Book Description
In the tradition of Jack London, Seth Kantner presents an Alaska far removed from majestic clichés of exotic travelogues and picture postcards. Kantner’s vivid and poetic prose lets readers experience Cutuk Hawcly’s life on the Alaskan plains through the character’s own words — feeling the pliers pinch of cold and hunkering in an igloo in blinding blizzards. Always in Cutuk’s mind are his father Ab,; the legendary hunter Enuk Wolfglove, and the wolves — all living out lives on the unforgiving tundra. Jeered and pummeled by native children because he is white, Cutuk becomes a marginal participant in village life, caught between cultures. After an accident for which he is responsible, he faces a decision that could radically change his life. Like his young hero, Seth Kantner grew up in a sod igloo in the Alaska, and his experiences of wearing mukluks before they were fashionable, eating boiled caribou pelvis, and communing with the native tribes add depth and power to this acclaimed narrative.
Customer Reviews:
Give yourself a treat.......2007-05-12
One of the best books I have read. The different perspectives Kantner shares are well written and humananly believable. If you like people, travel, animals, and a good story - you will love this.
Ordinary Wolves.......2007-01-12
Ordinary Wolves offers an experience beyond reading. Like its setting, the cold, dry desert of northwest Alaska, it is harsh, often uncomfortable, and beautiful. Seth Kantner doesn't flinch from telling the truth about life in the far North, from the perspective of a young man caught between two worlds and totally comfortable in neither. Alaskan village life, including its generational conflicts, pervasive violence, and desperate substance abuse, is presented with both honesty and understanding. Equally searing is Kantner's portrayal of Anchorage's seamy underbelly. But for me, the solid core of the book is the nature of the relationship between humans and wild animals, ranging from the respect of the traditional Inupiat hunter for the animal who dies to give people sustenance to the perception of animals as trophies, to be hunted from airplanes, mutilated, and hung on rec room walls. The displacement faced by Alaskan natives, torn between traditional Inupiat values and the commercialized consumerism of white America, is complex, and Kantner doesn't try to oversimplify it. He illuminates it; he clearly feels it to his marrow, and he makes the reader feel it too.
Village Life.......2006-12-05
"Now if I survived verbs and prepositions and onomatopoeias of my English grammar class I could break through the willows into wide-open life. Whatever that was. Mr. Standle, one of the new teachers, said any life I chose would need grammar, but he was a States person, and it sounded like they spent too much of their lives doing the paperwork, getting prepared to live." That's me, a Mr. Strandle, a States person working on my fifth winter in Alaska and my second in The Village. Read that passage again and think of how much depth and explanation is crammed into just that paragraph.
Buy this book and read it twice. Then buy five copies and give them to people for no reason. It is that good. I've never seen a true account of the between worlds life that the village is like. I'm not saying this will show you everything about what it is like to grow up native or white in rural Alaska, but it might give you a hint of a world most people don't realize still exists in America.
Yes it meanders and wanders around. Yes the story seems to have no point. But, just like Cutuk says, so do the stories elders tell. And yes there are Inupiaq words dropped in, seemingly randomly, forcing you to learn something of another language. And this is also like the stories locals tell.
Not for the squeamish.......2006-11-13
The narrator of Ordinary Wolves, blue-eyed blonde Cutuk Hawkley, aka "Yellow Hair" is five years old as the story begins, living with his brother, (ten year old Jerry), sister, (eight year old Iris), and artist father Abe in an igloo made of sod, logs and poles a dog-sled's ride away from the nearest village in the Alaskan tundra, the entire family having been abandoned by his mother. By the end of the novel, twenty years have gone by with Cutuk in a continuous battle to fit in with the locals, especially difficult with his European features, even though his family lives the life of the most reclusive Eskimo. Prepare for some squeamish moments as you read about hunting, killing, eating (think of a "Survivor Alaska" contest) and living in the wild.
Although the glossary contains 75 Iñupiaq words that are used frequently throughout the book (causing some switching back and forth to find out the meanings at times) and dialog often contains a confusing mixture of English and Iñupiaq, it is worth the effort to follow this boy, youth, and eventually, man on his journey through life. Companion reads include Smila's Sense of Snow, The Call of the Wild, To Build a Fire, Into the Wild, The Good Rain, and a children's book, Alaska's Three Pigs.
WOW Please write another book.......2006-05-22
Great book!! An incredible look at another world. Very good read all the way through. Great sense of humor.
Book Description
Ilene is a captivatingly beautiful supermodel, Faye is an award-winning advertising executive and Alana is a brilliant editor for today's hottest fashion magazine. Now all three women are caught in the whirlwind of the super rich and famous. They find themselves the objects of the desires of every man--from movie stars, politicians, CEOs and rock stars to European royalty--men for whom there are no limits, nothing is too expensive, nothing is forbidden.
