Editorial Review

I believe there is another man inside every man, a stranger . . . writes Wilfred Leland James in the early pages of the riveting confession that makes up "1922," the first in this pitch-black quartet of mesmerizing tales from Stephen King. For James, that stranger is awakened when his wife, Arlette, proposes selling off the family homestead and moving to Omaha, setting in motion a gruesome train of murder and madness.

In "Big Driver," a cozy-mystery writer named Tess encounters the stranger along a back road in Massachusetts when she takes a shortcut home after a book-club engagement. Violated and left for dead, Tess plots a revenge that will bring her face-to-face with another stranger: the one inside herself.

"Fair Extension," the shortest of these tales, is perhaps the nastiest and certainly the funniest. Making a deal with the devil not only saves Dave Streeter from a fatal cancer but provides rich recompense for a lifetime of resentment.

When her husband of more than twenty years is away on one of his business trips, Darcy Anderson looks for batteries in the garage. Her toe knocks up against a box under a worktable and she discovers the stranger inside her husband. It’s a horrifying discovery, rendered with bristling intensity, and it definitively ends a good marriage.

Like Different Seasons and Four Past Midnight, which generated such enduring films as The Shawshank Redemption and Stand by Me, Full Dark, No Stars proves Stephen King a master of the long story form. ... Read more

Reviews

King delivers, November 9, 2010
Some of King's best material-- "The Mist", "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption", "The Body", "Hearts in Atlantis", etc.-- can be found in his collections, particularly his novella collections. Yes, he's written some long books, many of them already considered modern classics (The Stand and IT come to mind), but the man has ALWAYS delivered when he confines himself a bit.

By delivered, I mean everything: characters, setting, story, emotion.

Read the first twenty pages of "1922." Try not to despise the utter selfishness of Wilfred and Arlette-- even while you're sympathizing with the unfortunate humanity of their situation. Try not to stare wide-eyed in horror at what Wilfred convinces his son to partake in... and just try to look away from the book (although you may have to-- for a breather-- after one grueling scene).

This is an honest book. Each story seems to revolve around the theme that there is a monster inside each one of us.

King is sometimes accused of being wordy, yet he seems to bat every ball out of the park when he confines himself to the constraints of a hundred or so pages.

Pay no attention to the fools who have chosen to lower the star rating of this excellent collection with their whining about the publishing industry and the expensive nature of their digital "books."

I paid fourteen dollars for this book several hours ago-- not a bad deal at all for a new hardback, I'd say-- and it's worth much more than that.

King is a modern master, and we're lucky to have him.

Solid addition to my SK Library., November 13, 2010
Full Dark, No Stars is a collection of 4 novellas that envelope the dark side in us all. The collection gets you started with...

1922 - This first person POV story is a confession of a farmer detailing his deeds which lead to the worst year of his life during the year 1922 in Nebraska. It is written with Mr. King's normal grab your attention right away and then bog the story down for a while throwing in those little blurbs to keep the plot moving. The majority of the story is predictable leading right up to an easily drawn conclusion. However, Mr. King does a nice job of ending the story on anything but relative to typical and in doing so saved it from being a low rating story. I would rate this one in the 3.5 stars range.

Big Driver - Another tale of rape and revenge. Even though this one was really predictable yet I still found it an engaging read, especially at the end. Mr. King does a great job of giving just enough details to get his vision across and at the same time leaves out enough so the reader can fill in the rest. I do feel he could have added more to the characters in this one. I wish he would have added more to the antagonist, but it seems he just let the deeds that were done to be enough to invoke a hatred for the antagonist and it just wasn't enough. The protagonist had her high and low points, but it was actually one of the side characters that seemed to have more to them in just their short scenes. The pacing and flow of the story was well done and so I will give this one a 4 out of 5 stars.

Fair Extension - How remorseless can a person be? Read this story and find out. To me, this one portrayed hatred in its purest form. This one was a really quick read as it is the shortest story in the collection. This story doesn't beat around the bush. It gets right to it and doesn't let go. One of the things I would have liked was to know more about the "salesman" character. This one felt more like a Richard Bachman story to me, but not as good as the earlier works. So I think a 3 out of 5 would be fair for this one.

A Good Marriage - What would you do if you found out the person you were married to for 27 years had a very dark side? I would have to say this was the best story in the collection. The characters had good depth to them, were well fleshed out, and easy to connect with. It had a good pace to it and flowed nicely. One of the points I enjoyed was the Edgar Allan Poe simile he used. This was definitely a good psychological thriller. 5 Stars out of 5

Afterword - One thing I like is to read what Mr. King has to say about his books and this afterword was written especially for those who ask the question, "Where do you get your ideas?" If you are one of these type of people, then you will be greatly satisfied reading this small section, I know I was.

This book as a whole was entertaining to read and had many aspects of good humanistic horror telling. All the stories are more based on the darker side of human nature. If you are looking for more supernatural monsters, you will not find much here, though there are a couple parts that tow that line and one that steps just beyond it, but the main focus is on human reaction. If you are looking for some really gory parts, then 1922 is the best you will get. For long time Stephen King fans, I would definitely recommend this one and even those of a younger crowd who may or may not have had the chance to read him; I would recommend it to them as well. Calculating all the stories together, I feel this is worthy of a 4 out of 5 stars.

Happy reading.

-Dimndbangr

A Great King Book, November 10, 2010
I admit, I'm a fan of SK, but that doesn't stop me from NOT liking one of his books if I find it uninteresting. There have been a few-- like Rose Madder, Insomnia and Bag of Bones-- that I just didn't like and couldn't finish reading. Not that they're bad books, just not to my tastes. FULL DARK, NO STARS is one Stephen King book I'm putting in my great list. It was absolutely enthralling and very, very frightening. I'm not real big on bloated books that are more filler than sizzle, but the short novels in this book are lean and mean. I highly recommend this book.

****************

Now, as far as all the Kindle owners complaining about the price... back in the day, before the convenience of ebook readers and the wonder of having your reading collection all in one 4 ounce e-ink device, if someone could not afford a book they wanted to read, they went to the library and checked it out. They didn't protest in front of the bookstore. They didn't disparage a writer's reputation. They bought it used at a second-hand book shop, waited to find it at a yard sale or borrowed it from someone who is more affluent.

But back in the day, people had a little more pride, and they didn't think they should get everything for free, or next to free, just because they wanted it. Have a little dignity, people! Stop yapping like you think you're the star of your own little reality TV show. If you can't afford it, wait for the price to drop.

The review section is for book reviews, not for pricing complaints.

Full Dark, Three Stars, November 19, 2010
I was looking forward to reading 'Full Dark', especially as it is a collection of stories rather than a novel. The short story suits King perfectly; far less room for the sagging middle section, the proliferation of thumbnail-sketched characters, predictable plot-turns, etc. The writing tends to be both more concentrated AND more pacey; it gathers its wits and gets down to what King does best: telling a great story. At his worst, he coasts along on automatic, happy to let the characters, plots and effects from earlier stories reappear in different guises, and he pads, so that dreary middle section becomes pendulous and plodding.

Since three of the four stories in Full Dark are longish ones (or novellas), there is room for quite a bit of 'automatic' writing. The first story, simply titled '1922' is, essentially, a ghost story, in the form of a prolonged confession by a man who murdered his wife. The murderer is a poor and desperate Nebraska farmer. King establishes the man's voice (contrite but not above self-deception) quite beautifully in the first few pages. Here's a sample: 'I believe that there is another man inside of every man, a stranger, a Conniving Man. And I believe that by March of 1922, when the Hemingford County skies were white and every field was a snow-scrimmed mudsuck, the Conniving Man inside Farmer Wilfred James had already passed judgement on my wife and decided her fate.' But the story has a middle which sags and then some, and by the time the ghost makes its appearance the encounter has been so over-prepared that it is, inevitably, a non-event. And there are rats. Anyone find rats scary? If you do, you may find this tale engrossing, but in my experience an abundance of these critters usually indicates that the fiction will be seriously dilapidated. There are moments of tension and creepiness, but all of these are frittered (or gnawed) away in the 125 pages. It might have worked, with some serious editing, but it is, unfortunately, the longest story in the book.

The two succeeding stories, 'Big Driver' and 'Fair Extension', are better, but they both have weaknesses. 'Big Driver' starts out enjoyably enough. A woman who writes detective stories (of the Miss Marple variety) accepts an invitation to give a reading and afterwards (on the advice of her host) takes a shortcut. Naturally, she encounters a problem, followed by a considerably bigger one. This is promising King territory; he is great behind the wheel, or with most things road-related (remember 'Mrs Todd's Shortcut' from 'Skeleton Crew' and 'Rest Stop' from 'Just After Sunset'). I motored along with this for quite awhile (it's the second longest story), but eventually the payback angle became tiresome. Revenge may or may not be a dish best eaten cold, but overheated, it quickly loses all flavour of beliveability. 'Fair Extension' is a blackly comic anti-morality fairytale. It has some nice touches (particularly in the figure of the devil as down-at-heel roadside hustler), but I far preferred the truly scary 'Man In The Black Suit' in 'Everything's Eventual', one of his strongest collections of stories.

Which brings us to the final story, 'A Good Marriage'. I was tempted to title this review 'Indifferent Seasons', punning on King's 1982 book, Different Seasons, which has a similar shape: four novellas (or in the latter case three novellas and one longish story). But, despite my gripes, to call this offering indifferent would be unfair. 'A Good Marriage' is a great story, one of his best. The plot is easily described: a woman, who has been happily married for a quarter of a century, discovers something unexpected about the husband she thought she knew, the man who hadn't a cruel bone in his body. What happens afterwards is what makes this special. No need to say more. Buy the book, because this one story makes it worth the admission price.

This is not a book to lull you to sleep, unless you enjoy double-checking the locks and looking under the bed before you turn in, November 15, 2010
Is the King of the Crypt toying with us with the title FULL DARK, NO STARS? There is no denying that each of these four short, chilling stories plumbs the depths of darkness of the human condition, but each also shines in its own macabre radiance as four mere humans struggle with events that forever alter the course of their lives. This is not a book to lull you to sleep, unless you enjoy double-checking the locks and looking under the bed before you turn in.

In "1922" Wisconsin farmer Wilfred James takes matters into his own hands when his wife decides to sell off the portion of their land left to her by her father. She plans to accept the generous offer for the 100-acre parcel from a hog processing plant and move to town, with or without Wilfred. He loves farming and foresees the hog business bringing with it putrid odors, noise and ruination of his property value. Leave she does, but not without a chilling assist from her husband, who entices their teenage son to help in her murder and the cover-up of the crime. The longest and most gruesome of the four stories, "1922" describes the real and imagined horrors that visit the murderous husband as his life and that of his son gradually unravel. The story of Wilf's journey into madness finds Stephen King at the height of his writing prowess.

"Big Driver" introduces us to Tess, a writer of cozy mysteries popular with women's book clubs. Her readers aren't fond of the "ooky" parts of mysteries, but when she narrowly escapes death at the hands of a serial rapist and murderer on a lonely stretch of road, she is faced with plotting and carrying out her own form of criminal justice. The real-life solution she creates out of her fertile writer's imagination is deliciously satisfying as the self-sufficient young woman grapples with how to make sure he doesn't kill again.

At a mere 34 pages, "Fair Extension" is perhaps the darkest and most thought-provoking tale of this extraordinary literary quartet. Dave Streeter, a successful, middle-aged family man, finds himself suddenly confronted by his own mortality by a virulent cancer. Feeling ill, he pulls off the road for a moment and notices a modest roadside vendor's booth. Curious, he strikes up a conversation with the odd little man who says he gives people what they want through a fair exchange. The man learns of Streeter's plight and offers restoration of his health with a 30-day, money-back guarantee if he's not satisfied. The fair exchange that is required is that Streeter must consciously select a person he dislikes who will be on the receiving end of the trade. "Fair Exchange" is a classic tale of good versus evil, a subject that has been thoroughly explored in some of King's most famous novels. The brevity with which he treats the subject snaps today's world into sharp focus. Just how far-reaching and pervasive are the consequences of greed in the pursuit of personal gain?

