Average customer rating:
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A Drama in Muslin: A Realistic Novel
George Moore
Manufacturer: Colin Smythe
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Drama
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ASIN: 0861400569 |
Amazon.com
Initially published nearly thirty years ago, Mary Stewart's The Crystal Cave has been spellbinding readers and converting them into serious Arthurian buffs ever since. The first in a series of four books, this novel focuses on the early life of Merlin the magician, and the political developments of fifth-century Britain. Not for the fainthearted, this verbose text pays careful attention to historical details and methodical plot development.
Merlin's childhood is formed by the absence of his reticent, convent-bound mother and his unnamed and unknown father. As the bastard grandson of a local king, Merlin is the object of both envy and ridicule. His strange powers and predictions earn him greater status as a pariah, and he leaves home as a preadolescent. Returning years later as a young man--empowered by self-knowledge and magic--Merlin finds himself caught in the currents of the shifting kingdoms.
As an established classic in this genre, and the first in a popular series, The Crystal Cave introduces this familiar character with fresh sensitivity. While readers looking for the romance of First Knight will be disappointed, those happy with tight writing and a complex story line will be satisfied. --Nancy R.E. O'Brien
Book Description
Born the bastard son of a Welsh princess, Myridden Emrys -- or as he would later be known, Merlin -- leads a perilous childhood, haunted by portents and visions. But destiny has great plans for this no-man's-son, taking him from prophesying before the High King Vortigern to the crowning of Uther Pendragon . . . and the conception of Arthur -- king for once and always.
Customer Reviews:
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03
An excellent book, Mary Stewart begins to tell the tale of a young
Merlin. Here, Merlin is a boy, son of a Welsh princess. A geeky type of
kid, with an interesting is learning, this marks him as odd. People
think liking this stuff is so odd they begin to talk about him as being
the offspring of a demon!
Demon geek, there you go. No one likes him, if other words, so he
has to leave. He ends up finding his father, Ambrosius, an ex-king, and
studying some more.
Then there is the whole thing with Ambrosius' brother Uther.
Nice first book in a series.......2007-07-23
Mary Stewart delivers a quick read that takes the reader to the beginning of the Arthur story. Merlin develops from a young, retreating boy to a self-assured (perhaps cocky?) man who can receive visions but cannot control them. The characters are real and well-drawn (I especially liked Ambrosius) and the machinations and battles for control of Britain are handled thoroughly, but from a distance. There is a sense of build-up that does not quite pay off, but will lead the reader nicely into the next book in the series.
Such a good read.......2007-06-18
Exactly what I was in the market for. A well written fantasy novel that is so convincing you'll think it really happened... I highly recommend this book and the other two in the series.
The first of four.......2007-05-14
The first in the four part Arthurian/Merlin Saga. Told by Merlin himself, the book introduces the reader to a divided Britain, and adds some realism to the Wizardry mythology.
The saga continues with The Hollow Hills (The Arthurian Saga, Book 2)
A new look at Merlin.......2007-05-04
This was a fun book to read. It was neat to see Merlin as a child and young man, rather than the wise old wizard you're so used to seeing him as. A very original story and a very talented author, make this one a great read!
Average customer rating:
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The Crystal Cave
Mary Stewart
Manufacturer: Hodder & Stoughton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000I6W2HK |
Book Description
When an ice storm strands Dr. Sable Chamberlin and paramedic Paul Murphy in the southern Missouri hills, they assume they're safe from the mysterious killer responsible for murdering Sable's grandfather and Paul's uncle. But while searching Sable's childhood home and connecting caves for clues, it becomes clear that real danger has followed them. Soon, Sable and Murph, fighting for their lives, discover secrets worth killing for. . .and unexpected treasure more costly than gold. Combining the rich setting of the Ozark hills with compelling and diverse characters, Hannah Alexander has crafted a fast-moving novel sure to keep readers asking the question--"whodunit?"
Customer Reviews:
Ok, but I've read better.......2004-07-25
Didn't find this book as compelling as I'd hoped. A new author for me,so I'll try another one of their books. This book just didn't keep my attention as I'd hoped. It had a good plot, but just didn't deliver as I'd hoped.
