I recently purchased this book after a visit to the Alamo. I also had the wonderful opportunity to meet Ms. Ragsdale. This book portrays an aspect of history that is rarely seen. Most Americans learn about the fall of the Alamo in their history classes. However, this is the first time I have had the joy to read about those who were also within the Alamo's walls, the women. These women endured a great catastrophe with honor and grace. It is quite refreshing to be given the opportunity to read about the others who participated in our country's growth and freedom. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in American History, Women's Studies or in general. It is a book that moves you and brings you to the Alamo. It helps one to read it and imagine the scenes that were occurring at that point in time. A great read!

Everyone seems to have something to say about words. The wise, the not so wise; the educated, the less-educated; writers, poets, politicians. What would it be like to hear them all tell us what they thought about language? In Words on Words the compilers provide us with 5000 quotations from a wide range of sources.

The book is very well organized: about one half of the book (300 pages)is a systematicly organized collection of the quotations, the remaining pages (280) provides indices to sources and topics. You should be able to find any quote of interest quite easily.

David Crystal is a very familiar name in linguistic circles and has extensive editing experience. This new volume exhibits his same care for detail and provides yet another useful volume for students (and teachers) of language.

Well...this book is definitely a "must have" book on diffraction if you're interested in this field. Dr. Guiner,for those who are not familiar with diffraction, was one of the leading scientist in the field and contributed much to the development of x-ray diffractometry. The book is definitely not for the beginner. However, for someone who has made his/her initial steps into the world of x-ray crystallography, this book might be rewarding to read for it discusses the fundamentals rigorously. The book is very affordable as well, making it a very attractive buy indeed...I highly recommend it.

This book was great! Finally Anja has admitted to herself that she is addicted to Andris Spice. She also realizes that Jacen and Jaina are her friends and doesn't want to hurt them any more. It was about time that the New Republic recognize the Young Jedi Knights for all the work that they had done for them. My only regret is that there is a rumor going around the Book World that this book will be the last book that Kevin Anderson and Rebecca Moesta write on the Young Jedi Knights series. I hope that that is not true. I'm sure that every fan wants to see what will happen to the Jedi Knights relationships and what they will do in the future. So Kevin Anderson and Rebecca Moesta, if you happen to read this review, please don't stop writing these books! They're great and I'm sure every fan wants to see what the Jedi Knights will do with they're futures, not to mention they're relationships. Anyway, this book is awsome and if you want to read it you better hurry because I got the last book that they had in stock.

This is the first long Star Wars book I ever read and I was quite impressed. With Anja Gallendro's growing addiction to andris spice she decides to steal Zekk's ship THE LIGHTNING ROD to go and get more spice from Kessel. Jacen, Jaina, Tenel Ka, Lowbacca and Zekk decide to go after her to stop her spice addiction and get Zekk's ship back. When they get to Kessel they learn that the administraitor has had a assasination attempt on him and Anja has left to Mon Calanmari. Leaving Jaina & Lowbacca to watch over the administrator. When the rest of the gang arrives at Mon Calamari they meet with the Jedi healer/ambassador they meet Anja and decide to destroy the evil Czethros (who smuggles andris spice) spice hideaway under the ocean. But Czethros has landed troops on Kessel for a takeover,and only Jaina & Lowbacca stand in his way! The book is exciting with lots of action. I recomend it to all Star Wars readers.

