This novel is a GREAT kickoff for the new Sembia series. The characterization is in-depth and believable, and the stories are loaded with action. Normally, I'd be a little concerned with a book that has seven different authors, but these guys (and ladies) pull it off great! Each story leads nicely into the next and you get to see each character through the other characters' eyes. I'm not sure I even have a favorite character yet. They're all good! An excellent read.

Let me say first that I haven't bought a Forgotten Realms novel in a few years. I'm glad I bought this one though. I agree with the otehr reviewer that Erevis Cale is the coolest (congratulations Mr. Kemp), but the rest are cool too, except only the father. Ed's story didn't do anything for me. The youngest son and daughter are probably second and third best. Most of the stories are dark, even grim, with interesting stories and fast-paced plots. The city of Selgaunt really came to life for me, and I got into each of the characters when their story came along. On the strength of this book, I've decided to give FR novels another shot.

All right. Two things: 1. Erevis Cale kicks serious arse. 2. This novel kicks serious arse. This is one of the few anthologies that I've ever read that actually worked. And this one worked well. This family is the best thing in fantasy since...I don't know what! Each character is fully developed, there's no cliches, and each story, while it does stand independently, interacts nicely with the others. Sembia is finally explored for FR fans, and the explanation is grand. Noble infighting, commercial espionage, thieves guilds, curses, a ton of action, you name it!

Now back to point one: Erevis Cale, the butler/manservant in this novel, is now my favorite FR character. This guy is a walking contradiction, but it works perfectly, effortlessly. Tension spills from the pages as he tries to reconcile his past with his present. This characterization job is all the more impressive considering that the author has only thirty or forty pages to work with.

I should add that everything I just said is true of the rest of the characters too, but Cale just sticks in my brain. This guys is unbelieveable! I can't wait to read more about him in Shadow's Witness this November.

I bless the day I discovered T. Greenwood, a writer who has such depth that her words flow from the pages into my soul, touching me with their beauty. I love her references to color in this book, reflecting back to the memories of Piper's mother who deserted her at a critical time in her life. Piper has been hurt by everyone who ever loved her with the exception of her brother Quinn and her best friend Becca, both of whom come back into her life as she comes closer to its end. Read this book if you care about people's feelings. Read this book if you love words which join together like the stitches of an afghan as they create a story which you're sure was written just for you. If you haven't read anything else by T. Greenwood, you will after reading UNDRESSING THE MOON. And if you have read BREATHING WATER & NEARER THE SKY you will not be disappointed with this one either.

Nobody writes like this. No one can capture what T. Greenwood captures in all that she creates. Her third novel, Undressing The Moon, is as stunning if not more beautiful and heartwrenching than her previous two.

Undressing The Moon is told through Piper, both in her youth struggling with life, and in her present day adulthood. At fourteen, her mother left. In present day, she is dying of breast cancer. There is beautiful imagery that surrounds glass and colors throughout the entire book, and the mending of such things. This book breaks your heart too, and instead of mending it completely, it leaves a piece missing so that you'll always remember this story. But stories like this are impossible to forget anyway.

Read all of her books, you will not be disappointed. There are many things to experience, learn and taste in her stories. Nobody writes like T. Greenwood, nobody.

I cannot get this story and these characters out of my mind--I still think about them, days after I finished the book. It is the story of Piper at thirty diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and as a teenager, and it shows the force her mother's absence brings to bear througout her throughout Piper's life. Piper stumbles through school, attracting the attention of an older man, and this is where a lesser writer would have faltered, but there is not a false note in the writing. Greenwood uses touching prose and imagery, going back and forth in time and it never feels jarring. It just flows beautifully. I am so glad I discovered T. Greenwood and I recommend this book highly.