An Entertaining and Memorable Read.......2003-12-01
The Crystal Cavern by author Hannah Alexander is a memorable, page-turning story. Join Sable Chamberlin and Paul Murphy on a quest to unravel the secrets of the caves beneath Sable's home. What mystery did her grandfather stumble upon before his untimely death? Will they be able to find out in time, or will they die trying? In Agatha Christie tradition, the story finds Sable and Paul trapped in a house with a suspicious group of strangers, many with their own set of secrets. Someone is sabotaging Sable and Paul's efforts to get to the bottom of the mystery, bringing them to the brink of disaster. Will they escape this villain's clutches, before it is too late?
I found The Crystal Cavern to be an enjoyable read, with characters that stayed with me long after the story ended. Hannah Alexander knows how to weave an intriguing tale. You won't be disappointed.
Can strangers be trusted when you're trying to survive?.......2003-10-19
The Crystal Cavern takes the reader on a thrilling ride right from the first page, with heart stopping twists and turns that keep you guessing right to the end. Running for their lives, Sable Chamberlin and Paul Murphy are determined to discover the truth behind the death of Sable's grandfather and the mystery he left behind. But stranded in an ice storm in a creepy house atop an intimidating cavern, with a bunch of strangers to keep them company, makes their task a lot more tricky... and much more deadly. An engrossing read that would appeal to lovers of mystery and suspense. ~~Ellie Schroder, owner of The Christian Fiction Site
Average customer rating:
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Crystal Cave the Legend of Merlyn
Mary Stewart
Manufacturer: Audio Literature
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
General | Literature & Fiction | Books on Cassette | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
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Arthurian | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1558002243 |
Average customer rating:
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the Crystal Cave
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HAFGPM |
Average customer rating:
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The Crystal Cave
Manufacturer: Fawcett Crest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000E60Q9K |
Product Description
In this enthralling work, Mary Stewart once more shows her own wizardry. Again she reveals those qualities of suspense and romantic adventure which has made her one of the world's most widely read novelists.
Product Description
Boxed Set of three paperbacks include:THE CRYSTAL CAVE - by Mary Stewart Who was Merlin? Was the famed magician of Camelot and King Arthur's court really a sinister all-powerful being from another world? Was he truly a Price of Darkness? Or was he a man with the passions of other mortals? A man with unique intelligence and unusual gifts? Why was he so feared? How did he come by his occult powers? Why was the crystal cave so important to himStewart's novel brings to vibrant life one of the world's great legends and sheds a fascinating new light on the turbulence and mystery of fifth-century this enthralling work, Mary Stewart once more shows her own great wizardry. Again she reveals those qualities of suspense and romantic adventure that have made her one of the world's widely read novelists.THE HOLLOW HILLS - by Mary Stewart The spellbinding, suspenseful story of how Merlin, the Enchanter, helped Arthur become king of all Britain - a magnificent novel set in a time when no life is safe, no law stable. The prophetic voice of Merlin communicates not only the bristling atmosphere of the story's ancient setting but also its profound relevance to our time. Once again, as she did in her bestselling The Crystal Cave, Mary Stewart provides a glowing re-creation of pre-Camelot England.THE LAST ENCHANTMENT - by Mary Stewart Arthur is King! But while challenged on the battlefield, sinister powers plot to destroy him in his own Camelot. When the rose-gold witch Morgause, Arthur's half-sister, ensnares him into an incestuous liaison - and bears his son, Mordred, to use to her own evil ends - a fatal web of love, betrayal and bloody vengeance is through the eyes of Arthur's prophetic protector, Merlin - whose own mysterious powers are in dire danger - here is a tale rich with the majesty and turbulence of the magnificent legend it tells...resplendent with Mary Stewart's own special magic.
Average customer rating:
- Run OMC
- Superb!
- Interesting set-up to the Pandora series
- Frank Herbert at his Best
- Terrible!!
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Destination: Void
Frank Herbert
Manufacturer: Ace Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Fantasy
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| Arthurian
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Paperback
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ASIN: 0441143024 |
Customer Reviews:
Run OMC.......2005-12-09
Premise:
Voidship Earthling, 7th serial spaceship on a mission from Unified Moon Base, is on its way to colonize in the Tau Ceti star system. The members on the ship are clones who a programmed to certain orientations and duties. Bickel is the frontier pusher who is programmed to refuse turning back from the mission, Timberlake the life systems engineer, Flattery the chaplain-psychiatrist with orders to destroy the ship if he feels it is necessary, and Prudence, who is directed to prod Bickel.
Central to the operation of the ship is the OMC, or organic mental core, a specialized brain that coordinates ship functions. After the original OMC and two backups fail, the crew has to manually direct many gross ship functions. This is extremely difficult for them and it becomes apparent that they will have to devise another approach to ship operation.
