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We know the shadow by many names: alter ego, lower self, the dark twin, repressed self, id. Carl Jung once said that the shadow "is the person you would rather not be." But even if you choose to hide your dark side, it will still cast a shadow, according to author Debbie Ford. Rather than reject the seemingly undesirable parts of ourselves, Ford offers advice on how to confront our shadows. Only by owning every aspect of yourself can you achieve harmony and "let your own light shine," she explains. "The purpose of doing shadow work, is to become whole. To end our suffering. To stop hiding ourselves from ourselves. Once we do this we can stop hiding ourselves from the rest of the world."
As threatening as shadow work may seem, it is often very effective in creating transformation. Ford's step-by-step guidebook is modeled on a highly successful course she developed about embracing the shadow. Ultimately, she helps readers illuminate the gifts and strengths that lie within the shadows. Although this works sound vague, clouded in dark metaphors, Ford manages to make it clear and specific. She has the writing gifts of a successful seminar leader--inspirational, trustworthy, and able to convey murky material with grace and ease. --Gail Hudson
Book Description
Debbie Ford believes that we each hold within us a trace of every human characteristic that exists, the capacity for every human emotion. We are born with the ability to express this entire spectrum of characteristics. But, Ford points out, our families and our society send us strong messages about which ones are good and bad. So when certain impulses arise, we deny them instead of confronting them, giving them a healthy voice, then letting them go. It is to these feelings that Ford turns our attention, these parts of our selves that don't fit the personae we have created for the rest of the world. She shows us the effects of living in the dark, of keeping all our supposedly unsavory impulses under wraps. We find ourselves disproportionately frustrated and angry at the selfishness of friends, the laziness of colleagues, the arrogance of siblings. When we are unable to reconcile similar impulses in ourselves, Ford explains, we waste our own energy judging others instead of empathizing. But most important, we deny ourselves the power and freedom of living authentically. Through the stories and exercises in The Dark Side of the Light Chasers, Debbie Ford shows us not only how to recognize our hidden emotions, but also how to find the gifts they offer us. The very impulses we most fear may be the key to what is lacking in our lives.
Customer Reviews:
The Dark Side of the Light Chasers - Debbie Ford.......2007-05-26
This book will help you "find" yourself. A very useable aide in self-enlightenment. Does what it says it can.
WOW!.......2007-05-12
I've read hundreds of self help books. This one is straight forward, courageous and at times a bit brutal. I'll admit that sometimes she suggests things I didn't want to face in myself. I was especially taken with her open honesty about her prejudices, which she didn't believe she had. Out of all self-help books I've read, this is in my top 5 if you want to transform your life into something more whole and more powerful than anything you've known.
Applicable from the first page.......2007-01-18
This book is a very practical guide to accepting yourself rather than trying to change yourself. It is very user friendly and easy to read and understand. You can either use it as a "handbook" for how to be "whole" or as a way to enhance your qualities in your spritual life. It can easily be read several times. There are exercises to do that you may want to do immediately or return to when you have a different level of understanding of the book. I highly recommend it.
Life Changing!.......2007-01-03
If you were allowed only one self help book, this is the one. Start this book with an open mind if you want to change your life for the better.
So many of my questions were answered with this book. Be aware of the big mirror that will appear before you and embrace it. This book will peel away layers of feelings and emotions you never knew you had. Follow this book and your life will change. I've read a lot of books in my day and this one really digs deep and leads you to a more peaceful and calm life.
You will find the power of forgiveness is really huge.
THE BOOK TO END IGNORANCE AND SPREAD ENLIGHTENMENT.......2007-01-03
This is the most helpful book l have ever read in my life. lt should be mandatory reading for every human. lt will make you see who you really are, not judge others and also look at things from others perspectives, heal any parts that need to be healed, and make you a stronger, better person- all around. lts the first step toward enlightenment. lt will change your life. lt can change people. l wouldnt be who l am today if someone hadnt gave me this book. lt will make you an authentic person who takes pride in who you are. lts the tool for reaching well being, which is a euphoric feeling, and makes a perfect gift for anyone who is feeling any discontent with their life, theirself, or others. ld also recommend 'finding your own north star' by martha beck.
Book Description
When she was sixteen, Joanna Archer was brutally assaulted and left to die in the Nevada desert.
By rights, she should be dead.
Now a photographer by day, she prowls a different Las Vegas after sunset—a grim, secret Sin City where Light battles Shadow—seeking answers to whom or what she really is . . . and revenge for the horrors she was forced to endure.
But the nightmare is just beginning—for the demons are hunting Joanna, and the powerful shadows want her for their own . . .
Customer Reviews:
3.5 Stars - Very slow to start.......2007-09-27
Scent of Shadows really didn't catch me until the last third of the book. In fact I skimmed through the middle and probably wouldn't have even finished it at all if I didn't already have the second book. The last third was good enough though that I gave it the extra half star.
I think that the problem was, that Joanna really starts out as a prickly wraith, dead inside and just moving through life and poking holes in anyone who tries to get close to her. Determined to turn herself into a weapon after being attacked and nearly killed when she was sixteen, she now prowls the streets making herself bait so that she can indulge the darkness inside her by taking out her wouldbe attackers. While the author was successful in portraying the bleakness of Joanna's existence, it didn't make Joanna very likeable. When Joanne meets up with Ben her childhood sweetheart, and rekindles the spark that has always blazed between them things started to perk up, but then her life takes a traumatic turn. Losing people she loves, one in a way even more permanent than death, her old life is such as it was is exchanged for a new one. In this life she can no longer be herself and she is surrounded by jealously, fear and distrust. This doesn't make for a very fun read. I realise that most of this time was setting up the world where superheroes are real and we were getting to know Joanna's new colleagues, but not being engaged with Joanna made this part of the books just something to just get through.
The last third of the book though, really showed a glimmer of what this series could be. Treachery and evil plots are exposed, and there are a couple good battles. Also we get a neat peak into Hunter, one of the more interesting side characters in the book.
I don't know that I would recommend going out and buying this book new, but if you are desperate for something a little different - a paranormal dark fantasy with no vampires - you might want to pick this up if you see it at a garage sale or book store.
Good Writing, Awful Story.......2007-09-19
If you include the truly awful title, The Scent of Shadows, is a pretty lame story about a girl with mysterious powers who comes into her own, after nearly being killed by the bad guys who can smell her psychically or some such hogwash. This was excessively violent and I completely lost interest when the heroine stops by a comic shop to do 'research'. I've done tons of research in my life, and none of it was gleaned from comic books. My recommendation is, don't bother with this. There are plenty of good books, or even just better books out there and you don't need to use of precious seconds of your life with this drek. I only give it two stars because the writing was good. Plot and storyline were ludicrous, even for fantasy--or whatever you call this stuff.
