Product Description
The land of Terre d'Ange is a place of unsurpassing beauty and grace. It is said that angels found the land and saw it was good...and the ensuing race that rose from the seed of angels and men live by one simple rule: Love as thou wilt.

Phèdre nó Delaunay is a young woman who was born with a scarlet mote in her left eye. Sold into indentured servitude as a child, her bond is purchased by Anafiel Delaunay, a nobleman with very a special mission...and the first one to recognize who and what she is: one pricked by Kushiel's Dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one.

Phèdre is trained equally in the courtly arts and the talents of the bedchamber, but, above all, the ability to observe, remember, and analyze. Almost as talented a spy as she is courtesan, Phèdre stumbles upon a plot that threatens the very foundations of her homeland. Treachery sets her on her path; love and honor goad her further. And in the doing, it will take her to the edge of despair...and beyond. Hateful friend, loving enemy, beloved assassin; they can all wear the same glittering mask in this world, and Phèdre will get but one chance to save all that she holds dear.

Set in a world of cunning poets, deadly courtiers, heroic traitors, and a truly Machiavellian villainess, this is a novel of grandeur, luxuriance, sacrifice, betrayal, and deeply laid conspiracies. Not since Dune has there been an epic on the scale of Kushiel's Dart-a massive tale about the violent death of an old age, and the birth of a new.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (364)

Eloquence and Art
I started reading this series a few years ago and have become hooked on Jacqueline Carey, she is a true writer who understands how to capture the imagination. What I love most about the series is that it's realistic in the sense that the characters have flaws and not everyone gets what they want making the reader appreciate the difficulty of Phedre's life while finding the beauty in what she makes of it. Also after reading these books I noticed that I hold every other book to these and I have yet to find another writer who can compare and another story that can move me and stay in my heart like this one.

An Erotic Fantasy Adventure
This book was first recommended to me by a friend who was serving oversees, who convinced me to read it after he threw me the tantalizing bait that the main character reminded him of me.

OK, I don't necessarily buy into that either but it was enough to get me to go against my better judgment and read the novel.I'm so glad I did.

My fears prior to reading this were:
1.It would be some cheezy romance with a thin plot strung through.
2.It would be some cheezy erotica with a thin plot strung through.
3.It would be some cheezy teenage boy's fantasy with no real character development and a thin plot strung though.
4.It would be nothing more than torture porn with a thin plot strung through.

I was wrong on all accounts.

From the first few paragraphs, beginning with the heroine recounting her early childhood and discovering her position in society and to the royal court, I realized that this was a novel with actual, three-dimensional characters who learn and grow throughout the story.This isn't just rare in "dark" or "erotic fantasy", it's rare in most works of modern fiction.Carey did a superb job of developing not only the history of the characters but also a fascinating, alternate history for its setting.

I read with dismay some other reviewers who were put off by an "Anguissette" (a woman who takes pleasure from pain) being the heroine.My response to this would be to further explain that not only are the sex acts entirely consensual, they are met with absolute enthusiasm by a heroine who was literally born to do just that.Enthusiasm is the polar opposite of forced or unwilling sex.There is more to complain about regarding many "romance" novels (especially "proper" Victorian romances, as well as those written in the 70s & 80s) where heroines need to be raped in order for them to experience the "pleasure" from sex. I can appreciate that not all readers may wish to identify with such a heroine.This does not mean we cannot appreciate the story, even if the sex acts are not our cup of tea.There is plenty if mystery/espionage/adventure/drama for many appetites.For those of us who may understand that the lines between pleasure and pain can often be blurred, this story is a welcome relief to both the torture porn and the vanilla "erotica" which saturates our culture.It is everything it claims to be and more.

Still, this novel is not for everyone.If you are someone who:
1.Thinks "erotic fantasy" includes the Star Wars scenes between Han & Leia / Anakin & Padme;
2.Thinks that the only acceptable sex is vanilla sex, regardless of the desires of those involved;
This book would not be for you.

However, do not begrudge those of us who find Carey's work absolutely brilliant.

One of my favorites
I love to re-read these books because there's always a new understanding to be found in them. Her plot is gripping, her characters are memorable, and the places the main character goes! The rest of the series is amazing and the transition in writing from Phedre's point of view to Imriel's is nearly flawless (and not as verbose).

Very much looking forward towards more from this author. She is one of my favorites. I love these books.

Violent, explicit erotica
This series got such great reviews, I decided to give it a try despite some misgivings from the cover - yes, I was judging the book by its cover.Sadly, I should have stuck to my first impression.

The overall story is engaging and well written, with an interesting main character and fairly well-developed world.Descriptions are generally effective without being tedious, and the dialogue is handled smoothly.So technically speaking, Carey's writing was inoffensive.Sure, the love interest was blindingly obvious from the moment he appeared, the characters are two-dimensional, and the plot got hopelessly bogged down mid-book, but it could have still been an interesting read.

What I found completely off-putting were the repeated graphic, violent sex scenes.As you learn very early, the main character has been blessed/cursed by the god of - evidently - sadism, and she craves pain.As a costly prostitute, this is what she receives from her clients.While that could have led to an inventive story by itself, Carey finds it necessary to describe in intimate detail virtually every sexual encounter.The plot effectively becomes a bland distraction between ridiculous soft porn episodes of cruelty and violence.

If sadism is your schtick, or you're looking for porn-with-a-story, this series will probably be up your alley.If you're looking for a good fantasy read with robust characters, tight plot, and a great story - keep looking.

Great story
I write this review after having read both Kushiel trilogies and I will agree with some other negative reviewers that the beginning of the book was hard to get through, it took me some time to get used to the flowery writing, large cast and the teen-angst of young Phedre.But then there's a pivotal moment that turns Phedre's life around very severely and the epic adventure starts...and never stops. This wasn't my favorite but it's still wonderful and necessary to learn about the world they live in. ... Read more

Product Description
Darts is an increasingly popular game, and today there are some fifteen million regular dart players in the United States alone. Incredibly, there have been virtually no reliable, concise guides to darts that would introduce new players to its rules, conventions, equipment, and techniques - until now.The American Darts Organization Book of Darts includes succinct, authoritative information on the rules of darts, how to play (and win) a dozen of the most popular games, notes on equipment, basic techniques and strategies, and much more. Also included are sample games, practice routines, and official tournament rules. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

Basic Book
I guess this is a good overall view of a simple but difficult game. I got more information reading articles on the Internet. I should have gone for something more advanced or with better stories. It covers all the basic bases and if I made a contribution to the group that sponsors darts in the United States I am glad. It is about a 90 minute read - maximum. If I was of the type I would have read it and returned it but I have a conscience. If I picked it up in the store I would not have made a purchase. Lesson learned.

deja vue all over againdeja vue all over againdeja vue all
good stuff out of you Mister Carey, Interesting, informative, useful, entertaining, captivating, for the average dart player, and yet, for the more accomplished, Nugatory, Otiose, Idle, Empty and Hollow! I expect to hear from you....SOON!!!!

good if you are not looking to something to improve your skills
good for the absolute beginner. someone that doesn't know absolutely nothing about darts. After this book, if you want to improve your skills, you have to buy another one. But for start is good

Applause!
A writer doesn't produce a book on the subject of darts because he wants to get rich. He writes the book because he loves the game, loves the people who play it, loves the euphoria of the "kill shot," because he wants others to experience that thrill, too, and because he wants to make a noteworthy contribution to promote his chosen sport well into the future. He loves the fire, the competition, the team, the good guys, the bad guys, the camaraderie, the wins, the defeats ... all of it. Chris Carey is this kind of writer, and his book should appeal to anyone who loves darts - period - be it soft or steel-tip, the world over.

This book, however, is not just for beginners. If you've played darts for any length of time and find yourself in a rut, Carey's book is your prescription. It will not only help you think through your issues, away from the line, but it is also a resource to provide new angles to attack problems you may not have thought about before or, perhaps, have lost sight of. For this reason, chapter eight - alone - is worth the price of admission.

