Book Description

Lief, Barda, and Jasmine continue their perilous quest to recover the seven lost gems of the magic belt of Deltora. Now they must begin their search for the fourth stone, which is hidden in a shimmering, barren waste and kept jealously by an unknown guardian. Separation, confusion, and strange, terrible enemies await them in the ordeal of the Shifting Sands. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

GOTTA READ BOOK!
This book is great! I think that the author (Emily Rodda)does an awsome job with discription. I could see the setting, the characters, and the enemies in my head. This is the fourth of eight books in the series. This book is for the reading level of a fifth or sixth grader. If you love adventurous fantasy books this is the one for you!Overall its an awsome book.

You Won't Put It Down!
This book deserves 50 stars...it is even better than Harry Potter! In this book, Leif, Barda, and Jasmine will face Sand Beasts and the dreaded Hive. You will love this book if you like adventure, fantasy, and monsters. This is the 4th book in the series of Deltora Quest. Read them all!!!

The fourth gem
The party of three is traveling to the Shifting Sands for the fourth gem, when they decide to enter the Rithmere Games. Great food and housing for practically free. They wonder why all of Deltora isn't entering. They find out the hard way. The Games are a fighting game, with nothing prohibited. Jasmine comes out Champion, while Lief and Barda are finalists. Now they have enough money to fund the rest of their trip, but when they are tricked, what will happen? By help of a stranger called Doom, they are able to continue to the Shifting Sands, where many new dangers await them.

How whoud you like to be in a desert full of monsters?
Lief, Barda and Jasmine left the city of rats in flames, they have to go to the Shifting Sands. I liked it because the gradian is with them at all times. The Gery Guards fellow them in to The Shfiting Sands. Lief most be brave to risk his life for Del.

Dragonlance for the younger crowd!
This series of books not only made my 4th grader who loves to read disappear into it's pages for days on end by also entranced my 5th grader who thinks comic books are real books. The most wonderful part of this series is it's complete lack of that boy/girl mushy stuff that quite frankly my kids don't need yet another dose of! ... Read more

Reviews (15)

This is an excellent edition to an already magnificent ries.
I have always wondered about the overall layout of Mossflower Country and the surrounding areas, such as Salamandastron and the remains of Loamhedge Abbey. After carefully inspecting this beautiful and intricate map, though, I wonder no more. The riddler is a fun challenge, even though it is fairly easy to a true Redwall fan. I would recommend this book to any Redwall addict.

Follow the Path to Redwall !
I have been reading Brian Jacques' Redwall series for over eight years and I own the all novels except for Loamhedge and look forward to the next one.
I bought the map a couple of years ago and was so excited to see the brilliance of Mossflower Country, Salamandastron and surrounding destinations from the Redwall novels come alive in full color and detail. From the rosy walls of the Abbey to the cold and abandoned Northland where the Tribe of Luke the Warrior and Martin lived to Southsward and Castle Floret. From the tiny details of a flag waving above Redwall to the fabled sword of Martin the Warrior pointing North on the compass rose, this map is a must-have for any Redwall fan so that they can follow the paw-steps of Martin, Matthias, Mattimeo, Mariel, and the score of other Redwall heroes on thier quests in this wonderful map of the world of Redwall.
The riddler section has many fine and funny riddles from the novels. Jog your memory and try your hand at these brain teasers and see how well you know the world of Redwall and its creatures.
This book would make a great gift for Redwall readers and I Highly recommend it for readers young and old alike will see the treasure that is the Redwall Map and Riddler.

A must have for those starting out on the Redwall series
We love the map! It's quite big with great illustrations!(Have not read the riddles yet)
We just started the first book in the series and the map has really helped to get a 'feel for the story' to know distance, direction and scale of the settings. We actually took the map out of the book and put it up on the wall in the room where we read. If you decide to take it out, be very very careful, it took me a long time to get it out because it was stuck really well (and not really meant to be taken out) I was lucky that it didn't tear, but I spent ages slowly separating it from the book.

Redwall map and riddler
I bought this yesterday and I realy like it.

It has 8 or 10 pages of realy good riddles in the riddler some come right out of the books (like in Pearls of Lutra) and others re new.

The map is realy good detal and covers from Marshank to Southsward

not perfect, but very good
The packaging is very nice here, being a book cover which, when opened, reveals an attached booklet of quizzes on the left and a fold-out map on the right.

The quiz book covers the first ten Redwall books and contains five quizzes of seven to eleven questions: Places and Journeys, Heroes and Heroines, Rogues and Villains, Dreams and Quests, and Food and Feasts. There are also five riddles taken from the Redwall books, and all answers are given at the back. I didn't think these questions were overly easy. They are not multiple choice, and if you read the ten books before taking the quizzes, how can you remember the "four other titles of Gabool the Wild" or all the ingredients of the Great Hall cake, for instance? Some, where a riddle is given and the solution requested, are easier than others.

The map folds out to about three feet by two feet and is nice as a very general map. I was hoping that it would be more of a combination of all the ten books' maps, with all the labelling from them, but most of the specific places from those maps aren't noted. Also, it would have been nice to have sites marked where interesting plot elements occurred. Still, it is fun to have a big map of the Redwall universe.

All in all, this was slightly disappointing, but still a lot of fun. ... Read more

Book Description

A Queen is dying. Her son is conspiring to thwart his planet's elections and maintain his rule. But he might not be her only heir. There may be another....bearing the elusive Mark of the Crown. Qui-Gon Jinn and young Obi-Wan Kenobi came to the planet of Gala as the guardians of peace. Now they are facing a deadly battle for power and royal position. The heir must be found. The Jedi must find the way. ... Read more

Reviews (43)

Great book in the Star Wars Jedi Apprentice line!
This is definetly a good Apprentice book, in fact, you SHOULD read it. It features many unique characters, and a good scenario. If you ever wondered why Obi-Wan is left alone so many times in Episode 1, you'll find out here. I loved reading about how Obi-Wan handles the situation in this book by himself, while his master (Qui-Gon) goes elsewhere to investigate. Betrayal, dueling, drama, its all in here.

Another great book in this series!
After reading the first book in this series, i was hooked! i have read the mark of the crown more than 5 times, and can't wait for the next one to come out! everyone who loves star wars, and want to find out how obi-wan and Qui-gon came to be a master and apprentice should read this amazing book!

The best!
The Mark of the Crown was really an extrordinary book in the Jedi Apprentice series. The same great characters are back and are on another adventure. The plot kept my attention through the entire book. For all who like the series or are new to it, this is definitely one you'll like!

one of the best of the Jedi Apprentice series
Jude Watson continues to write intereszing stories about the adventures of Qui-Gon Jinn and his young Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi. He also writes about their developing relationship, with both men longing for connection and not realizing that they are coser than they think!

In this instalment the two Jedi are sent to Gala, where the dying queen is bringing democratic elections to her planet, and her son is not at all happy about it.

This is a well-written and interesting story in this continuing series.