The last entry is "A Good Marriage." Darcy Anderson discovers that sometimes it doesn't pay to be too tidy or too curious. Her entirely happy, if somewhat humdrum, world comes crashing down when she stubs her toe on something beneath her husband's workbench. In a modern-day tale of Pandora's Box, Darcy will find herself visited with knowledge best left unknown. Her solution, like that of Tess the mystery writer, is startling and darkly satisfying.

King steers clear of the supernatural this time out, depending on how the reader sees the little man in "Fair Exchange." He offers the idea that there is the potential in each of us to kill, not only in immediate self-defense, but with diabolical cunning, if the situation warrants. He writes in his self-revealing afterword that each of the disturbing tales was constructed from real-life scenarios. Too often, he feels that the "whys" --- the reasons people do the things they do that appear in the headlines --- are not explored by the law or in the media. In FULL DARK, NO STARS, he explores these reasons through the eyes of otherwise ordinary people.

Here they are, through a glass darkly.

--- Reviewed by Roz Shea

Kindle version--$14.99. The fact there are any versions--priceless., November 13, 2010
Here's my two cents (or my $14.99). These are some of Stephen King's best stories ever, and I've been a fan since I read "Carrie" in Junior High (when is was first published in paperback, kids couldn't afford hardback books back then!). Like most King books, I devoured this one in less than 48 hours. "A Good Marriage" and "Big Driver" are particularly disturbing, maybe because they both have female protaganists whose stories seem very real. Like it or not, Stephen King tells the living s&%# out of a story.

Which brings me the price issue. People are certainly within their rights to bitch about the price of anything-gas,food, education, Ferraris, etc. But for me, fifteen bucks is a small price to pay for something that I really, really enjoy. I spend a lot more on stuff is don't enjoy near as much. I have read and re-read virtually everything King has written. There may come a point in my life when Mr. King dies (morbid, I know, but one of us will go first). Outside of people I actually know, his demise would probably be the only one which would actually leave a personal, lasting void in my life. So I say, live long and prosper, Mr. King. I hope I can give you (or your evil publisher) money for many, many more years.

Oh, and just to make it clear, I will buy the hardback, too. The kindle version is just for convenience.

Kindle this you idiots!, November 15, 2010
I own a Kindle and was surprised about the ebook price so i just got the hardback version and YES i bought AND read the book thus the 5 stars.
King is at his prime with the novella size story and it shows, Simply put Full dark, No stars is well worth every penny be it hardback or Kindle.

Classic King, November 9, 2010
Stephen King has had a sort of renaissance lately - the stretch of novels from Cell to last year's Under the Dome is King in top form, easily as good as (if not, in some cases, better) than his classics from the 70s and 80s. Full Dark, No Stars does not disappoint.

"1922" and "Fair Extension" are worth the price of admission alone - the latter is probably my favorite of the four stories/novellas that comprise Full Dark, No Stars. But don't get me wrong - the other two stories are great, too. And all four stories together, with their common theme of retribution and payback, make for an engrossing read.

Full Dark, Indeed, November 11, 2010
Atrocious cover aside (even if I'm dumb and missing something greatly significant about a minimalistic cover with a woman making the figure nine on it, it's still terrible, the title of Stephen King's latest book is perfect. Full Dark, No Stars, ladies and gentleman, is one bleak book. And though King is no stranger to grim subject matter, when it comes to his novella collections, I think this is the darkest one yet. There are no stars. There's little hope either. Some, but not much. One might almost expect to see Richard Bachman credited here such is the impenetrable darkness on display.

Those looking to King's latest hoping for the supernatural will come away disappointed. Even though there are instances in which rotting corpses shamble through the night and ghosts whisper from old wells, all of the horror in Full Dark, No Stars, is of the human variety, the supernatural relegated to mere projections from decaying minds. Ambivalent hauntings are, when the source is considered, not that ambivalent at all. And because all the terrible things are authored by human hands, this quartet of nightmares is all that much scarier.

Inspired by Wisconsin Death Trip by Michael Lesy, the collection's opener "1922 matches Lesy's book in its bleak, wintry tone. After murdering his troublesome wife in order to keep her from selling his farm to the greedy Farrington Company, Wilfred James soon realizes, as the repercussions of his crime slowly radiate outward, infecting everyone and everything it touches, that no bad deed goes unpunished. In the author's engaging style, we're caught right along in the current as events quickly spiral out of control. There are some particularly well-crafted scenes here, not the least of which is the murder itself, but some creepy moments later in the game are very much reminiscent of King circa Pet Semetery. Mostly, however, "1922 reads like an homage to Poe's "The Black Cat".

King takes tackles revenge fantasy with "Big Driver", the story of modestly successful crime writer Tess, who accepts a speaking engagement at an out-of-the-way library and takes a shortcut into a nightmare. Raped and left for dead, Tess escapes but, rather than going to the police (an idea quickly rejected when she considers the media attention it will draw down upon her), she decides to seek vengeance herself.

This is one of the better stories in the book, even if it's well-worn ground King's dealing with. If you've seen the movies The Brave One (referenced in "Big Driver" more than once), Extremities, or any of the Dirty Harry or Death Wish movies, then you know what to expect, albeit with more attention to the emotional current that thrums through the protagonist than is usually afforded the unfortunate characters in this subgenre. King is clearly aware that he's mining well-worn territory here too, but he does it with his usual style, keeping you rooting for Tess all the way.

Similarly, there is nothing staggeringly new about the concept behind "Fair Extension", but as always, there is something new in the way King tells it.

David Streeter has aggressive cancer. He doesn't have long to live. So when he finds himself offered a 15-year extension by a roadside trader named Mr. Elvid (groan), he enthusiastically accepts, convinced, as anyone would be, that it's all a joke. This is a King story, so of course it's anything but a joke, nor is the other side of the bargain, which means that, in order for Dave to enjoy a cancer-free 15 year extension, he must pass his misfortune along to someone of his choosing. Although this setup reminded me of Richard Matheson's short story "Button, Button" (filmed recently-and not particularly well-as The Box), King, to his credit, elevates this tale above standard fare by resisting the urge to follow the usual direction of such "deal with the devil" stories. Like "Big Driver", the author is well-aware that this kind of thing has been done before (Elvid even references "The Devil and Daniel Webster"), but nobody does it quite like King. I found myself particularly impressed with this one, though ultimately (as can really be stated about the book as a whole), "Fair Extension" is a grim and depressing piece of work.

The closing novella "A Good Marriage" is my favorite entry in the book. After reading the synopsis, I assumed I knew where King would take this tale of happily married housewife Darcy Anderson, who one night accidentally discovers something hidden in the garage that throws everything she knows about her beloved husband into question, and I was glad to be proved wrong. Riveting and heartbreaking, "A Good Marriage" poses the question, however deeply you wish to consider it: Do we ever really know each other?

A similar question sums up Full Dark, No Stars, and that is: Do we ever really know ourselves? Unlike King's previous collections, there is a very strong unifying theme at play here, and that is a study of how people react when pushed, or how we handle the ugly choices we're given. In all of these stories, people find themselves forced to face sides of themselves they might never have known existed if not for the intervention of exterior forces. In "1922 Wilfred James finds himself driven to murder by the threat of losing the only thing he truly knows. In "Big Driver" a rapist awakens the primal vengeance of an otherwise mild-mannered writer. In "Fair Extension" a man is asked to condemn another for the chance at a new life. And in "A Good Marriage" an ordinarily housewife is forced to make the ultimate choice when she finds out her loving husband is not what he has pretended to be. Take away the safety and security, the gravity we take for granted and you truly see what we are behind the mask. Good people, King says, may only be good as long as they're allowed to be. There is always a high and a low road, the good and the bad. But when the line of demarcation is not clear, when the gray area is a blur, and when we stand to benefit more from taking the path that will ultimately bring horror to others but an element of peace to ourselves, what do we do?

In Full Dark, No Stars, Stephen King offers four unflinchingly brutal scenarios in response to that question. It is a grim and often ugly journey of discovery, but as always when it comes to King, one worth taking, if only to see what we look like when the masks come off.

Apt Title., November 11, 2010
I usually put in my reviews some explanation for why I selected a book. I think/hope it helps folks who are reading the review know if I'm coming from the same place they are -- if I have the same hopes or expectations. There are times when it feels ridiculous to give that explanation. I selected this book because it's written by Stephen King, and while I haven't loved every word and some books have gone unfinished, he's still a darned good bet, isn't he? I think few people don't have some pivotal and lasting memories of either his books or movies made from his books, and my memories span my childhood into middle age, and involve people who are now gone. I also love both short stories and novellas and when I look back at my favorite Stephen King stories, these are well-represented. So, I bought the book and it freaked me out.

The afterword begins: The stories in this book are harsh. You may have found them hard to read in places. If so, be assured that I found them equally hard to write in places.

I thought, thank God. I did find these stories to be hard to read, intense, uncomfortable, heebie-jeebie creating. I was a little concerned that like my newly discovered acid reflux when in the presence of spicy food, my disinterest in roller coasters, and my increased habit of watching scary movies through my fingers, that this was just another sign of getting older. Good to know this stuff was really as intense as I thought.

1922: A man kills his wife over land and that's just the beginning and a fraction of the horrors in this tale. It reminded me a little of A Thousand Acres: A Novel, complete with lots of stuff Shakespeare would be down with -- only different. The murder of the wife is brutal and vividly portrayed, but what happens next is something that the main character Wilf couldn't even begin to imagine, except for the parts he may or may not have imagined. As another Stephen King character once said, sometimes the soil of a man's heart is stonier.

Big Driver: This was a pretty tough read for me in parts. Since a man wrote it, it would be uncharitable to say that the feelings it evoked are a "girl thing," but I do think that part of its effectiveness was being able to put myself in the main character's shoes, especially while she is walking after being assaulted, only keeping enough distance to berate her over certain decisions, but more about that later. The horror here is grounded in the plausible, even if toward the end it goes to a more fantastical place where justice is served in a rather "Rose Madder" way. I don't begrudge Mr. King this story, it was compelling, but Tess's option is not how it works in the real world, fortunately or unfortunately.

Fair Extension: Interestingly enough, I've been reading an anthology called Sympathy for the Devil which contains stories about -- guess. It contains Stephen King's The Man in The Black Suit, for that matter. This story would have fit right in, and would have been a really welcome substitution in many cases. The stories about deals with the devils and fiddles against your soul never get old, because they're about temptation about the darker sides of who we are. They ask the questions, what would you do in that situation, really? For me, this story is about how you can choose to not give up your soul and still give up your soul, how some decisions are a case of six of one, half dozen of another.

A Perfect Marriage: I wonder if Mr. King deliberately went boy-girl-boy-girl on the arrangement of these stories. Like Tess in Big Driver, Darcy finds herself in the middle of the trauma of a lifetime. Interestingly enough, like Tess, she also decides what to do or what not to do based on "what would the neighbors think?" I wonder if that's a coincidence. I think Tess and Darcy would understand each other just fine. Looking over all the stories, I think this is the one that satisfied me the most from start to finish. Any way I can think of to elaborate on that is a spoiler. Almost anyone who has been married a while will understand where Darcy is at in her marriage right before it all comes crashing down.

There was a story called Button, Button by Richard Matheson "back in the day" which was made into a Twilight Zone (the eighties incarnation of TZ) with a different ending. It was also the inspiration for the wildly divergent Cameron Diaz movie, The Box. The short story -- and if you're going to ever read it, stop reading THIS now -- ends with the line "Did you really think you knew your husband?" Darcy can relate and good question -- does any human being know another human being? After reading Perfect Marriage I made it clear to my husband I was on the look-out for secret cubby holes.