This book, now in its second edition, is a much-heralded resource for darts players ... and I don't make this claim lightly. I am a darts book author and player, too, and my respect for this effort is, frankly, immense. Bar none, this is the leading book in our sport, the best seller. And, there's a reason for it. Not only does Carey's love of darts shine through, he is a respected writing talent, with the blessing of the American Darts Organization, to boot. Because of these things, and the topics he has chosen to explore, this work is a "must own" for every darter's library.

I was heartened to see Carey elected to also keep the original foreword in this revision which was written by the late, great, Tom Fleetwood (along with an informative new one from Buddy Bartoletta) because - if for no other reason - it shows his level of respect for the darting world's pioneers. And, since this work has received the blessing of a world respected steel-tip organization, I am also happy to see he has continued to discuss matters of the soft-tip variety, too, without prejudice. I emphasize this point because it makes his book truly universal in its appeal, and I applaud this ... loudly.

It looks as though each chapter has been improved, as well, but forgive that I did not go back and compare the '93 version to this one too thoroughly. The graphics that worked before were kept, but new ones were also added to help readers and players better visualize the messages Carey is conveying. It seems ridiculous, considering the volumes and volumes that have been written on darts, but I have never seen before such a well-delivered image like the new one found on page 29. That graphic, among few others, should be pasted to the underside of every eyelid that steps to the line! Had the information from this singular image been memorized by my inexperienced partners before drawing them in tournaments, it would have kept my hands from clenching together involuntarily after their successful effort at a 42, instead of the triple-16 we needed to win a match. Yeah, sure, I'm calm enough to write about it now ... lol.

Finally - while I also enjoyed Steve Brown's insight immensely - to include the pearls from Stacy Bromberg, too, is priceless for the future of women's involvement in this grand sport of ours. Bromberg is a pioneer in her own right, and an inspiration for those who will certainly follow her lead. I applaud the choice to include her thoughts in such an important, long lasting, far reaching piece of work such as this.

All told, this book is better now then when I first read it some twelve years ago. I was then, and remain - simply put - inspired by it.

Good qiuck guide
This book can be used as a wuick guide for beginners. It gives some tips and information about the history of some of the common games. I wouldn't recommend this book though if you are really concerned about the complications of technique and style. ... Read more

Product Description
A Bar Player's Guide to Winning Darts is a personal manual of form, technique and strategy for all dart players who love this friendly pub game.

The two chapters dealing with the great American game, Cricket, are alone worth the price of the book.

Capt. Fred writes in clear concise style and tells you how to go about keeping your opponent off balance so you can beat him to the bull. If you share the Captain's irreverent love of smoke-filled dart rooms and cold beer, this book is for you. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great read for new-beez to darts
A very straight forward account of a pros road to achievement with good humour as well.
I recomend this book to any budding world champs, young and not so young.

Beginner Text
As an intermediate player I learned little from reading this book. However, I passed it to a beginning player and he learned alot from this publication. ... Read more

Product Description
Convair Deltas: From SeaDart to Hustler tells the compelling story of America's aerospace industry in its heyday, when manufacturers boldly took the initiative to explore futuristic new designs by actually building and test flying airplanes to determine how well they would work, if at all. Convair led the way in this area with America's only complete family of delta-wing aircraft that included America's first delta-wing jet, the one-of-a-kind XF-92 experimental prototype, the XF2Y-1 jet-powered seaplane, the XFY-1 Pogo turboprop vertical takeoff and landing fighter, the F-102 Delta Dagger and F-106 Delta Dart supersonic missile-firing interceptors, and the revolutionary record-breaking four-engine B-58 Hustler the world's first Mach 2 strategic bomber. Noted aviation author Bill Yenne thoroughly documents Convair's quest to conquer the aerodynamic mysteries of the delta wing with stories of the dramatic struggles and technological breakthroughs that gave the world some of its greatest fighter and bomber aircraft. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Interesting Book
I must say that I really enjoyed this book. There is so much about the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation Deltas that I didn't know. I especially liked the chapters detailing the development and testing of the B-58 Hustler, one of my all-time favourite aircraft. The photos throughout the book are really great and complement the text very well. I give this book four stars as I would have preferred a little more 'technical' detail; but that is just a personal choice and I am very pleased to have purchased it. I recommend this book to anybody who has any interest in the glory years of aviation ('50s and'60s) where aircraft development was at its peak.

ALL YOU WILL NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CONVAIR MODELS BEUTIFULL PICTURES AND LAVISH TEXT
THE BOOK IS FULL OF BLACK & WHITE AND COLOR PICTURES.
THE TEXT IS WELL WRITTEN AND TELLS THE STORY OF EACH AIRCRFT PROTOTYPE OR PRODUCTION.
THE LACK OF DIAGRAMS AND COLOR PROFILES IS NOT A DISADVANTAGE AS THIS BOOK REFERS TO THE MODELLER AND TO THE AIRCRAFT ENTHUSIAST.
IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I READ CONTINUISLY A BOOK IN JUST 3 DAYS.
YOU WILL LOVE IT

A Definitive, Detailed Delta History
Delta-winged aircraft are largely just an interesting footnote in the annals of aviation history. As with so many other technological achievements, the Germans did it first in World War II with the far-out, unflown designs of Alexander Lippisch. After the War, Britain's AVRO "Vulcan" long-range bomber was perhaps the most distinctive delta-winged aircraft ever. The "Vulcan" was in service for many years in the Royal Air Force (RAF), and saw combat in the British-Argentine conflict over the Falkland Islands (or the Malvinas, depending on which side you were on). In the non-military arena, the Anglo-French Mach 2 "Concorde" airliner carried well-heeled jet-set passengers with speed, exclusivity and luxury until a fatal crash in 2000 in Paris permanently grounded the fleet. The United States has developed more delta-winged aircraft than any other nation, and one American company has built most of them---the Convair Division of the General Dynamics Corporation.

"Convair Deltas: From Sea Dart to Hustler" is an outstanding history of Convair's delta-winged aircraft. If you're familiar with the Specialty Press line of aviation and spaceflight books, you'll know what to expect. This volume does not disappoint. Renowned historian and military/aviation author Bill Yenne starts out with a 10-page history of Convair in its many corporate incarnations. He then jumps right into the full design and development stories of the fascinating delta-winged aircraft that the company produced over a span of nearly 25 years. They're all here: the XF-92A, the F-102 "Delta Dagger," the XFY-1 "Pogo" VTOL fighter, the F2Y-1 "Sea Dart" jet seaplane, the F-106 "Delta Dart" and the incredible B-58 "Hustler" supersonic bomber. Mr. Yenne gives comprehensive, detailed technical descriptions of each aircraft, describes their development and flight-test programs and then covers the operational histories of those that went into production. He includes hundreds of well-chosen black-and-white and color photographs (many of them rare images from his personal collection) and a few drawings of, for example, actual and proposed aircraft configurations, cockpit layouts, etc.

There's not much more to say about "Convair Deltas: From Sea Dart to Hustler" other than to recommend it highly for every aviation enthusiast. It covers a specialized topic, to be sure, but an exceptionally interesting and important one. Mr. Yenne does a superb job of telling the tale of the groundbreaking aircraft that proved out an aerodynamic concept perhaps most famously embodied in today's Space Shuttle Orbiter. Their aerodynamic and structural advantages mean that delta wings will probably always be around, and here's the full story of their early, formative years in development, flight test and operations. This is very good stuff.

daggers, darts and hustlers
Bill Yenne's new book, Convair Deltas, is a detailed but very readable look at F-102s, F-106s and B-58s. In addition to an interesting and informative writeup on the airplanes, Yenne includes a listing of every unit each type was assigned to. Best of all, however, is the terrific selection of photos. Many are full page and in color, from Convair and Air Force photographers. All of them are new to me.