Nice change of pace.......2007-09-17
There's a lot going on in the novel and the pacing is fantastic - I never felt exasperated or frustrated either by the rules of the universe or the amount of work on the main character's plate. It's also nice to see a female lead in paranormal fiction who's not a sexually-focused caricature. I'll definitely be picking up the rest of the series.
great book!.......2007-09-12
What a great read! Good characters, well thought out background and plots. I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a long time.
Scent of Shadows.......2007-08-25
We met Vicki Pettersson at her book signing at the book store in McCarron airport in Las Vegas in July, 2007. She is so charming and beautiful - especially in her photograph with me - that we had to buy the first book. I was mesmerized by the thoughts which she put on paper. I really didn't expect such a clever tome. As soon as I finished the first book, I ordered the second one, which I just finished. I think this is a terrific series, and wouldn't be suprised to see it on The big screen. I'm an M.D., and usually read medical works, which are just slightly less intense than these books! Put me on the list for the future ones...
Book Description
A bestselling author shows how we can reclaim and make peace with the "shadow" side of our personality.
Customer Reviews:
I couldn't quite understand this book.......2007-08-24
I couldn't quite understand this book maybe because it was too dark. Maybe someday down the road I will re-read this book again and get some understanding out of it but as for today I cannot make heads or tails of it.
A little book with a big message.......2007-06-27
Most reference books are large. This one, even with all of the information packed inside, is instead, rather small. In doing the work of owning your own shadow, "what is the purpose of my life?" is a question that can be discovered. Paired with Johnson's "Innerwork," readers can learn to be in touch with and find meaning in the deeper regions of the psyche. To be able to map out a life for oneself amidst the rushing pace and excrement of the sewer that can pass for as life can offer hope to readers who want more as we begin excavating the gold in our own shadows.
A lot of padding.......2007-06-27
I found this book over simplistic. I don't know who Robert Johnson is writing for but from this book I would guess it was for those with learning difficulties. He repeats his points over and over again, basically I think the actual content of this book could be covered in a 5 pages rather than 118. I guess he does have to spread out the plugs he gives for his other books.
Promotes Acceptance, a Bit Too Long.......2007-06-07
I liked the principle that when I grow fast or experience great excitement, some part of me may experience a rebound. It gave a context for looking more fully at some of my patterns. However, the more I live in acceptance of whatever I experience without making an identify for myself out of it, the less this applies. And, the "rebound" is not an unavoidable part of anything good.
A simple and basic explanation of the shadow.......2006-12-01
This book is a fairly light read at 118 pages and serves as a good general outline of the concept of shadow. The brevity of it is one of its strengths because you finish it quickly and are not intimidated to re-read it if you felt like you missed something. I found myself going back to fill in the gaps of my preliminary reading and caught many more missed insights than I had expected. Brief, but chocked full of gold.
Average customer rating:
- Promising Start to Spin-Off Series; Light & Exciting
- flawed
- Maybe better than Blood
- Tony Foster's Series
- Quite a Good bedtime Read
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Smoke and Shadows (The Smoke Trilogy, Book 1)
Tanya Huff
Manufacturer: DAW
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Smoke and Mirrors (The Smoke Trilogy, Book 2)
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The Blood Books, Vol. 1 (Blood Price / Blood Trail)
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The Blood Books, Vol. 2 (Blood Lines / Blood Pact)
ASIN: 0756402638 |
Book Description
Tony, a former street kid, is now a production assistant on a TV series about a vampire detective. But the special effects wizard is actually a real wizard who's come from another dimension-along with a dangerous foe. And Tony will definitely need the help of vampire Henry Fitzroy if he, his friend-and the world-are going to stand any chance of surviving this invasion.
Download Description
In 1991, a new series soared into the fantasy firmament with the publication of Blood Price, the first novel in Tanya Huff's acclaimed five-volume masterwork, which followed the exploits of Vicki Nelson, private investigator, and vampire Henry Fitzroy.
Together, Vicki and Henry faced and survived perils ranging from demons, werewolves, and mummies to zombies and restless spirits crying out for revenge. In their trials they were aided-willingly or not-by an assortment of allies. Among these allies was a street kid named Tony Foster. Claimed by Vicki as a reliable snitch and by Henry as "one of his own," Tony found himself rescued from his dead-end existence and given a chance for a better life.
Relocating to Vancouver with Henry, and forced to get his act together, Tony embarked on a career in Vancouver's burgeoning TV industry, landing a job as a production assistant at CB Productions. In an example of art echoing life, the syndicated TV series Tony worked for was "Darkest Night," a show about the adventures of a vampire detective.
Except for his unrequited crush on the show's handsome costar, Lee Nicholas, Tony was pretty content, at least until the day everything started to fall apart on the set. It began with shadows-shadows that seemed to be where shadows didn't belong, shadows that almost seem to have an existence of their own....
Tony tried to ignore it, to tell himself it was all in his imagination-until he found Nikki Waugh's body... and felt the shadow's touch....
And when shadow appeared to cast its claim on Lee, and a crash stunt went wrong for no discernible reason, Tony could no longer ignore what was happening. He had to find out what was threatening everyone on the "Darkest Night" set. And, of course, he needed Henry's help.
It wasn't long before the trail left to CB Productions own special effects wizard, Arra Pelindrake-and a frightening explanation which only a young man with Tony's unique background could accept. But knowing what he faced was only half the battle-finding a way to survive the unsurvivable, and defeat the undefeatable-that was the real challenge!
Customer Reviews:
Promising Start to Spin-Off Series; Light & Exciting.......2007-04-03
_Smoke and Shadows_ is a spin-off of an established paranormal mystery series based around the adventures encountered by nearly-blind private eye (metaphor?) Vickie Nelson after she meets vampire Henry Fitzroy. Those who like to mix a little television with their reading might recognize these as the inspiration of new Lifetime series, _Blood Ties_. Those who like to mix a little television with their reading might _also_ very much appreciate the direction that Huff has gone with her new books. Protagonist Tony Foster, a former street kid, is now a television production assistant on a vampire detective series, and his job feeds into much of this book's humor and interest. Not that reading about Vickie wasn't fun, but Tony breathes new life into this increasingly popular genre. Drawn into the mysteries rather than seeking them out, he reads like a very real, natural person in very unnatural situations. The occasional interaction with Henry adds nice nostalgia, as well as a few new layers, but, truly, Tony is the star of this show. The book has a light touch and a tongue-in-cheek approach that doesn't soften the edges of its brief episodes of true horror.
