Editorial Review

A dazzling novel in the most untraditional fashion, this is the remarkable story of Henry DeTamble, a dashing, adventuresome librarian who travels involuntarily through time, and Clare Abshire, an artist whose life takes a natural sequential course. Henry and Clare's passionate love affair endures across a sea of time and captures the two lovers in an impossibly romantic trap, and it is Audrey Niffenegger's cinematic storytelling that makes the novel's unconventional chronology so vibrantly triumphant.

An enchanting debut and a spellbinding tale of fate and belief in the bonds of love, The Time Traveler's Wife is destined to captivate readers for years to come.
... Read more

Reviews

Powerful, well-written, original, September 4, 2003
"The Time Traveler's Wife" is one of the most interesting, powerful books I've read in a long time. Audrey Niffenegger did a beautiful job taking some of the most complex ideas - time travel, marriage, love, children, friends, literary and artistic allusions, religion, death, drugs, childhood, growing, loss, and what it means to be human - and weaving them together poetically and with amazing clarity. Her characters are wonderful, "real" people with strengths and flaws, and I really grew to adore them. Despite skipping around time at the same rate as Henry, the time traveler, the events are sequenced in such a way that you still witness each character's growth as a person, as well as discover many surprises along the way. Clare and Henry's story is one of the best love stories I've read in a very long time. This book also echoes important modern-day questions about the appropriateness of gene therapy, and what it means to be a human being. I highly and enthusiastically recommend this book.

Clever and Compelling, November 16, 2003
I admit: I am an easy touch when it comes to time-travel books. I have loved such diverse books with this theme as "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court", "A Wrinkle in Time," and "Time and Again."

I was not disappointed by "The Time Traveler's Wife." The book both moved me and challenged me to think about a number of deeper issues in life (most notably, the true meaning of love in a romantic relationship).

The underlying story concerns Henry, a librarian at the Newberry Library in Chicago, and Clare, his artist wife. Henry suffers from CDP (Chrono-Displacement Order) which whisks him from the present to another point of time (usually the past). One minute he may be in the stacks of the Newberry Library in 2003, the next minute he may find himself in a field (probably naked) in Michigan with his future wife as a child sometime in the early 1980's.

The author does an excellent job of sequencing the book. Even though Henry is shuttling back and forth in every chapter, she manages to move the plot forward. You do feel that you see Henry and Clare meeting, falling in love, starting a marriage and going through the stages of their lives. You do get to know their family and friends and see life happen to them.

However, I do feel that the author could have better developed all of her characters, particularly the supporting ones. I wanted to learn more about their close friends, Gomez and Charisse, and their troubled marriage. I felt that the landlady from Henry's child-whom he constantly visited in his time-traveling modes-was a sketch figure that could have been better developed. I wished that the author could have mined deeper into the inner feelings of Henry and Clare.

Still I would highly recommend this book to most readers. (If time-travel books bother you, this won't change your opinion.) It is a good, hard-to-put down read. And at the end, you're exhausted by all the travel!

Beautifully written!, April 5, 2004
I stumbled across this book by mistake and hesitated to read it simply because it was 518 pages. To my surprise, I devoured this book in a few days and felt a pang of sadness when it was finished. The author crafts a story of something that is quite unbelievable and yet deftly makes it so very believable. I was hooked after the first chapter. Niffenegger managed to suck me in to this story so that I felt emotionally bound to the characters and their plight. It's a tragic story that weaves so much love/pain/joy/disappointment that it fairly bursts with emotion. Read it!

Lack of depth ruins an intriguing concept, January 28, 2005
Unlike a lot of the other critics of this book, I didn't have a problem with the idea that a six-year-old Clare could fall in love with a forty-year-old Henry. I didn't have a problem with Henry breaking into places or all that other stuff either. But I had MANY problems with this book.

One of the main problems I have with this book is brilliantly exemplified on page 392 -- the date, September 11th, 2001:

"Henry says, 'Wake up, Clare.' I open my eyes. The television picture swerves around. A city street. A sky. A white skyscraper on fire. An airplane, toylike, slowly flies into the second white tower. Silent flames shoot up. Henry turns up the volume. 'Oh my God,' says the voice of the television. 'Oh my God.'"

... And then this event is never referred to ever again. The story does not take place in New York, nor does 9/11 bear any kind of noticeable emotional impact upon any of the characters in any way. And yet this paragraph is in the book anyway. Why? Good question -- I'd like to know too. But this is only the most typified example of the author's compulsive habit of putting in useless subplots and shallow tangents into the book for no particular reason at all. Examples of this are littered throughout the book. Henry's mother died when he was only a young boy -- this apparently had such a traumatic effect upon him that he is constantly involuntarily sent back to the moment of her death to witness it again -- Henry even goes so far as to say that it's almost as if all his time traveling REVOLVES around this one event. Okay, fine. I can accept that -- there's a lot of potential in an idea like that. But where does the author take this? Nowhere. Absolutely nowhere. We are left with the knowledge that Harry sometimes relives his mother's death, that it bothers him especially on Christmas Eve, but otherwise it has no bearing upon the plot, and even more frighteningly, upon Henry himself. The fact of his mother's death is treated like trivia knowledge rather than emotional trauma. Another example is Gomez's apparent harbored affections for Clare. Not only does this information come ridiculously out of left field, but it is never developed. It's alluded to perhaps twice, and then Gomez comes on to Clare ONCE and then that's it, the story moves along as if it never happened, and it has no bearing upon anything.

This shallowness unfortunately mars the entire story, because it does not stop at the inclusion of shallowly developed subplots, but it goes into and ruins nearly every sphere of the book. Shallowly developed subplots is a problem, but shallowly developed characters is a much bigger one. The only characters who have any development at all are Henry and Clare, and neither of them have very much depth either. Clare is patient, kind, sexy, beautiful, loyal, artistic, rich, good in bed, etc. etc. As for the secondary characters, they were so flagrantly underdeveloped that I found myself mixing up names quite frequently, because there was nothing in the characters to make me care, nor to help me differentiate. Gomez was known to me as "that guy who smokes cigarettes." Ingrid was known as "the suicidal." Charisse was "the girl who dates the guy who smokes cigarettes." It's not that I'm a lazy reader -- it's that Audrey Niffenegger is a lazy writer -- she uses things like cigarette smoking to define a character, but then that's it, that's as far as the depth goes. Every character has the exact same vocabulary, the exact same voice -- I often felt the dialogues were the author writing out conversations with herself as she tried to sound witty. "Tell me Clare, why on earth would a lovely girl like you want to marry Henry?" "Because he's really, really good in bed." That's supposed to be a joke, and that's fine, but so much of the dialogue is written this way: trite, witty, one-liners, and they never say anything about the character involved, because every character speaks in the exact same way (unless you count Nell and Kimy, both of whom I considered to be just racial stereotypes).

I hate to take this further but then even the romance itself, the most important thing in the whole book, was yes, shallow. The quote mentioned above was supposed to be a joke, but the more the book went along, the more I began to suspect that the line was meant to be taken seriously. Clare first meets Henry when she is but a little girl, and throughout the course of her childhood and adolesence she sporadically meets this older Henry and falls in love with him. By the time they are married, it is surely meant to be. Now, I did not find this idea to be creepy as some did, I thought it had a lot of potential, but the writer never shows us WHY she would fall in love with a naked forty-year-old man -- it's almost as if Clare simply falls in love with Henry because he happens to show up every now and again, and it doesn't make any sense. Henry, before he meets Clare is a hard-edged, drug-using, womanizing punk, but then the moment he meets Clare in Chicago and she basically tells him "we're meant to be," he magically reforms himself, throws away his old life and habits, accepts what she tells him, falls in love overnight, but the reader is effectively shortchanged, almost as if the reader's meant to accept the romance on the grounds that it was meant to be, and that's that. Had the writer made the same effort to develop the romance as she did to put in countless unnecessarily graphic (and poorly written) sex scenes, then perhaps I'd feel differently.

Because of this shallowness, not only are the characters bland, not only is the romance unconvincing, but even the story itself runs itself around in circles over and over and over and over again. By the time the reader learns about the eventual fate of the characters, there is nothing left to do except wait for the author to get there already, and let me tell you, she takes her time.

I have nothing against long books, romance books, or time traveling sci-fi books. But I do have something against books that are sloppy, poorly edited, contrived, and worst of all, shallow. I wanted to like this book, and I had high hopes. To my disappointment, I left this book utterly unfulfilled.

A good idea for a book destroyed by pretentious writing, October 31, 2005
I'm quite obviously in the minority here, particularly among non-fans: I found the narrative jumping around in time to be quite effective - the characters are often confused and surprised by non-linear time; this device gives us a taste of that. Nor was I bothered by the use of profanity, descriptions of sexuality, or the idea that an adult Henry maintains contact with Claire as a child.

It's what happens (or doesn't happen) in the space between that sets my teeth on edge. For example: we are forced to endure paragraph (after paragraph after paragraph) describing a game of pool. Not the interactions between characters during said pool game, no no. If you like to listen to golf on the radio, then you might find who-made-what-shot-in-which-pocket to be entertaining. I started to rage because I was wasting so much time reading this nonsense.

I was also thoroughly annoyed at the 'name dropping' style of writing that was sometimes rewarded with an explanation, but most often not. I can't remember all of the characters names offhand, but they'll enter the story with something like, 'Fred walked in and startled me.' Yeah, he startled me too. Who the hell is Fred? We find out several pages later, 'Fred Flintstone was a childhood friend'. Thanks, coulda used that information ten minutes ago.

But this isn't limited to people. The characters ponder going to Ann Sather's for something to eat. Neighbor? Relative? Last night's one-night-stand who happens to make great waffles? Two pages later it's revealed that it's a Swedish restaurant. They talk of the CSO - only later can the acronym be explained as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. As a Chicago native I recognized these references, but they grated on me nonetheless.

Same with descriptions. 'He looked like Joe Schmoe.' Great. That helps. Not 'his hair was slicked back in that Joe Schmoe style' or something like that - at least then I would start to form a mental picture. To use a similie with a subculture or hipster reference and no context is pretentious and condescending. 'He answered the phone while standing in front of a Maholy-Nagy poster'. How many people are familiar with the Chicago Bauhaus movement and would get this reference? What does it add to the story?

I've gone on too long already with my rant and haven't even mentioned the street directions - complete with street names. I don't care which streets you take to get to the library, either tell me what happens along the way or just get there already.

The one highlight of the book (and yes, there is one), is the climactic scene we all know is coming. It was handled in a very touching and sensitive way that nearly brought me to tears. If only the rest of the book could be like these three pages, I wouldn't have to count it among the absolute worst books I've ever read.

Raises interesting questions, but fails to deliver answers, July 28, 2004
This book gets two stars for being an engrossing page-turner with a surprising amount of coherence, considering the format of jumping back and forth between the past, present, and future. As others have summarized, The Time Traveler's Wife is a love story between a man who involuntarily is transported into the past and future, and the woman he loves. However, in addition to the romantic aspect, this novel raises some interesting questions regarding free will vs. predestination, actions and consequences. Henry, the Time Traveler of the title, interacts with many people from his present life (i.e. his wife, his parents, his friends, even himself), when they are younger, in many cases before they even meet Henry in real time. While this is a little hard to follow at first, Neffenegger does a nice job of tying it together quickly before it becomes too confusing.

What is interesting is that during these encounters, Henry makes a conscious effort to avoid saying or doing things that would change the course of the future. But by his very presence, he of course IS changing the course of the future. One such example has Clare as a younger girl drawing a picture of Henry. She begins to sign and date it, when Henry stops her: it's not signed, he tells her, it's on the wall of our house and there's no date. But in an exercise in free will, Clare decides that she WILL sign it. When Henry returns to his present and discovers the picture unsigned still, Clare explains that she erased it shortly after their past encounter, fearing something that small and insignificant could somehow have a catastrophic effect on their future.

That being said, the book has some scenes that drag on way too long (Christmas with Clare's parents, the Violent Femmes concert). The main characters are not all that likeable, and there's some really dumb, cheesy scenes (the worst is when Henry's colleagues, upon encountering two Henries for the first time, start to make jokes about Lois Lane and Clark Kent... huh?). Also, the book's denouement was disappointing: the final tragic ending - while not surprising, it's telegraphed throughout the book - ends up being a completely random, accidental occurrence. Ironic, yes, but not as fitting for a book that raises questions of actions and consequences. A more appropriate ending would have been if in his last visit with Ingrid, Henry receives his fatal blow from her instead. The final message of the book seems to veer away from the philosophical implications of time travel (a theme woven through the whole story), and instead focuses on the (in my opinion) lame notion of romantic love as mankind's highest ideal, "woman as salvation", you're destined to truly love only one person in this lifetime, etc. The very last scene with Clare having apparently pined her last 40 years away for Henry was utterly pathetic, and I found myself shedding not a tear for these star-crossed lovers. The one person I was really curious about, their child Alba, is not explained or accounted for past age 10. Is she cured? Does she die young? Where is she in the end of the book, aside from in Henry's past? Disappointing indeed.

Now all that aside, I have a few specific problems with the book that I just have to get off my chest. CAUTION: SPOILERS BELOW.
* Which Henry is it exactly that's waving to Clare with her dad & brother right after he gets shot, and when is that part explained?
* Why doesn't Clare mention Henry's shoulder-to-crew-cut hairstyle change the morning of their wedding day, when his hairstyle is noticed & mentioned by her everywhere else?
* If Clare and Henry know for a fact this disease is genetic and may be passed onto their children, how could they be so selfish and irresponsible as to try to conceive a baby who could then possibly time travel as an infant and appear anywhere else in time, helpless and naked, sure to die? (As a mother myself, this one really got to me)
* Why, if Henry can disappear any moment, does Clare ever let him be alone with Alba as a toddler anywhere, even if he doesn't drive?
* Why is it not explained how Henry has his feet again at 43 when he visits Clare, 82, if he lost them just after (or maybe just before) his 43rd birthday?
See, it's dumb things like this that are so unimportant, but if you notice them they can stick in your craw and then it's harder to pay attention to the plot. Anyway, thanks for reading this far, and let me know if you have answers to the above questions!

A rough draft novel?, July 20, 2005
I'm not sure what book the other reviewers read: I found The Time Traveler's Wife to be dreadful. There is little character development, no depth of feeling, even the time travel "catch" was not well developed. I was never able to believe Henry and Clare were ever "in love"- in lust, perhaps, but there was no tenderness or maturity of feeling that ever emerged. The characters themselves remain static and flat regardless of their ages, despite a supposed 15-year (or 30-year, depending on which character's perspective) plot span. The anecdotes of an adult Henry lovingly mentoring the child Clare were never convincing because their relationship was so inherently shallow in adulthood. It's worth noting the author didn't bother with actually writing these scenes that should have shown new dimensions in Henry and Clare's relationship. Overall a very "sketchy" love story that shows very little insight into love or the human condition.

If you are reading this book from the fantasy/ science fiction angle, you will also be disappointed, as the plot leaves gaping holes throughout and offers neither the social commentary and allegory of science fiction nor the mythology of fantasy. Overall, this book has an interesting basic idea, but is very poorly executed. I recommend looking elsewhere.

One Trick Pony, June 2, 2007
This novel's conception of time travel is clever and original, and it carries you far enough into the book to hook you. The "time traveller" goes back and forth in his own life, for brief periods and outside of his control, creating interesting situations. For example, when he is 31 he can spend time with his wife when she was 6---so that he knows their future but she does not---and then meet her in "real time" when she is 20 and he is 28---so that she knows who he is (having met him many times as he time travelled back to her), but he does not know who she is (since all that time travelling was done by his older self).

The mental gymnastics necessary to follow these gyrations occupy the reader for a time, and the originality of their execution holds great promise for the story. Unfortunately, that promise in never fulfilled. In short, nothing really happens, and neither the writing nor the thinking is of the rare quality necessary to engage a reader with nothing happening.

About half way through, I discovered that really the whole story could have been written without the time travel device, and that story would have been very dull indeed. The time travel trick is the candy coating that allows one to take the medicine of the book, but to no particular end. The fascination of time travel (and the fascinating possibilities for the fiction writer) are largely ignored. While the time traveller alludes to popping up anywhere, all the episodes in the book involve time travelling around either himself or his wife, so it is more life out-of-order than anything else. The author focuses solely on the relationship between the time traveler and his wife (as she ranges from age six forward and he from about 21 forward, with all kinds of combinations), but there is no special payoff in romance, intrigue or insight in the conveying of that relationship.

It's My Fault, October 27, 2008
I let myself down, and I didn't have to travel through time to do it. If I could go back in time, I would tap myself on the shoulder and say, "Find another book." That's not entirely true. I did take some things from the tale.

I was so excited to dig into the concept. I couldn't wait to find out about this love affair which wouldn't be tamed by time. I was even interested in the concept of being a "close" friend with one's self. Most of the hiccups readers complain about in this book didn't faze me.

I believe I set myself up with such a high expectation for Ms. Niffenegger's execution, perhaps something no one could fulfill. I'll take the blame for that one.

However, I put all of the blame on the author for delivering a betraying conclusion. I have no problem with real life over fluffy love, but don't sell me fluffy for 97% of the book and then bait and switch me.

I was so betrayed and hurt by the ending, I carried the bitterness with me for weeks. You can ask my wife.

If you are still intrigued to read this story, let me warn you of Ms. Niffenegger's abuse of one-liners, a cheap reference to 9/11 which had nothing to do with the plot, and ethic characters who portrayed racial stereotypes - such a weak effort.