This is the kind of book that other airplane books would like to be: lots of interesting information without being so dense that the reader's eyes glaze over in a few pages, filled with great photos. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (16)

The Dart League King
Wow...what a waste of money.Why would anyone care about this band of scum and losers.People thought fat, beer drinking guys was a bad image for darts..having these useless characters involved with the sport is 100 times worse.I rooted for none of them at any point in the book.A total waste of your time to read it, and a bigger waste of money!

Multidimensional Tale
The Dart League King is an engaging story, right from the beginning. All four of the main characters are at the same time repulsive and appealing. Despite Russell's being a drug-addicted loser, he knows his darts and is charming in his enthusiasm for the game. Tristan is smart and charming and has potential, but he's deeply flawed and aimless. Vince is a whacked-out jerk with a death wish that makes him sympathetic (at moments). And Brice--Brice is nice, but weird. The night of the big dart match is a huge sprawling mess that is fascinating to watch unfold.

And yet, my concern is that the story lacks focus. As a reader, I wanted to know whose story it was. Since we begin with Russell, that's who I wanted to care about, but constantly I was pulled away to Vince and Tristan and Brice. Is it meant to be the story of a lost, loser generation? Or is it Russell's story, as I think it really wants to be?

In any case, Morris is a terrific writer, and I'll definitely be reading more of his work.

Well-crafted story, gripping writing
I was up 'til 1am racing through to the epilogue of this well-crafted novel. This story is told primarily through the inner monologues of four central characters, and the device of shifting between characters while keeping the narrative in motion is masterfully executed. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

Loved it.
Brief summary, no spoilers.

The Dart King in the title, is a character named Russell Harmon. Russell lacks ambition in all things except dart throwing. Russell is about to play against his toughest competitor, a rather mysterious, miild-mannered middle-aged man named Brice. This whole novel takes place in one day, and the location is the city of Garnet Lake, Idaho.

Russell has a few problems. He owes a lot of money to his drug dealer, a hot-tempered man named Vince Thompson, and he is afraid that Vince is going to show up to kill him. Russell still has a crush on Kelly Ashton, a beautiful young woman who wants desperately to escape her hometown with her young child. Kelly has her eye on a handsome young man named Tristan, who is on Russell's team, and is his friend.

Throw into this mix a mysterious death, violent squabbles, a psychotic breakdown, a possible murder, and one foolish childhood mistake that will break your heart and forever change a life.

I just loved this book. For one thing, it's an absolute page-turner, from page one.

Despite the fact the action all takes place in one day, we get to really know all the characters, intimately. I can't remember the last time I read a book where the dialogue was so spot on and seamless, and where I cared so much about a group of fictional characters.

This book has humor and tragedy, and lots of action. It is also very unpredictable, and if you think you know where it's going - you don't.

Highly, highly recommended. Just a great, entertaining, thought-provoking read.

Quick-paced and enjoyable
I had many of the similar concerns that other reviewers had with this book; within the beginning pages, it seemed the author was adding superficial depth to the characters. After all, within the first 3 pages, someone was all ready doing a line of coke in the bathroom. The book didn't really seem real because of this.

After about 50 pages, that all changed for me. Each chapter is told through the view point of a certain character within a small town, and with each passing chapter, the characters grow and become more intricate than what it seemed like in the first few pages.

This book is in-between a fast-paced read as well as reflective commentary on the loneliness in our lives. The author does a good job of combining both to make it not only a book hard to put down, but one that allows for real connection with the characters. ... Read more

Product Description
Poison dart frogs are known by many for their bright colors and poisonous skins. This expert guide covers all of the common species as well as a number of rarer ones, and is the only up-to-date book available on keeping and breeding these amphibians that is written by professional breeders. It also covers important care topics to encourage health and happiness in your pet. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Best Book on the Market
This is the best book out there for people who keep or are considering keeping dart frogs.

It's got more detail then Bartlett's Poison Dart Frogs (Reptile and Amphibian Keeper's Guide) (which is the second best book out), and is up to date, (compared to Poison Dart Frogs (Success With An Amphibian Pet) or The Guide to Owning Frogs (Guide to Owning A...), which are very dated).This is not a coffee table book (I recommend Frog: A Photographic Portrait or Poison Frogs of the Family Dendrobatidae: Jewels of the Rainforest).Nor is it a biological encyclopedia of the frogs and their breeding records (for that get Poison Frogs: Biology, Species & Captive Husbandry, the $165 tome).

This is an in-depth guide to raising dart frogs, authored by some of the leading breeders in the world.Tank design, food raising, health, breeding, tadpole raising, and the popular species are all discussed in depth, with many troubleshooting tips.

I bought and read every book on dart frogs before getting my own frogs, and this is the only book I have ever needed.

Good Beginner Book
This book gives a nice overviewon all husbandry aspects as well as providing short overviews of many commonly kept species. Although it doesn't go into extreme detail it gives more than enough information for the beginner keeper to set up an enclosure, feed/water, and maintain their new frogs and also helps to problem solve any common problems they may encounter. Overall it is a good book to have as a quick and easy to read reference guide.

Excellent reference resource
After having read several other books about tree frogs and keeping them, we found it difficult to find consistant advise that worked for us. The false bottom tank modelwas perfect, and in fact we had been buying our dart frogs from the authors, so we saw it first hand.

The book is well written, doesn't assume you are a professional herpetoculturist or herpetologist, but someone who wants to add some amazing color to their terrarium or creating the perfect habitat for some minature frogs.

The Sihlers have been raising dart frogs for well over a decade, starting when not a lot was known about breeding, yet they managed to become top class breeders of Rain Forest amphibians in the middle of the Sonoran Desert.

I recommend this book to anyone just starting out in this Hobby!
I purchased this book two weeks ago and read it entirely in just a few short days and I must say i have never been more pleased with a book, I had a lot of fears going in to this hobby as I have read elsewhere that these Frogs can be very hard to keep and this book has help put me at ease, from breeding to health and feeding this book has you covered.

The only thing I wish they went more in to was new vivarium setups and that they can get mold growth in them, this however will disappear overtime (found out with a bit of googling), but then the book is about keeping dart frogs and not vivarium joys & horrors. So I will excuse this factor. :D

Poison Dart Frogs
Excellent , quick reference for the hobbyist wanting some breeding tips. Easy fast reading. Up to date advice. ... Read more

Product Description
Though her memory remains clouded by sorcery, Imrhien (heroine of "The Ill-made Mute") must take vital news to the King-Emperor of Caermelor, hoping also to find there the fearless ranger who has won her heart. She assumes the identity of 'Rohain', a noblewoman visiting from the distant Sorrow Isles, but finds the King and his rangers heading off to battle the Unseelie hordes. Meanwhile, awaiting their return, the newcomer must survive in a court where treachery and deceit are as deadly as any eldritch peril. Worse still, attacks by nightmare monsters of the Wild Hunt grow ever more frequent and brutal, and when evil forces lay siege to the royal sanctuary on a hidden mystic island, she realises with horror that she herself is the real target of these onslaughts - but has no idea why. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (56)

So disappointed!
Having loved The Ill-Made Mute as a flawed gem with occasional gorgeous prose (but the lady swallowed a thesaurus or something and writes page-long lists of trivial minutiae), I was looking forward to the next two volumes.

I simply cannot read the second volume, having become bored senseless with the menus, hats and gowns at imaginary parties of no interest to me at all. The main character has lost any humanity and is now a Perfect Princess but has become utterly useless (if pretty. She was much morer interesting as a scarred mute). The "nobilty" were suitably awful and condescending - except for the King, who allows his subjects to be slaughtered and left unled during a time of war so as to be (un)suitably romantic.

The story is really just a collection of Olde English folktales rebadged, but without any interesting narrative arc involving the original characters, who become more shallow as the series develops! At least as far as I have read, and I just cannot be bothered finishing the series.