R.A. Salvatore really brought to life the legend of Drizzt Do'Urden in this absolutely wonderful trilogy set in the Forgotten Realms gaming universe. Salvatore's tortured dark elf has grown to be one of the most popular heros of all the Realms. Even though introduced in Salvatore's previous novels (the Crystal Shard trilogy). Drizzt's early life is documented through this thick tome, and just endears himself to both the new, and the Dungeons and Dragons experienced reader. For the new to the Realms reader, some of the creatures mentioned within are confusing, but overall the book is fantastic, and well written, and full of trademark Salvatore fight scenes! I felt that the final book in the set, Sojurn was my favorite, and have enjoyed all of Drizzt's other adventures very much.

Fans of fantasy novels, R.A. Salvatore's "The Dark Elf Trilogy" is a series that stands on its own in the world of sword and sorcery type fantasy. Salvatore here has weaved a great yarn that will keep you entertained from the riveting start of book one, "Homeland," to the great ending to the third and final book, "Sojourn." This edition of the books is a big trade paperback that contains all of the trilogy in one easy to read format. This is a great buy for fans of the series or for anyone that is looking to read the novels. And a word of warning: there may be very minor spoilers ahead.

The story that "The Dark Elf Trilogy" tells is that of Drizzt Do'Urden. Drizzt is a dark elf, an elf with dark skin and white hair, and he lives in the Underdark in the city of the Drow (the city that all Dark Elves live in), Menzoberranzan. The first book of the trilogy relays Drizzt's upbringing and how he was trained in school. The second book tells about his life on the outside of Menzoberranzan in the dangerous Underdark. In book three, which I find to be the best book of the series, Drizzt finally leaves the Underdark and gets to the surface of the world. His adventures up there are truly amazing.

Drizzt is a superb character that is three dimensional, very likeable, and easy to identify yourself with. Drizzt is different from his fellow Drow in that he has different beliefs. When he is out of Menzoberranzan we see him relate with other people and we see how he is rejected most of the time. This is realistic as many people in today's world may feel rejected by certain people. For those people you won't be sulking and saying 'why do I have to be like this?' as Salvatore shows Drizzt grow and adapt to the other people and his enviroments. This is excellent reading and many of the themes on people that Salvatore includes in the book are little lessons on life.

Furthermore, between each of the mini parts of each of the three novels Salvatore includes journal entries from Drizzt. These entries are truly wonderful to read as they are commentaries on things such as religon, friends, love, and life. It is great to see how Salvatore includes such important little things in the book as they can make your reading a little bit more enjoyable.

"The Dark Elf Trilogy" is some of the best fantasy in the genre today. This is one of the better fantasy series that I've read and this is so because of the great character of Drizzt Do'Urden. This trilogy will definitely be enjoyed.

Happy Reading!

There are more books (fantasy fiction included) out there that I'd rather avoid than sit down with. Among all the fantasy literature out there, the Dark Elf Trilogy are not only the most interesting and inspiring, but I have to admit it. I LOVE them! Salvatore is simply my favorite author of all time. Thank you for making this for me to read!

The characters are just perfect. There are so many interesting characters it still amazes me. You'll never get stuck in a "boring chapter" that focuses on someone you don't care about. You will love the main characters as they live and develope. The evil characters truly demand respect... never was such a cold world named as the world of the Drow. And amongst it all is a hero who has great amounts of love for all that is good, yet who can become a incredible force of destruction. Absolutely beautiful.

The fighting scenes are unlike anything you've ever dreamed. After reading these you'll want to take up some form of sword fighting as a career! If you ever thought the fighter character in dnd/fantasy was boring, well you'll have your mind changed just like I did. Did you say you like magic and monsters? Well so do I... and these books satisfy my craving more than any other fantasy books I've read.

In conclusion, you're missing out if you don't get these books. Rare if ever do I reread books because usually they weren't that great the first time. Not so with this trilogy. What can I say, Salvatore has broken all of my rules.

This surprisingly beautiful novel moves back and forth in time as a broken, battered young woman returns to her grandparent's cabin in Vermont. Now in disrepair, this rambling old place holds treasured memories of Effie's childhood. Her more recent memories there, three years ago, were tainted by abuse, violence and death. She has returned to heal.