It's a shame a different author couldn't have gotten a shot at this plot.

Why this book didn't work for me, June 19, 2005
I bought this book without having heard much about it. I am not attached to love stories or Sci-Fi Fantasy, so I wasn't expecting it to fulfill any expectations on those levels; I just found the subject matter different and intriguing.

I ended up having to work hard to get through it because I really felt like the writing and the characters were flat. I have read a couple of reviews below saying that they couldn't tell the difference between the narratives of the two main characters of the book and I had the same problem. I often had to check back to the beginning of the narrative to see who was talking. To me that is very poor character development, something that is intrinsic to a good book.

One main point that bothered me was the fact that when the characters are young in the book, 20-30, they seemed like they were much too old and serious for people that age. I feel like she glommed on the fact that the main characters and her friends all liked punk music as an attempt to make them seem younger, but no one I have ever known at these stages in their lives have acted like these characters and actually the Punk friends I had growing up would have hated them because they are from affluent backgrounds with painfully pseudo-intellectual attitudes.

To add to this, the ethnic characters in this book from black to Hispanic were overly stereotyped, something that I cannot stand, it made me think that the Author has very little experience or understanding of other cultures or races.

I also felt that a lot of the dialog was forced and didn't flow like a regular conversation, much of it seemed unnecessary and out of place.

I ended up not caring or being able to relate to any of the characters and regret purchasing this book. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Released from prison, Shadow finds his world turned upside down. His wife has been killed; a mysterious stranger offers him a job. But Mr. Wednesday, who knows more about Shadow than is possible, warns that a storm is coming -- a battle for the very soul of America . . . and they are in its direct path.

One of the most talked-about books of the new millennium, American Gods is a kaleidoscopic journey deep into myth and across an American landscape at once eerily familiar and utterly alien. It is, quite simply, a contemporary masterpiece.

Reviews

"This Is a Bad Place For Gods...", August 2, 2001
Released from prison shortly after the accidental death of his wife, ex-con Shadow finds himself free, but bereft of all the things that gave his previous life meaning. As he bids his farewell to the fragments of that life, an eerie stranger named Mr. Wednesday offers him employment. Wednesday needs someone to act as aid, driver, errand boy, and, in case of Wednesday's death, someone to hold a vigil for him. Shadow consents and finds himself drawn unsuspectingly into a cryptic reality where myth and legend coexist with today's realities.

Mr. Wednesday, trickster and wise man, is on a quest. The old gods who came over to this country with each human incursion have weakened as their followers have dwindled and are now threatened with extinction by the modern gods of technology and marketing. Wednesday travels from deity to deity, rounding up help for what will be last battle. He engages ancient Russian gods, Norse legends, Egyptian deities, and countless others who have found their way to America in the past 10,000 or so years. Shadow never quite understands what his role is in all of this, but he experiences visions and dreams which promise that he is far more than Wednesday's factotum.

The plot is unendingly inventive as it treks its way across the country. From Chicago to Rhode Island, and Seattle to the magical town of Lakeside, Shadow's journey seems to follow the back roads of America. The people he meets are gritty, and the gods are even grittier. Gaiman creates believable characters with quick brush strokes and builds vivid landscapes that belie their mundane origins. Gaiman, recently moved to the U.S. has invited us along on his own quest to discover an America uniquely his own.

This is a novel that resonates at many levels, it is Shadow's initiation quest, Gaiman's search for the American identity, a revisionist Twilight of the Gods, and last, but not least a captivating piece of fiction. The gods that people this story came with people who found their way to this country from almost every time and place. Gaiman has put his finger on once of this country's greatest truths. Every person who ever lived here has roots from somewhere else. We have crossed oceans and land bridges, on foot, and by every other means of transportation. Our culture has been created whole cloth out of the character and beliefs of all those people. Gaiman has managed to capture a bit of that vision and put it on display for the reader.

After his superb work in "Neverwhere," "Stardust," and the Sandman graphic novels, Neil Gaimon has established himself a force to be reckoned with in the crossover horror/fantasy genre. Now with his new novel Gaiman establishes his mastery in a remarkable story of quest and transformation as he comes to terms with his own vision of America. "American Gods" defies classification and invites superlatives. This is one of 2001's must reads.

Neil Strikes Again, June 20, 2001
After waiting several years for Neil's new book, I hungrily devoured the 400+ page "American Gods" in just over two days. The story follows Shadow Moon, recently released from prison, as he comes to work for a man simply known as Wednesday. Wednesday is a peculiar old man with a frightening knowledge of Shadow's past and an amazing talent of swindling people who introduces Shadow to many fascinating characters, who it is later learned, are all transplanted Gods endeavoring to hold on to life all across America.

Gaiman explores the sacred power hidden in the kitschy roadside attractions doting the landscape of America's many back roads; their once glorious power waning as people worship more modern cultural icons and ideas. The sprawling story pits the forgotten gods America's immigrated citizens brought with them to the new land against the high-tech gods of modern living in a war for the very right to be worshipped. Shadow is pulled headfirst into the dispute and ends up playing a crucial role in the upcoming battle. The meanings of life and death, self-worth, spiritual beliefs, and redemption are all explored with Gaiman's witty intelligence.

Gaiman's ability to entwine multiple plot lines with clever cultural critiques while maintaining fantastic character descriptions and an engaging narrative solidifies the fantasy/horror author's place as one of the world's best storytellers. Much more than a magical tale of combating Gods, Gaiman paints a picture of a melting pot left too long to boil, and a country who worships the next big thing a bit too easily and with little consideration for it's ancestry.

Definitely worth buying, and undeniably worth reading (all though you might want to slow down a bit more than I did!). And while you're at it - check out "Stardust" and "Neverwhere", you won't be disappointed.

The joy is in the journey, September 23, 2001
I have read all of Gaiman's novels, as well as the Sandman graphic novels. I'm a fan of urban fantasy, and, needless to say, I'm a fan of Gaiman's work. I was especially anxious to read American Gods because a good portion of the story takes place in my home state, Wisconsin (home of snow, ice and Culver's custard.) I was not, generally speaking, disapppointed. American Gods has everything I like about Gaiman's stories.

The story opens with Shadow, the protagonist, being released from prison a week early to attend his wife's funeral. Shadow is a big man, strong in both stature and integrity. On his way home, he meets Mr. Wednesday, who offers Shadow a job as bodyguard. The pair travels the American heartland, drumming up support for a coming spiritual war. Along the way they meet a host of unlikely characters, includ and thugs with names like Mr. Town, Mr. Street, Mr. Woods and Mr. World. And not least among this cast of extremely interesting characters is Laura, Shadow's deceased wife who spends most of the book bailing Shadow out of tight situations. And rotting.

I docked the book 1 star because, in my opinion, the ending fizzled. Also, interspersed through the book were short stories that were removed from the main storyline. These were a nice break between chapters, and offered insight to 'the coming war' in other parts of the nation. For some reason, these stories stopped about 1/3 of the way through the book, and I sort of missed them.

In summary, I think that American Gods was a far stronger effort than the last book of his I read, Stardust, but not as good as Neverwhere, or Sandman.

Ambitious Writing, July 17, 2001
This is the first work by Mr. Neil Gaiman that I have read. From this point on he will be an Author that I will read when he again publishes, further I will backtrack to read his earlier work. The concept of, "American Gods", is incredibly sweeping in both breadth and depth, and had he chose, he could have used a few hundred more pages to tell his tale. I wish that he had, as there are so many religions and mythologies that participate, the book is a bit overwhelming.

When an Author creates a new world from whole cloth or conjures a variant on the world we know, the reader has to be given enough reference points and background to fully get immersed into his book. This is the only issue that I had with what is otherwise a thought-provoking, literate, and intelligently crafted book. It was mentioned that one reader used a book on mythology as a guide, and when I read this again I will use the same type of assist. There are literally dozens and dozens of, "Gods", that are a part of the action. A few will be familiar and understood, a few more will be recognized with some general knowledge, and others are totally unknown unless the reader has studied the fields the Author clearly studied himself. Even when some of the characters are thought to be familiar, they turn out to be infinitely more complex than the traditional view the reader probably has.

If the Author gave more background on his characters the book would have substantially increased in length. He is a skillful writer so I don't see why that would have been an issue. There are other young writers creating massive works of fiction, and they have demonstrated that it can be done without losing the urgency that keeps one up most of the night flipping pages.

As I said earlier this Author can create and execute on the page. Maybe I am in the minority when it comes to expansive knowledge of cultural lore. I do know that if I had the understanding or was given more information in the book, I would have gotten even more pleasure from what is already a great book.

It doesn't get much better than this, July 4, 2001
It's a rare author who weaves a perfect, creative narrative from the best of all possible materials, and a rare book that entertains, challenges, and entices from cover to cover with such a narrative. Neil Gaiman's "American Gods," the latest literary offering from the High Priest of the English Language's Temple of Original Stories, achieves exactly this for exactly that kind of writer. In "American Gods," the author of "Neverwhere" and the creator of the Sandman graphic novels fashions a story that fans will find distantly familiar, and new readers will lose themselves inside within a few pages.

The book opens with Shadow, the main character and an almost Shakespearian anti-hero, walking out of prison to learn that his wife has died. On the plane ride home, he meets an enigmatic con-man named Wednesday who offers Shadow a job - and a second chance at life. With little else to do except practice coin tricks he learned in prison, Shadow reluctantly accepts and the two begin a wintery, midwestern odyssey gathering other characters together in an attempt to weather an upcoming storm. The book follow's Shadow's travels as he discovers who he's working for, what's going on, and more about himself than he would ever want to know.

The journey involves dreams, altered realities, other dimensions, strange encounters, and myths and folklore from every non-American culture on the planet. As with other Gaiman work, there is a certain amount of fun to figuring out which fantastic character Shadow is talking to - and to figuring out where the twisting plot leads next.

Gaiman's premise - that gods are physically created by belief and made manifest - should be familiar to fans of his graphic novels, short stories, and other work. It is this kind of creativity that sets Gaiman apart from other authors today; his stories are as timeless as the mythologies that span cultures across the world, and yet they are original and fresh enough to engage the reader on a primal and intellectual level. After reading books like "American Gods" and Gaiman's other works, one imagines he would be utterly comfortable as a bard or storyteller, weaving tales of heros around the fireplace late at night to ward off the darkness and cold outside.

"American Gods" is just as epic as these old stories, and as engaging as a new novel should be. Gaiman is one of the most important and welcome voices in English-language literature today, although intellectual praise shouldn't put off the reader searching for a good story, because that's exactly what one will find between these covers. "American Gods" is a journey of delights that I can do nothing but recommend to any reader.

Original Fantasy, January 5, 2002
American Gods is the rarest of creatures: a literate, witty, mordant, and moving contemporary fantasy novel. Yes, its pace is studied rather than frantic, its tone cool and thoughtful rather than histrionic, but the patient reader will be amply rewarded by Gaiman's carefully plotted and beautifully written tale of Old World dieties struggling for survival and relevance in 21st century America.

Gaiman has taken the essence of his gemlike short stories and blown it up into a genuine epic. Much more so than the entertaining but somewhat sparse Neverwhere, American Gods uses the novel's length and format to build power, even as its structure allows Gaiman to deploy a handful of strking short tales within it.

Anyone who has enjoyed Gaiman's previous work, or the contemporary fantasy of Clive Barker, Tim Powers, Roger Zelazny, or Kim Newman, is likely to enjoy this excellent book.

Sacred fun on the road with Odin and the gang., August 11, 2001
How ironic when the Great American Novel is written by an Englishman! The absolutely elfin Neil Gaiman earns himself a lasting place in American literature with this novel. There are echoes of Hawthorne, Melville, lots of Lovercraft, and more than a smidgen of Kerouac here. While wonderfully providing quirky and fascinating personalities for all his mythic cast, the characterization of the Egyptian cat goddess Bast (a Gaiman essential from his Sandman days) and of Whiskey Jack, from Native American folklore are quite unforgettable. But most amazing of all, is the precise and flawless capture of the quintessence of the American character. Mr. Gaiman's scalpel-like intuition and perception of who we are as Americans is awesomely brutal and unflinching. Few writers born on this side of the Atlantic understand and portray it a quarter as well. This would be an excellent choice for academic study, but that detracts nothing from the fast-paced, page-turning excitement and sheer joie de vivre. Life-affirming literature and a rollicking good time --- can't ask more of a novel!

An extremely well-written book, October 23, 2001
As a big Gaiman fan, I'm probably prejudiced in favor of his books, but I still have to say that I was quite taken with this book. I bought it the day it came out and was done with it in less than 24 hours. Without trying to give anything away, I have to say that I really enjoyed all of the obscure references made in American Gods to (what else) various gods and other mythic figures. The concept, while not necessarily original, was presented here in a fresh perspective. The main character, Shadow, while at first glance a rather shallow character, turns out to be exceedingly deep and multi-faceted upon closer inspection (sorry for all of those literary clichés).
One should not go into this expecting Stardust II. At the same time, while American Gods shares a tome similar to that in the Sandman series, one shouldn't be looking for another Morpheus story. This novel is a category into itself in Gaiman's repertoire. In other words, being a Gaiman fan is no guarantee that you'll like it; at the same time, even if you didn't like his other books, this novel might still be accessible.

Got me through a tough week, June 22, 2001
Earlier this week, I got hit with an unpleasant medical diagnosis. Serious surgery involving sharp knives in proximity to my spinal cord looms in my near-future. None of the writers who normally distract me from my troubles were of any use: not Stephen King, not Jack Finney; Garrison Keillor and Bill Bryson couldn't get a smile out of me.

And then, American Gods showed up. I'd quite forgotten I pre-ordered it. For the past two months, I have been in too much pain to sit for any length of time, but when the book came I sat right down and started reading. And was feeling no pain. Just my old pals, Awe and Wonder.

That's the best thing I know to say about a book. It helped me through my pain. Thanks, Neil.

Stunning scope and magnificent depth, June 12, 2002
Neil Gaiman's AMERICAN GODS is simultaneously an epic, a treatise on religion, a road trip story, a coin trick instruction manual, a murder mystery, a war novel, a tale of self actualization, and a love story. At any given point in GODS, there are six or seven different plots occurring -- but Gaiman juggles them admirably and never lets anything drop.

In Gaiman's previous works, GOOD OMENS (with Terry Pratchett), STARDUST, and NEVERWHERE, the reader knew exactly in which genre the book belonged. GOOD OMENS was an apocolyptic comedy, STARDUST was a fantasy/love story, and NEVERWHERE was a dark fantasy thriller. AMERICAN GODS is the first of Gaiman's novels in which the cliches of the genre are meaningless -- because AMERICAN GODS transcends the genres it encompasses. This makes for a novel of stunning scope, and Gaiman's talent makes for a story of magnificent depth.

Our hero is Shadow, a man of indeterminate ethnic origin. He's big, and he can hold his own in a fight, but he'd rather not. His favorite book is Herodotus' HISTORIES. His life story is unfolded for us little by little, and we delight in every new revelation, because Shadow is truly our hero.

The novel's structure is a bit like THE GRAPES OF WRATH, in that about every other chapter is not about the hero at all, but about a different storyline altogether. I admit that initially this structure irritated me, but then I realized that these "mini-plots" were just as fascinating as the "big plot."

Although one reviewer complained of the "predictable" plot twists, in my mind there was nothing predictable about GODS. I found myself actually cringing with fear at some points because of what was happening to the hero -- and I had never suspected it.

The host of supporting characters is simply awesome. From the most ordinary human being, the chief of Lakeside Police, to the most fun god, Mr. Nancy, Gaiman describes each new person or god just enough to let us know who s/he is, then plunges onward. The result is perhaps the largest cast of characters I can remember reading about, and yet the reader is satisfied with each and every character.

One warning before you pick up this book: it is not a happy book. For those who are familiar with Gaiman's work, this revelation is no surprise. But for those who want just another summer reading book . . . death and disappointment abound in GODS. The murder mystery is solved (and solved well), but it leaves the reader with a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. Shadow learns a lot about himself, but a lot of it is bad news. Some wonderful, seemingly good characters are (like Hunter in NEVERWHERE) actually very, very bad. Shadow never seems to catch a break in his personal life, either. These aren't drawbacks, mind you, but things to consider before starting the very, very *long,* addictive read.

I feel as though I have not done the book justice with my rambling review. So here's my final statement: AMERICAN GODS is truly one of the finest novels I have ever read. If you have the time to invest, I strongly urge you to purchase AMERICAN GODS. You won't regret it. ... Read more

Editorial Review

GhostWalker Kane Cannon's mission plunges him into a hot zone more personal than he anticipated: the hiding place of Rose Patterson-hunted fugitive, ex-lover, and a fellow GhostWalker desperate to save the life of her unborn child. Kane's Child. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Golden Age of Sail has Returned -- in the Year 2352
When his mother dies in a flitter crash, eighteen-year-old Ishmael Horatio Wang must find a job with the planet company or leave the system--and NerisCo isn't hiring. With credits running low, and prospects limited, he has just one hope...to enlist for two years with a deep space commercial freighter. Ishmael, who only rarely visited the Neris Orbital, and has never been off-planet alone before, finds himself part of an eclectic crew sailing a deep space leviathan between the stars.