I'll flick through and read the re-worked folklore, and look out for the odd magic passage of prose. But the lists of trivia, lack of interesting characters and story have defeated me!

I tried, but this book is as far as I go in this series ...
Here, our heroine Rohain (who unfortunately has about four names through this trilogy so we never have anything consistent to call her) goes to the royal court to warn the "King-Emperor" that the treasure that she and her friend found in Book 1 (which by law belongs to the King) is being plundered by thugs.

She has to bide at court, pretending to be a noblewoman, until the King-Emperor's assistant can hear her case and take her off for treasure-reclamation.Meanwhile, the King-Emperor goes to war in the north where the "unseelie" are building up threateningly.

Then Rohain goes back to the Stormrider tower of Isse where she'd first been found in Book 1 to investigate her past.And so it goes.Much peril, culminating in a very, very long extended sequence in which thePied Piper myth is enacted for us with no real change from the standard old myth.

If you like fairytales and folklore, you'll probably love this book.But I never really have - I find them too simple and boring.

To me, the characters in this book just aren't human and unique enough:Thorn and Rohain are shallow types.I remain disappointed that the action scenes and the exotic setting and mineral-technology are resolutely and stubbornly weighted down with all this worn-out Celtic folklore when the author could have just created her own far more original society.

More captivating than the first volume.
This is the second book in the Bitterbynde trilogy (after The Ill-Made Mute and before The Battle of Evernight).

Now that the old carlin Maeve One-Eye has healed Imrhien, restored her beauty and her voice, but not her memory, the young woman can travel to the royal city of Caermelor in order to deliver to the King-Emperor the secret message of the treasure found at Waterstairs. She goes there disguised as Rohain Tarrenys, Lady of the Sorrows, the distant islands or Severnesse. Alas, the King-Emperor is not at court but has gone to battle against the army of unseelie beings who have declared war on humankind. She has no choice but to wait, try and find clues about her past, and look for the mysterious Dainnan warrior Thorn whom she's fallen for.

But for Imrhien it's hard to blend in, with the constant threat of the courtiers seeing through her disguise if she doesn't learn their manners fast. Luckily, she soon makes friends with her maid Viviana, who starts to teach her slingua (a made-up court-language).

Seeing that the King-Emperor is not coming back any time soon, she decides to make for Isse Tower, where she used to be known as the Ill-Made Mute, to meet those among whom she used to live and gather information on her former life. There she makes an astounding discovery, but her happiness is short-lived. Indeed, after an attack by the unseelie hordes, she comes to understand she might actually be the target of Huon the Hunter and his Wild Hunt.

Even though I found that the heroin's name changed too often, I liked this middle-volume better than the previous one. For one part it is not as over-written, but its pace is also faster. The plot is more captivating, with a romantic first half and intriguing, albeit predictable ending chapters, in which the story shifts to another place and time when the legendary Faêran still roamed the land of Erith.

Great continuation of book 1...
I really enjoyed reading the second book of this trilogy. It was just as good as the first one and I couldn't put it down. Similarly to Book I, Book II ends with Imrhien finding many of the answers she was looking for. However, a new set of challenges isintroduced at the same time, and the plot continues to thicken.
As a side note, I also appreciated the way in which the folk stories and legends were woven into the plot of book; they were interesting and fun to read, and set the series apart from many others I've read in the past. Now that I've started the final book of the trilogy, I'm curious to see how the author resolves the many problems that Imrhien faces. If you enjoyed book I, there's no doubt in my mind that you'll enjoy book II as well.

A Great Read
I thoroughly enjoyed The Lady of Sorrows.After finishing The Ill-made Mute, I had to start this 2nd volume.The style of writing and use of language is just beautiful and I enjoyed it as much as the story itself.Some parts of the book are drawn out and the poor heroine always seems to be having to set out of some very long journey mainly undertaken on foot in extreme conditions.This aside the plot has a number surprises and new characters together with it being so beautifully written it keeps you turning the pages.The author's knowledge of folklore is just amazing.
... Read more

Product Description
Once upon a time the great Faeran high king, Angavar, became trapped in mortal Erith along with his twin brother - and nemesis - Morragan 'the Raven Prince', when the gate to the Faeran Realm was closed on them...Now, many centuries later, the fugitive who calls herself Tahquil has at last discovered the truth. She is being hunted down by the Raven Prince because she alone can reopen the gate to the Fair Realm, so Morragan plans to use her for his escape from exile. However, Tahquil's mind is still clouded by a potent spell called the Bitterbynde, and she is also dying from a mystical wasting disease. The cure, and the final answers to the mystery of her past, can only be found in Evernight - at the fortress of the Raven Prince himself.Nothing can prepare Tahquil for the horror that is Evernight. Here magic rules, the sun is banished - and the Raven Prince's whims shape the very nature of existence. As Morragan's wights and Angavar's knights become locked in a battle that could engulf all of Erith, Tahquil's quest for the truth finally hinges on a desperate choice. If she opens the Gate, will she thereby save two worlds - or instead destroy everything she holds dear?'I extend the plea: More! More!' - Tanith Lee. 'Like Tolkien and many of the best fantasy writers, Dart-Thornton has created a wonderful fantasy world that is a delight to wander through' - "Herald-Sun".Amazon.com Review
Australian author Cecilia Dart-Thornton's American debut, The Ill-Made Mute, earned praise from fans, critics, and colleagues; the lyrical novel's admirers include no less an authority than the Grande Dame of Fantasy, Andre Norton. The sequel, The Lady of the Sorrows, garnered further acclaim. Now, Dart-Thornton concludes her high-fantasy trilogy, The Bitterbynde, with The Battle of Evernight.

Once a scarred and nameless mute, Tahquil has regained her voice, her looks, and some memory. But she and her companions, Viviana and Caitri, are stranded far from the man she loves, and are being pursued by the tireless and dangerous Lord Morragan, Crown Prince of Faerie. Tahquil may not regain the rest of her memory in time to save her companions or herself. And even if she does, a shockingdiscovery may doom any possibility of love.

The Battle of Evernight is not for newcomers to Dart-Thornton's fantasy universe. Her trilogy has a complex plot and her world of Erith is developed with uncommon depth. Additionally, The Battle of Evernight has some structural problems. Too many of its early events don't really forward the plot. The climax occurs too far from the conclusion. And the ending's coy note may annoy fans as well as newcomers. Also, while not a structural flaw, the three main female characters are disappointingly passive, and seem to exist mostly to be acted upon by the males; for example, Tahquil observes the critical titular battle from a distance. If you're new to the Bitterbynde, start with The Ill-Made Mute. --Cynthia Ward ... Read more

Customer Reviews (49)

What's in a name?
Many of the reviewers of this book seem to be of the opinion that while this is a highly unsatisfactory book, Dart-Thompson is nonetheless a great writer. I have to disagree. I do not think that CDT is a great writer. A great writer can manage to capture your attention for more than a third of a book, has a good plot and interesting characters, and does not need to rely on a thesaurus and "Ye Olde Booke of Faerietayles" for the majority of three books.

CDT captured my attention with the title of her first book (The Ill-Made Mute is still one of my all time favorite book names), and the un-named, un-sightly and un-speaking character in the first half of that book is so well crafted that I managed to ignore all the really clumsy devices that she used to set up the world. There were many of these.

Unfortunately, once that character got a name, I got bored. And the character just gets worse in each successive book (and her language more annoyingly flowery), everytime her name changes. What's in a name - obviously way too much.

I skimmed through the second and third book, which was surprisingly easy: once I started ignoring all the needlessly told faerytales and the interminable pages of description, the basic plot boiled down to about fifty pages in all. This entire trilogy has about the same level of characterization and plot as one of the endless litany of fairy tales CDT is so fond of using, and that is reflected in the ending of the series, which is about as short, abrupt and sparse as one of those tales, without the charm.

