The text is pure magic and the pictures are pure poetry. Or: the story is poetic and the pictures are magic. Or: the story is colorful and the pictures are resonant. Or: ... oh, just buy it and enjoy it.

My daughter (4) and I both love this book. I won't go into the story since the other reviewers do, but just want to add a few things. I love how the paper princess reminds us not to crumple our drawings just because we make a little mistake, and to use the other side of the paper; I love the multicultural figures throughout the book, the gentleness of the heroine's brother (and his all too real comment that his sister is "usually" nice), the beauty of the world that captivates the paper princess, and the imaginative little girl who showers the paper princess with a whole paper wardrobe and even a paper brother upon her return. This books tells a rich story and the illustrations make it impossible not to love. Enjoy!

I'm so glad we found this book! I have two daughters (3 1/2 and 6) and both love it. The story of a paper doll that flies away from the little girl who creates it is sweet and simple. But it's the illustrations--extremely detailed matisse-like collages--that are most compelling. I think every time we read this book (and that's often) we discover something new in the pictures. We linger over each spread and even play "I Spy," pointing out little details to each other. The ending is very satisfying and there's no lesson or preachiness. It's just a story about love, and caring for someone, and the joy of having that love returned. Also, it is often confused with the Paper Bag Princess, which although a good story, couldn't be more opposite in tone or presentation (we like paper princess better).

This book brought back painful memories for me. As a young sailor on a River Assault Boat in River Assault Division 92, I participated on "Operation Barrier Reef" in January 1969, from the MACV compound described in this book. Although this book does not cover boat operations and the part that Mobile Riverine or River Patrol Units played during this period of time, it is an excellent description of the warfare of the period and operations in a remote area of Vietnam without fire support or air support. Those of you that want a graphic description of
river operations in that area, read the prologue from Brown River, Black Berets, a description of a firefight on the Dong
Tiem Canal, that I participated in January 1969. Both books
are excellent background sources for river warfare and the
seldom covered special unit operations.

I was stationed in Duc Pho, Southern I Corp, and spent over 8 months living in a remote village with my platoon during 1969 and 1970. I saw so very much and understood so little. This book brought back the conflicts that haunted me for years and helped me come to grips with the most significant year of my life. Fear, anxiety, exhaustion, isolation, and confusion blended into an environment that this book describes like none that I have read.

This is absolutely the best first hand account of the Vietnam War. Very well written, detailed and introspective.

He was the greatest blade of his generation, but assigned an impossible task. Beaumont, along with two other blades, is tasked to take the Knig's chief counselor across half the world to a Russia-like kingdom where they are to meet the King's bride and safely escort her home. This would be a standard task for a trained blade like Beaumont, except that the counselor is dying (and blades whose ward dies are in trouble), the country in between is nearly impassible, and the Czar, Igor, is insane, cruel, and sees conspiracies everywhere. Even Beaumont's abilities with his blade and his rapier-like mind seem inadequate to confront this task. Should he be successful, Beaumont knows what is in store for him--not welcome back as a hero, but suspicion on the part of his own King. For everyone knows that any woman will fall for a blade--even if she is a royal princess and the King's intended.

Author David Duncan creates a medieval world close to our own, but separated by the existance of magic. The magic of the blades--a band of trained warriors who become bonded to the man (or woman) who pierces them with a sword through their hearts, adds a level of fascination to the story. Beaumont might be a little too smart, too clever, to be believable, but his situation demands exactly that from him and he doesn't disappoint. Duncan's strong writing compells the reader forward and the close parallels back to our own world ground the reader.

This novel, fourth in the King's Blade series, is the story of Sir Beaumont, a protege of Sir Roland and probably the best swordsman ever produced by Ironhall. Moreover, Beaumont is a political genius, a Machiavelli, a Mycroft Holmes to Roland's Sherlock.

Ned is born in a rich Alderman's household as the cook's[son]. While never acknowledged by his father, he lives in this household for almost twelve years. Upon the master's [demise], however, he is shipped off to Ironhold.