Join the crew of the SC Lois McKendrick, a Manchester built clipper as she sets solar sails in search of profit for her company and a crew each entitled to a share equal to their rating.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
2008 Parsec Award Finalist for Best Speculative Fiction for Full Share
2008 Podiobooks Founder's Choice Award for Double Share
2008 Parsec Award Finalist for Best Speculative Fiction for South Coast
2009 Podiobooks Founder's Choice Award for Captain's Share
2009 Parsec Award Finalist for Best Speculative Fiction for Double Share
6 out of 10 Top Overall Rated podio books (#3 Ravenwood, #4 Quarter Share, #5 Double Share, #6 Captain's Share, #7 Full Share, #10 South Coast) as of May 2010
5 out of 10 Top Overall Rated by Votes podio books(#2 Double Share, #3 Quarter Share, #4 Full Share, #7 Half Share, #10 Captain's Share) as of May 2010

ABOUT THE SERIES
TRADER'S TALES
Quarter Share
Half Share
Full Share
Double Share
Captain's Share
Owner's Share*

SHAMAN'S TALES
South Coast
Cape Grace
... Read more

Reviews

The Heart of Classic Science Fiction, April 23, 2010
I originally "read" Quarter Share, by Nathan Lowell, in the original podiobook format. I, like many of Nathan's fans, are eagerly awaiting the print release of his fantastic story (and the rest of the 'Golden Age of the Solar Clipper' series) so that I (we) can delve into his fantastic story again (and again).

If I can give you my quick and dirty recommendation: GIVE THIS ONE A TRY NOW!

It is a fantastic story that will resonate with you long after you have read the last word. It is a refreshing break from mainstream, "shoot-em-up and save the galaxy in time for dinner" science fiction, showing us the real, human side of our potentially bright future. If you like classic Heinlein (such as the Rolling Stones, Farmer in the Sky, Citizen of the Galaxy), then this one is definitely up your alley.


Here's my longer, more detailed recommendation:

Quarter Share is not your typical futuristic sci-fi story. It is not a story based on waring nations or individuals bent on conquest or domination, so it does not easily fit into the mold of what many of us have come to expect from the sci-fi genre. Instead, it breaks the mold by concentrating on the life and experiences of what Nathan refers to as the "common man". Truthfully, as I started listening to this, at first I was very sceptical of this type of sci-fi story for the first couple chapters and was very unsure of where it was going. Then without really realizing it, I was fully immersed in the story and found that I was very interested in where Ish (the main character) was going to end up in his life, or at least where he was going to be by the end of the story... and I couldn't stop listening.

It was a strange transition for me--having come to expect conflict and danger and "bigger than life" for the majority of my sci-fi "hero" characters I normally get into--to suddenly be draw so completely into a story about the simple, average, and often repetitive everyday struggles of a common person. By the end of the story, I was more invested emotionally and more interested in the small victories that these common characters were able to accomplish throughout the story than I honestly expected I'd be... in fact, I find that the characters in this story have resonated and stuck in my mind more than most of the other sci-fi books I have read (and I've read hundreds of sci-fi books over the last 25 years). Don't get me wrong, I love a good action oriented hero story set in the sci-fi genre as much as anyone else... it's just that this one is so unlike those other storytelling methods that I thoroughly enjoyed Nathan's Quarter Share as much, if not more, than those mainstream offerings... just in a very different, more meaningful manner.

The story revolves around Ishmael Wang (pronounced "wong" as in "gong"), known as Ish to his friends and intimates, a young man who is growing up on a corporate-owned planet. After his mother dies in a tragic (fateful) flitter crash, Ish is suddenly thrust into the real world when he is notified that he must vacate the planet (since he is not a company employee), forcing him to make some quick and difficult decisions about his potential future. A young man with no real marketable skills (or so he believes) and no idea where his future lies, Ish lands a job as a low level crew member (with a "quarter share" of the ship's profits) on an interstellar solar clipper called the Lois McKendrick. Ish begins to see a brighter future unfold where once he had little interest or premonition of his future, as he begins to learn the ins and outs of shipboard life. The story conveys the normal trials and tribulations of a young sailor on an interstellar trading vessel as he finds his place in the grand scheme of things and starts planning to have an active role in the development of his future... with potentially very lucrative results.

My overall recommendation is to give this story a try, no matter what your preconceived notions of the sci-fi genre are. Leave your normal sci-fi genre expectations at the airlock and travel a bit with Ish, Cookie, Pip, Big-Bad Bev, Mr. Maxwell, and the rest of the Lois crew as they travel the known trading routes in search of profit. This one is well worth the time! You won't be sorry.

The new age of Sci-Fi starts now, May 13, 2010
For a long time, science fiction has been the home to epic space battles, evil villains, princesses and lasers. These are great things, and fun, but you have to wonder- There are other stories, right? There are people out there who live real lives, have normal problems, and conquer their own obstacles.

Nathan Lowell fills a gap that I didn't know existed in Sci-Fi. He makes the world seem believable by showing the people who truly live in it. They have alarm clocks and deadlines. They make the engines turn, and make the food for the ship. They make the ship a home, and they make the reader feel like one of the family.

Lowell's writing is clean, clear, and approachable. His characters are likeable, flawed, and well developed. The world is carefully planned and built so that all the elements come together to make the whole story feel . . . true.

For years we've seen the explosive climax of epic Sci-Fi battles. This new form of sci-fi, low key and realistic, may be the next step in sci-fi's evolution. And after reading the book, I sincerely hope this is what the future has in store.

Heinlein lovers: read this!, July 29, 2010
I'm serious with that title to this review.

First the mechanics: the book is available in several formats: print, Kindle, podcast. I choose print being an old-fashioned ink-and-paper book kinda guy. What a find!

The world building, while mostly in the background - unless you count the trading ship SC Lois McKendrick - and you should, I think, since most of the book takes place there or on orbital stations around planetary stops - is very convincing. Character is a real strength. Lowell writes people I understood and cared about from the beginning.

Synopsis (no spoilers): Ishmael Horatio Wang lives with his mother, a college professor, on the company-owned planet Neris. When his mother dies in a flitter crash, eighteen-year-old Ishmael must find a job with the planet company or leave the system, and NerisCo isn't hiring. With credits running low, and prospects limited, his only choice is to enlist as a crew member on a deep space commercial freighter. Ishmael has never been off-planet before but soon finds himself part of an eclectic crew sailing a deep space solar clipper the SC Lois McKendrick, between the stars.

The title of this coming-of age novel comes from the bonus system used on these traders: according to their rating, each crew member gets a quarter, half or full share, with senior officers entitled to double shares and more. As a new crew member Ishmael is entitled to a quarter share.
As I started reading, I thought of Robert A. Heinlein's "juvenile" books, Space Cadet, Farmer in the Sky, Have Space Suit - Will Travel, Tunnel in the Sky, Between Planets and others. That feeling grew as I went on, but I soon came to the conclusion that this book is better than those.

After reading Quarter Share, I wanted something that might be similar to quench my book hunger, so I picked up one of Robert Heinlein's YA novels, Have Space Suit, Will Travel. It is not as good as Quarter Share. The more I think about it, the more comparisons I think of: Ishmael Wang is a lot like young David Falkayn, Poul Anderson's smart, clever trader character. Comparisons to Robert Heinlein and Poul Anderson are appropriate. That's darn good company.
By the time I finished Quarter Share I was eager for the next book in the series, Half Share, already available in digital formats and soon to be in print, probably Fall, 2010. They can't put these in print fast enough for me. In my opinion they will become classics of the genre, and deservedly so.

Upbeat, wonderful story with characters you really care about., April 30, 2010
Nathan Lowell is a master of what he does. I fell in love with Quarter Share very early in the book. The book is a very realistic (but hopeful and positive) tale of how its central character deals with adversity and thrives, making a good life for himself and improving things for everybody around him. He solves problems. He is extremely likeable, and yet all of these things in the hands of another author might lead to a somewhat flat tale (I think it's much harder to write a really great book that is bright/positive than to write a really great book that is dark). In the hands of Nathan Lowell, the story pops out of the page and the characters are wonderful.

The fact that it's a spacefaring tale is gravy. Like all the best stories, the setting could be changed because the story is about really compelling characters doing and thinking interesting things. The fact that you can tell things will work out ok in the end doesn't make the journey any less enjoyable.

This is a book that will make you smile a lot. It is just plain fun! I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Lowell is in the ranks of Heinlein, July 13, 2010
I downloaded Quarter Share to my Kindle. After reading the book in a one day marathon read I posted on FB that for the first time in a long time I found an author who spoke to the inner me and reminded me of Heinlein.

I immediately went back to Amazon.com to buy the remaining books in the series. ACCKKKK!!!! Not yet available.

I quickly googled "Nathan Lowell". That led me to [...]. YES!

In one week I listened to the remaining books in the series. Now I'm chomping at the bit for "Owner's Share". The sooner the better.

The series isn't a shoot 'em up, monsters from the "Deep Dark" sort of book. I live by the Mississippi River along the Gulf Coast and the characters could just as easily be crew members on the many freighters that pass each day.

The books clearly and smoothly share the interactions and budding growth between friends, co-workers, crew and the ships they serve. You are happily drawn into the story and become a part of their life.

Ishmael has a balance and wit about him that I wish I had with those that work for me. I would really like to share a cup of coffee with Ish.

The only complaint I have is Nathan Lowell writes such strong characters that I miss Ish's friends along the road of his life. I so hope Owner's Share brings back some of those friends. I would love to see AA or Bev show up on the occasional shore leave. Or maybe as he matures, a more permanent return of an old love interest? Hmmmmm!!

And my final concern, "Captains Share" seemed to end a bit abruptly. I was left hanging. I wanted to see how the new Quarter Share crewman wound up after such a highly interesting introduction to the new crewman. Again, hopefully in "Owners Share" we will see.

Wonderful books. Nathan Lowell is definitely in there with Heinlein and the other Sci Fi greats!

Great Job! Thank you!

Flawed and likeable, July 12, 2010
I hesitate to say anything negative about these books (I'm including the rest of the series as the flaws become more pronounced over its course), as I agree with almost all of the positive comments made here. I've enjoyed spending time with Ish and his shipmates as they work and bond together, and I've plowed through four now without coming up for breath.
However, as another reviewer noted, they are essentially conflict-free. Not a lot happens, certainly none of the great arcs that can be developed over a series such as this.
Further, Ishmael is too perfect - he goes from triumph to triumph in an implausible way. He studies, he tests, he ... Scores! He has an eye for quality in the flea market! Women find his stern irresistible! He saves the ship - again! He makes money had over fist! He has few of the great flaws that make Horatio Hornblower (Ish is his middle-namesake) and Jack Aubrey such enduring characters.
Finally, and this is petty, but it bugs me that the supposed son of a lit professor would make so many grammatical errors. Check your pronouns, Ish! Your mom would be embarassed!
I look forward to reading or listening to more from Mr. Lowell. His reading of the books is lovely. Once he gets past the need for his alter-ego to be perfect, he will be a writer even more worth following.

Good News, Bad News, November 9, 2010
The Good News: This in an excellent read with plot and characters that grab your attention. The Bad News: Its the first book in the series and we have to wait for the rest. Darn! Where's a time machine when you need one.

A different type of sci fi experience, August 19, 2010
The author's novel approach of no great heroes, but guys learning to experience the spaceways from the start on is refreshing and interesting. The characters are not great heroes who will shake the universe, but ordinary folk striving to survive and make their way. Becuase they are starting out on the ship for the first time, all the explanations of the ship and its customs come accross completely naturally without interrupting the flow. The interactions among the crew are well drawn, and I anxiously await the availability of more volumes on kindle

Can't wait for the rest of the books !, July 29, 2010
I read this book in less than 24 hours - up till 3AM reading because I literally didnt want to put it down. I'm a sucker for teenage science fiction since Heinlein. Ish's story reminds a little of the Rolling Stones now that I think about it. I was very disappointed that the next books in the series weren't available. I was ready to purchase them all for my kindle. Audio books aren't my thing so I guess I'll just have to wait but its going to be painful :-) Very enjoyable read. I miss this type of "good fiction". Thanks to Mr Lowell for such a good story !

A wonderful story, August 5, 2010
Please take the time to buy this book and listen to all of Nathan's podcast. This guy is a great author and narator. Well worth the time and money. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Harry Dresden--Wizard
Lost items found.Paranormal investigations.
Consulting.Advice.Reasonable rates.
No Love Potions, Endless Purses, Parties, or Other Entertainment.

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does.Well, technically, he's the only at what he does.So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers.For the "everyday" world is actually full of strange and magical things--and most of them don't play too well with humans.That's where Harry comes in.Takes a wizard to catch a--well, whatever.

There's just one problem.Business, to put it mildly, stinks.So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs.But where there's magic, there's a black mage behind it.And now that mage knows Harry's name.And that's when things start to get... interesting.

Magic.It can get a guy killed. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Enter the world of Count Albritton. It is a world where magic and the supernatural are very real. Creatures of legend, sorcerers and other powers walk among us. As a paranormal investigator, Count helps people with supernatural problems the authorities are either unwilling or unable to deal with. It's dangerous work. Luckily he has Kara, a beautiful guardian angel to help him.

Over the years, magic has grown weaker as mankind has made more and more technological advances. Many things that were possible in the past are no longer possible or easier to accomplish using technology. One man seeks to change all of that. He plans to bring back the golden age of magic. To do so, means sacrificing the technology that mankind depends upon and unleashing horrors best left forgotten.

Count isn't about to let that happen. Even with the help of his friends, it’s a fight he isn’t sure he can win.

*** Thanks to all those who downloaded the book and commented about the editing. This edition has been re-edited. *** ... Read more

Reviews

Could have been - but failed to be - excellent., November 11, 2010
If you like the early Anita Blake books, you might enjoy this short novel. It stars a kick-ass protagonist dealing with the good and the bad of various paranormal players, and taking the lead in trying to stop a super-powerful evil adversary who threatens both the paranormal and mundane worlds. Unfortunately, the editing was horrid. The story abounds with misspelled words, missing words, duplicated words, missing or incorrect punctuation, gramatical errors, and so on, to the point that the story was often difficult to follow. Consequently, neither did the plot move forward as smoothly, nor were the characters developed as fully, as the author no doubt intended. The book ends with umresolved issues which will presumably be addressed in other volumes, and I will probably read them at some point, but it's a shame, because I suspect that if the editing had been better, this author might have been on my must read list.

A gritty entertaining read!, September 8, 2010
If you took Harry Dresden, Dirty Harry Calahan, and maybe John Rambo and combined them into one smart and somewhat refined hard core S.O.B. you might come up with Count Albrittin.
Intriguing things always start at a Waffle House at 2am. With a guardian angel like Kara watching out for him, and a handful of friends to help him along the way, the hero finds himself caught up in an epic battle of good and evil. I'm not much of a reviewer, but I found this to be a gritty entertaining read. Get it before somebody tells Jackson how good it is and has him jack up the price!

Good Book, December 8, 2009
Not a bad first piece of work.
He has good character development and it keeps you interested in the story.
Count Albritton is the reluctant hero who does his best to get into trouble despite his dislike of it!
Good sci/fi fantasy ties it has magic mythical beasts vampires all tossed in a good modern background!

Minus 1 star for editing errors... but it's a great story., November 15, 2010
The prologue and first chapter hooked me, I wanted to know what happened, but the half-book flashback covering the events of the prior week in the story, threw me. By the time I reached the point where the flashback caught up with reality, I had forgotten I was in a flashback and a part of the story definitely felt disjointed. The smaller flashbacks (a page or less at a time) did not have that problem. I think the story might have been a bit easier to follow if those 2 chapters had been moved to just before the end of the first "act".

The continuing battle of minds, bodies, and wills between Count & Meredith kept the story fast paced and engaging.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and how the author kept things from being too easy for Count by making half of his support-base of friendships inaccessible right when he would need them the most.

There are some problems that need to be addressed as far as editing goes, but the story as a whole more than makes up for that fact. I like the way the "magic" of the world is patently "there" but still un-believed in by most "normal" people. I really enjoyed the story and I sympathized with Count having to deal with major situations and not being at 100% capacity himself after getting out of the hospital.

The world of magic and suspense, November 14, 2010
I found this to be a relly excellent book and will eagerly await the rest of the series. The gardian angel Kara was an interesting twist and there was plenty of suspense and adventure. I found myself wanting to read more and learn more about the characters in this book. It was a very enjoyable read.

Great Story...Bad Editing...., December 6, 2010
The was a great read. Storyline/plot, cast of characters, etc. all draw you in & make for a wonderful read. HOWEVER, the editing leaves a lot to be desired. So much so that it becomes distracting at times between incorrect grammar, incomplete sentences, tense change in mid-sentence, punctuation, & spelling errors. If you want help fixing this, let me know. I'd be happy to help. I hate to see a great story lose any kind of readership due to easily corrected errors.

Could've been great..., December 1, 2010
Rating: 3.3 out of 5

Every once in a while, I run across a book that I can't help but think, "If there had been just this much more work put into it (or perhaps a little more), it could have been special."

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you The Gift of Fury by Richard Jackson.

The setup of the book is as follows - Count Albritton (that's his name, not his title...weird, I know, but it works) is a paranormal investigator working out of New York City. He and his friends (a pair of wizards, a vampire of some sort, and an immortal warrior) run up against a man named Jack Meredith, a wealthy entrepreneur who desires more than simply predicting how to work the stock market in his favor.

It seems that Mr. Meredith has gone to great lengths to awaken the Seven, a powerful group of beings harkening from the "Old Days" of magic. And it turns out that our beloved Count, who holds a special relationship with a magical ring called the Bloodstone, is the only one who can stop him.