After many adventures and many friendships, not to mention fourteen novels, the much loved saga of the Young Jedi Knights has finally come to an end. I greeted this book with a measure of respect, and also a touch of sadness. I expected it to be one the best yet, and I was not disapointed. For a brief summery, Anja finally admits to herself that she is addicted to Andris Spice, (a type of drug) and, though she is trying to quit, she finally can't stand it any more. She steals Zekk's ship, The Lightning Rod, and heads for the spice mines of Kessal to get a few more doses to "tie her over" while she figures out what to do next. Naturally, the Young Jedi Knights go after her, and they eventually track her down to Crystal Reef, Calimari, and that's where the real adventure starts... In short, this book provided a fine close to this final trilogy, with (at last) an awesome confrontation with Czethros and Black Sun, as well as coming to terms with the question of Anja's adiction to spice. Speaking of Anja, this book really seemed to redeem her. I didn't like her at all at first, because of how much of a jerk she always is, and because it seemed that she was trying to replace Tenel Ka, whom I have always liked. She was better in this book, because she was at last admitting her mistakes to herself and to others and trying to set things right. Also, while this book solved the delima of this trilogy, there were many loose ends left unsatisfied, and it didn't seem to bring true closure to the whole series, except in the last few pages. For instance, what ever happened to Raynar after the death of his father? He was never one of my favorite characters anyway, but it should have been Zekk who was left out, not Raynar. Now that Zekk is no longer a villian and his healing processes are through, we really don't need him anymore except to be The Boy That Jaina Likes. I was never to enthusiastic about that boring relationship. Jacen and Tenel Ka were much better. Also, what happened to Raaba? Is she ever going to come back? They should have brought her back in this book. And I would have prefered it if all the Young Jedi Knights were together in their final adventure, instead of just Jaina and Lowie getting to fight the last battle. Anja, Jacen, Zekk, and Tenel Ka are instead all under Crystal Reef destroying the Andris, and while this has as much to do with the main plot as anything else, they are not all together and that is the point. Other than that though, there is nothing else wrong with this excellent book, and I would recommend this series to any Star Wars fan.

A book of reincarnation and living different lives while still living the same life. Sounds confusing! Well, the book is one that you need to read every word of to soak it all in. Paige, and 18 year old young woman, sets off to a journey in space. Her last week on earth, she meets a young man, Tem. The plot picks up when they say good-bye and follows Paige, through an 'endless' life. It was a good book and you really feel for the character and what she went through. Again, you will have to concentrate, for this book is confusing with it's plot and time scheme. I would recommend this to young adults who have interests in Sci-Fi, and are interesting in 'getting into' a book, not just reading for fun. I rate this 4 stars. Another great for Pike, but confusing none the less.

A book of reincarnation and living different lives while still living the same life. Sounds confusing! Well, the book is one that you need to read every word of to soak it all in. Paige, and 18 year old young woman, sets off to a journey in space. Her last week on earth, she meets a young man, Tem. The plot picks up when they say good-bye and follows Paige, through an 'endless' life. It was a good book and you really feel for the character and what she went through. Again, you will have to concentrate, for this book is confusing with it's plot and time scheme. I would recommend this to young adults who have interests in Sci-Fi, and are interesting in 'getting into' a book, not just reading for fun. I rate this 4 stars. Another great for Pike, but confusing none the less.

At 20, I might not belong to the intended age-group for Pike's YA novels. But I can still remember reading them a couple of years ago, and every now and then I re-read one or two of them, just because they are so amazing.

This is one book that I have read a lot of times, because it's so astonishing! I just love the melancholy that simmers within every page until the very end. Still there is so much hope embedded in this story, along with a very philosophical approach to life. The thought of life living itself on and on again is scary, although fascinating.

When I picked up the first one of Christopher Pike's books, I had no idea what to expect. But I was totally blown away by the mystical drama about love and hate that was "See you later". Of course I didn't stop at that one.

The starlight crystal is trully one of the best YA novels Pike has written. I even wish it wasn't called a YA novel, since nobody is too old or too mature to appreciate the wisdom printed on the pages of this wonderful book.

I adore this series and look forward to the next two trilogies associated with "Chronicles". I was surprised at the twists and turns in the book...I thought after Crimson Claw, the ending would be entirely predictable, but not so...Even though the series has "borrowed" heavily from myth and history (from Harriet Tubman to Exodus to possibly in the next 3, Remus and Romulus?) I love it just the same. A must read. My only complaint...I wish the SKEKS were finally found to be sentient beings with rights as well, which was hinted at in the Gladiator's ring of book 2 but never fully realized. Mr. Lucas...NEW TRILOGY PLEASE!!!

This is the BEST series i've ever read. As an avid STAR WARS fan, i stumbled across previews from The Golden One and The Crimson Claw. Immediately, i was hooked and began searching to find them. When i finally got my hands on The Golden One, i couldn't put it down, and BEGGED my dad forever to order The Crimson Claw. Finally i got The Crystal Eye. This has been the BEST series i have ever read, and thats outta hundreds of books! I just wanna know what happens to Ampris' half-Viis cubs, Nashmarl and Foloth. Deborah, pleeeeeeeeeeeze write a sequel! we all wanna know what happens!