When Ned arrives, Sir Roland has just become the acting head of Ironhall upon the [demise] of the Grand Master. Roland makes time to interview the boy and decides that he is too young. He shows such promise, however, that Roland arranges for Ned to work at a nearby farm for a year.

At his delayed admission to Ironhall, Ned choses the non-traditional name Beaumont. Although now the Brat, he wins admirers among the staff and students and is even allowed to dine with the Sopranos. While he is smaller than average, he is stong and nimble and quickly becomes proficient with all types of swords.

Upon becoming prime, Beau is told that he, as well as Arkell and Oak, are to be bound to Lord Wassail. A loyal supporter of the King during the Thencaster affair, Wassail had adamantly refused to bind Blades to himself, but had been overruled by the King and was convinced by Roland of the necessity. He had been chosen to escort Princess Tasha, niece to the Czar of Skyrria, back to Cavil to become King Athelgar's bride. Thus, the Blades are an honor -- and actual -- guard for the future queen.

Waissal, the Blades and their company take ship to Isoland. In Lavalle, Beau falls in love with Isabelle, an local girl working in the Chivan Ambassador's household. From there the party travels overland to Skyrria. Beau completes his mission and returns with Princess Tasha, but has to leave other members of the mission behind. Worse, his ward has died on the return journey, with homocidial affects among the Blades. Upon their return to Lavalle, Beau marries Isabelle and takes her back to Grandon with him. After reporting to the King, Beau is released from his bond, becomes Ned Cookson once again, and lives as a casual laborer in Grandon.

All this is preliminary to the loss of the paragon, which takes Ned back to Skyrria to conclude the affair.

Duncan provides a vivid portrait of Medieval Russian character and environment. Igor is loosely based on Ivan the Terrible, but even more evil. Fedor, his son, is only casually evil through selfishness. Sophie, Igor's wife, is delightful and her younger sister, Tasha, is naive but good-natured. Dimitri, the older brother of Sophie and Tasha, is loyal and protective, but also naive.

This story has a larger scope than the previous novels. It provides a deeper look at the geography and politics of the Euranian continent and some more about Athelgar's family.

Duncan has surpassed himself with this novel. It has all the hallmarks that you expect him -- likeable but eccentric characters, political chicanery, swordfights, mysterious occurances, etc. -- as well as probably the most notable protaganist of his career, a Beau Geste of substance. With his release from the King's service, Ned is truly a paragon lost.

Don't miss this one!

My wife and I are both Dave Duncan fans. Our favorites have been his Seventh Sword and Man of His Word series, and they both rank high on my reading list for all fantasy authors. Paragon Lost ranks up there with any of Duncan's previous works. It is a big-time get-lost-in-the-time-warp page-turner. Great characters, fast-moving and unpredictable plot, set in an interesting, consistent world. As always, Duncan's characters are believable, flawed (human) but lovable. They move you as you read. Well worth getting in hardback.

An extraordinary story for everyone to read. A wonderful insight into the minds of people and dogs. The true tales of a young woman as she struggles with her heritage, growing up, racial issues and familial acceptance wonderfully combined with touching stories of her true love for dogs. You must read this book!

The author gives a powerful voice to the often stifled voice of Asians living in strange circumstances. A must read for students of race, class, and gender. Very readable.

I am interested in animal welfare and Asian culture, so for me a book combining the two is like finding a gem. The way out of an inner struggle is unique as it is admirable. It's wonderful to know that other cultures different from mine, love animals as I do -- maybe even more.

"The Western King" is by far the best book in the Rune Blade trilogy. Although the first book, "Kingmaker's Sword" is also a very good book, "The Western King" definitely surpasses its prequel. Donaugh is a vivid character, and the reader's heart aches when he cannot find fulfulment.

This book was great. There was romance, but not overt sexuality, a good PLOT, and realistic characters. I loved the characters especially. I read this book in about a day, so if you buy this one, get book 2 also, otherwise you'll have to run out to get it or wait for it to be delivered.