I so, so wanted to love this book. The author has a fantastic voice, telling the tale from Count's viewpoint. He goes in-depth about the workings of the magical world that exists just beneath our own "real" world, explaining things such as the Witching Hour, different types of vampires, and the differentiations of various forms of magical practices. It was honestly quite entertaining to read. Jackson paints a vision of New York that is mysterious as well as mundane, and he takes some well-known (and not so well-known) locations and makes them shine anew. Great job there.

The characters who surround the fabulously sarcastic Count, also have their own distinct voices. Highest on this list is Hagan, the eternal warrior. He's gruff and strangely carefree, the type of braggart that can't wait to let everyone around him know of his exploits, whether he should or not. Also intriguing was Scott Dorward, one of the two sorcerers Count associates with. He is wonderfully quirky and straightforward. The few scenes he appears in are some of the best in the whole book.

As for the plot...it's simple but it works. When it all gets boiled down, this is an adventure story. Its aim is to present a new world and entertain you. The only real theme I could find would be find yourself, young man, as Count doesn't understand the power he possesses and must constantly work to harness. As I said, it's simple but enjoyable.

And then we have the problems, which are many. I usually don't make a huge deal of the editing in books - a few typos don't bother me - but this one is rife with so many errors it became distracting. Also, it is told in first-person present tense - which is a difficult style to pull off effectively - and even the flashbacks are presented in this way. It completely interrupts the flow of the story. Every time this happened, I had to scroll back to see if what I was reading happened now or then. Change the tense, man!

On the subject of those flashbacks, there were at least two too many. We could've done without discovering how Count found the Bloodstone or first met Hagan. These facts could have easily been disclosed organically through conversation or informative snippets, without exposition.

These aspects of the novel came close to ruining it for me. Close, but not quite. I still had a good time with it, and I thought the world author Jackson created seemed fresh and new. It's too bad there are so many irritants, because were those facets not there, this could've been something special.

As presently constructed, it's a fun rough draft, not a final product.

Which is a shame.

Plot - 7
Characters - 9
Voice - 8
Execution - 3
Personal Enjoyment - 6

Overall - 33/50 (3.3/5)

More please, November 28, 2010
I have just finished this story and I can't wait for more of the same from this author. I loved the characters. They were all a little different but not without their own idiosyncracies and warmth. I particularly liked the exchange between Hagan and the Fae. That had me laughing out loud.

The story was fast-paced and the hero was tough but vulnerable with an interesting quirky power.

Yes there were quite a few typos and errors - more than a few really - and they were annoying but the story was good enough that they didn't put me off.

There were many treasures in this book waiting to be unearthed. I am sure I missed most but I did pick up on the Fritz Leiber one and that made me smile.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy with a dash of realism and a hero who is worthy of the role. Five stars despite the errors.

great start of a new series, November 12, 2010
An original slant on demon/vampire/fae/magic stories. Seemingly there
are two sides in this story: the dragons and the seven. The dragons
are sort of good and the seven are sort of bad. The hero is the
agent of the dragons (sort of a surprise to him) and has as such
a shield, a weapon, and an advisor (the advisor is a ``valkyrie''
guardian angel). In this story the hero gets his act together
and manages to keep the seven imprisoned, though they have woken up.

The action was fast and there were interesting supporting characters.
I was sorry the book ended and will buy the sequel: certainly rates
five stars.

Story was great for a first try, December 27, 2010
The story and characters in The Gift of Fury where excellent. The story was pretty solid and each character well thought out. Many other reviews already mentioned the lack of clean editing which I also found surprising. It seemed to me that the book may have been rushed to market; one or two people reading through an early copy may have helped correct the simple mistakes and made this a solid book. Except for that, I really did enjoy this book and am looking forward to more from Mr. Jackson. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The official novels of the award-winning Xbox game!This set contains The Fall of Reach, First Strike, and The Flood -- the complete chronicles of the bloody Human-Covenant War on Halo.

The Fall of Reach
As the bloody Human-Covenant War rages on Halo, the fate of humankind may rest with one warrior, the lone SPARTAN survivor of another legendary battle . . . the desperate, take-no-prisoners struggle that led humanity to Halo--the fall of the planet Reach. Now, brought to life for the first time, here is the full story of that glorious, doomed conflict.

First Strike
The Human-Covenant war rages on as the alien juggernaut sweeps inexorably toward its final goal: destruction of all human life!

The Flood
The Human-Covenant War, a desperate struggle for humankind’s very survival, has reached its boiling point on the mysterious, ring world called Halo. But the fierce Covenant warriors, the mightiest alien military force known, are not the only peril lying in wait.

Bungie, Halo, Xbox, and the Xbox Logos are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Used under license. (c) 2001-2003 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved ... Read more

Reviews

Impressive "fleshing out" of a wonderful game series, October 14, 2004
I've gone on record in the past of having disliked the first book in this series. I take it back. After having played the original Halo through to the end more than 10 times now, I now find these books irresistable.

Halo Book One - The Fall of Reach

The first book of this trilogy details the formation of the Spartan II/Mjolinar program, including the origination of the characters Master Chief, Captain Keyes and Cortana. "Fall of Reach" fleshes out the backstory. How did the Covenent happen upon humanity in the first place? What were our first encounters with the Covenent like? What does "glassing a planet" entail? And what is it that the Covenent is after?

The last question isn't answered completely, but this first volume does provide some tantalizing details that might give you a clue. You do, however, find out exactly what the Pillar of Autumn was up to prior to ending up in orbit around Halo.

Eric Nylund does a great job of injecting some humanity into the Spartans (yes, there's more than one) and some drama and strategy into fight scenes with the Covenent. If you find yourself liking this book, you may want to pick up Nylund's "Signal to Noise" or "A Signal Shattered". No matter how good Nylund's military sci-fi is, his hard sci-fi is better.

Halo Book Two - The Flood

Normally, I'd say "skip this" if you've already played the game. And if you have played through the game, then the plot points in this novel won't lend you any surprises. It is, however, a testament to William Dietz's prowess as an author that even Halo veterans such as myself can pick up this book and still be interested in the subject matter. As with "Fall of Reach", "The Flood" fleshes out the Halo universe even further. Not only do you follow Master Chief as he combats the Covenent, the Flood and Guilty Spark 243 on the Jovian-orbiting ringworld of Halo, but you get up close and personal with some of the ODSTs (Helljumpers, who will play a large part in Halo 2), marines and non-coms who are aiding Master Chief in the fight. You even get to see the fight from the Covenant point of view.

William Dietz was a fine choice for creating this novelization. Already an excellent military sci-fi author, he does great work here in turning a potentially lackluster novelization into something interesting and special.

Halo Book Three - First Strike

I don't really want to ruin this one for Halo fans. The most important thing about this book is this - it acts as a bridge between the events of first Halo game and Halo 2. "First Strike", again by Eric Nylund, picks up right where first game ended - with Master Chief and Cortana stuck in a non-FTL bomber in the dead space surrounding the remains of Halo. I won't give away anymore except to say that Halo 2 is set-up perfectly here.

The most impressive thing about the Halo books is this - the amount of backstory created for the Halo universe is stunning. If you've read anything about the new Halo 2 release and have read these novels, you'll understand what I mean. Plot points and military types from the first novel are being incorporated into or mentioned in Halo 2, ie - the aforementioned ODSTs. I have no idea WHERE this backstory came from - either from the imaginations of Dietz and Nylund or the impressive minds working at Bungie. It doesn't matter. Reading these books and playing these games, you become intimate with a well thought-out alternate universe. And its a great one to spend time in.

November 9th can't come soon enough!

Hopefully William Dietz is on the business end of that Halo 2 novelization, and this set will include four books in the future.

fantastic storyline.. highly addictive reading ..... the orgin of master chief, December 19, 2005
i just got these 3 books yesterday...and i had time to sit down and read all three of them in a single day its a page turner for sure..highly addictive reading...these books flesh out all the backstory on the master chief and the spartins...yes he was one of a group of super soldiers :)..these books also tell us about the war with the covenant and how it came to start and what the covenant is actually looking for on the planet halo.... if your a sci fi reader or just like a good story loaded with action grab these books..oh and the box set is great for desktop display...cant wait to the halo movie that is going into production.. cheers

Best Sci Fi/Military book, December 1, 2004
As a member of the US military, it is hard to find fictional military stories that combine sci-fi and a good solid storyline. These are the kind of books that I have been searching for. Worth the time to read and the money to buy.

Didn't Disappoint. Definately Recommended!, April 13, 2006
Having experienced HALO: Combat Evolved and studying up a bit on the backstory I decided to risk a few bucks on these novels based on what previous reviewers have said. What did I think? Well, as a very picky and details oriented fan of military fiction and sci-fi I was pleasantly surprised and very entertained by these novels. The space combat scenes in The Fall of Reach and First Strike are simply fantastic. The action is believeable and creative. The technology imployed, whether Human, Covenant or other never seems too far-fetched. The Flood is a bit of a change of pace, as I had expected from reading other reviews, but it was no less entertaining or fun and intriguing. Also, the human stories are fascinating. While only a few characters are really developed in-depth they are dynamic in ways that the games could never get across. I personally found myself captivated by Jacob Keyes, Cortana, and especially everyone's favorite cyborg: John, Spartan 117.

All in all this is a great series of novels and they add a wondrous wealth of knowledge and depth to the HALO universe. It's what I wish more military sci-fi stories could be. If you're not yet a fan of HALO, but you like military sci-fi then this is a great place to test the waters of the HALO universe. If you're already a fan and haven't read these books you're cheating yourself. These authors and the people at Bungie studios have created a tale full of adventure, mystery and a good share of hidden treasures.


Revelation (John) 1:17
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, "Fear not; I am the first and the last; I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

Books flesh out the details of the amazing "Halo" series, June 1, 2006
At first, I was hesitant to pick these titles up for the simple fact that, while I am a "gamer," I'm not real big on sci-fi reading. I also feared that these books might add up to little more than fodder to lure more money out of the pockets of die-hard "Halo" fans by pandering to the already fanatical following the game has produced.
And I was wrong.
Halo's story successfully crosses the media lines in three amazing books that actually enriched my appreciation of the games.
I used to like the fact that the Master Chief was that quintessential tough guy: mysterious and unbeatable, eternally resourceful and cool-headed, cold and battle-hardened. And, if you've played the games, then you know the gimmick: you never see his face.
Well, these books unmask our beloved Spartan 117, literally and figuratively. Initially, I was a little jaded that these authors took it upon themselves to encroach upon the intergalactic man-of-mystery, but it wasn't long before I warmed up to learning his history and fighting his battles from a third-person perspective that's actually more "first-person" than even the game can offer. I learned to appreciate the depth of the human inside the helmet.
I also enjoyed learning about the other Spartans and the tight fraternal bonds they forge with each other: bred and trained for battle, loyalty and duty, though essentially ostracized, feared and misunderstood by their "normal" human counterparts; there are several points when it's said that the other marines see the Spartans as being as alien as the alien race their fighting against.
Most interesting, however, are the stories you get that the games never touch upon. There's many story-lines and characters introduced here that the games don't even mention, for obvious reasons- primarily because the games came out first. The first book takes place before (and sets up) the first game; the second book is pretty much the first game verbatim, from beginning to end, and the third is the detailing of events between the end of the first game and beginning of the second, Halo 2. In a lot of ways, it seems as if this console-to-page transition is similar to the efforts made a couple years back with the Matrix titles. In order to get the whole Matrix story, aside from the three films, one had to play a Matrix video game, watch a direct to DVD title and read Matrix books, all of which acted as vital arcs in the circle of events throughout the saga. Halo's last book, "First Strike" introduces a lot of loose ends that are left to dangle even throughout the second game. And we thought Halo 2's cliff-hanger ending couldn't get any worse! Now, I'm positively chompin' at the bit with anticipation of Halo 3.
I'd say these titles work on a number of levels. Most importantly, I believe that the success of these games and books somehow asserts and validates gaming as a rapidly growing and infections new form of entertainment capable of holding its own next to blockbusting movies and New York Times best-selling novels; video games aren't just "for the kids" anymore. The story-telling and intrigue found in a game can be just as compelling, if not more so, than most of the rubbish Hollywood churns out anymore- not to mention that you get to participate and enjoy a sense of achievement as the stories unfold.
I don't know if anymore books are in the making; perhaps they're waiting for Halo 3, but there's still a lot of story to tell, so I certainly hope I get the chance to read on.

Awesome, July 20, 2007
For anyone who is a fan of the Halo video games, this would be the best $[...] you'll spend outside of the games themselves. I've just finished the first book after 2 days of reading. I couldn't stop, and I'm one of those kids who HATES BOOKS! I cant stand them, but the fact that it was halo drove me to figure out the story line. It really puts you in the game and explains everything up to them finding the Halo ring. Besides, it's about $15, just have your parents buy them. Tell them your buying books and they'll be more than happy. I'm 19 with a great job and nice paychecks and my mom saw me reading for the first time since 1st grade and she offered to buy me The Ghosts of Onyx and Contact Harvest, as well as Gravemind.

Great!, February 27, 2005
I thought that since this book was based on a video game, it would just be a little flick to make a little mula, but Eric Nylund is a greater writer and keeps you guessing wwith the Halo series!

The Fall Of Reach Is Awsome!, September 6, 2005
I've read some of the other reviews here. Good thing I did that after I started reading the first book in this series so my reading wasn't influenced by the opinions of others. I didn't read this book with a critical journalist's eye like some negative reviewers have done. I didn't care about grammer and typos and what not.

I find the writer's description of the awesome space battles and the master chief's wild fights with the aliens truly nice. I got pure enjoyment out of reading this book, with my heart racing just following the hot adventures of John who later became the Master Chief.

Though I've read many books, I've never sat down and read a science fiction novel until now. I use to believe that I wouldn't enjoy a book based on a video game. I stand corrected. This book is a page turner.

. A warning to you commuters, who like to read while riding the train to work, be careful while reading this book for you might pass your stop. It has happened to me.

Halo - the Untold Story, August 2, 2005
Before I say anything I should mention that I'm a tremendous fan of the Xbox game on which this series is based. These books are a must-have if you were captivated by the awesome story and atmosphere that is Bungie's hit series Halo. Some minor Spoilers are below.

This boxed set includes The Fall of Reach (prequel to the game), The Flood (novelization of the game), and First Strike (epilogue to Halo 1 and lead-in to Halo 2).

Here's my opinion of each book in this box set.
The Fall of Reach - if you watched the opening scene of Halo 1 and wondered about the origins of the Master Chief, Captain Keyes, Cortana, the Covenant and its various species, or Earth's colony Reach, this book gives you a fantastic backstory that gives greater depth to the characters you already know, and introduces some new ones.

The Flood - So you think that because you've played the game you can skip this novelization? I think not. The Flood includes scenes (and a covenant species) from Halo that were cut from the final version of the game. Ever wonder where all of those human dropships in the game refueled and made camp? You'll find answers here. Writer William Dietz manages to make a simple novelization more complex and enjoyable than you may think.

First Strike - After the Master Chief and Cortana destroyed the Halo ringworld, how did they manage to get home without a faster-than-light vehicle in order to warn Earth about the Covenant threat? And why was the fleet that attacked Earth in the Halo 2 videogame so small? Writer Eric Nylund manages to tie up all the loose ends from the Halo videogame and book and give us a great lead-in to the events of Halo 2.

These books by themselves are excellent and have a lot to offer to any sci-fi buff, and they make excellent companions to the videogame.

Trilogy, September 7, 2005
This trilogy really is worth concidering if you are a fan of the story, and like explosions, gunfire and space bound tactics and battles. The story is well devised, and well written. There are a few typos, but nothing that matters. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Breakfast Of Champions is vintage Vonnegut. One of his favorite characters, aging writer Kilgore Trout, finds to his horror that a Midwest car dealer is taking his fiction as truth. The result is murderously funny satire as Vonnegut looks at war, sex, racism, success, politics, and pollution in America and reminds us how to see the truth. ... Read more

Editorial Review

This isn't a short story or a novella. This is a collection of scenes written by Gordon Andrews as a companion to our Kate Daniels series of books. These scenes illustrate the point of view of Curran, the Beast Lord of Atlanta and are provided in gratitude to our readers for all of their support. This collection isn't meant to stand on its own as an independent work of fiction.

This collection is available free on Smashwords. We've received so many requests from people asking to pay us for it that we finally put it up on Amazon, so you have a choice: you can pay us for it or you can download it free. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Butch O'Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard-living ex-homicide cop, he's the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world-to engage in the turf war with the lessers. His heart belongs to a female vampire, Marissa, an aristocratic beauty who's way out of his league. And if he can't have her, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers.