I really enjoyed this book! I bought the first one because the plot sounded interesting but then I was hooked. Although The Crimson Claw was my favorite, I think that the Crystal Eye is an equal to the other two. I'm not a sentimental person and I almost never cry over movies or books, but this book made me cry! Ampris is my favorite character in any book I've ever read. I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of science fiction books.

First of all, let me say I was not much of a fantasy fan. I am a die-hard horror fan, so I passed all the opportunities to read any fantasy novel.

That ended when I started playing D&D and decided to buy the Icewind Dale Trilogy. Let me just say this, Salvatore's characters--the drow elf Drizzt, the HUGE barbarian Wulfgar, the battle hardened dwarf Bruenor, the lovable young lass Cattie-Brie, the mischievous but kind-hearted halfling Regis...even Gwenhwyvar, Drizzt's other-planar panther familiar--are greatly fleshed out, and the adventures they participate in are nothing sort of spectacular.

Why didn't I give this book five stars? Well, because of the annoying typos. And let me say that there are a lot of typos throughout this version. I've read below that the separate paperbacks are free of these typos, but the complete version is riddled with them. But anyway, this was no obstacle to enjoy this masterpiece.

So, is this book worth buying? Surely, if it made a hardcore horror fan like myself be interested in the fantasy genre, I bet any fantasy fan will love this book.

Alright, maybe J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings Trilogy exceeded this a little, but not much. R.A. Salvatore is a master of description, and he doesn't fail here. The images of the characters are painted in your mind, and his characters are unforgettable. The drow elf Drizzt is an outcast from a society of evil elves, Regis is a lazy theiving halfling, Wulfgar is a zealous, arrogant barbarian, Bruenor is a grumpy dwarf, and the beautiful Catti-Brie is a human who keeps them together. These are the heroes, especially Drizzt, and you come to appreciate them as if they were family.

Even if you are not a fan of Fantasy like me, this book is still perfect in many other ways. I'm not gonna give anything away, but in the other books with Drizzt and his friends Salvatore develops the characters even more, so its worth it to read all the books.

It's hard to believe a book like this exists.
I am a great fan of the LOtR books, but any person who has read those novels will realize that they need to be set to a better pace.
And so, the Icewind Dale Trilogy was the book most needed in the fantasy writing world. By the first sentence, I was hooked. And who wouldn't be? I've recommended it to all my friends and family, and I think anybody who hasn't read these books should hurry up and start.
I have read many fantasy novels (about 200 or so per year), and I want to start writing my own. If inspiration can be found in any novel or series thereof, that series is the Icewind Dale Trilogy.
It has anything anybody could ask for- halflings, elves, dwarves, redemption, dragons, giant spiders, assassins, magic, amazing fight scenes, evil elves (how cool is that?) and even a spark of romance. Unlike so many other novels, however, Salvatore doesn't overdo it on the romance.
For anybody who has ever enjoyed fantasy writing, you really should love this book.
If you aren't into fantasy, read this book anyway.
I can just about promise you'll be hooked by the first page. Or maybe even the first three words.

Whenever I delve into a saga with sequels and prequels, the first book is the critical dertermining factor as to whether or not I continue the series. While I have read more compelling first books of the Arthurian legend, I did not find anything in this book to dissuade me from continuing onto Book Two. Merlin is honestly the single character in the Arthurian legend who holds very little interest for me. Much too much has been made of they legend and most stories stray into the realm of dragons and shape changing and such. Stewart is careful to keep Merlin in the realm of human life allowing him a sixth sense...and almost soothsayer-like ability ...but tempers it with a mystique that even Merlin does not understand nor control himself. I found the characters of Ambrosius and Uther well done; and I liked the connection between Merlin and Ambrosius. It finally gave a reason to Merlin's rational for being involved with these men at all...when often in the story it is clear he simply wishes for the simple life of a healer.

So far, Igraine is developing well also - with a much stronger sense of herself than I think other authors have given her. She is not the typical "vessel for the birth of Arthur" and nothing more. I also find myself intrigued that no mention has yet been made of Morgause or Morgan. I'm eager to find out how they fit or do not fit into Stewart's telling of this old tale.

Dialog seems to be realisitic - especially when it involves the slaves and servants. Stewart is descriptive but limits it to painting the backdrop and then moves on. Overly flowery and much too lengthy descriptions of scenery were a point I disliked in the Cornwell Warlord Trilogy books. I particularly like the descriptions of Tintagel. Having been there, I was able to build on my memories of the site and make it into an actual castle in my mind.