A great book
It is a great book but Obi-Wan doesn't have a good bond with his master like a reader before me said. You'll have read more of the apprentice books to find out if it inproves(I know). But it has drama, a little suspence, and some treachery. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Great Companion Piece
Muggles and Magic is a great companion piece for anyone who is a big fan of both the Harry Potter books and the movies. After reading it, I was able to impress my companions at a viewing of the third movie with fun facts they did not know.

I especially enjoyed the Notable and Quotable sections. The Real World of J. K. Rowling contains quotes from Rowling on a variety of subjects, Film Quips contains descriptions of some of the characters and quotes from the actors who play them, and On Writing and Publishing contains mostly quotes from Rowling about writing.

The Fictional Concordance would be especially useful to someone who has seen the movies but not read the books; the Harry Potter Merchandise section takes a hopeless stab at listing the many Harry Potter tie-in items. You can test your own knowledge of the world of Harry Potter by taking the book's Final Exam.

A highlight for me was having well-known Tolkien artist Tim Kirk's charming sketches livening up the pages.

A Splendid Companion
First off, this book is exactly what it claims to be: a general resource guide and reference book focusing on JK Rowling and the phenomenon surrounding the Harry Potter books. It is not a book that focuses on spoilers, speculation, or inside knowledge of future Harry Potter novels or movies. Anyone looking for that sort of information will not find it here; however, someone interested in in-depth background information on Rowling, the writing of the first several Harry Potter books, and the reactions to her books and the movies should definitely pick up this companion.

Beahm divides his book into comprehensive sections and includes information from various sources: interviews, online chats, broadcasts, articles, and anything else he could get his hands on. Some of the information is repeated in more than one section, but Beahm warns the reader of this beforehand and is completely honest and correct as to why he's done this: in some cases, he needs to repeat information, particularly as this companion isn't necessarily meant to be read through from front to back. Being rather a Potterphile, I've read a lot of extra information on Rowling and the various peripheral events and reactions to her and her works, and Beahm has managed to collect more of the interesting and important information in one place. He's even managed to provide me with several intriguing bits of new information about Rowling and the books.

Beahm also gives the curious American reader a fairly comprehensive comparison of the US and UK versions of the books, going into a short discussion about the illustrations and illustrators as well as the performers for the audio CDs. He even provides us with pictures of the children's, adult (UK), and movie-inspired versions of the covers for each book. In fact, Beahm provides his readers with numerous pictures of Rowling, stills from the movies, screenshots of various interesting Potter-related websites, and all kinds of merchandise. He's even tucked in a few color photos of movie locations and adorable little owls.

The surprising depth and breadth of Potter-and-Rowling-related phenomena is one of the things that makes this book an excellent companion (Beahm obviously can't possibly cover everything in minute detail; he does, however, do a wonderful job of giving better-than-general coverage in the nearly 400 pages of my copy). I wasn't expecting as much new information as I got, nor did I expect to read about so many different facets of the Rowling/Potter phenomenon. Hooray for being pleasantly surprised! Another thing that makes this book an excellent companion is its readability: Beahm's writing is intelligent and descriptive, and while he is obviously a fan of Rowling and Potter, he is also unafraid of bringing up a few interesting criticisms of the works or their tie-ins. The sections in this companion are clearly defined, and the Table of Contents is comprehensive and detailed, making things much easier on the reader who doesn't want to spend all afternoon thumbing through this companion in an effort to find out one small bit of information. Beahm even includes a great trivia section and reviews of merchandise and Potter-related fansites.

My only gripes with this companion are the sidebars (I found several of them distracting; they interfered with my reading by interrupting the visual flow of several pages) and the fact that Beahm appears to have gotten one or two small bits in his glossary and important terms section slightly wrong. However, I doubt that anybody but a rabid Potterphile would notice these minor issues, so if you're into Potter and want more information about everything surrounding JK Rowling and Harry Potter, I would definitely recommend this book. It's worth its price just for having several of Rowling's more interesting quotes and the trivia quiz all in one place -- not to mention everything else you get!

Indispensible Potter Companion!
Every time I open this book, I find another nugget of information. Easy to read and well-organized, Muggles and Magic tells the reader everything he or she ever wanted to know about J. K. Rowling and the world of Harry Potter, and then some. I only hope that George Beahm will consider putting together a follow-up volume after Books 6 and 7 are published!

A Ten Year Old's Perspective
I enjoyed reading this book. It had lots of useful information about J.K. Rowling in the large biography, and I finally found out what the J.K. stood for. But my favorite part by far was the Muggle's guide to Harry Potter. It had a lot of stuff I didn't remember, and new stuff I didn't know about. The Guide was interesting and full of information that I was looking for, such as how many knuts equal a sickle, and how much it costs to ride the Knight Bus. So basically it was a very original book.

A delightful, informative book
"Muggles and Magic" is the most comprehensive book I have found to date about the Harry Potter phenomenon. Written in a clear, honest, and delightful manner, it is sure to inform and charm its readers. There are many aspects of the book I enjoyed and I found a few things to be particularly helpful. Seeing that is was written to be a sourcebook, I found it satisfying that the book delivers exactly what it promises. There is a nice succinct, yet thorough chronology of J.K.R.'s life in the beginning of the book. There is a glossary of terms that can prove very handy to the H.P. newcomer. The section on merchandise will be invaluable to those obsessed with collectibles. Particularly eye-opening to me was the list of other H.P./J.K.R. books cited in one of the chapters. Other than rabid fans, I don't believe most people are aware of the wealth of literary ambition Harry Potter has inspired, not only in the form of professionally published books, but of devoted fan fiction which appears on many H.P. related websites. Some of these websites have not only been listed but also described in the book, along with screen shots from the actual sites.

The most popular chapters of M&M will, no doubt, be the ones which discuss the books and movies. Each one is covered individually and the chapters contain a good amount of information. Another popular chapter will be the one devoted to J.K.Rowling herself. Much interesting and sometimes fascinating information about the author is contained in this chapter, all of it stated without delving into gossip or hearsay. One of my favorite sections in the book is the one titled "So You Want to Be a Novelist?". Beahm is forthright and helpful in his offerings, choosing to share with the reader the wisdom gained from his own experience. I think parents of children who are budding writers will particularly appreciate his practical advice.

Unlike another reviewer, I relished the sidebars. I think they were informative, often amusing, and of benefit to the book. I found them to be few in number, and they did not hamper the flow of the book for me but were a fun way to include additional info that is pertinent, yet may not have fit perfectly into the current discussion. Tidbits such as how to make your way around England, Harry Potter polls, how to obtain H.P. merchandise, and J.K.R.'s charity interests are touched upon. Sidebars are always some of my favorite parts of non-fiction books and Beahm's inclusion of them has, in my opinion, been an asset.