Oh, and some readers may need to be warned: Tony is gay, actively gay, and Tanya Huff treats his romance life as naturally as she would any straight character's. If for some reason the idea of two men being attracted to one another is offensive to you, you'd better settle down with a different book. Quite rightly, in my opinion, this one doesn't flinch.
flawed.......2007-03-28
It is not easy to fathom what exactly is wrong with this novel.
Some reviewers complained about the constant pop culture references, unintelligible unless you have watched a lot of TV, but this is just a minor point: people who do not watch television often may miss the full edge of the puns, but they will still understand that they are faced with a pun.
Other reviewers seem to be complaining about the explicit slash content, the main character, Tony, being explicitly gay. To those I can only say:"Grow up!"
Nobody has to agree perforce to homosexuality in the fiction one reads, but if one does not, it would be best to simply say so, not making excuses. After all gay readers, up to a couple of years ago, had to relate perforce to straight characters only. I make a point of always saying if a book I read has gay content so that those unwilling to face it can skip it.
Back to the book.
Characters are likeable, a little sketchy, but this being an entertainment series one supposes they will get more depth along the way. One supposes, but still a little more depth... more attention to Tony's heartaches for example, to Henry's scruples?
The TV setting is allright, full of possibilities and potential.
In my opinion it is the script which sucks (hey, read a couple of Tony's lines and you will slang yourself silly before you realise it).
Whole paragraphs at a time are unfinished, clumsy. This makes the reading more difficult, less enjoyable, slow. You do not want slow when reading fantasy, unless it is gorgeous writing.
There being many other paragraphs perfectly good one has to suppose a lack of concentration, hurry or both.
Ms Huff is a successful writer. How many children -if any of course- does she have to send to college that she cannot take more time to spend on reviewing?
Maybe better than Blood.......2007-03-13
This is an excellent series. I'd almost say that it was better than the Blood Books, except that the background laid down there makes me appreciate even more the continuation of the Henry/Tony storyline. I cannot tell y'all what a relief it is to get away from Vicki, and how cool it is to get to hang out with Henry and Tony without Vicki's histrionics, foul temper and all-consuming control-freakiness.
Henry Fitzroy is the most compelling character in vampire fiction today, and Tony was always my second-favorite character from the Blood Books. The series starts off well, and gets better with each volume. Tony's emergence as a wizard puts him on a more level field with Henry - metaphysically, at least. Happily, they are still the same people inside, and their friendship/relationship tensions are poignant and endearing. Oh, right - and they're saving the world. Watching each of them evolve is a great deal of fun. From Tony's POV of everyday magic for the real world to Henry's struggle to bridge the supernatural and the ordinary worlds, I loved every minute of it. I hope Huff has more in the works for these two, cause I'm addicted.
Tony Foster's Series.......2007-02-08
Those of us who read and enjoyed the "Blood" books involving Vickie Nelson. are going to be pleased to meet up again with Henry Fitzroy and Tony Foster. On one hand while I think this book stands on its own, on the other it would help to have read the prior series.
Also those of us who have watched the syndicated television show about the vampire police detective, Forever Knight-- shot in Canada and quite possibly the most popular syndicated vampire detective show in North America-- will get a chuckle out of some of the trappings of the story including the reference to flashbacks in the show.
In this opening salvo of Tanya Huff's new series, Tony becomes involved in a web of unfamiliar magics as he starts to come of age as a hero while still being drawn to the comfort of his old relationship with Henry but stepping out into the world beyond Henry's total control.
This book is likely to have an appeal to younger readers. In the way of a lot of North American books the sex is not explicit, but the violence is.
Quite a Good bedtime Read.......2006-03-18
I mainly knew Huff from her earlier fantasy series, so when I saw this title in one of my book runs, I picked it up. Since my life proves hectic, I hunker down with my chosen book(s) before I pass out.
Well, this book accompanied me to work for lunch since the main character completely enchanted me.
Tony's character is compelling and endearingly real. I loved his internal dialog, his frustrations and self-doubts.
What kept this book from a 5 was, and this is hilarious, how many times Huff used the word "snorted" to describe a character's reponse. At times I wondered who she knew that snorted so much. I doubt if I snort erm, once a day?
Plus Huff does not understand how to have characters use an, shall I say, universal POV. Her characters almost speak in the first person, as in you are not privy to another character's thoughts, just their reactions to the character de jour. She cannot handle more than one character at a time.
But, since Huff created a clever plot, I can recommend this as a fun read and I have already purchased the next Tony Foster book. I am curious to see how the proudly gay young man fares against his next supernatural challenge.
Average customer rating:
- The worst book I've ever read
- Thrilling trilogy
- Big Fan of Feist, but not so much of the series
- Great series
- Great start to a new saga
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Shadow of a Dark Queen (The Serpentwar Saga, Book 1)
Raymond E. Feist
Manufacturer: Eos
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Prince of the Blood, 15th Anniversary Edition
ASIN: 0380720868 |
Book Description
A dread darkness is descending upon a great land called Midkemia—a powerful and malevolent race of monsters that has slipped through a hole in the dimensions. And two unlikely young heroes—a bastard heir denied his birthright and an irrepressible scoundrel with a penchant for thievery—must take up arms in the struggle to protect their besieged world...two friends chosen by Destiny to stand at the fore of the battle that is to come against the gargantuan reptile army of the terrible Emerald Queen.
Customer Reviews:
The worst book I've ever read.......2007-05-22
If I could, I'd give it negative 5 stars. Definitely the worst book I've ever read. Couldn't continue at all after chapter 3. Why? The main characters are so pathetic and hatable.
Thrilling trilogy.......2007-04-11
This trilogy is very well written. Maybe not as good as the first, but still a very entertaining read. It let's the reader follow the incursion of a small band of hand picked soldiers who are pardoned from their death sentences on the condition of joining the ranks and traveling to the far off continent of Novindus. If you like the Riftwar trilogy, you'll enjoy this. You meet new characters, as well as old, well known ones.
Big Fan of Feist, but not so much of the series.......2006-10-31
I am a very big fan of Raymond Feist, but not really of this series. I have read all of the books up to the Darkwar saga and have always found them good reads and full of interesting characters.
This Serpentwar Saga does not have the same spark that his other sagas have had. I found that the characters are less than interesting, even ones that I have liked in past books and the books are just hard to get through. I also found that these books are full of young teenage rapes and really graphic details on murder of children etc... I don't remember this so much in his other stories. I understand that in Sci-Fi/Fantasy books things can get a little gory etc... but this time his books seem to be full of things that made me very uncomfortable and seemed completely unnecessary. I think in his other books he was able to show the horrors of war and the horrors of what people can become and/or do etc... without raping every teenage girl in the book and graphically describing children being thrown from cliffs etc...
I just really felt that this series was not up to snuff when it comes to books written by Feist. I would actually have to say that this is the first time I would recommend a parent think twice before they allow children to read this series.
