Product Description
Captain Spock has left Starfleet to become Ambassador Spock and has been bonded in a Vulcan engagement ceremony to his former protege, the beautiful Commander Saavik. Spock is on a minor diplomatic mission when a call from an old enemy, now a friend, sends him off on a dangerous mission to the planet Romulus, peopled by a volatile and emotional offshoot of his own stoic Vulcan race. Romulan society is facing collapse unless Spock and Saavik can put aside their powerful Vulcan Pon Farr mating drives for long enough to warn the Klingons of a dastardly attack on the outpost at Narrendra III. Meanwhile, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, in command of the USS Stargazer, is sent to infiltrate Romulan territory and recover Spock and Saavik. But is Picard's real task to aid them or to stop them completing their mission, which has put the peace of the galaxy at risk? ... Read more

Product Description
The strange little man was unnaturally shy. He couldn’t stand looking anyone in the face. He was unable to bear meeting more than one person at a time, and ran away if too many people came near him. When he had to go out, he sat in the shadows of his carriage so that no one could see him. He wore the same old-fashioned outfit day after day. And he never, ever spoke to a woman. And yet Henry Cavendish was also a brilliant man who made one of the most important discoveries of the nineteenth century—hydrogen, among other things. ... Read more

Product Description
When he was a little boy, Shaquille O'Neal hated being so tall. He didn't like standing out from all the other kids. When he was only thirteen, Shaq was already as tall as a grown man. His father told him that someday he would be proud of his height. Shaq didn't know how that could be. But he had a love of basketball, and a great talent as a player. In his very first year as a professional basketball player, Shaq knew that his father had been right. Now Shaquille O'Neal would show everyone that the boy who had been too tall had become a true superstar of basketball. ... Read more

Product Description
Merlin is not alone--he has kin in every corner of the world, for magicians are found among all peoples and all cultures. Stories of heroic inner strength fill popular culture, from Indiana Jones to Rocky Balboa to Superwoman. The 30 tales collected here explore the cultural origins of such characters, and the void they fill in each of us. ... Read more

Product Description

Just over a year ago, Captain James T. Kirk was lost to the Nexus while saving the U.S.S. Enterprise 1701-B from destruction. Aboard the science ship Intrepid II, Captain Spock, commanding some of his old crewmates, must face the loss of his closest friend. But while still in mourning for one friend, he must come to the aid of another.

Decades ago, Spock had teamed up with David Rabin, the young son of a Starfleet Captain, to fight an attempted coup on Vulcan that would have turned the planet's people away from the path of logic. Now a Starfleet officer, Captain David Rabin has been assigned to a harsh desert world much like Vulcan, where the Federation is determined to protect the lives of the inhabitants. But Rabin's efforts are being sabotaged and he has asked for Spock's help against the unknown forces that may well destroy the society he had come to save.

While reflecting on his youthful adventure with David Rabin, Spock joins with Rabin to face and enemy out of their past and confront deadly Romulan treachery. In the process Spock will decide if the path of his life now leads back toward the family traditions he had once sought to escape.

Customer Reviews (38)

Both a slam-bang adventure and an intriguing glimpse into Spock's world
Obsidian needs the Federation's help, and Captain David Rabin commands the outpost established to provide that help to this world plagued by its unstable sun's brutal solar flares. His staff ministers mostly to those natives dwelling in the planet's one city, but he knows that most of the population roams the overwhelmingly desert world in nomadic bands. He doesn't know that those bands have nicknamed him the Kindly Fool, recognizing both his genuine wish to help and his dangerous ignorance of their planet's rules. Both physical, and cultural.

Captain Spock of Starfleet commands the science vessel Intrepid II, crewed by a mix of Enterprise veterans and Starfleet people drawn from elsewhere. It hasn't been long since James T. Kirk vanished into the Nexus, which means that he is presumed dead. Spock, McCoy, and Uhura are still striving to let their captain go, and to find their own way into the future. When David Rabin's call for assistance from the nearest Starfleet vessel reaches Intrepid II, Spock remembers the boy Rabin was when a mad traitor opened a Vulcan ceremony on Mount Seleya to a Romulan assault force. That ceremony marked Spock's passage into manhood, and the attack that desecrated one of Vulcan's most holy places launched two boys - one fully human and the son of a Starfleet captain, the other half Vulcan and the son of an ambassador - on a rescue mission that required them to survive crossing the fearsome Vulcan's Forge. Spock first thought about a career in Starfleet because of David Rabin and Captain Nechama Rabin, David's mother. As he rushes Intrepid II to Obsidian, he remembers that crossroads in his life.