But fate curses him with the very thing he wants. When Butch sacrifices himself to save a civilian vampire from the slayers, he falls prey to the darkest force in the war. Left for dead, he's found by a miracle, and the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back, though even her love may not be enough to save him. ... Read more

Editorial Review

With technologies and weapon systems torn from the pages of DARPA's most advanced military programs, DOMINANT SPECIES is an explosive roller-coaster of futuristic military action. This fast-paced, character-driven novel will immerse you in the world of US Marines in lethal powered armor, trapped aboard the ghostly ruins of a starship buried miles underground. Somewhere amid the twisted, frozen decks, these elite Marines will find themselves wrapped in an ancient mystery and a life-or-death battle to see who will become... the DOMINANT SPECIES. ... Read more

Reviews

A fun ride for Military Sci-Fi fans..., December 26, 2009
As a self-professed "journeyman" of military sci-fi (in other words, I'm no expert, but I've really enjoyed books like ARMOR by Steakly, OLD MAN'S WAR by Scalzi, THE FOREVER WAR by Haldeman, and to some lesser degree STARSHIP TROOPERS, FIRST STRIKE, and a few of the David Drake novels) I think I could recommend this book. I absolutely LOVED the cool technology described by Marks. Marks gets an A+ for his cool technology ideas. He made me want a suit of this armor the way I've always wanted a lightsaber. The "centerpiece" of the novel is really the armor worn by these Marines. Marks does an excellent job of detailing the capabilities of the weapons without making it a drudgery to read. The characters were a bit too cliche'for my taste: the war-frazzled, alpha-male leader, the menacing side-kick appropriately named Monster, the tough-as-nails sniper chick, we've seen many of these characters before. However, Marks writes them well. A few of the plot points were a bit too convenient for me, but that's making it sound like I didn't enjoy the book. Actually, I did. If you enjoy your sci-fi in equal parts of cool tech and ass-kickery, get this book. You'll like it.

An exceptional read and perhaps the future of Sci-Fi?, December 8, 2009
Michael Marks has given us a remarkably well crafted novel. While the genre is military sci-fi, famed more for action than well developed personalities, the characters display a great deal of depth that really brings them to life. His action sequences put you front and centre, so much so that you are tempted to duck when the bullets start flying. Many argue that sci fi as a printed genre is dying, this book points to a metamorphosis of the genre, a revitalisation that seems to have skipped the cumbersome publishing houses and gone straight to the reader via ebook. In a world where science fiction is fast becoming science fact Mr. Marks has embraced that reality and woven those very soon-to-be technologies into the core of his narrative in a way that recalls the sense of wonder felt at the possibilities explored in early science fiction.

My only criticism is that the formatting has produced some annoying errors in the text that need to be cleared up. For example the frequent replacement of a ' with a � occurs throughout.

In summary, a great read that gives me hope for the future of the genre.

good read, February 13, 2010
The only problem I have with this book is that there is too much action. If you like a lot of fighting and action, this is defiantly the book for you. The characters were wonderfully written. I love how I felt like I was really there or watching a movie. The writer was perfectly descriptive without boring you with all the details. I live on a marine base and the camaraderie that the marines share, in this book, feel real. The ending I had already figured out-(but I have yet to read something where I can't tell you about the ending with in the first couple of chapters). His book has a lot of what I love in sci-fi: you have a believable future, technology that doesn't feel to far fetched and that is man made and there for breaks down or has to be recharged, and a group of characters that you want to see succeed. You even have that space shipy kind of feel. I know, space shipy is not really eloquent, but it's something that I find missing from some sci-fi that I feel is essential for you to feel there. You can almost hear the hum of the equipment... The story is very cool. I am a girl and would have like to see a little less action and fighting, but not a lot less. Other than the "fighting" I loved it! I really loved the lisp the (without giving to much info) guy in orange got. I hope the author reads this review because I would like to buy more of his writings just from reading this book, so to the artist: Keep up the good work! To e-book readers: Feel free to buy this book.

An exciting, fast-paced page-turner!, October 16, 2009
Dominant Species is an action-packed sci-fi story that kept me wanting to turn every page. The action starts immediately and the tension remains high throughout. Although sci-fi often pushed the envelope on the perceptions of reality, this story felt true-to-life and the characters seemed more dimensional than many of the cardboard cutouts common in this genre.

I felt that there was a nice balance struck between the future weaponry and armor enhancing the Marines performance and capabilities without making them invulnerable. Ammunitions, power, and spare parts all become precious commodities, and the Marines themselves take a significant beating. Survival takes an all-important front seat while a mystery needs to be unraveled in order to get the team home.

I thouroughly enjoyed this book and hope to see more from this author in the future.

Pretty darn good for $2.00, June 17, 2010
I was pretty surprised - I paid $2.00 for this book on the Kindle edition and ended up with a novel that was much better than books I've paid $20-$25 for in hardcover.

Not once was I ever bored, and I thought the story was pretty cool actually. If there's a sequel I'd buy it.

Great book. Storyline will stay with you., July 22, 2010
I liked it. I recommend it to those that like fast paced si-fi. Mix of alien and starship troopers. Storyline is haunting and different.

Great first(?) Outing, July 12, 2010
I will begin by saying that I really liked this book. I enjoyed the characters, the tech, the environment, and the writing style. At the price point, the book is a bargain - I'm not sure what it would be in print, but at the end I felt I'd read a really good novel at a bargain price.

Outside a few issues (and my own pet peeve of consistently incorrect use of "it's" where "its" is needed) - pretty much all of which would have been caught by a good editor (and I mean the reading and writing critique kind, not the software kind!) this is a really enjoyable read. You like action? There's PLENTY of action. Characterization? There's a bit of that. While the characters are a tad cliche, they're quite enjoyably written, and their interaction drives the story, not the gadgets. Gadgets there are, and they're well thought-out, believably written, and provide an entertaining backdrop and foil for the action. And the setting? In a word - creepy. Just what I want in my sci-fi horror crossover!

All in all, I give the book my own recommendation. I *think* this is the writer's first fiction outing, and I am looking forward to his next book - maybe a sequel?

Pretty good read, May 20, 2010
Took a risk on this one and wasn't disappointed at all. A very enjoyable read and possibly the start of something interesting. Stands on its own with no need for sequels or apologies. Now I've found this author I'll be keeping my eye out for his next one. If you're looking for a fun SF read with interesting technology and plot I can recommend it.

Fun and Fast-Paced, February 8, 2010
As someone who has read only a few science-fiction books, I chose Dominant Species because of the low Kindle price and interesting description. Not only was I not dissappointed, I enjoyed the novel greatly, looking forward to being able to read it every afternoon. The action was fast-paced and the technology was believable and added much to the storyline. Because I am interested in reading more from this author, I chose this novel to be my first review on Amazon. If that's not high praise, I don't know what is.

Unexpected Depth Along With a TON of Action, October 18, 2009
True to the publisher's description, this book has a TON of action and military weaponry that makes you wonder if the author knows something that we don't about what's in development these days. But what I didn't expect in this book was the character development and the twists and turns of the plot. A lot of sci-fi is prettying two-dimensional, but this one really gets into the heads of the characters--even the characters that DON'T necessarily make it... and they don't wear Star Trek red shirts to let you know ahead of time that they're gonna be toast. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who likes some depth to plot and characters, along with plenty of high tech weaponry and a fair share of blood and guts. ... Read more

Editorial Review

New York Times bestselling sensation Gena Showalter enthralls with a dark, tantalizing world of humans, otherworlders, powers beyond imagining, and a seductive vampire undone by his insatiable hunger for one woman. . . .Growing up poor on New Chicago’s meanest streets, Ava Sans had two options: be the predator or be the prey. No contest. Now, working for Alien Investigation and Removal, she’s been ordered to capture the biggest, baddest warrior of all—a vampire too beautiful to be real, with the abilityto manipulate time. Once the leader of the entire vampire army, McKell has been deemed savage and unstable, spurned even by his own kind.To McKell, humans should be nothing more than sustenance. Yet the petite, golden-skinned Ava is a fascinating contradiction—vicious yet witty, strong yet vulnerable, lethal but fiercely loyal. Against his better judgment, McKell craves that loyalty, and much more. When the chase leads to seduction, McKell and Ava will race to discover the truth about his past. But the answers will come at a price, even for a woman who thought she had nothing left to lose. . . . ... Read more

Editorial Review

The ruthless and brilliant brother Vishous possesses a destructive curse and a frightening ability to see the future. As a member of the Brotherhood, he has no interest in love or emotion, only the battle with the Lessening Society. But when a mortal injury puts him in the care of a human surgeon, Dr. Jane Whitcomb compels him to reveal his inner pain and taste true pleasure for the first time-until a destiny he didn't choose takes him into a future that does not include her... ... Read more

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

Sookie's boyfriend has been very distant-in another state, distant. Now she's off to Mississippi to mingle with the underworld at Club Dead-a little haunt where the vampire elite go to chill out. But when she finally finds Bill-caught in an act of betrayal-she's not sure whether to save him...or sharpen some stakes. ... Read more

Reviews

Better than book two ..., September 21, 2003
Sookie Stackhouse was only interested in one vampire and that was Bill, her boyfriend. However, Bill seemed to be putting some distance between them recently. Then he disappeared to another state! His sinister and sexy boss, Eric, said that Bill had been summoned to Mississippi by Lorena. She was a lady vampire Bill had lived with for some time before. That was enough for Sookie. She was on the way to Mississippi.

Alcide Herveaux was to be Sookie's contact/guide. He was a werewolf. With his help, Sookie could enter places that mere mortals seldom dared tread, such as Club Dead. The vampire king of Mississippi (yes, readers, you read that correctly) was Russell Edgington. Russell took interest in Sookie very quickly. Eric arrived on the scene, in disguise as usual. Several attempts were made on Sookie's life and Bill was caught in an act of serious betrayal against Sookie's love. Sookie was not sure whether to save Bill or sharpen a few stakes of her own!

***** Much better than book two. Again, this mystery could be read as a "stand alone" book. But the main and secondary characters remain the same. The love triangle between Sookie, Bill, and Eric gets much rougher. That triangle is enjoyed more by those who have read the first two previous books though.

This entire series, thus far, is humorous, fun, very sexy, and highly recommended! *****

I still love this series, but careful....rise of AB Factor, June 13, 2003
I can't tell you how much I looked forward to this book, more than I've looked forward to books in a long time.

However, I was not as happy with this one as I could have been.

Of course, I still enjoyed it, read it in one sitting even. And i absolutly cannot wait for the fourth book (Anyone know when it will be?

But, some things to consider:

Watch out for the AB Factor. The AB Factor is the Anita Blake factor. I used to love the Hamilton series about the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter. However, after about oh, book four, Anita became quickly, EVERY other person's object of lust in the vicinity. Human, nonhuman, straight, gay, bi...whatever. EVERYone wants to *bleep* Anita.

Well, it appears in this book that this same factor is creeping into the Harris series. Please, oh please, Ms Harris...don't make Sookie the object of lust to everyone...please?

I wish the book had kept the men wanting Sookie to either Bill or Eric. Adding in Alcide, and the Weres, and such..well, it was just too much. Part of the charm of Sookie is that I can see her as EVERYwoman.

I loved that she sent both guys out of her house at the end, and I loved too that she acknowledged to herself that since dating Bill, she's been beaten more than any person ought to have to endure. That's a very telling factor of her life. It's gotten out of control.

I did get a tad annoyed that she's constantly being beaten up or threatened in this book....readers barely catch their breath before another attack happens.

I wanted more details too on Bill's infidelity....I'm shocked...what happened?????? What the heck is his deal? For an "old fashioned" vamp, he's definitely changed.

Please, hurry with the next one.....I need some closure...this book left me hanging and I need more :)

K.

Club Inconsistent., May 9, 2003
The enjoyment factor on the Southern Vampire series is high. The consistency level on this particular novel is remarkably low.

The authoress, in her previous two novels, introduces characters that (I assume) are important to the progress of Sookie's life. In Club Dead, many of them are insignificant. Take Sam (my favourite Collie), for example- she spends two novels creating a grand tension between he and Sookie and then completely NEGATES his value in novel three. He makes more of a cameo appearance than anything else. Furthermore, we're introduced to Alcede (another lycanthrope), who acts as a sort of "red herring" in the romantic sense. We've still got Eric ( an old, lusty vampire) hot for Sookie's pants AND Bill to account for, not to mention the almost non-existent Sam. The threads begin to unravel at the onset of so many viable guys.

Which brings me around to another fine topic; what of Bill? Bill, Sookie's boyfriend and cheating, devious vampire lover (I've never liked Bill). He runs off to complete a secret mission (which is another definite lack of cohesion) and then-BAM-he falls back in love with an old flame-Lorena the Vampire. This is the second of a major incoherence-We're told NOTHING of Bill and Lorena's past. Since we aren't given an opportunity to understand the ties that bind them to one another, we're left in the dark about events that precipitate the motion of the plot. We only see Lorena, very briefly, when she and Sookie have an "encounter". So, to the reader, it seems as if Bill has simply run off (with no depth of complexity or reasoning) with some other chick. It's another loose thread that, sadly, accounts for many character motivations.

I can only hope Harris wraps Sookie's life a little tighter to home with the next novel. The charm is in the South, with familiar peoples, whom we've grown to know by now, and a tighter plot line. I'd love to see her easy, sweet style find its roots again.

Darker, more violent but still FINE, June 3, 2003
I'd give CLUB DEAD a 4.5 if that were possible. First off, I really love this series. It's unique in its supernatural chills mixed with insightful social speculation, lusty romance and hoot-out-loud hilarity. (Hamilton's Anita Blake series, you say? Puh-leeze.) So I approach it as a solid 5 just for great world building and characterization, then work down from there.
I won't bother with a plot summary since it's already been done but this book is less balanced than the first two in the series. The characters are still vivid and grow in suprising but logical ways. Sookie is just as tough, wry and clear-sighted about her own situation and vulnerabilities. Her lover Bill The Vampire's unexpected treachery suprised me but Harris is nothing if not tough minded. She's consistently sprinkled reminders throughout all the diverting humor and action that vampires are fundamentally different; they do not share conventional human morality or emotions. Vampire area boss Eric is still a gorgeous hunk who cheerfully lusts for Sookie but shows signs of being a more simpatico, genuine friend, albeit somewhat reluctantly. (He's still a vampire and "doesn't *like* having feelings, remember.) The introduction of hunky (and breathing) Alcide the Werewolf, hung up on the Ex-Girl Friend From Hell, makes a poignant counterpoint to Sookie's situation. And Bubba, oh my GOD, the ineffable Bubba...(This raving won't make a lick of sense to anyone who hasn't read the series but betcha anyone who HAS can't keep from chortling.)
As always w/ this this series, there are some purely wonderful scenes. Sookie and Alcide nervously trying to dispose of a corpse wrapped in a shower curtain, "like a big green burrito." And as usual Harris seamlessly, suavely injects unexpected humor into horror and vice versa. An appalling bloodbath at Club Dead jolts weres and shapeshifters, already jittery from the full moon, into drifting through the carnage as falcons, German Sheperds and a stray bison. It's pretty danged disconcerting to snicker during a scene where the thoroughly likeable main character gets a stake driven into her side.
But that leads to my one caveat about this book. It's exhausting in its relentless violence against Sookie. Over the span of a few days she's subjected to one horrific assault after another, bam, bam, bam. She isn't granted any respite or downtime and neither is the reader. Even after her harrowing rescue of Bill from the torture chamber--a logical watershed moment--she's ambushed and/or brutally assaulted two more times (once by Bill) and then once again when she finally, grimly flees home. Maybe the constant violence and terror (no matter how deftly leavened with wry humor) set up Sookie's decision to slam the door against her dear undead but the book still ends with a thump. The relentless tension never really gets released; it just...ends.
I'm sure (uh, I *hope*) Charlaine Harris will back-fill the aftermath in the next book. (Soon, please!) It just would have been satisfying to have that coasting-down and wrapping-up at the end of this book for balance. I feel a little thwarted of conversations and resolutions that could have served as coda to this installment. Bill helplessly marching backward, her brush still in hand, doesn't quite cut it. It's not like Harris hasn't built huge suspense already...how will Sookie cope now, with her increasing familiarity and fame with the undead and supernatural ? If she can't "go back", where can she go...and where and how far does she *want* to go? Great stuff.
Please place these few, very minor quibbles in perspective. This series is a genuine, rare *find* for readers jaded with the same old same old. Charlaine Harris is a writer, not a by-the-numbers word factory, who won't insult your intelligence, waste your time or money. If you haven't read the series, you're in for a treat.

Good, but irritating, May 30, 2003
Club Dead is an great book,an interesting mystery, but I would actually tell people to read this book before reading the first two of the series: Dead Until Dark and Living Dead In Dallas.
The problem is an inconsistency in some of her characters' behavior, especially Bill and Sam. This is, unfortunately, a fault in another one of Ms Harris' mystery series, The Aurora Teagarden Mysteries. It appears, that when a storyline get difficult, Ms.Harris either kills, removes, and/or changes the character's personality abruptly.

This is a good book, I enjoyed it, it was entertaining, and I am glad I bought it. But, the character jumps in a second Harris series were an irritant.

Disposing of the Physical Remains, June 3, 2007
Club Dead (2003) is the third Rural Fantasy in the Southern Vampire series, following Living Dead in Dallas. In the previous volume, the maenad didn't leave any survivors on the deck except Tara. Eric and Bill set fire to the beach house to cover the deaths. Portia took her brother Andy home, Sam took Tara and Eggs back with him, and Eric returned to Shreveport. Then Bill and Sookie also left and Callisto wandered off to who knows where.

In this novel, Bill Compton leaves town after hiding his database files and computer system in Sookie Stackhouse's closet. He tells Sookie that he is going to Seattle, but she knows that he is lying. Then Bubba shows up sitting on her front porch swing.

Bubba says that Eric has sent him to guard her, but doesn't know why. Sookie is on her way to work, but decides that Bubba can't go into the bar area; after all, he is too well known to just sit at a table. Bubba refuses to stay in the car in the back parking lot since he couldn't know when she is threatened. They finally agree that Bubba can sit in the office while Sookie is working.

