Exiles Vol. 1: Down the Rabbit Hole (Astonishing X-Men)

Customer Reviews:

Great setup to a great series...........2007-07-19

Buy it and see how it all begins. Of course, it will make you dislike the Claremont stuff even more!

Cool stuff.......2007-04-07

As a fan of the "What if?" series when I was a kid, I was very interested to see the Exiles team jumping from one alternative universe to the next. I haven't been disappointed so far: fun stories, good drawing.

X-Men + Sliders + Quatnam Leap = Freakin' Awesome.......2006-11-06

This series caught my attention when it first came out, considering I was a big fan of the Age of Apocolypse story arc and that it had Blink and Morph on the cover. Different Morph, but no matter! There a a variety of situations that this group gets into which involves missions to fix whatever problem there may be in whatever reality they may be in. Which can vary from major (Kill the Pheonix) to minor (buy a cheese danish). You'd be suprised how much can spiral out a pastry problem. The original team consists of Mimic - previously a minor character in the main reality (616), Blink - From the Age of Apocolypse reality, due to fan reaction most likely, Nocturne - Daughter of Scarlet Witch and Nightcrawler, Morph - A prominent hero and member of the Xmen and the Avengers in his reality, who will also just make you laugh with everything said, T-Bird - John Proudstar, thunderbird, who died on his first mission with the X-men in the 616 reality, but from his was captured by Apocolypse and turned into one of the Horsemen, and Magnus - the daughter of Magneto and Rogue, with gifts and curses from both of his parents, along with incredible power. If you have an at least decent knowledge of past events in the Marvel history, you would probably appreciate this title. I found it amazing when they got a mission in a reality that I only knew about from reading one issue ten or fifteen years ago. Pretty obscure! I like all the little references and cameos from the depths of the Marvel history and universe. Humurous and intense,it draws you in and you care what happens to the characters just like any other title that may be a bit more mainstream. Buy it, read it, love it. This review is meant not just for this volume, but this goes for the whole series run.

One of the Best Series to READ........2006-09-13

I have read the whole series. This is the first graphic novel in the series. It starts you off with a fun rollercoaster ride with reality saving Marvel characters. The stories through out the series are well developed and are a fun read. They remain true with their continuity and sub-plots through out the storylines. And it gets complex. Enjoy. :)

P.s. If you can remember the "What If" series that Marvel had out a very very long time ago. This series adds a 3rd degree to it, it accomlishes that same answer to a lot of those "what if's" and then gives it an ongoing reality. What If's like what would happen if the Brood survived or if the legacy virus mutated or this villain took over or if this person wasn't exposed to gamma rays . . . or whatever . . . and then it answers those questions and keeps those stories alive and mixes in all the other realities to create a whole universe of ongoing answered what if questions with their own specific and weird reality. :)

Fantastic and Original.......2006-02-06

Marvel's X-Men franchise has launched many spinoffs and various comic book lines but, in my opinion, none have been as unique as Exiles.

This trade collects the first 4 issues of Exiles (the first two story arcs) and was written by Judd Winnick who stayed to write a good portion of the next 35ish issues.

The basic premise of the series is that the team is a collection of hereos from alternate Earths (in the Marvel universe, mainstream Marvel takes place in the "616" universe) and they travel to different alternate realities with missions to complete. I was drawn to this series because of the characters, specifically Blink and Mimic. Blink earned a following from her exploits in an X-men crossover called "The Age of Apocolypse" that was written in the 90's while Mimic has been in a few X-men comics but never explored much after that.

In addition to the having a very interesting cast of characters, the writing for Exiles is what set itself apart from the other comics out there. I feel as though it is/was fresh when compared to some of the other X-titles and other comics in general. The art isn't Jim Lee or any of the other top artists but the various artists do an excellent job of creating colorful, distinct, and different worlds and characters.

A word of warning however... While the first few trade paperbacks of Exiles are very good, some of the later collections are not quite as entertaining as the writing quality falters a bit when Austen takes over.

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The best edition for these novels

Rabbit Novels Vol. 1
John Updike
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0345464567
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Book Description

The first and second novels in John Updike’s acclaimed quartet of Rabbit books–now in one marvelous volume.