This novel alternates its chapters between the "present" on Obsidian and the "past" on Vulcan, with Spock and David Rabin sharing adventures in both time periods. Once again Spock contemplates taking a new and unexpected direction, one that may even heal the breach with his father - Sarek, Vulcan's ambassador to the United Federation of Planets - that his decision to enter Starfleet caused. But first, he and his old friend (his first human friend) have to keep themselves alive and deal with a Romulan plot. A plot led by none other than his old nemesis, the madman whom he and David Rabin first faced when they were boys about to become men.

This is both a slam-bang adventure and an intriguing glimpse into the culture of Vulcan, Spock's world. The authors, publishing veterans as well as long time Trekkers, know the characters and their backgrounds inside out. Although I've been viewing and reading Trek since the first Original Series telecast, I suspect this novel could also be enjoyed by readers not previously acquainted with the Trek universe because Sherman and Shwartz do a fine job of providing smoothly integrated background. They also do well at integrating characters original to their story with the Trek-verse's characters. While the "mad Vulcan as villain" device has been used before, and may now be in danger of overuse, I can't hold that against these authors because they make it work so well. This is a smooth read, the kind that made me keep turning pages far into the night because I knew I wouldn't go to sleep until I'd finished it.

--Reviewed by Nina M. Osier, author of 2005 EPPIE winner "Regs" and the "High Places" series

The Rise of Spock
I would say that this book very well describes the beginnings of the Rise of Spock as we all know and love him.The conflict between he and his father, his first interactions with Starfleet and Humans, whom he would spend a considerable amount of his life around, until he moved on into the Reunification Act with Romulus. This is essential to any fan of Spock.

Sarek's argument for peace is more convincing.
Sarek's wisdom was more profound, far seeing, and stronger than Spock's.Spock's entry into the Federation was a mistake.Spock desire for glory and power would make him famous.Jim Kirk like David Rabin would provide the stepping stones and alliances for his rise to power and the power would be self-assuming.Spock potential for intelligence and brilliance lost a web of deceit and corruption. The self-fulfilled Sareks predictions of aggression and violence associated with the Federation would stain Spock."You are no part of me","Observe what you have done to your mother, to one of those humans among whom you will go.Your presence will damage them."So true.

Vulcan science is awesome.Federation first contact was with Vulcan. Vulcan practiced for the most part isolationism from Vulcan. Sered wanted Vulcan to withdraw from the federation.Sered's aggression in taking hostages was his painful flaw and other attrocities include radiation poisoning of his cult followers, of which McCoy medical skills coveted for a cure.

Spock's career with the federation was devoid of peaceful scientific discover; replete with acts of "Cowboy verses Indian" violence; and entangling in the internal affairs of numerous races. Sarek pleads with great love for his son Spock to remain peaceful, but Spock likes the power of violence, death, and destruction and yields to the temptation.Amanda knows Sarek loves his son."Never that..The idea of my son, handling weapons, learning the madness of the ways of violence, is totally unacceptable."Sarek want's Spock to stay on Vulcan and gain mastery over his emotions, but Spock believes he has been betrayed by Vulcan tradition and seeks the wisdom of the Federation.

Spock asks, "Why would T'Pau give us swords if we are to shun weapons?"T'Pau herself said, "It is to remind thee not to deny the past, yes.But it is also to remind thee how narrow and sharp is the edge between chaos and civilization."T'Pau warning concidences with Sarek's plead for peace.The Federation is no bastion of peace.The federation maintains peace through political coercion, military power, and entangling hegemony. Membership in the federation is militaristic; the federation is at war with the Klingons and Romulans and very active in asserting its power. Sarek speaking to Amanda reasons "Spock has rejected thousands of years of peace to choose Starfleet and its ethic of war, it glorification of violence.How long can anyone survive that way?"

The prime directive can be preempted on will.The prime directive should be the supreme moral guideline governing the Federation interactions with alien planets, however, the prime directive has become more an ideal than a practical application. In large part, the Prime directive applies only too countries the federation has not interest in controlling or influencing.

Reunionification has good intentions but has produced no good fruit. Interaction between conflicting groups is the only way to break down the barriers between the two groups.Balance of Power creates short-term stability but over the long run fails because of its meddlesome nature.Containment is a futile doctrine and no group likes being governed against their will and so, colonization becomes a doomed endeavor.

Spocks disrespect towards Sarek is distasteful."In all respect, sir, I do not require your consent. "A law unto himself, this lack of consent would constantly make Spock his own authority and self-governing law. Spock arrogantly and self-righteously believes his wisdom transcendent Sarek and Surek.Spocks reunionification with Romulan put him at odds with both the Romulans, who wanted him dead and the Federation, who wanted to protect sensitive information falling into the hands of the Romulans.In both cases of potential espionage and defection, Spock was a protected for his information.Spock's cowboy diplomacy had no affect on reducing military tensions between the Federation and the Romulan empire.Pardek did not become a significant political figure, nor did Runeak gain influence over the military.