I must add that the forward by Colleen Doran is something you shouldn't skip by. It is written with intelligence, sincerity and humor and, unlike many forwards of books, is a delightful read. I will also add my kudos to Tim Kirk for the wonderful sketches. I often found myself returning to pages simply to catch another glimpse of his work.

I enjoyed many other areas of M&M (including the fun trivia section) but my favorite parts of the book are the "Notable and Quotable" sections that appear in four of the six chapters. I enjoy reading words that come straight from the mouths of those directly involved in the books and films, especially J.K.R. herself. In my opinion, there is nothing that gives us a better perception of what this talented, generous woman is about than her own thoughts, in her own words.

I would recommend Muggles and Magic to all Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling fans, whether avid or tepid. You won't be disappointed! ... Read more

Book Description

Qui-Gon Jinn just broke a cardinal Jedi rule by declaring his love for Tahl, a fellow Jedi Knight. Now Tahl has been taken captive, and Qui-Gon and his apprentice Obi-Wan must save her. Unfortunately for Tahl, nothing goes according to plan ‹ and Qui-Gon must face a devastating loss. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Another Awesome Book written by the great Jude Watson!
"The Death of Hope" picks up right where #14 left off. Qui-Gon Jinn, a Jedi Knight, is enraged when his true love -- fellow Jedi Knight, Tahl -- is kidnapped. Qui-Gon has forbidden himself to tell his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, about his feelings for Tahl. Qui-Gon takes immediate action to try and rescue Tahl, before it is too late. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan have an almost impossible journey trying to track Balog, Tahl's kidnapper -- even with the help of a probe droid. During one of their battles, one of the twins from #14 reveals that she has been following the Jedi and tells them that her other twin was in league with Balog's kind the whole time. To make matters worse, Obi-Wan's leg gets smashed underneath a boulder. The Jedi find friends, who are miners, and they take the Jedi back to give them med help. But Obi-Wan's injury is slowing Qui-Gon down. He can't wait to long, because if he does, he may never see Tahl again. And to their disadvantage, the miners' quarry is under attack by the worst kind of enemies -- the ones that show no mercy. Will Obi-Wan recover from his injury? Will the Jedi and their friends escape the miners' enemy? But the most tantalizing question of all is: Will Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan reach Tahl in time?

Excellent
In spite of the obvious unhappy nature of the plot of this book, it still manages to live up to it's predeccesers as far as plot development and scene description go, and I would say that it even surpasses many of them as far as character development goes. I won't give away the whole book, but basically this book begins almost immediately after Qui-Gon discovered that Tahl had been kidnapped. He and Obi-Wan immediately chase after her captors, their urgency intensified once they realize that the longer they take, the more of a potentially lethal paralyzing drug Balog (Tahl's captor) will pump into her body... Anyway, all else I'll say is that things are NOT what they seem! I noticed some people were irritated that this book focused mostly on Qui-Gon while Obi-Wan faded to the backround. I wonder why this is, since this series has ALWAYS (unlike Young/Junior Jedi Knights and other kiddy Star Wars books) focused almost equally on Obi-Wan (the child) and Qui-Gon (the adult) I always found that to be one of the better aspects of this series, since it provides a wider range of view for the story, and greater oppurtunity for
character development. However, if my fellow Obi-Wan fans would look hard enough, they would see that in fact this book holds more character development for Obi-Wan then ever before. Sure, he gets his leg mashed under a boulder, and messes up a few other times, but where do you think Qui-Gon would have been without Obi-Wan to take up his slack, and take charge of things, and be the master when Qui-Gon's determination to save his beloved gave way to panic? To me, this shows how far he has truly come. Anyway, as to the death of ____, I was quite devestated, but I was also prepared, since she wasn't present in Episode 1, I
could only assume that by then they had broken up (not likely) or ____ had died. Even so, I liked this new twist in the story, and the portrayal of Qui-Gon as a man in love, so I will certainly miss her, being that she was one of my favorite characters. Anyway, I recommend this book to fans of Star Wars in general, particulerly those twelve and under, thought don't get me wrong, those of us who are older (I'm almost sixteen) can love them too! May the Force be with you!

A story arc with an intricate web of twists and turns
The two Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Tahl have made to each other a commitment of love. But now that Tahl has been abducted while on a mission on the planet of Apsolon, Qui-Gon will push himself to the limit to rescue her. Qui-Gon is consumed by dark visions, visions foreseeing something terrible about to happen to Tahl. With his apprentice Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon must rescue Tahl before it's too late. But nothing is easy as both enemies and friends may not be trusted because everyone has something to hide...

"The Death of Hope" is the second book of a three book story arc. By far as most people have mentioned, this book is the most sad and touching story. Again the book focuses mostly on Qui-Gon as he struggles to sort out his feelings and to save his loved one. As you continue reading the story, the true sides of both enemies and friends are revealed. It's very confusing as the Jedis have to sort out what is truth and what are lies. I love the story how no one can be trusted and everyone is a suspect. Please be sure to read "The Ties That Bind" before reading this book. Then after reading this, "The Call to Vengeance" on hand since this book ends in a cliffhanger!

This series explains a lot about how Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan first meet. Their beginning is far from simple and all smooth-sailings, which would be pretty monotonous if it was. Though the books are said for ages 9-12, like many other reviewers I agree that the Jedi Apprentice Series are for anybody. Extremely well-written, the emotions, thoughts, and feelings of the main characters are very well put down into words. I also like the different array of humans and aliens which are portrayed, both good and bad.

Plus check out the new Jedi Quest series, dealing with the master and apprentice duo of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. Another Star Wars Series I recommend and like a lot are the Young Jedi Knights series. The stories are about Jacen and Jaina Solo (twins of Han and Leia Solo), and their friends as they journey on the road to becoming Jedi Knights. More on the teenager level of reading. For adult readings, a few selections I enjoy reading are "The Thrawn Trilogy", "Rogue Planet", "The Jedi Academy Trilogy", "The Corellian Trilogy", and "The Truce at Bakura".

the outstanding book
This book is problely one of the best Star Wars books. Even though the ending is a little sad but f the rest is exiting. If you have lots of imagnation and like Star Wars or starting to like it I recommend you to read it.

A great emotional book
It is a great book. It makes Qui-Gon Jinn look more human then just a fictional character. You have to read book #14 to truely understand this book. It has drama and suspense. One of the best books in the series. ... Read more

Book Description

Jaffa City is frozen under the spell of Lord Sparr. Eric, Julie, and Neal join with Princess Keeah to battle the enemy in the biggest snowball fight of all time! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Super
I love Droon books! This one is no exception. Very creative as the kids try to save Jaffa City

Can't Wait for the Next book!
Evil Lord Sparr has frozen all of Jaffa City up and it is up to Eric, Neal, Julie, and Princess Keeah to save Jaffa City and the rest of Droon. If the problem isn't hard enough already the only weapon they have is snowballs! The problem gets worse when the great wizard Galen Longbeard is frozen up. Will the kids save Jaffa City? Can they unfreeze Galen Longbeard? I highly recommend this book because it is a great page turner!