RABBIT, RUN

“Brilliant and poignant . . . By his compassion, clarity of insight, and crystal-bright prose, [Updike] makes Rabbit’s sorrow his and out own.”
–The Washington Post

“Precise, graceful, stunning, he is an athlete of words and images. He is also an impeccable observer of thoughts and feelings.”
–The Village Voice

RABBIT REDUX

“ ‘Great in love, in art, boldness, freedom, wisdom, kindness, exceedingly rich in intelligence, wit, imagination, and feeling–a great and beautiful thing . . .’ these hyperboles (quoted from a letter written long ago by Thomas Mann) come to mind after reading John Updike’s Rabbit Redux.”
–The New York Times Book Review

“Updike owns a rare verbal genius, a gifted intelligence and a sense of tragedy made bearable by wit. . . . A masterpiece.”
–Time

Customer Reviews:

The best edition for these novels.......2006-06-13

Twenty years from now, the Rabbit novels will be one of a host of books read in college gender studies classes to represent the postwar alteration of American marriage and family. It is rather amazing to read of cocktail-swilling couples seeing society dropouts appear on the scene, and then adopting some of the more selfish behaviors for their own. Also, the frank depictions of male-female lives--the various restricting gender roles, is illuminating. I personally found it quite remarkable to read the depictions of life from the early '60s onward--people riding the bus, when divorce was still shocking and far more damaging, how the hippie movement filtered into the middle American lives and tempted men and women to move on.

These are classic American novels, capturing the mood and sentiment in the way only the best fiction can: so that it is all "made up" by the author, but feels realer than reality. These novels are models of realist fiction, my favorite kind.

Book Description

Lady Anne Gascoigne is eager to take her wedding vows-until she discovers her devious fiancé has conspired to let King Charles II steal her virtue. Now, to save her honor and her life, she must flee under the protection of a notorious but charming rake who has just escaped hanging-and proceeds to win her heart.

Customer Reviews:

Good.......2006-07-18

Reviewer:Rebecca "bookworm" (California, USA)
beutiful lady anne hears edward ( her fiance ) talking to the king about her becoming his mistress. the king has tried to seduce her in the past and she didn't want him. she escapes from whitehall palace and goes to her father for advice.
her father (sir samuel) crashes gentleman johnny gilbert the highway man's hanging and takes him to a pub. there he tells him to protect lady anne and her virtue. johnny takes her to his hideout in the woods. black ben , the leader of another group of bandits, wants to rape her so johnny protects her with fake love making. edward puts a big reward on her, so anne thinks johnny will betray her. they go to edwards house and she escapes to a doctor. the doctor takes her to her uncle in london and he betrays her. lady anne is captured by edward. on their carrige ride to edwards house johnny stops them and they get away. they make love in nell gwyns house and johnny gets the plague. they escape to the doctors barge where anne heals johnny . edward gets anne again and she marries him. johnny is sent of to jaimaica and edward gets sent to holland by the king. the king tries to seduce anne but the lady castlemaine interrupts them. johnny escapes from the ship and goes back to london. johnny and anne are reunited and are told that edward is dead. to read more about their story i recommend you to buy this book. a really good novel, makes you never want it to end.

OK, but..........2006-03-14

This book was ok, but I always felt kind of lost. It just didn't flow very well for me. I would find myself going back and re-reading passages to make sure I could figure out what was going on. The plot was good, but even for fiction seemed to be a bit of a stretch.

BLECH! ZERO!.......2006-02-23

Oh my God! I just tossed this book across the room, before I got very far. I spent some time skimming it, to see if it could possibly be as bad as I thought it was.

Yep. This is just drivel. I couldn't even skim it past page 80. Now, that's a bad book!

I may, however, keep the book just so I can read it aloud to my romance reading friends, and we can get a really good laugh. It is amazing to me that anyone with any kind of standards of intelligence would credit this book with any stars at all. The language is laughable (ex. Page 1, she had been aroused to a shocking passion and, at last, found the man to whom she would give "the one thing she held most precious, her womanly chastity, that which once pierced could never be restored until another heaven should come again"). Is that a scream or what! Here's another good one "I wouldn't move, my lord, or I will leave you without that which signifies your manhood". The only way to avoid hurling is to laugh at this. But, don't buy it if you actually wanted satisfying entertainment. Not happening with this joke.

A Fine Historical!.......2006-02-15

Gentleman John Gilbert or as he his otherwise known, Gentleman Johnny is seconds away from meeting his maker when he receives a stay of execution...literally. This rogue is going to be given a chance to live provided he does something in return. He must keep Lady Anne Gascoigne safely hidden from her betrothed and the King Charles II. John thinks this should be an easy trade but he was not counting on his honor being tested by the beautiful Anne

Anne thinks she is in love with Earl of Waverby but when she overhears him making a deal with the King. Anne realizes what she thought was a strong commitment between two people is in fact a farce. Running to her father with her heartbreak is only natural but when she is delivered into the hands of handsome John Gilbert she can't help but wonder if her father has gone off the deep end. Will John keep her safe or will fate have other plans for this beauty?