Now - as I said -this was not the most compelling "first installment" I have ever read. In fact, I have opted to disrupt the continuation onto The Hollow Hills and will first read another novel - totally unrelated- that has come to my attention before I continue with the Stewart Series. That being said, I WILL continue...later.

The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart, the first of a series, is about Merlin the Wizard's childhood and a little after that. Mary Stewart uses history to depict the setting of the novel, and draws on it somewhat to affect how Merlin grows up. Merlin is born in Maridunum, Britain. His mother is the daughter of the king of part of Wales. No one knows where or who his father is, except for Merlin's mother, who won't tell anyone. Merlin's grandfather is allied with the High King of Greater Britain. In the story Melrin runs from his home in fear of being killed by his uncle and to-be king Camlach. He flees to Less Britain and there finds out who his father is, and what his purpose for living really his. Merlin is arguably the most intriguing character. He is very solitary, as a boy and an adult, seeking no company from anyone except his personal servant. His most fascinating aspect his his ability to manipulate people, even without magic. In some circumstances he acquired help from God, using magic to cinvince people into doing what he wanted. Most fantasy fans would like this book. Merlin is always an interesting person to read about and has had many books written about him. His childhood is mysterious, though, and many people would like to find out about it. This book talks about his childhood, and how it affected his life. The only part of the book I didn't like is the extensive description of the landscapes and settings. If you like a lot of description, though, then this book is for you.

I suppose I felt I had to add my way of seeing this book, which I haven't found shared among the comments. I read it when I was 13-14, maybe...
I fell in love with Merlin. He's such a real character-- the book is told first-person, I think-- it's character-driven, especially in the first book, so that enjoyment comes from totally immersing youself in that world and that identity. So many details about 5th century English life in a minor castle... I don't know how to say "Merlin is charming" or "Merlin is wonderful", but still, I do know that Merlin never leaves you.
All these years, he's had his stamp on my ideas of England and that time in history. I couldn't read the book like "some book" and "some plot", because it's his life, and he became my friend, relating it to me, a friend I'm in awe/wonder of, a friend who I'm sad for and a friend I'll always remember. Truly one of the most realistic and wondrous descriptions of dealing with the Gift and with Magic I've ever read.
Arthur and Guineveve never inspired me again-- just characters lost in their time, their function-- of course, so was Merlin, in his way, but he also shaped, his time, his destiny, as he was shaped by it. He was aware....
Don't be fooled by the stupid covers to this new edition. It's nothing like a medieval tapestry. It's the story of the man whom history would remember as Merlin.... but that's not how he would tell it.....

My title for this review comes from some narrative on page 228 of the paperback edition of this book. That line alone will tell you what you can expect from The Crystal Shard. For those who are fairly new to the genre of fantasy, you might think that this is a good, if not excellent book. If I were in your shoes I'd probably agree with you. But readers--like me--that have long followed the fantasy genre will find just another mediocre fantasy yarn. Orcs, goblins, dragons, wizards, stupid antagonists, lucky protagonists, simple storytelling--all are in here. As bad as I make this book sound, it is not a total disaster. The storyline certainly has lots of action and Salvatore takes you all over his sparse map. One of the promising characters is Drizzt Do'Urden, an exiled dark elf. Perhaps if I were younger I'd like to follow in Drizzt's footsteps in his other journeys, but not now that I know there are better characters to be found in fantasy. Still, younger readers will undoubtedly find him mysterious and interesting. Like many reviewers have stated before, this book abounds in cliche's. I've personally gotten to the point where I don't mind if authors use cliche's, but I do expect them to twist them around and try and make them their own. R. A. Salvatore does a mediocre job of that. At the very end of this book, Salvatore does lay some groundwork so that a sequel can be envisioned. Not very good groundwork, but at least the story doesn't leave you hanging.