From Manhattan to Paris to Southampton, their new worlds are a torrent of sensual delights and unlimited luxuries. But ultimately they realize that there's only one thing more satisfying than money and power…love.
Customer Reviews:
Awesome Read.......2007-09-10
I picked up this book not expecting anything spectacular, but was pleasantly surprised how great a read it was. The characters were well thought out and seemed "real" instead if being a stereotypical portrayal of African-American women.
U GOTTA READ THIS ONE!!!! I LOVED IT .......2007-07-10
Faye and Bart- Faye is in adverting and Bart was this big time architect and multibillionaire, rumor was that he had more money than Donald Trump (smile) anyways when Faye started working for PS Inc Bart wanted her. Faye is this Petite beauty with short gold curly hair to her scalp and golden eyes, anyways they hit it off, and by the way Bart is white and 50 years old, but I loved their love story anyways Bart laid it down and they got married and Faye made Bart a father of two.
Ilene- She is the ex-super model that all the men wanted. Tall model body beautiful face. Ilene wanted money and a husband and some kids, but men just was not acting right. She was sent to Pine Cay island feel in love with a women I think her name was Amelia anyways her lover gave her all the things she needed. A three years agreement, a ,million dollars a year. Half ownership of the island and she could get with a man to have a child or artificially insinuated, and she was.
Alana- Beautiful as ever. Long hair and commanding body, Alana was the sweetheart. A magazine editor she was the emotionally unstable one. The fact that her mother loved a man so such without getting married to him, bearing his children and than him leaving to marry a younger women, really drove her in wanting to be married in a committed relationship, that's why she put up with her live in boyfriend Calvin. Alana found out Calvin's true feelings when he left for Europe to tour with his band. Alana realized that Calvin wanted stardom instead of marriage. Long story short she became real good friends with her client big time rap mogul Derrick Warren. He would have been the man for her but he was on the DL. Anyways during a Labor Day party Alana had to much to drink and was raped. Outcome was that she got pregnant and decided to keep the baby and moved back to her home town to help take care of her mother. At the end she was dating some friend from high school .
Enid and Marcus- business partners during the day and lovers at night Enid and Marcus was an inspiring couple. Enid a beautiful women in her late fifties with blonde ash like hair with skin so light she passed as being white, and only acknowledged that she was black if asked, owned and operated PS Inc with her partner Marcus, a 34 year old accountant who was known to others as her boy toy. The love that these two had for each other surpass all the flaws and insecurities that these two had . The sex was great and they both where making money, I loved their love story.
Rochelle Alers I LOVED WHAT YOU DID IT WAS GREAT A MUST READ
An exciting and pleasurable read.......2007-07-03
I am an avid reader of Rochelle Alers books, and I must say that once again she has earned my praise. I absolutely positively adored this book. The Pleasure Seekers is filled with romance, exotic trips, and enough twists and turns to keep anyone's attention. I have already read this book at least 3-4 times and everytime I read it, I find something else to like about it. All of the characters were interesting, but my absolute favorites were Bart and Faye. Their relationship began out of a business transaction that quickly became so much more. It was fun and exciting to see how their relationship evolved and they came to depend on each other. Of course there were others in the book who had good stories too, and a few surprises that I wasn't expecting. All in all, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to all who are Rochelle Alers fan and anyone who hasn't had a chance yet to read any of her books. If you start with this one, you won't be disappointed.
Suprisingly I really enjoyed this book!.......2007-05-30
I have never read this author before and I decided to try her because the title caught my attention. Once I started the novel, I could not put it down, I started it on a Friday evening, read all night long and continued reading until I was done Sunday morning. I loved the story of Bart and Faye, one of unexpected love, Ilene was on her own tangent, I'm not mad at her, and Marcus and Enid were fabulous! I became absorbed by the characters and their lives as if I knew them. I was disappointed with Alana's story, because she had no vindication or justice and no happily ever after, maybe Ms. Allers can use that as a basis for a new book Alana's story! But all in all fabulous!
MUST READ!!!!!!!!.......2007-05-22
Pleasure Seekers is absolutely a MUST READ! Rochelle Alers was at the top of her pen game on this novel. I loved this novel and hope there is a part 2. It is very classy and tasteful, gripping the reader until the wee hours of the morning. This is the first novel I have read by this author, but it won't be my last!!!!!
Average customer rating:
- Ms.George has created a tortured but lovable hero
- True Melanie George
- Intense
- A poweful and intense tale you won't soon forget
- A difficult book to rate
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The Pleasure Seekers
Melanie George
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0743442733 |
Book Description
USA Today bestselling author Melanie George delivers a sexy new novel of dangerous delight, where England's most independent woman meets her match in the ton's most seductive gentleman....
