Book Description
On the hot Texas army base she calls home, Katie spends the lazy days of her summer waiting: waiting to grow up; waiting for Dickie Mack to fall in love with her; waiting for her breasts to blossom; waiting for the beatings to stop. Since their mother died, Katie and her older sister, Diane, have struggled to understand their increasingly distant, often violent father. While Diane escapes into the arms of her boyfriend, Katie hides in her room or escapes to her best friend’s house—until Katie’s admiration for her strong-willed sister leads her on an adventure that transforms her life.
Written with an unerring ability to capture the sadness of growth, the pain of change, the nearly visible vibrations that connect people, this beautiful novel by the bestselling author of Open House reminds us how wonderful—and wounding—a deeper understanding of life can be.
Customer Reviews:
A solid 3.......2007-05-29
Elizabeth Berg is a great writer, this one just didn't resonate with me.
In this book Katie struggles with an all to often distant and violent father. She spends most of her time with the neighbor girl, and trying to get closer to her older sister Diane.
Eventually the sisters runaway- only to have Katie return home to her father, right before they move away.
I love how Berg always knows her character so well. This one moved a little slow, but not too much.
The issue is that - for me- there is no real character growth, and the story is not very deep, or moving, or anything really.
Diane moves away and that is that, they move to Missouri. Her father is still the same person, and Katie is still an adolescent girl with a lot to learn that still walks on eggshells around her father, and still feels guilty when he becomes upset or angered. Katie's dad does finally tell her how she died, how it happened, or rather what finally caused it- but in no way was there suspense leading to this, or adequate drama to make you feel any pain for Katie.
While Katie is an interesting character, her story is nothing unique, and not spellbounding in any way. Instead, the read imagines Katie will go on to live much the same life, and in the sequel you find she does.
AN APPEALING BOOK FOR A YOUNG READER.......2006-08-14
Elizabeth Berg is one of my favourite authors, but this book was definitely not written with a mature reader in mind and I did not realize this until after I had purchased the book. For a mature reader, it is a quick easy read but beware, it has an elementary writing style.
Katie has an abusive father and your heart aches for her. Her older sister, Diane, runs away with her boyfriend to Mexico. Katie starts out on the journey with them but has a change of heart. Although the book is a work of fiction, pieces of the author's throught process left me wondering if some of the events were not taken from her own life as a child. If you are in your late teens, the book will likely appeal to you and is definitely worth reading. For anyone older, the writing style will appear to have a child-like quality. Mature readers will find some of Berg's other books, such as "Open House," "Talk Before Sleep" and "Say When" more appealing than this one. All Berg's books are well written but take note that some are written with different age levels in mind.
meandering and plotless.......2006-01-10
i was disappointed after this book was suggested to me. nothing ever happens. there are a lot of long winded descriptions and background and very little story.
Best of Berg.......2006-01-10
This is still my favorite of Berg's wonderful novels. The coming of age tale told by 12 year old narrator Katie is warm, heartbreaking and often funny.
Katie is on target as she observes her overbearing father dealing with the grief of losing his wife and having to raise two daughters. In some ways Katie is wiser than her older sister, who would rather make plans to leave home than to deal with the life she's been dealt.
Read this, then read the sequel, Joy School, which is also enchanting. Both books are perfect for mother/daughter book clubs.
Kelly S, Miller Place NY.......2005-11-10
I thought this book was very good. It comes from the point-of-view of 12 year old Katie, living in Texas with her father and her older sister. She is constantly moving around the country with her military father who is constantly being transfered to different places. She is never situated in one spot for a long time, so the kids at the schools are always calling her a military brat. After dealing with the passing of her mother, Katies life changed. She has no one there for her. Her sister, who is constantly with her boyfriend is to busy to listen to Katies pre-teen problems, and her abusive father doesn't want to listen to things that Katie is was talking about. Katie's one friend Cherylanne is really only a friend away from school. She doesn't want to be seen with Katie infront of her friends. But even if Cherylanne doesn't want to be seen with Katie outside of the privacy of their walls, she helps Katie with whatever she needs most of the time, from the simpilest things like make-up to her first kiss.