This was a fine romance but I have to admit I began to wonder if Ms. Westin was reluctant to allow John and Anne their happy ending. Despite this minor issue, the story was well developed and Johnny made a wonderful hero for Anne. I look forward to reading Ms. Westin in the future.

Refreshing setting, non-stop adventure and a wonderful hero!.......2006-01-27

I was really excited about this book because I can't remember the last time I read a book set in the Restoration period. Ms Westin's debut is a wonderful, adventure with an intelligent and competent heroine and a hero the reader will likely fall in love with. He made the book for me!

In the palace of Charles II in the year 1665, Lady Anne Gascoigne is waiting impatiently for her fiance' Lord Waverby. Lately she has been receiving very improper attention from the King from which her Edward has vowed to protect Anne. But when footsteps approach and the voice of the king - and Edward - are overheard Anne hides herself in an armoire. What Anne overhears shocks her as she hears with her own ears her beloved fiance offering Anne's sexual favors to the king in exchange for lucrative lands in Virginia Colony! Of course Anne flees to her father who devises a plan to hide Anne until he can have the betrothal dissolved. He just hopes he arrives in time!

Sir Samuel Gascoigne is a judge who recently sentenced notorious highwayman "Gentleman Johnny" Gilbert to hang. So when Sir Samuel jumps from his carriage, calling a halt, just as the noose is about to stretch his neck, no one is more surprised than Johnny himself! Sir Samuel spirits John away in his carriage and elicits a vow from John to protect and keep safe his daughter Anne. John agrees and thus begins an adventure that will change both John and Anne forever.

John Gilbert is the son of a duke but born on the "wrong side of the blanket". He was cheated out of his inheritence, Burwell Hall, by his legitimate siblings leaving a bitter taste in John's mouth toward the "gentry". And so he wound up a highwayman in the spirit of Robin Hood. He's a thoroughly charming and handsome rogue and even the haughty Lady Anne is not immune to this cheerful scoundrel. Especially when she learns there is so much more to him than meets the eye.

Anne and John have assorted adventures, calamities and obstacles thrown in their way whilst trying to elude and best Lord Waverby. Along the way, Anne begins to see that those born to the upperclasses are not "better" than those of the lower order and her haughtiness quickly fades to a more egalitarian attitude. She also softens toward the handsome John (who wouldn't?) and he toward her. But can they ever have a future together? Will they live to see it?

And therein lies my only issue with the book. After so many obstacles - plague, abductions, high seas adventure and royal intrigues - I found myself a little tired of them. I just wanted to get to the happily ever after already! And personally, in those sections where John does not appear, the book lost some of it's sparkle. While I liked Anne, I adored John! On a certain level, this book felt more like the old romances of the 70's - those sort of big, epic, stories from authors like Kathleen E Woodiwiss perhaps. I also enjoyed the various and sundry secondary characters like notorious actress Nell Gwynn, royal mistress Lady Barbara Castlemaine and Charles II himself. This era was so lively and colorful (Anne several times describes her time as "modern"!) I can't understand why more authors don't write with this backdrop.

An enjoyable read and I recommend it for the setting and John's character alone. I look forward to her next book Lady Katherne's Wild Ride.

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Lady Anne's Dangerous Man

Manufacturer: Signet Eclipse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0739460668

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Lady Anne's Dangerous Man

Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000H50S7I

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Lady Anne's Dangerous Man
Jeane Westin
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000P7PHCO

Book Description

Brighten a loved one’s day with refreshingly honest and deeply moving words from cancer survivor Emilie Barnes. Soft pastel artwork accompanies the poignant message of hope and inspiration Emilie received from the Psalms during her recent three–year journey to restored health.

The Shores of Tomorrow (The Chronicles of Solace)

Average customer rating:

Disappointing Conclusion to an Interesting Trilogy
Clever Ending, But not as Clever as it Could Be
Disappointing
Good, but have seen this before
Great worldbuilding

The Shores of Tomorrow (The Chronicles of Solace)
Roger Macbride Allen
Manufacturer: Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0553583654
Release Date: 2003-12-02

Book Description

On the verge of extinction, only the gravest imaginable crime against humanity can save it...A bold new plan seeks to ignite a new Sunspot over Greenhouse, saving the habitat domes crucial to the survival of the Solacian people. But a secret clouds this symbol of much-needed hope: human space is contracting at a startling rate, threatening to wipe out all living worlds—including Earth. The only answer lies in the hands of the founder of the planet Solace: Oskar DeSilvo, seemingly returned from the dead to save the worlds his frauds had doomed to destruction. But as the work begins, agents of the Chronologic Patrol step in to prevent interference with the past—even at the risk of dooming humanity. Thwarted at every turn, DeSilvo and his onetime nemesis, Anton Koffield, propose one last wildly grandiose idea—one final, desperate gamble. But if the only choice lies between madness and certain catastrophe—is there any choice at all?