Lovely Lady Bliss Ashton has her pick of the attractive, sophisticated men in Regency society...and she's rejected them all. But when Caine Ballinger, the Earl of Hartland -- famous the length and breadth of England for his sexual prowess -- lays siege to her, she's finally tempted to fall. Not just because of the passion he arouses in her untutored body; it's also the hint of vulnerability she sees beneath the arrogant, dangerous facade he shows to the world.
Caine is only wooing Lady Bliss to win a bet, so he can regain his ancestral estate -- with the added attraction that by seducing her, he'll get revenge against her father. All he's interested in is getting her luscious body beneath his, then publicly shaming her. So why does he feel so strange when her gentle fingers stroke his hard body, or her soft words soothe his tortured soul? And when the bet is revealed, Caine has to choose...between his longtime dream and the woman he craves with all his heart.
Download Description
" USA Today bestselling author Melanie George delivers a sexy new novel of dangerous delight, where England's most independent woman meets her match in the ton's most seductive gentleman.... Lovely Lady Bliss Ashton has her pick of the attractive, sophisticated men in Regency society...and she's rejected them all. But when Caine Ballinger, the Earl of Hartland -- famous the length and breadth of England for his sexual prowess -- lays siege to her, she's finally tempted to fall. Not just because of the passion he arouses in her untutored body; it's also the hint of vulnerability she sees beneath the arrogant, dangerous façade he shows to the world. Caine is only wooing Lady Bliss to win a bet, so he can regain his ancestral estate -- with the added attraction that by seducing her, he'll get revenge against her father. All he's interested in is getting her luscious body beneath his, then publicly shaming her. So why does he feel so strange when her gentle fingers stroke his hard body, or her soft words soothe his tortured soul? And when the bet is revealed, Caine has to choose...between his longtime dream and the woman he craves with all his heart. "
Customer Reviews:
Ms.George has created a tortured but lovable hero.......2007-01-08
This is a very bittersweet romance. Ms. George certainly knows how to write a tortured hero and keeps us in suspense as to the outcome right up until the last pages. Caine, a former rake and now a down on his luck "kept man" is very appealing as the tortured hero with an emotional wound that only our heroine Bliss (hate the name --sounds like a porn star) can heal.
Bliss is complex and interesting in her own right as an early feminist and nonconformist and Caine is drawn to her almost against his will. He wants to hate her because she's the daughter of the man he blames for his father's demise, but he can't get her out of his mind. He agrees to a bet regarding whether he can seduce her, but hates himself for it and nearly drowns in guilt after he succeeds. He's so haunted by her that he follows her to Paris after he has seduced her and she flees. A former womanizer, He wants her for his own, but knows he doesn't deserve her and has nothing to offer her. After she rejects him, he returns to England to set about reforming and bettering himself so he will have something to offer her and be worthy of her love.
He returns to Paris to claim her, not knowing that she is pregnant with his child. She suspects he is offering marriage only because of the child, but he shows her a note he pennned only months earlier during his previous trip and left to the angel on Chopin's grave (reputed to grant lovers' wishes) in which he asked for the priviledge of loving Bliss for the rest of her life.
Caine's pain is so heartbreaking that you just want to put your arms around him and hold him, and the story is very bittersweet. It's all the sweeter because of all the pain both characters went through before they could accept each other and admit their love.
As usual for Ms. George, the sex scenes are very sensual and well written.
True Melanie George.......2006-03-06
The author has you connecting with the Caine Bellinger , the Earl of Hartland in the first chapter. He is a rake but you can't help feel sorry for him and what his life to turn around. Lady Bliss Ashton is a strong willed character who falls in love with the real Caine Bellinger. This novel has erotic love scences, heartache, lies, murder and tortured souls. I am off to find more Melaine George!
Intense.......2006-02-08
The Pleasure Seekers is an intense read that draws you in from the first chapter. Caine is one of the most tortured heros I have ever encountered in a romance and Bliss is a perfect match for him. She sees beyond his cold outside to the passionate, caring man on the inside. Caine and Bliss' story is an intense and rewarding journey.
A poweful and intense tale you won't soon forget.......2005-09-02
Caine Ballinger, the Earl of Hartland, has fallen on hard times. Once a young, spoiled rake, Caine had been content to live the high life in London ignoring signs his financially inept father was ruining the family fortune. When the storm breaks, Caine's father commits suicide, his patrimony is lost, and he is left virtually penniless. When a wealthy widow purchases his beloved home, Caine barters his body and soul. In exchange for staying on at Northcote, he is now Olivia Hamilton's personal stud. Haunted by his father's memory and damned by the choices he's had to make, Caine can only dream of one day taking revenge on the man he blames for his father's death -- the Duke of Exmoor. That opportunity arrives when Exmoor's daughter, Lady Bliss Ashton, comes to Northcote as part of a house party.