As Sookie goes into the building to get Sam's permission, a Were gang member grabs her and then Bubba crushes his throat. After a bit of confusion involving Kevin -- a local cop -- Sookie, Sam and Bubba clean up the area and stash the body out of sight. Then Pam shows up later asking about Bubba.

In this story, Sookie learns that Bill has gone to Jackson after being summoned by Lorena, his master. He had called Fangtasia the previous night stating that he was coming back to Bon Temps to take care of some business, but he had never arrived. Eric has learned something about Bill's whereabouts from paid informants, but he can't just go searching for Bill since Mississippi is outside his jurisdiction. Indeed, it is a separate Vampire Kingdom.

Sookie can't read vampire minds, but she can go listen to the human minds in the Mississippi Kingdom. Eric has arranged for a Were named Alcide Herveaux to take her to Jackson and to provide an apartment. Alcide will also escort her in Josephine's, a vampire bar that caters to other supernaturals as well. The Weres, however, call the bar Club Dead.

Sookie is really hurting in this story. Bill has lied to her and then went to another woman. Even if this woman had brought him over, most vampires go their separate ways after the first few decades. Why did Bill go to Mississippi?

This story introduces Debbie Pelt, a shapeshifter who had been dating Alcide, but had recently left him for another shifter. But Debbie doesn't like other women in Alcide's life. She is a vixen in more than one respect.

Sookie also meets Janice Herveaux Phillips -- Alcide's sister -- whom she likes very much. Janice owns a hair salon and insists that Sookie have her hair and nails done properly for Josephine's ambiance. Sookie has never even been in a hair salon before this and really enjoys the experience. She even gets to repeat the experience the next day.

Sookie has problems with the Jackson Weres. The Were who had attacked her in Merlotte's Bar had been from Jackson. Then Jerry Falcon, another member of the same Were gang, accosted her in Josephine's and was forcibly removed. Jerry's body later showed up in Sookie's apartment in Jackson.

Highly recommended for Harris fans and for anyone else who enjoys murder mysteries with vampires, werewolves and other preternatural creatures.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Whimsical and biting!, April 30, 2003
Another wonderful book in the Southern Vampire Mystery series. Sookie Stackhouse is back once again, caught up in the search and rescue of her Vampire lover/boyfriend Bill, a Civil War Vet turned vampire, who has gone missing in Mississippi. More than one mystery unfolds in this short but excellent addition to the series. Ms. Harris brings together all the wonderful characters created in the first 2 books, including Elv.. I mean Bubba, and has expanded into other territory, with new "Supes" (supernatural creatures - mostly Weres) while bringing the reader more definition to their abilities. Big-hearted Sookie is no push over, even when faced with the dilemma of her enigmatic and purportedly cheating boyfriend. Back to make Sookie's life difficult is the amorous and sexy vamp Eric (Bill's boss). A new big and brawny werewolf, Alcide, steps into the action to help Sookie find Bill and keep a werewolf posse out to avenge a missing member of the gang at bay. At the end of this book I let out a BIG cheer for Sookie! I can't wait for the action to pick up in the next book. Please Ms. Harris, don't make us wait too long!

Elvis the Vampire???, January 26, 2004
Elvis the Vampire???

This is the third volume in Charlaine Harris's series about Sookie, a rural Southern telepath and her vampire boyfriend Bill. At the start of this series Harris started out by breaking several vampire story taboos. For one thing, Sookie is just-plain-folks, who happens to have an inconvenient talent and an odd boyfriend. In Harris' alternate reality the invention of artificial blood has enables vampires to come out of the coffin. In the U.S. especially, they are trying to enter mainstream society - with mixed success.

Sookie's wry, humorous story-telling shows us what happens to someone who has one foot in both the human and the supernatural world. Vampires and werewolves traipse thought this story with all the grace of a road crew - frequently leaving Sookie upset, angry, and just a little bit trashed. Not all vampires are willing to give up their old ways, and the conflicts this creates are the meat of Harris' stories.

This time, Bill has disappeared while working on a vampire data base for the Queen of Louisiana. She discovers that Bill left to start up an affair with an old vampire lover, who then sold him out to a competing vampire clan. Sookie sets out to rescue Bill with the aid of Alcide - a werewolve in the construction business. The interplay between Sookie's anger at Bill and her attraction to Alcide (and Eric, yet another vampire) make this a romantically complicated story. While there is plenty of action, it clearly takes second place to the emotional content, and suffers from a bit of discontinuity as a result.

While the story is quite enjoyable, it is a far cry from standard vampire fare. In addition, the complex relationship between a human, a werewolf, and a vampire - with the required graphic bits - echoes Laurell Hamilton's plots a bit too much. Although no one would mistake Hamilton's writing style for Harris'. They are differnet, but there are moments when I think that someone may be trying to convince Harris to to make Sookie Stackhaouse a bit too much like Anita Blake. I hope not - Club Dead is a delightful confection. It provides some needed light entertainment in the usually dark morass of vampire fiction.

Good, but the other Two are Better, May 3, 2003
I've read all three books in this series and I loved the first two. This one was okay and it was interesting to see some of the other characters like Eric and "Bubba" get into the spotlight more. I think the reason I gave this book four stars instead of five has to do with Bill's betrayal. Its so sudden and there's no explanation for it except maybe because the other vamp had some power over him. What happened to his desire to mainstream? To me, Bill was just not acting much like Bill for most of this story. I hope the author chooses to deal with this in the next book and I was greatly encouraged by the ending.

Great installment in the Sookie Stackhouse series, May 1, 2003
In Club Dead, Sookie Stackhouse's vampire boyfriend Bill is kidnapped during a top-secret mission for the queen of Louisiana (yes, Sookie laughed too). After finding out that Bill hasn't exactly been the most faithful puppy of the bunch, Sookie nevertheless decides to rescue him with the help of Eric, Bill's sexy vampire boss, and Alcide, a werewolf who has an eye for her. Action and romantic thrills abound, although I would hesitate at describing this as a mystery, since it's a haphazard one at best (the story is mostly just about Sookie hunting Bill down, so to speak). The ending is unresolved (in that the mystery of the book is solved but the reader is left to wonder about Sookie's relationships with her men). Sookie is as charming as ever, and I definitely plan to read the next book in the series. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

A patriotic tale for ALL Americans, September 4, 2009

Feel Like a Patriot, September 6, 2009

The Battle of Trenton, September 8, 2009

In the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, August 26, 2009

best of the best, October 20, 2009
I have had the pleasure to read all of the author(s) books and found this one to be educational and inspirtaional. The story is well written and brings to life the days leading up to and after Washington's heroic crossing of the Deleware which brought life to our country. Amazing and spell binding as we witness this battle in the front row.

First class!!

Bravo!!!! A great dramatic telling of American history!, October 23, 2009
In writing "To Try Men's Souls," authors Newt Gingrich and William Fortschen have done a masterful job of piecing together General George Washington's Christmas day attack against the Hessians, accurately coordinating Washington's narratives with his army's movement, the historical time of day and the topographical challenges that were faced, as the Revolution pushed forward.

All good stories must carry a strong rollercoaster of emotions. In the book's multi-narrative structure, we go from following Washington, as he and his men slog through miles of mud, their bare and wounded feet leaving trails of blood, to following Colonel Rall, a leader of the opposing Hessian forces, whose troops sit in the comfort of warm fires. Rall's hatred towards America is documented well, as the story speaks of the Hessians imprisoning American soldiers and humiliating them, with various public displays of horror.

Thus, as our American forces close in on Trenton, where a hungover Hessian army awaits, sleepy from Christmas Eve celebrations, our bloodlust is satisfied! We feast on the fainted Hessians, vigorously gunning them down and crushing their skulls!

It is a strong emotional point - after wading through freezing water, with no boots, no food, and spending the entire evening in sub-zero temperatures, our thoughts become that of pure animal - we want these Hessians to die. We feel it.

Vengeance - an desire difficult to capture, written perfectly by the authors.

However, let it be noted that our American forces quickly fed and took care of those Hessians that surrendered. We are "Americans" after all, is what Washington tells the Hessian leaders, who are surprised at his American mercy.

The second notable reason to read this book is that of Washington's leadership. I offer a special point - author Newt Gingrich, arguably, is the most accomplished Congressman who has ever served.

Consider this fact - no modern American President, with the exception of George W. Bush, has ever seen his Party make gains in both the House and Senate. By outlining the "Contract With America" and coordinating hundreds of Republican campaigns under one umbrella, Gingrich architected the most successful political victory of our times, capturing both the House and Senate in 1994.

In turn, the book beautifully shares Washington's anecdotes on leadership. At one point, Washington, with a group of men watching, is told that the storms ahead are too harsh and that the march should be abandoned; without missing a beat, Washington quickly announces that the storm is a "blessing" from God that will further relax the Hessians, thus favoring his men's chances. My suspicions are that Gingrich is sharing with us his best lessons on leadership through the narrative of Washington - the psychology behind a true leader, as written by a tested leader.

Lastly, I share the most beautiful line from the book, as reflected by Washington:

"This day had united them. No longer, at least for this moment, were they Virginians and Marylanders, men of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York. They were comrades, united by the shared bond of blood, suffering, and, at last, this victory. They were the army of these United States of America..."

To truly appreciate the paragraph above, the men whose feet bled from Pennsylvania to Trenton, in pursuit of not just a Hessian army, but a dream of liberty... to truly appreciate it, one will have to read the entire book.

Muhammad Ali Hasan
Oct 2009

Simply Well Done!, October 23, 2009
Best yet of the Gingrich-Forstchen collaboration - and the bar was set pretty high to begin with...

The stories of the American Revolution are often overshadowed by those of the Civil War, World War II, and Vietnam. This book, which hopefully is the first of a series, looks at the Revolution at a critical time and presents history incredibly accurately within a novel that makes for simply great reading.

Characters are well-developed and the formerly obscure (the Hessians, for example) are explained so that their roles in the conflict are finally known. The research that went into this story is flawless - the authors carefully have crafted this work to stand as a reliable source of information and learning while keeping the story interesting and fast-paced.

----America's Past Shows that Freedom Is Not Free Of Cost---, September 22, 2009

About 1,000 Pages Too Short, September 28, 2009

Lest we forget the true price paid for our freedom..., October 20, 2009
I *still* have a hard time associating Newt Gingrich with books instead of with government, but I'm getting over it after having read many of his historical novels. The latest one he's produced is titled To Try Men's Souls: A Novel of George Washington and the Fight for American Freedom, written along with William R. Forstchen. The American Revolution is not my normal reading fare, but sometimes you go with a book just because of the author's past work. That's what happened here, and I'm glad I did. Gingrich and Forstchen put real flesh, blood, pain, and emotions behind a pivotal battle for our independence, in a way that puts the history books to shame.

To Try Men's Souls takes place in the month before Christmas of 1776, the time of the infamous river crossing portrayed in paint. The soldiers of the Revolution (if you could call them that) were frozen, hungry, diseased, and near death. The English, with assistance from the Hessians, had the war nearly won. They could have ended America's fledgling democracy had they continued to push forward for only a couple more days. But they chose to avoid the horrible weather and celebrate Christmas. General Washington gambled all he had left and marched the troops (or what remained of them) through ice and snow, many barefoot, to have the one last battle at Trenton. Much to his amazement, they were able to surprise the English troops and took the city with nearly no casualties on their part. That's not to say that the battle was won without cost... Many died in the following days from the ravages of disease that overtook them. But the tide had been turned, and history records what happened from there.

The story in the novel follows General George Washington, Thomas Paine, and a private in the army, Jonathan Van Dorn. Through their eyes, you see the doubt, the hope, the despair and suffering. Washington shows compassion for his men, knowing he has little choice but to risk their lives to gain freedom from England. Paine is looked to as the inspiration for a nation with his words, but he's at a loss to explain how much freedom costs, and how it's killing those around him. Van Dorn is the young lad who believes in what they are doing, what they stand for, regardless of the personal hell he's going through to fight for those ideals. These are the stories that get glossed over in the history books. These are the stories that help you understand and appreciate what we have been given in this country. Granted, the actual words and thoughts are "historical fiction", but the color and flavor is not.

The only aspect of the book that I though was not great was the pacing at certain points. Even though the book covers a month of time, much of the action is spent marching in snow and ice... and crossing rivers... and trying to sleep... before more marching in snow and ice... I still found the overall story riveting, but at times I wanted something more to happen than simply another description of how cold it was and how much the soldiers were suffering. Even so, To Try Men's Souls: A Novel of George Washington and the Fight for American Freedom is one of those books that gives you a deeper appreciation for a certain historical event, and makes you see everything at a whole new level of understanding. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Small-town cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse has had more than her share of experience with the supernatural—but now it’s really hitting close to home. When Sookie sees her brother Jason’s eyes start to change, she knows he’s about to turn into a were-panther for the first time—a transformation he embraces more readily than most shapeshifters she knows. But her concern becomes cold fear when a sniper sets his deadly sights on the local changeling population, and Jason’s new panther brethren suspect he may be the shooter. Now, Sookie has until the next full moon to find out who’s behind the attacks—unless the killer decides to find her first…
... Read more

Reviews

Avid Reviewer and Reader, May 3, 2005
Dead as a Doornail is the fifth installment in Charlaine Harris' dynamic Sookie Stackhouse series. Sookie, the buxom, blond, barmaid from Bon Temps is once again thrust into things that she should not be. Her psychic abilities make her a magnet for the supernatural world.

At the conclusion of the Dead to the World, Eric has regained his self, but remembers nothing of his time with Sookie. Jason, Sookie's brother has been found, but is now a werepanther. Dead as a Doornail opens with Jason experiencing his first full moon as a werepanther. Amazingly enough, Jason embraces his new life and enjoys shifting. As much of a relief as this is for Sookie, trouble is looming. Someone is killing shifters and Jason is the prime suspect. To add to Sookie's turmoil, Eric does not remember his time with Sookie, but knows something important happened. In another twist, Debbie's family is desperately searching for her. This search finds its way to Sookie's doorstep once again.

In Dead as a Doornail we get a much clearer picture of the shifter communities - the werewolves and werepanthers. Sookie is drawn into the political struggles within the werewolf pack structure. The outcome is not a happy ending for Sookie or werewolves. Calvin Norris, the head of the werepanthers in Hot Shot continues to attempt to woo Sookie. Another love interest is most certainly not something Sookie needs in her already complicated love life.

I enjoyed reading Dead as a Doornail immensely. Sookie and her adventures are always a treat. The only drawback to this book is that Sookie and the reader become very disappointed when knowledge of certain character defects becomes evident within those close to Sookie. All of the characters, old and new, add flavor to the series and make Sookie's madcap adventures even more entertaining. On the whole, Dead as a Doornail is a fun read.

Charlaine Harris is the author of four previous Sookie Stackhouse novels; Dead Until Dark, Living Dead in Dallas, Club Dead, and Dead to the World. She is also the author of two popular mystery novel series, the Aurora Tegarden series and the Lily Bard Shakespeare series. Dead as a Doornail will be published May 3, 2005.

Let's all get shot! Let's all kiss Sookie!, July 29, 2005
The action doesn't let up in this one. Another major character's in the hospital before the previous one leaves. And pretty much every male in the book except Claude the gay fairy (no, that's not redundant) makes some sort of romantic overture to Sookie, and even he asks her for a personal favor!

If you haven't read the previous book in this series, you should do that. I'll wait while you order "Dead to the World" (ISBN: 0441012183). There, back? OK, once you've caught up, you'll know that in that episode, Eric the vampire lost his memory, stayed at Sookie's place, and got real close. When he regained his memory, however, he did not remember any details of his interlude with Sookie. So...

Sam's has a new cook - seems to happen almost every volume. Tara has a new boyfriend - also seems to happen regularly. But then the shooting starts:
*Calvin Norris gets shot, seriously injured.
*Sam gets shot, in the leg.
*Sookie gets shot, a shoulder graze.
*Dawson, a Were bodyguard, gets shot, seriously injured.

And then, in terms of who's who vis a vis Sookie:
*Calvin Norris is still interested in Sookie, and in fact they do get in a serious kiss, which surprises Sookie.
*Claudine kisses Sookie a couple times, though, since she's Sookie's fairy godmother, what that might mean is ambiguous. Claudine certainly plays up a hint to others that it might be serious, when such a suggestion is useful.
*Charles Twining, the new bartender at Fangtasia, is intensely interested in Sookie, although respectful.
*Eric is still interested in Sookie, though he's not sure why, and he wants to find out what went on, and he does kiss Sookie again in this book.
*Even good ol' Vampire Bill gets in a few licks, including sharing (innocently, this time) Sookie's hospital bed.
*Alcide Herveax, the Were, attempts to continue his courtship of Sookie, sort of, escorting her to the sort of thing where other people will assume one's intentions are serious. (If you recall, they were once engaged for 10 minutes.)
*And the one we've been waiting for - Sam kisses Sookie, and it might have gone further... yes, admit it, you've been expecting Sookie to finally realize that Sam more than just admires her as a barmaid for several volumes now!!