All in all, this series to me is just filler. The books are not as good as the books that came before and are not as good as the books that have came after. You should read them for continuity, but don't expect too much.
Great series.......2006-02-26
This begins the best series I've ever read bar none. the Serpentwar Saga has been read by me over ten times. Can't get enough of it. I love Sho Pi and Nakor(Who is my favorite) His take on philosophy and the universe is original and plausible.
Excellent fantasy.
**A book I would also recommend is The Unsuspecting Mage by Brian S. Pratt. This, the first installment of The Morcyth Saga is a great beginning for a new author. Battles, magic, gods, secret passages and intrigue, all the elements of a classic epic fantasy! Any fantasy reader will enjoy it
Great start to a new saga.......2006-01-05
Shadow of a Dark Queen is the first book in the Serpent War Saga by Raymond Feist. The action takes place on Feist's world of Midkemia and once again, Feist does a fabulous job of describing this rich and detailed world. Having read all the Feist books up to this one I was curious how new characters would be introduced and how the plot line(s) would change from previous books. My fear on long running story lines is that they become stale and un-interesting after awhile. That is not the case here; Feist continues to weave a wonderful tale that leaves the reader wanting more.
Feist starts off this book by introducing the main characters Erik and Roo. Those who have read Magician: Apprentice will see the similarities between Erik and Pug right away and Roo and Tomas as well. However, it is done in such a way that it seems new and there I not really more than a fleeting thought of the similarities between the pairs.
As with the earlier novels, the character development in this book is second to none. From the very beginning of the book it is easy to care about the characters and pull for them to make it through the problems they face. The journey that Erik takes through this book is one of heart-ache and perseverance, but is not filled with clichés that some `modern' fantasy authors fill their books with. Just for the character development alone this book is worth reading, yet there is also a fantastic plot as well.
There is of course the main plot that being the beginning of the serpent war, but there are several sub-plots sprinkled throughout the book. I will not post spoilers in my review, but suffice it to say the small sub-plots help add depth to the characters and make them more real. Feist spends a great deal of time fleshing out the serpent war progress and making sure the reader understand just how big of an army is amassing, yet does not come off as the sole purpose of the book. When I first started reading this one and realized this massive army was taking form was a little disappointed, in that it seems a lot of recent fantasy novels have these large scale battles in them now. However, this one seems different somehow. I can't make a conclusion because the saga isn't over yet, but it doesn't 'feel' like the others.
If you are contemplating reading this book and have read (and enjoyed the past Feist novels have no fear with this, I am confident you will enjoy it. If for some reason you didn't like a past novel by Feist, I would still recommend giving this one a shot - new characters, new setting, it's a good read. If you are just coming into Feist's work I would recommend you start at the beginning with Magician: Apprentice and go from there, that way there will be no spoilers for you and everything will make much more sense. All-in-all though I highly recommend this book to fans of fantasy novels and people looking for a solid fantasy author without all the theatrics of some authors now-a-days. Very good read.
Average customer rating:
- Not Free SF Reader
- Could've been a lot better...
- Princess Meredith gets lucky...often!
- Not impressed....and a ripoff of another book....
- The Princess Returns
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A Kiss of Shadows (Meredith Gentry Novels)
Laurell K. Hamilton
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
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Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Hamilton, Laurell K.
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A Caress of Twilight (Meredith Gentry, Book 2)
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Seduced by Moonlight (Meredith Gentry)
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Stroke of Midnight, A (Meredith Gentry)
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Mistral's Kiss (Meredith Gentry, Book 5)
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Cerulean Sins (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Book 11)
ASIN: 0345423402
Release Date: 2002-02-26 |
Amazon.com
Laurell K. Hamilton revitalized vampires, werewolves, and zombies in the popular Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter books. In this new series, she updates faeries. A Kiss of Shadows introduces Merry Gentry, a.k.a. Meredith NicEssus, a faerie princess of the Unseelie Court, where politics is a blood sport. Merry, who's part sidhe (elvish), part brownie, and part human, never really fit in. She's short, not skilled in offensive magic, and mortal because of her human blood. These are real liabilities when your family, especially aunt Andais, Queen of Air and Darkness, is out to kill you. Merry has been in hiding for three years, living in Los Angeles and working for the Grey Detective Agency, which specializes in "supernatural problems, magical solutions." A new case sets her against a man who uses forbidden magic to seduce fey women and drain their power. A plan to trap him goes awry and Merry's cover is blown. Now Andais knows where she is. But things have changed in Andais's court, and Merry is changing too.
Despite the selkies, brownies, goblins, and ogres in this book, it's not for children. The fey are "creatures of the senses"--and in the Unseelie court, sex and pain go together. Merry is sexually adventurous and surrounded by gorgeous, powerful males, most of whom want her badly. She's politically savvy and no coward, though she's not the warrior Anita is. Hamilton fans and readers of adult fairy tales like Anne Bishop's Black Jewels trilogy will want to give Merry a look. --Nona Vero
Book Description
“My name is Meredith Gentry, but of course it’s not my real name. I dare not even whisper my true name after dark for fear that one hushed word will travel over the night winds to the soft ear of my aunt, the Queen of the Air and Darkness. She wants me dead. I don’t even know why.”
Meredith Gentry, Princess of the high court of Faerie, is posing as a human in Los Angeles, living as a P.I. specializing in supernatural crime. But now the Queen’s assassin has been dispatched to fetch her back–whether she likes it or not. Suddenly Meredith finds herself a pawn in her dreaded aunt’s plans. The job that awaits her: enjoy the constant company of the most beautiful immortal men in the world. The reward: the crown–and the opportunity to continue to live. The penalty for failure: death.
Download Description
All it would take was my true name being mentioned after dark, and it would float back to my aunt. She was the Queen of Air and Darkness, and that meant that anything said in the dark was hers to hear, eventually. The fact that spotting the missing Elven American Princess had become more popular than spotting Elvis helped. Her magic was always chasing blind leads. Princess Meredith skiing in Utah. Princess Meredith dancing in Paris. Princess Meredith gambling in Vegas. After three years I was still a front-page story for the tabloids, though the latest headlines had been speculating that I was dead as the King of Rock and Roll . . . Three years ago, Princess Meredith fled the court of her cruel Aunt Andais, the Queen of Air and Darkness, leaving that garden of decadent delights and backstabbing intrigues for the comparative calm of Los Angeles. Using her magic to pass for human, Meredith began a new life as a private investigator specializing in supernatural crime. But now Doyle, the Queen's chief bodyguard and assassin, has been dispatched to fetch her back--whether she likes it or not. The product of a marriage designed to cement peace between the rival Seelie and Unseelie courts, Meredith has always been scorned by both factions in spite of her royal blood. But that blood is behind the Unseelie Queen's surprisingly urgent summons. For ever since the fey's exile from Europe to America, their power and purity have been fading. Desperate to renew her race, Queen Andais now pins her hopes on a contest between Meredith and her own son, the sadistic Prince Cel. The first to produce a child will win the throne. The loser's reward will be death . . .