Durable Goods taks us through Katie's life, and her trying to fit in with the world.
Customer Reviews:
The Plot Thickens.......2007-03-10
In this installment, sadly, there is none of that pure smut from the first book. I give you that. However, Kazuma Kodaka introduces a few new characters (rawr) and a plot by a rival yakuza group to take out the Sagano family, including Kai.
Of course Kei, with his newly found brotherly affection, manages to get himself involved, much to Ranmaru's distress.
It's a cliffhanger, along with the next couple books in the series. It's not as hardcore as the first books, but lots of plot and a surprising turn of events later on. I'd definitely recommend that you keep going in the series.
likes biseinen.......2007-03-09
I really enjoyed the first book in this series. I wasn't that impressed with 2 and 3. They were okay. I though by the time I get to four the story should be back in full swing. It's taking a while but I think the story is going to heat up again(not in this volume) I have already read 5 and it ended with a great cliffhanger. I now can't wait to get 6. All in all I said the only reason to read this volume is because it's a part of the series and it sets up some action for 5. Don't expect much action as far as the relationships in 4 or 5. Maybe we'll get some in 6. Could someone let me know?!?!
Ranmaru and Kei are still nice to look at no matter what's going on around them.
Book Description
Ranmaru and Kei were not always the perfect couple. There was a time when Ranmaru was an up-and-coming Kendo star and Kei was shy and timid scholar. What brought these two different souls together, and how did their love grow so strong? The top selling series continues to document the twists and turns of this beautiful relationship.
Customer Reviews:
The Best.......2007-03-08
This book is funny and sexy at the same time. You'll have a laugh reading it.
A Superb Series.......2006-03-08
As others have noted, Kizuna is one of the classic boys love series, and deservedly so. Characters, plot, art: it's all topnotch, and this is one of those rare manga that has something that will appeal to everyone.
Be Beautiful is to be thanked for bringing Kizuna to the English-language market, yet the translations of the first three volumes were frustratingly inconsistent and there's just no excuse for professionally published books to contain typos and misspellings. Happily, they seem to have pulled it together with Vol. 4, so you'll have nothing to distract you from the brilliance of Kodaka sensei's work.
Yaoi at it's very best!.......2006-02-24
If I could give it 6 stars I would. It is a must have for any yaoi fan. I was first introduced to this series by watching the anime years ago, and since then I've collected all the manga in Japanese. It has passion, action, attitude, and tenderness. The greatest thrill in this story comes from the slowly developing relationship with Kai and his protector, Masa.
kizuna.......2006-02-24
i heard from the interset and say that is very good and wonderful story of love.. i want to buy one and read it!!
Get this beautiful series!.......2005-07-18
Any Yaoi fan should have Kizuna. For fans who wish to purchase book 4, note that it is available in Amazon in Oct 2005 under title "Kizuna:Bond of Love" by the distributor Client Distribution Services, the new distributor engaged by the publisher "Bebeautifulmanga.com". The same goes for Embracing Love, another recommended Yaoi series.
Amazon.com
Acclaimed SF novelist Brian Herbert is the son of Dune author Frank Herbert. With his father, Brian wrote Man of Two Worlds and later edited The Notebooks of Frank Herbert's Dune. Kevin J. Anderson has written many bestsellers, alternating original SF with novels set in the X-Files and Star Wars universes. Together they bring personal commitment and a lifelong knowledge of the Dune Chronicles to this ambitious expansion of a series that transformed SF itself. Dune: House Atreides chronicles the early life of Leto Atreides, prince of a minor House in the galactic Imperium. Leto comes to confront the realities of power when House Vernius is betrayed in an imperial plot involving a quest for an artificial substitute to melange, a substance vital to interstellar trade that is found only on the planet Dune. Meanwhile, House Harkonnen schemes to bring Leto into conflict with the Tleilax, and the Bene Gesserit manipulate Baron Harkonnen as part of a plan stretching back 100 generations. In the Imperial palace, treason is afoot, and on Dune itself, planetologist Pardot Kynes embarks on a secret project to transform the desert world into a paradise.