Secrets of Droon #5 review
I really liked this book. It shows how kids can do something. It shows that because evil Lord Sparr has put an ice spell on Jaffa City and most things,except for the kids so they have to save the day. The main caractors are Keeah, a wizard and princess from Droon, Eric, a boy from the Upper World,Neal, another boy from the Upper World and Julie, a girl from the Upper World. There are also other caracters. It was a very good book. ... Read more

Book Description

In Deltora, a land of magic and monsters, the Shadow Lord¹s evil tyranny has finally ended.He and the creatures of his sorcery have been driven out. But thousands of Deltorans are still enslaved in the Shadowlands, the Enemy¹s own terrifying and mysterious domain. To rescue them, Leif, Barda, and Jasmine, heroes of the quest for the Belt of Deltora, must find a weapon powerful enough to combat the Shadow Lord¹s magic. According to legend, the only thing the Shadow Lord fears is the Pirran Pipe. But the mysterious Pipe still exist? ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Deltora Shadowlands - A Great Book Series
I first started reading this series about a year ago. I read the first book in the first series then I read this book. I got complely lost. Then I started reading the books in order and I started to learn more about the characters. You should read the books in order before you read this book. Then you will know what's happening.

After Lief, Barda, and Jasmine restore the gems from the Belt of Deltora, the Shadow Lord takes thosands of Deltorans hostage and Lief, Barda, and Jasmine must save them.

I liked this book because I like the characters and monsters. You will like this book too if you like books with adventure, action, and puzzles. It is fun to try to figure out what the answer to the puzzle before they tell you.

Great book
I loved the Delotra quest series and this was a great follow up. I really enjoyed it, but there were alot of suprises. Glock for one instead of being the old violent frightening villian, he changed alot at the begining he was the same but after he left with Jasmine he evolved in to a much better and more important charecter, I never thought I'd be sad if he died but I really was. I was also disapointed in Leif how can he even think about marrying a Toran girl he's never met before when Jasmine obdiviously loves him? Yeah there's tradition but sometimes there are things more important than tradition. But all said and done it was a great book and I'm really looking forward to reading the others.

Deltora Shadowlands:The Cavern of Fear: A wonderful thriller
My best friend introduced me to Deltora Quest a few months ago. Quickly attracted by the book I bought the rest of the Quest series the next day. I now read the books over and over. I heard of the new Deltora Shadowlands trilogy, and went to find out more.
A few questions came into my mind.
1.Is this just a cheap copy of the Quest series?
2.Is it going to be as action-packed and wit-burning as Quest?
3.Is the book going to have new or same characters?
I wanted to find out. But, not having access to interviews and technology, I bought and read the book. Two words. WOW!
I loved the book. It flowed and still had the same characters. It had new beasts and new challenges. And was definitely not a cheap copy. And it WAS action-packed. I mean, sword-flying, fists-swinging action. And yet, there was a sense of plan, and wits.
Many side characters were also interesting. Like Glock. Who was a strong warrior and just as stubborn to the end. And Jinks, the plump, stupid man who cares only for himself. And the Goblins. They were very good side characters. Their song still rings through my ears.
Above our land the tumult rages
Struggle echoes throught the ages
There the strife may never cease
But here below we dwell in peace
Where timeless tides swamp memory
Our sunless prison makes us free
The gem-glow lights our rocky walls
And dragons guard our shining halls.
Wonderful. And still the same old loved characters from before. Lief, the new king who is pressured to be safe and silent yet, he is still the reckless adventurer he always was. Barda, the big man who's brain was just as stong as his arms (and my favorite character). Jasmine, the witty, wise-cracking, quick jungle girl. Kree, the loyal raven. And Filli, the small gray fluff always on Jasmine's shoulder.
So, I guess I'm saying that the book is wonderful. I loved it and I hope you do too. It had many funny, exciting, and dangerous parts, and I loved it.

The Excellence Continues
The Shadowlands series picks up where the Deltora Quest series left off. The same characters experience more adventure, excitement and danger as they are faced with another quest of good vs. evil. I really enjoyed the first series and am thrilled to see that Emily Rodda continued the captivating storyline.

A new trilogy to enjoy for Deltora Quest fans
Deltora may now be free of the Shadowlord, but there are thousands of their people trapped in the Shadowlands. The people left in Deltora are demanding a rescue mission, but King Lief knows that it is a suicide mission. The only hope of success lies in the magic of the Pirran Pipe - but the Pipe is long forgotten and is believed to be myth. Lief and his companions must face many new dangers and challenges if they are to free the lost people from the Shadowlands - but the Shadowlords has plans to stop them from succeeding.....

This first book in the new Deltora Shadowlands trilogy was excellent and had to be read in one sitting. Sometimes a second series is a bit boring because it's the same idea in a different place - that doesn't happen with this book! You have Lief and Jasmine from the other Deltora books, but there are other characters to meet too.

Like the first series, this series will appeal to boys and girls of all ages - including their parents. If you like magic, adventure, and danger then you will enjoy these books. It is best if you have read the Deltora Quest series first though - it will help explain the first part of this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Jack and Annie are whisked off to the vast plains of Africa, where they must

solve Morgan le Fay's third magical riddle. But that's only the beginning! Once

the riddle is solved, they still have to get past a pride of lions, a humongous

herd of rampaging wildebeests, and one very hungry Masai warrior.




... Read more

Reviews (10)

Read This Book Now!
Lions at Lunchtime
By: Mary Pope OsborneG

My book is about Jack and Annie going to Africa. Jack can't find the lions. Will Jack find the lions? The story tells about Jack and Annie's exciting adventures to solve riddles and become librarians.
I like the book because I like adventures. My favorite part is when Annie gets stuck in the mud because she was going across the river while getting chased by wildebeasts.
Mary Pope Osborne's story can be fun and interesting when shared with your brother or sister.

You're off on another great adventure!
Lions at Lunchtime is a great book, written by Mary Pope Osborne. It is about Jack and Annie's adventures in Africa. The magic Tree House takes them to Africa to solve a riddle. Jack and Annie meet a lot of animals. They also meet a worrior. You will have to read the book to see if they meet any lions.
If you like animals, you will like reading Lions at Lunchtime. It was an exciting book. I really like the part when Jack and Annie walk under a giraffe. You will have to read the book to find out why they walk under the giraffe.

Neat book for countless reasons!
This book was my first, but my 4th best. I mean, it's still tremendous, but the action isn't the best, but good enough. My favorite part is the part where Jack and Annie face a terrible time getting back to the tree house. Also, the funny part is at the time mentioned above, and at the beginning of the story. It's where Jack and Annie discover lions dislike giraffes. I get the reason, but it was still very funny. Also, I didn't know that giraffes could give a big kick like that. Well, I'm not going to spoil the book, so read it for yourself, and I guarantee you'll love it even though it may not be the best.