In lyrical rhythm, with images so perfect, so vivid, Greenwood's talent shines through: "The clouds moved across the sky, thin white dresses on an invisible line." When Effie first meets Max, her not yet abusive boyfriend, we are as intrigued as this young woman by his angst, his pain. Later, Max's need to pass along this pain is inescapable, preordained, had Effie only known the signs. But make no mistake: this is a story of redemption, not destruction. Effie has a strong heart and loving spirit; when given the opportunity to move beyond the scars of the past, she reaches out with both hands. From the first page Effie warns, "Do not ask me for haunted... because I will give you haunted and you will never be the same."

There have been many books written about domestic violence and the challenge of recovery, Anna Quindlen's BLACK AND BLUE and Alice Hoffman's HEAVEN ON EARTH. But this is a book that swims unerringly toward survival, then embraces the slow healing that follows. This novel is a writer's treasure, illuminated by phrases glowing with truth. I will keep this wonderous book for myself, sharing it sparely, always anxiously awaiting its return.

I certainly hope that any potential reader that stumbles across this book doesn't make the mistake of pigeonholing it as a 'women's novel' -- the author is a woman, yes, and she's dealing with a subject that affects (too many) women, domestic abuse. This novel is one that should appeal to a broad variety of readers -- anyone who appreciates a well-written, intelligently conceived story that deals so convincingly with such an important topic. The quoted kudos on the back cover (hardback edition) from such luminaries as Larry McMurtry and Howard Frank Mosher should give a clue as to the talent at work here.

Greenwood's characterizations are honest and complete -- warts and all, as they say. No character is without flaws, which adds to the overall feeling of believability. The reader might be tempted to chastise Effie Greer for not seperating herself sooner from the man who beats and abuses her -- but here, as in real life, there are many emotions and feelings at play. The abused is torn -- between what she knows in an intellectual sense is the right thing for her to do, and what her emotions are trying to convince her to do, to hang on and hope against hope that 'things will get better'. There are hard decisions to be made in such a situation in 'real life', and they are no easier for Effie to make in this novel.

The subject -- and part of the book as well -- is dark, but this work also contains optimism and hope, and is ultimately an uplifting reading experience. Greenwood's other novel, NEARER THAN THE SKY, is equally rewarding. The quality of these two novels gives me cause to look forward to more from this talented writer.

T. Greenwood's BREATHING WATER is a superbly crafted novel about Effie Greer, a young woman in her 20s, who has suffered both physically and emotionally as the result of a long-term abusive relationship. The drowning of a young black girl at Effie's granparents' camp on Lake Gormlaith in Vermont propels the story of Effie's struggles with her mind, body and spirit over a period of about five years from 1991 to 1995. Greenwood lures the reader into the pages of BREATHING WATER and places him/her in every scene like a fly on the window who can neither speak nor be easily seen. The reader is drawn into the book by Greenwood's masterful use of descriptive and lyrical language. The characters have been carefully developed and each is an integral part of the story and of Effie's journey to self-realization and, ultimately, survival. I could not put this book down. I was gripped by its powerful themes and sensitive presentation. BREATHING WATER is a sad, tragic, sometimes funny, and heartwarming story which culminates with lots of answers, insights, and questions and finally a tear - mine.

This is the story of Indie Brown. A young woman who has moved from the drama of her childhood life into a peaceful home in the woods with her partner Peter.

Indie's life has not been an easy one. Her mother suffered from Munchausen Syndrome by proxy. This is a disturbing mental illness that affects all of the family, especially Indie's sister Lily. Lily was her mother's shining star growing up which put her in some grave situations as a child and left her scarred to the core. Indie must return home to the very place where her nightmares began. Her mother is ill and Lily has called Indie to return. Upon arrival, Indie suspects that Lily may be following in their mother's footsteps and wreaking havoc in her own household now.

We are told about the family's plight through a series of flashbacks. It's almost eerie to read about the mother's behaviour and see it through Indie's eyes as a child.

