The Valley of the Squinting Windows

Book Description

Michael A. Stackpole--New York Times bestselling author and master of epic fantasy--continues his unforgettable chronicle of a world divided by war, betrayal, desire, and two rival magicks... When Dragons Rage.

As her merciless armies sweep from the north, the tyrant Chytrine pursues her quest to become empress of the world in a brutal campaign of unspeakable bloodshed and unholy sorcery. While cities and kingdoms topple, her agents, both living and dead, search for fragments of the shattered DragonCrown--which, when reassembled, will make her unstoppable.

Opposing Chytrine is the beautiful and determined Alexia, Princess of Okrannel. As she struggles to save the life of Kedyn’s Crow, a mysterious human warrior accused of treachery, she gathers around her an alliance of unlikely heroes, including Resolute, an exiled Vorquelf out for vengeance; Kerrigan Reese, a mage with uncertain potential; and last but not least, young Will, an orphan thief from the slums of Yslin, who may be the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy--or its innocent victim. Alexia and her friends will need all their courage and magick, their only advantage the secret possession of a vital fragment of the DragonCrown. But when Chytrine’s terrifying horde of cruel warriors, voracious minions, and remorseless undead slaves join the battle against them, even courage and magick may not be enough to stem the tide of ultimate darkness.

From the Trade Paperback edition.

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As her merciless armies sweep from the north, the tyrant Chytrine pursues her quest to become empress of the world in a brutal campaign of unspeakable bloodshed and unholy sorcery. While cities and kingdoms topple, her agents, both living and dead, search for fragments of the shattered DragonCrown -- which, when reassembled, will make her unstoppable.

Opposing Chytrine is the beautiful and determined Alexia, Princess of Okrannel. As she struggles to save the life of Kedyn's Crow, a mysterious human warrior accused of treachery, she gathers around her an alliance of unlikely heroes, including Resolute, an exiled Vorquelf out for vengeance; Kerrigan Reese, a mage with uncertain potential; and last but not least, young Will, an orphan thief from the slums of Yslin, who may be the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy -- or its innocent victim.

Alexia and her friends will need all their courage and magick, their only advantage the secret possession of a vital fragment of the DragonCrown. But when Chytrine's terrifying horde of cruel warriors, voracious minions, and remorseless undead slaves join the battle against them, even courage and magick may not be enough to stem the tide of ultimate darkness.

Customer Reviews:

Against the norm.......2006-07-06

I'm gonna have to go against the norm here and say that this novel wasn't so great. I found myself forcing my way through the pages, not eagerly turning them to find out what happens next to all of these characters.

I found the use of adverbs by Mr. Stackpole agonizing and really detractory from the overall writing. Granted, Mr. Stackpole has used a great number of these in the previous two novels of this series, but in this book, they just seemed to stand out more, and with each one, as the toll of wasted words grew greater and greater, I found myself disliking this novel more and more.

Mr. Stackpole also has the uncanny ability to make every piece of dialogue as corny and uncomfortable as possible.It seemed like everyone was professing their love for one another and doing it in the most forward and unrealistic fashion. Maybe if only one of the characters did this and it was apart of their personality, then it would have been fine. But all of them? And all like they were third graders at recess playing husband and wife? No. That's unbelievable.

However, I do have to give Mr. Stackpole credit, like every other reader who has read his stuff, that he can really write a battle sequence. In most, I actually felt like I was there, fighting along side our heroes. However, maybe I was just rejoicing in the fact that I wasn't being force-fed another corny line of love and happiness.

Overall, this novel was not so stellar. But, if you like good action sequences, there are ones here that are few and far between, but are sure worth the wait once you get to them. Two and half stars.

excellent battles and character development [no spoilers].......2004-06-10

"When Dragons Rage" is the second novel in The DragonCrown War Cycle series approximately one generation following "The Dark Glory War" prelude novel. It is an impressive book filled with creative battles, detailed descriptions, and interesting characters.

The progressions of Kerrigan and Wilburforce throughout the book are remarkable, especially the combat improvements by the two youngsters. The camaraderie between Resolute and Kedyn's Crow isn't as dominate as in the prior volume but is complimented with a romantic relationship delivering less fighting, which I find slightly disappointing. Given the audacious origin of General Androgans, he is one of my favorite characters, implementing impressive strategies and tactics.

Characters and countries overwhelmed me by the end of the novel and a glossary would have been worthwhile along with a more detailed map of the significant terrains.