MY KID WAS UP ALL NIGHT!!!!
just to let any potential reader know that my 9 year old started this book at bedtime---but did not put it down until she was done. this is unlike her. although she is a fine reader, she gravitates towards "picture" books at bedtime. so, i guess we have finally found a series that has kept her interest. we both recommend the magic treehouse library series.

Lions
"Where are the lions?"

Jack wonders when the Magic Tree House whisks him and his sister, Annie to the vast plains of Africa. Before he can find out, Annie starts to help hundreds of wildebeests cross a rushing river. Next they follow a honey of a bird and meet an awesine Masai warrior. Jack hopes any lions will just stay away. Jack is about to be very dissapointed.....

But, you won't be when you read Lions At Lunchtime. ... Read more

Reviews (40)

The title says it all...
I'll start from the very beginning.

The YJK series is a spectacular read for teens or for any Star Wars fan who doesn't mind the upper primary to middle school level reading. Hey, I'm 18 and I don't mind reading a young teen book because I LOVE THE STORY. It's a change from all the blood, gore, goose-chase plots, and meaningless sex that have frequented the shelves more and more. I own all 14 volumes in their original paperback form. ^_^ Great for passing by the time and relaxing or for a little Jedi-action - geared for teens of course. The series basically takes off where the Jedi Academy series ended -- with the introduction of the children of Lei and Han at the Yavin 4 Jedi Training grounds with Luke. Albeit it starts quite a few years later, but just the same...

Heirs of the Force introduces the twins of the Solo family -- Jacen and Jaina, and their Jedi comrades -- Tenel Ka and Lowbacca. The story moves in different ways for different people. If you are like me and want a change from total slam-bang action and could use a little more descriptions, then you'll prolly think the beginning of the story is great. It doesn't move too fast I'll admit because Anderson and Moesta are introducing the people and places and the circumstances. TERRIFIC USE OF DESCRIPTION AND IMAGERY! If you're not all that familiar with Star Wars and didn't keep up with everything (I did! Star Wars forever!), then the long-winded intro may do you a little good. The existence of the Imperials (HA! Can't be missing for long!) are reintroduced by the means of a stranded Tie-fighter pilot and when Jacen and Jaina come across a wrecked tie-fighter and its pilot in the forests, they know that the Imperial forces may not be as dead as the Republic thought. And since this is a series, you just have to wonder exactly what's to happen next and how it correlates. And I assure you - it DOES correlate! The main ideas? JEDI TRAINING, CHARACTER AND SETTING DEVELOPMENT, AND SOME GOOD 'OLE IMPERIAL TROUBLE.

The physical aspect of the book? I bought the book many years ago when it first came out and I am the proud owner of the first edition -- complete with the foil-embossed covers that gives it a super trendy look. David Dorman's cover artwork is AMAZING and I'll admit that in this case -- it's A-OK to judge a book by its cover! ^.^ If you collect Star Wars books -- this is a terrific series to collect -- not as hardcore, but still your Star Wars, BEAUTIFUL covers, and it's MORE JEDI! More from the teens' perspective that is. Perhaps this series is most powerful to the teen readers because all of a sudden with the intro of teen Jedi Jacen, Jaina, Tenel Ka, and Lowbaccca -- the fantasy of becoming a Jedi Knight seems closer to home... It doesn't matter how old you are -- you are never too old to dream!

Great series, Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta!
Written by the terrific husband and wife team, Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta, the Star Wars Young Jedi Knights series are not to be missed! These series of books center on the young twins of Han Solo and Lei Organa, Jacen and Jacen, and their friends, Lowbacca and Tenel Ka, as they journey on the road to becoming Jedi Knights.

The first book, "Heirs of the Force", begins on the planet Yavin 4. There, Luke Skywalker has his Jedi academy where his nephew and niece, Jacen and Jaina, are enrolled. Both of them are fourteen and are being trained as Jedi Knights, along with their good friend Tenel Ka. One day, the twin's father, Han Solo, drops by, along with Chewbacca and his nephew, Lowbacca. Lowbacca is also going to be trained as a Jedi and soon, he and the other three humans are good friends. While Lowbacca is riding his T-23 skyhopper in the jungle, he chances upon a wrecked TIE fighter. Jaina, who loves mechanics, is eager for a challenge, to try to fix the broken fighter. So along with her friends, they begin the task of repairing it, and to also install a hyperdrive which Jaina's father had given her. Little do they know that the original Imperial pilot, Qorl, is still a live and watching them as they work. He has been waiting for years for a chance to return to the Empire and it seems that his chance has come...

I must say that I just love the Young Jedi Knights! I really like all Star Wars books but this series one of my favorites for the reasons that, 1) the characters are very interesting and close to my age, 2) superbly and well written, and 3) all books are exciting and full of adventure. The five main characters of the books are well likable because each of them have their own personalities, characteristics, and quirks.

JACEN: He loves all living thing from plants, animals, to insects. In his own room he has his on menagerie of them. He has a special talent in using the Force to communicate with living creatures, though he doesn't know exactly how.
JAINA: An almost complete opposite of her brother, she takes after her father, Han Solo. She is a mechanical whiz and just loves taking apart and putting together droids, machines, and just almost anything. Also like her father, she is very spirited and has a self-confidence which makes her a natural leader.
LOWBACCA: Called Lowie by his friends, he is a Wookie and the nephew of Chewbacca. Very courageous and strong, he loves his friends very much. But sometimes he can't but just help missing his home planet Kashyyyk.
EM TEEDEE: Very much like C-3PO (almost to a fault), Em Teedee is a miniature translating droid who is always kept on Lowie's belt. Though talkative and annoying at times, Em Teedee is a member of the five friends.
TENEL KA: My personal favorite character, Tenel Ka is the daughter of Teneniel Djo, one of the witches of Dathomir, and Prince Isolder of the Royal House of Hapes. Loyal, a little humorless, brave, and strong, she is a warrior and most of all a true friend. Though strong in the force, she tries not to rely too much in it so she is very athletic.

But the reason I gave only four stars for this book is not one of best in the series since, in my opinion, the books just get better. So I highly recommend you read all of the fourteen books in order. The series are divided mostly into three parts. The first six books are about the rising force of the Empire and its Dark Jedi Knights. The next five books are about how the Jedi's must stop the Diversity Alliance. And the last three books are how the Jedi's deal with Czethros and Black Sun. Another Star Wars series I very much recommend are the "Jedi Apprentice" series. Don't miss them!

a good book for younger star wars fans
this book is the first of the young Jedi books and it is very interesting. All of your favorite characters like Han and Luke show up in this book but the Solo kids have their own adventures as well. The story about the wrecked tie fighter pilot was a pretty good one and I think it will keep all readers interested

Awesome continuation of Return of the Jedi
This is a exciting continuation from Return of the Jedi.
Han and Leia get married and have twin children,Jacen and Jaina, brother and sister. One day Lowbaca, Chewbaca's nephew, Tenel Ka, Jacen, and Jaina were in the jungel and found a crashed X-Wing Tie Fighter. As they search deeper into the jungle they found the pilot of The X-wing fighter and they all were scared because he was shooting at them. They knew that The Impire, Darth Vader, was evil and so if he was evil then his men were also. Tenel Ka and Lowbaca got away but Jacen and Jaina were stuck with the Imperial Pilot and they were slaves.
Star Wars fans READ THE WHOLE BOOK!!!