I just got finished reading this book for the second time. The first time I read it was when I just began reading fantasy novels many years ago. I didn't enjoy it as much this time through, but I still found it entertaining. For those who have read the Dragonlance chronicles or the Lord of the Rings, you may feel that this book falls short of those fantastic trilogies. However, I would say there is a reason that Salvatore has written so many novels in the Drizzit series. It is not because all of his readers are stupid. The reason his books sell is that his books are fun to read. The Crystal Shard is a fast paced book with a lot of good ideas and an interesting premise. I will be the first to say that Salvatore's writing in The Crystal Shard is not up there with the quality of J.R.R Tolkien, but the novel still draws you in and makes you continue reading because you want to find out what is going to happen. If you are going to read fantasy novels of this type you unfortunately will have to get used to superheroes that are impossible to kill. This is true of Drizzit, Bruenor, and Wulfgar. But if Salvatore killed them off in the first couple of books there would not be this long running series that we have now. For those who say the character development in this book is poor...I think you are right to some degree, but read the Dark Elf Trilogy and you will see that Salvatore is a really good author. For those of you who like to read fun light-hearted books please read this book you will like it and the rest of the series.

I first came upon this novel thinking very little. I expected it to be nothing more than some typical fantasy trash. I just could not stand "The Hobbit" at all, yet I wanted to venture into fantasy, so a friend (who hasn't read this) referred me to the novel itself. He had mentioned that "Homeland" by Salvatore was better than decent. But still, I was rather skeptical. All in all, this is a tremendously great read.

Adventure Value: 9/10- This book contains numerous battle scenes and heroic combat moments

Romance Rating: 3/10- Wulfgar the Barbarian does do a little hitting on the female protagonist, but nothing more.

Character Development: 7/10- Drizzt, Bruenor, Regis, and Wulfgar are well developed, but there is some slacking on the antagonist: Akar Kessell.

Climax: 8/10- The ending of the read draws to a beautiful close.

Plotline: 6/10- The plotline was thin at random points, though at times it was as thick as molasses...

Creature Feature: 8/10- there are barbarians, goblins, orcs, ogres, giants, and even an ice dragon...it's well done...

My overall commentation on this book is that it is very good, and I recommend anyone new to the genre read it soon!

My first encounter with Anne McCaffrey may very well be the best. "Crystal Singer" is an engrossing book, with a very headstrong and admirable female character. By the time her new direction in life is setup and put into motion, I was totally entranced with the book and simply could not put it down. The characters, both male and female, are well fleshed out, and her rise from a rejected opera student to a full fledged crystal singer is a fascinating journey to embark on. The premise for the book - singing and cutting crystal - is unusual and well presented. There is a definite otherworldly flavor to the book as it has a strong sci fi theme that does not assault the reader with too much techno babble, thus its an enjoyable book for the diehards and the casual alike. As the first of a trilogy, its delightful, but also stands alone well with its satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended, but with a word of warning, its nearly impossible to break away from the lure of crystal.

Killashandra Ree, music student on the planet Fuerte, who after failing her final exams quits with her singing career (she simply won't be second rank!). A chance meeting with a crystal singer of the Heptite Guild of Ballybran, induces her to apply as a crystal singer. Killashandra's training and initiation into the Guild make for a riveting read. Ms. McCaffrey shows off her usual skill in world building, in defining the Crystal Guild and Ballybran. Killashandra's strong personality, resourcefulness, intelligence, musical training, her easy transition to the Ballybran spore and her affinity to the rare black crystal make her an asset to the Guild. Killashandra belongs to the most memorable of Anne McCaffrey's heroines. Right from the first page she became intensely alive for me (I really felt her disappointment and joys), as does her first great love the fascinating and enigmatic guild master Lanzecki. Beautifully Anne McCaffrey describes the singing of crystal itself. The idea of whole crystal ranges singing back at you was very poetic (see for instance the effect of singing black crystal on Killashandra).

A wonderful first volume!

This is the book which introduced me to Anne McCaffrey. Until I read the Crystal Singer Trilogy I had never read anything of this author. Yes, I had heard of her, but never had had the chance of reading one of her works. I now lament the time I passed without reading anything from this wonderful author.

Killashandra Ree is a character with whom you will find yourself very much connected with. She has spirit, she has determination and she has what is needed to become a Crystal Singer. So when she is given the chance to become one, she doesn't look behind. She doesn't believe in unnoticeable careers. She is ambitious and when she is told her voice is not enough for her to succeed in solo, she decides to pursue the Crystal Singing career, a dangerous job only few can suceed in. Besides, the Heptit Guild has only scarce members and she believes she can make something out of herself there.

I highly recommend this book. It is like something I never saw and explores an idea I never heard of. Not only for the musically challenged... ::smiles::