A Quest for Good Manners by Karin Lefranc

A sassy princess and her dragon, Sparkler, demonstrate poor manners.   This book details her quest to discover why manners are important.

The illustrator of this book scored well with my grand-kids.   They liked the look of Princess Rosalind and Sparkler.   They were satisfyingly dismayed over the Princess’s behavior.  (My grandchildren are polite and well mannered most of the time; I count myself lucky to have taught their father’s so well. LOL) 

The kids enjoyed the adventure and were glad to see that the Princess and Sparkler returned from their quest enlightened with better behavior.

I recommend the book.  

Body of work of Karin Lefranc

Web Site:  http://www.aquestforgoodmanners.com/author

Hell Hath No Fury by David Weber and Linda Evans

Book two of the Multiverse series is also most engrossing. Evan’s and Weber’s portrayal of two unique civilizations on a road to conflict progress to the actual conflict itself. Arcana base magic technology challenges Sharona’s psychic talents and their science based technology. The multi-universal aspect is that both civilizations have discovered portal to alternate earths that have no populations until they confront each other.

David Weber and Linda Evans do a superb job in describing two dissimilar cultures and those cultures’ idiosyncrasies. As they alternate back and forth from culture to culture you find your sympathies vacillating as well. The beauty of their work is that you truly find things that are both laudable and stimulating for each culture. They are being drawn into conflict by serendipitous contacts and malicious behavior in spite of their root similarities.

The contrast of opposing technologies is interesting. What makes the book great is the emotional undertones. The ability to evoke strong emotions regarding the characters is rare. I cared for Emperor on Sharona and his family and loathed the Arcana villains.

My biggest disappointment with this book was the cliff hanger ending. Normally I don’t mind cliff hanger endings if there is a proposed forthcoming book to get you off the damn cliff. Sadly according to what I can see on the web there is no forthcoming volume let alone a conclusion in process. I wish the authors would have done a better wrap of the work if they weren’t planning on proceeding with the series in a timely manner.

I highly recommend the book with the caveat that I can almost guarantee that you will be strongly annoyed at the ending and the fact there is no foreseeable conclusion.

Body of work of David Weber
Body of work of Linda Evans


Review: http://gcbooks.wordpress.com/2009/08/05/sequels-read-in-july/

Web site http://davidweber.net/
Linda Evans keeps a very low profile. I could find no website, no info or no photos.

Dragonback Bargain by Timothy Zahn

Dragonback Bargain is a bargain. It is a anthology including the complete novels: Dragon and Thief,Dragon and Soldier and Dragon and Slave. The premise of the series is a 14 year old orphan acquires a K’da warrior as a symbiote. The K’da warrior’s appearance is that of a Chinese dragon the size of a small tiger. The K’da people are fleeing the Valahgua who is perpetrating genocide on all races they meet. Jack Morgan, an orphan, is fleeing an unknown persecutor. Jack’s only companion is the computerized download of his late Uncle’s con-artist personality. Jack and Draycos team up to face their foes.

My only frustration with this series is that I thought it was three books and it is six books. In one way that is great because I really enjoying the series, on the other hand I 

don’t normally read series until I have acquired the entire series. I am now forced to track down the remaining three books.I haven’t seen that the series is characterized as young adult but that is how I would characterize it. The story is enjoyable, the characters are well done. Jack is suitably torn between his lonely desire to have a friend and his wish to placate his late Uncles computerized personality. The emotions are pretty clear and so is the conflict. There is a lot of action but it is tempered in a manner that is appropriate for the younger reader.

I highly recommend the entire series.

Body of work of Timothy Zahn

Hell’s Gate by David Weber and Linda Evans

Book one of the Multiverse series is a most engrossing 1200 pages. Evan’s and Weber portray two unique civilizations on a road to conflict. Arcana bases their technology on magic. Sharona has psychic talents but bases their technology on science. The multi-universal aspect is that both civilizations have discovered portal to alternate earths that have no populations until they confront each other.