After reading Kingmaker's Sword, I was actually reluctant to read the sequel, for the simple reason that I didn't think it would live up to the predecessor. Was I wrong! The Western King succeeds on many levels, though not necessarily in the same ways that Kingmaker's Sword does. The humor here is muted in exchange for a very strong sense of fate and sacrifice. The actions centers around Kian's three sons: Keylan and his younger twin brothers, Tiernyn and Donaugh. I felt immediately drawn to Donaugh, who, as youngest brother, constantly (and willingly) stands in his brother's shadow. Although Donaugh is indeed the main character, his character remains shrouded in mystery even at the end of the book. I approve of this. The combination of his sense of compassion and duty and destiny is compelling. Donaugh, seemingly overlooked by the gods, slowly becomes their tool, the salvation of his people, and the "blood and bone" of Celi. His powers are never fully revealed, even at the end, which makes his silent life of service all the more intriguing. Not every character is so thoughtfully painted. Despite his supposed charisma, I never did become attached to Donaugh's twin brother. Donaugh's love life is unfulfilling, both for him and the reader. Besides having a knack for getting together with the wrong girl, his one true love is unearned and unexplained. The intention was sweet, but undeveloped. I did enjoy wrestling with the prophesy about Donaugh's sons, though, because I could imagine many different ways it could be fulfilled as the plot twisted. Ann Marston handles destiny as does no other. She controls the impending mood of the book well. Overall, the author weaves a web that will draw you in and demand you read more.

I received all three books in this series this afternoon and just finished reading them. Ludmila Zeman has done a wonderful job in retelling the Epic of Gilgamesh. This series is a great introduction into one of the oldest legends in the world. Children and adults will both loooove to read these books over and over. The artwork is first class and you will find yourself looking through this book just to soak up these beautiful images.
The words Ludmila Zeman used with each one of the pictures is rich but still to the point. So, don't wait any longer and buy buy buy all three! I am an elementary school teacher and I can't wait to share these stories with my students!

I bought this book for son and ended up reading all of Zeman's books to my 12th grade honors History seminar. They enjoyed it tremendously and drew comparisons between Gilgamesh and President Bush in their search for the destruction of the evil Humbaba ....after 9/11 it was appropiate for the circumstances....
The illustrations are rich and the text is ajoy to read to all age groups...we will keep these books for years to come.

This is a fantastic version of the Epic of Gilgamesh -- for children, ages 4 - 12. The illustrations are colorful and very similar to the Sumerian/Babylonian style of art. The recounting is easy for children to follow. I bought it for my 7 year old but my four year old was riveted. There are other more thorough versions around but this is a great one for a beginner. Make sure you buy all 3 books in the series to get the whole epic, the other two being The Revenge of Ishtar and The Last Quest of Gilgamesh.

(...)I just want to urge you to find "A Dangerous Road" and read it. You'll be convinced that Kris Nelscott has debuted with a winner. More than "just" a detective/mystery novel, Nelscott has given us real literature about a tragic and heroic figure. If you are tired of waiting for the next, long-overdue installment in Walter Mosley's Easy Rawlins series, this is the book that will distract you from your misery.

I'm lucky. I learned of Kris Nelscott and this book only recently, so when I finished I was ecstatic to learn that the second installment, "Smoke Filled Rooms" was out in hardback.

Let me give you a clue as to how much I enjoyed this book: After reading "A Dangerous Road" in paperback, I immediately ordered the hardback edition for my library and then ordered "Smoke Filled Rooms" in hardback, too. Most of you devoted readers will understand that such a gesture is high praise indeed. Now I have Smoky Dalton's continuing adventures in my bag, just waiting for the moment I open it and read that first sentence.

All I need now is a visit by Nelscott to a local book store so that I can have my already treasured copies of the product of her art autographed and given a place of honor next to Mr. Mosley's novels (in hardback).

This book is one of the best novels I have read this year and has the well-deserved distinction of having been nominated for the Edgar Award for best mystery. The Bottoms by Joe R. Lansdale is good but I consider Ms. Nelscott's novel to be better.