An unusual and independent young lady, Bliss Ashton is no simpering debutante. Since her parents' estrangement, Bliss has spent most of her time in Paris with her mother, establishing herself as an artist and living a Bohemian life. While on a visit to England, Bliss agrees to attend a house party with her cousin Court, and arrives to find an estate set in the stark but beautiful wilds of Devon and its scandalously wild and compelling former master. Although her first encounters with the dispossessed earl make him appear to be a crude brute, Bliss slowly comes to know and love the lost soul behind Caine's feral facade.
However, when a jealous Olivia notices the sparks between them, she gives Caine a devil's bargain -- if he seduces Bliss and makes her fall in love with him, Olivia will return Northcote to him. If he fails, Caine will fall deeper into Olivia's debt. A chance to win back his home AND revenge himself on the man he thinks ruined his father? It should be the perfect solution for a heartless debaucher. If he were still heartless, that is.
The first book in a new series, Melanie George packs a powerful emotional punch with THE PLEASURE SEEKERS. A deeply wounded hero, Caine finds a perfect match in Bliss's no-holds-barred surrender, and the reader is instantly swept into their tempestuous love affair. With its provocative sensuality and Dangerous Liaison-like plots and villains, THE PLEASURE SEEKERS is a powerful tale you won't soon forget.
TheSchemer
A difficult book to rate.......2005-03-18
The Pleasure Seekers is difficult to pin down; it's at once tragic and hopeful. Caine is perhaps the most tragic hero I have yet to encounter. He was truly a lost soul, so incredibly tortured, much of it a torture of himself from guilt and feelings of unworthiness. One almost has to wonder how Bliss was able to see beneath his extremely angry, sometimes violent, always challenging outer self to the deeply scarred, painfully alone, nearly broken man inside. George has created in Caine one of the most memorable romantic leads I've ever read. From the very beginning, the reader hurts for him; even when you cannot sanction his actions, you feel his despair. It is extremely powerful.
Bliss is not as fully realized. There seems little to her love for him other than desire, pity, and compassion. She's just not as real or as emotionally compelling as Caine. Only her ability to see deep inside him, and to love and forgive that inner man, makes her a worthy companion.
Some elements of the plot are defintely too quickly resolved, such as the horse and the murder, and Olivia is a one-note character, although there is certainly plenty to loathe. The reader must be happy that poor Caine has found peace and love, but this is not a comfortable story. Caine too often gets close to rape and Olivia's treatment of him is even worse. But it is also a story of redemption...no, salvation. It's a pity that Bliss is not his equal, except in the largeness of her heart, and that the other plot elements are not given their due.
Caine's a 4 & 1/2 star character...the rest is more 3 stars.
Product Description
ROMANCE NOVEL
Customer Reviews:
Selective Reader.......2006-12-15
I absolutely love Highlander Historical Romance books and have read all of the collections from Hannah Howell, Julie Garwood, Margaret Moore, Julia London, and Donna Fletcher. These are wonderful writers who can make a romance novel so much more than just sexy scenes. They have so much talent that even when the themes sometimes are very similar the actual stories and characters keep you wanting to turn the pages. Julie Garwood's can make me laugh at the most wonderful antics that she incorporates in her novel.
Now to get to Melanie George AND "The Highlander's Stolen Bride", I can only say that either this is her very first novel or please Ms. George stick to being a CEO of a Personnel Agency, you cannot write. This is one of the most boring books that I have every read, I am so glad that I did not pay much for it. There is no story involved and had totally uninteresting characters which she tries to cover up with sexy scenes on almost every other page. WHERE IS THE STORY!
Average customer rating:
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California - Romantic and Beautiful: The History of Its Old Missions and of Its Indians; A Survey of Its Climate, Topography, Deserts, Mountains, Rivers, Valleys, Islands, and Coast Line; A Description of Its Recreations and Festivals; A Review of Its Industries; An Account of Its Influence Upon Prophets, Poets, Artists and Architects; and Some Reference to What It Offers of Delight to the Automobilist, Traveller, Sportsman, Pleasure and Health Seeker
George Wharton James
Manufacturer: Page Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000QF78RW |
Average customer rating:
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The Pleasure Seeker
Arnold Marmor
Manufacturer: National Library Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000K1WL9C |
Average customer rating:
- I loved it!
- A Must Read for Gen X-ers!
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Pleasure Seeker
John Mangini
Manufacturer: Writers Club Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
20th Century | Poetry | United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0595134718 |
Book Description
In his first book of poetry John A. Mangini Jr. has captured the soul of the X generation. John's extensive travel, questions of faith, unique relationships, and childhood all ring loud and clear in this direct, punchy, humorous, at times, erotic first collection of poetry.
Customer Reviews:
I loved it!.......2001-06-21
I really enjoyed this book. It is very entertaining and punchy, but at the same time it makes you stop and think. It is very real. Mangini has a sarcastic wit that captures a situation and makes you look at it from a different angle. I don't usually read poetry because I find it difficult, but I got this book on a recommendation, and it kept my attention.