Did Spock kill Sered?A fatal blow to the solar plexus.The author does not reveal that fact.Self appointed Spock leads a Sered following on Romulus in his own Romulan following during Reunification.Spock enters the cave proclaiming, "Are these your God's?"

Dull at best...
The story never really picks up and for the most part it's written like a fan-fiction.Gene Roddenberry who was a very outspoken athiest would be rolling over in his grave at the Jewish references.It just doesn't feel like Star Trek and Spock isn't quite himself.The authors bend the Star Trek universe to their whim and it really doesn't work.Once again, you can find better writing and more interesting stories from fans on the Internet.

Spock - before and after Kirk
This novel opens in 2296, about a year after Kirk's death/disappearance.Spock is now captain of Intrepid II and is summoned to assist an old friend, David Rabin.The two had met many years before on Vulcan.The novel jumps between to two encounters which have many similiarities.

The action is intense throughout the book, depictions of both the new and familiar characters is handled well.For Spock fans (which should be just about everyone reading this book) it is a feast of background information on his teenage years and decision to enter the Academy.

The main flaw, in my opinion, was that it drug on a bit.I think that it would have been better if it were about 50 pages shorter.

The same authors also wrote VULCAN'S HEART two years later, which contains references to this novel. ... Read more

Product Description
Sunrises, sunsets, rainbows all these things come from the sun. Sunshine also gives us light, warmth, and food. In this book about sunlight, find out how the sun creates all of our weather. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

WASTE OF MONEY + BOOK IS 10 YEAR OLD
Got the book, its actually a tiny booklet. At most, a big blog post you can say.


The language is easy and I loved reading whats written inside. But WHY THEY ARE SELLING THIS BOOK TILL DATE? it does not contain anything at all after year 2000!! Seriously, why would you want to pay for a book that does not even contain latest information? - for which you have paid money.

I would suggest you to reconsider your decision before you purchase this tiny booklet - the information that you'd find else where for free ( wikipedia page on jeff bejos is much better than this book)

for me, its a COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY. why these guys are selling 10 year old information!!

This biography is great to use for school
I used this biography for a school project, and it was wonderful. This book has a lot of information, and very few pages;) Not only does it have plenty of info on Jeff Bezos, but it also has a lot of information about amazon.com. For example, I learned that you could write reviews for books:) This book has plenty of information, and is also very entertaining, I highly recomend it.

short and to the point
I picked up this book from the library for a research paper about Amazon.com for my Microeconomics class."Amazon.com - Get Big Fast" was on order so I decided to see if this could help me get started.The writing is easy to follow (as this is a children's book) and gives background about Mr. Bezos (his youth, etc.) as well as information about the beginning of Amazon.com.My favourite bit was the struggle to choose the name for his company -- "Abracadabra" was deemed too long and "Cadabra" was thought too similar to "Cadaver."There are black and white photos in the book (images of Bezos, the Amazon River, etc.).I enjoyed the book and think that it (and others in this series) are a perfect foil to the dusty biographies that kids (including myself) had to read in the past.Sometimes one has to wander into the children's section of the library (or bookstore) and take a break from long-winded books (not that I don't enjoy them as well).Besides, all the basic ideas from big management books are in here -- like the idea to emphasize customer service.:) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

If you like Harry Potter, you'll love this series!
At the ages of 7-9, I was a very sick little girl. After coming home from getting stuck by needles at the doctor's office, my mom bought me this book. I think I finished the book in just under 2 days. I just couldn't put it down! It has everything; adventure, romance, drama, magic, and of course... unicorns! What an escape for anyone with an active imagination! This was a dose of girl-power and courage I really needed. As an adult, there are still lessons I can use in my grown up life. In a way I STILL want to be Sheila! I was lucky enough to obtain all 6 books. I urge everyone to do thesame... it's worth every penny!

This series is
I am now almost done with college and have just rediscovered this series which was my favorite to read as a child and continues to be to this day. These books are filled with adventure, mystery, magic, love, strength, and beauty. You can't help but be swept away by your imagination as you read these books. While reading about all that these characters endure, attempt, fail, and accomplish you can't help but share their adventures. This series is one that people of any age can enjoy.

I still remember these books!
I wanted to be just like Sheila when I grew up. I even listened to a few Bon Jovi songs because of her (I was 8 when these books came out).I just recently figured out the name of the books (I had forgotten them) and now i'm trying to find them again to reread them. I still remember the book cover illustrations too!

