In First to Fight we are treated to good background information without being bored. We learn about the main characters backgrounds and what drives their motivations. Such as the Joe Dean who came from an Army household and his motivations for going into the Corps. We Get to understand why SSgt. Bass mistrust the UPUD's. There are glimpses into what future military boot camp might be like. Almost every detail in this book tied into something else and nothing stood out as frivolous.

The book begins a year or so before the main story, on the introduction of a new piece of military hardware and the problem associated with it. With that background in place we move onto the main story.

Part one includes the story of a young man's desire to perform military service and his trials through boot camp. This part sets up the training and function of the Corps. and the mindset.

Part Two is the new private as he intereacts on his first duty assignment and how the newbies are brought into the fold by the old salts. To some this might seem boring but it gives some insight into the traditions binding together a band of warriors and how it affects them.

Part three begins the mission of providing humanitarian aid on an alien world and the requirements needed. This section like the rest concentrates on the people involved and not the science or the logistics. It provides a glimpse into how humanitarian missions or other non combat missions might turn into combat.

Part four is the resolution to this crisis and how all the previous parts come together. Sorry if this seems vague but I don't want to give the story away. All in all David Sherman and Dan Cragg are outstanding in this series. It brings to SF another aspect of the future. This series doesn't concentrate on spaceships, giant robots, single heroes/heroines that can do everything or unrealistic ground warfare.

The setting could be placed in any modern warfare arena because the tactics are real and practical. The interactions make sense and I cannot think of any other writer who can bring the futuristic elements of ground combat better than these two authors.

Other folks who I gave the book to gave it mixed results. No one disliked it, but most found the "brother-sister" element to be a bit corny. And pardon my sexism, but I thought the book would appeal more to women than men (since the main character is a teenage girl). Not so. This book is definitely "not for women only".

I imagine if you have a sentimental streak through your bones you will probably love this book.

Bottom line: THE MILL ON THE FLOSS is an excellent novel. Enjoy!

The writing is graceful, with no telltale "collaboration" signs. A high level of tension is maintained despite the fact that there's rather little physical action. Worldbuilding questions I had about the last book are answered, and the portrayal of historical scholarship is clearly informed by real-life experience (I think I took classes with Crabbe at UCLA).

The characters are deeply flawed--Theron immature and hedonistic, St. Cloud obsessive and driven--but ultimately human, and I found them sympathetic. I also found many of the minor characters appealing. The portrayal of St. Cloud, especially, as an unreliable POV is masterfully done. Theron's sluttishness did make me want to smack him--but if you're engaged enough to want to smack a character, the writer has done her job.

The very end faltered a little. I wanted a touch more of St. Cloud's POV at a crucial moment, and I'm left hoping for a sequel, because the kingship theme feels unfinished to me. In addition, I wanted some ecological or economic trouble to be arising--why does what happens, happen *now*?

I enjoyed this book a great deal and highly recommend it.

This blew me away.

The City is still there, and just as vibrant and dangerous and romantic as ever -- but it's very convincingly a city that's gone through sixty years of changing fashions and circumstances.

Alec and Richard and Diane are no longer there, but their presence is still felt.

The old King Stag myths are beautifully incorporated into the city's history and present.

I didn't fall in love with any of the new characters the way I fell in love with both Richard and Alec, but they managed to break my heart even so.

And I entirely disagree with the reviewer who faulted the book for excessively numerous and graphic sex scenes. I loved each and every one of them, even the ones that horrified me.

This book is a triumph of imagination and style. I can't afford to buy copies to give to all my friends, so you're going to have to buy it yourself!

The Fall of the Kings was a pleasant surprise. Theron is sympathetic and I know he's a spoilt brat; he's meant to be) and strangely endearing; it is he, not Basil St. Cloud, who is the protagonist of the entire piece. Less dreamlike than Swordspoint, the whole novel still manages to come across as slightly fairy-tale like.

Some of the going is rough. The plot, as some have commmented, is shaky at times. The supporting characters are not quite as endearing as Michael Godwin was in Swordspoint. Still, the novel kept me engaged for the entire 450 pages - and it ends gracefully, with mingled sorrow and hope.

The preoccupations with academia and dead kings were fascinating, and the whole world of Swordspoint has been fleshed out and given more life - we hear more of social customs, of University traditions, of history and politics than has been previously revealed. I'd have liked to see more of the world of Riverside - but perhaps Kushner will deliver that in her upcoming solo effort.

The Fall of the Kings is confectionary wrapped up in lush prose; a novel that manages to enthrall despite its weaknesses.

The initial demon-worshipping villains made perfect sense to me - there are lots and lots of inadequate people out there dreaming of power from nowhere. There is a problem, at least to me, with the notion of "dark elves," but that's because I've decided that elves, dark, light, hangin' out in LA, NYC, or fairyland, are getting old.

Why the 3 star review? Because I liked it, and I will buy a sequel without hesitation, but I only liked it. We are guilty, here, of review inflation. Was this Lord of the Rings? No? Then don't give it a five. This was fun, it was adequate, and I don't regret buying it, or reading it, or recommending it. What I want to make clear is that it isn't profound, or life changing.

Another thing - part of me wants a sequel. But if Josepha Sherman decides to leave Ilaron and Denise right where they are, that's fine, too. Especially if it means she's going on to a new project, as entertaining as this one.

Good book, read it, and pass it on.

Ilaron is a "Dark Elf" escaped from Sidhe-Land to lead a normal life as an art collecter and dealer. He's delicious. He's got long black hair and wicked cool shades. Yum yum yum. Denise is an museum curator, helping Ilaron fight bad Sumerian demons. No, no, really, there's more to it than that, but I shan't be giving it away.