A Must Read for Gen X-ers!.......2000-11-07
John A. Mangini Jr's first contemporary book of poetry definitely a hit! His words are deeply moving and easy to imagine. He makes no apologies for his wit, which at times is quite provocative, but his clear description of life's simple pleasures and expectations leaves you begging for more.
Average customer rating:
- Not exceptional...nothing that you would miss
- Good Star Wars Novel
- Obi-Wan Goes to Meetings
- Reasonably interesting Clone Wars story
- Good Jedi content, with some clone trooper perspective as well. Satisfying read.
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The Cestus Deception (Star Wars: Clone Wars Novel)
Steven Barnes
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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ASIN: 0345458982
Release Date: 2005-03-01 |
Book Description
Ord Cestus, a planet mostly barren and inhospitable to life, was first colonized as a prison world—until a handful of hardy pioneers discovered its rich ore deposits and managed to build up a successful droid-manufacturing industry. But when the Clone Wars erupted, bringing severe rationing of imported resources and a Republic ban on the production of battle droids, Ord Cestus was threatened with imminent economic collapse.
Enter the Confederacy of Independent Systems—the Separatists—with a life-saving offer to purchase a generous quantity of the planet’s most lucrative export: bio-droids. Possessed of tactical capabilities that rival the fighting abilities of even the most advanced Jedi, these sophisticated, techno-organic hybrid units would prove a most formidable weapon if ever deployed for military use. And now the Confederacy’s intention to invest in what amounts to an army of bio-droids has sent ripples of alarm through the highest echelons of the Republic government.
Determined to halt the bio-droid sale—but fearing a show of force will result in a political backlash—Supreme Chancellor Palpatine dispatches a team of envoys, led by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Their mission: persuade Ord Cestus’s government to abandon its dealings with the Confederacy . . . while secretly stirring up revolution among the planet’s struggling underclass. Diplomacy is paramount. But if all else fails, the Republic will not hesitate to launch a full-scale attack—and wipe out not only the means of bio-droid production, but countless lives as well, to demonstrate the consequences of disloyalty.
For Obi-Wan, the prospect of such wholesale slaughter only serves to fuel his growing suspicions about the sinister path the Republic seems to be taking. But the brash Jedi Master Kit Fisto and the detachment of clone soldiers assigned to the mission are ready and willing to do the Supreme Chancellor’s bidding. As the leaders of Ord Cestus refuse to capitulate and Palpatine rapidly loses patience, Obi-Wan’s hopes of a peaceful resolution are dwindling. Now, facing a crisis of conscience, Obi-Wan must find the wisdom and strength to prevent a bloodbath and safeguard the Republic— while abiding by the ancient code to which he has pledged his life.
From the Hardcover edition.
Download Description
Features an exclusive author interview—plus an excerpt from Steven Barnes' new full-length Star Wars novel, The Cestus Deception
WHAT LIES BENEATH
Dispatched as a Republic envoy to the Outer Rim planet Ord Cestus—in a bid to halt the sale of potentially deadly "bio-droids" to the Confederacy—Obi-Wan Kenobi finds himself enlisted in a mission more desperate, and dangerous, than diplomatic. The once self-contained world has long since been co-opted by unscrupulous offworlders, whose plunder of a vital natural resource has enabled the rise of a powerful corporation that controls the economy. Ord Cestus's native population, the X'Ting, are now mere second-class citizens in their own society.
Enter the Jedi Knight, with news that a legal technicality has turned the tables—and the corrupt forces with a stranglehold on Ord Cestus are now at the mercy of the X'Ting. Circumstances, however, are more dire than the Republic suspected.
In the wake of a devastating plague, the X'Ting's benevolent rulers are dead, and the once tightly knit race has splintered into battling factions. Reunification can only come with the rise of new royals, whom all X'Ting are bound by blood to serve. But the eggs that will spawn those sovereigns lie out of reach, secured in a secret chamber and booby-trapped by those whose knowledge died with them in the plague. Now, to salvage a people's destiny, Obi-Wan will risk a veritable descent into hell: braving the unknown horrors in the forgotten depths of an alien world, on a perilous quest from which none who went before have ever returned.
Customer Reviews:
Not exceptional...nothing that you would miss.......2007-04-10
After reading probably 95% of the Star Wars adult novels in existence, I would have to say that this one is the worst Star Wars novels to date that I have read. The only one that surpasses it is Jedi Trial (and The Black Fleet Crisis is in the running in case you were wondering).
To give you an idea of how bad this is, I will number each point (in no particular order).
1. I feel that, in general, the author threw information about the characters at you--such as how scary or courageous or dangerous these people are supposed to be (their actions never justify such a narration, however)--and expects you to believe it. No actions are used to actually prove the author's claims. For instance, the rulers are supposed to be so brave, but they certainly never give me the impression they actually are.