A Magnificent Book!
This series is the magnificent books that everyone MUST SEE! I am now currently working but I still miss this series a lot since I read them when I am 10 years old. I'm glad I can finally buy the series. Miss them a lot.

These are my fave Books :-)
I love these books. I have all the set of six books and Keep reading them over an over, They are wonderful.they where given to me about 12 years ago. highly reccomend
them for people who like unicorns, warriors or fantasy book like I do :)

enjoy :-) ... Read more

Product Description
The 46 stories in this collection are as varied as their origins--Poland, Morocco, Yemen, and Spain, to name a few--yet all possess a unifying element: a uniquely Jewish flavor, "an emphasis on doing the right thing, on surviving by cleverness and kindness--and the need for keeping a good sense of humor." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great stories for 3-8 yeear olds
Wonderful, very brief stories for young children.The reader can build an understandable moral from each of them.They are humorous, not frightening, and nicely illustrated in romantic pictures. After taking it from the library to read to my grandchildren, I ordered three copies so each could have one in their own homes and there would still be one when they visited with me.The stories can be read over and over because they have so much to say, even tho' they are short.

Great book of Jewish wisdom tales
This along with Solomon and the Ant, is a great example of Jewish Wisdom Tales.I bought this to read to my daughter but you can read this to anyone who is interested in reading a good story with a moral.

Enthusiastically recommended for readers 9 to 90!
Rachel The Clever And Other Jewish Folktales is a wonderful collection of forty-six outstanding, multicultural tales drawn from the Jewish communities of Poland, Spain, Morocco, Yemen, and Central Asia.Entertaining, illuminating, showcasing Jewish wit, wisdom and humor, RachelThe Clever And Other Jewish Folktales and the other memorable stories areenhanced for the modern reader with notes providing additional informationon the origins and different versions of the stories, as well as thecharacters and creatures that populate them. Rachel The Clever And OtherJewish Folktales is enthusiastically recommended reading for ages 9 to 90! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

I'm going to get these books back in print! Can you help?
I'm launching a letter campaign to get these books back. It is ridiculous what people are spending for a book that should be available to young girls and old alike. Libraries can't keep these books in stock! If you want to help me this is what I'm doing: I will mail a letter a day to the Ballantine/Fawcet press asking that they publish The Secret of the Unicorn Queen Series. I will say that there is a genuine need for these books and that they will sell. In order to prove the high demand for these books it would be great to have other people send in letters too. Anyone who is interested can e-mail me (it's a hotmail account with my name) or just write and mail a letter. This shouldn't be a herculean labor, these books are marketable and will sell, the publisher can't go wrong. (I love the cover art too-Rowena is brilliant!)

Fabulous!
I read these books over and over until I was in middle school.They're great!I was a dummy and donated them to my school library of the time and they're long gone.That was over 10 years ago and I'm still kickingmyself.

If you know where to get this book...
I read "Swept Away" years ago, and when I went to the library to check it out again, it was gone. Disappeared. I cried. If any kind soul reads this and knows where I can get a copy of ANY of the "UnicornQueen" books, I would be eternally greatfull if you would write to meand tell me where. Thank You!

Wonderful For All Ages!
I got the series from a friend and just keep readng them over and over! I love them! I just can't put them down! I woiuld recommend this series to ANY lover of fantasy! And the cover work is beautiful!

Great Series
I read this series in third grade and I can still sit down and read it over and over.The six books are one of my treasured series that I will never get rid of, and it fueled many stories of my own! ... Read more

Product Description
When representatives of Alanda's Church seek to ferret out unauthorized magic and music, the Free Bards--those who will not or cannot join the priest-condoned Guild--fight back. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Better than I thought
To date all the books I have ordered have been mailed to me in good time and the quality of them were more than stated.

Summer stock yuck
Wow, this book is horrible.

Lackey is never a particularly challenging read, but at least I can usually finish the book.It's hard to even get through "A Cast of Corbies", because the constant eye-rolling the writing prompts is giving me a headache.The characters are hideous little stereotypes, the Regina character is too Mary Sue to be true, and the plot... ouch.The potentially-interesting political intrigue angle is abandoned for huge stretches of time, and everyone gets dragged out of the Gypsy lifestyle into ACK-TING!

Basically, if you have some burning desire to be brought inside the exciting world of community theater, this book will give you a very thorough tour.If that doesn't float your boat, then you'll probably want to chuck this across the room by the time two characters are dimly discussing "how to paint a fake shrub".

Don't waste your time with this series.