Bottom line, loved this, loved all the stories, best King I've read since -- wait, does Joe Hill count? -- I don't know when. The stories will stick with me and join the other King stories and memories. I know there's a battle over price right now. I don't rate books on price, because I figure you can see that for yourself and I want to tell you something you don't already know. I respect that others do feel that some ebooks are over-priced and I agree that we all have to make decisions on what we will and will not pay. I felt this was worth the price, which could be entirely different by the time you read this, and think this is some really impressive work whether you shell out the cash now, wait for the price to lower, or visit your library.

... Read more

Editorial Review

Behind the well-known U.S. security organizations— the FBI and CIA among them—lies a heavily guarded, anonymous government agency dedicated to intelligence surveillance and to a highly specialized brand of citizen protection.

Shock waves of alarm ripple through the clandestine agency when Washington, D.C., police detective Ryan Kessler inexplicably becomes the target of Henry Loving, a seasoned, ruthless “lifter” hired to obtain information using whatever means necessary. While Loving is deft at torture, his expertise lies in getting an “edge” on his victim—leverage—usually by kidnapping or threatening family until the “primary” caves under pressure.

The job of keeping the Kessler family alive falls to a man named Corte, a senior federal protection officer known as a “shepherd.” Uncompromising, relentlessly devoted to protecting those in his care and a passionate board game aficionado, he applies brilliant gaming strategy to his work. For Corte, the reappearance of Loving—the man who, six years earlier, had tortured and killed someone close to him—is also an opportunity to avenge his friend’s death. The assignment soon escalates into a fast-paced duel between Corte and Loving, a dangerous volley of wits and calculated risks.

As he shepherds the Kesslers to a concealed safe house, Corte must anticipate Loving’s every step as the lifter moves in on his prey, and with the help of razor-sharp investigator Claire DuBois and his longtime ally, FBI agent Paul Fredericks, pinpoint which of Kessler’s seemingly insignificant cases has triggered Loving’s return. As the team digs deeper, each of the Kesslers comes under close scrutiny, and in captivity their family bonds are stretched to the breaking point—as the lifter draws near, Corte must ultimately choose between protecting his charges and exposing them to a killer in the name of long-awaited revenge. ... Read more

Reviews

Edge won't disappoint Deaver fans., November 3, 2010
The first Jeffrey Deaver novel I read was 1997's The Bone Collector. Since that time I have been an on and off fan of his. It isn't the quality of the books he writes but often a function of time and what else is out there demanding my attention in the book line. I also tend to get bored with long series of novels as in the Lincoln Rhyme novels.

Edge, Deaver's latest thriller, has appeared at just the right time and is also a stand-a-lone novel. As such, it provides a refreshing opportunity to meet new characters in new situations. The premise of the story is full of real possibilities making it an even better read. Coming on the heels of the very successful Burning Wire, Edge is Deaver's second book of 2010 and that is a treat.

Corte (yes he goes by just a single name) works for a Federal organization that is never identified. Corte's job is to protect individuals who are in possession of sensitive, dangerous, or highly profitable information. Corte's opposite, Henry Loving, is a "lifter"; a collector if information who uses any means necessary to gather what he wants. Henry is Loving is not someone you would want to meet if he has an interest in something you know.

Corte's latest assignment is Ryan Kessler, a Washington, D. C. detective who, for reasons that aren't important here, becomes Loving's target. That is the outline of the story.

Deaver is an experienced and highly capable spinner of tales. Edge is rapid fire decision making and action that will keep you turning pages and is a pretty fair extension of Deaver's line of hit novels. The are plot twists and surprises galore. Like many successful novelists today, Deaver has a seemingly inexhaustible supply of plot ideas. I hope the creative well doesn't run dry anytime soon.

Could this be the beginning of a new Deaver series? Maybe.

I recommend.

Peace to all.

fun thrill ride in and around the capitol, November 2, 2010
Edge is reminiscent of the political thriller Gods of Ruin, though it's not as deep philosophically. It's fast-paced, full of interesting characters, and as the title suggests, a bit edgy. Corte is a great character (they all seem like good characters in Edge)-- he's the protector of a DC police detective and his family-- Corte is the "bodyguard of last resort" and he's a fascinating one. He's got game theory down and pop psychology's irrational rationality.

There are a lot of twists and turns and it's a page-turner, through I didn't catch an overall political philosophy behind the book except that politicians are crooks. When a character tells Corte that he'd make a good politician, she isn't complimenting the manipulator.

Great read so far

Good...and yet annoying, November 8, 2010
I am half done the book and actually am so annoyed by it that I am writing a quick review. I am not one of the paid reviewers who always appear first on the list and seem to have all the time in the world to give a complete plot outline (skip those in the future). Anyway, here it is. Deaver never seemed to get into his character Corte. You feel like he is the author sitting next to the character, trying to appear to be the character. I know that sounds confusing, but here's how it comes out. Corte is constantly "turning to us" and defining terms used in his job, explaining his motivation, telling little anecdotes to us, etc. It's like we are on a ride-along with him and trying to write what we see from his perspective and yet can never get away from our perspective. Anyway, it's annoying. I will finish the book and if it completely redeems itself, I will write another review, otherwise not.

Not Worth Reading, December 1, 2010
Although I like all of Deaver's other novels to varying degrees, this one was a complete waste. His action scenes are as well-written and gripping as ever, but they are only occasional seasoning in an otherwise unbelievable, boring novel in which there is not a single character about whom we can actually care. His main character is fascinated by board games, about which we have to learn way too much, and which Deaver apparently fails to realize makes him a very uninteresting person. The biggest problem, however, is the plot itself. Deaver can't make up his mind until he runs out of characters who is really in need of protection in this book. The more he switches the object of the need for protection to another character, the less believable the book becomes. By the end, not only do we not care about any of the characters, but we are astounded at how ridiculous his choices have become. Awful! It was a relief to reach the end.

Not one of his better novels, November 19, 2010
I am a big fan of Jeffery Deaver and enjoy his unerring ability to misdirect the reader and turn a reality into an illusion. Although he does so here, this is not one of his better novels.

The story focuses on a "shepherd" (i.e. protector) named Corte, a federal agent with a nameless government agency who is tasked with protecting a family from a "lifter" named Loving (i.e. a person who extracts information) and potential "hitters" (i.e. assassins). By Googling these terms I discovered that they exist only in Deaver's imagination. Nothing wrong with that--so long as it helps to create an interesting story. But that's not the case here.

Corte spends the first half of the novel interrupting the flow of the action to give tedious explanations about how shepherds, lifters and hitters interact in trying to gain an "edge" (i.e. advantage) over one another, with frequent references to game theory. This created all of the excitement of watching someone play a board game. Imagine watching a James Bond movie where Bond is constantly discussing his training before he takes action. You would fall asleep.

Further, while Corte strives to be a nondescript figure to protect his identity, that does not mean he needs to be boring as a character, which he is. For someone engaged in life and death situations, he comes across as remarkably dull. For example, Lee Child's Jack Reacher tries to keep a low profile, but once he springs into action there is nonstop excitement.

The only reason that I gave this four stars is because the second half of the novel had much more action and much less explanations, though the cat and mouse game between Corte and Loving grew wearisome after a while. There is just so much misdirection and near misses that a reader can take before concluding that Corte must not be listening very carefully to all the explanations of good shepherding that he is constantly dispensing.

There are two primary endings. Without giving anything away, the first one reveals who hired Loving and why--and for me was wholly implausible; there were much easier and effective ways to accomplish what the "bad guy" wanted to do (I also found it odd that Deaver took an explicit swipe at Republicans, who he mentions by name, since this most definitely is not a political novel; hence the mudslinging was wholly out of place). The second ending provides further insight into Corte--and for me seemed pretty trite; it was not really a big surprise.

Bottom line: Unless you have a fascination with game theory, do a lot of skimming and focus on the action. You won't miss anything.

Mediocre Effort, November 18, 2010
The Edge, Deaver's latest work is entertaining but pretty trite. Although it is a reasonably well-crafted mystery/suspense novel, the dialog is ordinary and the characters, particularly the chief protagonist, are wooden.

Perhaps, I am becoming bored by this genre since I have read literally hundreds of books considered part of the Mystery/Suspense genre. I was able to finish this one but it got to the point where I couldn't wait for the end so that hopefully I can pickup something better.

There are some writers who continue to improve, book by book, and others who hit their peak and become hackneyed. I feel that Jeffrey Deaver is among the latter group of authors. Mr. Deaver hit his peak a long time ago in his early Lincoln Rhyme novels.

That's a shame for all of us.

Why so disapointing?!, December 15, 2010
I have read all of Deaver's books and find them to be interesting, page-turners everytime. I couldn't believe this was a Deaver book. The book is so bogged down in details I was seriously bored throughout. Being Deaver, i thought an amazing twist was coming so I kept at it. Complete waste. The characters are so uninteresting I can't think of the last time I read any book where I found them so 2-dimentional, esp. after the ad nausum details we are given, about EVERYTHING and everyone. I tell you one of the most annoying sections EVER: when he finally gets a chance to look in the antogonist's box after making a big deal about it page after page, and almost dying trying to get at some more personal effects of this man. . . it was frustrating and crazy. Deaver, you're better than this. Much. What was this about???

Novel has a lot of problems, but works in the end, November 30, 2010
Jeffrey Deaver's THE EDGE is at times compelling, and then quite boring. But at the end, it comes together in an ultimately rewarding experience. Deaver takes the reader to Corte, an agent of a secretive government organization charged with keeping people safe. Corte is the shepherd assigned to guard Ryan Kessler, his wife, Joanne, sister-in-law Maree, and daughter Amanda. He's protecting them from the "lifter" Henry Loving, a man paid to find people and extract information from them. While Corte is keeping the Kesslers safe, he's also trying to discover who the primary is; who hired Henry Loving.

As the novel opens, Corte is trying to keep the Kesslers safe and Loving is trying to kill them. So, we get several scenes of cat and mouse, and action as Corte fights off Loving. With so much violence and mayhem going on, it seems improbable that all the main characters survive. I found myself skimming through the needless action to get to more story.

Thankfully, Deaver moves away from the action and more into the story. Who in Kessler's family is Loving targeting? Is it Ryan, the cop injured in the line of duty. Could it be his devoted wife, the active daughter, or the ditsy photographer sister-in-law.

My opinion of the novel definitely changed in the last half, for the better. This is a novel Deaver fans should check out as they eagerly await his next: the new James Bond novel.

Disappointing, November 16, 2010
I have read all of Jeffery Deaver's novels but enjoyed this one the least. For me this one was cold and distanced - read more like a dissertation than a novel and never involved me enough to care about the characters. Not terrible but definitely not up to his usual standards.

Entertaining Suspense But Not A Deaver Best, December 17, 2010
I am an avid fan of Jeffery Deaver as he's been in my top 3 authors for years. He's dependable for churning out a structured, organized thriller and has done so for a number of years. Also, he is a one of the masters of twists which is something I love in a mystery.

EDGE was a perfect title for this book in the tug-of-war game of good vs bad getting the edge on the competition. A mysterious agent by the name of Corte is assigned to protect a family from a relentless individual who is known for completing the assignment. This book slowly released bits and pieces of mystery along the way both about the main plot as well as the characters which helped to enhance the general suspense of the book. The book was a bit "predictably unpredictable" as the story played out with good vs bad. I would've preferred more deception and twists along the way.

Overall, I enjoyed the book but it isn't in my top favorites by the author. He remains one of my favorite authors and looking forward to his next!