The arrived at alternative is to take the ship's computer as a basis and attempt the creation of an AI using inorganic components available in ship stores. This attempt is the crux of the novel.
It becomes apparent that the difficulties that confront the ship (failure of 3 OMCs and other incidents) were orchestrated by the project team back at UMB. Why? To put the crew into survival mode, forcing them into hyper-alertness in order to create the artificial consciousness. If they don't successfully create the consciousness, they die. Also, having the attempt take place on a ship far away from UMB is a safety measure, as there is some concern that the consciousness created by the crew could be dangerous.
What's cool about the book:
-It's Frank Herbert
-to an extent the discussions about the ethicality of building the consciousness and about the details of consciousness
-the idea that the people in the hibernation tanks on the ship will constitute the unconscious of the artificial consciousness
-Bickel's white box-black box procedure that allowed the consciousness to obtain an ancestry via Bickel
-the subtext of the characters having unspoken motives, drives and missions
-the mystery of the UMB project team's ultimate motives in placing the ship and crew in peril
What's not:
-The laborious, labyrinthine technical topography associated with the consciousness project (you overplayed your hand Herbert)
-the entire book taking place on the ship
-the pace was fairly leaden
-lack of details on the OMCs
Summation: Readable, but noteworthy mostly as the first book in a series of four (D:V, The Jesus Incident, The Lazarus Effect, and The Ascension Factor). I understand Herbert's place in SciFi as a "thinking" and philosophical writer, but this story would have been much better served with less technical-ese, less rumination about the nature of consciousness (though some of it was cool) and more action.
I have already purchased the rest of the books in the series and I am very much looking forward to reading them. Here are the review pages for those books:
The Jesus Incident: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0441385397/qid=1134089668/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-5585497-8774440?n=507846&s=books&v=glance
The Lazarus Effect:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399128158/qid=1134089754/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-5585497-8774440?s=books&v=glance&n=283155
The Ascension Factor:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0441031277/qid=1134089830/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-5585497-8774440?s=books&v=glance&n=283155
Superb!.......2004-06-14
Destination: Void is perhaps my favorite Frank Herbert novel. Mind-blowing dialog discusses the nature of consciousness while the action unfolds at a lively pace. The description of computer circuits seems at once arcane (reflecting the 1966 publish date) but strangely fresh and compelling. Somehow, Herbert's extrapolation from 1960's computing machinery makes the computers more entertaining and more tangible (there are lots of wires and flashing lights instead of chips, for instance). Additionally, Herbert's characters have their own realistic-sounding mathematical jargon that makes it fun to try to understand what they are saying. In this respect, it reminds me of the descriptions of the math of "psychohistory" in Asimov's Foundation.
The real strength of the book, though, is the constant narrative and ruminations on thoughts of artificial intelligence and consciousness (and fortunately Mr. Herbert only indulged himself with an expected but brief discussion of "consciousness-expanding" drugs in a subplot!)
Interesting set-up to the Pandora series.......2003-09-30
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I picked up "Destination: Void" from a seedy little used book store. I'd been a huge Herbert fan for years (one read of "Dune" is all it took for that), but I'd heard very mixed reviews of this particular novel. This is different from a lot of his other works, in that the plot is completely secondary to the philosophical/technical issues he raises. Usually Herbert weaves an intricate plot around his ideas that keeps the pages turning, but that just wasn't the case here. In some areas it becomes a tad tedious to read, but if you pay attention, it's a very insightful novel, even if the technology that's discussed is a tad dated.
One of his favorite themes has always been consciousness, how we define it, what levels can be attained by humans, and is there something more that we're lacking. In "Destination: Void", the characters are forced to attempt the creation of artificial intelligence for their very survival, and all of these questions are called in to play, not to mention the ethical ramifications of their "playing God". Eventually they succeed in creating "Ship", and thereby set the basis for the entertaining, if bizarre Pandora series.
This is not the best book for someone hoping to read a story, but if you love Herbert and have an interest in philosophy, then he will take you on a great ride and share his perspective with you in "Destination: Void".
Frank Herbert at his Best.......2002-06-30
This novel is by far what I consider to be Frank Herbert at his best.
The novel revolves around what the different characters think constitutes consiousness and those ideas are manifested in their attempts to build the necessary artificial intelligence that is required for their survival.