Dune remains the bestselling SF novel ever, such that three decades later no prequel can possibly have the same impact. Yet in House Atreides the authors have written a compelling, labyrinthine, skillfully imagined extension of the world Frank Herbert created, which ably commands attention for almost 600 pages. It is powerful SF that continues a great tradition, and in itself is a very considerable achievement. --Gary S. Dalkin, Amazon.co.uk
Book Description
THE EPIC PREQUEL TO DUNE
"DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES is a terrific prequel, but it is also a first-rate adventure on its own. Frank Herbert would surely be delighted and proud of this continuation of his vision."—Dean Koontz
Frank Herbert's Dune chronicles became an enduring classic and the most popular science fiction series of all time. Working from recently discovered files left by his father, Brian Herbert and best-selling novelist Kevin J. Anderson bring us
Dune: House Atreides, the prequel, which captures all the complexity and grand themes of the original work while weaving a new tapestry of great passion and momentous destiny into a saga that expands the tale written by Frank Herbert more than thirty years ago.
Complex, brilliant, and prophetic, Frank Herbert's award-winning Dune chronicles captured the imaginations of millions of readers worldwide—and transformed their perception of what the future could be. By his death in 1986, Frank Herbert had completed six novels in the Dune series. But much of his vision—vast, sprawling, and multilayered—remained unwritten. Now, working from recently discovered files left by his father, Brian Herbert and bestselling novelist Kevin J. Anderson collaborate on a new novel, the first volume in the prequel to
Dune—where we step onto planet Arrakis...decades before
Dune's hero, Paul Atreides, walks its sands. —
Beginning nearly four decades before Dune,
House Atreides introduces pivotal characters, alliances, base treacheries, and bright hopes that form the foundation of Dune. On the planet Arrakis, an aging tyrant sits on the Golden Lion Throne and rules all of the known universe, while his son grows dangerously impatient for the crown. A quasi-religious order of black-robed women move their secret breeding program one momentous step closer to creating a god-child they call the Kwisatz Haderach. And a minor family among the nobility, House Atreides, chooses a course of honor that will bring it to destruction at the hands of its mortal enemy, House Harkonnen—or take it to new heights of power.
Here is the rich and complex world that Frank Herbert created in his classic series, in the time leading up to the momentous events of Dune. As Emperor Elrood's son Shaddam plots a subtle regicide, young Leto Atreides leaves his lush, water-rich planet for a year's education on the mechanized world of Ix; a planetologist named Pardot Kynes is dispatched by the Emperor to the desert planet Arrakis, or Dune, to discover the secrets of the addictive spice known as melange; and the eight-year-old slave Duncan Idaho is hunted by his cruel masters in a terrifying game from which he vows escape and vengeance. But none can envision the fate in store for them: one that will make them renegades—and shapers of history.
Covering the decade when Shaddam wins his throne, the teenager Leo Atreides becomes unexpectedly the rule of House Atreides, and Pardot Kynes uncovers one of the planet Dune's greatest secrets,
House Atreides stands next to Dune in its power and scope. While this new novel solves some of Dune's most baffling mysteries, it presents new puzzles springing from the sands where one day Paul Muad'Dib Atreides will walk. But now, in the years before Paul's birth, an unforgettable new epic begins. Fans of the Dune chronicles will relish the opportunity to return to the rich and exotic universe created by Frank Herbert, while new readers will be introduced to an incomparable imagination—a future where the fate of the entire cosmos is at stake.