2. The 'love' story between Nate and Sheeka is so stupid and corny I just wanted to laugh (it is obvious when reading how Sheeka talks that a man wrote this novel). The author forces the chemistry between the two and doesn't spend enough time to cement their relationship. I still wonder how Sheeka got pregnant--the auther never even hints at any intimacy (other than a kiss) between the two (I would like a hint of their intimacy, not a full-blown steamy sex scene).
3. Kit Fisto, whom I had hoped to learn more about, drifts into the background and is so unimportant (fades behind Nate), I wonder why Steve even bothered to include him in here. This point is probably the most annoying point in the book besides, maybe the next...
4. Asajj Ventress was NOT scary in the least. All she did was boast about how she would kill Obi-Wan and how much smarter she was than anybody else. Oh...I forgot! She also stalked Obi-Wan (real scary, huh?). I had so hoped, after seeing her in the Clone Wars animated shorts, that the author would use her to her fullest. I was wrong.
5. The battle sequences were too short. Typically I get tired of long battle sequences and wish the author would cut some material out but not this time. The author glosses over the lightsaber battles as if they are just fillers. I want to know some of the dynamics, not a blow-by-blow and not a summary either.
6. I can't believe that Obi-Wan (who seems to be a big whiny know-it-all in this book--I half expect to see a line similary to the infamous 'I want to go to Toshee Station to pick up some power converters') would stoop to deception to trick the Cestians to turning to the Republic. It just seems out of character to me. Obi-Wan is very traditional, by-the-book. Qui-Gon (and maybe Anakin) would stoop to deception; not Obi-Wan.
7. The story's ending was way too pat. It's like all of a sudden--boom!
8. Snoil, the Snail. I mean, come on! Are you that desperate for a new species? Why can't authors reuse at least one alien from another book?
There were a few bright points in the book: the aliens were cool, and I also liked how the author showed the point of view of a clone bred for war (but Karen Traviss does a much better job in Hard Contact). Also, the author writes a superb short story inclueded in the paperback version (I don't know why the short story was better than the novel but it was). But, overall, I would not recommend buying this book (unless in paperback or used or free) unless you are like me and trying to read all the Star Wars books. I would suggest that you check it out at the library or skip it. You won't miss any important developments.
Recommended Reads: Jedi Apprentice Series, Thrawn Trilogy (absolute BEST!), some of the New Jedi Order (most notably Traitor), Shatterpoint, the MedStar duology (ER, anyone?), Yoda: Dark Rendezvous, Revenge of the Sith novelization, anything by Timothy Zahn
Good Star Wars Novel.......2007-03-29
This novel works excellent in the on-going stories of Anakin. I really liked the way the author delved into Anakin's pshyche. A must read for a true Star Wars Fan!
Obi-Wan Goes to Meetings.......2006-09-28
The Cestus Deception is a story of Obi-Wan Kenobi's efforts on the planet of Ord Cestus to bring a halt to the manufacture of killer battle droids that are difficult for even Jedi to defeat. The story is rife with political machinations because the droid production has to be stopped without destroying the economy of Ord Cestus. Obi-Wan is joined in his efforts by fellow Jedi Master Kit Fisto and a team of ARC clone troopers led by A-98, otherwise known as Nate for most of the story. The efforts are also helped by Doob Snoila, a brilliant barrister from the planet of Nal Hutta.
Obi-Wan focuses on negotiations with G'Mai Duris, the official ruler of Ord Cestus. As the story progresses we realize that true power on the planet is held by the Five Families, descendants of one-time business tycoons who were held in the penal colonies of Ord Cestus generations earlier. The Five Families are under the amazing control of Asajj Ventress, the representative of Count Dooku and a long-time enemy of Obi-Wan. Asajj works behind the scenes to counter all of the moves made by the Jedi and has a memorable battle with Obi-Wan near the end of the book.
The story in The Cestus Deception is interesting, and we are introduced to a number of new characters. That aspect of the book is fine. It lost favor with me due to an excessive amount of time introducing us to the feelings of Nate, the ARC trooper as he struggles to follow the rules of life by which he was brought up and balance that strict code of conduct against more human feelings that are encouraged in him by Sheeka Tull, a local pilot on Ord Cestus. That part of the story could have been edited. Nate is an admirable character and performs valiant deeds, but I ended up knowing more about his internal struggles than I cared to know. I also tired of all of the political maneuverings in the tale.
On the whole, the book is a good effort but not one of the highlights of the tales of the Star Wars Expanded Universe.
Reasonably interesting Clone Wars story.......2006-09-18
Taking place twelve months after the Battle of Geonosis, The Cestus Deception carries on the saga of the Clone Wars and follows Obi-Wan Kenobi on a diplomatic mission gone awry. Steven Barnes is a first-time Star Wars author, and he does a good job of weaving in disparate elements from across the Expanded Universe, including the comics, the Clone Wars cartoons, and other novels. His writing style is very descriptive but somewhat stilted and formal. The action scenes feel tonally akin to the quieter dialogue passages and the book never really seems to kick into high gear.