Customer Reviews:
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03
Meredith Gentry is a faerie princess. Not the disneyfied children's version either. This one lives in Los Angeles, and much like Angel, is a private investigator of sorts, and looks into problems associated with the supernatural world a lot of the time.
She is also involved with the politics of the faerie realm, and this is why she is hiding out. She gets discovered, and has to fight back against the relatives that want to bump her off.
Could've been a lot better..........2007-09-03
I'm new to LKH. Read all of the Anita Blakes I could and stomached the ones I couldn't to the best of my ability while letting go of the books then picking them back up to try again. They get sooooooo dull, I swear. Couldn't even finish the lastest one because all they did was sat in a tomb or room and talk about getting a tiger and all this other stupid uninteresting stuff with swarms of animals running in and out the door. Sometimes I just skip chapters all the way. Then I decided to try lil' Merry out just to see what could be happening in her corner...
Which ended up being...
Nothing.
Don't get me wrong. I thought this book was GREAT! - In the beginning. I was having a great time reading about Merry on the run! Nothing was better than her hiding out in the van, jumping through the van while she's on the run, her being chased and those witches coming down on her, her sorting wards on the bathroom door to keep her enemies at bay. Guys! Was I the ONLY one having fun during those parts until it got DULL. I was so steamed. Why couldn't the first book BE about Merry on the run using her powers to stop her foes THEN toward the end her next book be about the point of this book? Man, all the fun was sucked out and all I remember reading about after that was descriptions, descriptions, descriptions.
I got soooooooo sick of Merry describing how some guy's different colored hair "spilled" over his shoulders. Why does EVERYBODY have to have LONG hair farie or not? Get a personality, ya know. I got so tired of her describing EYES over and over again and chest, and thighs, breast, legs, the whole BUCKET of chicken! I was wondering when she was gonna FIGHT something and about time the end came when she was attacked I didn't even care anymore, I lost touch with the girl from the beginning, all alone, hiding, who was trying to stay alive. Hell, Frost and whatnot were there anyway.
What happened! Where was the power? Where was Merry on the run using wit to divert her foes. And am I the ONLY one who thought Roane was the more interesting males than any of the guys in this book. When she encountered him I was actually drawn to the page, then all these other people were just flat. Personally, I didn't care about anybody else. They didn't sick out to me like Roane. Nor did they stick out to me like Jeremy and Ringo and everyone else at the agency. All the other characters are just THERE, seriously, except the Queen (I do love the Queen). Even Cel was dull to me, there just wasn't enough of him. I expected Sholto (SP) to be Cel at first, guess not.
Merry visiting her Grandmother, short and sweet when it could've been fulfilling and made things interesting. Merry got all her men and she's ready to go. Guess she's not exactly fertile with the sixth book coming out this year. I really don't think I can stick around if this is it. It's like I liked her at the very beginning of this book and about time the end came I was like "well, she got her men, no need in me sticking around, they can handle it".
Someone! Please give me a reason to keep reading this series! Please!
Princess Meredith gets lucky...often!.......2007-08-23
A Kiss of Shadows is the first in a new series by Laurell K. Hamilton of Anita Blake fame. Like the Anita Blake books, it takes place in a modern-day USA where magic is real and everybody knows it. Instead of focusing on vampires, the supernatural community in this series is Faerie - magical, beautiful, immortal beings who are headquartered in St. Louis (for reasons that are not completely clear other than that Hamilton lives there). Our hero Merry Gentry is a mixed-heritage Faerie princess who is on the run from her people. She's working in a magical detective agency in LA. I'm a big Dresden Files fan, so I thought I would give this new series a try.
But once Hamilton sets the scene in LA, the action is moves to the Faerie Court and centers on Merry (Princess Meredith NicEssus)and her stepchild relationship with the court and her aunt, Queen Andais of the Unseelie. Without spoilers, Princess Meredith comes into her magic through sex. Apparently faeries are very sensual beings, and Merry has many opportunities to explore various aspects of faerie sensuality and the different forms that faeries take. A Kiss of Shadows has lots of hot scenes.
If you enjoy supernatural romance and adventure, but are a little put off by bloodsucking, you will enjoy this new series.
Not impressed....and a ripoff of another book...........2007-08-07
This was a boring, boring book. Did not engage me at all, didn't keep my interest. In addition, it is written in the 1st person, which I loathe.
It also reminded me that this series is a ripoff of the Highlander Series by Karen Marie Moning. Yes there is a subtle twist in the fact that the story focuses on the female fae (so not a COMPLETE ripoff) but still not impressed. The original idea for the book came from another author. That's pathetic.
I've been looking for a great book for a long time, and I keep being disappointed. I guess anyone can publish a book now-a-days.
The Princess Returns.......2007-06-07
A Kiss of Shadows (2000) is the first fantasy novel of the Meredith Gentry series. Merry Gentry is the alias of Meredith NicEssus -- the mortal daughter of Prince Essus -- and the niece of Andais, Queen of Air and Darkness. Three year ago, Princess Meredith had run from the Unseleighe Court because she knew that her cousin Cel wanted her dead and his minions would keep challenging her until she died in a duel.
In this novel, Merry is an agent of the Grey Detective agency. While she is only partially sidhe, her talents are much greater than most humans. Jeremy Grey -- owner of the agency -- has a great deal of faith in her mystical abilities and asks her to listen to two women who would like to become their clients.
The agency does not do divorce work, but Jeremy is reconsidering for this particular case. The wife, Frances Norton, is carrying a nasty death spell put on her by her husband. The mistress, Naomi Phelps, is part fey, but untrained in magic. The husband has taken Polaroid shots of his mistresses and shown them to his wife. When Frances sees Naomi is a restaurant, she introduces herself and the two have become close friends due to their common victimization.
Merry is not able to refuse the two victims and becomes a decoy to ensnare Alistair Norton in the use of magic to seduce women. All goes well until Merry finds herself falling in lust for Alistair. Yet she retains enough clarity to recognize that the oil being smeared on her is Branwyn's Tears, a magical substance that bestows sidhe-like powers and lusts on humans.
Merry escapes from the trap, but Alistair becomes very dead. However, her true identity has become known to the police. They are hesitant to believe her about the Branwyn's Tears until several of them become enflamed with lust after the oil touches their bodies. Although Merry is released and smuggled out of the building, Queen Andais now knows where she is and sends for her.