The Story Behind Dune: House Atreides
by Brian Herbert
When my father first sat down with me to go over one of my manuscripts, he told me that he couldn't teach me how to write; instead, he would teach me what he called "the care and feeding of editors": how to make manuscripts look presentable so that they wouldn't be tossed into a slush pile, unread. He then proceeded to teach me how to write. I remember many instances when we would brainstorm ideas and dissect my own novel manuscripts. He taught me how to develop worlds, to create characters, to invent action...and to describe all of it. We collaborated on the novel
Man of Two Worlds, Frank Herbert's last published work, and even talked about working together on a new Dune novel, but we'd set no date, had established no specific details or direction.
That novel was not to be. When my father died in 1986, he left several projects unfinished. For years there were rumors that I would write another novel set in my father's Dune universe, a sequel to the sixth book in the series,
Chapterhouse: Dune. Prominent writers approached me with offers of collaboration, but in tossing ideas around with them I couldn't visualize the project coming to fruition. They were excellent writers, but in combination with them I didn't feel the necessary synergy for such a monumental task. Along with Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and a handful of other works, Dune stood as one of the greatest creative achievements of all time, and arguably the greatest example of science fiction world-building in the history of literature. For the sake of my father's legacy, I could not select the wrong person.
It wasn't until I began conversation with Kevin J. Anderson, a critically acclaimed and internationally best-selling author, that I found someone whose enthusiasm and passion for the Dune universe match my own. Much of Kevin's writing had been influenced heavily by the work of Frank Herbert. I read everything I could get my hands on that Kevin had written, and did more checking on him. It soon became clear that he was a brilliant writer and that his reputation was sterling. We hit it off immediately, both on a personal and professional level; new story ideas fairly exploded from our minds and together, we found the energy to tackle such a massive project.
Frank Herbert had left behind literally thousands of pages of notes, ideas, and sketches. Of all the possible Dune stories we could tell, Kevin and I chose to concentrate on an immediate prequel, to go back to the heart of Dune's readership, the core characters and situations that had made this the best-selling science fiction novel of all time: The love story of Duke Leto and Lady Jessica; their first battle with Baron Harkonnen; the quest of the planetologist Kynes, sent to the desert world of Dune to investigate the precious spice and the sandworms and the Fremen...and the power-hungry Crown Prince Shaddam, who would do anything to secure the Imperial throne.
The Dune universe is a vast canvas, with ample opportunity for many stories, but we have chosen to start here, featuring the characters with whom all Dune fans are familiar.
Dune: House Atreides is a personal story that means a great deal to us; we hope booksellers and readers alike will feel the same way.
Signed,
Brian Herbert
Customer Reviews:
A glimps of the past........2007-08-18
After reading the original series, I had not interest in reading any of the prequels. Not bothering for years, until recently I picked up The Butlerian Jihad and gave it a try. I have been reading the Dune story from start to finish ever since. I just finished reading House Atreides, and I must say that it was the best work yet from Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson. I saw the plans within plans mixed in with little pearls of wisdom that I longed after from the original series.
The Baron Vladimir Harkonen unleashes his sublte wheels within wheels aproach to life in this fast paced novel. I learned much of the background of many characters from the orinal series. I eagerly look forward to finishing the reast of the 'House' series and will jump back to the original series with gusto.
All in all. This book hit the spot. A satisfying read.
Exceedingly Mediocre.......2007-08-18
I'll be brief and blunt ... it seem to me like Brian Herbert is trying to ride on the coattails of his father's past successes towards financial success. The sad thing is that he seems to be succeeding, because this series is selling well, despite being (IMNSHO) [b]exceedingly mediocre and uninspired.[/b]
These books basically seem crafted to take advantage of the old saw about pizza [i]"it's a lot like sex ... even when it's bad, it's still pretty good"[/i]. And that's pretty much the only reason why I bothered to read the rest of this series, after being bored almost to tears by book 1 ... [i]it's still Dune[/i]. Unfortunately, it's a very disappointing series when judged against the powerful intellectual sweep and eco-cult religious edginess of the original series.
My advice, to those who are not already hopeless Dune addicts, is to avoid the entire prequel series for the [b]opportunistic mass-market fluff[/b] that it is, and stick with the originals masterpieces by his father, Frank Herbert. You'll get 10x the literary bang for your hard-earned bucks that way, trust me.