... Read more

Editorial Review

Ramona's third evil ex-boyfriend, Todd Ingram, is currently dating the former love of Scott Pilgrim's life! Envy Adams broke Scott's heart a year and a half ago. Now she and her evil art-rock band are back, and they're getting Scott's band to open a show two days from now! That's just enough time for Scott to fight Todd, keep Ramona happy, fend off demented ex-girlfriends, and practice that new setlist. Right?? Don't miss the latest chapter in the graphic novel saga The Globe and Mail calls "Canada's answer to Tank Girl!" ... Read more

Reviews

Scott Continues To Entertain!, September 17, 2006
I can still barely believe that the Scott Pilgrim series is as good as it is. Author Bryan Lee O'Malley has taken a relationship drama and infused it with numerous references to video games, indie music, manga, and other niche areas of popular culture to create a world where characters are completely fine with breaking out into a massive, over-the-top fight that involves the battleground imploding at the end.
Scott Pilgrim, for those of you who aren't caught up, is a 23-year-old slacker who lives in a small Canadian town around Toronto. He is in a bad band named Sex Bob-Omb along with the completely cool (so cool he has no emotions) Stephen Stills and the angry Kim Pine (whom he dated in high school). After breaking up with a 17-year-old high school girl named Knives Chau, Scott began dating Ramona Flowers, an American now living in Canada and working as an Amazon.ca delivery girl. However, before Scott can officially date Ramona, he must defeat her seven evil ex-boyfriends. He has already taken out 2, but the next on the list, Todd Ingram, may prove to be more than Scott can handle.
Picking up pretty much exactly where the second volume, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, left off, Scott and Ramona have just learned that Todd is dating Natalie V. "Envy" Adams, Scott's girlfriend before Knives who ripped his heart out. Through flashbacks, we learn how Envy met Scott as a shy anime fan and eventually turned into a rock goddess. If that weren't bad enough, Todd is a vegan, and in Scott's world, vegans attain vast psychic powers that make him a much more formidable opponent than Matthew Patel and Lucas Lee.
As usual, the battles don't take up the whole book; most of the pages are devoted to hilarious character studies. Scott's roommate, Wallace Wells, is just as funny as ever, with his snide comments about Envy and his platonic love of Ramona. Knives is great due to the sheer sadness of her situation (I kind of feel bad for her, but she is responsible for some very funny and heartfelt situations). New characters like Envy and Lynette, Envy's drummer who has a biomechanical arm, are fun as well. But the book is also full of great moments that don't deal with characters. The existence of a save point in the world was one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time. And of course, the fights just keep getting better. Ramona shows that she can hold her own and that her little handbag is just full of surprises.
The only thing I have to say that is negative is that I just can't get a good feel for the art. It is (as far as I know) intentionally cheap, but there are times when I can't tell who certain characters are or when the flashbacks end. Still, it isn't too much of a problem.
I don't care what excuses you may have for not reading Scott Pilgrim, get on it now! The story is great and the humor is fantastic.

Clever, Inventive Fun, November 24, 2009
How to describe Scott Pilgrim and his strange little world? It's funny, to be sure. It's seemingly normal, to a degree. When we meet new characters, we often get their level rating (Scott is, of course, "awesome"). Everything about the series is so Generation Now--Scott is straight but he has a gay roommate; they share a small studio apartment and sleep in the same bed, platonically; Scott plays in a band with a female drummer, which is cool, although the band doesn't quite rock at first (but they have heart). None of it is overdone, though. In fact, there's so much genuine sweetness to it (in a good way; not in some treacly, sentimental manner) that you can't help but wish you were part of the group--part of this world, even, because it's a pretty different world.

That is to say, it's Toronto, but some magical, videogame-like qualities exist. These characters exist mostly in the real world but at the same time, it has some decidedly offbeat properties. Scott is an innocent, a supercool, eminently likable cipher who happens to be almost irresistibly endearing.

As the series begins, 23-year-old Scott has just started dating Knives Chau, a 17-year-old high school student. It's all very innocent; they haven't even kissed, just hugged. Scott is recovering from a devastating breakup a year ago and views Knives as a way to move on without getting his heart too involved. His friends and sister waste no time ripping into Scott for this robbing-the-cradle transgression, but Scott sticks with it, even after meeting Ramona Flowers. Ramona is the girl of Scott's dreams, literally. He keeps seeing her in visions, so when he sees her at a party, come to life in strange garb, he makes his move.

The series has the feel of a gentle romantic comedy at times, and the banter back and forth between Scott and Ramona (and even Scott and Knives) has the kind of meet-cute quality of cinema. It's also hilariously hip, metatextual, and self-referential (again, it's a Generation Now thing). When Ramona explains that she's been in Scott's dreams because there's a really convenient subspace highway that happens to run through his head, Scott doesn't really question it. Later, they get to know each other and decide that some of their stories will be revealed in different volumes, before sleeping together (again, platonically, because they've been holed up inside together because of a freak blizzard--although it's clear both characters will want to do more than just sleep together eventually).

And here we come to the real meat of the story. As Scott begins to see Ramona, he first receives an email, then a letter, from a man who wants to schedule time to fight Scott. Scott ignores them, but this is a crazy guy who won't be ignored. It turns out Ramona has seven evil ex-boyfriends, all of whom Scott will have to fight and defeat if he wants to continue seeing the delightful Ramona. (And if you're wondering what ever happened to Knives Chau, well, there's more to that as well.)

The content is never too adult (but trust me, adults will--and do--enjoy it quite a bit), but it's more appropriate for teens and older (the publisher gives it a 13+ rating). The story and art are definitely manga-influenced, but it isn't straight manga. It's a hybrid. A very good hybrid, it turns out. Scott Pilgrim is one of those series that catches fire and, when you check in to see what all the buzz is about, you realize why immediately. This much clever, inventive fun deserves to be a smash.

-- John Hogan

I'm halfway through reading all the books in this series., July 15, 2010
This is the third book in the Scott Pilgrim series of comic books. This time, Scott has to battle the third of Ramona's evil ex-boyfriends, who happens to be the current boyfriend of Scott's evil ex-girlfriend. Another fun book, especially if you are a fan of indie rock and video games. ... Read more

Editorial Review

That's right, folks! Put down the video game controller! Skip that rehearsal for your band! Make whatever sacrifices you must to those comic gods you hold so dear! Just make sure you're ready because Bryan Lee O'Malley and Scott Pilgrim are back! Well, a couple months have passed since the last time we caught up with our intrepid hero, but what can change in a few short months? Well, not much has... Scott's still living with his roommate Wallace Wells. He's still playing in a mediocre rock band named Sex Bob-omb. And most importantly, he's still dating the lovely Ramona Flowers while working his way through the gaggle of superpowered, superstylish, superevil ex-boyfriends determined to take him down. But something is different. Don't look now, but Scott Pilgrim may actually be getting it together. And it's a good thing, too, because Scott is about to confront Ramona's most intimidating ex yet!

Winner of the 2008 Harvey Award for BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM - ORIGINAL! ... Read more

Reviews

The Best in the Series (and that says a LOT), September 6, 2010
First of all, I'd like to recommend the entire Scott Pilgrim saga. But I chose to only review this volume in particular because, in my opinion, it is the best one in the series. It may not be as charming as the first volume but it is the one that takes Scott on an emotional trip just as much as a physical one. What I mean to say is that the book puts Scott in tons of peril not only because of the 4th evil exe he has to fight but also because of his inner flaws and shaky past coming back to trouble him. In the end he grows as a character and so does Ramona, and everything turns out honky dory despite all their troubles and flaws. For me, this is O'Malley's biggest step in his saga and he does it exceptionally well. There are more reasons to enjoy this volume, but that's for you to figure out.

IN SHORT: IT'S THE BEST IN THE SERIES BECAUSE IT IS BOTH EPIC AND AMBITIOUS IN IT'S NARRATIVE BUT WHAT MAKES IT THE BEST IS THAT O'MALLEY PULLS IT ALL OFF VERY WELL.

This series is amazing!, September 5, 2010
This is probably my favorite volume of this incredible series. The color format of the first few pages is great and the art all throughout is really amazing. This is the volume where the illustrator really perfected his artistic style. Bryan Lee O'Malley always manages to impress me with the way that he uses video game inspired fantasy while still having completely human characters that are totally relatable.
I have never been in love with a comic book series so completely before.
Read these comics, see the movie, read "Lost at Sea," visit bryan's website, and listen to Kupek because I am having a REALLY hard time disliking anything Bryan Lee O'Malley does and I imagine you will have the same problem.

Great book., August 17, 2010
I couldn't put this book down.I read this in about 30 minutes and then I read it again. I love Scott Pilgrim!

Hot fun in the summertime, July 16, 2010
Yes, it's Scott Pilgrim comic book #4. Now in color! (The first eight pages, anyway). Scott faces off with Ramona's fourth evil ex, who is a girl. Scott comes across as even more clueless than before this time around. Which makes things even funnier.

He does indeed., June 8, 2010
This very aptly titled volume is a turning point for the series, in which it stops being just an amusing slacker comedy and pop culture blender and starts to offer some surprisingly insightful commentary on relationships, maturity, and the many different ways that people can mislead each other and themselves.

All of the characters start to slowly come to grips with the fact that they must reconcile the demands of an adult life with the trappings of the arrested, prolonged adolescence they're living in and decide how (or whether) they're going to finally embrace adulthood.

Also, it's damn funny, with some of the best visual gags in this always amusing series (Scott in the purse is one of those perversely hilarious images the memory of which had me chuckling at odd times during the day, sometimes to the discomfort of the people around me. Nice visual metaphor too; I guess that settles once and for all who is pulling all the weight in that relationship, at least at that point). A lot of the elements that bogged down the first half of the story, like the voluminous cast and sometimes annoying dialogue, have to a great degree been wrangled into submission (though are still sometimes troublesome).

It was a long while out the gate (much like its cast of characters), but with "Scott Pilgrim Gets it Together" this series finally reaches a level of quality that justifies its acclaim. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Manga for the Beginner: Everything You Need to Start Drawing Right Away!, September 6, 2009
This book really did get me started drawing manga. The directions are easy to follow with good tips for drawing. The only part I didn't understand was the vanishing points section but I pretty much got everything else. One part I wish it would've gone over was the wrinkles in clothes. Although the book was pretty good, I'm working on realistic drawings but for anyone who wants to draw manga, this is really the right book to start off at.

The Name Says It All!!, January 22, 2010
Well my title says it all as well!

This book is exactly what most people need to start drawing manga right away. Starting with the most basic of all things, character design!

The book consists of a lot of different tips and guidance on how to draw characters. starting from the front view, the profile to the 3/4 views of the characters face,body and poses. It also has the basic tips and instructions on drawing weapons and clothes.

Just when you thought you are done by mastering those basics, the book teaches something more in a form of drawing animals, anthropods, shading ,colouring and drawing backgrounds!

The tips on drawing from perspective is in fact, in my opinion, a very useful tip for any artist in particular.

Overall, the book has everything the beginner needs to learn to start drawing right away! but, advanced or even intermediate artists may find this book a bit lacking, but why buy a book for beginners when you are higher in skill level in the first place?

Great for beginners... who know how to draw, October 21, 2008
You gotta be already pretty functionnal at drawing before reading this book. It goes right to the point and explains specifics details about mangas and how to draw them.

In no time, I was drawing pretty fine faces. There's a lot of explanations about eyes which is usually the main point of focus about mangas.

For the body, I found the list of tricks a bit short. So... I'm still practicing that part... understanding things on my own takes a bit longer.

All in all, Quite satisfied with the book!

Impressive resource. For beginners and more advanced illustrators, June 15, 2010
A big fan here of Manga and just about all of the Japanese styles of art. I watch several shows regularly from Full Metal Alchemist to Bleach. When I was younger I watched tons of _Anime_ programs too. So, its been a dream of mine to draw Manga in some form or another for quite some time. When I bought this book I was unsure how it would be helpful.