HEIRS of the FORCE
This book is about two young Jedi named Jaina and Jacen that go to the Jedi Acadamy run by their uncle, Luke Skywalker. When Jacen and Jania go for a ride in their friend's ship, they see something shiny. They decide to go check it out. When the get there they find a crashed Tie Fighter. When Jacen looking around he finds a path. Jacen follows the path and finds a hutt.The owner the owner of the hutt and of the crashed Tie Fighter takes Jacen hostage. If you whant to find out if Jacen escapes read HEIRS of the Force. I like this book because it has a lot of action in it. There is a series of Yuong Jedi Knits so the action wont end so quickly. ... Read more

Book Description

In a book that is sure to delight Harry Potter fans and spiritual seekers alike, author and Potter enthusiast Connie Neal dives into the Harry Potter series looking for the Christian Gospel. Does she find it? Yes! In this, her exploration of J.K. Rowling’s created world of magic and mystery, Neal enumerates more than fifty "Potteran" themes that can be seen as glimmers of the Gospel.

With an arsenal of charming allusions and parallels, Neal persuasively demonstrates that Harry Potter need not be rejected as a threat to the Christian faith, as some have claimed.Rather, she finds, the lessons in Harry Potter not only echo many of the stories in the Bible but also reinforce the central messages of Christianity. Written accessibly in short three- to four-page chapters, Neal’s The Gospel According to Harry Potter is both a much-needed stroke of interpretive genius and a fascinating reflection on our time’s most popular literary series.This is a must-read for everyone intrigued by the Harry Potter phenomenon! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Interesting read, not strong for group study
Our Sunday School class tried to use this book as a basis for a weekly class. While the book itself is engaging and interesting, you really have to be a die-hard Harry Potter fan to come back to it week after week. The book does not work well for group study -- it is mainly a series of snippets from the novel combined with a Biblical application of that snippet. Each is short -- 2 to 3 pages -- and we found that the application information was highly repetitive. That said, I enjoyed reading the book myself, and would recommend it especially for anyone who's trying to relate the cultural context of Harry Potter to their religious convictions. The author does an outstanding job of pointing out the good in the books.

The Gosple and Harry Potter
This book is wonderful! It is really helpful.
I started reading the Harry Potter books after the second movie came out and I loved them! The only problem was that all my friends hated them and said they were evil, satanistic, etc. When ever I tried to bring the subject up they would change it immediatly. As a last straw I bought this book and read it. It was truely amazing. It makes so many connections between my two fave books. So one day at school I gave this to my best friend and told her to read it. Well, she didn't at first but I finally persuaded her to. After she did, she told me that she may have been wrong about HP and was sorry for judging it before even reading them. About a week later during lunch she came up to me and told me that she had actually watched the movie! While she's not as big of a fanatic as me, she still enjoys them.

This book is a great way to show your friends that Harry Potter is not at all what the christian critics make it out to be. I highly recommend this book!

Neal Brings Good News to Potter Fans in Intriguing "Gospel"
Evangelical and other devout Christians distrust popular culture and at times see it with outright hostility. This has been true in theater, on radio (Christian rock pioneer Larry Norman's wailing "Why should the devil have all the good music?") at toy stores and bookstands. J.K. Rowling's wildly successful Harry Potter book series is notable here, its themes of supernatural powers, combined with huge sales to pre-teens, inspiring criticism and even misguided protests such as library lawsuits and book burnings.

Recently, however, many conservative Christians have come to respect the Potter books for sophisticated portrayals of good and evil. Connie Neal addresses her Potter interpretation "The Gospel According to Harry Potter" to these Christians plus the few left who remain hostile toward a book series many of them never read.

Ms. Neal traverses through the first four Potter books, summing overlaying themes of each. She selects episodes (standing on the 9 ¾ platform, the shrinking door keys mystery, Ginny Weasley's rescue), character profiles (false faces of Professor Quirrell and Mad-Eye Moody, consistent citing of Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore as a God-like figure) and character quotes. She then relates this at length to a Biblical story or theme, constantly focusing on the panoramic, constant battle between good and evil and subtleties within it. (Neal states on its front cover no one involved with the Potter series proper has authorized this book. Perhaps this is reason Neal provides a teaspoon of Potter followed by two cups of Bible.)

Ms. Neal, perhaps for Christian unity or not wanting to put Christian words into Harry's lightning-scarred head, fails somewhat to directly contradict anti-Potter views or any of the series' darker themes. (In personal asides, she recalls criticism received in radio and TV interviews and dealing with fallout from a satirical story on the Onion Web site relating Potter to Satanism.)

A librarian at a Micigan Christian school and webmaster of one of the larger Harry Potter sites recently said of Rowling,"She is writing extremely moral books that show that evil is real and you have to take a stand against it, even at great cost to yourself." Connie Neal effectively relates that bedrock Biblical truth to Harry's spiritual quest. She also compares friends, enemies, mentors, and wolves dressed as sheep Harry encounters to Jesus' own ministry, while retaining Jesus' divinity and Harry's mortality.

To that end, the "Gospel According to Harry Potter" is useful to homilists and Sunday school teachers wanting to relate today's most popular action-adventure story with the first and truest. This book allows non-Potter readers to effectively discuss the series with those who've read them. It is recommended to Scripture readers intrigued by "the boy who lived", essential for Potter readers intrigued by the One who lives.

A great peice of literary interptation
I love this book! The way Neal ties the Harry Potter books to the Bible is really cool. The book itself is well-writen, and overall it's a great example of literary interptation. I enthusiastically recommend this book to any Harry Potter fan.

A great book for Christians and Harry Potter fans
The second I saw this book I knew I must have it. Being a Christian and a Harry Potter fan, it is difficult to hear all of the negative comments made about the books. Connie Neal makes it easy to defend my attraction to Harry Potter. ... Read more

Book Description

What is the strangest plant in the rain forest? Which rain forest animal is the creepiest? What medicines have been discovered there? How can we save our rain forests? Find out the answers to these questions and more in Magic Tree House Research Guide: Rain Forests, Jack and Annie’s very own guide to the mysteries of the rain forest. Includes information on rain forests around the world; fun facts about rain-forest bugs, birds, plants, and animals; maps and photographs; and much more!
... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good info, v. readable
Our girls read this after a trip to the Amazon, and found lots that they recognized & enjoyed. The standard of information is rather higher than that in the Magic Tree house books, which is reasonable, given that they don't have to worry about plot & characters as well!