I'll give Brian a B for effort, and a D- for results.
Duke Leto.......2007-08-18
Since I'm reading Brian and Kevin's Dune novels in chronological order rather than in the order they were printed, I first read the Legends of Dune Trilogy before coming to the first in the House trilogy. As with the first trilogy, Butlerian Jihad, Machine Crusade, and Battle of Corrin, I honestly enjoyed Dune House Atreides.
Meeting the grandparents and father of Paul Atreides, along with other familiar characters from Frank Herbert's original Dune Chronicles in the decades before Paul was born was a thrill. And as soon as I finish this review I'm picking up number two in this trilogy, Dune House Harkonnen and continuing the adventure and look forward to another entertaining and enjoyable trip into the Dune universe.
Yamabushi's mini reviews XXVII.......2007-02-09
3 1/2. Well crafted and well written, were given insights into the Dune characters and their motivations. But what I found even more interesting was the look at the universe of Dune. Many things left un-elaborated on by Frank are explained and expanding upon here. Good stuff.
A must read.......2006-11-27
It's an excelent introduction to the Dune Universe, but to understand the hole scenario, it is necesary read the 6 first books before - writen by F. Herbert -. So, after finish the first 6 "steps", a sci fi fan must read this book.
Product Description
Fifty-six hard years after the events of The Machine Crusade, after the death of Serena Butler, the bloodiest decades of the Jihad take place. The human worlds begin to hope that the end of the centuries-long conflict with the thinking machines is finally in sight. Unfortunately, Omnius has one last, deadly card to play. In a last-ditch effort to destroy humankind, virulent plagues are let loose throughout the galaxy, decimating the populations of whole planets. The war that has lasted many lifetimes will be decided in the apocalyptic Battle of Corrin. In the greatest battle of science fiction history, human and machine face off one last time, and on the desert planet of Arrakis, the legendary Fremen of Dune become the feared fighting force to be discovered by Paul Maud'Dib in Frank Herbert's classic, Dune.
Customer Reviews:
Super Reader.......2007-08-26
The Tleilaxu are working on a artificial version of melange, the longevity drug, and fuel for the Guild navigators.
A great house is destroyed through these machinations to allow those in power to seize more control of the distribution.
The Harkonnen schemes are seen, as is the Bene Gesserit manipulations behind the scenes, one of the results being the Lady Jessica. Along the way, Leto Atreides generally tries to do the right thing for his own people, and his friends in the fallen house.
Its an SF book, but it hasnt got much to do with DUNE........2003-11-26
Firstly, as SF books go, this is better than many ... if only the authors had left the universe of Dune alone.
Frank Herbert managed to create a Universe populated by big people with grand schemes, sharp intellects, deep motivations, and competing philosophies, all locked in a deadly eons long battle for supremacy and survival.
This book is populated with dim wits with petty concerns, short term goals and shallow desires, all bouncing along fairly aimlessly and counting on luck and coincidence.
No gravitas. No substance. No imagination. This book is to Dune as lift music is to a Beethoven symphony.
Pleasantly Suprised.......2003-08-31
If I'm correct, then you are reading this because, like me, you are a big fan of Frank Herbert's Dune series and you want to know more about this prelude series. If you thought you would never touch this book, then you are in similar company. It took me about 4 years to have the desire to even investigate "House Atreides" despite favourable reviews from friends.
OK, "House Atreides" is no "Dune", but how many novels are? Not even Frank Herbert's follow-ups can match the brilliance of the original. That was the problem for me - would this new series not written by the master harm the franchise? My answer is no - the series has not been harmed.
"House Atreides" IS faithful to the Dune series by providing a well-written and entertaining storyline which takes nothing away from the original. There is no conflict with characterisation, in fact, I think the characters are perhaps a little too stereotypical. For example, the Atreides are ALL honourable, the Corrinos are ALL malicious, etc, but this is my only gripe. It didn't bother me after a while because the political intrigue really dominates the second half of the book, and this is where the great houses and other factions have to show their true colours (although, I expected more involvement from CHOAM).