I highly recommend this series to any fan of the fantasy genre and look forward to reading the final novel.

Thank you.

Hardly any Raging Dragons, but still a good book.......2004-03-28

If you are looking for Raging Dragons, this isn't the book for you. While dragons do make a cameo appearance at the end of the novel, they do not rage. However, don't let that stop you from reading this wonderful book, the second in the series. If you have not read, "Fortress Draconis", please do so before reading this book or you'll be totally lost. There is a "prequel" to this story call "Dark, Glory War", which I have not read, and have not felt that I'm missing anything by not reading it. Start with Fortress Draconis and move on from there.

The author is clearly improving as a writer with this novel. His story moves along at great pace and there's hardly a dull moment. He is obviously not writing a Jordanesque series that will last for all time without coming to an end, so that is very good. What would take Jordan four books to write, Stackpole takes care of in four chapters. It's a fun read, goes by quick and is a perfect light read if you are interested in a good fantasy story full of swords, sorcery and those omnipresent bad "orc" like characters that are so easy to kill but seem to be endless in numbers!! The bad guys are bad, the good guys are good, all the women are beautiful and the action doesn't stop.

While I enjoyed the novel, I was a little annoyed at some frequently used plot contrivances, such as the "Innocent, Ignorant, Beautiful Girl who Lives with the Bad People but Doesn't Know They Are Bad", as well as what will prove to be a trick ending designed to annoy some people. There's also a rather awkward and unnecessary "May-December" romance, which does not make a whole lot of sense except that the girl may be looking for a father figure. Outside of that, great book, enjoy it.

Continues to Develop Brilliantly.......2003-12-27

Michael Stackpole has done a splendid job of not writing a filler in a trilogy. This book has stunning plot twists, great action when needed, and breaks for breathing and thought when needed. The story moves along realistically yet with all the elements you'd expect from a good fantasy epic. Stackpole has also devoted energy to developing the characters further despite all the action going on. Well done.

Great fun!!!.......2003-12-06

Excellent novel. This is the 3rd novel in the serious (including the prequel). It has some interesting developments which I will not ruin for any readers. In my opinion, this is best series written by Mr. Stackpole. He has not let up on the pace and detail which is good.

When Dragons Rage: Book Two of the Dragoncrown War Cycle

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When Dragons Rage: Book Two of the Dragoncrown War Cycle
Michael A. Stackpole
Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Epic | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

Solidly above average.

STNG #36 Into the Nebula - An unexpected hero!

ST-TNG: Into the Nebula

Into the Boredom of Uninterestingness

A Definate biggie

Into the Nebula (Star Trek The Next Generation, No 36)
Gene DeWeese
Manufacturer: Star Trek
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

DeWeese, Gene | ( D ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Star Trek | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Next Generation | Star Trek | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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The Romulan Stratagem (Star Trek The Next Generation, No 35)

ASIN: 0671894536

Book Description

INTO THE NEBULA

While exploring an unknown region of space, the U.S.S. Enterprise™ encounters a strange nebular dust. Upon further investigation, they discover a planet called Krantin on which the plant and animal life, as well as the civilization are dying.

A series of explosions and a ship that simply disappears into thin air lead the crew to believe another group is causing the devastation of the planet. The leader of the planet's society, however, is wary of trusting the Starship Enterprise™ crewmembers, and has the away team arrested. With time running out, Data must find a way to save his crewmates or watch as two worlds are destroyed.

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The U.S.S. Enterprise discovers a planet called Krantin on which the plant and animal life, as well as the civilization, are dying. The leader of the planet is wary of trusting the Starship Enterprise (tm) crewmembers, and has them arrested. With time running out, Data must find a way to save his crewmates or watch as two worlds are destroyed. Original.

Customer Reviews:

Solidly above average........2007-05-24

Not a GREAT Star Trek story, but a solidly above average one; decent plot, good characterization, good pacing, competently written. Moderately amusing plot twist to solve the main issue. Nothing spectacular, but well above the mid-point for the genre.

STNG #36 Into the Nebula - An unexpected hero!.......2003-11-08

Strangely enough, this was the last Star Trek title released by this author. This is especially disconcerting when taking into consideration that Gene DeWeese could write such an outstanding novel that entails Data's cat Spot becoming the hero of the novel! I found the author's writing style to be very fast paced and highly intriguing, lending to a very quick read.

The cover art for this novel is pretty much standard fare for the time in which it was published.