Her main character is Smokey Dalton, a jack-of-all-trades who also finds work as a private investigator in Memphis, Tennessee. We learn that he was a former school classmate with Martin Luther King, Jr. and he is as happy as he can be living his life. Unfortunately, his world is about to be turned upside-down when he meets Laura Hathaway, who flew all the way from Chicago to look for him. It seems her mother left Smokey an inheritance for $10,000 and she wants to know why her mother willed him that money. He later discovers that Laura has a lot of questions regarding her mother and she hires Dalton to investigate. What Dalton discovers is a sinister connection with Ms. Hathaway that will change their lives forever.

The story takes place during the late sixties when Martin Luther King was active with the sanitation strikes occurring in the South. Dalton experiences prejudice, hatred, violence and turmoil throughout the entire book which in the end will only make him stronger.

Ms. Nelscott does an excellent job in developing this character that keeps the reader entranced to the plot. There is also a story of a little boy whose mother abandoned him and his brother is contributing to his possible delinquency by involving him as a drug courier and making him cut school. Dalton does his best to try to save this boy.

There is so much I would like to say about this book, but it is better if you read it and make up your own minds. You will be glad you did. I am also looking forward to reading Smokey Dalton's next book SMOKE-FILLED ROOMS which is now available.

This mystery introduces us to Smokey Dalton, a black private investigator living in troubled Memphis in 1968. Due to the colour of Smokey's skin and the period this is set, the racial issues dealt with are bordering on explosive. This is a remarkable work of fiction that integrates a factual event, that being the days leading up to the assassination of Martin Luther King, jr. It captures the tensions of the day with remarkable clarity and gives us an insight into how the black community of Memphis may have been affected.

The actual mystery part of the story involves a white woman, Laura Hathaway, who walks into Smokey's office one day, demanding to know why her mother would leave Smokey a bequest of $10,000 in her will. Although Smokey doesn't know her or her mother, he has always wondered about a mysterious benefactor who anonymously donated the same amount of money to him ten years ago. Laura decides to hire Smokey to find out about her family background, what secrets they were hiding and how he is involved in it. The results are shocking for the two of them.

This is a private investigator story with a difference; thanks to the time it is set and the fact that the protagonist is black. These two unique factors presents hurdles not faced by the majority of private investigators we read about these days. It's a powerful debut novel that has introduced us to a particularly likable, ethical character. Nelscott told us a great deal about the background of Smokey Dalton, making us sympathetic to his feelings and reactions, yet when I finished the book, I felt as though I wanted to learn more.

Tar Beach

The name of the book I'm reading is Tar Beach,the author is Faith Ringold. The book is published by Dragontly books. There are 24 pages, the ages should be 8-10 years of age. The main character is a girl who dreams she can fly over many things. I don't know why the call it Tar Beach, because it is not really a beach at all. My cousin has a connection to the book, because he dreams he can fly to. My unanswered questions are dose her dad lose his job, and dose she ever dream of flying again after she gets in trouble from her dad? My least favorite thing is when they said her dad was going to lose is job. My most favorite thing is when she said she had ice cream every day for dessert. I like it because the girl has a good imagnain. The book I think should have 4 stars, because she helpped her father build thier house, help around the house, and help her mom make dinner. I think Faith Ringold should make a version two of this book and tell if her dad lost is job, and if they took down the icecream factory. The book is really good because she really exspress the characters feelings about where she lives, and what she lives like. Dad feels horrible when he finds out he is going losing his job. Mom says it is okay, because she is steal working and she gets a lot of money. The daughter is telling dad that mom is right. After a month or so Janet has to stop going to school. I think you should read this book. I think you would like it to. So go to the public library and check out Tar Beach!

Tar Beach is a wonderful, encouraging book. Faith Ringgold shows children and adults that it is okay to daydream and gives everyone a chance to use their imaginations! I have always loved the artwork of Faith Ringgold and her creative and colorful illustrations in Tar Beach help the reader believe that they too can "fly". Ringgolds' amazing use of a flattened perspective and strong figures emphasizes a dreamy and magic flight through Cassie's world. Ringgold in Tar Beach encourages everyone to believe that we too can use our imaginations and fly to a better place!

