Average customer rating:
- Not Free SF Reader
- The Good, the Bad, and the Assassin
- Eh... not that great
- Two completely skippable books
- One good, one bad as Vlad takes a new direction
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The Book of Athyra
Steven Brust
Manufacturer: Ace Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Brust, Steven
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Similar Items:
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The Book of Taltos
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The Book of Jhereg (Vlad Taltos)
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Dragon (Vlad)
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Dzur (Vlad)
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Sethra Lavode (V of A)
ASIN: 0441010105
Release Date: 2003-02-04 |
Book Description
The new two-in-one omnibus featuring two classic novels of Vlad Taltos and his winged jhereg companions-Athyra and Orca.
Vlad Taltos is a sorcerer and assassin without peer-as deadly at spell casting as he is with sword wielding. Accompanying him on his journeys are two leathery-winged jhereg who share a telepathic link with Vlad--and triple his chances against even the most powerful of enemies...
In Athyra, Vlad finds he's ready to retire himself and his jhereg companions, but the biggest hitters of the House of the Jhereg have something else in mind. In Orca, Vlad must repay a debt to a boy who saved his life-even if it means breaking a scandal big enough to bring down the House of the Orca, and possibly the entire Empire.
Customer Reviews:
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03
This is an omnibus containing two books, Athyra and Orca.
Vlad has been living the wandering life for a couple of years, not being a a iller and just generally trying to keep himself together.
He meets a young apprentice, and decides to teach him a few things, for his own reasons. However, his past Jhereg life catches up with him, and he and the boy Savn are put to the test to get out of it alive.
3.5 out of 5
Kiera the Thief is friends with Cawti, Vlad's estranged wife. She wants to know what he is up to, so Kiera fills her in, and a large part of the book has to deal with Kiera, and who she really is.
Vlad is trying to get help for Savn from a local woman named Mother. She agrees, if Vlad will look into her own problem.
He takes her up on the deal Vlad ends up in a private investigator type role, looking into some Orca financial skullduggery that could have very serious ramifications. This he does with Kiera's help.
4 out of 5
The Good, the Bad, and the Assassin.......2006-12-02
The interesting thing about Steven Brust and his writing is how he has a completely different style for each story or series he writes (Read the Khaavren series, or 'To Reign in Hell', or everything he has written). With 'Athyra' and 'Orca', he actually changes style within a series.
'Athyra' picks up where 'Phoenix' ends. Phoenix, however, had a much more maudlin ending, with our hero leaving his friends and family behind. It makes sense that, for most of this book, and continuing in 'Orca', a depressing air hangs over the characters, but Vlad slowly comes to terms with who and what he is, and the final exchange between Vlad and Keira that ends 'Orca' shows some of his old wit returning.
These two tales aren't quite the 'stand alone' novels the rest of the series is made of, but well worth the read, just to keep you up to date on all things Dragaeran. By the way the books are titled, one hopes the series will run for eighteen volumes, but only time will tell.
Eh... not that great.......2006-07-29
This book must have been a re-issue of the individual books. This one has Orca and Athrya.
Not a starting point for anyone.
In fact, it's hard to say what exactly the starting point is since the author gives a different opinion on where to start as well.
These two books take the main character, Vlad, out of his usual role. In fact, he's almost a backup character in these books. I found myself getting bored quickly and just plodded through these two books looking for an adventure that wasn't there.
And I did like some of the others ones. Just not this.
Two completely skippable books.......2005-10-06
in one collection - very convenient! The rest of the Taltos series is excellent, but these two books lost their way. I did not enjoy changing from Vlad's POV (he's most of the fun!) in Athyra, and Orca is just DULL DULL DULL. I'm pleased that I can avoid buying this book, without really missing any major story points as we pick up the original banter and characters in Issola.
One good, one bad as Vlad takes a new direction.......2003-06-13
I wrote full reviews for each book. In brief
Athyra-4 stars, a nice book from an innocent's viewpoint about Vlad.
Orca-2 stars, a dull book about financial swindles.
In full:
Athyra-I have not enjoyed a Vlad book as much as this once since the first three. Switching the narrative away from Vlad was a refreshing, and necessary move to invigorate the story.
Savn, an innocent Dragaeran youth is a wonderfully sympathetic character studying to be a physicker when Vlad arrives at his town. He befriends Vlad and begins to find himself ostracized from his friends for hanging around the Easterner. Once he helps Vlad with his injuries there is no turning back.