Ms. Greenwood's writing is wonderful and lyrical. I was captivated by the quality of her style.

Indie and Lily's story will stay with me for a long time to come.

Never has a book inspired so many conflicting emotions within me as "Nearer Than The Sky". T. Greenwood, author of "Breathing Water", has penned an incredibly nuanced story of a family beset by an insidious and dangerous mental illness: Munchausen Syndrome by proxy. This relatively unknown illness goes unreported in so many cases, mostly because it's almost impossible to detect (especially in it's subtler forms), and is hard to prove in a court of law. But it's very real...as real as your baby's next breath.

This is the story of Indie Brown, a woman who wishes that her childhood had never happened. But in the way of all life, nothing is ever completely over and done with. Happily settled into adulthood with her loving and steadfast husband, Peter, Indie begins to be drawn ever so slowly backward into her past when she begins to suspect her sister Lily of causing harm to her own newborn baby. Upon this discovery, Indie realizes that their mother is the one responsible for Lily's illness, as Lily is responsible for her own daughter's mysterious sicknesses.

Writing with poetic insight and incredible subtlety, Greenwood wraps the reader up in the darkness of Munchausen Syndrome by proxy, illustrating its far-reaching effects and ultimately destructive force. Greenwood's characters are multi-dimensional and real, reacting to each crisis in wholly human ways, flawed and believable. With each breathtaking revelation, Greenwood captures the moment with startling clarity and brilliant depiction. Add "Nearer Than The Sky" to your reading list immediately, and grab the tissues. You'll need them.

Indie Brown, the narrator of this achingly beautiful story, recalls that finding joy in her family was hard work. Beginning with the recollection of being hit by lightning as a child, she slowly pulls back the curtains on a childhood filled with secrets and lies, with the legacy then handed down to the next generation. Despite having moved across the continent to remove herself from the drama, she is pulled back to help care for her ailing mother, and there the poignant story unfolds. Highly recommended -- I can't wait to read T.Greenwood's previous novel!

Monique's book is a thought-provoking, sister-loving guide that will help those seeking guidance to new mind-sets, techniques and tools to re-affirm their self-worth as well as help them get their personal, financial and professional lives together. The book could've used more references to parenting and to relying on faith/God, but Ms. Greenwood's book is a great start on the journey to a new life. For those seeking spirituality, they won't find it here, but this is still a worthwhile read.

When I think of reading a book, I never think of a self-help book. Not because I believe I know everything but when I read, I want entertainment. I could not envision a self-help book that could do that. Having What Matters, entertaining moments were strategically placed throughout the book. The author's calm wit kept me turning pages.The nine chapter titles were simple such as, "Successfully Defining Success and "Leaving the World a Better Place," but they were filled with an abundance of information.

After reading the first paragraph of the introduction, and remembering a time my sister took me by Mrs. Greenwood's Bedford Stuyvesant mansion, I regarded her as EF Hutton and I intended to listen to her narration. If listening to her would help me achieve what she has, an eighteen room mansion, a closet filled with designer clothes and shoes, owning four prosperous businesses, two bed and breakfast inns, a restaurant, a coffeehouse as well as a stint as editor in chief of Essence magazine, my ears and eyes are wide open.

Having What Matters helps the black woman to define her success. Mrs. Greenwood proudly wears the term "bootstrapper" mentality. It means a person who has the mindset of not the victim but the winner; an individual who can rise above the trials and tribulations she is faced with. Mrs. Greenwood's burning desire is to be able to give each of us what we need to get what matters to us. What does it matter to have a high paying job, but you dread going to work everyday? This book should be amongst all the things that matter the most to you.

Missy
APOOO BookClub

Having What Matters is the perfect gift (at anytime) for women and men who want to reclaim their joy and live happy, healthy, stylish and fulfilling lives. It is that rare self-help book that truly delivers on its premise and promise. Having What Matters is a blueprint for creating the life YOU really want. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and heartily recommend it to anyone who has the courage to make their dreams come true!

