheist who participate in a seemingly simple experiment only to find that doing what Jesus would do is not even as easy as it seems. They find more about themselves and Jesus in two weeks than they have in years. I think this book will be a winner with anyone.

Review.......1999-09-30

I am an ordinary 14 year old teenage girl. I read this book and I really enjoyed it. It brought out some really good points about acting as jesus would. In the beginning I didn't know what to expect from this book. The characters are great. The story really gives you the actual idea of what the characters thoughts and feelings are. It gets you thinking about being a Christian and what it really means to be a Christian. After reading this story, i want to get one of those bracelet's they sell at the store that has "WWJD?" on it. hehe =)

Interesting -- Keeps you thinking!.......1998-08-19

The Experiment is a book that you put down and think about for a while, then you pick it up and read it again. The first time I read it, I was almost in tears with the apologies, the reports, and other things that the two main characters went through. Although it is based on a spiritual phenomenon, I believe that it will touch the hearts of all others as well. It is about a girl who, by sticking up for her faith is challenged to, for two weeks, ask herself: What Would Jesus Do? And an atheist who is told to do the same thing. The end is totally unexpected. I think that anyone would like this book.

The Gap: Peace? Pot? Protest? - What happens when the balding generation closes ranks with the bearded generation?

Average customer rating:

The Gap: Peace? Pot? Protest? - What happens when the balding generation closes ranks with the bearded generation?
Richard Lorber , and Ernest Fladell
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

MY BROTHER'S KEEPER, Dr. Sam Sheppard's Brother Tells the Inside Story of What Happens to a Family, a Community, and American Justice in the Grip of Mass Hysteria

Average customer rating:

MY BROTHER'S KEEPER, Dr. Sam Sheppard's Brother Tells the Inside Story of What Happens to a Family, a Community, and American Justice in the Grip of Mass Hysteria
Dr. Stephen; with Paul Holmes Sheppard
Manufacturer: David McKay Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UZRWBU

The power to make it happen: Mass-based community organizing : what it is and how it works

Average customer rating:

The power to make it happen: Mass-based community organizing : what it is and how it works
Donald R Keating
Manufacturer: Green Tree
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books