Through Savn's eyes we get to see a vulnerable Vlad, a hurting Vlad without the cockiness, one who is rethinking virtually everything about his life, life in general and the universe. We see Savn grow through meeting the challenges of befriending Vlad, his sister also and we see Vlad changed and changing from the flippant assassin.
The pace is relaxed, without being slow, and builds to a climactic ending with consequences for everyone. A very well done effort from Brust, it was almost like reading about Vlad for the first time due to the change of viewpoint.
Orca-In this plodding tale of Vlad, much talking is done about a banking financial swindle happening. Like Vlad investigates Enron, but not that much fun. In order to help Savn, who saved Vlad previously Vlad must help out an old lady with the power to possibly heal Savn. This leads to the investigation of the financial swindle.
Vlad and Kiera play Joe Hardy and Nancy Drew, except again, it really isn't that fun. The book is dialog heavy and as exciting as my accounting textbook, maybe less so.
As others have said, the revelation in the last 10 pages is the only payoff for reading the book. Not worth it in my opinion.
Product Description
Two further adventures of Vlad Taltos in one volume by the author of The Book of Taltos.
Customer Reviews:
Book of Athyra.......2005-09-27
Had to acquire the hardbound books as I had read the complete series in paperback.
Part of the Vlad Taltos-Jhereg series. Excellent adult/mature teen entertainment.
Customer Reviews:
100% Formulaic.......2006-01-16
First, let me clarify that is from the Media Scholar's wife. What's good about this book is its' price: it's cheap. You get two stories for the price of one. Another 'good' point is, I've read worse. What the back cover doesn't tell you is that both stories are part of a series and are completely connected (which I, as a reader, don't love). I can live with that, though. Unfortunately, the similarities don't end there. Along with having the same characters, it has virtually the same plot. It is 100% predictable. Even the same endearments and phrases are used. I don't know about you, but when I buy a book I expect there to be some creativity involved, not just recycled stories. If you have a favorite plot line and enjoy series/soap operas, then this book may be for you. Another book by Diana Palmer, Bound by Honor, is practically the same as this one. Amazon is even trying to sell them both to you at the same time. Lucky me, I read them back to back. Can't you tell what a fantastic idea that was?!?!?!? I most likely will not read another written by this author. Big surprise there, eh?
Average customer rating:
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Deicide: Path of the Dead - Book #1 (Deicide)
Carlos Portela
Manufacturer: Humanoids - Rebellion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Comics & Graphic Novels
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General
| Graphic Novels
| Comics & Graphic Novels
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Fantasy
| Graphic Novels
| Comics & Graphic Novels
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General
| Fantasy
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
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| Books
ASIN: 1401203639 |
Book Description
Back by popular demand -- and newly updated by the author -- the mega-bestselling spiritual guide in which Marianne Williamson shares her reflections on A Course in Miracles and her insights on the application of love in the search for inner peace.
Williamson reveals how we each can become a miracle worker by accepting God and by the expression of love in our daily lives. Whether psychic pain is in the area of relationships, career, or health, she shows us how love is a potent force, the key to inner peace, and how by practicing love we can make our own lives more fulfilling while creating a more peaceful and loving world for our children.
Customer Reviews:
I did NOT like this book.......2007-09-28
This book was recommended by a friend. He told me he recommends this book to his friends. I ordered the book and read it. The author has written of her own personal lifes experiences: At a young age she was into a wild life-style which is not uncommon for young adults. She stated that because of her life-style, she never felt very happy or fulfilled in many ways. Then...voila! She decided to find god....something 'greater than herself' to help her out. The entire book, in my opinion, is nothing but prosyletizing.... It's certainly not a book I would even suggest to any one I know---believers or not. She wrote of her own, very personal experiences....period. That's fine, I suppose, in and of itself. But... I wouldn't even want to give the book to a stranger.....I put it in with all my paper recycling.
All Time Favorite.......2007-08-31
This book is my all time favorite! I have read it multiple times and often open it and read whatever page I open to. It is always relevant to my life, relationships and spiritual growth. Marianne Williamson is blessed with an insight, personal understanding and awareness that bring the Course in Miracles to our everyday experience.