In Faith Ringgold's Tar Beach, eight-year-old Cassie Louise Lightfoot expresses her wishes and dreams. The story takes place in 1939 on the tarred flat roof of her family's Harlem apartment building where her family and friends gather in the warm summer night air. While Cassie enjoys and appreciates her family, her boundless imagination transcends debilitating socioeconomic boundaries and allows her to feel self-confident and capable of anything. Through both the inspirational text and illustrations, Ringgold urges that life's circumstances, no matter how hurtful, should not be taken at face value. Instead, one's attitude can overcome and triumph over anything.

Ringgold's depiction of an African American female greatly furthers the effectiveness of Tar Beach. Cassie is a strong young lady who will not rely on a prejudiced society to determine her future. Rather, she constantly creates her own ambitions, regardless of how radical or impractical they may seem. For instance, Cassie dreams of her father being rich, having a more respected job, and even owning The Union Building. The character of Cassie encourages limitless dreams, especially for young African American readers.

Cassie's model attitude is conveyed through her imagery-rich narrative that faces adversity head on. Her father is a blue-collar construction worker who must search for jobs in the winter. Society also excludes him from the privileges of union membership because he is "colored" and considered a "half-breed Indian." In addition, Cassie's family doesn't have much money.

Yet despite all this, Cassie says she feels "rich" from "lying on the roof in the night, with stars and skyscraper buildings all around [her]." She appreciates the surrounding beauty and fancifully talks of flying to those places she admires. She talks about the imaginative flights she takes, leaving the roof much like Peter Pan. This creative way that Cassie addresses her situations adds an unparalleled beauty to her life. For instance, she talks of flying over the George Washington Bridge and wearing it "like a giant diamond necklace." Ringgold uses Cassie's narrative to inspire by first explaining the potential beauty that can be experienced, and then explaining, "it's very easy, anyone can fly. All you need is somewhere to go that you can't get to any other way."

To compliment the text, Ringgold created amazing illustrations using acrylic on canvas paper, which were designed to resemble a quilt. The creative and colorful illustrations further this idea of overcoming life's obstacles by beautifully depicting Cassie's flights over her home, surrounding skyscrapers, and the beloved bridge. Ringgold also uses a two-dimensional style to depict Cassie when she is flying. This adds a visual separation between real-life images and Cassie's surreal fantasies. Overall, the illustrations are bright and include many patterns and geometric shapes. These intricacies communicate the cheerful complexity of life.

By transcending reality, Cassie is able to rise above her problems and feel triumphant and empowered. Tar Beach is an appealing and creative work which offers hope and encourages the continual search for beauty and self-empowerment.

As a recreation of ancient Egypt, this feels authentic. The people are as wise, noble and spiritual as we'd like to believe the ancients were.

The novel is as much philosophy as story, and there is much to provoke thought. However, the book can be enjoyed whether you take it as past life memory or just an escape to another time.

Sekeeta is a princess born to a First Dynasty pharaoh. When the young girl shows a talent for clairvoyant dreams, she is sent to train as a Priestess of Anubis, the god of prophecy. Her temple teachers are wise, and train her to use her gifts to serve her country. When she is grown, she rules as co-Pharaoh with her brother Neyah.

As noted above, this book is philosophy in novel form. It is to our conventional idea of the novel as the Egyptian wall painting is our idea of painting. The traditional elements of conflict, action and strong character development aren't much in evidence here. That doesn't make it unreadable, just different.

The language is stylized but beautiful, with a certain biblical flavor, the imagery vivid and poetic. In the childhood part of Sekeeta's life, she is told child's stories with simple, sound lessons, like The Monkey Who Wanted to be a Man.

Also interesting are the meanings behind some hieroglyphic symbols; in Grant's view, the images were metaphors for spiritual concepts or lessons. The word "beloved," for example, was written as a plow to show that, as a plow makes the earth fertile, so love does likewise to the heart.

On the whole, this a book that I return to and enjoy.

This is Joan Grant's great work. Even if she didn't say it was a "far memory" of a past life, it would be easy to imagine the story is true. She starts as a small girl and her speech is very simple. As she grows, so does the level of vocabulary and conversation, but imperceptibly. Also, this book is so real and yet magical, I wished I was in it! I read a chapter of the little girl section to my 6 year old niece who hated to go to bed and she made me read that same chapter over and over and over in the same sitting! It is sooo beautiful! I've read just a chapter to adults and they had to read the whole book. Make people get their own copy, though -- I've noticed they don't like to give it back!