On my own drawing Manga has been less than successful. With this book I have improved my faces, bodies and hair more than I could have through practice alone.

The book covers the basics all the way up to perspectives in scenes and more. If you are even a little bit interested in drawing manga and like self help books then this book should not be passed up. It is a true treasure for the beginner up to the more advanced illustrator.

Accessories:
If you are going to be drawing on a tablet on your PC I recommend Manga Studio EX 4 (Win/Mac) for software and Wacom Intuos4 Medium Pen Tablet for the tablet. Don't bother with the Debut program of Manga Studio if you think you are going to get into this at all. I use Manga Studio to draw all of my line art sketches and illustrations.

If you are going to be drawing on paper, do yourself a favor and go to a real art store. Get good paper, HB or harder pencils and a VERY good eraser. Also get a set of .01 up to 1.0 pens. It will help you with your illustration.

Thats it, good luck with this great art form!

Thanks for reading my review.

Not for beginners, May 2, 2010
This book is good. it gives you a complete model sheet, something that i dont see in other books. it is not for beginners though, it doesnt teach you how to draw a character from head to toe.

Perfect for all levels, July 13, 2010
This book is good for all levels. I have
other books on the subject but this one
is one of my favorites. The drawings
are well done and the instructions are easy
to understand. And it covers many different
areas of drawing manga not just one. I recommend
this book to those who are learning to draw and
those who want to get better at it.

I don't see this as a very good book for beginners., November 17, 2010
When you read something that claims to be for beginners, you'd hope that it would focus more on building techniques that help you develop a wide range of skills. To me, this book seems to be lacking exactly that. There are a lot of poses that the writer/artist seems intent on showing you, but very little in the way of real lessons that a beginner needs to get better. It assumes too much, and offers very little in the way of actual practices and techniques that will help you develop your own style, be it chibi or shoujou. I'm someone who knows how to draw for the most part, and I find the questions that I would have are largely left unanswered. Like how to get the eyes in the proper proportion. Would you recommend a ruler, or compass, or a template? How about the type of pencils? Or using the blue pencils in order to sketch a rough outline and later using black pencils to get at the best lines and then fleshing it out from there. Or what type of paper works best? To me, a beginner's guide should start with all of those things, because they form the basis for making good artwork later on. If I'd seen this in a bookstore and picked it up before purchasing it, I would have put it back on the shelf and looked for something else. ... Read more

Editorial Review

When things get scary, it’s nice to know that Odd is on our side.
 
The one and only Odd Thomas is back—in his second edgy and enthralling graphic-novel adventure from #1 New York Times bestselling suspense master Dean Koontz.

It’s Halloween in Pico Mundo, California, and there’s a whiff of something wicked in the autumn air. While the town prepares for its annual festivities, young fry cook Odd Thomas can’t shake the feeling that make-believe goblins and ghouls aren’t the only things on the prowl. And he should know, since he can see what others cannot: the spirits of the restless dead. But even his frequent visitor, the specter of Elvis Presley, can’t seem to point Odd in the right direction.
With the help of his gun-toting girlfriend, Stormy, Odd is out to uncover the terrible truth. Is something sinister afoot in the remote barn guarded by devilish masked men? Has All Hallows Eve mischief taken a malevolent turn? Or is the pleading ghost of a trick-or-treater a frightening omen of doom?
  ... Read more

Reviews

Skip it and read an actual Koontz book instead..., September 3, 2010

Weak, Not a Koontz Story at All, September 13, 2010

A good story, but so short. Not worth buying., September 19, 2010

Koontz for Young Adults, September 29, 2010

more like a comic book, November 7, 2010
I love Dean Koontz books, but was disappointed that this was more like a comic book than his usual. I read it because I like the Odd Thomas books. If I knew it wasn't the regular novel I wouldn't have purchased it.

Dull and bland, September 13, 2010

Boring, September 8, 2010

Not what I expected., September 3, 2010

engaging entry, October 12, 2010
Halloween in Pico Mundo, California has fry cook Odd Thomas concerned as he fears there is much more afoot than just trick or treaters. Something does not feel right; which is odd for a person who communicates with Elvis and helps restless spirits with their needs before they move onto their next resting spot.

As Odd struggles with his gut insisting that something evil is coming and his spiritual advisor Elvis unable to help him, he turns to girlfriend, Stormy Llewellyn. She encourages him with her at his side to investigate the horde of bodachs appearing; always an omen of a horrific event to come shortly.

The second graphic comic rendition of an Odd Thomas novel (See In Odd We Trust) is an engaging entry but lacks the freshness of the original tales as fans already know what occurs to whom. Still the illustrations by Queenie Chan are fun to follow for readers who will compare her version to our imagination; as in my mind she captures Thomas' essence and somewhat Stormy, but Elvis still needs to be found. The story line is entertaining but is no match to the novel while the addition of twenty odd additional pages following the story seems more like padding. The apparent targeted young newcomers will enjoy Odd is On Our Side.

Harriet Klausner

I waited months for this?, October 7, 2010
Having enjoyed all the "Odd" books, I reserved this months ago at our library (before reviews were available). I guess I'm just "old fashioned" and not into "adult comic books". ... Read more

Editorial Review

Zombies and Witches and Vamps . . . Oh, My! What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas--at least that's Delilah Street's hope. With Sin City's vampire and werewolf mobs wanting to cash in her chips once and for all, she's retreating with her partner Ric Montoya and half-wolfhound Quicksilver to her Kansas birthplace. Unfortunately, when it comes to finding trouble, there's no place like home. . . .
Before long Delilah realizes she's not in Vegas anymore. Zombie cowboys and spectral cattle drives are kicking up dust, the local weather girls are total witches who forecast perfect storms, and some Hollywood fanatic is raising deadly stars of the silver screen. Speaking of silver, Delilah's special affinity for the all-purpose monster-repellent leads her and her posse straight down a silver brick road--and into a not-so-fun house of mirrors--putting her face-to-face with the nightmares from her mysterious past and a mystery woman named Lilith, who's a real dead ringer for Delilah. The key word being dead. ... Read more

Reviews

Skip It, December 14, 2010
This was a disappointing installment in what has previously been a pretty good series. There was no underlying mystery or story for this book. It could have easily been condensed into a couple chapters or a short story and published in an anthology. As a reader, I'm bored with the too-perfect Ric and the constant inner angst of he and Delilah as a couple. Let's move on to something more interesting in the next one please.

super rural fantasy, December 4, 2010
Delilah Street has faced down several nasty souls while residing in Las Vegas. However, her next assignment takes her to the most dangerous place in the world, not Dorothy's Kansas but Delilah's Kansas where she comes from. Her boyfriend Ric Montoya and her wolfhound Quicksilver accompany her as she drives Dolly her mintage Caddy.

Delilah promised she would investigate her childhood to learn her past and confront it and those involved. Ric's former FBI friend Leonard Tallgrass greets the trio as he wants to question Delilah about a cow mutilation story she investigated just before leaving town. They soon become entangled in an inquiry into who is using zombies and why with the silver road leading to a house of mirrors and Lilith a mirror image of Delilah.

The fourth Delilah Street urban fantasy (see Dancing with Werewolves and Vampire Sunrise) takes a rural trek home that affirms you can go home, but leaving alive is a bit more difficult. Silver Zombie is much more personal than the previous entries as Delilah and readers learn much about her past. With a nod to the Emerald City and zombie fever, this is a terrific tongue in cheek thriller as Lilah sums it up nicely when she considers Maria the robot from the film Metropolis is a poor thing virgin and will remain a poor thing virgin forever.

Harriet Klausner
... Read more

Editorial Review

Here, the first three volumes of the popular Let's Find Pokemon! series are collected in a single book! Over thirty intricately illustrated spreads promise hours of seek-n-find fun. Can you find Bulbasaur's hiding place? Where has Squirtle gone? And Pikachu! Where are you? Solve mazes, unlock puzzles, and find your favorite Pokemon in this special edition. ... Read more

Reviews

fun for the whole family!, January 5, 2007
My kids (ages 5 and 3) love this book! I don't know much about Pokemon, but you don't need to know the characters to read this book. It is basically a "Where's Waldo" type book where you look for Pokemon characters.

Perfect for Pokie fans!, May 22, 2007
We saw this book at the library ( it was one that you can't check out ) and I could barely get my 2 boys out of there! They are both really big Pokemon fans. My little boy waited for this to come, so excited he checked the mail evey day! It didn't, dissapoint all the boys loved it from 12 to 2! Fun were is waldo type book for the Pokemon fan.

Great!, January 15, 2007
This book has great pictures, the pages are fun to look at!! It is not so difficult it's impossible, but they are challenging enough that it can be enjoyed by many ages. Great pass time for the kids!

Great Fun, December 12, 2007
We bought this book for my 6 year old's 5th birthday and he is still looking at over a year later. He has really enjoyed finding all the hidden Pokemons on his own or with any willing adult. It's hard to keep up with his desire for all things Pokemon but I rate this book as one of the best Pokemon related purchases we've made.

Great book for those crazy for Pokemon, December 27, 2007
I bought this book for my grandson for Chrismas. He just loves it. I has a pokedex in the front and back of book. It is set up like the "Look and Find" books. It has the answers in the back and additional pokemon to look for. Hard bound with 85 pages.

Great book for any age Pokemon fan!!!, June 17, 2008
I bought this book for my five year old son's birthday in May 2008. We look at it every night before he goes to sleep and always find something new to talk about. The illustrations are creative and funny. There are many things to discuss with your children in the book. So far, out of all of the tons of books we have for him, this is by far the best book we've purchased for him.

SPOILER:
I still haven't found the angry Jigglypuff. If anyone reads this and knows where he is hiding, please let me know. It's driving me crazy. I'm 40 years old with a MS in tax and I can't believe I can't find that angry Jigglypuff, unless it's a trick question and he's on page 81.

My 10 year old son loves this book, October 26, 2008
I purchased this book as a present for my son's 10th birthday. He loves it. We took it on a family trip and found the Pokemon together. It really made the trip go faster. He was especially happy because this book had some additional pages than his friend's edition of the book.

well worth the money, September 14, 2008
This was a wonderful addition to the daycare library. It has been a favorite of many if not all the children. Thanks for having it in your selection. I can't wait until the newest edition comes out.

EXCELLENT GIFT FOR POKEMAN LOVERS, August 31, 2008
THE YOUNG MAN FOR WHOM THIS GIFT WAS PURCHASED, LOVED IT!!! HE SHARED HIS EXCITEMENT WITH US AND WAS VERY PROUD OF HIS ABILITIES.

UNQUESTIONABLY A GREAT GIFT!!

ED MEDMAN

Wow, I'm surprised this is still in print!, August 19, 2008
I got this book what must have been ten years ago now (Dang, I was six! Time flies) and I absolutely adored it!

The illustrations, from what I can remember, were very good and in some cases very funny. In the humorous sort of way.

Each page was challenging for me, but not so hard that I'd throw a fit.

I think my old copy is somewhere in my attic, I've been meaning to pull it out for my younger brother, but now I don't have to. =)

Note, though, that this book was made before any newer Pokemon were created, before the release of the Gold/Silver versions of the Pokemon games. Only the original 151 Pokemon are in this one, some of which I don't think are even in the newer games. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Over 500 pages of Pok�mon! Each book in this two-volume set features one Pok�mon per page with descriptions and stats, including Abilities, Moves and Evolution. Plus there's a bonus poster featuring Shaymin on one side and Arceus on the other!

