Escape from Zarahemla

I have been a fan of the tennis shoe books since the start. The last in the group have seemed to lose some of the magic. This is the 2nd book in a new story the author started that also used time travel to Book of Mormon times.
Not to give too much away but at the end of this book he basically joins the two story's. Making what was in the last Tennis shoes book even more crowded with almost 15 plot lines if I guess right.
In his authors notes at the end he tells the reader that if you have not read the other 11 books in the other series then you need to in order to get the full story and flavor of the next book which is a sequel to both story lines...not sure how I felt about that.
If you love Tennis shoes and like the first Zarahemla book then read this...if not then you can skip it and pick up book 12 without much problem I would think since all the story lines are hard to keep straight any way.

The Story of The Other Wise Man and The Mansion

I have added this book with another by the same author Henry Van Dyke.
These are great Christmas stories.
I have not read these story's before but know them.
Again the written word surpass any other treatment that I have seen.

I think these will be the start of a new tradition of reading in December along with Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol

This is the first time I have ever read this book cover to cover. I was very glad I took the time. I have seen almost every show or stage play based on this book (Bill Murry is the best to watch while George C Scott is the truest how I envision the character)
The book has such minute details that add so much to the story that I think I will read it every December.

The Silver Warriors

I have read almost everything this author has written. He has created some of my favorite heroes. This is the start of me finding out that all his heroes are really just one man in several incantations.
All his worlds are connected and the stories intertwined.
This is not the best of his writing but I love the world he creates.
The front cover fits the story and how can you go wrong with a Frank Frazetta cover.
I enjoyed revisiting this from years ago...not as fantastic as I remember it but still I will now have to visit the other books by this author.
Some old friends change with time or more truthful we change...the same is with some good books.

Fablehaven

I have been pushed to read this book for awhile.
I must admit it started out slow, too many pretty fairies flying about but by the end I could see it was setting a base for future adventures.
Basically a story of a reserve where magical creatures can retreat too.
Through out the story was a main theme of "Rules need to be followed simply because they are rules". This bugged me at times but considering that the audience is the teen market I applaud it.
I think this is the authors firstpublished work, I think it is a good start and have heard he only gets better.
I look forward to the rest of the series.

El Borak

I have read alot of this authors fantasy novels and some of his other novels. His heroes always pop  off the page and the term "a mans man" comes to mind. (Whatever that means)
His heroes are straight forward warriors, full steam ahead and damn the  consequences.
While El Borak is not fantasy it is great reading. Set in the middle east in the early 1930-40's I would guess, it follows several Americans that have gone there and found themselves. Indiana Jones before the movie type of hero
I still enjoy Krull the best then Conan but El Borak is moving steadily up the ladder.
The writing is almost poetic. Howard paints pictures with words so effortlessly that i am in awe.
I keep finding myself wishing that today's authors would do the same, but in this Video soaked environment it may not work.
Great read...

First King of Shannara

I have wanted to read this book for years. Listed as #0 in the Shannara universe it covers the time before Sword.
I found it very enjoyable to see where things and people came from. Mr. Brooks has a good grasp of all his story lines.
I have now read everything he has written, many several times and I found this one to be in the top 10%.
The action is detailed and while it follows the authors usual formula I still enjoy it.
I would say if you want to start this series to start with sword and come back to this after a few.

The Measure of Magic

Every August I get to read the latest Terry Brooks novel.

This is the 2nd book in a two part set.

It picks up seconds after the first one ended and moves quickly forward.

The characters are likable and the magic that is Shannara is added too.
My only complaint is that it seemed to end quickly and easily. May be too easily.

If you are new to the Shannara world this comes before Sword but should be read after you read the main 3. (IMHO)

Brooks has been accused of writing formula books but hey...when it works it works.

Assassin's Apprentice

I again really wanted to like this book. The plot sounded like a new look at fantasy. A bastard son of a Prince is turned over to be trained as a Royal assassin.

I found this hard to get into. Overall it sounded like a Prequel to more books that are coming. I guess there are more books and I may go to them some time in the future but have found myself not wanting to rush out and start the 2nd book.

I think what I found most bothersome with this book was that it was told from the 1st persons point of view remembering his life.

The problem with this style of writing is that you already know that they get out of any trouble they are in.

I also found the day to day recap of his life growing up very slow.

I wanted death and how he learns to deal it out, not taking care of horses or being hungry and tired from his chores.

I do see how some people can fall in love with this book and the world it has created.

In fact the world of the book is wonderful and the best part of the book I think.

Seventh Son

I really wanted to like this book. I have heard some good things about it. But, I am not a fan. As the books description states: Alvin Maker: the seventh son of a seventh son. Born into an alternative frontier America where life is hard and folk magic is real, Alvin is gifted with the power. He must learn to use his gift wisely. But dark forces are arrayed against Alvin, and only a young girl with second sight can protect him.
Not really knowing if it was Fantasy or Quasi Historical or what may have been part of the problem. However the main reason I was not a fan is that I found that I did not care about the characters. They were written well, the style was easy to read but I just didn't care what happened top them. This may be due to my state of mind right now, I am not finding that I care about alot of characters i am reading, so I will give the 2nd book a chance later...maybe.