This excellent new book from Wizards of the Coast gives you everything you need to run a D&D (3rd edition) campaign in the Forgotten Realms. It includes prestige classes, life in the Forgotten Realms, deities, and much more. This book was made with a quality that took my breath away (especially comparing it to the old historical Campaign Sourcebooks)! It includes many color and black-and-white illustrations and maps.

I can't say more than it has *everything*! So, if you at all interested in the Forgotten Realms, or if you are interested in seeing a setting with interesting prestige classes and magical forms, then you must get this book!

I've overall been very impressed with a majority of the 3rd edition material I've purchased, and this is no exception. The Forgotten Realms sourcebook is stunning in both it's content and production value.

Content-wise, the book has more of the all-important prestige classes, and goes into several pages on every geographical region in Faerun (including plots and rumors, and important characters).

There's some new magic, but WoTC released Magic of Faerun on the heels of this sourcebook which contains a lot more details on magic in the Forgotten Realms. There's also a small section on monsters of Faerun, but again, there's another sourcebook that goes into more details on that.

One other thing I enjoyed was that home regions list automatic and bonus languages that characters from that region would know, as well as (this is the cool part) special feats that only characters from that region can take).

There's a wealth of information on the dieties and religeons of Faerun as well as the major organizations that make the land tick.

There are even a couple of adventures included.

On the production value side, the cover is nice, every page is full color, and the artwork is magnificant - especially the maps!

There's no doubt that the Forgotten Realms is one of the most developed campaign settings there is, and this book is one of the reasons it's that way. All the colorful characters that appear in the multitude of novels that take place on Faerun- the likes of Icewind Dale, the Elminster series, Cleric Quintet, and Dark Elf Trilogy titles- are described in these pages.

The length of this book is deceptive- it is very densely formatted so there actually is a lot more in there than an equivalent size book (say, the Player's Handbook). It is very well illustrated and includes extensive maps of the continent that will surely help you figure out what is where. Even if you're not planning on using the material to actually play the game, if you enjoyed the FR novels and want to know more about the Realms and the characters -like, perhaps, exactly how much damage Drizzt can take- this is a really neat book to look into.

For the DM that wishes to travel the length and breadth of Faerun, this has all you need. The entirety of the lore of the Realms is present, with exhaustive descriptions of locations and culture, peoples and legends. You will no doubt see a lot of things you didn't know from just reading novels, and much of it can be used to add an interesting touch to your campaigns.

Bottom line is, this is one of the best sourcebooks there is, and definitely the most in-depth out of all of them. If you want to hang around the Realms, you should definitely get a copy.

In reading reviews of this plan, I have to say I was disappointed in how rigid some people are. The diet works and is much easier if you use your imagination. Until I tried Cliff Sheats' program, I couldn't go a day without something sweet, and I couldn't stay on a diet for more than one or two meals. I'm on day 6 now and haven't had a sweet craving yet, and I've lost 3 pounds. I feel pretty good and by eating something every 2-4 hours I don't feel deprived.

As for no foods being available without having to be cooked, I disagree. I have followed the guidelines, but modified the suggested meals to the foods I enjoy, just keeping in mind a good balance of protein, fat and carbs. If I go over by a few percentage points in one area or another on a given day, it's not a big deal. I do spend more time in the kitchen, but it's only because I'm not ordering from restaurant carry-out.

The program is working for me.

Lean Bodies made losing weight more comprehendable for me. The author, Cliff Sheats, was able to explain WHY certain foods, sugars, simple cabohydrates, etc., were making it almost impossible for me to lose fat. I kept losing, then gaining, and losing and gaining... the typical roller coaster. I had never really had a problem with weight before the the birth of my son, and did not have a CLUE as to what was good, and what wasn't. A year and a half later, I had to do SOMETHING!! Everyone had different advice for me, but nothing was consistant, therefore, nothing worked! After only a couple of weeks on the Lean Bodies program, I could actually SEE the weight coming off! At the peak of my weight loss, I was losing approximately 1/2 lb A DAY! And I had so much energy, I couldn't believe it! In 4 months time, I had lost a total of 25 lbs, and had reached my goal. And I didn't even follow the diet exactly to the "T". Maybe if I had, I would have lost more weight faster, but I was able to go at my own pace. I recommend this "way of life" to everyone I meet.