Like Karen Traviss has done in the Republic Commando books, Barnes introduces an intriguing exploration of the clone psyche. His main clone character, A-98 or "Nate," is very well developed and fleshed-out. Nate seeks a deeper understanding of who he is and what his life could and should be about, rather than what has been forcibly instilled into him. Nate's relationship to Sheeka Tull, a slightly shady ex-associate of Jango Fett's, is sensitively and thoughtfully portrayed, although at times those chapters are a bit of a drag on the main thrust of the story.
Kit Fisto made a vivid impression in the seconds he spent onscreen in Attack of the Clones and I was excited to see him paired with Obi-Wan for a mission. This book invests Kit with a surprising amount of emotion and anger for a Jedi: it's unusual to read about one who hasn't entirely suppressed his feelings. I didn't care for the significant deception that Kit and Obi-Wan foist upon the X'Ting and the ruling Five Families midway through the book; my vision of the Jedi and especially Obi-Wan does not encompass this high level of deceit. Granted, Obi-Wan and Kit both briefly express misgivings about the road they've embarked on, but I don't believe they would have ever picked that path to begin with.
The cover of this book is deceptive, featuring Count Dooku prominently. Don't be fooled: he does not appear in the book at all. Rather it should have featured Asajj Ventress, Obi-Wan's nemesis and the central Separatist antagonist. She's my favorite villain to be introduced in the Clone Wars and it's great to see her appear in a novel. There's not a whole lot of depth added to her character, but Barnes' portrayal is strongly in line with how she was presented in the cartoons. Having her broadcast her dreams so strongly that Trillot is drawn into them while standing outside the door wide awake is a terrific and chilling touch; it also seems a very likely side effect of a powerful Force user's subconscious mind's sleep time activity.
Doolb Snoil, the snail-like barrister that accompanies Obi-Wan on his mission, adds a fun and light-hearted touch to the serious feel of the story. His name is Lion's Blood backwards, one of Barnes' non-Star Wars books (and the one plugged on the front cover of The Cestus Deception). Not sure what I think of that....
It's good to follow Obi-Wan Kenobi and Kit Fisto on a wartime diplomatic mission and learning more about the clone troopers has proven to be one of the best themes of the Clone Wars. However, The Cestus Deception is a fairly dry read for a Star Wars novel and doesn't add much terribly essential to the EU.
Good Jedi content, with some clone trooper perspective as well. Satisfying read........2006-07-16
Steven Barnes does a good job of capturing Obi-Wan's character in this book, as well as developing Kit Fisto.
There is a well balanced mix of Jedi Philosophy, Clone Trooper life, Politics, and straight up action.
The Good:
For those who just love Jedi, you'll enjoy this. Barnes explains a lot of Jedi battle techniques and a couple of the lightsaber fighting forms (my personal favorite). It was also very cool to see how the clone troopers interacted with eachother, and get inside their minds (Nate's in particular).
The Bad:
For those who tend to get too bogged down in those long chapters on political discussions, you might get a little bit bored near the middle of this book. Barnes does HOWEVER, use those chapters to develop the plot a lot too, to try to keep it exciting, so you won't get too bored. As far as the action goes, for those who have already read and enjoyed the fast paced, easy to follow action sequences of Michael Reaves and Timothy Zahn, you might find Barnes' action scene descriptives a little lacking at times, and hard to follow to the point where you might have to read it over again to be really satisfied.
Overall definitely worth my time, and a satisfying read, I recommend it as a Library pickup more than a "definitely buy it", though.
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61 SW Novels Read, 76+ to go.
Book Description
Proving prayer to be as valid and vital a healing tool as drugs or surgery, the bestselling author of Meaning & Medicine and Recovering the Soul offers a bold integration of science and spirituality.
Customer Reviews:
This book literally hit me over the head.......2007-06-14
This book DID literally hit me over the head - in a book shop! I was browsing through the books and this novel fell off the top shelf landing on my head before it hit the floor. At the time I was more interested in the books I had under my arm so I placed it back on the shelf....but 6 months later I regretted that decision and trackedit down.
I have a large interest in Avalon - I find that era particularily fascinating and this book was a great insight but more importantly it was just a great read about one womens journey and connection to Avalon. There are so few books like this around (that I can find) - I am grateful this one smacked me over the head to be noticed, lol!
Appreciated by someone younger also.......2007-04-04
This book was appreciated from perspective of a younger woman also, so not only midlife women will enjoy! Made me think!
Put it all together for me.......2007-01-22
I just read this book as I approach my 60th birthday and am having some discomfort with reaching that age. I had read Crones Don't Whine several years ago also by this author, but didn't connect it when I purchased Crossing to Avalon.