CDT needs to learn to craft a tight plot and sympathetic characters before bringing out her thesaurus again.

Form Without Substance
Although the series got off to a promising start, this final book is a washout. Earlier, the series offers engaging ideas and characters. However as the series progresses, the author has become increasingly enamored with her own descriptive prose, losing sight of any larger purposes with which she began.

The Battle of Evernight comprises interminable accounts of pointless meanderings - and lurid fables that are largely irrelevant to the overall themes, the story or the characters. After an eternity of fragmentary "adventures", almost as an afterthought, a few of the many threads are hastily tied up in the closing pages.

Sadly, the ending is lame and all the seeming passion and intensity of the earlier books dissolves into a whimper. After grabbing our attention in book one, the author has strung us along through two subsequent books before finally revealing that she really had little of consequence to say and no grand insight or resolution to offer.

Overall, I'm afraid I felt cheated on reading this title. It revealed the whole series (a substantial invesment of reading time!) to have been mostly form (flowery prose) with little of substance. Mostly an excuse for eloquent (even loquacious) prose and interminable episodes/fragments of fantasy.

Even if you've invested your time and mindshare in the previous two books in the "Bitterbynde Trilogy", my advice would be to cut your losses and spare yourself the disappointmemt. I'm afraid I cannot recommend this book to anyone.

Agggh terrible ending
The key thing about this book is that I could have binned the book when I read the ending!!! CDT - you might be advised to do an updated edition.

TOTALLY unsatisfying ending that finishes all in a rush and lack of steam. The book has lots and lots of beautifully written descriptions (and yes I did skip pages and pages of it) but what is the good of all that great world building if we skimp on plot and character. The protagonist starts out interesting in ill made mute but gets more and more Mary Sue as the series progresses.

Unfortunate ending to an interesting trilogy
I had such high hopes for this trilogy! I had a hard time starting the first book, then got hooked when it began involving the "wights" old world scottish faery tales and thought it might be going somewhere. After three books i believe readers deserved more than a P.S. at the end of the book implying a rumor of a happy ending. If you chose to view it that way of course. Since the eagle does fly away with a seabird linked with a CHAIN it may very well have meant her perfect faery king wasnt terribly happy that she hadnt trusted him to protect her and was simply retreiving her. ah well good or bad the ending was extremely dissapointing.

Longish and anticlimactic.
The Battle of Evernight is the third and final book of the Bitterbynde trilogy (after The Ill-Made Mute and The Lady of the Sorrows).

Now that Tahquil, our heroin-with-too-many-names, has gotten most of her memory back, she's gnawed at by the Langothe, an unendurable longing for the Faêran Realm, in addition to her yearning for her lover Thorn.

Tahquil knows now that she is the only one who can open the magic door to the Fair Realm, left ajar with three strands of her golden hair several hundred years ago. Which is why she is sought after by Angavar and hunted down by Morragan and his hordes of unseelie creatures: the Faêran King and his twin brother and nemesis, the Raven Prince are trapped in Erith.

In the company of her maids Caitri and Viviana, she sets out on a journey to Arcdur, to find the Gate of Oblivion's Kiss. Starting near Huntingtowers, together they'll travel all across Eldaraigne, successively through: the flowery Arven Meadows, the jungle of Khazathdaur and its tree-top catwalks, the river-ridden hills of Lallillir, the orchards of Cinnarine, then changing their course to go to Morragan's lair, through the labyrinthine hedges of Firzenholt, the wasteland, and the volcanic desolation of Tapthartharath, making friends with helpful wights along the way: an Urisk, a Waterhorse and a Swanmaiden.

Does this description sound like a tedious enumeration to you? Well, it actually echoes what reading the story felt like to me. Although the vocabulary used in this volume is less intricate, the book is mostly longish and uneventful. Even the long-expected clash between good and evil falls flat, anticlimactic. Still, there are a couple of passages I enjoyed: a moment of respite when the girls make a halt in Appleton Thorn, enjoying the villagers' traditions and rites, and the unexpected fifteen-or-so last pages. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Making Christmas happier
This well produced book is a greatsource of simple and attractive items to make for Christmas.The patterns are well thought-out and clearly explained.Like all really useful books it provides many ideas which can be adapted of other occasions, ... Read more

Product Description
Authorhouse has announced the publication of Timothy Bucci's new book, SOFT-TIP DARTS FOR THE NEW PLAYER: A QUIVER OF 3. Its purpose is to explore the sport of soft-tip darts in order to help beginners advance their skill set in the quickest possible way.

After reading numerous books on the sport of darts, with an equally large library on sports psychology, Bucci realized he was seeking answers to issues not normally addressed by other authors on this topic. With this book, Bucci realized he wanted to focus on four critical areas: 1) Help new players develop their motor skills more quickly; 2) Ask them to think "outside the box" on issues like mental preparedness and factors that constitute being inside "The Zone"; 3) Show them proven winning strategies, and; 4) Hone their sportsmanship.

"There are a lot of questions new players have when getting involved in the game of darts. Rather then just lying in the trenches and getting rolled over by the pros before they learn how to be successful, I’ve addressed those issues here to help make them tougher, confident, and more competitive," stated Bucci.

He continues, "New players quickly realize the game of soft-tip darts is much deeper then merely tossing a few barbs at a board. Immediately, if they want to improve, they start seeking answers to the issues they are wrestling with. Success in this sport demands a tremendous amount of drive and focus built on a sound base of information. With this book, my aim is to provide that base." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Buy this book
Tim Bucci is to be commended for many things in this book. One, he's a damn fine writer; the book moves with grace. Two, he's clear and wonderfully engaging about his passion for the game; he is, as he hopes more can be, a "Darts Ambassador."He welcomes us all.

Perhaps most important about this book, though, is its humanity. Playing darts--steel tip or Bucci's beloved soft-tip--is such a wonderful, social enterprise. For some it's bridge or bowling. For us it's darts and Tim just makes me want to go out and play a few games with old friends or with folks I'll meet for the first time. Darts is fun, and Tim captures that enthusiasm on every page.

For the curious and the experienced, get "A Quiver of Three." Reading it is a pleasure, an education, and an inspiration. It is a must for every darts library, and a requirement for anyone interested in taking up soft-tip darts. It's full of good advice and useful information. Read the book and then get out there and play.

Perhaps someday we'll meet at the throwing line, Tim. I look forward to it.

A darts guru in your pocket, takes you from first throw to league play in easy steps.
I feel I was a sort of "beta tester" for Tim's book, because I knew nothing about how to play until I read it. I've seen people play occasionally and thought I'd like to participate, but was intimidated by my lack of knowledge on scoring, strategy, rules of the game, and etiquette - the things that make you look and feel like a public "doofus" if you don't know them. This book is the answer to that problem for beginners, but also has enough deeper material to teach experienced players a thing or two.

Tim's presentation of the essentials of soft-tip darts gets you up and running fast, makes you conversant with the darts themselves, the "lingo" and rules of play, and puts you on a path to becoming a worthy competitor.

If you're happy to be only a casual, recreational player, the tips and practice guides in this book will tune you up, help you lose or avoid bad habits and teach you simple but effective strategy that makes you a better player than anyone would expect.

Bucci's competition tips will give you an "equalizer" over more experienced adversaries, showing you where to look for their weaknesses and how to lose your own. He gives useful advice on individual as well as team strategy, and also devotes some time to the ins and outs of managing a successful and fun team of your own.

Tim has done the hard work for you and distilled his years of experiences down into a compact, fun read that informs while entertaining. He takes you from buying and maintaining the right equipment all the way to running a team in league contests, with interesting side-trips into theory and strategy that help you put the game in perspective. I found it very comprehensive, without becoming dull or preachy. The writing is unpretentious and clear, probably reflecting his technical writing experience. Finally, he never forgets that it's always about having fun, even when the competition is serious. If you're a neophyte, or Bullshoot-bound competitor, if you can't bring an expert to the bar with you, spend an hour with Tim's book and see your game come alive.

... Read more

Product Description
During the early 1950s, Richard Pousette-Dart (1916-1992) created one of the most anomalous bodies of work of his career: graphite drawings on undercoats of blue or ocher painted over a titanium white ground. For an artist known for his love of color and impasto, these predominantly white paintings constituted quite a departure. Twenty-five works were shown at Betty Parsons Gallery in 1955, in an exhibition titled Predominantly White; the artist returned to mine this vein in later paintings in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. ... Read more

Product Description
Your techniques have given me the tools to become the best player I can be. Joe Everett (aka: dart face) New York City Certainly from reading the additional information in George's book (a must for all dart players ) I now understand and feel when my stroke is good and bad and also I'm in a position where I am able to correct it if the first dart thrown is poor. Antony Sharrett (aka: Tanman) Harrogate, England I know it's working for me because now what feels like a bad night would have been considered a great night 6 months ago. Mark Kelly (aka: Drac0) Australia I have never felt more controlled and focused with my darts. The drills, the reading material, all of it are a huge help. Greg Kanes (aka: P-man) S. Africa The way George writes makes you wanna read it. Davin Burgess, (aka: davin) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

DARTS Beginning to End
Darts Beginning to End by Charis Mutschler

This is the third book George Silberzahn haspublished and I would say it's the best so far.

In some way the three books develop into one out of the preceding- so by now we've got the most extensive, best developed and most up-to date version.

The focal point of all three books is to help dart players of all skill levels to get better and to enjoy themselves more playing darts. The method George uses for that is called "Flight School" and it's all his own idea.One could describe "Flight School" as a course of practice drills and mental practice for dart players of all levels with a totally new philosophy.

Grouped around this you can find chapters about soft-tip specifics, the always relevant topic "slump", games, the ideal American Dart league, an updated version of "Legends speak" which now includes the actual North American Top Players, Potential Legends and Tournament Directors.

I am well acquainted with Flight School - so it's not really new for me but what I did find fascinating are the discussions between George and Flight School participants about certain points. You can almost watch how George integrates the results of the discussions into his "Flight School" to get rid of what might be misunderstandings and flaws and somehow one can well imagine that though the "Flight School" is by now really is a "mature" and proven training course there still could be changes and improvements if it turns out someone has good enough arguments for this.

The book is neither dry nor boring at all, which can happen with a book of this kind. George's writing style is rather vivid anyway and the discussions and the statements in the second part of the book do one more thing to make it readable and easy to understand.

I can highly recommend this book - it really is a book that will help you on, and for all who already take part in "Flight School," it's nevertheless interesting to read because of the discussions and the additional chapters and in the end because it's necessary from time to time to remember all the details which one tends to forget as time drew on.

Charis Mutschler
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Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent book
I bought this book after being referred to it several times by other dart players.The first few chapters explain the fundamentals of the dart stance, grip and throw.To include the aim and the placement of your foot at the oche.I have played in many tournaments and am the scourge of my local league.This book has helped me tremendously, and continues to do so for those I let borrow it.I can't even count the ammount of players that I see doing the wrong things at the oche, and I show them a few pages of this book.Their accuracy has always gotten better.If you play darts, this is a great fundamental book.It will help you to train yourself out of bad habits, and also explains in great detail, how to go about getting sponsorships and upping your game to the next level.I highly recommend this book.Just make sure you ask for it back when you loan it to that cross body dart thrower.

Gee, I really wanted to love this book but it just doesn't measure up.
I bought this book on the strong recommendation of an excellent dart player; my skill being perceived as excellent by a beginner but more than wanting by an advanced player.The Art of Darts is written by one of the dominant players from the 1970's and '80's.In all, he has been a professional player for more than three decades, and has a signature dart line offered for sale.
As such, I had high expectations that Mr. Lowe would be able to supply me with the kind of information I need to improve my game.In fact, some of the stuff he has to say is useful.His description of the the "classic" grip, for instance was an eye opener to me and I have adjusted my grip accordingly (with no improvement so far).However, he fails to discuss the difference it makes to hold a dart other than classically.He purports to dedicate a part of the book to a discussion of this and even supplies illustrations of four different well-known signature darts.The problem is that they all look pretty much the same when he could have chosen a couple of others that are markedly different, Dennis 'the menace'Priestly's darts, for instance.Likewise, in his description of equipment, Mr. Lowe says absolutely nothing about the different theories behind dart flight shapes and sizes.
Another way that this book could have been helpful is to discuss game theory; even such basic things as instructing people to figure out their possible outs before stepping to the oche, or discussing why a left-handed person might prefer one side of the board over another, for instance.He also should have included a discussion of the game of Cricket which is huge in USA and probably other parts of the globe.Granted, this book is primarily directed at the British market but in his preamble to the book, Mr. Lowe describes a game of world-wide popularity so why would he choose to ignore one huge part of the game?Even if he doesn't play it, it seems as though he should have consulted another expert so that he could include a discussion of game theory which is far more important in Cricket than in an '01 game.
I have a dozen other criticisms of the book but by now you've probably gotten the message.I would say, though, that the book's format, a disquisition on the basics of dart play followed by advice to the budding professional including a fitness regimen and advice on how to overcome jet-lag is a bit puzzling.For, the author, although undoubtedly well-meaning does a cursory job of treating both subjects when he should either have concentrated on one or the subject, or put the effort in to comprehensively cover the entire spectrum from beginner to professional in a logical and thoughtful manner.One wonders if the author was more concerned about getting a product out than he was with putting together a logically ordered, information-filled book?
I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending one purchase this book new. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

solid 01 worthless cricket
Since every review seems to consider this either an excellent or a terrible book.I just wanted to add a comment.If you are primarily a cricket fan, then you will probably hate this book.The authors are English, and cricket is not a game of much interest accross the pond.I bought this book over 30 years ago, the 1975 version, and I found it extremely helpful for developing an out strategy for 01.The authors don't simply give you an out chart and tell you to memorize the chart.They discuss options based on the likelihood that you don't hit the triple, but you hit the single.As an example you have 126 left and your opponent is on or close to a double.Most out charts would suggest shootine T20 which would leave 66 then T14 which leaves D12 for the win.As an alternative the authors would suggest that this first dart should be shot at T19 which would leave 69, and then stay on T19 which would leave D6.Why would you do this?If the first attempt at T19 was a single, that leaves you with 107.You have two darts left and you still have a chance to win in this turn, T19 then Double Bull. If you get the first T19, but you hit a single 19 with your second dart, you still can win with a Double Bull.As the authors say it's a double sometimes you need to shoot it.Granted you are not going to hit Double Bull for the win very often, but at least you have a chance to win before your opponent can shoot at a double.This book helped me develop my out strategy.When I am playing in the league, I never look at the out chart because I know the numbers and the alternative strategies.These authors showed the way to develop a proper out strategy.Granted they don't discuss every possible alternative, but they at least get you to think about these alternatives.

Excellent beginners dart book
I own several books on the game of darts, and this is the best one.It is chock full of humorous comments, informative sidebars, charts, figures, hand drawings, and examples.The rules for the games were easy to follow and it lists 23 of them including Cricket.The tips on how to play well, and practice effectively were good.It included several practice routines in addition to the games.And most welcome were the frequent charts showing how an average, expert or pro darter would perform on the various games or feats.

I read the book cover to cover and thoroughly enjoyed the author's writing style and frequent application of humor.

NOTE: The review that blasts the 1977 version of the book should be ignored, as the the 1986 update to the book addressed all the complaints.Cricket is listed, the 7' 9 1/4" throwing distance is clearly listed, etc.

All About Darts ?
This book was so bad it doesn't rate a text review only to say save your money. Nothing can be learned from this book for a beginner or anyone else

Not up-to-date, not American
It's remarkably deceptive that this 1977 book has "America" and"up-to-date" in its subtitle, for it is neither a book for or by Americans, nor is it up to date. Why isn't copyright date listed on Amazonsite???

The most popular game in America is Cricket. Not covered--onlythe '01 games. Cricket was pretty much unheard of in Britian (home ofauthors) in 1977 And what of all of the innovations in darts of the last 20years? Brass darts were the standard in 1977! Since 1977... Tungsten,retractable tip darts, electronic darts, sucken-wire dartboards, hundredsof new tournaments in US and internationally, the hundreds of web sitesdevoted to darts....and much, much more.

And not just lack ofinformation, but misinformation. For instance, in 1977, at the time oftheir writing, official throwing distances were different around the world(they state 8' most of the time). The official international distance is 7'9 1/4"--established in 1979 by BDO and ADO, after this"up-to-date" book was written (20 years ago!)...Valuableinformation, as well as virtually all names, organizations, etc. are 20years out of date... Again, this book is certainly, and demonstrably, NOTAmerica's most complete and up-to-date book on darts.

This book shouldhave gone out of print years ago.

An excellent book for beginners
For the person just learning about darts, this is an ideal book.There are several variations of dart games listed here, and many of them rely more on luck than skill.Therefore, for people not entirely serious aboutdart playing, they will find many of these games more interesting and funthan the more traditional games.

This book is perfect for the beginner,but probably won't be of much value to serious dart player. ... Read more

Product Description
A landmark publication in the world of Fantasy writing In a world where creatures of legend haunt the lands of men, and to be caught outside after dark means almost certain death, the inhabitants of Isse Tower are amazed when a mute, starving foundling is discovered outside their gates. With no recollection of her name or past, the girl soon realizes that her only hope of happiness lies in distant Caermalor, where a wise woman might be able to restore her memories. To get there, Imrhien must survive a wilderness of endless danger. Lost and pursued by unhuman wights, Imrhien is saved by Thorn, a mysterious, handsome ranger who becomes her protector-and the object of her hopeless love. But unknown to them, a dark force summons the Unseelie, and malignant hordes amass in the night.Amazon.com Review
This first novel by Australian writer Cecilia Dart-Thornton begins the Bitterbynde series, the saga of a young woman's search for her past as well as her destiny. An orphaned refugee taken in as a servant of powerful Isse Tower, a prominent Relay Station in the world's communications network, the main character is a nameless, badly scarred mute with little hope for better--until he escapes by stowing away on a magical Windship and is befriended by cheerfulSianadh, a self-professed madman and adventurer. Sianadh gives hiscompanion two precious gifts: a name, Imrhien, and the knowledge that he isreally she, raised as a boy to protect her from even worsetreatment.Together, the two journey into the deep green heart of a greatforest, defeat the tricky magics of various eldritch wights, and discover avast treasure that will change their lives forever.When Imrhien learnsof Maeve One-Eye, a healer who may be able to repair her scars and restoreher memory, the girl is determined to seek her out.On the dangerous tripwest, Imrhien meets and falls in love with the Dainnan ranger Thorn, butdoubts he could ever return her affections.While this novel doesn't standwell alone, readers who crave long and detailed journeys through fantasticlands filled with magical creatures will enjoy Imrhien's travels. Dart-Thornton's world takes many traditional elements of epic fantasy andmanages to stir them into something charming and new. --CharleneBrusso ... Read more

Customer Reviews (163)

Only for English Literature Poetry Types
I forced my way through the nonsense prose and idiotic descriptions used in this book and shall not be reading any further books written by this author.

The problem is the writer is thesaurus addicted to such an extent that an uneducated mute's observations of the world draw on all sorts of experiences that she cannot possibly have had. Every description of anything; jug, a bird or a tree, is written in such flowery prose that it renders the item described as a nonsense.

As I read it I was continually reading passages out to my wife in exasperation and frustration. I would suggest the author extracts her head from her * and goes on a plain English course so people can understand what she wants to say.

If you are an English Lit student with a keen interest in thesaurus usage and adapted celtic fairy tales then you might enjoy this, but I'd advise normal educated folk who enjoy fantasy and sci-fi to give this a wide berth; it's not written for mass public consumption but is the author's own ego stroking exercise.

Refreshing
I devoured this book with frequent stops at a dictionary, as some other readers have doubtless done.I loved it.It has been so long since a book forced me to leaf through a dictionary rather than infer from the context what a word means.Far from being turned off by the "big" words some have complained about, I was refreshed by the vocabulary expansion.The Ill-Made Mute was more original than much of the recent explosion of fantasy; I hurried out to get the sequel as soon as I finished the last page.The descriptions, while sometimes overlong, serve to create a world with depth and breadth, so often not the case with other fantasy books.In this aspect, the book reminded me of Tolkien.The heroine is a person one can relate to, not someone who is cut from the same mold of strong female/red hair/green eyes/magical powers.She is strong, but she is also having normal human reactions to her situation and her strength is manifested in not-so-obvious ways.All in all, a lovely read.

A mixed bag - best if you are in love with words
I usually delight in finding a word in a book that I don't know -- I have read thousands of books so at this point it is exceedingly rare for me to run across a new one.But after pulling out the dictionary for the third time in the first chapter or twoof The Ill-made Mute, it began to get a bit annoying.I got the sense that the author wrote with thesaurus in hand, picking the most obscure option whenever possible.She loosened up a bit as she went along, but much of the book reads like poetry, not prose, stringing words together for the sheer sensuous pleasure of them.This is not a plot-driven book.The journey of the protagonist seemed more designed to showcase as many Celtic fables and finely realized settings as possible.Characters are fond of storytelling.Great attention is given to background information and minor characters and settings that never become relevant.They can be quite lovely, though.The comparisons to Tolkien are apt.Tolkien could meander around a good bit for no apparent purpose, too.You have to enjoy the ride.I did, mostly.While the journey makes frequent unexpected turns, any given incident can be maddeningly predictable.Count on one character to always get it right, another is inevitably wrong.Imrhien and Thorn are almost too perfect, and her attempt to make a more mixed character out of Diarmid just winds up being confusing. The sildron and shang storms are fascinating concepts that are inexplicably relegated to background color. The thing I actually liked best about the book was the very real sense of what it might be like to live in a world where creatures and events from the old tales were everyday and normal, and all the superstitions we would think of as crazy now were not only relevant but essential, the physics of the realm.These people share their world not with the lovable unicorns and talking animals or other staples of fantasy, but with creatures who have nothing in common with humans and care nothing for them, unless as prey or toys.Their lives and agendas don't resemble ours in the slightest.Understanding is accepted as impossible, the trick is to know the rules of managing them.It is a unusual perspective, and I do love that in a book.In the end I was inclined to buy the sequel (one knows there must be one, the book ends a bit abruptly), but when I found it was not available on Kindle, I'm not sure I want it enough to add to my already overstuffed collection.Maybe I can find it at the library.

Creative disconnected wandering
This author has a unique style.Having read many fantasy books, I very much appreciate anything unique.However, the book comes off more as a compendium of supernatural creatures and settings, than as a book driven by plot and character developement.I quite often felt distant from the characters and their ordeals.But, so what... this isn't a book where you get into what is happening, but it is a great book to gawk at the many wonders that come crawling, hopping, and dancing forth across the pages.She also has a weakness for analogy... some very nice, but laid on a bit thick (it's all in the spreading (you don't want your butter clumped up)).It is likely I will read further into the series... though I don't feel rushed to visit the book store.

The Ill-Made Mute, a quick review
I really liked the start of this book, written from the point of view of an outsider, it helps to draw you into this strange world. This book is a good read for those interested in folklore as there are many traditional tales and creatures interwoven throughout. However by the middle of this book I found myself tiring of the constant dangers and quaint (but somewhat irrelevant to the story) tales of the fantastical creatures of this world as it was a little repetitive. I found myself skipping paragraphs just wishing the author would get to the point.
Overall I enjoyed parts of tis book but not enough for me to pick up it's sequels. ... Read more

Product Description
This groundbreaking volume on Richard Pousette-Dart is the most comprehensive publication on his painting to be published since the artist’s death. It provides fresh insights into his oeuvre by five outstanding, contemporary art historians, who have interpreted the artist’s creative output from the 1930s to 1992.
 