After struggling for years to lose weight, Cliff Sheats and Maggie Robinson have made it easy for me and millions of others. I like the approach of eating all day long at different times to lose fat and raise the metabolism. Great book, i got all of them out. Just recieved the latest, 30 day swimsuit program to swim suit lean, and i have to say I Love It!!! thanks guys!

Ed Greenwood has done it once again. His brilliant style and intriguing plots have thrilled us, readers and gamers alike, hundreds of times in the past, and this novel is no exception! Mr. Greenwood has answered some of the fundamental questions regarding the colored history of the Realm's "State of Chivalry," juggling the vast timespan and interweaving storylines with skilled practice and ease. His ability to create awe-inspiring tales of love and mayhem where others would present bland rehashes of the same tales has truly made 'Cormyr' one of the best of the 'Forgotten Realms' series!

Every other chapter in CORMYR takes place during different time periods. You'll read about Cormyr's present crisis, their beloved King Azoun is in threat of death from an extremely wicked poisin, and then you'll read into Cormyr's past, hearing fascinating tales of it's past legends, Kings, heroes, and most fascinting it's royal wizards, which make the true power of this book come alive, I feel. With this balance, the end result is one of the richest books in detail you'll find. And, when you sit back and just mentally relate the tales of Cormyr's past to it's present, you understand the great magnificence and beuty of the story being told. A must read, and a story you won't forget anytime soon.

"Cormyr: a Novel" by Grubb & Greenwood was an excellant read. A wonderful addition to the Realms catalogue. Tackling both the history of Cormyr and a terrible event surrounding the King himself. This novel held my interest the whole way through, I couldn't put it down. I loved both of the stories, especially as they began to spiral in on themselves! I recomend this series (the next one, "Beyond the High Road") The Cormyr Saga, to any fan of the Realms. And hey, if you aren't a fan, this should make you one!

Just FYI: This review is for the 2nd Edition boxed set, not the D&D3 hardcover.

There is much to the old axiom of 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it', and as cliche as it might be, it holds very true to the 2nd Edition Forgotten Realms boxed set. Oversized text and space wasting boarder art notwithstanding, the 2nd Ed boxed set incorporates all of the nonsense of the 'Time of Troubles' trilogy of novels. It also adjusts the Dale Reckoning time line by almost a hundred years for no reason. It gives scant overviews of too large of an area, and almost nothing on the things that really matter, like characters, noble houses, and rivalries between states. It also brings out the worst of the Realms, like munchkin characters such as Drizzt Du'Urden and Elminster. Stick with the grey 1st Edition Boxed Set, it's a much superior version.

This excellent new book from Wizards of the Coast gives you everything you need to run a D&D (3rd edition) campaign in the Forgotten Realms. It includes prestige classes, life in the Forgotten Realms, deities, and much more. This book was made with a quality that took my breath away (especially comparing it to the old historical Campaign Sourcebooks)! It includes many color and black-and-white illustrations and maps.

I can't say more than it has *everything*! So, if you at all interested in the Forgotten Realms, or if you are interested in seeing a setting with interesting prestige classes and magical forms, then you must get this book!

The setting is by far the most detailed setting, and this all adds up to the richest most flavoursome setting in the AD&D world. If characters start in Shadowdale (a booklet provided) then the DM has a lot of well organised information accessable in the quickest time. I ran the first adventure the day I purchased the boxed set. There is enough material in the set to run many gaming sessions. I lost myself in the beauty of the setting, and the realism of the characters. I might name my first born son Elminster, and daugher Shandril.