Includes:

The Complete Pok�mon Pocket Guide, vol. 1

The Complete Pok�mon Pocket Guide, vol. 2

Poster ... Read more

Editorial Review

Since its debut in 2005, Avatar: The Last Airbender has been one of Nickelodeon's most talked about and highest-rated animated series.Offering an epic storyline, engaging characters, action, adventure, and a powerful message about the importance of hope in a world besieged by war, it is also beautifully executed, harmonizing Western influences with aesthetic inspiration drawn from a diverse array of cultures, including those of China, Japan, India, and the Inuit. An unprecedented look at the concept, design, and production art behind this smash-hit, award-winning series, Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Art of the Animated Series features hundreds of images, most of which Nickelodeon has never released to the public, andchronicles the show's development - from the very first sketch through to the series finale and beyond! With extensive commentary from series creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino. ... Read more

Reviews

Spellbinding, May 29, 2010
This is a wonderful art book for a spellbinding animation series. Making the series took 6 years, hundreds of artists, and hundreds of thousands of drawings. This book showcases a selection of some really beautiful illustrations.

There are loads of character and background designs inside, in sketches and in their finished coloured form. The main characters like Aang and others come with cool animation sequences created with pencils. Also included are many of the discarded concepts which were difficult to animate or doesn't suit the story. Appa had some really awesome spiral horns but were discarded, unfortunately. The character drawings are superb. Just by looking at their different expressions you can pretty much guess their characteristics.

Besides the characters which includes the town folks and soldiers, there are also drawings for many miscellaneous stuff like storyboards, airships, hybrid animals, wanted posters, promotional posters, chibi (or super deformed) style and random doodles from meetings.

Did I mention the background paintings? The world created is so beautiful!

The whole book is annotated heavily by Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino. They talk about everything on production, from creating the pilot episode to Nickelodeon approving the final season. You can see and read about their influences and inspiration everywhere, from Buddhism, Studio Ghibli, Gainax, Chinese martial arts, etc. It's very interesting to see how they apply what they learned from research to their drawings and animation.

This is a fantastic art book for the series and fans, which should appeal to anyone who hasn't watch the series. Good art appeals to all.

Highly recommended!

(There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)

Rock on, May 26, 2010
For ANY fan of the series, this is an ABSOLUTE must-have. This book is jam-packed with all sorts of goodies, plus stuff I didn't expect to have. I've always loved seeing rough sketches and idea drawings, and this book does not fail to disappoint.

You get a huge treasure trove of backgrounds, paintings, character designs, and notes. It truly is an amazing read.

Like Johane said, it's almost a shame that there isn't a separate book for each season, because there's just so much good stuff in here. It's almost too much - I do wish some of the drawings were bigger. At 184 pages, I cannot help but wonder why the creators of this book didn't just spring for 200. On one page, there is a lineup of portraits of five Fire Lords, but they're so small that I have to use a magnifying glass to really look at all the details of these pictures (the images are no more than a couple of inches high) It would be nice to have several pages - even foldout - so we can examine these images to our fullest pleasure. It is due to the size of some of the images in this book that I cannot give it a perfect 5 stars - I can only give it 4.5 at best.

Still, this is a pretty sweet collectible full of lovely artwork and other goodies that should not fail to disappoint even the most die-hard Avatar fan. And if you have a friend or family member who is an Avatard, believe me, this is a gift that WILL make their day.

A must have art book, May 24, 2010
An awesome collection of pre-production art; character designs, props, backgrounds, example of storyboards and animation. This book covers all three seasons, episode by episode, from its pilot episode to the grand finale of Sozin's comet.
It is a beautiful collection, presented in a nice hardcover book. There is so much material, it is almost a shame the publisher didn't do one book for each seasons and printed some of the pictures bigger.

If you're looking to have an inside look at the great artworks produced for this show, this is a must have book for all fans of the series.

Inspirational Insights, July 17, 2010
As an artist, I had always admired the rich world depicted in the Avatar: The Last Airbender animated series. Having purchased this book, my opinion of the artwork has gone from admiration to outright awe. This book offers an incredible insight to not only character designs and backgrounds, but to the process of making the show. Progressions of background creation from concept to sketches to final paintings. Key animation sequences. Storyboards. Character evolution. Commentary on the creation of the show as a whole, including how it was first conceived and later realized as the incredible work of storytelling and animation we know today.

This book has been incredibly inspirational to me. I'm reading it a little bit at a time, because every time I pick it up I find myself eager to go create my own stories! It's an instant motivator. I encourage anyone who has ever yearned to tell their own story to purchase this book. It's one of the best models out there for how to create a story right!

Gorgeous., July 15, 2010
This artbook is utterly beautiful. When I first tore open the box and laid my eyes upon the product, I literally gasped in amazement. After watching The Last Airbender movie, simply thinking about Avatar filled my body with disgust and made my gag reflex quite sensitive. I couldn't even watch the show without having terrifying flashbacks of the disgraceful film. Thankfully, looking at this book reopened my eyes to the sheer brilliance of the true series. Every single word written in this book is basically pie for an avatard like me. Bottom line: I ate it all up. And I loved it. This book is filled with details about the series, how the makers came up with their ideas, what inspired them, and so much more. What REALLY put the icing on the cake is the artwork (duh h4x0rzzzzz, it's an artbook). Every little pencil sketch, drawing, painting, left me in awe. So stunning! Most of the time when I buy books, I'll read/look at them once or twice and then it spends the rest of its book-life sitting on my bookshelf, collecting book-dust. I can guarantee you that this is a treasure that won't have the opportunity to sit still. Definitely worth the buy!

Avatar: The Last Airbender (The Art of the Animated Series), July 6, 2010
This book is a great collectors item if you love the animated series and want to know info on the first draft and final draft of each character. This book is for you. If you want to know how the story concept for each episode and bios for each character this is for you. This book goes through all 3 season, explaining each episode for least popular characters to even villains. Concept art, city designs, rough drafts to final and funny facial expressions. I know its putting a lot on it but this probably best artbook i ever bought that gives more infomation about each character good guys and villains, explanation on each episode til the very ending. Worth the Purchase and wont feel cheated.

Beautiful Artwork, July 15, 2010
I really enjoyed the cartoon series, and when I saw they had published an art book I bought it! This book is full of character sketches, facial studies, background on the story and character development, and fun side notes about the creation process. I really enjoyed reading about the Kung Fu sketch studies, and the swamp benders. I recommend this book if you enjoyed the story/cartoon, and would like to know more about the 'behind the scenes.'

Above and Beyond Expectations, July 3, 2010
This book makes a great addition on the bookshelf for any Avatar: the Last Airbender fan. It goes behind the scenes of the show, illustrating several key elements to creating an animated series. It has some storyboards and, what I found really interesting, the step-by-step creation of some background elements like a Fire Nation town.

It also includes several costume and facial design sketches and much, much more. When I received this book in the mail and read through it, I was blown away. I had expected a book with some bigger shots of official art, but it wasn't just that. There are sketches and bending poses, stories about creation and the good times had by the Avatar crew members.

All in all, this is a great book. It blew my expectations way. I really enjoyed learning more about my favorite show.

Very Inspirational, June 14, 2010
As soon as I heard that the "Avatar: The Last Airbender" art book was being released I went and ordered it immediately. I had high expectaions for the book and I was not disappointed at all because the book actually exceeded them. They not only give you thorough insight on their creative processes, from brainstorming to storyboarding to final execution, but they also tell about the challenging road they traveled on to create, pitch and get the show aired. Being an aspiring animator, this was a major plus. Not many animators in the business mention those aspects.

Before I read this book I was on somewhat of a inspiration hiatus. After reading how Mike and Bryan gained success by sticking to what they believe in, plus seeing everyones hard work (meaning the artwork and animation processes) that was put in the show, the inspiration came back to me.

I highly recommend not only looking at the pictures but actually reading the book too. And I of course highly recommend the book to any artists, animators, illustrators and fans of the Avatar series.

An amazing book with a surprisingly low price.


- N. Bowman

A stunning, comprehensive compilation, June 2, 2010
This is a wonderful book for "Avatar: The Last Airbender" fans and general art/animation fans alike. It's full of character designs, concepts for all sorts of objects that populate the world, and most of all, beautiful images of landscapes and structures that served as backgrounds in the series. As a student of Mandarin Chinese, I'm happiest with a section of the book dedicated to the Chinese calligraphy that is featured prominently in many episodes, and as an engineer I'm in love with the detailed schematics of the mechanical weapons of war used by the Fire Nation. The descriptions and captions that accompany the images are sufficiently detailed, and while there are probably only a few new tidbits of information for fans already familiar with Avatar's development, the creators' love and excitement for their work is obvious.

As others have mentioned in their reviews, the only real flaw is that it isn't even longer! Don't get me wrong -- there's a lot in here, but we can't help wishing for even more. Fans of the show may also, at times, notice a stronger emphasis on settings rather than characters; while there is a wealth of content about the main characters, some major secondary characters that are audience favorites receive less attention than some one-episode characters. Despite this, however, it's a great purchase, a great quality book (both in printing and content), and would make an excellent gift for any "Avatar: The Last Airbender" fan. ... Read more

Editorial Review

So, you know, you know how Ena has a stuffed bear named Juliet? She's so pretty, and Ena makes dresses for her and stuff, and Yotsuba really wants one too! So Daddy took Yotsuba to the bear store! They have big bears, and little bears, and all kinds of bears! You have to hug 'em to find out which one's the bestest! But they're...all...so...cute! Does Yotsuba really have to pick just one?! ... Read more

Reviews

Hot Air Balloons... Korean BBQ... Teddy Bears~, December 15, 2010
Yotsuba continues her cute adventures of discovery in this, the ninth volume of Yotsuba&.

Here we start off with a rare bit of cattiness from Yotsuba's next door neighbor Ena, who doesn't like Yotsuba renaming her Teddy bears without permission... ah! So cute, her angry face~. This, of course, leads to Kowai-san taking Yotsuba to the mall (and subsequently a t-bear shoppe). As mentioned above, other story lines involve going to a Korean BBQ with Jumbo and Yanda (whom, while still hostile, Yotsuba seems to slowly be getting used to) and a day trip with the Ayase girls and Torako to a hot air balloon festival.

Little touches in one or two panels push things over the edge of greatness into perfection territory... such as the running gag concerning Yotsuba trying to get Fuka coffee, Asagi's glee at Yotsuba's clumsiness at play, and (my personal favorite) Fuka overhearing the Kowai's early morning Boxerman routine.

The art is the standard Azuma (author of Azumanga Daioh) greatness... though I do note that Torako isn't as exotic looking as normal. She usually has more dynamic poses... while she's not drawn as energetic as Asagi (who is often prone to very dramatic posing), she's just, well... not as COOL as she has been in previous entries. Maybe that's intentional, as she gets more used to life interacting with the entire Ayase clan and the Kowais (Yotsuba especially).

In the end, volume 9 is just as fun and cute as everything that has come before (barring last volume's typhoon chase down the street... first Yotsuba, then blank, then Asagi = gold!). I feel for Fuka as she studies for her entrance exams, and enjoy Jumbo's petty jealousies over Asagi when Yanda mentions her attractiveness. Yotsuba&, as always, is a lovely slice of life with a goofy kid in the center of it all, living and learning in her perpetual state of wonder.

I recommend a definite buy/read to all... this is manga at its best. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for T+ audiences. The Night Class at Cross Academy has been abolished. Zero still attends the Day Class while carrying out his duties as a vampire hunter. Yuki now lives hidden away at the Kuran residence with Kaname, but can she embrace the life of a pureblood vampire? ... Read more

Reviews

Yuki and Kaname with a side of Zero, December 2, 2010
I adore this series, and if you haven't, go watch the anime, while slightly different it's still amazing to watch my favorite characters come to life.