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing Conclusion to an Interesting Trilogy.......2006-10-04

Certainly the weakest of the three books. For starters, by now the continued repetitiveness of the storytelling becomes too much, especially at 450 pages that could have been wrapped up in about 150. Secondly, the series really revolves around Koffield and the somewhat kafkaesque like journey he goes through. Yet in the final book, the character is relegated to third tier status, and Allen ends up focusing on minor characters. After all the chaos and lives destroyed by DeSilvo, he basically gets off easy.

Within the framework of the story, the final solution to solving the problem of terraforming a planet long enough so it won't fail was interesting, but without giving away the solution, is too much a happy ending, "humanity wouldn't screw it up" answer.

Finally, any story with time travel requires a certain amount of suspension of belief, it is inevitable because no matter what path the author chooses there are bound to be contradictions. For two books Koffield comes across as a duty bound Admiral, I envisioned him like Captain Ramius in "The Hunt For Red October." To assume that Koffield would join forces and almost become friends with DeSilvo is pushing the limits of credibility.

Overall, a promising trilogy that fizzled out and would have been tighter and more enjoyable to read in two books.

Clever Ending, But not as Clever as it Could Be.......2004-09-17

This series set up a seemingly insoluble problem, and this book came up with a very clever solution. Then used a different solution. The basic idea of the series seems somewhat silly. (A terraformed planet sufers ecological catastrophe after a number of years equal to the number of years spent solving it? Why? Why not just terraform planet after planet, than move to new ones with FTL?) The mystery aspects of the series, the clever FTL method, and the way this series for once does NOT ignore the fact FTL means time travel make it unique. The ending was a slight disappointment, skipping clever solutions they proposed in favor of an overly complex one. It was also a little to "cosmic" in scale for me to really identify with what was going on.

Disappointing.......2004-01-17

After endless pages of detail, the story finishes with an impossible, unimaginative, conclusion with visuals stolen from a popular TV series. The conclusion does not do justice to the groundwork laid down in the previous two books of the trilogy. Its as though, after laying the groundwork, the author ran out of ideas for a finish.

Good, but have seen this before.......2003-12-27

While he is one of my favorite authors, I must admit that certain things were quite confusing to me. Just some details of the story. Some inconsistancies too, but maybe in my own mind. Anyway, the story is basically good but it echoes from a previously unfinish trilogy (hint, hint) that involves, well, things moving. In any case, the series was enjoyable.

Great worldbuilding.......2003-12-03

In the far distant future, mankind has learned, thanks to Oskar DeSilvo, how to terraform planets. Once that operation was complete, humanity would colonize that world but what few people know is that DeSilvo took credit for another person's concept. That individual had concluded that eventually terraforming would fail. The prediction proved true on the planet Blister just as it is now happening on Solace.

Eventually all the terraformed worlds will collapse and the refugees will return to their home world, bringing with them spores and microbes that that will result in plagues and the death of humanity. The chronological patrol knows this and is trying to buy time by suppressing technologies. DeSilvo has found a way to prevent the eventual extinction of humanity but he must convince his most powerful enemy Anton Koffied that they must work together on his plan that will pit them against the chronological patrol and DeSilvo's many other enemies.

Oskar DeSilvo is both the protagonist and the antagonist of THE SHORES OF TOMORROW. He lied and falsified information that could lead to the death of humanity but he acknowledges his guilt and is doing everything in his power to make restitution. There is much action in the several sub-plots that seamlessly flow into the main story line. Roger MacBride Allen has the talent to rival the brightest suns in the science fiction galaxy.

Harriet Klausner

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No more tomorrows 'til forever
Delia K Shore
Manufacturer: Sun Dance Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 0944551262

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Shores of Tommorow and other recommendations!

The Shores of Tomorrow
David Mason
Manufacturer: Lancer Books, New York
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006X9R00

Customer Reviews:

Shores of Tommorow and other recommendations!.......2000-11-12

For those of you who revel in alternate timelines, I can't think of a better book than "Shores of Tomorrow." Out of print for decades, this book as well as "Kavin's World," "Sorcerer's Skull," and "The Deep Gods" are super books that I have read and re-read until the pages in my book are literally held together with a rubber band.