A must read for "Miracle- Workers".......2007-08-13
"A Return to Love" is a clear and fluent spiritual love story. Marianne Williamson takes the principles from "A Course in Miracles," and makes them accessible through explanations, anecdotes, personal experiences and simple metaphors that reveal the spiritual journey, one which is quite simply a conscious journey to turn from fear and return to love. I found this book life changing. It is inspiring and motivating. I loved it.
a return to love.......2007-08-09
good book. i love the way marianne expresses herself and her experiences which helped me, again, to realize that i'm not alone and that love is all there is.
Another self proclaimed spiritual teacher........2007-08-01
An anecdotal story. When I lived in Michigan Williamson was the spiritual leader of a church I attended. Williamson would speak with insight and wisdom on numerous subjects yet was unable to merge her talk with her action. While she often commented on environmental issues she continued to drive an appalling gas guzzler, while she spoke eloquently about the poor, she also happened to live in a mansion, while she provided social political commentary, she also supported Democrats who were bought and paid for by corporations and refused to give equal time to progressive Green candidates, while she noted the disparity between rich and poor, she nevertheless wore Armani gowns and $300.00 dollar shoes. Williamson talks the talk, the problem was a annoying matter of embodiment.
I often read commentaries by Williamson on other spiritual authors books. She uses words like "awakener" and "enlighten" often to characterize these people; the problem with her characterizations says more about the blind leading the blind than it says about anything else. The word the best fits is PollyAnnish to describe her world view as she disseminates her eco-la-la love conquers all routine to the choir of disciples. Williams level of praxis seeks to insure that her photo is on the cover of most of her books followed by a stage big enough to satisfy her monumental ego.
Personally, I would rather read a spiritual book by someone who walks their talk; Williamson is not anywhere near that category of praxis. And I doubt she ever will be.
Average customer rating:
- title doesn't disappoint
- Unique Cookbook
- My favorite cook-book
- An International Taste Treat
- Kirchner is a Flavor Philosopher
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The Bold Vegetarian: 150 Inspired International Recipes
B. Kirchner
Manufacturer: Morrow Cookbooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Baking
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
International
| Regional & International
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
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General
| Vegetables & Vegetarian
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
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Natural Foods
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
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ASIN: 0060950560 |
Amazon.com
This is true fusion cooking, mixing elements of Vietnamese, Portuguese, Turkish, Italian, French, Chinese, Indian, and American cuisines. Italian tortellini is tossed with Thai curry paste and coconut milk. Kale-Apple Soup brings together earthy Chinese and tart American ingredients. Sweet-and-Sour Cabbage seems German, but features an Indian Peanut Sauce. Greek orzo is mixed with raisins, onions, and garlic and stuffed into a New England maple squash.
Book Description
Filled with more than 150 recipes, this vegetarian cookbook integrates a variety of ethnic influences to provide an exciting array of innovative dishes.
Customer Reviews:
title doesn't disappoint.......2006-05-03
Here's the true test for the quality of a vegetable recipe: transcendance. You're looking for nothing less. Cabbage should taste like cabbage but also like something divine, and unimaginably delicious.
Don't like cabbage? Oh, you will. Try the Cool-Hot Cabbage (a thai green curry type dish with coconut milk). The best Napa Cabbage in the world is waiting for you. And Beans with Fancy Toppings are delicious too...
Unique Cookbook.......2003-01-04
This cookbook is for people who want to mix and match food from around the world. It will guide people who are interested in experimentation but need some guidance for what foods to combine. My family's favorites are the German-Thai peanut cabbage, the baked couscous with saffron, the Iranian tofu stew, and the kale-apple soup (among others). I would highly recommend it to vegetarians (especially those who are bored with the same old same old) and to anyone who is interested in truly international food.
The recipes are clear and well written, and will add another level of creativity to your cooking--even when not making a recipe from the book. One thing I appreciate most is the variations at the end of each recipe; there are both vegan and meat-eating suggestions. She also does a good job suggesting menus, if you need help deciding which dishes to combine. Best of all, most of the recipes are very healthy and will help work protein, fiber, and veggies into your food.
This is my favorite cookbook in terms of innovation and ideas. It will change the way you cook.