In this story, Merry returns to the Unseleighe Court with trepidation and distrust. After all, someone has sent the Slaugh out to kill her and she is attacked two more times on the way to the court. OF course, Cel is definitely out to kill her and thinks that his favored position will protect him from his mother the Queen. Yet Merry has other enemies besides Cel and his toadies.
The attacks have one good effect: she has come into her powers. She has the Hand of Flesh and is welcomed back by the sithin and the earth itself. Then Queen Andais announces that the celibacy geas on her Guard has been lifted, but only for Merry; many of the guards are now hoping to get her pregnant and thus become the King. Of course, some sidhe males have long since excluded themselves from this privilege by their past treatment of the young princess.
Merry has a few sidhe that she trusts and they soon decide to transfer their allegiance to her. She also gains some other allies, including the King of the Goblins -- and a small, common goblin named Kitto -- as well as the Queen of the Demi-fey. Even Sholto, the mixed blood King of the Slaugh, has swung to her side, at least for a while.
This story is full of sex and blood. Since Merry is descended from five fertility deities, some of her magic is based on sexual acts; in fact, she is beginning to discover that she can heal and be healed during sex. Indeed, she finds herself able to heal more than the fey.
Blood, however, is both less important to the quick-healing fey and more significant because of the sadistic tendencies of the Unseleighe. Dueling to the death is a common way for the sidhe to get rid of their enemies. Moreover, the queen tortures her enemies and even her subjects -- sometimes for millennia -- and casually kills minor offenders.
Highly recommended for Hamilton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of sidhe magic, court intrigue and sexual powers.
-Arthur W. Jordin
Average customer rating:
- Hoping for better...
- Not your usual "My name is Victoria Winters" DS fare
- Worth the wait
- Lara Parker: The Writer
- Multilayed tale of suspense
|
The Salem Branch (Dark Shadows)
Lara Parker
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0765304570
Release Date: 2006-07-11 |
Book Description
In Dark Shadows: The Salem Branch Barnabas Collins, the vampire hero of the series, has recently become a human again through the efforts of his devoted assistant Dr. Julia Hoffman and is living in current day Collinsport, Maine trying to adjust to normal life. Although engaged to marry Dr. Hoffman, he falls in love with a mysterious woman named Antoinette who has bought the ruins of “the old house” on the Collins estate and is restoring it while living with a band of hippies in the woods. Antoinette settled in the area because her daughter is being treated in a nearby mental hospital. Her daughter suffers from flashbacks to her previous incarnation as Miranda du Val who was burned as a witch in the Salem witch trials. One of the judges who condemned her to death was a Collins—Barnabas’s ancestor. Barnabas is desperate to win Antoinette’s love and to protect her and her daughter from the new vampire that he suspects is attacking the inhabitants of Collinsport.
Customer Reviews:
Hoping for better..........2007-06-06
While I am a huge Dark Shadows (both old and revival) and Lara Parker fan I had a tough time getting through this novel. Her writing style is often poetic and splendid (no denying her vast talent), but for someone who lived the show I found the portrayal of Barnabas and the other denizens of Collinsport markedly skewed. The entire plotline seemed weak compared to some of the excellent arcs on the show and her previous DS novel. A big diappointment for me. But taste is subjective, so other DS fans may enjoy it more.
Not your usual "My name is Victoria Winters" DS fare.......2007-06-02
A great read from Angelique herself. Lara Parker is becoming a stronger novelist in this her second novel. While at times her pacing and chronology seem a tad awkward and clunky, her prose is vivid, alive with all the passion and eroticism you'd expect from the woman who played Angelique in her various incarnations. The use of the early '70s Love Children is so fun and so right for this milieu. Barnabas the Human is still as charming; in fact, moreso as he struggles to deal with human limitations. The maturing of David Collins is also handled with sensitivity and humor, minding all that he's been through at so young an age. It's just a delight to encounter all these beloved characters again. This book could serve as an introduction to the world of DS including the DVD collections of the shows, all the Marilyn Ross novels, the comics, Lara Parker's first novel, ANGELIQUE'S DESCENT, and Rainey and Massie's DREAMS OF THE DARK. Fans of course, already know all that and this will just be a new pleasure.
Worth the wait.......2007-03-10
This newest Dark Shadows book by Lara Parker is excellent. Lara writes prose which makes you feel like you are there and you can see each nuance the character portrays. It is a quick read which really keeps the reader(me, at least) interested. I have forced myself to slow down because it is so good I dont want it to end!
Barnabus, Angelique and the others jump off the page. I only hope we dont have to wait as many years for the next installment from Lara. If you loved Dark Shadows and Angelique's Descent, you should really enjoy this book.
Lara Parker: The Writer.......2007-03-07
Lara Parker has transitioned from actress to writer and any fan could not help but be pleased to witness this woman's personal growth.
Previously, Ms. Parker wrote her first novel, ANGELIQUE'S DESCENT, a book with a thrillingly researched narrative. Taking place in 1700's Martinique, it was an example of a very creative imagination, an exciting "backstory" to the character which Ms. Parker played on the TV show, DARK SHADOWS. It portrayed Angelique's first becoming exposed to witchcraft, her intimate training in the Craft, then her fateful meeting with a young Barnabas Collins. The novel continued on to seamlessly weave its own action and dialogue into that of the first episodes of the beloved show. Breathtakingly, the show seemed to truly evolve from the novel!
However, despite these strengths, ANGELIQUE'S DESCENT had its weaknesses. The first-time novelist's prose was rendered somewhat stilted. It was as if Ms. Parker was trying to prove herself up to the task and the fear of failure communicated itself to the reader.
What a difference a few years makes! THE SALEM BRANCH is written in a very smooth, professional style and confidently moves along unencumbered by the sense of Ms. Parker trying too hard. This new confidence is especially evident in her short story HER ROBERT BLAKE ([...]).
Now, the reason I could not give THE SALEM BRANCH a full 5 stars is because I thought this time around it was the narrative that was lacking. It might be a personal thing because I had trouble with the point of view the novel takes: that of the character, Barnabas. I never warmed up to the Barnabas character while the series was on, and, in the novel, I just didn't find his struggle engaging.
In HER ROBERT BLAKE, I found Ms. Parker has developed her talent for writing about the ambiguity of the life experience. Unlike in the series, Dark Shadows, events and feelings are rarely portrayed as black-and-white. And, so it is with THE SALEM BRANCH. Despite its drawbacks, this novel is an interesting exploration of the porous boundaries between the real and the imagined, the revealed and the suspected, the present and the past, the dead and the undead. And as you read on, you realize that, like in real life, sometimes these boundaries are not just thin, but blurred.