All souls who travel down their life-path looking for the answer to the question "why am I here" have seminal books that are signposts to help them on their way. One of mine is "Winged Pharaoh" by Joan Grant. I could not put it down until I had read it from cover to cover. It was the temple training of her main character Sekhet-a-ra that spoke to me through the pages of her book.

So what is the book about? It is the 'autobiography' of a First Dynasty Egyptian Princess who later goes on to become joint Pharaoh with her brother. Before she can take her place beside him on the throne of Egypt she undergoes training to become a priestess of Anubis.

The book is set out in three distinct parts. The first deal with her childhood, the second with her training to be a priestess and the 'graduation' ceremony (which is truly traumatizing), and the third covers her life as Pharaoh. In reality the book is divided into eight parts, but in truth the life is clearly demarcated by those three main sections.

That is a dry description of a narrative that grips the reader. You live Sekhet-a-ra's life with her from the time she is a small child being cared for by her nurse Maata until she dies at the age of fifty-three. Her childhood makes you feel the dry sands of Egypt, the gardens of the palace and the training necessary for her future role as joint Pharaoh with her brother.

I had the good fortune to meet Joan Grant in her later years. Did we discuss deep and meaningful things? Once or twice we did. In fact she shared some insights that I did not understand at that time, but now do. Mainly I fulfilled small services to make life a little more comfortable for her, such as sending her talking books back to the library they came from. I hope that those small services repaid in some measure the pleasure, knowledge and understanding that her 'novels' and especially "Winged Pharaoh" gave to me. I want to pass on to you the fact that this precious book exists and that for anyone interested in reincarnation and astral traveling it deserves to be on their reading list.

What an amazing work! So many different things for so many different characters were developed in this book, and I couldn't have been more pleased.

I can easily describe Katherine Kurtz The Bishop's Heir in one sentence: Brilliant. This novel, which is book one of the three part Chronicles of King Kelson, is absolutely brilliant. Kurtz weaves a rich tapestry of intrigue and war all set in an alternate reality.

The plot of the story is strong, which is typical of a Kurtz novel. She obviously is well read on medieval History (M.A. in Medieval English History) and religion, which adds a depth to this novel that most fantasy authors could only dream of achieving. Rather than take the worn out theme perfected by Tolkien (and then worn out by subsequent copy cats) she devises a plot based around the desire for power and combines it with racism and genocidal desires (themes from our own time).

No review of this novel would be complete without a discussion of Ms. Kurtz's use of religion to drive the plot. Something most fantasy novels simply brush over is the religion of the characters involved. If, and that's a big if, religion is mentioned, it's usually some bland form of paganism similar to just about every other fantasy novel out there. Not this one. The use of the Catholic Church, along with it's heirarchy of nuns and priests, bishops and monks, gives these books a depth I've not seen in a fantasy novel since, perhaps, the master himself. Like the Lord of the Rings, The Bishop's Heir reads like a great historical novel, rather than a half baked fantasy.

If you are yearning for a good fantasy with some magic, lot's of plot, and well written characters, you've come to the right place.

This is the first of her books that I ever read. I found her description of ritual to be very moving. Enough so, that I gained better insight into the attraction of religion.

She has created a world not dissimilar to Europe around the time of the dark ages. Reading one of her books makes you see the history of Europe with new eyes and interest. An added bonus for your kids who are just getting up to that section of history. She delves deeply and to great effect into the politics of a kings court.

I say 'undiscovered', because it is difficult to find her books in the library or at the book store, you can generally pick up one or two somewhere, but not the whole collection. However, those that know her writing, seem to always want more. Our local library has four of her books - all of which have been stolen from the library. While a pity, certainly she has a following.

I don't think she writes with a master plan, book 1-book 10 of a series. Instead she seems to write about something, and then explore what happened before that to this character, or after to that one, or 'between' events. Makes is difficult to get a linear progression of a story, but then history is like that.

Anytime I run into one of her books at the bookstore, I buy it.