Elves. Swords. Subway Trains. The perfect modern elf fantasy... I'd recommend this book to all Fantasy and Sci-Fi readers. Josepha Sherman never disapoints.

As with most novels, I read page after page anticipating the "big moment", the "turning point", a "climax", anything to cite as the work's purpose or point. I never did quite accomplish that.I found myself reading and rereading looking for the part that I must have skipped over accidentally. I have yet to find the secret chapter.

But what I accomplished wasn't known to me at the time but became clear after reflecting. The goal of the book is to help its readers acquire an inner peace within themselves; one that I found to be best appreciated in one's older years. I dont think that I was ready to read the book presently, but can see myself one day rocking in a glider totally enjoying and appreciating Jewett's novel.

A collection of quiet "sketches," this volume is a reminder of the fine writing produced by some of the earliest American realists. Critics have recently revised their first opinions of the book as a "small success" and now consider it a classic of American literature. The stories revolve around a young writer who goes to the coastal town of Dunnet Landing, Maine. In the company of Mrs. Todd, a venerable and locally revered herbalist who gives her lodging, the writer comes to know and write about the people of the area. The result is a fascinating look into personalities shaped and distilled by life on that severe coast into persons of rare character. This edition also contains eight of Jewett's best short stories, including "A White Heron" and "The Queen's Twin."

No plot devices or car chases here--this is a book to read on a rainy afternoon when nostalgia and melancholy threaten to overwhelm. It's comfort food like grandma used to make--reassuring, soul-fortifying, and full of the capacity to cheer. It's also addictive--once you take a bite out of Pointed Firs, you can't stop.

Similar author: Mary Wilkins Freeman

According to Chatzky, learning to talk about money is comparable to learning a foreign language, which seems a bit of a stretch. Learning to talk money is much easier! Chatzky says that while sex is a relatively comfortable topic for casual conversation, that talking money is taboo (What crowd's she hanging out with?). As you learn to talk about money, Chatzky says you'll make more intelligent personal financial decisions.

The first chapter of "Talking Money" discusses personal financial goals. Chatzky poses five questions to ask yourself about your personal financial goals. First, what do you want to achieve this year with your personal finances? Second, what do you want your money to achieve for you in ten years? Third, what do you want to accomplish with your money far into the future? Fourth, are you willing to begin achieving your financial plans? Fifth, do you know enough to get started with your financial dreams?

Chatzky compares setting financial goals to exercise. She says that attending a full class in cardio kickboxing will tire you out the first day, but if you keep at it, you will get stronger. Similarly, getting started tracking your expenses or saving might at first seem tiring. But, as you learn to do it, you will become financially stronger.

"Talking Money" gives solid advice about choosing the right credit card for you. And, Chatzky provides good questions to ask about any credit card you consider acquiring. She also discusses credit ratings. "Talking Money" also notes that anyone who claims to be able to improve your credit rating probably isn't legitimate.

The second chapter, "Talking Savings," was highly readable. Chatzky says we probably want to know where our money goes. So, she recommends personal financial programs, such as Quicken or Microsoft Money, for tracking your finances. She notes that some people become highly addicted to tracking their expenses to the penny using such computer programs. They join the "Cult of Quicken."

If you don't want to use a computer to track your expenses, Chatzky gives a short list of personal expense categories that will probably suffice for basic budgeting.

The chapter "Talking Investing for Safety" does a solid job of introducing money market accounts, treasuries, money market mutual funds, short-term bond funds, and tax-free funds.

Chatzky tells us that Treasury Bills are 3-12 months in maturity, Treasury Notes are 2-10 years in maturity, and Treasury Bonds are up to 30 years in maturity (I'd just lump them all together and call them Treasuries, but then too, my French sucks). Chatzky suggests that if you plan to buy Treasuries and hold them until maturity, you should buy them directly from the government (publicdebt.treas.gov) to avoid paying commissions.

"Talking Money" points out that the difference in yield between various money market mutual funds is due to the differing expense ratios that the funds charge investors. Chatzky mentions ibcdata.com as one source to track money market fund rates. (But, unless you have a lot in a money market fund, you might want to stick with your usual broker.)

Chatzky also makes the important distinction between money market funds which have only temporarily lowered their expense fees to draw in business and money market funds (such as Vanguard) which tend to keep expense ratios low on a consistent basis. (Chatzky also notes that credit card companies are notorious for offering teaser rates which shoot up.)

The book does a very good job of explaining why we shouldn't invest in stocks for short-term savings goals.

My favorite chapter was "Talking Spending" where Chatzky gives great tips for saving money on your purchases. She notes we must be informed consumers. For example, when buying a car, it's best to know the dealer price. Then, we can work from that and see how much mark-up the dealer is trying to get. Chatzky suggests edmunds.com as one source of dealer prices on cars.

Also, when ordering mail-order or over the internet, Chatzky says don't forget shipping charges. I wish I had given this some thought before I ordered my 17" PC monitor from across the country! I would have saved $40 by buying one locally. That's money effectively thrown away.

Chatzky tells us that buying a used car is often the best deal when purchasing an automobile. She tells us two-year-old cars have depreciated in price by about 60%, yet, typically, a two-year-old car has only expended one-third of its useful life.

Other chapters discuss talking real estate, talking insurance, talking investing for retirement and college, talking with your aging parents about money, and talking with your spouse about money. Overall, "Talking Money: Everything You Need to Know About Your Finances and Your Future" by Jean Chatzky is very readable and provides good financial advice.

Peter Hupalo, Author of "Becoming An Investor"