The premise:

The Enterprise encounters a strange nebular dust while exploring an unknown region of space. Within this nebular cloud they discover a planet called Krantin, where "all" life on the planet is dying. After a series of explosions and a ship disappearing into thin air, Captain Picard and crew begin to believe there is another group that is behind the destruction.

The leader of the planet believes the Enterprise and her crew are behind the plot against them and has the away team arrested. As time is running out Data and believe it or not, Spot must find a way to save their crewmates and the planet.

This is a highly intriguing and fun STNG novel to read and I highly recommend it to all fans of the Star Trek fiction genre. {ssintrepid}

ST-TNG: Into the Nebula.......2003-04-20

Star Trek-The Next Generation: Into the Nebula written by Gene DeWeese is a well-written action-adventure book. The star in this book is Spot, Data's cat. If you like cats and are a cat person you'll love the Star Trek adventure.

This book is an ongoing space adventure as the Enterprise and her crew are on a routine exploring mission. When the Enterprise encounters some strange nebular dust. Upon further investigation, a planet known as Krantin is discovered, but something is unusual as the flora and fauna are dying and the Enterprise crew starts to investigate as to the cause.

In this story Data must find a way to save the Enterprise crew from certain disaster, but time is running out... as worlds are being destroyed Data is the only hope... but Spot plays a stellar role in this book. The book was exciting to read and kept my intrest and I just loved Spot's roll.

This book was good entertainment and was fun to read.

Into the Boredom of Uninterestingness.......2001-03-06

An uninteresting, totaly predictaple plot, the same kind of ending (if not worse...), no character development... This wasn't one of the best books, but it held fairly well with good writing, an interesting idea (although poorly handled), and 'screentime' for many characters, including the greatly ignored cat, Spot. It's worth one read, I think, but nothing you'll remember later.

A Definate biggie.......1999-04-21

A great book.The two parallel universes really kept me confused for a while.And Spot,cute as ever(esp. if you're a cat person like me)totally steals the show.One of the great ones.Recommended.

Average customer rating:

Into The Slave Nebula

Manufacturer: Millington
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Into the Slave Nebula

Manufacturer: Corgi Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Into the Slave Nebula
John Brunner
Manufacturer: New York Lancer 19.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N17RZW

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Into the Slave Nebula
John Brunner
Manufacturer: Lancer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KOHMWK

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Into the slave nebula
John Brunner
Manufacturer: Lancer Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B00005XJ0E

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Into the Slave Nebula

Manufacturer: Lancer Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000HFM8ZS

Star Trek the Next Generation, Into the Nebula (#36)

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Star Trek the Next Generation, Into the Nebula (#36)
Gene. Deweese
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

6 Titles in Star Trek the Next Generation Series - 32 Thru 37 - Requiem - Balance of Power - Blaze of Glory - Romulan Stratagem - Into the Nebula - Last Stand

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6 Titles in Star Trek the Next Generation Series - 32 Thru 37 - Requiem - Balance of Power - Blaze of Glory - Romulan Stratagem - Into the Nebula - Last Stand
multiple authors
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Product Description

6 massmarket paperback Titles in Star Trek the Next Generation Series - 32 Thru 37 - Requiem - Balance of Power - Blaze of Glory - Romulan Stratagem - Into the Nebula - Last Stand

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Silent Words Loudly Spoken: Church Sign Sayings

Manufacturer: CSS Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Church Administration | Ministry & Church Leadership | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Your Church Sign

ASIN: 078802342X

Customer Reviews:

Good but on the beginners side of cake decorating.......2003-03-01

This book was good as far as the sculpturing, but the over all designs were some what childish.

Average customer rating:

The Brontosaurus Birthday Cake
Robert McCrum
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster (Juv)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0671507621

Sammy Bakes a Cake (Dinosaur Playhouse: Talkabout Stories)

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Sammy Bakes a Cake (Dinosaur Playhouse: Talkabout Stories)
David Anstey
Manufacturer: HarperCollins Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Scholastic Inc.(The Fairytale Cake)(The Deep Blue Sea: A Book of Colors)(Beastly Bath)(Nacho and Lolita)(Cinderella)(If You Decide to Go to the Moon)(The ... An article from: Children's Bookwatch