Amazon.com

Sexism and God-Talk is one of those rare books that hits the right topic at the right time--and that has endured. Its thesis is summarized by Rosemary Radford Ruether herself (the Georgia Harkness Professor of Theology at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary) in her opening chapter and is worth quoting: "The uniqueness of feminist theology lies not in its use of the criterion of experience but rather in its use of women's experience, which has been almost entirely shut out of theological reflection in the past. The use of women's experience in feminist theology, therefore, explodes as a critical force, exposing classical theology . . . as based on male experience rather than on universal human experience." The book presents a revisioning of theological topics from a feminist perspective, including the use of male and female images of the divine in worship; the relationship between images of women, the body, and nature in Greek, Hebrew, and Christian thinking; and a new, woman-centered look at images of both Christ and Mary.

Clearly written, forceful without being overly dogmatic, this classic study remains what theologian Harvey Cox said of it upon its first release: "one of the most important theological books of this or any other season." --Doug Thorpe

Book Description

"By the time Ruether finishes, systematic theology has undergone a radical critique from which it emerges transformed rather than simply modified or totally rejected. She has constructed a full-fledged feminist theology--the first within a Christian context." -The New York Times Book Review

Customer Reviews:

Deepening Understanding.......2002-11-29

I think that this book is a very helpful introduction to feminist theology for someone who is already somewhat familiar with historical-critical analysis in religion and somewhat familiar with feminism. This book brings together the two traditions and presents a great framework from which to begin to explore feminist theology. This is probably not a good introduction for someone starting completely from scratch. There are less academic books, such as Introducing Feminist Theology by Anne M. Clifford which are easier to understand and navigate for the true beginner.
My favorite part of the book was the opening narrative written by Ruether (in the tradition of midrash) that imagines scenes from the Bible in a fresh and exciting light. It was inspiring, gave me goose bumps and helped me remember why I think that Christianity can be such an exciting and liberating spiritual path to follow.
The rest of the book systematically deals with topics that arise in "re-understanding" the Bible and Christianity in a way that honors and listens to women's voices which have, generally, been systematically excluded from the Christian tradition.
I didn't give it five stars because, like some of the other reviewers, I would have liked to see more evidence for some of her positions.

Still Worth Reading 20 Years Later.......2002-02-20

"Sexism and God-Talk" is based on lectures given by the author in the 1970's. The book was originally published in 1983, but it has much to say to Christians in 2002.

I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5, because I think that Ruether's comments about male puberty rites and the origins of mysogyny were weak and needed some documentation. There were a few other points in the book which I felt needed more documentation.

Nevertheless, "Sexism and God-Talk" is an excellent introduction to Christian feminist theology. Ruether is one of the few American writers to have defined Christian feminism in mainstream Western culture. She explains how being female came to be associated with evil in Western theological thought, and how, ironically, "Romantic feminism", which proposed that women were actually more spiritual than men, still was harmful to women.

Ruether insists that it is possible to be both Christian and feminist and that there is salvation within Christianity for all. She warns against reducing feminism to the hatred of men. Nothing is solved by that.

One need not agree with all of Ruether's political positions, such as her belief that democratic socialism is the best form of governance or her views on the situation in Palestine and Israel in order to appreciate her work.

How could Joey Joe Joe possibly understand Theology?.......2001-04-11

I was totally confused by the previous reviewer's comments, so I read HIS profile (Ruether's is golden -- go look at HER bio!). This guy likes sports & video games & says every CD he's got on his public review is 'the best he's ever heard' -- a statistical impossibility.

So, I put this in as a 5-star book, just to counteract such an odd review. Did JJJ REALLY read the book? And what is so bad about feminists? We let HIM live, don't we???

Hatred is NOT a family value, that I can see... and I think that was Mother Jesus's message as well. As for me & mine, we will pray for dear JJJ.

A Framework for Feminist Theology.......2000-08-10

Ruether's book provides an accessible introduction to feminist theology. Her chapter headings supply the reader with familiar cues from a more traditional theological framework. For someone new to feminist theology, this is a good starting point.

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SEXISM AND GOD-TALK
ROSEMARY REUTHER
Manufacturer: BEACON PRESS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KV8F4C

Sexism and God-talk: Towards a Feminist Theology

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Sexism and God-talk: Towards a Feminist Theology
Rosemary Radford Ruether
Manufacturer: SCM Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Feminist Theory | Women's Studies | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0334023297

Sexism & God Talk Toward a Feminist Theo

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Sexism & God Talk Toward a Feminist Theo
Rosemary Ruether
Manufacturer: HOUGHTON MIFFLIN CO@
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000Q2Z0DY

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