A Free Bards Tale
This is the third book in a series about the Free Bards.It takes place after book two, "The Robin & the Kestrel."It is desirable to read the earlier books first in order to understand the setting.Contrary to theadvice of an earlier reviewer, you should not skip this book as it sets the stage for the following book. The king has outlawed street busking, causing the Free Bards and otherstreet musicians to become creative in finding places to perform.By chance, Duke Arden of Kingsford is forming his own theatre company whichpresents an opportunity for Raven, Magpie, and their friends.However, anunknown enemy is trying to use sorcery to destroy the theatrical production. Various heroes and villains emerge as the story progresses.Lady Ardis,Justiciary Mage from book one ("The Lark and the Wren"), isreintroduced (she also appears later in "Four and Twenty Blackbirds"). The story reaches a blazing climax as various people are broughttogether by tragedy.

Disappointing
This book wasn't actively BAD, which is why I didn't give it one star, but it wasn't that great either.Most of Lackey's other stuff is much better.(Haven't read much Sherman, so I can't judge whether this is low-qualityfor her or not.)If you want to read about the world and conflicts ofAlanda, I'd recommend skipping this book and reading the first 3 books ofthe Bardic Voices trilogy (skip Four And Twenty Blackbirds, it's a veryflat last book.)If you really want good Mercedes Lackey, read theValdemar series, especially the Last Herald-Mage trilogy. A Cast OfCorbies does have some good parts, and it's nice to know what happens toRaven, who was a minor character in the Bardic Voices books. Unfortunately, though, it seemed like the authors weren't really tryingwith this one; the villains don't have a real motivation, and the good guysseem to mostly stumble around, except for Raven and occasionally Magpie. It's interesting to watch the dynamics between them, but the end is kind ofpredictable, and most of the book just seems really flat.Not what I'dexpected from this series and this author.I'd skip it unless you want anice, quick, somewhat shallow YA read.

Wow!
I did not expect to like this book, and though I wasn't as drawn to it as I was the Valdemar books, I was soon trapped in a world of Bardic Choices. A great book full of magick, andthe knowledge of what is allowed tohappen when any one force tries to be in complete control. ... Read more

Product Description
A collection of short stories highlights lycanthropy with a twist and includes contributions by R. A. Salvatore, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Peter David, Craig Shaw Gardner, Julia Ecklar, and Jody Lynn Nye. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Way too predicatable
Quite simply, plot twists are fun. Most stories need them to be exciting. The plot twist of all the stories is that someone turns into another creature. You usually can figure out what they are going to turn into in the first page. Most authors in here use that as thei main plot twist and the results are tedious. There are some good stories in here, particularly towards the back of the book. If you have nothing else to read I would start reading from the back and give up about halfway through. Overall this book is a waste of time and money.

One Interesting Spin on Lycanthropy After Another
I must say that I picked this book up initially just because I was bored, but it delivered much more then I thought it would.From the lighthearted "Stag Party" to the highly intriguing and thought-provoking "The Way Things Should Be", this book had more twists on the were-mythology then any compliation I've seen.Brilliant.Simply Brilliant.

mostly light-hearted, quite entertaining
Bought this book as an airplane reader... had a few hours to kill.I thouroughly enjoyed it.it was perfect for what I was looking for.There's some serious stuff in there, but it's mostly light (were-guppy???).

You've never read a changer book like this!
Once upon a time there was a werewolf! Now, well this is the nineties! We have moved beyond a wolf, and realized that we can be anything! An elephant, a tiger, a left-wing republican ... Read more

Product Description
This anthology features 20 original stories of murder by acclaimed and award-winning science fiction and fantasy writers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Uneven but some real gems
This short story collection is a fun read, and had tales I hadn't expected from some authors I really like.Like all short story collections, some don't quite fit the overall theme very well.One story breaks one of the cardinal rules of mystery, that the mystery story was terribly incomplete, with no closure or capture.That tale plainly is part of a longer novel and was not long enough to either make a good mystery or introduce the world to new readers.Stories that combine the limitations of mysteries and fantasy are difficult to pull off, and the tale by Diane Duane and the homage by Lee and Miller are especially good.

Crime and the supernatural
This highly enjoyable anthology contains 20 stories by some of the best-known authors in modern fantasy (almost all female), from Roberta Gellis to Mercedes Lackey, brought together by an editor who has worked with several of them (not to mention co-writing at least two novels with the late, great Andre Norton).Despite the title, not all of the tales turn on murder (or even crime), but most do; they range from the funny (Esther Friesner's "Au Purr," in which a witch takes the form of a cat in order to learn the truth about her sister's death and watch over her young niece and nephew) to the somewhat baffling (Carole Nelson Douglas's "Special Surprise Guest Appearance By...," in which an aging Vegas stage magician meets...I'm not sure what), to the classic locked-room (Debra Doyle's "A Death in the Working," set in her MageWorlds Universe).Anyone who enjoys puzzles and the fantastical should enjoy the collection.Highly recommended.