Multilayed tale of suspense.......2007-02-09
Happily, I finally got around to buying Lara Parker's new novel and I was delighted with the result. Ms. Parker, who after Jonathan Frid's Barnabas, played the most memorable character on the TV show--the witch Angelique--has written a complex and multi-layered story which tells, in part, the tale of Angelique's first incarnation as a witch and the unjust trial where she was condemned to death. Readers will most likely fall into two categories: those who appreciate the more sophisticated aspects of literary fiction in the Gothic genre, and the more hard-core Dark Shadows fans.
The first group will be fascinated by the chapters set in 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts. These sections are extremely well researched with references to the actual trials in Salem and vivid descriptions of witchcraft (perhaps subtly reflecting our present-day situation in Iraq where fear of terrorism has perpetuated the slaughter of innocents.) The poetic language of these sections may leave some die-hard Dark Shadows fans in the `dark.' But the novel offers those fans in the second category that are thirsty for vampire blood quite a bit of that as well.
The most courageous choice Ms. Parker has made, and it may not be entirely successful, is to write the sections set in 1973 from the point of view of the vampire, Barnabas, who was cured of his affliction when the show went off the air. This is where Ms. Parker took up the tale. With his new humanity as her given, she enters the mind of this mysterious character who was taciturn and inscrutable during the series, and reveals his intimate thoughts, something viewers were never allowed to see. This deeper awareness of Barnabas' character as more human and vulnerable may be a shock to some fans; however, for the series to continue, changes are inevitable and surprises indispensable. And this book offers its share of both, especially in the unexpected ending.
This novel, while offering new adventures for Dark Shadows fans, is a stand-alone story as well for vampire-hungry readers lusting for a new tale.
Product Description
The softcover edition of the top-seller that for the first time explored all aspects of the ABBA members lives and careers. Amazingly detailed, it examines the group members family backgrounds, the pre-ABBA days, the legendary Seventies, the marriages, the divorces, the business ups and downs and the post-ABBA solo careers.
Customer Reviews:
Maybe The Author Is Correct.......2007-06-27
I almost laughed when the read the parts about the melancholy nature of Swedes but as I'm in the process of reading a Garbo biography, maybe the author's point is correct - blast me if you want and call me un-PC, etc. but maybe it's the Swedish way. It was a joy to read this book and learn some of how they song crafted, and the trials and tribulations they went through in the throes of stardom - the opening chapters on each member were a delight, too, and I'm glad Palm didn't skimp on their formulative era either - I was especially surprised to read about the scorn and negativity ABBA felt from their own country, as if the whole nation had decided collectively that they weren't "cool," taking their cues from the country's music press. A must for ABBA fans or even anyone who has a mild interest in them.
Bright Lights Dark Shadows: The Real Story of Abba.......2007-05-19
It's fun to know the background of all of the members of ABBA, and to find out what happened to them after the group disbanded.
An ABBA Fanatic.......2007-04-01
I very highly recommend this book for those who are interested
not only in the public but private sides of A,B,B, and A. I was especially interested in tracing the paths each member took to
finally arrive at their music we love.
I also learned what a difficult business selling music was and is,
as well as something about Sweden and her people. Very enjoyable
reading.
ABBA story.......2007-01-31
The book is very well written. It is the detail description of somehow mysterious pop group, which is placed just after Elvis and Beatles, as far as the number of sold records is concerned.
You will not find here something completely unexpected. Insteed, you will find a lot of details which are not easly available.
So, for anybody who is a real fan of ABBA - this book is a must !
An Amazing Account of ABBA and Sweden.......2007-01-12
This book is not a quick read, but if you love ABBA it is more than worth the time. Carl Magnus Palm did an amazing job of researching the members of ABBA and in painting a vivid picture of each member as an individual. I also learned a lot about the history of Sweden, the evolution of the music business in Sweden, and about the music business in general. It is amazing how different our imagination of what ABBA's life was like is from the truth. I appreciate the time he took to pull this book together and help me really understand the band. They really went through a lot to bring their music to us, and for that I will be eternally greatful!!
Customer Reviews:
Exellent.......2001-09-03
Exellent Book.If your wanting to know anything about Dark Shadows or are a fan this is the book for you.I have had mine since its first printing.I still take it out and read it.Wonderful pictures,and a complete episode guide.A Must Have!!!
Excellent book about the history of Dark Shadows........1999-10-28
The book explains how the show got it's start. You read about how the actors were choosen and about them personally. There is a section about what each actor has done since the show ended. An episode guide gives a brief summary about all 1245 shows. There are several pictures throughout the book. Stories are told about the writing, set designs,and funny things that happened during the run of the show. This is a very interesting book.
My companion book.......1999-07-15
I thought this book gave tons of interesting information and i enjoyed it. I read it over and over because I have DS club online and give my members trivia information. Great book! I would recommend it to any Dark Shadows fan.
Excellent book, mainly for Dark Shadows fans.......1999-03-17
This is an excellent book for fans, having both information about the series as well as sources for further information such as fan clubs and where to look for videos. I highly recommend it for fans of Dark Shadows. It also has an episode guide, which comes in handy for viewing and taping favorite episodes. This book has turned me on to some of the many Dark Shadows sites that are accessible on the internet.
Average customer rating:
- Super Reader
- No-one beats Gemmell!
- Another fantastic tale from Mr. Gemmell
- Another Fantasy Classic
- hero in the shadows
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Hero in the Shadows (Drenai Tales, Book 9)
David Gemmell
Manufacturer: Del Rey
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Waylander (Drenai Tales, Book 4)
ASIN: 0345432258
Release Date: 2000-10-03 |
Amazon.com
In Hero in the Shadows, Waylander, the assassin hero of some of Gemmell's earlier books, is now a middle-aged man looking for peace in a world that will, for the most part, let him alone. The crimes of his past come back to haunt him, as he finds himself responsible for a young prince whose grandfather he murdered, and as creatures of doomed legend come back to rule the world with blood and horror. An aging paladin, a loud-mouthed braggart whom a magic sword has chosen, and a kitchen girl who is unusually handy with her knives become his allies, along with a priestess who is not telling all she knows, or all she is.
Gemmell is one of the best writers of fantasy adventure--this new book is attractively gloomy in its atmosphere and has a pervading sense of the ironic. The action sequences are powerful and well visualized; Gemmell always knows how a particular sort of fight would feel. And there are no simple morals here--most of the characters, heroic or villainous, exist in the gray hinterland between dark and light, where evil acts are often performed in sorrow and good actions often have mixed motives behind them. --Roz Kaveney, Amazon.co.uk
Book Description
The ruined city of Kuan Hador reeks of dark mystery. Shunned by brigands and merchants alike, it is home to fearsome wild things and legends that freeze the blood--tales that speak of slavering white beasts, locked behind a powerful wall of spells, who possess an insatiable appetite for death. Millennia have passed since they were bound, and the spell of imprisonment has begun to fade. Soon the foul minions will be free to wreak a horrible vengeance against all that lives.