The novel does have a tendency to be rather hard to read during the technilogical sections however the discussions on ethics and other questions of conciousness are absoulutely priceless.
This novel should not be read quickly. I should be read slowly, carefully contemplating and pondering upon each of the chapters main topics.
Frank Herbert is a purposful writer. There is no sentence or word that does not have signicance. So my advice is to read it slowly and enjoy.
Terrible!!.......2002-05-01
This is not a story. This is a discussion of what an artificial intelligence computer should be like. There is absolutuley no progression of events, no new ideas, and the ending is a farce. It is a complete waste of time to read this book.
Average customer rating:
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Destination: Void
Frank Herbert
Manufacturer: Berkley Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000GRK8HM |
Average customer rating:
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Destination: Void
Frank Herbert
Manufacturer: Berkley Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000NM0QLS |
Product Description
First winner of the Science Fiction Writers of America Novel Award
Product Description
multiple books ship as one item. save on shipping/handling charges.
Book Description
Denise Landiswho has tested a variety of cookbooks and more than a decades worth of recipes at The New York Timesknows what makes a good dinner party and how to compose a menu that will impress guests while leaving the cook free to enjoy their own party. Featuring forty complete menusappetizer, first course, main course, accompaniment and dessertDinner for Eight is organized by season, and guides any cook through a dinner party timeline of advance preparation and last-minute finishes. Each dish comes with a wine or beverage pairing. A sample of the menus: For Fall: Hummus with Toasted Pita Triangles/Eggplant with Chopped Tomato Vinaigrette and Spiced Chevre/Bourbon-Marinated Roast Pork/Savory Mashed Potatoes/Florida Apple Pie For Winter: Parmesan Cheese Crisps/Salmon Tartare/Roasted Rabbit with Polenta/Wild Mushroom Saut/Pears in Red Wine For Spring: Walnut Spread/Moules Mariniere/Lamp Chops with Mint Butter/Salt-Crusted New Potatoes/Cheesecake with Blueberry Compote For Summer: Deviled Eggs with Avocado/Gazpacho/Seafood and Chicken and Sausage Paella/Rouille/Peppermint Ice Cream
Customer Reviews:
Fails to deliver .......2007-07-15
There is so much to like in this cookbook! The concept of entire seasonal menus put together for you, with notes on each recipe about what can be done ahead and when, plus wine suggestions is brilliant, right? Everything is laid out for you, and the recipes are fun and adventuresome. Unfortunately, however, too many of Landis' recipes end up being much more time-consuming than she would have you believe. I cooked three of the full menus for guests, and each time found myself really stressed out--exactly contrary to the main premise of the book! I would add that I am a very experienced home cook; I can't imagine how this would go for a novice. In addition, there are more than a few things that sound good but aren't: take the deviled eggs with guacamole, for instance. The avocado turns grayish-green in this combination. You can imagine how unappetizing this looks. In sum, this is a book that I really wanted to like and which contains some individual "keeper" recipes. It is quite flawed, however, and ultimately disappoints.
Cookbook.......2007-07-08
There are no pictures in this book but the tips and the make ahead directions make it worth it. Then there's the wine suggestions...
Delectably Inspiring.......2007-03-30
Dinner parties are usually a lot of fun - for the guests. For the cook, however, entertaining can be a non-stop cook-a-thon with little time to socialize. New York Times recipe taster Denise Landis understand this. After all, she once ran into someone and didn't remember that the woman had been a guest in her home.
That's why Landis put together 40 menus, divided by seasons, for dinner parties of eight people. Filled with easy favorites like deviled eggs (made with guacamole) and baked apples (seasoned with Amaretto), "Dinner for Eight" will also tempt the more intrepid cook with dishes like Scotian Lobster Chowder and Lemon Ginger Crepes. Delectably inspiring. I only wish there were more photos.
very speedy delivery and perfect condition!.......2007-01-16
The delivery was very fast and the product was like new and in perfect condition.
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- A Long Way from Home (Multi-Ethnic Literatures of the Americas)
- A Minor Apocalypse: A Novel
- A Recipe for Bees: A Novel
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- A Tenured Professor
- A Treatise on Painting
- A Victorian Christmas Keepsake: Behold the Lamb/Far Above Rubies/Memory to Keep (HeartQuest Christmas Anthology)
- Amuleto (Narrativas Hispanicas) (Narrativas Hispanicas)
- Anne Hébert: Collected Later Novels
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