Extraordinarily good anthology
It is very rare that I am able to say that I enjoyed every story in an anthology, but that is the case for this volume. Many of the stories have a humorous quality, not so much laugh out loud as being pastiches of various mundane mystery and other genres.

There is a great diversity in the types of stories. The characterizations and story-telling are uniformly good to outstanding.The works tend to be set in somewhat feudal cultures, as fantasy usually is, but others are quite modern or otherwise set in familiar times and places (if you credit the existence of magic.)

Worth reading both for fantasy aficionados and mystery fans.

one of the best consistent compilations of the year
This superb twenty collection anthology runs the mystery gamut but has the common thread as stated by Rosemary Edghill in her introduction that "a crime (preferably by murder), and magic and the supernatural had to be somehow involved".Each tale does that and though the format is short story, readers will believe in the use of magic albeit whether to commit a crime, solve a crime, or both.The contributions run the gamut from historical to modern with varying sub-genres in each.Fans of fantasy who-done-it stories will want to read MURDER BY MAGIC as a virtual who's who of authors have contributed strong works in one of the best consistent compilations of the year.

Harriet Klausner
... Read more

Product Description
As the hidden truth about the Romulans' early history is revealed at last, its implications for the future play out as Spock and his allies reach across a gulf of both time and space in an attempt to bridge the gap that separates the longscattered offshoots of the Vulcan people. And though the reunification he hopes to achieve will come at a terrible cost, failure could mean centuries of sorrow and chaos for untold millionsFor the legions of readers who enjoyed the first two books in the series, as well as the authors' previous bestsellers, VULCAN'S FORGE and VULCAN'S HEART, EPIPHANY will not disappoint eager fans of the VULCAN'S SOUL trilogy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

An epic of betrayal, vengeance and the Vulcan spirit
This review is about the series as a whole. I enjoyed this series, especially the "flashbacks" to the struggle of the Exiles from Vulcan. As to the sections in the series present...well let's face it, Star Trek has been done before. However, in this series we learn a great deal about Vulcans...how the followers of Surak attempt to overcome the volatile, emotional nature of their kind. As war threatens to destroy the planet, scientist Karatek and others escape in space ships hoping for a fresh start on a new world. Alas, the rivalries and enmities continue even as the exiles endure a harrowing journey across space. They find a beautiful new planet--only to have their hopes smashed by the treachery of their own fellow Vulcan exiles.

It is true that there was much extraneous material in these novels and that it all dragged out for a little too long...however, by the end of the second book, the authors had me hooked. This story of racial betrayal and vengeance became almost biblical in its intensity. As the final confrontation unfolded between the Federation, Vulcans, Romulans, Klingons and Watraii... the action was positively "glorious" (as our battle-loving Klingons would say.)

So I was all ready to give this series 5 stars... until the last 2 or 3 chapters. What a letdown! The scene shifts away from the long-suffering Watraii and people of Remus...and moves to the petty intrigues of the Romulan politicians! As if I cared about them at all! How was justice done and recompense given? Whatever happened to those left on Remus? After building up this conflict for 3 books, delving deeply into the struggles and culture of the Sundered Vulcans, why was the resolution brushed aside so hastily?

Also, a scientific point bothered me: a tidally locked Planet, such as Mercury, has a fiery dayside and an icy darkside. But I thought that Remus was a moon of Romulus. If a moon is tidally locked, it will always turn one face toward its primary (Romulus). Still, as the moon circles the planet, its away side should get sunlight at certain times of the month. I do not think there would be a permanently icy "dark side" that never gets any sunlight. But then what do I know? I've never been in space...

Worst Star Trek book ever written
I have NEVER quit reading a Star Trek book before the end until now. At page 150 I couldn't stand it any more. Three stories going on at the same time. Jumped all over the place and hard to follow. I would avoid this book at all costs. A waste of money in my opinion.

Did you guess what the end would be?
The first two books got me. Read them non-stop. Imagine the origins of not only Romulans but of Remans with a hint to the Watraii! But you can guess where this book goes immediately (I won't spoil it here) and not much else gets developed. Still worth it to complete the picture but not as good as #1 & 2. This three book series could have been done in two. Guess it was a money thing to get three books worth of cash out of us. It worked. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Not a children's book--adult content
It's a fun book.But please be aware --this is NOT a children's book.Very adult content.Rated "R."

