H. G. Wells predates Sci-fiction. Most of his books in the field were written before the term was coined in the 1930s. Along with Mary Shelley, Jules Verne, and Robert Louis Stevenson, his work laid the foundation for almost every major form of Science Fiction. Just as many other books written since Wells share elements with THE INVISIBLE MAN or THE TIME MACHINE or THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, so numerous novels, short stories, movies, and television episodes have been influenced by THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU. It also has been made into three films, an absolutely god-awful one with Marlon Brando in the title role, another bad one (but not as bad) with Burt Lancaster in the lead role, and a 1932 version starring Charles Laughton and retitled ISLAND OF LOST SOULS. While not a perfect film, it is easily the most intriguing of the three films, not least because of Bela Lugosi's unforgettable portrayal as The Sayer of the Law. In fact, both of the later films are more in the way of remakes of the first film rather than versions of the novel.
Nonetheless, like with Wells's other novels, reading THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU will feel familiar to modern readers. So many elements have been appropriated that we've all seen this time and again. That is also the problem with his books: so many elements have been appropriated that we've all seen this time and again. There are a few interesting scenes, but the truth is that a sense of familiarity runs throughout the book. This is not really a criticism of the book. It is more an acknowledgment of how successful it has been.
Still, the fact that the book can no longer feel unfamiliar and given the otherwise relatively minor literary qualities of the book (Wells is not an especially skilled prose stylist and his characters are rather cardboardish), this book is a somewhat tedious read. Its virtues at this point are primarily historical. This is a book that we read to find out how the mad scientist portion of the Sci-fi genre developed as it did. I personally find it less interesting than many of Wells's other Sci-fi works.Get more detail about Island of Doctor Moreau (Airmont Classic).
Low Price Island of Doctor Moreau (Airmont Classic)
Save Graceling
I'm not going to give you a summary of the book, just know it's incredible! The characters are strong, and its easy to pick up on their traits and get a good feel of who they are. The relationships between the characters is half its greatness! It's not easy to get a good grasp on the intimacy of fighting, The beginning draws you in quickly, and forms the plot nicely; the end is a BIT anti-climactic, but over all its a good read.Get more detail about Graceling.
Discount ArchEnemy: The Looking Glass Wars
At the end of SEEING REDD, Frank Beddor's second book in The Looking Glass Wars trilogy, Wonderland was in disarray. The power of the Heart Crystal had been contained and imagination was seemingly lost. Queen Alyss and her meddling aunt, Redd Heart, were left powerless and forlorn. Only one person looked to capitalize from the confusion and hysteria the citizens of Wonderland were experiencing: King Arch.
Not content with sitting idle in the neighboring Borderland, King Arch leads an all-out assault on the capital of Wonderland, while Alyss and Redd remain powerless without the use of their imaginations. He overtakes the palace and starts to construct a plan that can only end in disaster and leave him as the last royalty standing.
Along with her host of deadly assassins and without the use of imagination, Redd seeks to return to her origins. Still as bitter, spiteful and evil-hearted as ever, she would like nothing more than to regain her rightful place as Queen from Alyss. King Arch, however, poses a bigger threat at the moment, and Redd is starting to feel that familiar energy of imagination seep back into her.
Queen Alyss recognizes that, with or without imagination, a queen still needs to take care of her people. Alyss cares deeply for the inhabitants of Wonderland, so when she's forced on the run, her only concern is to overthrow King Arch and restore peace to her beloved country. It doesn't help that her thoughts are preoccupied with her bodyguard, Dodge, and their ever-complicated relationship. Does he love her? Does she love him? If only imagination could fix things already.
And let's not forget the caterpillar oracles. They may know the desires and future of those in Wonderland, but they always seem to have an ulterior motive of their own. It may indeed be that the fat oracles care only for tarty tarts (and lots of them), but they keep mentioning the safety of Everqueen. Who is Everqueen? As the last book in The Looking Glass Wars trilogy, the stakes are as high as ever. Lives will be lost, relationships will be severed, and old enemies will unexpectedly unite in a climactic battle that is beyond imagination.
Frank Beddor's re-imagination of ALICE IN WONDERLAND has succeeded on so many levels. The introduction of The Cat and Hatter Madigan as assassins was enough by itself to take the storyline to a whole new level. Once heavily-armed card soldiers, epic battle scenes, and more imagination than your standard daydream were added to the mix, Beddor's tale transcended the level of fun children's story.
Fans of THE LOOKING GLASS WARS and SEEING REDD will not be disappointed in this third installment. If anything, Beddor ups the ante and dives even deeper into the characters by offering rare insights into their psyche. And action fans, don't fret: there are more knives, guns, ammunition and bombs than you can shake a jabberwocky at. On a final note, make sure you take time to visit the official website of the series, which contains information on the three books, book trailers, music, art, games, and information on the two graphic novels that accompany this wonderful series.
--- Reviewed by Benjamin BocheGet more detail about ArchEnemy: The Looking Glass Wars.
Cheapest Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Bought this book for our spirited child who very often has no good very bad days. It has become a source of comfort for him to know hes no the only one who has such days. Get more detail about Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
Cheap Drums of Autumn (Outlander)
While this book is still better than 99 percent of the rest of the books available, when compared to the others in the series it is a step down. It doesn't seem to have its own identify as much as it serves as a link for the preceding book an the next in the series. While it is a link, it is a very long link. However, like all the books in the series, it reads quickly for its length because it is a stirring series with well-told tales. The narrative, however, does not have the same directed flow of the previous Outlander novels, and seems more of a placeholder. That said, I can't wait to read the next in the series.Get more detail about Drums of Autumn (Outlander).
Buying Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations
"A teenage rebellion against low expectations," is a great way to summarize this book. Most teenagers these days don't live up to the expectations that teenagers had back in the older days, such as George Washington. This book really opens up the eyes of all of the teenagers, and parents who read this book. Well, at least I know it opened my eyes. It explains to us that the expectations of teens today are much different of those before. Now, the expectations of teens are to be able to clean their room, without the help of their mother, do the dishwasher and take out the trash. Before, George Washington, at age eleven was already on his way to becoming the first president of the United States. Also, Clara Barton at age 11 was helping the wounded and nursing the health and later became the founder of the Red Cross. You should read this book because it is a really fast read; it is so interesting to listen to how low our expectations are these days. It's also not just a book for a specific gender. It relates to all teens, girls and boys. Plus, it is also for parents who are learning how to get their child to live up to bigger expectations and do something productive with their life. Also, it is written by Christians and relates back to the bible throughout the book. You do not have to be a Christian, but if you are a Christian and want a good, fun, interesting book, this is the book for you.
-Samantha BlouchGet more detail about Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations.
Buy The Omnivore's Dilemma for Kids: The Secrets Behind What You Eat
Just FYI, I saw Michael Pollan in an interview today and he said the target age is 8 to 12 years old. I just ordered this so I have not read it yet, but I read the adult version and thoroughly enjoyed it and am excited about sharing this version with my kids.Get more detail about The Omnivore's Dilemma for Kids: The Secrets Behind What You Eat.