Perhaps the biggest surprise for me what the sudden intersection with one of Harris's other series, a straightforward mystery series which has heretofore had no hints of fantasy. Lily Bard, who lives in Shakespeare, Arkansas, has been the heroine of such books as "Shakespeare's Christmas" and "Shakespeare's Trollop" and in this book she pops up, having finally married Jack Leeds (isn't that a great name for a PI? Leeds?) as they are investigating Debbie Pelt's disappearance. It's odd seeing Lily referred to as Lily Leeds, after years of seeing her as Lily Bard. Anyway, for those who have only been reading Harris's vampire books, now you are informed that those two characters, who pop up for a couple of chapters here, are actually a whole 'nother series, one I recommend to those who read non-fantasy as well as fantasy.

Other fun bits to watch for - how Greg Aubert's insurance customers stay so lucky; Andy Bellefleur and Sookie finally air some things out; Quinn, who doesn't exactly... kiss... Sookie, and what kind of shifter he turns out to be.

That should be enough teasers to get you all busy!

And, for those just finding out about this series, a few notes on how it compares to the overall vampire genre, a/k/a BunRab's Standard Vampire Classification: What is the vampires' position in the world; do they stand as an allegory for women's sexual fears; what powers do the vampires have; are there other supernatural characters; is the author dead serious, if you'll pardon the pun, or have a sense of humor? The answers, in this case: The vampires in this series can be either good or bad guys. Most of them have jobs; they don't exist merely to be evil and brooding, unlike some series which shall remain unnamed. They do have extra powers; in general these powers include the usual super strength, and once undead, they live very long lives; they can sorta force people to do their will; they need invitations to enter a house; there's no turning into bats. They are good at sneaking off silently, sorta melting away, but no invisibility or seeping like smoke between walls. These vampires' taking of blood frequently involves sex, but doesn't have to; they do need human blood to survive, unlike some (P.N. Elrod's vampires can survive quite well on animal blood, for example) except for Bubba, who gets by on cats' blood - but then, Bubba is... different. There are many other species of supernaturals besides vampires, the most common of which are the Were and shifters. In this universe, Were is reserved for those who turn into wolves, and everyone else is a "shape-shifter" - except for the werepanthers in the tiny hamlet of Hotshot, who are a special and peculiar case. And yes, there's a lot of humor in this series. It's not farce; it's that the characters themselves have senses of humor.

One of the things that I like about this series is that we get a fairly strong sense of "place" - it's very clear that we're in semi-rural Louisiana; we wouldn't mistake the setting for Cincinnati or Chicago if the author forgot to give us a name. There is a community and a background here, that have a life of their own even when the characters aren't doing much. I like that better than series such as Hamilton's, set in what is nominally St. Louis, but could be anywhere, since we never learn a single street name, a single detail about the social life other than our characters, or any idea of what else happens in that city. That's a personal preference - you may not care whether the setting is as fully realized as the characters. I feel it affects my opinion of how "realisticallly" the characters behave, at least within the degree of suspension of disbelief that we have to accept the fantasy at all.

In short: a must if you're following the series, a good series to try if you like vampire novels that don't stick to evil, brooding creee-chures of ze niiiight, and it's also a good murder mystery.

Bill and Eric take a back seat in this one..., May 23, 2005
Sookie Stackhouse is a telepathic waitress in the small town of Bon Temps, Louisiana. Her ability to read minds keeps the normal people away from her. They fear her ability, even those who claim not to believe in it. However, the vampires and other supernatural beings flock to her.

Her brother, Jason, has recently been bitten by a werepanther. Once he makes his first shift, Jason finds that he enjoys his new ability. Problem is that a sniper has begun shooting the local shifters and Jason's new brethren suspect he may be the shooter. Sookie and her friends have until the next full moon to find out who the real sniper is.

Sam, Sookie's boss, is one of the shifters who has been shot. Unable to tend his bar, Sam has Sookie go to Eric for a temporary bar tender. Charles, a vampire, begins work the very next night. Charles is soon protecting Sookie. Seems someone is trying to kill her for simply associating with supernatural beings. If all this is not enough, the local packleader has died. Sookie must attend the funeral, as well as, witness the competition that will select the new packleader.

**** The vampires Bill and Eric take a back seat and play only secondary roles in this installment of the series. Focus is kept mainly on the shifters and the sniper. Author Charlaine Harris has a winning series with this cast of characters! Harris makes the night come alive with her imaginative, supernatural, and dark shrouded community. As usual, I find myself longing for Sookie's next adventure. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Sookie Wins Again!, May 7, 2005
I am finding the Sookie Stackhouse novels to be very entertaining and amusing. They are a hybrid cross between romance and the supernatural. This book brings some of the other secondary characters from previous novels back in and then some. Sookie is dealing with Eric who still doesn't remember their tryst, but seems to be figuring it out. Bill seems concerned, but knows he's pretty much out the door. Sam is shot which brings in Eric's bartender as a sub. Alcide the werewolf is flirting around with Sookie and visiting now and then. Entertaining and light hearted.

A bit disappointing., May 3, 2005
This the 5th Sookie Stackhouse book in the Southern Vampire Series seems to be nothing much more than a place holder in the series.

I was rather disappointed by the fact that every supernatural male seems to want Sookie. Its getting a bit old, really, doesn't some male want to kill her? Several females have tried, but no males have been serious about it, rather they seem to be appologetic. Even the villain who is supposed to kill her doesn't really want to, its more of a matter of honor for him to finish the job!

I was disappointed about the lack of resolution over the Sookie, defending herself in the last book, the theme drags on through the entire book and is never resolved.

My last issue is what looks like the lead into the Bill/Sookie/Eric love triangle, or some other combination including one of Sookie's vamps and maybe some were. This is getting a bit annoying really. These last two sentences lead me to my chief complaint... I felt bored. I wasn't engaged, the story didn't suck me and make me want to keep reading. I felt I did have to keep reading, after all I did buy the book. Wish I'd waited till it was on paperback, not that it's a bad book, its just not worth hardcover price to me.

On the other hand the book is seemingly error free but I read it while dealing with frequent interruptions. On the whole its not a bad story just a boring one that doesn't inspire a 2nd read.

I agree!, September 11, 2005
"I have read all the books in this series and loved every one. I particularly like the way the character of Sookie Stackhouse matures and becomes increasingly self confident and self reliant in each book. And the books get better with each one. I don't need sex scenes in a book to enjoy it, and quite frankly, that's one reason I only read about 20 pages of one Anita Blake book-then never read another. That particular series is an insult to intelligence. I read for enjoyable characterizations, wit, and charm."

This was one of the reviews from a reviewer and I have to say, I totally agree.

I perfer Charlain over LKH in many ways. The characters are much more vibrant and likable. Another excellent author that just as good as Ms. Harris is D.N. Simmons, fans should check her out, i'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Another excellent installment in the Southern Vampire series, May 14, 2005
Sookie Stackhouse is a telepathic barmaid in rural Bon Temps, Louisiana. She has been shunned by her community for her seeming "otherness" but when she meets a vampire named Bill, she is ushered into a semi-secret supernatural community in a very big way. Dead as a Doornail is the fifth book in the series. Basically, it ties up several loose ends from the fourth book (Dead to the World), addresses some interesting current events, and sets the stage for book number six. I won't try to recap the plot, as it has been done more than adequately by Publisher's Weekly (see above) and by other reviewers.

By the time I got about one-third of the way through the book, I decided that plot-wise, Dead as a Doornail was perhaps not as strong as the previous four books in the series. However, I soon understood that the plot is actually quite strong, and in addition, this book covered some material that made the previous books all the richer and paved the way for new developments. Some might call this a "bridge" book; I personally don't think that's a bad thing. There was more than plenty going on, much character development, and it was a whole lot of fun. I do think the next book in the series will be all the better for it.

I agree with the reviewer who cautions readers to take Sookie on her own terms. Despite the plethora of handsome and available men, Sookie isn't Anita. And I am grateful for that. It is true that as the series has unfolded, we have seen that Sookie is a very fine person but that her abilities have put her at odds with her fellow humans, so wouldn't she look to the supernatural community for love? With regard to the lack of sex in this book: isn't that a good thing? It seems to me that Sookie is waiting for the right man to come along. Sure, she has plenty of suitors, but she's basically a good girl who wants lasting love and a family, and unfortunately, she hasn't found Mr. Right yet.

I would like to take issue with one thing: in Dead to the World, the possibility of a romance between Kevin and Kenya was brought up, and then ignored in Dead as a Doornail. Now, is that nice? :)

Excellent as always, May 6, 2005
This is the latest in a series of vampire mystery romances (using the term loosely). Sookie Stackhouse is a blonde, lowly-educated, telepathic barmaid. She's also reluctantly involved with the werewolves, shifters, fairies, witches and vampires near her rural Southern home. Her brother has been turned into a werepanther and is suspected of being a serial killer, so Sookie has to find the real killer before her brother is falsely accused. Meanwhile, a sniper is out to kill the shifters, people close to her are injured, her house needs extensive repairs, and all she really wants to do is pay her bills. Oh, and there's a were succession fight, several new vampires, and her first love vampire Bill shows up again...

Some reviewers have expressed a dislike of the paranormal men who seem to be attracted to Sookie. To me it all seemed very logical. We know Sookie is pretty, blonde and attractively built. However, normal human men shun her because she's "crazy". The paranormal men know she's very, very special and that's what's so attractive about her. Alcide (werewolf) and Calvin (werepanther) don't want to marry another werewolf and regional werepanther, respectively. They're both attracted to Sookie because she's not from their communities, yet she knows about them (not to mention she's nice and smells good...) Bill and Eric (vampires) both want her, Bill as her ex and Eric because there's something about Sookie he just can't resist (perhaps because she resists him?). Quinn (can't tell you what he is, it'd be a spoiler) likes her because she's smart, brave and tastes good. Sam (shifter) has worked with her for more than 3 years, and he's always been attracted to her. So to me, it seems like of logical. She's really pretty, she knows that werewolves, shifters, etc. exist, her blood tastes special, she's valiant and loyal, and she's special in her own way.

By the way, Sookie doesn't get tangled up with any of her admirers in this book, she's nice and single.

Great fun!, June 24, 2005
A friend recommended the Sookie Stackhouse books a year ago and I only got around to them this spring. I knocked through all of them in about 4 weeks along side a few of another vampire series. I totally enjoyed the universe Charlaine Harris has skilly created. Her blending of reality and paranormal fits well enough that you have little trouble believing in it. I found Sookie charming and quirky and the vampires and other-worldly creatures interesting and compelling.

"Dead as a Doornail" easily rates up there with the others. I found NO disappointment in it and rather enjoyed the digression away from the vampire-focus and into the weres and shifters. I was particularly glad to see Alcide again (yummy), though I was less than satisfied with how their relationship was left hanging. Then again, if she resolves it we don't get to see him again! What's the saying? Leave 'em wanting more? Well I want more!

A truly enjoyable read with non-graphic violence that I appreciate!

Furry Trouble, August 10, 2005
Charlaine Harris has developed such a unique twist on the vampire genre that she has already begun to attract imitators, but she owns the vampire/back country/chick lit storyline completely. I read her first several years ago for laughs, but now I keep coming back to her stories of dought Sookie Stackhouse - waitress, vampire date, and telepath. What makes Sookie special is her attitude and brand of courage. Anyone who has had a vampire lover or two, hangs out with weres, and braves the slings and arrows of a Louisiana country town like Bon Temps deserves plenty of respect.

Now that vampire Bill is her ex-boyfriend, and temporary lover Eric is at arms length you would expect Sookie to have a few moments of peaces, but no such luck. Her brother Jason has been bitten by a were panther and, come full moon, he crosses into the world of the shapeshifters. He adapts well, but someone is hunting the weres of Bon Temps, and the panther clan suspects that Jason might be hiding resentments behind his winsome smile.

Sookie tries to go to the rescue, but in the process winds up enmeshed in a power struggle in the nearby werewolf pack. Alcide invites her to the funeral of the pack leader in an effort to influence members to favor his father, but the idea nearly backfires, leaving Sookie deeply disgusted with the whole thing. And one top of that, someone tries to burn down her house with Sookie in it. Possibly as revenge for the woman she had to kill in the last book, but it's hard to tell.

As you can see, a lot happens here. It would be a dark and serious tale, but Sookie, as narrator has a way of pushing back the darkness. Almost making the story a Southern cozy until you remember that a quarter of her friends bite other people on a regular basis. Don't fall for the marketing ploy that compares Harris with Laurell Hamilton. Even when the story gets a bit spicy, it never approaches the steamy scenes of recent Hamilton writing, and Sookie has shown no interest in SM or corpse raising. Sookie doesn't have a cause, she really just wants a normal life, but there doesn't seem to be one available.

This isn't great literature, but enjoyable entertainment. A pleasant pastime in the occult world of the rural South in a world where vampires are legal. Heck! Why not? ... Read more

Editorial Review

Sixth in the Anthony Award-winning Southern Vampire series.

Spiked with a frothy fusion of romance, mystery, and fantasy, this bestselling series sends the supernaturally gifted cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse to New Orleans, where she has to deal with the legacy of one of her own family and a host of potentially dangerous characters. ... Read more

Reviews

Definitely Dull, November 9, 2008
This was such a bizarre entry in what has become one of my favorite mystery series. First of all, starting this book will be totally confusing for anyone who hasn't read "One Word Answer," a short Sookie Stackhouse story that Harris wrote for an anthology. How do I know? Because I hadn't read it by the time I began "Definitely Dead," and I was definitely confused. Sookie's cousin was murdered in New Orleans, and the Vampire Queen of Louisiana sent an emissary to visit Sookie in Bon Temps? When? Not in any of the previous books I'd read. I knew I couldn't be crazy, so I did some online research, found the short story, and was able to download it for free. Then the beginning of the book made sense to me. But how unfair is that to readers who either don't know about the story or have access to the internet? At least publish the short story in the paperback edition of "Definitely Dead" so that readers aren't completely lost. Or include a note at the beginning of the book that directs readers to the anthology. Something, anything.

Second of all, the story involving Sookie's dead vampire cousin, the core of the book, doesn't really get rolling again until around page 130. Before then, the book is strictly filler, with unimportant subplots, one involving Jason and his werepanther girlfriend, the other about a missing child, who Sookie helps find. Those aren't spoilers, folks, because these side stories have NOTHING to do with the book's actual plot. So why are they even there? Who knows? Maybe Harris is setting things up for future entries, but that doesn't make for an involving reading experience this time around.

Thirdly, I wish Sookie would settle on a boyfriend. Bill, Eric, Sam, Quinn...On the one hand, I've always enjoyed Harris's ability to keep readers on their toes and defy expectations, but Sookie is starting to look like a right little pop tart. And was it really necessary for Harris to give us a plot twist that makes us detest and reevaluate a favorite character? Again, Harris likes to pull the rug out from under Sookie (and us, vicariously), but it seemed excessive and very mean-spirited. Harris hasn't seemed to know what to do with this character for a few books now, and it shows. Fourthly, when Sookie does make it to New Orleans and the book's real story actually begins, it turns out to be an uninteresting, overcomplicated one, with a plot element that was corny when Dumas used it in "The Three Musketeers."

Lastly, Harris throws us all a curve and gives us a hint about Sookie's family background that's completely inconsistent with the rest of the series, and made for a lot of backtracking. What, is Harris making this stuff up as she goes along? Sure sounds like it. Every writer should take a page out of JK Rowling's playbook and plan a series in advance. It goes a LONG way towards avoiding this kind of sloppy plotting. And if Sookie is a -- well, I don't want to give it away -- then it means she's not a normal woman in abnormal circumstances. Which means she's not us, the reader, and that's a shame.

And did it bother anyone else that Quinn took Sookie to see "The Producers?" Why couldn't Harris just say "the theater?" There have never been other references to present day movies or TV shows -- not that I remember -- and I found it very bizarre. Maybe I just don't see Sookie liking or getting that particular show. "Rent," yes -- "The Producers," no. Maybe it's just me.

All in all, if you're following Sookie's story, you're going to want to read this one as well, but prepare to put the book down, as I did, every few days. It's that dull.

Definitely Delightful, May 4, 2006
I love the Southern Vampire series so much. I have enjoyed every last book - to the hilt - and this one was no exception. What I love is how the books are heartwarming, heartbreaking, poignant, funny, suspenseful, romantic...all at once. The characters are amazingly well drawn and Sookie's evolution from book to book as she gains confidence, experience, and some hard knocks is so fascinating. That alone makes this installment worthwhile.

Sookie is definitely a bit snappish throughout the book, but she's also more confident, more sure of herself - more willing to take initiative. She's tired of being manipulated and she's trying, as hard as she can, to get control of her life. It's no surprise that she's on the bristly side.

Sookie visits New Orleans and learns more about how vampire society works - she meets the Queen, who wants to employ her directly. So the power relationship is obviously shifting a bit between Sookie and the Bon Temps supes. I think this is a Very Promising Development.

The romantic interest here is Quinn, a were-tiger who oozes machismo. I found him a little bit campy. Eric and Bill appear - not often, but enough. There are some *major* revelations in that department, which pleased me inordinately (And, not to give away too much, but I have loathed Bill since Dead Until Dark).

There's also more afoot on other fronts - the continuing drama of Debbie Pelt & the Fellowship of the Sun & Claudine's mysterious presence.

I always feel totally drenched in the physical environment of the Southern Vampire books - Harris writes about the south in such a vivid way it can make a die-hard California girl like myself want to visit Louisiana just to see the pollen or drive down a narrow country lane. New Orleans, however, gets a more-or-less minimal treatment: Sookie doesn't get much of a chance to explore.

Alas. A year until the next one comes out.