Ahh the sweet memories of youth.
I unashamedly admit I loved this book. It was such a glorious flash back to my youth. And the silly songs/rhymes we used to sing/chant. I even shared this with my 11 year old son. Who was rather confused by this practice of "stupid songs" but enjoyed learning a few with me, and I even caught his singing "greasy grimey gopher guts" to my baby the other day..who adored it.

the bible of my childhood
i swiped this book from my brother who swiped it from my mother who got it at a used book sale- so its been around the block a few times. i am now 16 an begin using this book at the age of 10. manny a days were spent at the lunch table with my frineds laughing at- and using these rymes( such as; hark the harold angles shout! # more days till school gets out! grab you ball and grab your chan, and run like hell to the nearist train) sooner of later it became known as " the bible" to my groop.all thse yesrs it has beena tresured posetion of mine, and from time to time i bing it out once more to my friends- and it still keep us laughing.

Wonderful collection, but leaves you wanting more
As the other reviewers have stated, this is a great collection of naughty rhymes and chants from childhood.However, I have to agree with the psychiatrist.I would have liked more analysis. This seems to be a great topic for somebody's doctoral thesis. How do these verses originate?Are most of them created by children for children?What can we learn about children from them?

On second thought, maybe it is best that these verses remain under wraps.There is something to be said about an under the radar way that children have to harmlessly express their rebelliousness.

Little Dirty Birdie Feet.....
If you love subversiveness, I'd also suggest Nick Bantock's , "Averse to Beasts," a book with a cassette filled with creepy little ryhmes! ... Read more

Product Description
Folklore in the past has given body to ghosts, ghouls, vampires, werewolves, and other sinister creations of human fears and imagination. Modern urban folklore provides a host of new menaces, and these terrors are now lurking in distant European castles, but are waiting for readers down the block, in the office elevator, under the concrete of their street. Is that only air clanging in the plumbing or is some thing coming up from the dark depths of the city and into readers' personal urban nightmare? . ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Completists Only
Surprisingly, although Josepha Sherman is the more prolific of the two "names" included in this anthology, Keith DeCandido's "How you can prevent forest fires..." is the much more accomplished work.

However, as the rest of the stories are the usual below-par "fillers" only fans of DeCandido or fanatics of Sherman should consider this. ... Read more

Product Description
Following their bestsellers Vulcan's Forge and Vulcan's Heart, Josepha Sherman and Susan Shwartz embark on a new trilogy chronicling the latter-day adventures of one of Star Trek's most beloved characters, shedding new light on his world's shocking history.

One year after the end of the Dominion War, the Romulan Star Empire comes under attack by a mysterious and alarmingly powerful enemy calling itself the Watraii, a species with a long-standing vendetta against the Romulans. Yet though they remain tenuously allied, the Federation, the Romulans, and the Klingons are unready to become embroiled in another sustained conflict, forcing Ambassador Spock, Admiral Uhura, Admiral Chekov, Captain Saavik, and some unexpected allies to defy their governments in order to meet the new threat head-on. But the first blood drawn may prove to be among the dearest of all.

Unknown to the defenders, the secret behind the Watraii's attack is buried in Vulcan's violent ancient past, during the time of Surak himself, when the proto-Romulans -- staunch opponents of Surak's reforms -- were compelled to take their chances among the cold and distant stars. Now Spock must begin the first leg of a long and dangerous road to learn the truth...before his hopes for the future become ashes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Altered expectations
So here's a review from someone who enjoys Star Trek (and its fanfiction) in occasional dives into an engaging set of characters and challenges rather than in a deep and thorough knowledge of the Star Trek universe.

1.I had no idea to expect the book, allegedly about Spock, to be set so far forward in the Star Trek timeline.The apparent absence of Kirk, and the only transitory mentions of a few minor, and now distant characters (Uhura, Picard, McCoy) did not quite satisfy.One of my favorite parts of the Star Trek universe is the wonderful interactions and family feelings of the assorted Enterprise crews.Don't enter this book expecting that.

2.I expected a book about a Romulan war needing some sort of urgent, covert assistance.The book begins with a half hour meeting in which nothing happens as Spock gets called away unexpectedly.There is much musing on deep philosophy and race interactions.This is followed by a prolonged flashback into ancient Vulcan history, at which point we realize that one of the primary characters (and plots) is going to be the memory of a Vulcan long since deceased.

3.Over an hour into the book I was still unclear what the plot was, who the main character was, what the problem was, or why I should care.Vulcan personalities make for wonderfully intriguing alien viewpoints and interactions, but only when they're not allowed to keep to themselves.Vulcans interacting primarily with Vulcans are boring.The Vulcans of the past (a more emotional lot) are interesting, and may make the book worth reading, but were certainly not what I entered the book expecting to read about.

In sum:This book may be most enjoyable for people who enter wanting to read an author's musing about Vulcan's past, interstellar culture, ambassadorship, etc, and for people who do not expect a story more in the common spirit of the Star Trek tv show.