An indication that "House Atreides" is worthwhile is that I went out and bought "House Harkonnen" the next day. If you are a Dune fan, then you should at least try the prelude series. Like me, you could find it an entertaining read.
Product Description
Dune: The complete limited three issue series comic adaptation of the Dune movie. April, May and June 1985. Includes Book 1, Book 2 and Book 3.
Average customer rating:
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Dune: House Atreides
Manufacturer: Books on Tape
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
ASIN: 0736692584 |
Product Description
In the first of the prequel trilogy to the award winning science fiction book DUNE, Brian Herbert takes us into the rich and complex world that his father created, to the time leading up to the momentous events of Dune. As Emperor Elrood's son Shaddam plots a subtle regicide, young Leto Atreides leaves his lush, water-rich planet for a year's education on the mechanized world of Ix; a planetologist named Pardot Kynes is dispatched by the Emperor to the desert planet Arrakis, or Dune, to discover the secrets of the addictive spice known as melange; and the eight-year-old slave Duncan Idaho is hunted by his cruel masters in a terrifying game from which he vows escape and vengeance. But none can envision the fate in store for them: one that will make them renegades -- and shapers of history.
"Rich interweaving of politics and plotting made the DUNE novels special. And DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES does its predecessors justice." (USA Today)
Book Description
Presents the nuts and bolts of assembling a men's ministry-at the local church level-that works, providing both inspiration and expert guidance.
Customer Reviews:
Good Recipe for Men's Ministry building Process.......2007-03-13
Too often church work is done by trial and error. Sonderman's book gives a plan for building good ministry. It is similar to what you would expect an archetect to do when you want a house built.
Essential book for lay or ordained ministry builders.......2007-03-13
I am just another Jesus-follower, but one led with a passionate heart to help grow men to be leaders and disciples and relationship builders. So, I'm brand new to the concept of building a ministry to men. You might keep that in mind as you value my input.
I found this book essential. It not only informed me of areas I had not considered but it lays out direction in terms of suggestions for getting the first step and more advanced steps in developing a men's ministry. Mr. Sonderman builds an inspiring case, frequently referencing scripture, and then tells you how to go get it going.
For Pastors and men's ministry leaders - BUILD IT........1999-04-21
This book shows that if you let God build it (your church's Men's Ministry), they will come. Mr. Sonderman gives practical steps to BUILDING a men's ministry. No, it doesn't start with getting the men fired up at a Promise Keepers rally. He first talks about why your church needs to be ministering to men (not just "have" a men's ministry). He parallels building a men's ministry team like you would any other type of team - looking for qualities in the type of team members along with the specific roles to fill. But Mr. Sonderman puts this process in the proper context of building a team to serve, not lead. Every step of the way he emphasizes prayer. But he also shows why having a "marketing survey" will help you target your ministry. Not just "Why's" but he also the "How's", showing real world examples of these surveys, along with exercises, a list of 15 great special events, et. al. Even if you have a thriving men's ministry, this book will help you fill in the gaps that may be missing or maybe refocus it on better, more eternal things.
Books:
- Edge of Battle: A Novel
- Eleven on Top (Stephanie Plum Novels)
- Ellen Gallagher: Murmur
- Elphame's Choice (Luna)
- Fatal Charms and Other Tales of Today/The Mansions of Limbo (Omnibus)
- Form Line of Battle! (The Bolitho Novels)
- Give a Horse a Second Chance: Adopting and Caring for Rescue Horses
- Gods and Legions: A Novel of the Roman Empire
- Goodbye, Columbus : And Five Short Stories (Vintage International)
- Holy Skirts: A Novel of a Flamboyant Woman Who Risked All for Art (P.S.)
Books Index
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Contemporary
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Joy School (Ballantine Reader's Circle)
Never Change
Until the Real Thing Comes Along (Ballantine Reader's Circle)
Talk Before Sleep: A Novel
The Pull of the Moon