Disappointing :(, July 26, 2006
i found this book sorely disappointing. The first four books were great, and then after that...the series seems to be going downhill. in this novel, there's too many things going on at once, too many characters running around. Especially new ones. Harris' established characters aren't involved in the storyline in any meaningful way, they just pop up here and there. She might as well not have written them in at all. I miss those characters, especially Eric and Bill. Those vamps were the reason i got into the series in the first place. With this book i found myself wholly uninterested in the plethora of new characters and was in anticipation of even a small cameo appearance of the established ones. I couldn't get into the story either...it just draaaaaged. And there were too many subplots. Plus, the ending was kinda disappointing too.

Definitely not my favorite book in the series..., May 3, 2006
I look forward to reading the Southern Vampire Mysteries every year (well, every year since I discovered them). The first four books were the best of the series. (Dead as a Doornail was great too though.) I had looked forward to reading Definitely Dead and read more on sexy weretiger Quinn. Even though I had a hard time conjuring a gorgeous baldheaded, olive-skinned man, I do like Quinn a bit, though I need to know more about him. However, I wasn't thrilled with this installment and its "twists." But more on that stuff later. Hadley, Sookie Stackhouse's cousin, had been a vampire. She was murdered and is now definitely dead (as opposed to being vampire-dead). Hadley's apartment and her possessions now belong to Sookie, and she has been summoned by the Vampire Queen of Louisiana to claim them. Sookie is disturbed with the fact that her cousin had been a vampire. She had taken part in the execution of her cousin's murderer (this took place in the short story "One Word Answer" in the Bite anthology) and she isn't thrilled with the prospect of seeing the apartment and visiting the vampire queen. But someone is doing just about anything, including committing murder, to keep Sookie from claiming her inheritance. Did Hadley have some skeletons in her closet? Who is stopping Sookie from going to New Orleans and why? On top of everything else, the Pelts are again questioning Sookie about their daughter Debbie's disappearance, Eric is insisting upon taking her to a vampire council meeting and some Weres may want her dead. All poor Sookie wants to do is enjoy a few dates with the gorgeous Quinn. There are several twists throughout the novel.

I have to say that the first one-hundred or so pages are quite boring. There is some building of what is to come ahead, but most of it is too short and sparse to spark my interest. The scenes at bar Merlotte are always fun and Harris's descriptions of the south and of Sookie relaxing on a warm sunny day are great too, and I enjoy the witty dialogue as well, but the other stuff centered on internal monologue and on Sookie getting reacquainted with practically every character in the series was a big bore for me. In the first one-hundred or so pages, we get appearances or mentions of Bill, Alcide, Sam, Eric, Jason, Claude, Claudine, Maria-Star, Quinn, Calvin, the Pelts, Merlotte's regulars and several very small, filler characters, some of which I couldn't remember at first. Out of all those characters, I was only interested in Bill, Eric and Quinn. It seems that Ms. Harris felt the need to bring up these characters even if most of them were not relevant to the plot. It matters little to me if some of them are in one of the novels or not. Perhaps a brief mention of them would suffice. After we got out of that hallway, which included a mini-mystery centered on a missing school boy, the story got interesting and the action began. I was enjoying the story a great deal... until I read the part about the "twist" with Bill. I had a feeling that it was a contrived plot device to write him off the series or to make him unlikeable to us readers. I hate it when authors do that! Laurell K. Hamilton did it with Richard and now Charlaine Harris has done it with Bill. But I sincerely hope that isn't the case, for Bill is my favorite character in this series and I'd hate to see him go. He has done some vile things to Sookie that don't make him good boyfriend material, but what I like about him and Eric is that they're flawed and complex and not vanilla vampires. The point of vampires is that they don't behave or think like regular people. Also, I'd like to read about his side of things. Ever since Club Dead, it has been all about Sookie and her broken heart, with very little opportunity to have Bill defend himself. I hope this new twist is just new conflict between him and Sookie and nothing else. It is obvious to me that Ms. Harris has put Bill and the other men "in the back burner" in favor of Quinn. As for Quinn, I have no idea what to make of him yet. He is likeable, but kind of one-dimensional thus far. He is definitely not as interesting or as colorful as Eric and Bill. I hope Ms. Harris won't do with Quinn what LKH has done with Anita Blake's Micah and have Quinn become Sookie's "soulmate." *shudder* Anyway, Definitely Dead has its fun and entertaining moments, but the problems above kept me from enjoying this one the way I had enjoyed the previous installments. This was nevertheless entertaining and I'm sure that many Sookie fans will enjoy it. I hope against hope that Charlaine Harris won't take the direction I suspect she will take though.

Still Good but What the . . .?, May 3, 2006
*Spoilers Ahead*

Early Synopsis: A revisionist take on the Sookie universe.

Bill - You poor, miserable *expletive.* What happened? First, you suddenly became an adulterer. Now, you're suddenly a seducer? Time to throw yourself on the stake, buddy. Next, you'll be a rapist - oh wait, right, that happened at the same time you suddenly became an adulterer. Oy.

Sookie -- Still love her, but there are problems. For one, I don't care if Debbie was Satan incarnate, don't cop an attitude with her grieving (and rightly p.o.'d) family - even if they are ruthless kidnappers. And fairy blood? FAIRY? When? How? Why? And how did this somewhat pertinent fact escape all of Sookie's supernatural boyfriends? I understand that Andre had a special fairy detector for a nose, but Eric and Bill fed on her. Why did we have to wait to book 7(?) to find out all of this? It could be an interesting plot twist - or it could be another ardeur. Fairy blood doesn't really solve the problem of Sookie's suitors. It justifies giving her more of them. And to me, that's a problem.

Eric - Let's see him in something more than a cameo.

Quinn - Stop saying "babe," OK, dude? I liked Quinn in the last book, I liked him still in this book, but he is coming across a bit as a Poochie (Simpsons ref).

Shifters in general - I'm a bit biased b/c Anita Blake has probably ruined shifter romances for me forever. But look at the list here: Sam, Alcide, Calvin, now Quinn. Unless we're talking were-gerbils next, I don't care. It is time to call the Dr. Ludwig-equivalent of veterinary science, and end all of this by neutering the lot of them. /bitterness.

Plot Resolution - Sookie does her best Velma impersonation and explains all the stuff that didn't make any sense. So the diamond was in the coffee? A few quick calls to the gas stations solved the mystery? I don't know. I'm still trying to figure out how the heck 2+2=5 here. I understand what happened, but it's hard to believe.

End: A better book than "Club Dead" with an interesting (if completely out of left field) twist on Bill's character, and a good set-up for future conflict. Scooby-Doo-like mysteries and flat villains weaken the mystery plot, and Sookie-Nookie becomes increasingly problematic as new characters sweep in and steal the limelight from older, better characters. 3/5

Definately a bit more serious, November 10, 2006
I've liked about everything I've read from Ms. Harris, but the Sookie Stackhouse (or Southern Vampire) series is my favorite. All of these Sookie storys have featured a very likable lead whose supernatural talents have made her valuable to the vampire population.

In this latest, which certainly isn't my favorite, Sookie has to take care of her late cousins personal effects. It would have been interesting if she could have met Hadley before the murder. I think it would have made a good story. The Queen of Louisana was surprisingly likable. I'll be glad to see her again.

Ok -- now regardless of the climate of the storys we might still agree Louisiana and surrounding states are still part of America and therefore should be bound to the same laws. When Sookie asked the Queen did she still HAVE to go to a big summit, the Queen tells her yes she does. Why not go home, inform the police she is being menaced by certain vampires and tell 'em all to get stuffed? The vamps in this series are trying very hard to be "mainstream" (whatever in heck that means) and stay in good with the human population/lawmakers/legal system/etc. Tell Eric she doesn't owe him a #@$!! thing and to stay out of her life, along with his henchmen.

I can understand Sookie falling in love with Vamp Bill and I can understand why he showed up in the first place. He could have been a bit more honest, but he isn't human and he doesn't pretend to be. So they have sex. And she has sex with Eric. Now she is dating Quinn. Can we see a trend beginning to develope here?

Along with many, many others I have this horrible idea that Sookie is in danger of going the way of that former kick-a** Anita Blake (now turned whiney valley girl nympho [...]). Please Ms. Harris -- don't go there. I like Sookie now as much as I USED to like Anita Blake. Keep her the good girl she is, doing the best she can with what life has given her. I don't care what you do with Bill or Eric. I like both characters, but I can live without 'em. I kind of like Pam, too, and would appreciate it if you didn't kill her off.

But please. Keep Sookie just the way she is. Stay away from the dark road Ms. Hamilton insists on traveling.


Not as good as the previous, but good enough to buy or borrow.

Sookie Grabs The Tiger, September 12, 2006
Sookie Stackhouse hasn't exactly been in relationship heaven lately. Her romance will Bill the Vampire is over. And Eric, the local head Vampire can' t get it through his head that a short fling is not love forever. And Alcide Hervaux, once the werewolf of her dreams was now dating someone else. So when Quinn the weretiger showed up and talked her into a date Sookie was glad of the opportunity. But Quinn and Sookie's date is interrupted by a surprise attack by rogue werewolves, and that just begins the trouble that's coming.

A psychotic family seeks the fate of their missing daughter. A new girl shows up at Sam Merlotte's bar. And a minister lectures Sookie on the sins of dating vampires. But Sookie is a telepath, and dating humans is hopeless. Vampires cannot be read, and weres are murky at best. For Sookie, supers are her best mates, regardless of what normal folk think. And one has to admit that dating the dead can be a lot more exciting than popcorn and a drive-in flick.

Perhaps, too exciting. Sookie's cousin Hadley meets a sudden ending and Sookie must go to New Orleans to take care of her estate. Hadley, was a vampire, a consort to the vampire queen of Louisiana, and the Queen commands Sookies presence and help in recovering a diamond bracelet before it's disappearance triggers a vampire war. Sookie sets to work with more than her share of deadly moments.

This is my one and only vampire 'romance' series. I don't like gush and throb stories, nor hours of kinky sex with occasional bits of plot. Charlaine Harris has managed to skirt the thin line by making Sookie a tough but endearing character who cares for her friends, likes a good looking man (or wolf or tiger) but doesn't tolerate guff from her opponents. And Harris understands that the sexy bits are only OK if there is a story worth reading underneath it all. If your looking for a wry southern vampire series with a solid cast start reading about Sookie Stackhouse.

I miss Bill--spoilers ahead!!, September 8, 2006
Ok, I guess I'm in the minority here, but I like Bill. I've been hoping that Sookie and Bill would get back together, but after this book it's pretty clear that that's not happening. I do like Quinn, but not as much as Bill. As I said, I think I'm in the minority. As for the book it was ok. To me the first two were fabulous, but after that the series took a turn for the worse. Let's hope Sookie sticks with Quinn for more than a couple of pages.

A bit better than the last, but . . ., May 10, 2006
The good news is that at almost 100 pages more than her usual, this is the longest installment of Harris' series yet. The bad news is that the first 100 pages could likely be whittled down to about 3 paragraphs of exposition.
The story doesn't really get started until Sookie starts going to the dogs (the weres) with a new love interest, and gets tangled in pack politics as she once was with the vamps. The old Sookie is back, giving better than she gets, and there's some interesting new characters; but in some ways, this series seems a bit adrift to me. Everybody in the supe world wants a piece of Sookie, but so much of it (at least in the beginning) seems pointless filler that meanders among every possible group: weres, shifters, vamps and now a new little group I won't mention. I find myself wishing that Sookie would have a convention in her front yard, tell off the ones she wants quit of, get on with her life and focus on a good tight story here.

That said, Sookie is one of the most likeable heroines in supernatural (or romance) fiction; she has courage and an honesty and charm that is undeniably attractive, and it looks now as if there is a movie in the works about this series, which I look forward to. The earlier books (1,2 and 3) were great, and together they make a fine series. It's getting a little annoying that Harris likes to put her through her paces having to face this, that and the other ex-boyfriend, fix her brother's interminable problems and dance around possible suitors, rejected suitors, and current ones. The girl (and the reader) is a bit overburdened here, although I think it's ultimately worth the ride.

Definitely Good!!, December 13, 2006
Sookie Stackhouse is a telepathic waitress in the South. In this latest installment Sookie has to clear out her recently departed cousin's apartment. But this is rather strange since Sookie's cousin was already dead - she was a vampire. Again Sookie is thrown into vampire politics. Her cousin was the lover of some vampire queen who is going to marry a vampire king and this may have something do with her cousins death.

While the main focus is on this investigation Eric and Bill show up and Sookie develops maybe a new love interest...we will see. Also the investigation involving Debbie turns up again.

Fans of Sookie will enjoy this latest book and people new to Sookie will find it easy to catch up.
... Read more

Editorial Review

As Primale of the Chosen, the fiercely loyal Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of his race. But his first mate, the Chosen Cormia, wants not only his body but his heart for herself. As tragedy looms over the Brotherhood’s mansion, Phury must decide between duty and love… ... Read more

Editorial Review

From the creator of Black Hole: the first volume of an epic masterpiece of graphic fiction in brilliant color.
 
Doug is having a strange night. A weird buzzing noise on the other side of the wall has woken him up, and there, across the room, next to a huge hole torn out of the bricks, sits his beloved cat, Inky. Who died years ago. But who’s nonetheless slinking out through the hole, beckoning Doug to follow.
 
What’s going on?
 
To say any more would spoil the freaky, Burnsian fun, especially because X’ed Out, unlike Black Hole, has not been previously serialized, and every unnervingly meticulous panel will be more tantalizing than the last . . .
 
Drawing inspiration from such diverse influences as Hergé and William Burroughs, Charles Burns has given us a dazzling spectral fever-dream—and a comic-book masterpiece. ... Read more

Reviews

Super cool, October 22, 2010
Sensitive stoner poets should enjoy this a lot. Complaints about length seem irrelevant given the amount of time Burns must have spent on this. I'd pay up to $30 for the amazing artwork here. Sure the story's a bit out there, but it has heart where it counts. Burns might throw a gruesome image of a human-faced worm at you, but he'll make sure the worm is crying so you feel weird about it. I don't doubt that we have a masterpiece in the making here.

Rabbit Redux, October 27, 2010
I was really moved by Black Hole, the only other work of Burns I've read. So I was excited to read this - and although I found it to be both beautifully illustrated and emotionally moving - it's themes/storylines felt very similar to Black Hole. Once again we're in the world of tortured white adolescence. As in Black Hole, Burns has a storyline where a frustrated teenager seeks escape and finds it in the form of an attractive girl who lives in squalor and creates disturbing artwork. Meeting an artist who isn't afraid to bare their true (sometimes disturbed) self is exciting and can be very -- I mean right? I can't help but think that this girl did just that for a young Burns. Ok, I'll stop getting all White Album on this. I'm looking forward to see if Burns moves past the frustrated teenage thing in future volumes.

David Lynch Meets TinTin, October 24, 2010
Brilliant and well-worth the Amazon 32% discount price. I hope the next volumes come out frequently, as there is clearly an underlying method to this beautifully delineated madness and I am anxious to find out more.

Beautiful, as always, but a total drag., December 22, 2010
Charles Burns is an amazing artist, but this story is off to a really dull start. He's done the teen disease psychosexual weird dream stuff brilliantly in the past, but seems sort of half hearted about it here. If you really want to see what he's capable of you're better off reading Black Hole or jumping back to when he was funny (Dog Boy). Considering how long it must take him to draw each page, I'd rather see him spend his energy on a story that shows at least the possibility of being interesting. If he doesn't have any new themes to explore right now, he should consider illustrating someone else's stories for a while. I would love to see Charles Burns' take on Melville.

Don't get me wrong..., October 23, 2010
It is a good comic, and if you aren't familiar with Charles Burns' work, you're missing out. His drawing and writing is beautiful, weird, smart, and powerful. I consider him one of the 5 best cartoonists working today. HOWEVER, this is part of a continuing series that will be reprinted in one volume, eventually, at a much more reasonable price. That's just not a good value, and the story doesn't resolve in any satisfying way; there are just a few nice moments (and the amazing art.) I expect in 5 years or so he'll have built it into a masterpiece. For now, though, there's 56 pages of comics in here for a cover price of twenty dollars. It took me 10-15 minutes to read it. They have to charge that much because they know it won't sell well, but die hard fans will shell out the money for anything he does. It's like the hardcover mark-up on steroids. As recently as five years ago, this would have been printed as 2 comic books for 4 each. It pains me to watch the comic business continue to fade into irrelevance and possibly extinction. So don't listen to my review. Buy this book. Help these brilliant, under-appreciated artists out and keep this wonderful medium alive. If enough readers buy them, prices will drop. But I don't see that happening, so I'll call it like I see it: overpriced.

Twisted Fiction, November 2, 2010

Charles Burns is one of those creators you have to watch. Inbetween the pages filled with pretty pictures, Mr Burns comes up with commentary that makes the book.

In some ways, X'ed Out is a trip very similar to his previous work. A disenchanted young person with strange dreams. In a twist of literary thiefdom, I recognize the beginning to the Hitchhikers Guide To the Galaxy with Arthur Dent waking to the dozing of his home. In this case, there is no Zaphod, nor is there any Paranoid Android yet.

This is a different type of book that explores the psyche of teens in an angst filled life. Fetal pigs, bandaged heads, and a rich fantasy world fill the book. The art is very good, but I am not so sure about the story that will probably make sense once it is finished.

Do I recommend this?

Probably read as a whole, yes. Now, it is just a comic book masquerading as a GN. Should be done in 6 months, not 3 years.

Tim Lasiuta

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