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Tashar:City of Mystery (Book 1)
Exciting read!
(7/6/2002)
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When Star Wars was first released in 1977, it didn't take long for it to become a phenomenon. Like the echoing of Vader's machine innards -- and his dark garb so does Dark Shadow call the good guys "to dark side," in his quest for control over the universe.
This adventuresome, journey of the author to uncover the possible roots of this legendary race begins with an overview of the ancient to most recent tale and representations of Tashar. The authors vivid descriptions of the ancient cities are used to validate that a flesh-and-blood, historical Dark Shadow did exist. A galaxy in turmoil as a secessionist movement threatens to expand.
Phoenix succeeded with his deep probes into and bonds with the minds of some of the characters. The many background details of the characters, and their musings on them, were much appreciated. Everything from infiltrating an empirical prison facility, escaping space cruisers, to destroying an Empirical star ship, barehanded of course. The action never stops and you hardly ever get lost. In a trilogy Tashar Book One: City of Mystery should make great for a great read. |
If I Perish
A Great Summer read!
7/1/2002
An intriguingly exquisite novel, if I had to use comparison, it would be a modern day version of two undeniably classics: the King and I and the Ten Commandments rolled into one.
In this tale, a King desires only to lead his people down a path of peace and progress. Instead he finds resistance from those who are distrustful and skillfully plan for his downfall. His chosen Queen is appropriately proper, witty, outspoken and opinionated layered with an outer beauty. She is always quick with a diplomatic and intelligent response, entrancing the King with her spiritual beauty. While, a coup in the making, the Prime Minister hungry for status and power uses great cunning as a covering excuse for hostilities against one nation.
Turner gives emphasis to ultra secularist political rumblings, social conflict followed later by battle for survival, as the result of one decree. But at the critical moment a handful of dedicated, loyal beings succeeded in averting at least in part the impending disaster. In Turners tale, we find a degree of comfort in the dateline we have just crossed, separating ourselves in time from a century we all remember with great unease.
Hiding Behind the Collar
An excellent read.
(6/25/2002)
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In this well written and touching novel, it is obvious the courage of the author to bare all, in a tell all. Fairbanks recants her ordeal in dealing with the Episcopal Church, its conduct and ethics. I found myself rapidly sinking deep beneath the printed words with my heart racing, as I found that I could actually relate to her story... how ironic.
"There are no simple routes to find your way to the center of a maze, and when you do find your way to this resting place, you may find it difficult to find the way out." This is exactly what happens for Fairbanks in her candid recanting of events. Hiding behind the collar, unveils a fragile state of mind searching for a lifeline in rare detail, and how US (meaning you or I) can fall under the influential power of one person! It also examines organized religion, its political strategies towards cover-up, betrayal and corruption. We cannot simply dismiss these stories of clerical misconduct, which span all religious judicatories.
Fairbanks explains that first; we must accept that the problem of clerical misconduct exists, and then we must stop being silent on the issue and stop sweeping them under the rug. After reading this enlightening novel, in my opinion this book would have been a worthy Oprahs Pick! |
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