The White Dragon

This was the first book on the World of Pern that I ever read. Many years ago. I was attracted by the cover and was not disappointed. Rereading it so many years later I found this to be even more enjoyable.
I enjoy her style of writing and the story has some very memorable characters. In fact some of my favorite characters in any book I have ever read are in here.
I was asked once what characters I would love to spend time with and Master Robbinton from the Pern novels is top on my list.
If you want to dive into Pern this is the 3rd in the group but not a bad place to start

The Greatest Quest

I have read this 4-5 times. Each time I have enjoyed it.
I enjoy the simple writing style of the Yorgason brothers.
I know this has had some Internet nay sayers saying that this is not based on any true story. I don't know or care.
This is a story about a group of friends trying to find the true Church based on items they found in the Bible.

I recommend this book and the study of the list of "points" at the back.

Kingdom Keepers 1: Disney after Dark

I had this on my epub disc of books. As I started to read it I found it somewhat simple and flat. I then found out it is for ages 9-12. Still not a reason to have it be simple in plot I think.
But, I enjoyed this book. Just the idea that after the parks close that the characters are alive in Disney World is wonderful. (Especially to the mind of a 11 year old Disney fan I think)
The idea that bad characters are bad etc is great.
I plan on reading the rest of the series.

John's Story:The Last Eyewitness

I was not sure what to expect from this book. I have read the entire left behind set of books and enjoyed them. I do not agree with all the details but it is still a good read.
This book, I thought, was to be a novel on the life of John the apostle.
It did part of that taking place when John is in his 90's.
I found the parts of a struggling Church and how apostasy was creeping in very interesting.
What I did not enjoy as much was that 50% of the book seemed word for word from the New Testament.
It never hurts to read scripture but i had expected more.
He has 3 more books in this set covering Matthew, Mark and Luke. I have them all on CD so will give them a listen but not too quickly I think.

The Postman

Not sure what I expected when I started this book. I had seen the movie and somewhat enjoyed the plot of it.
This book is different from the movie.
The plot was good, the characters I found that I cared for.
The author did some fore shadowing that really bothered me until the end when it was explained and then it made sense.
When I read a book about life after the end of the world has come I put it in 2 different spots.
1. it is fantasy and full of imagination or
2. it is sort of real life and how would I fit in.
This book was more of #2. Although the whole genetic engineering made me want to skim over parts.
Over all a good use of my time in reading it.

Behold the Man

I was slightly disappointed in this book. I have read the other 2 in the trilogy as well as the authors massive Church History novels.
I found myself not caring about the characterers as much.
At times it sounded rushed yet boring. I enjoyed the personal insight into Christs day to day dealings and how the author had written some of the miracles...raising of Lazarus as an example. But then fond my attention wandering as we had to go into the characters holding hands and their simple dialogue.
I do not know if he was rushed to get this done or tired of the characters but it was not as good as the other 2 books in my opinion.
But if you have read the other 2 you need to finish out the story and read this one.

Born of Elven Blood

I was disappointed in this book. The characters seemed flat, the story had some good points but they never seemed to be fleshed out.
The ending leaves one wanting to read the next book but as you think of what you just went through you decide to pass.
The plot was typical YA fantasy. Girl from this world goes through  a gateway to a Elven world bah blah

Hope the youth have better choices out there

The Great and Terrible Vol. 1 - Prologue: The Brothers

I was not really impressed with this book. I had such high hopes that it would be wonderful that may be why I was disappointed when it was not.
It did give me a few thoughts on the war in the premortal life.
Some of the reasons the authors has for his characters to choose Satan are valid(at least to them) and I can see the real life comparisons.
I will read more on the series since I have heard this is the weakest book.
I applaud the author for going where few have dared and write fiction starting in the premortal life.

At the Earth's Core

This is pure, escapist, set your current knowledge aside, type of read.
Having said that, I enjoyed the book. I know that the rest of the series becomes better (at least I remember it that way)
This is Burroughs doing what he does, write a story that will let your mind disappear. Back when this was first printed there were no movie special effects, 3D screens, no ipods or MP4 movies and one of the ways to escape was to dive into this type of read.

No one writes like Burroughs, at least in my mind.

Young Robin Hood

Popular children's book about the young Robin Hood, first published in 1899.
Considering the time this was written I found it a fun read. As I ended each page I found myself thinking how great this would be to read aloud to children.
Written way before ipods, MTV and Disney Channel this reads with good description.
A story about the son of the Sheriff that is lost in the forest and found and raised for a year by Robin and his men.
I have read a lot of the Robin Hood stories but had never come across this one or even a hint of it.
A short fun read.