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Scholastic Inc.(The Fairytale Cake)(The Deep Blue Sea: A Book of Colors)(Beastly Bath)(Nacho and Lolita)(Cinderella)(If You Decide to Go to the Moon)(The ... An article from: Children's Bookwatch
Gale Reference Team
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Online Books | Books & Reading | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Science & Technology | Subjects | e-Docs | Formats | Books
ASIN: B000FFJDC6
Release Date: 2007-07-27

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Children's Bookwatch, published by Thomson Gale on December 1, 2005. The length of the article is 509 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Scholastic Inc.(The Fairytale Cake)(The Deep Blue Sea: A Book of Colors)(Beastly Bath)(Nacho and Lolita)(Cinderella)(If You Decide to Go to the Moon)(The Knight Who Took All Day)(If Dogs were Dinosaurs)(Eating Up Gladys)(Children's review)(Book review)
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication: Children's Bookwatch (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Page: NA

Article Type: Book review, Children's review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

The most complete history and information ever published on this glass. The majority of photographs are full color featuring cut glass, oven ware, art glass, and kitchenware. 1998 values. AUTHORBIO: The H.C. Fry Glass Society, located in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, published the Collector's Encyclopedia of Fry Glassware in 1990, with the help of several dedicated members. REVIEW: This book pays tribute to Henry Clay Fry, founder of the H.C. Fry Glass Company. A detailed company history is provided, as well as sections on cut glass products, Fry etched glass, colored glass, ovenglass and kitchenware, specialties and novelty glass, reproduction Fry, rare and unusual pieces, and catalog reprints.

Customer Reviews:

Collector's Encyclopedia of Fry Glassware.......2000-06-14

This is one great book! One every collector and dealer will want to own! Not only is it packed full of wonderful photos of this beautiful Glassware, it also has a complete History of this wonderful Glass, as well as current values! It's a Must Have for anyone who Loves Fry Glassware!

Amazon.com

Author Tahira Lewis says, "Change your life. Pick up a brush and paint." That's the kind of basic, yet joyful and hopeful message she brings to the fun and fulfillment of decorative painting. Using this book as a guide, you will change your life not only visibly, with your painting projects, but emotionally as you make some of your fantasies real and tangible. Divided into four main sections, "Materials & Techniques," "Round Brush," "Flat Brush," and "Classic Painting," the author's enthusiasm and encouragement will guide anyone who feels they "can't draw" or that "some people have the gift and some don't" into a whole new sense of personal skill and artfulness. Full of designs and projects, all of which can be customized, personalized, or improvised upon (and the author certainly encourages all of those), this is a great new book about a traditional craft and art that will allow the beginner, with practice and experimentation, to create family heirlooms out of everyday objects. It is beautifully illustrated with color photographs and hand drawings throughout. --Mark A. Hetts

Decorative Painting Techniques and Designs for Transforming Everyday Objects

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Decorative Painting Techniques and Designs for Transforming Everyday Objects

Manufacturer: Hand Books Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0965824802

Product Description

Distributed by North Light Books.

Amazon.com

The Osborne & Little design concepts grew from the swinging '60s, when innovation was the watchword of the day. Updated for the 1990s, the look has mellowed and matured but retains a tiny bit of the raffishness of its wilder years. There's something to suit everyone--everyone, that is, with an inclination for a sort of toned-down grandeur, whether it's in a spacious city flat or the country cottages of Antony Little and Peter Osborne themselves.

The Osborne & Little look is embodied in fabulous wallpapers and fabrics, and this book displays a dizzying assortment of patterns in some decidedly unusual combinations. There are also "quieter" rooms, with creamy walls, tasteful prints, and cushy furniture, for those who prefer a more traditional decorating approach. There's nothing particularly innovative about the design advice here, but it's not too fluffy, and the pictures are pleasant, making Osborne & Little Style a great coffee-table book for the well-heeled design maven.

House & Garden

The firm's principles are tried and true: accents of bright color to jazz up neutral fabrics; bold wallpaper patterns for large-proportioned spaces...This is an aesthetic of abundance, dressed for success.

Customer Reviews:

Great pictures, interesting text.......2000-07-13

This book chronicles the products from Osborne & Little's company, providing some commentary about why and how they have done things. Many of the pictures come from their homes rather than from designers who have used their products with rich clients or in show homes. I found it fascinating to see inside the homes of the men who have lead this great design company, and to see how they have used their own products! The text is informative -- so many design books write things you can see for yourself in the pictures. After reading the text, I started to see much more in the pictures, which is my idea of a very good design book.

Great pictures, interesting text.......2000-07-13

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