David Weber and Linda Evans do a superb job in describing two dissimilar cultures and those cultures’ idiosyncrasies. As they alternate back and forth from culture to culture you find your sympathies vacillating as well. The beauty of their work is that you truly find things that are both laudable and stimulating for each culture. They are being drawn into conflict by serendipitous contacts and malicious behavior in spite of their root similarities. I can not wait to read the next volume, “Hell Hath No Fury”.

I highly recommend it and all of David Weber’s Work.

Body of work of David Weber
Body of work of Linda Evans


Review:

Web site http://davidweber.net/
Linda Evans keeps a very low profile. I could find no website, no info or no photos.

Two pals play pirate and have unusual friends. Of course the fact that one of the pals is a fireless dragon and the other nerdy lizard does play a part in their unusual friends. This is a delightful story of homework avoidance and dealing with peers.

I enjoyed the repartee of Danny and Wendell. It could have been my grandson and his buddy bantering back and forth. Their adventure was cute and age appropriate for the target market. I gave the book to my 11 year old grandson and his first question after reading it was when could he get the next one.

I enjoyed the book and my 11 year old grandson enjoyed it, we both recommend it.

Body of work of Ursula Vernon

Web Site: http://www.ursulavernon.com/

Review: http://100scopenotes.wordpress.com/2009/08/03/book-review-dragonbreath-by-ursula-vernon/

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

First, I am in awe that a kid wrote the book. Paolini started the book at age 15 and got it published at 19. It is a good story, a good fantasy and a terrific accomplishment. There is a dragon, evil dudes and lots of action. If you have read any of my blog, you are aware that I wax poetically about anthropomorphism and it’s story use. I love dragons and talking ones are even better. This is the first of the Inheritance series which now will have a fourth book that has not been published yet. This is touted as a kids book or young adult. If that is the case, I am apparently a great deal younger than my chronological age.

The best thing about this series is that my 10 year old grandson and I are reading it simultaneously. We call each other and discuss it. I would love the book for no other reason than the shared experience with my grandson. It is a good story and a good book, not great but I look forward to reading “Eldest” the next book in the series.

Body of work of Christopher Paolini

Review of the book: http://contemporarylit.about.com/cs/currentreviews/fr/eragon.htm

Site: http://www.alagaesia.com/

Sisters of the Raven and Circle of the Moon by Barbara Hambly

Hambly is one of my favorites. Note, I have a lot of favorites. In this two book series she writes of a society plagued with global warming and water shortages. Sounds all too familiar yet the books are several years old. In addition she addresses many issues of women, their rights and lack there of. Again, sounds very contemporary. Both books are good, you care about the characters. I don’t think I have ever read anything by Barbara Hambly that I haven’t recommended. These too books are no exception, read them.

Body of work of Barbara Hambly

Review of Sisters of the Raven: http://www.strangehorizons.com/2002/20021021/sisters.shtml

Review of Circle of the Moon: http://www.curledup.com/circmoon.htm

Web site: http://www.barbarahambly.com/hambooks.htm

The Dragon in Lyonesse by Gordon Dickson

I’ve mentioned Gordon Dickson is one of my all time favorite authors in an early post. The versatility of the man is simply awesome. From hard scifi to fantasy is a leap many authors are unable to make successfully. This book is the eighth in a nine book series. They are all entertaining, sometimes simplistic, often humorous but always entertaining. The protagonist is a changeling, man to dragon version. The stories are all focused on his adventures in Arthurian times. They are an absolutely delightful read, don’t expect to be challenged or to find your thoughts provoked but do expect to be entertained.

Titles in the series in order of publication are:
Dragon & The George Dragon Series #1
Dragon Knight Dragon Series #2
Dragon on the Border Dragon Series #3
Dragon At War Dragon Series #4
Dragon Earl and Troll Dragon Series #5
Dragon and the Djinn Dragon Series #6
Dragon & The Gnarly King Dragon Series #7
Dragon and the Fair Maid of Kent Dragon Series #9

Body of work of Gordon Dickson

Overview of Dickson’s Work: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorsai