1280.de

Kurzbeschreibung

Druid Atticus O?Sullivan hasn?t stayed alive for more than two millennia without a fair bit of Celtic cunning. So when vengeful thunder gods come Norse by Southwest looking for payback, Atticus, with a little help from the Navajo trickster god Coyote, lets them think that they?ve chopped up his body in the Arizona desert.

But the mischievous Coyote is not above a little sleight of paw, and Atticus soon finds that he?s been duped into battling bloodthirsty desert shapeshifters called skinwalkers. Just when the Druid thinks he?s got a handle on all the duplicity, betrayal comes from an unlikely source. If Atticus survives this time, he vows he won?t be fooled again. Famous last words.

Kurzbeschreibung

Druid Atticus O?Sullivan hasn?t stayed alive for more than two millennia without a fair bit of Celtic cunning. So when vengeful thunder gods come Norse by Southwest looking for payback, Atticus, with a little help from the Navajo trickster god Coyote, lets them think that they?ve chopped up his body in the Arizona desert.

But the mischievous Coyote is not above a little sleight of paw, and Atticus soon finds that he?s been duped into battling bloodthirsty desert shapeshifters called skinwalkers. Just when the Druid thinks he?s got a handle on all the duplicity, betrayal comes from an unlikely source. If Atticus survives this time, he vows he won?t be fooled again. Famous last words.

Amazon.co.uk

V for Vendetta is, like its author's later Watchmen, a landmark in comic-book writing. Alan Moore has led the field in intelligent, politically astute (if slightly paranoid), complex adult comic-book writing since the early 1980s. He began V back in 1981 and it constituted one of his first attempts (along with the criminally neglected but equally superb Miracleman) at writing an ongoing series. It is 1998 (which was the future back then!) and a Fascist government has taken over the UK. The only blot on its particular landscape is a lone terrorist who is systematically killing all the government personnel associated with a now destroyed secret concentration camp. Codename V is out for vengeance ... and an awful lot more. V feels slightly dated like all past premonitions do. The original series was black and white and that added to the grittiness of the feel while the colouring here in the graphic novel sometimes blurs David Lloyd's fine drawing. But these are small concerns. Skilfully plotted, V is an essential read for all those who love comics and the freedom, as a medium, they allow a writer as skilled as Moore. The graphic novel contains all the V series plus two additional stories concerning V that were originally considered "interludes". This edition also contains an essay from Moore dating from 1983 explaining the creation process. For any comic fan it's a must-have. --Mark Thwaite

Amazon.com

V for Vendetta is, like its author's later Watchmen, a landmark in comic-book writing. Alan Moore has led the field in intelligent, politically astute (if slightly paranoid), complex adult comic-book writing since the early 1980s. He began V back in 1981 and it constituted one of his first attempts (along with the criminally neglected but equally superb Miracleman) at writing an ongoing series. It is 1998 (which was the future back then!) and a Fascist government has taken over the U.K. The only blot on its particular landscape is a lone terrorist who is systematically killing all the government personnel associated with a now destroyed secret concentration camp. Codename V is out for vengeance ... and an awful lot more. V feels slightly dated like all past premonitions do. The original series was black and white and that added to the grittiness of the feel while the coloring here in the graphic novel sometimes blurs David Lloyd's fine drawing. But these are small concerns. Skillfully plotted, V is an essential read for all those who love comics and the freedom, as a medium, they allow a writer as skilled as Moore. --Mark Thwaite

Produktbeschreibung

Mark and Nathan Connor are estranged twins. There is little to connect them, save their current residence at 314 Crescent Manor, an old building situated in the centre of the city. The tenants of the Manor are never housed at random. With its large, brooding stained glass tree bearing down on them from the fifth floor to the first, it watches, and waits for one world to topple into the next.

REVIEWS for 314 CRESCENT MANOR:

Review by: A.M. Harte on Dec. 11, 2010 : ****
Mark and Nathan are brothers in name only. There is little love lost between them: any time spent together is torture for both of them. Yet something unexplained ties them together, pushes them to try, and try again at building their relationship. So when Mark moves to a new city for job-related reasons, artist Nathan packs his bags and follows suit. It just so happens that the place they move into is going to change their lives forever.

While the first couple of chapters set the tone for Nathan and Mark's awkward sibling relationship, I wasn't properly pulled into the story until The Event (chapter 4), when things take a bizarre twist down the rabbit hole. And it is then that M. Jones' atmospheric story-telling really starts to shine. The sense of parallel or alternate worlds, the lurking evil, and the growing mystery all combine together into an almost Silent Hill-esque setting which promises more questions than answers. A compelling plot began to unfold, and I looked forward to reading more.

The chapters jump between Mark and Nathan's point of view, and detail their parallel experiences of The Event. Both points of view are well-written and distinctive.

The writing is description-heavy, often times eerie. For my tastes, it is a little too verbose at times, but the overall quality is extremely solid.

Both plot and characterization are strong, the latter particularly so; I have a very clear impression of not just Mark and Nathan, but all of the characters.

In sum: an refreshingly eerie story. Definitely one to read.
(review of free book)

Review by: Maurice Lawless on July 21, 2010 : *****
Fantastic, spooky read. Very interesting perspectives on the main characters. I couldn't put it down.
(review of free book)


Review by: Nancy Brauer on June 22, 2010 : *****
I've been a fan of Jones' writing for a few years now. Her work is full of black comedy, suspense, memorable characters, and palpable atmosphere. 314 Crescent Manor is no exception.

Mark and Nathan Connor are estranged fraternal twins drifting through life. They know that something's wrong, but can't put their finger on what until The Event happens at Crescent Manor. Even after the supernatural (or quantum physics-related, depending on your point of view) Event turns their lives upside down, the siblings don't yet have all the answers. A cast of supporting characters, each as wonderfully strange as conspiracy theorist and bohemian artist Nathan and straight-laced, too-serious Mark, helps them with their quest. The Manor itself, a decaying art deco apartment building, is as much of a character as its tenants. It's eerie and unsettling, which makes you wonder all the more about those who live there.

Crescent Manor comes to a satisfying conclusion while leaving room for more -- and I certainly hope there's more!

Kurzbeschreibung

"Black ash stirred and sifted off the body still, rising to float on the water's surface. Franklin had never seen anything like this. Never. The timer sitting on the side of the tub went off and Franklin dutifully released the water, watching while additional black ash drifted down the drain. More water ran in the tub and the wait began again."--Blood Sense

"Saxom may be dead, but his children are alive and well."--Blood Passage

Saxom is dead. The vampires know this. Anthony Hancock, Director of the Joint NSA/Homeland Security Department knows it as well. Tony and the vampires are now on the hunt for Saxom's brood, all of whom are determined to avenge their sire's death. Neither Tony nor the vampires are aware of the other's efforts to search out these rogues, who may number in the hundreds at the very least. Tony holds information the vampires don't--he knows that Xenides, Saxom's eldest vampire child, has allied with terrorists (both foreign and domestic). Tony also neglects to provide vital infromation to Wlodek when he requests Lissa's help.

While struggling to recover from a near-fatal bout with the sun, Lissa fails to understand why Wlodek willingly sends her away on assignment so quickly. With very little information provided to her, Lissa is forced to face an enemy more deadly than anyone can imagine and unravel a plot that could kill millions.

Kurzbeschreibung

"Black ash stirred and sifted off the body still, rising to float on the water's surface. Franklin had never seen anything like this. Never. The timer sitting on the side of the tub went off and Franklin dutifully released the water, watching while additional black ash drifted down the drain. More water ran in the tub and the wait began again."--Blood Sense

"Saxom may be dead, but his children are alive and well."--Blood Passage

Saxom is dead. The vampires know this. Anthony Hancock, Director of the Joint NSA/Homeland Security Department knows it as well. Tony and the vampires are now on the hunt for Saxom's brood, all of whom are determined to avenge their sire's death. Neither Tony nor the vampires are aware of the other's efforts to search out these rogues, who may number in the hundreds at the very least. Tony holds information the vampires don't--he knows that Xenides, Saxom's eldest vampire child, has allied with terrorists (both foreign and domestic). Tony also neglects to provide vital infromation to Wlodek when he requests Lissa's help.

While struggling to recover from a near-fatal bout with the sun, Lissa fails to understand why Wlodek willingly sends her away on assignment so quickly. With very little information provided to her, Lissa is forced to face an enemy more deadly than anyone can imagine and unravel a plot that could kill millions.

Produktbeschreibung

The first Discworld Novel
Erscheinungsjahr: 1985
New ed.
Gewicht: 150 gr / Abmessung: 18 cm
Von Pratchett, Terry

On a world supported on the back of a giant turtle (sex unknown), a gleeful, explosive, wickedly eccentric expedition sets out. There''s an avaricious but inept wizard, a naive tourist whose luggage moves on hundreds of dear little legs, dragons who only exist if you believe in them, and of course THE EDGE of the planet...

Amazon.co.uk

The Colour of Magic is Terry Pratchett's maiden voyage through the bizarre land of Discworld. His entertaining and witty series has grown to more than 20 books, and this is where it all starts--with the tourist Twoflower and his hapless wizard guide, Rincewind ("All wizards get like that... it's the quicksilver fumes. Rots their brains. Mushrooms, too."). Pratchett spoofs fantasy clichés--and everything else he can think of--while marshalling a profusion of characters through a madcap adventure. The Colour of Magic is followed by The Light Fantastic. --Blaise Selby, Amazon.com

Amazon.com

The Colour of Magic is Terry Pratchett's maiden voyage through the bizarre land of Discworld. His entertaining and witty series has grown to more than 20 books, and this is where it all starts--with the tourist Twoflower and his hapless wizard guide, Rincewind ("All wizards get like that ... it's the quicksilver fumes. Rots their brains. Mushrooms, too."). Pratchett spoofs fantasy clichés--and everything else he can think of--while marshalling a profusion of characters through a madcap adventure. The Colour of Magic is followed by The Light Fantastic. --Blaise Selby

Kurzbeschreibung

Aus der Amazon.de-Redaktion

Dieser Titel ist in englischer Sprache.
Der mit den Hugo- und Nebula-Preisen ausgezeichnete Science-Fiction-Roman Der Wüstenplanet erzählt die komplexe Geschichte des Wüstenplaneten Arrakis, der im Mittelpunkt eines verstrickten Machtkampfes innnerhalb eines byzantinischen interstellaren Imperiums steht. Arrakis ist die einzige Quelle für Melange, das "Gewürz aller Gewürze". Melange ist für die Fortbewegung zwischen den Sternen nötig und verleiht außerdem übersinnliche Kräfte und langes Leben. Die Kontrolle über Melange ist also gleichbedeutend mit viel Macht.

Ärger gibt es, als der Imperator dem Geschlecht der Harkonnen die Verwaltung über Arrakis entzieht und sie dem der Atreides überträgt. Da die Harkonnen ihr Privileg nicht einfach aufgeben wollen, verbannen sie den jungen Herzog Paul Atreides in die Wüste und überlassen ihn seinem Schicksal. Dort trifft dieser auf die Fremen, einen Wüstenstamm, mit deren Hilfe er ein Heer aufbaut, um das zurückzuerlangen, was rechtlich ihm gehört. Paul Atreides ist allerdings weitaus mehr als nur ein entrechteter Herzog. Möglicherweise ist er das Endprodukt eines lange vorausgeplanten Genexperiments, das die Schaffung eines Menschen mit übernatürlichen Fähigkeiten anvisiert, möglicherweise ein Messias. Sein Kampf findet inmitten eines Netzes mächtiger Personen und einflußreicher Ereignisse statt, und die Auswirkungen dieses Kampfes lassen das gesamte Imperium erschüttern. Der Wüstenplanet ist einer der bekanntesten Science-Fiction-Romane, die je geschrieben wurden, und dies nicht ohne Grund. Der Schauplatz ist differenziert und kunstvoll, die Handlung gleicht einem Labyrinth und die Abenteuer sind aufregend. Es folgen fünf weitere Bände. --Brooks Peck

Amazon.co.uk

This Hugo and Nebula Award winner tells the sweeping tale of a desert planet called Arrakis, the focus of an intricate power struggle in a byzantine interstellar empire. Arrakis is the sole source of Melange, the "spice of spices". Melange is necessary for interstellar travel and also grants psychic powers and longevity, so whoever controls it wields great influence.

The troubles begin when stewardship of Arrakis is transferred by the Emperor from the Harkonnen Noble House to House Atreides. The Harkonnens don't want to give up their privilege, though, and through sabotage and treachery they cast young Duke Paul Atreides out into the planet's harsh environment to die. There he falls in with the Fremen, a tribe of desert dwellers who become the basis of the army with which he will reclaim what's rightfully his. Paul Atreides, though, is far more than just a usurped duke. He might be the end product of a very long-term genetic experiment designed to breed a superhuman--he might be a messiah. His struggle is at the centre of a nexus of powerful people and events, and the repercussions will be felt throughout the Imperium.

Dune is one of the most famous science fiction novels ever written, and deservedly so. The setting is elaborate and ornate, the plot labyrinthine and the adventures exciting. Five sequels follow. --Brooks Peck

Amazon.com

This Hugo and Nebula Award winner tells the sweeping tale of a desert planet called Arrakis, the focus of an intricate power struggle in a byzantine interstellar empire. Arrakis is the sole source of Melange, the "spice of spices." Melange is necessary for interstellar travel and grants psychic powers and longevity, so whoever controls it wields great influence.

The troubles begin when stewardship of Arrakis is transferred by the Emperor from the Harkonnen Noble House to House Atreides. The Harkonnens don't want to give up their privilege, though, and through sabotage and treachery they cast young Duke Paul Atreides out into the planet's harsh environment to die. There he falls in with the Fremen, a tribe of desert dwellers who become the basis of the army with which he will reclaim what's rightfully his. Paul Atreides, though, is far more than just a usurped duke. He might be the end product of a very long-term genetic experiment designed to breed a super human; he might be a messiah. His struggle is at the center of a nexus of powerful people and events, and the repercussions will be felt throughout the Imperium.

Dune is one of the most famous science fiction novels ever written, and deservedly so. The setting is elaborate and ornate, the plot labyrinthine, the adventures exciting. Five sequels follow. --Brooks Peck