Richard Pousette-Dart, one of the founding members of the New York School, created paintings, drawings, sculptures, and journals for over sixty years.  The youngest member of the first generation of American Abstract Expressionists, Pousette-Dart shared with his fellow artists’ interests in psychology, myth-making, anthropology, and both African and American tribal art.   Along with Pollock, Rothko, de Kooning, Motherwell, and others, Pousette-Dart created the art movement known as The New York School.

This book presents the evolution of Richard Pousette-Dart’s styles and philosophy and provides an in-depth look at his ever-evolving painting techniques. The essays focus on his major themes and periods, and include his contributions to the complexity of the intellectual and stylistic language of the Abstract Expressionist movement. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Well worth 10 dollars.An often overlooked artist.
This is a very nice volume. Hardback and only ten dollars used.There is a spiritual dimension to Pousette-Dart's artwork.A depth to his intention.This book has many quality illustrations. ... Read more

Product Description
Loudmouthed, redheaded Cee Cee Bloom has her sights set on Hollywood. Bertie White, quiet and conservative, dreams of getting married and having children. In 1951, their childhood worlds collide in Atlantic City. Keeping in touch as pen pals, they reunite over the years ... always near the ocean.

Powerful and moving, this novel follows Cee Cee and Bertie's extraordinary friendship over the course of thirty years as they transform from adolescents into adults. A bestselling novel that became a hugely successful film, Beaches is funny, heartbreaking, and a tale that should be a part of every woman's library. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Okay book- but the movie was better
Having seen the movie Beaches more times than I can count, I was looking forward to the book.I am therefore sorry to say that I didn't like it that much, and that is a rarity for me I generally like the book more.

The basic story stays the same: Cee Cee Bloom and Bertie White (Hillary in the movie) form an unlikely friendship when they are 10 and 7 years old (respectively). Through many years and personal hardships they remain friends, until a tragic illness brings them together.

What didn't I like about this book? Cee Cee Bloom is not a very nice person in this book, and I found it hard to really care for her. In the movie Bette Midler gives her a clear vulnerability that wasn't apparent in the book. It also seemed to me that the author had Bette specifically in mind while writing the story, as if it were already a screenplay in her head.The character of Bertie was whiny and sad. I wanted more than once to say: Come on woman get on with your life!!, but it never seemed to happen.The clichéd fate of one of the male characters was kind of `been there done that' and I expected more from the author.
Nevertheless, because of fond movie memories the book scored extra points, that's why it gets a high 3***.

Wonderful Book
This book is easy to read and is very entertaining.It will make you laugh and cry.It has been years since I have seen the movie (and I remember loving it) so I really don't know how the two would compare.I would definitely recommend this book.

Extremely pleased with purchase--vendor very good to work with
I was extremely pleased to be dealing with this vendor.I had a bit of a problem receiving my item but the vendor was most helpful and accommodating and immediately sent a replacement and then, today, I received two copies--therefore, I know it was not the vendor's fault in any way but rather the mail or post office.The book copy is beautiful, just like new.I am very pleased with my purchase and recommend this vendor highly.

Poor condition for a used paperback
I found the book(one of my favorite beach reads) hard to read on our vacation due to the condition of this "used" paperback.In fact, this was the first time I never finished the book.Also, the first time I ever bought a used book from Amazon, probably the last time.rrf - luv the Beach

THE MOVIE WAS A LOT BETTER!!!
To be honest I was very disappointed with the book. Maybe it's because I watched the movie first and then I read the book. I love the movie, it's one of my favorites, that's the reason I decided to read the book in the first place. I thought books are always better then the movies, but in this case I was wrong. In the movie they changed a lot of the things, but in a better way I thought. If I was you I would just watch the movie, don't waste your time reading the book. ... Read more

Product Description
Darts is one of America's most popular participation sports. Estimates of the number of Americans who regularly play darts range between 15 and 20 million. Yet until the publication of this book, there was no readily available source of expert instruction in the skills, attitude and study necessary to the mastery of this challenging sport.

The author, George Silberzahn, is an acclaimed master of both British and American style darts and has developed a step-by-step program that all levels of players will find of great benefit.

Included in the book are an informative introduction by Dan William Peek and interviews, insights and commentary from some of America's legendary dart shooters: Joe Baltadonis, Conrad Daniels, Frank Ennis, Ray Fisher, Julie Nicoll-Jennings, Helen Scheerbaum, Bob Theide, Jerry Umberger and Danny Valletto. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

What's in this book
Throwing a dart, driving a car, riding a bike, playing a piano or any other skill one would care to mention all seem to work the same way. Information about how to do a skill is only understandable after we acquire the experience of doing the skill. We actually have to begin doing it before we can ever understand it. (Karl Hartman)

This being a given how does this book fit in? Reading the information in "How To Master The Sport Of Darts" puts a proven way to accomplish the skill of darts into a person's mind (whether beginning or having been at the game a while) so a person may return to the written words as often as desired in an attempt to better understand and perfect their own way of doing it.

What's in the book?

What the dart world is: The people, organizations, competition, tournaments, leagues, and such.

Explanation of the three distinct styles of darts: American, soft tip and steel tip.

Which equipmenta person needs to play each of the styles and how & where to get it.

Games played and/or used for practice.

Ways in which enjoyment is experienced beyond the act of competing.
You don't have to want to be a super star to have fun at darts.

The hidden costs of a career.

Discussion beyond explaining what a person needs to know.
The theme is `How to do it' after you know what "it" is.

The emotional side of the sport. What does being "good" mean and how does a person "know" they are "good". Never play for nothing; commit to hit; your natural drift; spot shooting, planning shots and more.

The finer points to becoming accurate and consistent.
* When & when not and how to practice for what you want from the game.
Most defeat their purpose without knowing it.
* The mechanics of physical form and how to do it your way.
(It's probably more involved than you think).
* A physical practice method which will have the most positive affect.

The intricacies of arithmetic and strategies of the games played.

The specifics of the soft tip game where they are different than the other two.

Dealing with the different mindsets required for higher levels of competition.

How to enjoy the tournament world and deal with the rigors.

The ways many years of competition affects a person.

Nine of the best darts shooters America ever produced talk to you about their experiences, approaches and techniques.

There is Information which covers every facet from "this is a dart" to "how to deal with the end of a career."

The First Edition of this book is now out of print
The first edition of this book is now out of print. To order the NEW Second Edition of "How To Master the Sport of Darts" from Amazon you must click on"Perfect Paperback" in the "Also Available in" box on the amazon.com page for the first edition. The Second Edition is subtitled "Complete and comprehensive instruction in all aspects of Soft Tip, Steel Tip, and American-Style Darts, with additional commentary and advice from legendary Masters of the Sport". It is, indeed, all that and more.

How to master the sport of darts
The book is OK....some helpful hints to help improve your game.The disappointment came with the section of famous dart players.Silberzahn
seemed unable to leave the Philly area for these interviews and most of the players talked about American darts and just touched on English, which is the form I assume most people buying the book are playing.That is the game Silberahn gives all his advice on.Where was Dave Kelly?Rick Nye?

Good Instruction
I found great instruction within.I had several minor 'bad habits' to my game.Individually, they may have been irrelevant, but collectively, they made my game suffer.Now, I'm top ten in my league and getting better all the time.The practice tips were great and helped me avoid all the frustration while just narrowing down my spots.

How to Master the sport of darts

Excellent instructive book written by a master of the sport. Genuinely aids one in sharpening up their skill in shooting darts.
Jim Crandall Massena, NY ... Read more