Unlike the last volume we get a little more of a story, though there isn't much action in the way of violence or fighting. This story takes place over the course of a year. In the beginning we see Kaname escort Yuki to their childhood home, and explaining how tainted his hands have become over the years, killing and winning the freedom to protect Yuki at all costs. The senate is gone and while most of the younger generation support Kaname's takeover not all vampires are sure that still having a pureblood reigning over them is a good thing. The story flashes to a year forward with Yuki still secluded at the Kuran residence and unable to fully satisfy her thirst. You see for purebloods the thirst can only be satisfied by the one you love. While Kaname is good with only Yuki's blood, half of Yuki's heart belongs to Zero still and so only half her thirst is quenched.

I really wish we could have seen more interaction between Yuki and Kaname, I adore him and though I like Zero, I was a Kaname fan from the first volume. Zero is rising in the Hunter's ranks, though his blood lust isn't under complete control. The school is still open, but most of the students had their memories erased and the Night Class no longer is there. The volume ends with the beginning of a Soiree, something to show that both the hunters and the vampires can be amiable, but how many of the vampires will show up to support Kaname? And what about Zero's promise to kill Yuki the next time he sees her? I can't wait for the next volume, and don't quote me (it's been a year) but I'm pretty sure that this isn't in the anime, I hope that they have a third season to continue with it, but I just remember watching Kaname and Yuki going off together while Yuki makes the promise that she'll run forever from Zero to ensure he has something to live for. Volume 12 isn't shown yet on Amazon but any details would be welcome!

Nice., December 6, 2010
Good condition. It was received on time like it said it would and I continue to purchase my manga here on amazon. ... Read more

Editorial Review

A raised eyebrow, a curled lip, a wink of the eye. All it takes is a single clever stroke of the G-pen to instantly change a manga character's mood from one extreme to the other: glad to sad, sassy to shy, angry to embarrassed. Illustrator Saori Takarai presents original pencil sketches alongside her finished full-color drawings to show just how the transformations take place. In addition, each of the facial expressions is labeled with the Japanese word for the mood being depicted, along with common Japanese conversational phrases and English translations, making this delightful book a great gift for aspiring artists, language enthusiasts and manga fans alike. ... Read more

Reviews

A "so Kawaii" book!, October 20, 2007
This is one book that I have been dying to get my hands on for a very long time, but only managed to do so recently.

I was a little surprised when I got the book. Firstly, the book was way smaller than I expected (pocket size), and secondly, I had not really expected it to be a "gift book" kind of book.

Nonetheless, "Manga moods" is colorful and charming is its own ways. There are 40 different kinds of moods, from the standard happy and angry to others like coy, doubtful or malicious. The illustrations are all very cute and manga-like, and the portrayals of the moods are very lively and well executed. In fact, although this isn't a "how to draw manga" kind of book, someone interested in drawing manga (like I do) may have well picked up a pointer or two from the book on drawing different moods from the illustrations (such as movement of eyebrows, shapes of mouth and eyes, and so forth).

In addition, there are two Japanese phrases (with English equivalents) accompanying each mood, which I personally find useful for simple use in my own crappy works. The hiragana chart at the end of the book is a bonus, though not necessarily very essential for those who already have a basic understanding of Japanese. My only gripe is that the Japanese phrases are written in romanji. For me, it would have been better if the original Japanese text were included as well! But then again, this is more of a "gift book" meant to be read for enjoyment rather than for serious learning.

Overall, "Manga moods" has a very clean and sweet feel to it, and to me, it is a refreshing way of looking at the various moods and expressions the book has to offer. Definitely a cute book to have!

The epitome of cute., June 14, 2007
This is one of the cutest things I've seen in my life. If you don't like cute stuff (and if so, shame on you), this is still a great resource of facial expressions for manga females in a style similar to titles like Negima or Pita-Ten. The pocket sized nature of it makes it a great book to carry along with you on trips when you may feel like breaking out the sketch book and need a reference for a certain emotion.

Also included with each emotion is the Japanese word for that emotion and two Japanese to English phrases. Not especially useful, honestly, but it's a fun addition.

Adorable, April 6, 2010
I bought this for my 12 year old niece. She loves the shoujo style, clamp-esque type anime art (so does auntie for that matter!) and she's just learning to draw and for 12 is showing a real talent for it, so I've been wanting to help and encourage it now while she's so young. As an artist myself, I've been teaching her and this book was wonderful for demonstrating the different emotions you can do with a face with minimal lines and strokes. Out of all the myriad of books I've bought for her (How to Draw Manga, Manga for Dummies, etc...) this so far has been her absolute favorite. I flipped through it and gave it a good look over before I gave it to her and as a tool and guide for beginners I give it 5 stars. It's small, it's convenient, and for kids/beginners handy as heck. The only disadvantage, because of it's size, unless you break the spine, it will not lay open for reference while someone is drawing. But that is minor and not worth losing a star over. I doubt a 12 year old will even notice that little detail, she loved it just as is. :)

Cute and Simple, February 10, 2010
I bought this book as a gift for my daughter. The book shows different "faces" of moods relating to Manga. It is not a -How to Draw- book. It is more of an inspirational book for you to create your own drawing with ideas of how the expression should be formed to relay the emotion. She loves the Japanese translation that is included. Overall she enjoys this book a lot. It is pocket sized as other reviewers have commented, making it easy and light for taking back and forth to school.

Love Japanese Art, May 30, 2009
I just bought this book and as soon as i got it, i review the whole book. I'm so facinated with its content and the Japanese words are romanized and it includes the Kanji which i love so much. I highly recommend this small but joyfull Manga book about Moods. I am so "Manzoku" LOL ... Read more

Editorial Review

Ravenpaw and Barley helped their friends in ThunderClan defeat the vicious BloodClan cats in Twolegplace. Now they're ready to fight to reclaim their home on the farm. Firestar has promised to send a warrior patrol to assist them, but Ravenpaw worries that it won't be enough to chase out the invaders. He knows that he must find his courage and fight like a warrior—or lose his home forever.

Reviews

this warriors book..., August 18, 2010
All of the Warriors raphic novels are pretty good. Here is my list of best to worst:
-Tigerstar & Sasha 1- Into the Woods
-Graystripe's Adventure 1- The Lost Warrior
-Graystripe's Adventure 2- Warriors' Refuge
-Tigerstar and Sasha 3- Return to the Clans
-Graystripe's Adventure 3- Warrior's Return
-Single manga- The Rise of Scourge
-Bluestar's Prophecy comic strip
-SkyClan's Destiny comic strip
-Tigerstar and Sasha 2- Escape from the Forest.

Then this series came along. I was very impressed by the whole series of Ravenpaw's Path for the manga books. It was very well done, from the art to the storyline. The problems with boring manga, such as Escape from the Forest, or Toklo's Story (Seekers manga #1, because I'm an avid fan of Seekers) is that they have too little storyline (and are overpriced) and they have too many ads at the back of teh book. But all 3 of these books were good. I did hear a rumor that Firestar loses a life in this manga series, but the rumor was false. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Flock members are taken under the wing of an FBI agent and try to live "normal" lives by going to school, making friends--and continuing their relentless search for their parents. But the Erasers return, forcing the Flock to abandon their search and make their escape once again. It's also becoming more obvious to Max that her destiny is to save the world, and this is especially challenging to do when she is faced with her ultimate match: a newer and better version of herself, Maximum Ride II. ... Read more

Reviews

Iggy lovers will adore it!, August 26, 2010
Another great installment of the Maximum Ride manga series. I would definitely recommend it.

(SPOILER ALERT!!!) Max begins to think she may be turning into an Eraser and questions what exactly her feelings towards Fang are. In pursuit of the flock's parents, Iggy describes his disquiet from not finding his parents through the recent lead and how the disappointment is more so for him than for the rest of them. It's a very emotional part of the book and Iggy fans will absolutely LOVE it! I won't say any more about the book, only that it's a must-have for anyone who loves the series!

Yay!......wait WHAT!?, August 9, 2010
I was thrilled when this came out but sadly it splits up the book. It IS a must have if you like the series but warning: Here be cliffhangers *dramatic music*

Special needs, November 4, 2010
I have a special needs child who is at a 3rd grade reading level. By accident one day she picked up this book. An hour later I realized she was really into this book! Having the comic book layout helped her to stay interested. This is a great series! Not for young kids though (it has a few bad words). I am so excited for the 4th one she keeps asking for it!

I lOVE IT, October 6, 2010
I love this series and the artist is doing a good job on it also.
... Read more

Editorial Review

The shocking last storyline leading up to the issue #50 series finale! Mayor Hundred must navigate the most challenging hot-button issue of his career, while a powerful new archenemy reveals a terrifying plan that's been in the works since the very first issue of EX MACHINA!
�
Will Mitchell Hundred's new archenemy, a dogged reporter with powers far beyond those of the Great Machine, finally bring down the mayor's administration? Will the tragedies that Mayor Hundred warned about in the very first issue finally come to pass? ... Read more

Reviews

Fade to Black, December 12, 2010
Mitchell Hundred, aka the Great Machine, is coming to the end of his final term as Mayor of New York City and a former reporter turned evil supervillain thanks to an accident similar to Hundred's which turned him into the Great Machine, is threatening to turn the city into a death zone with her powers. It's up to Hundred to stop the villain, restore the city to peace, and set things up for his successor so that New York continues to have a mayor and a hero with a eye to civic duty.

Brian Vaughan is probably one of the best living comics writers working today. Not only did he create a fantastic series with Pia Guerra in "Y: The Last Man" but he followed it up with an equally original and brilliant series in "Ex Machina". This final part is no less than the best work Vaughan has done so far.

For those expecting a pat final chapter where everything gets wrapped up neatly? Wow, they are in for a shock. I can honestly say the final part is so utterly shocking that it made me reevaluate not just the series as a whole but the character of Hundred entirely. Vaughan does this through a short "years after" approach to where the main story arc ended in 2005. We see what Hundred does in 2006, 2007, and ends in 2008. It's very ballsy to end a long running series the way Vaughan does but fits in with the way he's written it so far - never predictable, always thought provoking, and original.

Ex Machina has been a fantastic series and I'm sad to see it end. Then again I'm excited to see what new series Brian Vaughan will start writing next. But for those fans nervous that the final chapter to this excellent comic book is a let down? Don't be, it's tremendous. Check it out.

Let down by the cynicism!, December 22, 2010
I have to respectfully disaggree with the bulk of the reviews here. Ex Machina (like Y-the last man was for the majority of its run) has been a fun ride up 'til now. At turns a civics lesson in post 9/11 alternate universe politics, at turns "go old retro, strap a jet pack to his back and away we go!" (but with a dollap of "Greatest American Hero", thrown in for good measure, just to sprinkle all the intrigue with). It's been a quircky, left of center, comic hard to pin down to any one particular genre.

It was a unique book, with a truly unique voice, and I'm glad I stuck through for the ride! If nothing else, I'm glad I got to read that panel, where, in planning for a memorial for the fallen Trade Center Tower (in this reality, only one of the two towers fell) they reveal the plans for the building and it's... another tower. Something inside me just cried "YES! That'll teach the S.O.B.'s"

But my problem comes in with the last two or three pages (this is the same sort of problem I had with Y-the last man, mind you. "Loved the book, hated the ending." In the film adaptation, I would demand liscence to change the ending, or find another director). There is this "cynical" point of view Brian K. Vaughn seems to have regarding the endings of his stories. He sets the premise up, puts the hero through all sorts of obstacles to reach his goal, and in the end... doesn't reach them. Or only reaches them by cheating. Or changes the character so that the thing that they wanted, is no longer palatable. Whatever.

If I want a cynical world view, all I gotta do is look in the mirror. I turn to fiction to believe in something better (however briefly) is possible. Because THAT'S the world I want to live in. Not this world of compromise and diminshed expectations.

The ending to Ex Machina (and Y-the last man) make me feel foolish for daring to dream. Which is about the worst thing I can say about a book. But as I say, the ride has been enjoyable up 'til now (specifically, the last three "controversial, shocking, you won't believe it even after you read it cause you never saw it coming pages).

