Monday, October 10, 2016

The Girl Who Played With Fire

The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson (Contains Affiliate Link)

"The electrifying follow-up to the phenomenal best seller The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
The fierce heart of this novel is Lisbeth Salander: the troubled, wise-beyond-her-years genius hacker who teamed up with crusading journalist Mikael Blomkvist in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

This time, Lisbeth is implicated in a murder: her fingerprints found on the weapon used to kill two journalists the night before their explosive story about sex trafficking in Sweden was set to be published. Now, while Blomkvist—alone in his belief in her innocence—plunges into his own investigation of the slayings, Lisbeth is drawn into a hunt in which she is the prey, and which compels her to revisit her dark past in an effort to settle with it once and for all." (From Amazon.com Product Listing)


Genesis of Shannara: Armageddon's Children

Genesis of Shannara: Armageddon's Children by Terry Brooks (Contains Affiliate Links)

"Terry Brooks is one of a handful of writers whose work defines modern fantasy fiction. His twenty-three international bestsellers have ranged from the beloved Shannara series to stories that tread a much darker path. Armageddon’s Children is a new creation–the perfect opportunity for readers unfamiliar with Brooks’s previous work to experience an author at the height of his considerable storytelling powers. It is a gripping chronicle of a once-familiar world now spun shockingly out of control, in which an extraordinary few struggle to salvage hope in the face of terrifying chaos. 

Logan Tom is doomed to remember the past and determined to rescue the future. Far behind him lies a boyhood cut violently short by his family’s slaughter, when the forces of madness and hate swept our world after decadent excesses led to civilization’s downfall. Somewhere ahead of him rests the only chance to beat back the minions of evil that are systematically killing and enslaving the last remnants of humanity. Navigating the scarred and poisoned landscape that once was America and guided by a powerful talisman, Logan has sworn an oath to seek out a remarkable being born of magic, possessed of untold abilities, and destined to lead the final fight against darkness.

Across the country, Angel Perez, herself a survivor of the malevolent, death-dealing forces combing the land, has also been chosen for an uncanny mission in the name of her ruined world’s salvation. From the devastated streets of Los Angeles, she will journey to find a place–and a people–shrouded in mystery, celebrated in legend, and vital to the cause of humankind . . . even as a relentless foe follows close behind, bent on her extermination. While in the nearly forsaken city of Seattle, a makeshift family of refugees has carved out a tenuous existence among the street gangs, mutants, and marauders fighting to stay alive against mounting odds–and something unspeakable that has come from the shadows in search of prey. 

In time, all their paths will cross. Their common purpose will draw them together. Their courage and convictions will be tested and their fates will be decided, as their singular crusade begins: to take back, or lose forever, the only world they have.

In Armageddon’s Children, Brooks brings his gifts as a mythmaker to the timeless theme of the unending, essential conflict between darkness and light–and carries his unique imaginative vision to a stunning new level. Prepare for a breathtaking tour de force. To those who are new to Terry Brooks, welcome. And to those who have read him for many years: prepare for a dramatic surprise." (From amazon.com product listing)


Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Crossroads of Twilight - Wheel of Time Book Ten

Crossroads of Twilight - Wheel of Time Book Ten by Robert Jordan

"In the tenth book of The Wheel of Time from the New York Times #1 bestselling author Robert Jordan, the world and the characters stand at a crossroads, and the world approaches twilight, when the power of the Shadow grows stronger.

"Fleeing from Ebou Dar with the kidnapped Daughter of the Nine Moons, whom  he is fated to marry, Mat Cauthon learns that he can neither keep her nor let her go, not in safety for either of them, for both the Shadow and the might of the Seanchan Empire are in deadly pursuit.

"Perrin Aybara seeks to free his wife, Faile, a captive of the Shaido, but his only hope may be an alliance with the enemy. Can he remain true to his friend Rand and to himself? For his love of Faile, Perrin is willing to sell his soul.

"At Tar Valon, Egwene al'Vere, the young Amyrlin of the rebel Aes Sedai, lays siege to the heart of Aes Sedai power, but she must win quickly, with as little bloodshed as possible, for unless the Aes Sedai are reunited, only the male Asha'man will remain to defend the world against the Dark One, and nothing can hold the Asha'man themselves back from total power except the Aes Sedai and a Unified White Tower.

"In Andor, Elayne Trakand fights for the Lion Throne, that is hers by right, but enemies and Darkfriends surround her, plotting her destruction. If she fails, Andor may fall to the Shadow and the Dragon Reborn with it.

"Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn himself, has cleansed the Dark One's taint from the male half of the True Source, and everything has changed. Yet nothing has, for only men who can channel believe that saidin is clean again and a man who can channel is still hated and feared - even one prophesied to save the world. Now, Rand must gamble again, with himself at stake, and he cannot be sure which of his allies are really enemies." (inside jacket)




My husband absolutely loves this series by Robert Jordan. He had the whole series at one point, and let it go; now he's trying to put his collection back together. This is book 10, and well worth reading the entire epic saga.

The Eye of the World - Graphic Novel - Wheel of Time Vol. 1

The Eye of the World: the Graphic Novel (vol. 1) Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan, Chuck Dixon and Chase Conley (Includes Affiliate Link)

"Created with the cooperation of the Jordan estate, adapted by well-known comics writer Chuck Dixon and illustrated by the talented Chase Conley, The Eye of the World: The Graphic Novel has been hailed as an exciting interpretation of Robert Jordan's classic fantasy novel.
The Eye of the World: The Graphic Novel, Volume One begins Robert Jordan's epic tale by introducing Rand al'Thor and his friends Matrim and Perrin at home in Emond's Field, shortly before the spring festival. Moiraine Damodred and Lan Mandragoran appear and almost before Rand knows it, he's fleeing his home village with Moiraine, Lan, his friends, and Egwene al'Vere, the innkeeper's daughter, who wishes to become an Aes Sedai. The conclusion of this volume leaves the travelers on the road to Baerlon, barely ahead of the pursuing Trollocs and Draghkar. But even as they run for their lives, Moiraine and Lan begin to teach the young people what they will need to know to survive in this dangerous world.
The Eye of the World: The Graphic Novel, Volume One contains the first eight issues of The Wheel of Time comic book published by Dynamite Entertainment." (from Amazon.com listing)


My husband has loved the Wheel of Time series for decades, and he was thrilled to get his hands on this graphic novel version. Stays very true to the epic book on which it is based. He shared this with our daughter this past year (she's 11), and it got her interested in reading the actual full-length series. Fantasy fans will love this series.

Debt of Honor

Debt of Honor by Tom Clancy (includes affiliate link)

"Razio Yamata is one of Japan's most influential industrialists, and part of a relatively small group of authority who wield tremendous authority in the Pacific Rim's economic powerhouse. He has devised a plan to cripple the American greatness, humble the US military, and elevate Japan to a position of dominance on the world stage. Yamata's motivation lies in his desire to pay off a Debt of Honor to his parents and to the country he feels is responsible for their deaths -- America. All he needs is a catalyst to set his plan in motion. When the faulty gas tank on one Tennessee family's car leads to their fiery death, an opportunistic U. S. congressman uses the occasion to rush a new trade law through the system. The law is designed to squeeze Japan economically. Instead, it provides Yamata with the leverage he needs to put his plan into action. As Yamata's plan begins to unfold, it becomes clear to the world that someone is launching a fully-integrated operation against the United States. There's only one man to find out who the culprit is -- Jack Ryan, the new President's National Security Advisor." (from Amazon.com listing)


The Sum of All Fears

The Sum of All Fears by Tom Clancy (includes affiliate link)

"A new world order... on the brink of destruction... Peace may finally be at hand in the Middle East---as Jack Ryan lays the groundwork for a plan that could end centuries of conflict. But ruthless terrorists have a final, desperate card to play; with one terrible act, distrust mounts, forces collide, and the floundering U.S. president seems unable to cope with the crisis. With the world on the verge of nuclear disaster, Ryan must frantically seek a solution---before the chiefs of state lose control of themselves and the world. The author of five consecutive #1 bestsellers, Tom Clancy now offers his timeliest, most explosive novel yet, presented here in a special, expanded four-cassette program---six hours of the exceptional realism, authenticity and unrelenting suspense that make him the undisputed master of the contemporary thriller."  (From amazon.com product listing)


Seizure

Seizure by Robin Cook (contains affiliate link)

"Biotechnology has become the buzzword in the campaign of Senator Ashley Butler; a self-appointed guardian of 'traditional American Values.' The conservative politician has come down staunchly against stem cell research. But when he develops Parkinson's disease, the senator makes an unwilling pact with the very doctor whose groundbreaking - yet untested - technology he is trying to destroy..." (inside cover)