If your child enjoys Magic Tree house, and would like to know more about the Amazon this is fine, but I would also recommend One Small Square: Tropical Rainforests (by Donald Silver). We took this with us to the rainforest (see review) and found it to be excellent. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the magical story of Cara, a girl sent on a mission by her grandmother to the land of the unicorns. Only Cara can protect the unicorns and their world from invasion. ... Read more

Reviews (151)

Into the Land of the Unicorns
This book was AWESOME! I loved it! When I first picked it up at the library, I was in like third grade (I think) and didn't care much for it then (when I think back, I can't believe that I didn't want to read it). But then it like haunted me or something so I went back and picked it up. I loved it! Ever since then, I've always considered it one of my many favorite books.
In Into the Land of the Unicorns, Bruce Coville launches you right into how Cara and her grandmother are being followed the second you read the first sentence. While they try to lose the follower, Cara is told by Gramma to take her amulet and jump off the roof of a church. Half-believing that her grandma is crazy, she does and lands into Luster, a place for unicorns and other magical creatures to live peacefully. Cara teams up with Lightfoot, a unicorn, and other creatures to to complete her grandmother's request to find the "Old One."
If you like adventure and fantasy, this is the book for you! If not, still read it! It really is great.

EXCITING !! A BOOK ANY AGE COULD LOVE
Bruce Coville wrote a encredible story about a girl who was chased into an old church that led her "Into thr Land of thr Unicorns." The story is unfolds with the adventures and friends that she meets along the way. Cara,the main charactor in this story, has to deliver a message to the "old one". The book is wonderful story that I have read over and over each time seeing the world of Luster crisp and clear in my mind. I feel the pain that Cara has in her heart every time she thinks of her grandmother. This book will always be one that I can go to on a rainy day and bring myself into Luster.I was thrilled when I read that Bruce Coville was writing a second book to this story. Unfortunally This book will not be published untill November of 1999. Untill then I will have to sit in aggony waiting for the book to be published.

What you will miss if you don't read this book!
One night I woke up around 2:00 am, so I decided to read. The only new book I had was this one, so even though I didn't think I would like it, it was better than lying there awake. When Cara began to be followed, I was very scared and very hooked. Finally, a couple of hour later, my mom came to check on me and made me go to bed, or I would have probaby stayed up all night. Needless to say, I couldn't put it down and I would recommend it to those who like adventure, mystery, sorrow and magic. Age eight to eighty-eight.

Not Sappy!
A lot of people think this book is really sappy.It's NOT.They say the unicorns are gentle and kind.That is kinda true.They can be fierce if need be.This book pulls you into a world of magic and wonder.The characters are fascinating!Coville describes everything in such detail!The trilogy was left unfinished.It's not Coville's fault!You don't find as many good books like this one much anymore.I'll give anyone who reads this review, buy these books!I have read each book twice-so I know what I'm talking about.READ THESE BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What I remember
I gave this book only three stars because, I don't remember very much about it. I was probably 11 or 12 when I came across this book in the library, and I read it, and I remember liking it alot. If you're looking for advice on how strong the plot is, whether or not things flow smoothly and if the characters are more than paper thin, then I'm sorry that I can't help you. If, however, you're wondering if you should buy this for a kid 13 or younger, then I say, buy it, because it's a fun story for kids, because when I read it, I really wasn't old enough to care about plots and characters, just as long as the book entertained me. Which of course, it did! ... Read more

Book Description

The saga and success of The Magic Tree House continues! The tenth

adventure, Ghost Town at Sundown, is filled with the excitement, action,

and fun facts always found in Magic Tree House books.


Morgan le Fay has promised to make Jack and Annie masters of the tree house if

they can solve four riddles. In Ghost Town at Sundown, the Magic Tree

House whisks Jack and Annie back to a ghost town in the Wild West of the 1880s.

There, they meet a mustang herder named Slim as they search for the answer to

the second riddle.




... Read more

Reviews (5)

I love this book
Annie & Jack find out that there's a rattlesnake in a ghost town and they have to hide from some people. And they find a piano that's playing all by itself. And we don't know what ...was playing it. It's a surprise for you, because you might find out. And I might find out too, because I have it at home. I have a lot of Magic Tree House books at my house. ...

Ghost Town at Sundown
This book, by Mary Pope Osborne is 10th in an excellent series,the Magic Tree House stories.This is a wonderful antholgy for children between ages of 7 and 12. From ghosts playing the piano to rustlers stealing wild horses,this is is a great book about the wild west.So I recommend you pick this book up and start reading it as soon as you can!!!

I thought it was cool!
It was extremely awesome to go somewhere in the treehouse with Annie and Jack. All of the Magic Tree House stories are mysterious because in Ghost Town at Sundown, every night the ghost would play the piano at the bar. My favorite part was when they were riding and the herd of wild horses was after them. Something had scared the horses. I am seven and a half.

Exellent, great fun (and frights) for Jack & Annie!!!!
On Jack and Annie's 10th adventure, they go back to an old Western town, nearly a ghost town, by a sorceress from Camelot, Morgan le Fay. In Rattlesnake Flats, Jack and Annie meet a mustang herder named Slim Cooly. In this terrific book, meet a ghost, learn what it's like to wear brand new cowboy boots, and also learn how to change (and how it feels to know you've changed) a cowboys life.

One of the best Magic Tree House books yet! 1st grader
My favorite part in the book was when Jack's boots were too tight. The riddle was Out of the blue, my lonely voice calls out to you Who am I? Am I? Read this book to find out the answer.I hope you enjoy this book. Mitchell- 1st grader ... Read more

Book Description

Not since The Mists of Avalon has there been such a powerful and mesmerizing portrait of goddess-powered womanhood and women's spirituality.In Priestess of Avalon, the legendary Marion Zimmer Bradley once again reaches back in time to create a magnificent prequel to her undying classic of Camelot.

Priestess of Avalon tells the timeless story of Eilan-known to the Romans as Helena-a British princess raised on the holy isle of Avalon as she grows from maiden to mother to wise woman. It is Helena's destiny-at a crucial turning point in Western history-to bridge the pagan world of the goddess and the new Christian empire founded by her own son, Constantine. When Helena embarks on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land she will find the intrinsic truth that transcends both the old religion and the new.

The legions of fans who cherish The Mists of Avalon will find its promise brought to rich fulfillment in Priestess of Avalon. For those new to the series, undreamed-of enchantment awaits. ... Read more

Reviews (57)

Dull, not like Mists at all
I am a huge fan of Marion Zimmer Bradley, but this book was very different from Mists of Avalon, and its prequels. There is very little involving Avalon at all, it is inappropriately titled because the main character Helena is not in Avalon barely at all, let alone a priestess of it. I found the novel difficult to get through and I was reluctant to pick it up and read it. While Mists of Avalon I read hungrily, excited to pick it up and read more, relating to the characters, and truly sad when it ended, Priestess of Avalon is actually boring. There is barely any dialogue, I don't really like the character Helena that much, and it just isn't about Avalon! It took me about 3 months to read the whole thing because I kept putting it off. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that Diana L. Paxson, whose writing I don't particularly like, co-wrote this novel. I gave it 2 stars because of the first 1/6 of the book is interesting since it's based on Avalon. Read The Forest House, Lady of Avalon, and Mists of Avalon to get a true perspective of Marion Zimmer Bradley's writing.