Just slap another ending on the film adaptation and we're good to go! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Graystripe-the ThunderClan deputy-has been captured by Twolegs! He longs to go home to the forest and his Clan, and when he meets a feisty kittypet named Millie, she encourages him to search for his lost friends. But with the forest destroyed, and no clear path left to lead him, how will Graystripe find ThunderClan?

Ages: 8 - 12

Reviews

Comic Book Format, April 17, 2010
This book was interesting because it brought to life with pictures some of the characters of the cats. Being able to visualize the expressions of the cats put the story into greater perspective. I would , however, rather have known that this was not the regular book format before I bought it. Putting the Warrior cats into comic book mode was a clever idea and appealing to children who don't like to read. Great book for finding out what happened to Greystripe after he was captured and how Millie came to join the clan.

Warriors, December 23, 2009
My daughter is 11 and addicted to this series, I never could have imagined my daughter reading instead of tv and games, I am soooooo thankfull for this series, there are currently 30 books, so I know she will be reading for a bit

Great Books, February 1, 2010
I bought these books for my 12 yr old daughter and she LOVES them. Great series for that age and keeps them reading!

warriors books, January 7, 2010
my daughter is an avid Warriors fan, and is reading the whole series. She enjoyed reading these, even on Christmas day with all the other presents and snow around.

Disappointing, August 24, 2010
I would have loved to read about Graystripe after he left the woods, but NOT IN CARTOON FORM!! This is such a shame to do this to such a great series!! Boo on you Erin. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride knows what it's like to soar above the world. She and all the members of her "flock" - Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel - are just like ordinary kids, except they have wings and can fly! It may seem like a dream come true to some, but for the flock it's more like a living nightmare. When the mysterious lab known as the "School" turns up and kidnaps their youngest member, it's up to Max to organize a rescue, but will help come in time? ... Read more

Reviews

Beautiful stuff, but short on storyline..., February 17, 2009
First of all, this is the first time that I got exposed to the story of Max and her "kin," so I am not familiar with the book series, but I have to say, this manga adaptation got me interested into looking at the whole series.

The manga is only 7 chapters long, and the whole book can be read in an hour or even less. That is the bad part because the next volume is scheduled on October 2009.

The good part is that the artwork of NaRae Lee is just breathtakingly beautiful. Sure the style is familiar, but the way she created each page along with the panels and pacing of the story is just great. I had to keep my eye a few minutes after reading each page just to enjoy the artwork further. The storyline of Maximum Ride is very western in style, but NaRae Lee was able to create a scene where the whole thing seems original and unique because of her style.

If you enjoy manga, do give this a chance. The story is intriguing but a bit predictable, but then its not so bad. The only real bad thing about this waiting for October for the next volume of the book.

If you haven't read the series, don't start w/ this., January 10, 2010
I've always been a big Maximum Ride fan, and was excited to read a Manga that actually re-accounted the book. The artwork is very good, however I did picture some of the characters a little different then it was drawn. The book just mainly covers the main plot. It's a very fast pace book, and if you haven't read Maximum Ride before, I don't recommend to start reading it from these books. Even reading the books I was glad to have some background knowledge on how the books were in order to get the plot. I can't believe how lost someone who has no knowledge of the series would get lost. I understand that this is a Manga book, so only so much plot can be put into this. However, back to the artwork, and the characters. Max is what - 14? and yet she could pass for twenty, and I'm not so happy with the way Fang came out. I never, pictured him with long hair that goes down almost to his feet, and I feel like his character is portrayed wrongly in the Manga. Don't get me started on Nudge she's what - 11 and she looks like she's 17 in the book with her big boobs.

Personally, if you haven't read the Maximum Ride series before, don't start with these. The artwork is good, minus the fact that the characters don't seem to be right to me. I expected more from this. I was finally excited to actually get a Manga book for one of my favorite books, but it wasn't what I thought.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too, March 30, 2009
With beautiful illustrations by NaRae Lee, this adaptation of James Patterson's characters takes on a new and exciting life.

Fans of the Patterson series featuring Maximum Ride, the genetically manipulated bird girl and her family, are in for a treat with this Manga edition. Taking the adventures from the pages of his books, NaRae Lee brings the story alive with action and adventure.

Maximum and the other five bird children have been left alone for the past few years in a remote cabin in the middle of nowhere. They believe Jeb, their "father," is dead, so they've been left to fend for themselves. But the night Angel, the youngest of the six children, gets taken by the Erasers, the remaining five know they have to go and
rescue her.

She has most likely been taken back to the "School." The "School" is the most horrible place to the children and somewhere they never wanted to have to return. But they have to go for Angel; she's one of their own.

The children head out on a daring rescue attempt to save Angel. They encounter more Erasers and other hardships along the way. But not everyone is out to harm the special bird children. Max finds a friend in the most unlikely place. And when they finally reach Angel, the biggest surprise of all is waiting for the children.

To discover how the story plays out, pick up MAXIMUM RIDE: THE MANGA, VOL. 1. The pages will seemingly turn on their own accord. With little dialogue and mostly action, the story will appeal to almost all age groups.

If you haven't read the stories that the Manga is based upon, have no fear. The story is easy to follow, and before you know it, you'll be hooked and eager for Vol. 2!

Reviewed by: Jaglvr

FrEaKiNg AwEsOmE, November 13, 2009
i just looooved this book! it follows the original plot fairly closely, and the artworkwas just fabulous! <3ed this book soooooooooooo much!

great Maximum Ride graphic novel!, March 25, 2009
this graphic novel is awesome! it follows the first part of The Angel Experiment, without leaving out any major details, and does it all with stunning visuals! the artist is talented and understands the story well. the characters' hair and wings are well drawn (my only complaint is, why is Fang's hair so long? it should be more like Iggy's , just black). the drawings bring the story and characters to life. hey, if the movie turns out to be crap, at least we fans have these beautiful graphic novels to enjoy.

i loved this first volume, and can't wait until Volume 2!!! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Having recovered Angel, Max and the flock head to New York City to pursue a lead regarding their true identities. But where the flock goes, erasers are sure to follow! Even more troubling, though, is the voice that's begun whispering in Max's head. Is it really her destiny to save the world? ... Read more

Reviews

Fang, October 20, 2009
This volume, like the first, was awesome! It kept me entertained I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. I've read the novels and really liked them, but it's nice to be able to put faces to the text.

As good as #1, February 24, 2010
Loved this one too. Just noticed that #3 is out. Putting it on the wish list. Guessing there is no end to this.

Love it :3, January 27, 2010
received this couple months ago.
but heck
it never fails to impress me!!
by the way volume 1 and 2 equals the first book of maximum ride series
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment

Great read! Great book!, November 10, 2009
This is a great book if you love Maximum Ride and manga! It's even pretty good if you just love manga. The pictures are excellent. It dosen't go into details that much, but you get the picture! I, in fact, liked it a tiny bit better than the first one. I loved when the flock got their makeovers! I read the whole thing without putting the book down in two hours. I mean, it's not a super-fast read, I just read Maximum Ride really fast! If you're a beginer at manga (like my daughter) then you could use this book for some examples of facial expressions and anatomy and stuff like that. So, anyway, it'a a great book!

Love the book, April 29, 2010
My son really likes this Manga book. (and volume one also) He's 15, if that helps anyone to know. I didn't hear any complaints and he is waiting for the 3rd volume to come out now.

:), March 20, 2010
Very great book. It arrived in great condition and in good time. I'm very pleased.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too, January 1, 2010
The kids have escaped their cages from Vol. 1 and are hiding out, trying to recover. They've saved Angel and are all together once again. But soon Max starts to have bizarre headaches and a voice convinces her that they all need to head to New York City to find the Institute of Higher Living.

The children reach NYC and are amazed at the city spread before them. The voice inside Max's head encourages her to experience some fun. What that means, she doesn't know, but she follows the voice's direction. The kids find themselves on a bus stopping in front of a toy store. While in the store, they learn of a new power Angel has acquired: she's able to manipulate people with her thoughts.

But no matter where the kids go, the Erasers always seem to find them. They can't seem to get a decent night's rest, nor a good meal. Cops even force them out of the high tree branches in Central Park, alerting them to the fact that the signs say no climbing the trees.

When they finally discover the Institute, what they find inside is beyond surprising. The discovery creates more questions than it answered. With clues in their hands, the kids head off to learn their beginnings....in Vol. 3.

The artwork and storytelling in Vol. 2 is just as appealing and beautiful as was found in the first volume. And as with the first work, readers do not have to know the full story to understand the action that is going on. The graphics do a wonderful job of revealing the plot and the action at just the right pace.

Anticipation is already building for their next adventure in Washington, DC.

Reviewed by: Jaglvr

AWESOME!, December 28, 2009
I love this manga.
It's so funny and filled with action.
I ADORE Fang's new haircut.
I was kinda pissed on how his hair was in the first manga.
But I knew that NaRae Lee was going to change that, she had to.
Anywho.... It's AMAZINGLY AWESOME!

I prefer the traditional text better, October 12, 2009
I have read the traditional text version and this graphic format version of this book. I'm not a fan of graphic format, so my bias is evident in my reaction to the graphic format. However, even after having said that, I know there will be reluctant readers out there who will really prefer the graphic format to the longish traditional text. It would be good to have both versions available. The graphic version made me think of a short black and white movie that gave the highlights. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for T audiences. As the five leaders of the stronges villages in the ninja world meet to discuss the fate of their universe - and how to deal with the ever-looming threat of the rogue organization, the Akatsuki - plan are made that will affect Naruto deeply. The new Hokage, leader of Naruto's village, is not afraid to make the final end move against Naruto's old pal, Sasuke! ... Read more

Reviews

I liked this arc, December 11, 2010
I thought this arc was good and not as bad as what the other review made it out to be. I read worst arc in Naruto and this is not it. Seeing the other Kages is interesting. Also, Sasuke gets in the spotlight again and if you like sasuke then this is good. Yes it is slow at parts and also boring, but i sitll find the overall volume good. The parts that are slow/boring are necessary too because they have to come to a certain decision. Just read this online first and if you like it and want to buy it then go for it =].

The Worst Arc of Naruto, December 1, 2010
To all fans of Naruto, if you want to buy the next gripping book of Naruto... wait until volume 52 comes out.

The story arc that begins in this book is called the Kage Summit, and it goes on all the way to start of volume 52. This is arc is so bad that I actually quit the series until the arc ended. Thankfully, the series started getting better once this arc ended. I'll list the reasons why the arc is so bad below.

1.) In the last arc, Naruto went from an unpopular prankster, to the hero of the village. Many readers consider his fight in Volume 47 the best fight in the series. But in this arc... instead of focusing on further character development for Naruto, the author decides to humiliate him. First he willingly gets beaten by a ninja from another village because Naruto refuses to give up information on his former teammate (Sasuke). Next, he begs the leader of that same village to forgive his friend, and gets humiliated yet again. The humiliations that follow only get worse as the arc progresses.

2.) Naruto's teammate, Sasuke, gets to hog the spotlight again in this. Don't get me wrong, I once liked Sasuke, but he has gotten more annoying and evil in his quest for revenge. I won't say what happens to him in this arc, but in the end, Sasuke will not get any punishment for his actions in this arc.

3.) The special eye of Sasuke's clan, the sharingan, once again has another secret power later on, but this one is so ridiculous it strains belief.

4.) Naruto's other teammate, Sakura, has had good character development throughout the series. Until this arc. In this arc, she will slowly revert BACK to the character she once was.

While there are some interesting characters introduced in this arc, I once again strongly recommend that you wait until Volume 52 comes out to continue buying Naruto volumes. Because thankfully, things start getting exciting and more interesting from that point onwards! ... Read more