I found this book so interesting, enlightening, and helpful that it will go on the shelf with other books I lend out but always want back. I was able to connect the Goddess ideas with the Jungian archetypes and then directly to how I feel personally in a more direct way than with any previous books I've read. I would highly recommend this book. I'm not sure if it would have made the same great impression on me if I hadn't earlier done some reading on these subjects.
Mythos for Women.......2006-08-26
Crossing to Avalon is part of the Goddess Movement that many women are finding after being raised in male-dominated religions such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The Goddess of Ms. Bolen is almost a material, earthy Person as opposed to the spiritual sky God. The author makes several interesting points about opening oneself to Spirit and accepting the Body as sacred as a monstrance or a shrine. Other reviewers have given their opinions on the strengths of this book, so I will not repeat them here.
The book has many of the same weaknesses as others in the Goddess genre. Avalon posits that before the horrible men got into power and forced their horrible male gods on us, everyone worshipped a Goddess figure and celebrated female things like menstruation, menopause, birth, etc. There was little violence and women ruled over men with their profound wisdom and magic powers.
It does not bother Ms. Bolen, who is a psychiatrist, that there was no writing from these times and therefore no way to really know what the people said or did about almost anything. Feminist spirituality devotees can write a novel about a little figurine that looks like a pregnant (or perhaps obese) female and turn it into the Venus of Willendorf. Reality on the historical front is not as important as creating a misanthropic mythology that puts the Female front and center. I doubt Ms. Bolen would be as open-minded about the medical information she reads in psychiatric review journals. She would want footnotes and facts and testing done, something that is not a part of Goddess History.
I found Ms. Bolen's musings on pregnancy, birth, breast feeding, and menstruation to be fanciful. I doubt that it was "patriarchy" that decided to call menstruation "the curse." I imagine it was coined by women who were sick and tired of bloating and cramping every single month and feeling exhausted and bitchy. There is a reason the birth control pill that allows a woman to bleed only once or twice a year is wildly popular. A lot of male-created religions have menstrual taboos and I used to think they were ridiculous until I thought, "perhaps women started them to give us an excuse to take a break once a month. 'Make dinner? I'm on my period; you know I can't touch your food/go to the mosque/have sex with you for a week!'"
Ms. Bolen's ideology of Body as Sacred ignores that it is our Body that we have in common with every other mammal, and it is only our Minds that have evolved beyond them. A dog menstruates, gives birth, and suckles. It is precisely our Body that gives us a disadvantage to men -- before antibiotics and hospital births, women died years and years before men. Before chemical birth control a woman could expect to become pregnant every year until menopause, and traditional families all over the world had more kids than you can count with your fingers. Before formula, children sometimes died because their mothers did not make enough milk to sustain them. Women are on the average smaller, weaker, and slower than men. This sort of feminist spirituality seems to take what makes us vulnerable to "patriarchal oppression" and celebrate it. It reminds me of Buffy the Vampire, where anorexic Sarah Michelle Gellar would fight off males who could have snapped her neck in a second and not broken a sweat. THAT is the reality of the female body.
I admit that I hold to an Aristotelian view of the Primacy of the Mind and not the Body, and I am not an epiphenominalist as I think Jean Bolen appears to be. This influences the way I read books like this. I get the impression as I read that Ms. Bolen is soooo spiritual that she can miss that "sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." Women consoling each other becomes a Goddess infusion in her mind, rather than the very physical brain response that people and animals get when touched and comforted. The fact that the author is a psychiatrist interests me, since she does not appear to hold that emotions and responses are related to a physical brain but are instead part of a numinous Thing that lives within us, perhaps the Goddess.
I am a man, watch me roar (if I have to I can do anything - I am stong, I am invincible...I am mannnnnnn).......2006-02-21
You know, I have to say - this book is awesome - especially if you are a woman.
I am not.
I am reading this as a women's studies requirement at a "womens centered" university I attend (what can I say?).I am struggling to read this book and find parallels to the male journey... argh. If you are a guy, skip this!
I know all of you are going to click on the "no" helpful voting button for this review - I don't care.CLICK IT TWICE FOR ALL I GIVE A RATS TUSHY. I just spent more than 800 bucks AND WASTED 3 MONTHS OF MY LIFE to take this class called the 'Psychology of Women' that took me on a womans mid life spiritual quest. Men, stay away from this book. Women, bare your teeth and vote NO to this review because I am evil. Thank you.
Books:
- Patty Jane's House of Curl
- Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
- Ramage's Mutiny (The Lord Ramage Novels)
- Rent Girl
- Romey's Place
- Showcase Presents: Jonah Hex, Vol. 1
- Sister of My Heart: A Novel
- The Amalgamation Polka
- The Amazing True Story of a Teenage Single Mom
- The Blind Assassin: A Novel
Books Index
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