Strange As It May Be, This Is The Best Of The Lot
Of course, Priestess of Avalon isn't really part of the lot. For the most part, it's a story tangential to the Avalon epic. I also suspect Diana Paxson did a lot of the filling in of Marion Zimmer Bradley's dream of the tale. Take it in this context--as a book about Avalon but not really part of any series--and perhaps this novel will have a different meaning.

The idea proposed to us the readers is that Eilan (Helena in the Roman world), a priestess of Avalon, falls in love and runs away with Constantius, a Roman. He existed, by the way. Somehow through her travels in the Empire (after all, her patroness is Elen of the Ways), Helena gains a wisdom and an understanding. She gives birth to Constantine, the Roman emperor who embraced Christianity. Eilan, through it all, begins to see where all religions and paths are reflections of a greater truth. Sometime after the book ends this Eilan/Helena is canonized as Saint Helena. In short, it's a detailed autobiography of a fascinating figure of a woman.

I can see where Mists devotees would be disappointed by this book. After all, only a small part of it actually takes place in Avalon. But does Eilan need to have spent her entire life on the island to be a priestess of Avalon? It seemed to me that she spread and shared the wisdom she learned on Avalon with people all over the Empire. If that doesn't make her a worthy heir to the Avalon legacy, nothing does.

Priestess of Avalon is a walk through Ancient Rome
From the best-selling author that brought you The Mists of Avalon, comes another timeless, realistic Roman tale called The Priestess of Avalon, the story of a sacred priestess that leaves behind her religious life to follow a life of love, wisdom, and power. Marion Zimmer Bradley brings to life a world of Roman history, pagan wars, and religious controversy in this soon-to-be-classic.
The spectacular style in which the story is written sends the reader into the body of a young girl. Each chapter is headed with a span of five years ranging anywhere from 259 and 329 A.D. as this epic saga continues. We see the story through Helena's eyes and become one with her and her many complex emotions. We are drawn to this personal point of view because it again gives us the feeling of familiarity and intimacy with the characters as our own sentiments are fused with Helena's.
The dialect isn't very modern but it isn't written in Elizabethan dialect either. It is very simple to understand, except for the slight difficulty a reader may have with the Roman names. Besides that, the words are very common and the dialect is comfortably proper. A helpful tool Bradley provides is a glossary containing all of the names and places in the story and their correct pronunciation. There is also a map at the beginning of the book to tell you how far Helena's travels range.
The situations are quite normal for the belligerent Roman period but very entertaining for the historical yet fantasy-craving mind. Chapters about battles and wars are not uncommon in this text and neither are family disputes and love affairs. The situations are based on real Roman battles, history, and gods so the book could be named some type of historical fiction. I'd also say that Bradley has captured the essence of the ancient Roman government quite well. Despite its historical accuracy, this novel is still considered pure fantasy because of fairy apparitions and such appearances by legendary characters in the book.
The breath-taking setting is definitely one of the elements that make the story so impactful. The lush, green valleys of Britannia and the warm humidity of bustling Rome intertwine with the spice-perfumed streets of Palestine and trade-posts in between the many voyages in the story. The descriptive language that describes each place helps transport the reader do that the events are more understandable. These settings already add some seasoning to the already favorable plot so that it's impossible to want to put this book down.
The characters are very interesting and they vary from angry, power-hungry sons to secretive, mysterious faeries. The characters definitely keep the plot going because of their human and complex personalities which keep the story chopped full of surprises, very similar to real life. Constantine, the power-hungry Emperor that is the son of Helena, keeps the story full of tragedy and murder. Constantius, Helena's devoted lover, gives the story romance and a love for life. Ganeda, the hateful, serious priestess, keeps the tale full of punishment, scolding, and vindictiveness. In other words, the characters keep the story well-rounded.
This story is full of small themes but probably the two strongest themes are: "It's better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all" and believe in yourself or trust your own judgment.
I highly recommend this book because of its life-like qualities, situations, and characters. It teaches important lessons that are, again, able to be applied to life. The book is a lifetime in only 298 pages. If you're willing to live another life, then I suggest you read the incredibly realistic The Priestess of Avalon.

Read it in one sitting & loved the 1st person perspective
Reading this book was like reading Anne Rice's 'Pandora.' Like Pandora, Priestess's pace was quick and we are swiftly ushered from one stage of Helena's life to the next, and like frogs hopping across lilypads, we follow Helena through her triumphs and ordeals.

This book is also written in the 1st person, which I thought added an element of intimacy and warmth. This was, after all, the story of a woman's journey through life. It's a story of the lessons she's learned and losses she's had to bear. It's also very Helena-centric, so it only makes sense to write in the 1st person to more easily convey her thoughts.

Probably for the reasons others didn't like this book, I loved it. It didn't meander about and dilly-dally, taking its time to tell its story. It got straight to the point and whirlwinds you through Helena's life, which adds a cyclonic, dramatic element, which is appropriate. The love story Bradley and Paxson write for Constantius and Helena is passionate, endearing, and bittersweet.

A lot of what Marion Zimmer Bradley must have been dealing with- her attitudes, opinions, and regard for religion- is very evidently written into the story. Instead of presenting the final chapter of Avalon, we instead get a story with a main character that seems to say, "Hey, this isn't about Avalon. This is about me, and I have something important to tell you that's more important than Avalon, so listen close." Helena, in my opinion, is the voice of Bradley, making her peace with the religions of the goddess and that of "the Christ," and telling us what she's learned through Helena's story. Whereas 'Mists of Avalon' was meant to weave history and myth together into an epic hybrid, the conception of 'Priestess' seems to have served a different purpose. From what I can see from reading this story, it wasn't out of a need to pen another 'Mists of Avalon' that drove this story, but rather a more philisophical need to get the message out that all religions ultimately lead to the same place.

There is an underlying tone of urgency to convey this seemingly all-important message throughout the novel, and one can't help but wonder if that effect was placed there by Bradley.

I loved the character of Helena. Hers was a rich, passionate, and human character. The story wonderfully portrays how as youths, we set out on life with a mission, only to realize looking back that the journey and the ultimate destination we've tread towards is nowhere near where we initially believed we were heading. So stubbornly (or desperately) Helena grasps onto her purpose as mother of Constantine, placing her son on a pedistal even before he's born, that he inevitably disappoints her and goes on to break her heart by becoming power hungry and manipulative- which is obviously not what she thought her son would become. I think we've all placed people on pedistals and depended on others too much.

Here is a story of a woman, a priestess who is expelled from her order for the love of a man. This man eventually leaves her to secure his right to the thron