Not worth it!
Thumbs down.Don't buy this one.What I want to know is "Where are the editors on this?Weren't they doing their jobs?"This collective work doesn't hold a candle to that of A.C. Crispin or Diane Duane.Besides being dull and boring, here's why I didn't care for this:

* Whoever wrote the "Memory" chapters about the Vulcan sundering and the founding of the Romulan Star Empire has a terrible writing style.The sentence structure was complex and cumbersome and littered with too many adverbs.What the author was trying to say in instances was hard to fathom even after re-reading passages several times.
* The plot for the "present day" part was thin and predictable.The storyline was not helped by all the cameo appearances of various Star Trek characters; they were an annoyance.The details concerning "present day" characters on Romulus has me scratching my head; what is the relevance?Is there another sequel coming?
* After re-reading the first chapter of "Exodus" after completing the entire 3 volume work, I still can't understand the intent or the necessity of this chapter.In addition, there were characters introduced here (this chapter) in detail who played no role in the rest of the novels.What a waste of my time to try and decode!
* The scene selection and the detail in which they were presented in the "Memory" chapters is questionable.There was material presented, although somewhat interesting, that added little value to the story line.The reason for Karatek's (and his family's) exile to Remus was more tell than show.Why wasn't this developed more fully?
* Some of the books used regular dates; the middle book used star dates.Confusing.
* I think those who follow Star Trek understand that this is basically fantasy.However, there is still a certain amount of fundamental physics that you need to get right.When you have an explosion in deep space (i.e., vacuum), you can't have a shock wave because a traditional shock wave can only be propagated with continuous media like an atmosphere or an ocean.But, you can have ejecta!

There are more faults that I could find with this work.Do yourself a favor and read something by Timothy Zahn or Tom Clancy.

Nice beginning, but important technical details ignored
This book is a good beginning to this trilogy and gives us a glimpse of the time of Surak just before and during the Sundering.

However, in the 24th century subplot...certain technical details got ignored.Such as...how did they beam Spock on board the Watraii ship without punching through its shields?Suddenly shields don't exist anymore? Or Starfleet transporters can now beam through shields?I would have expected some minimal explanation of them finding a breach in the shields of the Watraii or somehow turning it off for a microsecond.

As if above mistake wasn't enough...they repeat it.Right after above a Watraii beams into the Alliance to retrieve the device Spock stole.Once again no mention of punching through or finding a breach in the Alliance's shields to allow the Watraii to beam through.

It's really lazy of them to just ignore the established fact in Trek lore that YOU CANNOT BEAM THROUGH SHIELDS...unless there were certain things done to breach it, punch through it, or somehow get it turned off for a quick bit to sneak in a transporter beam.

Great Work
I'm never disappointed with these ladies work.I really enjoyed the sections with Surak and his struggle while in the ever so near death Vulcan planet and the story of those few that would travel into the stars to try to start new... and then become their Romulan brothers (cousins) as I've come to "logically conclude".

In the Beginning...
Before the Romulans became who they are they were Vulcans living on a war torn and diseased Vulcan. This book takes you through the background of why these people left Vulcan, the various factions who left together, and an important instrument to be used by the Exile's leader to record the history. This book is great and the whole series is really good. You'll not be disappointed at all. ... Read more

Product Description
In 1510 eighteen-year-old Thierry, orphaned Count of Foretterre, undertakes a series of difficult challenges in order to free the half-human, half-fairy girl he loves from the hold of her cold-hearted father, Lord of Faerie. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A rather slight but charming fairy tale
Windleaf is a pleasant enough fairy tale.Its plot strongly resembles Lord Dunsany's The King of Elfland's Daughter, but the writing is much more accessible for younger fantasy readers.Although the writing seems occasionally a little contrived and the whole novel is not verythought-provoking, it does have likable characters, a quickly moving plotand plenty of magic.It is a bit on the generic and shallow side, though,and older readers might just as well pass over this one for Neil Gaiman'smuch more inventive Stardust or Dunsany's beautiful The King of Elfland'sDaughter.Another good bet is Elizabeth Marie Pope's The Perilous Gard,which is set in 16th century England and deals with fairies; it's quite abit deeper than Windleaf and feels much more realistic.

Ailanna

Another book from the Realms of Faerie!
This was an interesting book, and I really enjoyed reading it.However, I think it was a bit weaker in plot and character development when compared to Child of Faerie, Child of Earth the first book to enter the Realms ofFaerie.Still, Windleaf is a great read, and I recommend it. ... Read more

Product Description
Have you ever seen the wind? It helps your kite fly. It blows the leaves from trees. It can turn into a hurricane or tornado. Find out how wind begins in this uplifting book. ... Read more