But no army waits to oppose them, only a ragtag group of unlikely heroes. Leading them is the mysterious Gray Man, an enigmatic figure with a blood-drenched past who has killed for principle and for payment--a man of destiny known throughout the lands of the Drenai as Waylander the Slayer . . .
Customer Reviews:
Super Reader.......2007-08-26
Waylander is getting on the elderly side, and is a retiring businessman known as Daykeyras or the Grey Man. He has some wealth and influence, and a large household.
Action calls when he rescues a young woman, whom he takes into his household, and ends up training to be a warrior.
When the joining priestess Ustarte seeks his help, he is drawn into a final battle against dark sorcery to prevent a cataclysm.
No-one beats Gemmell!.......2007-08-16
Being an absolute fantasy-fan, I have read a lot of fantasy-books from different authors such as R.Jordan (wheel of time),G.R.R. Martin (song of ice and fire),R.Feist,T. Goodkind, etc.
For me personally there is no-one better then D. Gemmell, he has ( well he had, since he died a few weeks ago) an incredible gift to create characters,which you want to identify yourself with, which never are just "bad guys" or "good guys", but show a complexicity, which makes them very believable.
The best books are ,for me personally, the 3 volumes of Waylander, this one being the best of them.
Also excellent are the latest books of Troy.
Really a shame , that Gemmell had to die so young, my condolences to his family!
Another fantastic tale from Mr. Gemmell.......2007-07-10
Hero in the Shadow is the next book in the Drenai Saga, I believe it is book 9 in the series. For people who have little to no idea who David Gemmell is, you are in for a treat as you embark on this incredible journey through his plethora of novels. The first book in this saga is simply titled Legend (Drenai Tales, Book 1). It's a great read and one that starts a grand adventure. If you have not read Waylander (Drenai Tales, Book 4) and In the Realm of the Wolf (Drenai Tales, Book 5) by Gemmell you really need to at least read those two before reading this one. It will add much more depth to the main character and the demons he carries with him.
This novel actually has many plot layers to it. The main plot involves attempting to stop an invasion by demons in the land. This takes on many interesting turns and provides a brief history lesson to some things that have been mentioned in earlier books. Some of the sub-plots involve very emotional pieces such as Waylander's personal demons, Chardyn doubting his belief in the Source, Ustarte wanting to prevent deeds from happening, and a few more I won't mention due to being possibly spoilers. I think it is safe to say that no matter what type of fantasy books you enjoy there will be something in this novel for everyone. There are large scale battles, there are political underpinnings, there is the human element of striving for goals, there is revenge and retribution, but most importantly the story itself is well written and highly entertaining.
Mr. Gemmell has a knack for writing very engaging characters. Every character seems to be the most important character in the novel when they are on the page. Main characters such as Waylander and Eldicar all the way to minor characters such as Matze Chai and Lalitia. Gemmell imbues each of these characters with very real elements that allow the reader to love or hate them at the reader's discretion. Also, the character development in this novel is second to none. From where Walyander starts in the novel to where he ends up is simply fantastic. The journey the priest Chardyn undertakes in his search for believing in the Source is very good as well. Rarely in fantasy books is an author able to capture both great characters and a great plot. Mr. Gemmell has done just that in this novel.
When picking up a Gemmell book it is much like putting on a pair of old shoes, it's comfortable and you know just what to expect. While Mr. Gemmell may not write epic plots like G.R.R. Martin his novels are certainly worth while. His prose allows for an ease of reading. He doesn't use the flowery language one can expect from, say Tolkien. His books are much like he was in life, to the point and honest. If you are a fan of the fantasy genre and have not yet read a Gemmell book you are doing yourself a tremendous disservice. Take a chance and pick up Legend today and maybe you will continue on in this saga as I have. I will surely recommend these books to many fantasy fans.
Another Fantasy Classic.......2007-03-07
I've just finished listening to the audio version and it's just as good as when I read the book. Gemmell's world and characters feel real, as if you look hard enough there are history scrolls that will verify the existence of Drenai. Hero in the Shadows gives us the final chapter of Waylander, a hero who's past includes assassinating a good king for money to finance his personal revenge of the men who murdered his wife and children. How more complex of character can you get then that?
On one level the story is about Waylander, having taken on a new name, tries to live the life of a wealthy merchant. He builds a utopia in his huge palace for learning and culture. Beginning with the opening rescue, followed by the pending invasion of an evil race expelled from the world 3K years before, violence finds Waylander and drags him back into what he does very well: Dealing death. Magic, demons, religion, good citizens, and men with frozen hearts builds the story to its final climax. As with all Gemmell stories expect that evil men may commit acts of great horror and generous sacrifice, heroes come up short or suffer terrible losses, and common people step up to be heroic.
If this is your first Waylander book, STOP, first read "Waylander" followed by "In the Realm of the Wolf." Hero in the Shadows is the final in the Waylander trilogy. Although you could read this and get a full story, but much historical context and texture will be lost. Reading this Gemmell story, you won't be disappointed. Unless you're like me and have read all his work then you have only to reread these great works. Of course, Gemmell would want it that way!
hero in the shadows.......2006-08-28
as an avid fantasy reader, i have to admit that i read my books quietly, mostly cracking a smile at a good twist of a plot. Enter mr gemmell and i catch myself -several times- cheering aloud while reading. i only surrender his book(s) under
heavy eyelid pressure, very late at night.
let's talk about the actual book; while Tolkien puts immense talent into the creation of unforgettable places like Valinor, the pits of Thangorodrim or the mines of Moria,Gemmell puts the same immense output, to create unforgettable characters, like
Dakeyras (waylander) and Eldicar Manushan. This goes for all of Gemmell's other books, spanning haunting characters like the macedonian stratego Parmenion, the swordsman Skilgannon or the rigante giant Jaim Grymauch. The well never dries. every book comes with its array of awesomely described characters that it's agony to see some of them killed and i can promise you the loud cheering whenever they narrowly escape their predicament.
what's even better is the uniform way in which gemmell treats his characters:the bad ones get the same depth of personality as the good ones, you end up uncertain where lies your preferences in the middle of the book. so you'll decide
to go beyond both sides (like nietzsche would want us to), admiring them both for their boldness, courage, decisions and blunders.
the awesome reality and vividness of the characters is solidly encased into a context of magical realism where the characters can travel through astral planes and parallel worlds and encounter ancient magics that could help or destroy. you'll never know.
when the story will physically end and you close the book, you can be sure your mind will keep swarming for months -and possibly for good- with the names and deeds of great individuals with whom you shared an intense experience of life, thanks to that wizard of an author, david gemmell.
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