My favorite cook-book.......2002-08-05
I use this cookbook everyday. It is hands down my favorite. Interesing yummy recepies, low fat.. everything I want in a cook book. I'd give it 6 stars if you had them!
marie
An International Taste Treat.......2001-06-01
Bharti Kirchner has the right credentials for this kind of book: she is extremely talented in the cuisine of her native Bengal (see THE HEALTHY CUISINE OF INDIA), as well as a cookbook author who has traveled widely and grained widely from her travels (see INDIAN INSPIRED). As she did with her two earlier cookbooks, Kirchner goes to great lengths to explain her ingredients and methods to an American audience. Her food is innovative, interesting, reasonably easy to make, and great fun to eat. For vegetarians tired of "the same old thing," this book is just the ticket to new culinary adventures!
Kirchner is a Flavor Philosopher.......2000-01-05
I buy and read a lot of cookbooks. When you read a lot about food many recipes can seem obvious and uninteresting. Bharti Kirchner manages to combine and recombine flavors in so many interesting and new ways that it is almost impossible not to become excited and start running for the spice cabinet while you are reading. Her willingness to experiment with fusion cuisine cannot help but infect and inspire your own cooking. Some of the recipes are long and involved but i find that you can refine the flavor concepts down to their essential elements and make these recipes quicker and easier.
Book Description
The wisdom of the upper Midwest is found in the minds and hearts of the people who live there. Wisdom is expressed in the stories that people tell of earlier days and earlier times. Stories of happiness and hard work. Stories of hardship and joy. As rural people tell their stories, remember these tales, for in these stories are the values and beliefs that have been passed on from generation to generation, and make the upper Midwest what it is today. Some bits of country wisdom: -The two most important things we can give our children are roots as deep as a giant oak’s, and wings as strong as an eagle’s. -Work is never done, so take time to play. -Living to accumulate money is not living. -When you hear the flocks of migrating Canada geese each spring and fall, look upward. See the grace and beauty, cooperation and respect. Noted author Jerry Apps collected these oft spoken phrases, observations, comments, and conundrums. Together with photographs by his son, Steve Apps, staff photographer for the ""Wisconsin State Journal"", the statements lend humorous, touching, unique glimpses into country life in the upper Midwest. About the Author: Apps is also the author of Voyageur Press’s ""Every Farm Tells a Story,"" ""Country Ways and Country Days,"" ""Humor from the Country,"" and ""When Chores Were Done."" His father, Herman Apps, is shown on the front cover.
Book Description
This value-packed paperback provides a wealth of practical advice on how to use paint and wallpaper throughout the home, and offers a stunning array of finished rooms for inspiration. Each chapter features a series of photographs showing different color schemes and textures, all filled with the timeless appeal of Laura Ashley designs and color.
Illustrations.
Book Description
In one imaginative and beautifully presented volume, the genius of House Beautiful unfolds—in a “class” that teaches the eye to see and understand décor in an inspiring new way.
Take a class with House Beautiful’s teachers! All the design know-how anyone needs to decorate a new home or redo an old house is right in this one-stop, all-encompassing, lushly photographed, and brilliantly conceived volume. Everything from wonderful home basics and working with space to the art of color and perfect patterns to the absolute essentials for floors, windows, walls, and lighting is here. In addition to presenting fundamental decorating principles, this unequalled reference looks at different styles, such as Country, Modern, and Seaside; suggests ways of adding drama to a space or period grandeur; and leads you on an inspirational idea-filled walk through the house, analyzing options for every room. Eye-opening pictures of beautiful interiors reveal how to fill even the smallest bedroom with simple comfort, showcase architectural features, make the best use of soft furnishings, and much, much more. Each page brims with bright ideas for every nook and cranny.
A Main Selection of the Homestyle Book Club.
Book Description
New from the editor of the pioneering EDUCATION OF . . . series, this benchmark collection of fifty essays and interviews provides students and working designers with a firm understanding of the pitfalls and triumphs awaiting the design entrepreneur. Designers recount their motives for setting out on their own and reflect on the degree to which their creative spirit has been satisfied by entrepreneurial freedom-in areas ranging from book, Web site, and home product design to golf course development and entertainment design. Contributors such as Byron Glaser and Sandra Higashi, Eric Zimmerman, Rudy VanderLans, and others reveal that entrepreneurship is not simply a designer's ticket to liberation-it can also be a labyrinth of clerical tasks and manufacturing nightmares. This collection provides candid anecdotes and no-frills advice for any designer ready to brave the trials and rewards of entrepreneurship.
Customer Reviews:
Could be more useful and inspiring.......2007-08-29
This is a book that has more potential than it realised. Reading it I found it a bit light weight and short on usefulness. Well written.
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